tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69435600983817815572024-03-13T11:05:29.186-07:00Hearing ResearchHearing is usually considered the second most important special sense, although some people lacking both vision and hearing think it is the first. This Aurametrix blog is about the sense of hearing, genetic and environmental causes of hearing loss and its age-related decline.Aurametrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473714823289213681noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6943560098381781557.post-77997833585250454332024-03-01T16:14:00.000-08:002024-03-13T11:04:54.764-07:00 SARS-CoV-2 Lurking in the Middle Ear<p>From the common rhinovirus to infamous coronavirus, respiratory viruses can trigger a cascade of ear complications, including acute otitis media (AOM). This roster includes syncytial virus, rhinovirus, adenovirus, coronavirus, bocavirus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, enterovirus, human metapneumovirus and SARS-Cov2. Moreover, <a href="https://www.techrxiv.org/doi/full/10.22541/au.159414950.00880232">Otitis media can often manifest as the initial sign of COVID-19</a> and be associated with hearing loss. Otitis media secretory is <a href="https://journals.lww.com/otology-neurotology/fulltext/9900/clinical_observation_of_otitis_media_secretory.510.aspx">one of the most common ear complications</a> after infection with the Omicron strain of SARS-CoV-2 virus, and the significantly higher incidence is associated with middle ear viral infection. Middle ear effusion SARS-CoV-2 virus antigen test detected the virus, which survived longer in the middle ear effusion than in the nasal cavity. The middle ear effusion test can detect SARS-CoV-2 virus antigen and determine whether the organism contains virus residue. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqnxxiyG1FmhNYkmXnf_83X7UbCfqem8lrDJscuUi1H8F2oZsdcn3t3rkCTSFJlJKvt7mb24RwqA2ewFg1Z-r2hf-lCbfQTPpWdyJqEfaNWRVvxfeUUXBU5U99G5REq0M3hobeBeWadJw6HbfLFewgKl927HKIA1EDLfjMm9cPXs4Dj4JCk2xIyob20Wp/s835/otitis.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="835" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqnxxiyG1FmhNYkmXnf_83X7UbCfqem8lrDJscuUi1H8F2oZsdcn3t3rkCTSFJlJKvt7mb24RwqA2ewFg1Z-r2hf-lCbfQTPpWdyJqEfaNWRVvxfeUUXBU5U99G5REq0M3hobeBeWadJw6HbfLFewgKl927HKIA1EDLfjMm9cPXs4Dj4JCk2xIyob20Wp/s320/otitis.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Recent findings have unveiled a potentially alarming revelation - individuals diagnosed with otitis media with effusion (OME) post-COVID-19 may harbor traces of the virus within their middle ear. In this study, a striking 12.0% of middle ear effusion samples tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, hinting at the possibility of viral persistence and recurrence.</p><p>The study examined 23 patients, ranging from 32 to 84 years of age, who presented with OME following Omicron infection. 91.3% of these patients showcased unilateral symptoms, with fluid accumulation observed in 88.0% of ears. The median duration from infection to middle ear effusion sampling was 21 days, showcasing the potential for prolonged viral presence in this concealed reservoir.</p><p>Adding to the intrigue is the elusive nature of OME itself. Characterized by fluid accumulation in the middle ear sans acute infection, OME has long puzzled experts in otolaryngology and audiology. While bacterial infections and immunological responses have been implicated, the precise mechanisms remain veiled in mystery.</p><p><br /></p><div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>REFERENCES</p><p>Chengzhou Han, Huifang Wang, Ying Wang, Chao Hang, Yangyang Wang, Xiangming Meng, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196070924000152">The silent reservoir? SARS-CoV-2 detection in the middle ear effusion of patients with Otitis media with effusion after omicron infection</a>, American Journal of Otolaryngology, 2024, 104229, ISSN 0196-0709, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjoto.2024.104229. </p><p>Zhang Y, Liu J, Yang F, He Y, Yan S, Bai Y, Zhang Z, Luan F. COVID-19-related secretory otitis media in the omicron era: a case series. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2023 Oct;280(10):4697-4700. doi: 10.1007/s00405-023-08075-w. Epub 2023 Jun 21. PMID: 37341758.</p><p>Fan Y, Gao R, Shang Y, Tian X, Zhao Y, Chen X. Presence of SARS-CoV-2 in middle ear fluid and characterization of otitis media with effusion in patients with COVID-19. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2023 Nov 1;136:44-8.</p><p>Karimi-Galougahi M, Raad N, Ghorbani J, Mikaniki N, Haseli S. Otitis Media in COVID-19: A Case Series. Authorea Preprints. 2020 Jul 7.</p></div>Aurametrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473714823289213681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6943560098381781557.post-32771328915417427102024-01-27T17:05:00.000-08:002024-01-29T18:04:39.017-08:00Gene Therapy Rescues Childhood Deafness<p>Gene therapy, a revolutionary medical technique first conceptualized in the 1980s, has steadily advanced, offering new hope in treating various genetic disorders. This approach involves altering a person’s genetic makeup to combat diseases, representing a significant shift from traditional methods like drugs or surgery. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFi-VBXFPIw826orOuwEQlnkwtTZbeO2nnk7nEKEAUJUd_i_QXl3-JCW23hwCCYuLdU6OaMCmiRrf7thA05QMc4ogHuJr9rmdydnYokDY2LKsbvnjhwilIrNz0GG_HSSgdTw7rtbrceDEjVUiFQjaY02Zcb1VPuDMoDDDlnXs4Tcv9exgTJnpNBM0AMbC/s1024/DALL%C2%B7E%202024-01-29%2020.35.34%20-%20An%20illustration%20depicting%20the%20concept%20of%20gene%20therapy%20for%20curing%20genetic%20disorders,%20focusing%20on%20the%20treatment%20of%20inherited%20hearing%20loss.%20The%20image%20fea.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFi-VBXFPIw826orOuwEQlnkwtTZbeO2nnk7nEKEAUJUd_i_QXl3-JCW23hwCCYuLdU6OaMCmiRrf7thA05QMc4ogHuJr9rmdydnYokDY2LKsbvnjhwilIrNz0GG_HSSgdTw7rtbrceDEjVUiFQjaY02Zcb1VPuDMoDDDlnXs4Tcv9exgTJnpNBM0AMbC/s320/DALL%C2%B7E%202024-01-29%2020.35.34%20-%20An%20illustration%20depicting%20the%20concept%20of%20gene%20therapy%20for%20curing%20genetic%20disorders,%20focusing%20on%20the%20treatment%20of%20inherited%20hearing%20loss.%20The%20image%20fea.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Gene therapy faces challenges, including immune reactions, targeting errors, and the risk of new mutations. But in many cases benefits outweigh the risks.</p><p>A recent milestone in gene therapy has been its application in treating inherited hearing loss. The focus is on DFNB9, a form of deafness caused by mutations in the OTOF gene, responsible for producing otoferlin, a crucial protein in sound signal transmission. This leads to nonsyndromic Hearing Loss - a hearing loss that occurs with no other symptoms. A collaborative clinical trial between Chinese researchers and Mass Eye and Ear investigators has yielded remarkable results.</p><p>The trial involved six children with autosomal recessive deafness (DFNB9), all between one and seven years old. The gene therapy entailed injecting a functional OTOF gene using viral carriers into the inner ear. This process enabled the cells to produce otoferlin, thereby restoring hearing capabilities.</p><p>Over 26 weeks, five of the six children showed significant hearing improvements, with abilities ranging from understanding speech to verbalizing words, even holding phone conversations. </p><p>This success paves the way for addressing other genetic forms of deafness involving genes like GJB2, MYO15A, TMC1, or SLC26A4. These genes play various roles in the inner ear's development and function, and researchers are diligently working to develop targeted gene therapies for these conditions.</p><p>Gene therapy, once a concept, is now transforming lives. As research continues, it holds the promise of curing not just deafness but a spectrum of genetic disorders, marking a new era in medical science.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>REFERENCE</p><p>Qi J, Tan F, Zhang L, Lu L, Zhang S, Zhai Y, Lu Y, Qian X, Dong W, Zhou Y, Zhang Z, Yang X, Jiang L, Yu C, Liu J, Chen T, Wu L, Tan C, Sun S, Song H, Shu Y, Xu L, Gao X, Li H, Chai R. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202306788">AAV‐Mediated Gene Therapy Restores Hearing in Patients with DFNB9 Deafness</a>. Adv Sci (Weinh). 2024 Jan 8:e2306788. doi: 10.1002/advs.202306788. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38189623.</p>Aurametrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473714823289213681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6943560098381781557.post-62632414929848885472023-09-17T09:22:00.001-07:002023-09-17T09:29:53.754-07:00Music in the Streaming Age<p>In the grand tapestry of human evolution, our sense of hearing has played a pivotal role in our survival and cultural development. Over time, our hearing has evolved in response to environmental cues and the intricate dance of language and communication. This journey has left its imprint on the very structure of our inner ears and the regions of our brains responsible for language processing. </p><p>As our societies grew in complexity, so did our music. It was evolving from simple and rhythmic, to intricate compositions of classical music and avant-garde, experimental, serialist, highly spatialized music. It was changing from danceable to complex and dissonant rhythms. Some complex music was very popular - such as psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd; other not so much - such as Karlheinz Stockhausen's compositions. Modern music was incorporating elements of many other genres - eg alternative rock: punk rock, heavy metal, and experimental music and even simpler Hip Hop: jazz, funk, and soul. The most popular music was not always simplest but was more accessible.</p><p>In the 2020s, the world of music experienced a seismic shift with the rise of streaming platforms like Spotify, Tencent, and Apple Music. The impact was profound, not only revitalizing the music industry's revenue but also redefining the very essence of music itself.</p><p>Traditionally, music was a patient storyteller, often taking its time to build up to a climactic chorus or hook. Yet, the economics of streaming introduced a new imperative – capturing the listener's attention within the first 30 seconds. Enter the "Pop Overture," a clever technique where a song hints at its chorus within the initial moments, engaging the listener and encouraging them to stay for the full musical journey. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2d3pzkdDMxi3NUcqHuybt6KKbChF92L4KcVNCEAxkfG4AstM-_Cqeam1LvfMnwuJl0VxNkoengqe5n01j0GLvIvtJ_XBC9f1C9yFnJXPKRN8fcAgXDUdulb4FJjpI1PevO7zS9o_og6qDJuo676Ifr_rjcK3aBcyonuD4o9_7b0Psut-ZJjD2AqKWccd9/s943/musicshorter.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="943" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2d3pzkdDMxi3NUcqHuybt6KKbChF92L4KcVNCEAxkfG4AstM-_Cqeam1LvfMnwuJl0VxNkoengqe5n01j0GLvIvtJ_XBC9f1C9yFnJXPKRN8fcAgXDUdulb4FJjpI1PevO7zS9o_og6qDJuo676Ifr_rjcK3aBcyonuD4o9_7b0Psut-ZJjD2AqKWccd9/s320/musicshorter.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>To keep the dreaded "skip rate" at bay, artists began to craft shorter songs. Lengthy instrumental intros were swapped for immediate engagement, resulting in a significant reduction in the average duration of hit songs. In 2021, nearly two-thirds of chart-toppers clocked in at under three minutes, a departure from the days when a four-minute+ song was the norm.</p><p>As individual songs shrank, albums expanded. Streaming listeners, keen to maximize their musical experience, embraced longer albums. More songs equaled more income, with Taylor Swift's "Midnights" dominating the Hot 100 chart by offering an extensive musical journey.</p><p>Streaming opened doors for genres that once struggled for visibility. Latin and K-Pop artists rose to prominence on Spotify's Global Top 100, fostering a rich tapestry of cross-genre collaborations. Remixes featuring artists from different backgrounds expanded a song's appeal and audience, exemplified by Justin Bieber's "Sorry (Latino Remix)" with J. Balvin.</p><p>While artistic creativity remains paramount, commercial considerations loom large. The streaming economy's dynamics, with its emphasis on plays, playlists, and recommendations, have compelled artists and labels to explore innovative strategies to maximize reach and revenue.</p><p>In this ever-evolving landscape of sound, music's essence has been reshaped by the streaming revolution. The emphasis on retaining listeners and optimizing plays has redefined how songs are crafted and albums are composed. With an emphasis on retaining listener engagement and maximizing plays, the industry has adapted to the evolving preferences and economics of the streaming era.</p><p><br /></p><p>REFERENCES</p><p>Streaming is changing the sound of music(https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/music/streaming-is-changing-the-sound-of-music-182dc907)</p><p>https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37531602</p><p>https://www.reddit.com/r/dataisbeautiful/comments/e5htxy/are_songs_getting_shorter_or_just_our_attention/</p><p>Acknowledgements: ChatGPT, Bard and Bing image creator</p>Aurametrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473714823289213681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6943560098381781557.post-53374534574614931392023-09-08T18:02:00.005-07:002023-09-09T08:13:39.605-07:00A Leap Towards Curing Genetic Deafness<p>In recent years, gene therapy has surfaced as a beacon of hope for those grappling with genetic hearing loss, showcasing promising results in neonatal mice. However, when it comes to adults, the complex structure of the cochlea, nestled within the temporal bone, has made treatment significantly more challenging. A <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.abq3916">recent study</a> reported results that could change this narrative, opening new avenues in auditory research with the potential to revolutionize treatment for progressive genetic-mediated hearing loss in adults.</p><p>The crux of this breakthrough lies in the innovative method of gene delivery through the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), a channel that has not been explored extensively in previous research. This study illuminates the lymphatic-like characteristics exhibited by the cochlear aqueduct in mice, indicating a pathway for the diffusion of gene therapy to the inner ear. Leveraging in vivo time-lapse magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and optical fluorescence microscopy, the research team traced the journey of large-particle tracers from the CSF to the inner ear, demonstrating a viable route for targeted gene delivery.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPf6l6KTXrhlHn_ykiRdmCt6k4Qtu-m1lUteu90kbdnGO7v4WjaVV7U51RSU_a9sHKvy7V0K8i5cV9q1p5eRDnLc53xQdqApP5BOew4Hwj1gDySIiJWpLphVJn_vT0SkkSAucuq-5UX9KPJhw_bHdcD5PUvehZr7Bq3ceAnQgpXfd_NDQiynCJCZlFe2i/s720/gentherhear.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbPf6l6KTXrhlHn_ykiRdmCt6k4Qtu-m1lUteu90kbdnGO7v4WjaVV7U51RSU_a9sHKvy7V0K8i5cV9q1p5eRDnLc53xQdqApP5BOew4Hwj1gDySIiJWpLphVJn_vT0SkkSAucuq-5UX9KPJhw_bHdcD5PUvehZr7Bq3ceAnQgpXfd_NDQiynCJCZlFe2i/s320/gentherhear.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>By utilizing a single intracisternal injection of an adeno-associated virus carrying the Slc17A8 gene, known for encoding the vesicular glutamate transporter-3 (VGLUT3), the researchers successfully restored hearing in adult deaf mice. This restoration was achieved without any discernible ectopic expression in the brain or the liver, emphasizing the precision of this approach.</p><p>This pivotal study marks a significant stride in auditory research, presenting a feasible and innovative method to treat genetic deafness in adults, a segment that was previously considered hard to reach due to the risks associated with potential damage to inner ear structures. The CSF administration through the cochlear aqueducts emerges as a promising route, promising not just advancements in rodent studies but potentially paving the way for human applications.</p><p>In essence, this research might herald a new era where genetic deafness in adults could be treated more effectively and safely. As the world of medical science stands on the brink of this significant advancement, it brings renewed hope and anticipation for individuals affected by progressive genetic-mediated hearing loss, inching us closer to a future where hearing restoration is within reach for all.</p><p><br /></p><p>REFERENCE</p><p>Mathiesen BK, Miyakoshi LM, Cederroth CR, Tserga E, Versteegh C, Bork PA, Hauglund NL, Gomolka RS, Mori Y, Edvall NK, Rouse S. Delivery of gene therapy through a cerebrospinal fluid conduit to rescue hearing in adult mice. Science Translational Medicine. 2023 Jun 28;15(702):eabq3916.</p>Aurametrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473714823289213681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6943560098381781557.post-14893992025086350082023-09-04T07:00:00.068-07:002023-09-25T07:42:56.225-07:00The Promise of Bimodal Neuromodulation<p>Tinnitus, often described as a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears leading to distress and discomfort, affects more than 10% of the population worldwide. For years, finding an effective treatment for this phantom auditory condition has been a challenge. One promising approach is bimodal neuromodulation. </p><p>Extensive animal studies demonstrated the ability of bimodal neuromodulation to induce neural plasticity in the auditory brain. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://media.springernature.com/lw685/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1038%2Fs41598-022-13875-x/MediaObjects/41598_2022_13875_Fig1_HTML.png?as=webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="203" data-original-width="685" height="119" src="https://media.springernature.com/lw685/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1038%2Fs41598-022-13875-x/MediaObjects/41598_2022_13875_Fig1_HTML.png?as=webp" width="400" /></a></div><p>The TENT-A1 clinical trial (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02669069) conducted in 2020 involved 326 participants and demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of bimodal neuromodulation using the Lenire device. This therapy combined sound and tongue stimulation and significantly reduced tinnitus symptom severity scores in over 80% of participants during the 12-week treatment period, with effects lasting up to 12 months after treatment. The trial used three different parameter settings (PS1, PS2, and PS3) involving synchronized sound and tongue stimulation, short interstimulus delays, and lower-frequency tones, respectively, along with background wideband noise. TENT-A2, which was statistically powered to evaluate the necessity of wideband noise, found that it was not required for therapeutic benefit in arm 2 (absent in parameter settings). Furthermore, TENT-A2 completed in 2022 (clinicaltrials.gov: <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03530306?term=NCT03530306">NCT03530306</a>) explored the impact of adjusting sound and tongue stimulus parameters, demonstrating significant findings in both arms (PS1-PS4 and PS6-PS10). These results represent significant progress in tinnitus treatment.</p><p>The study found that these therapeutic effects were sustained up to 12 months after the treatment ended. This long-term relief is a promising development for tinnitus sufferers.</p><p>Tinnitus treatments can be categorized into three main groups based on a recent scoping review:</p><p>Medical Technology Therapies: This category includes therapies that involve the use of medical devices or technology to manage tinnitus. Notably, the study highlighted the effectiveness of stimulation therapies, although evidence-based guidelines did not strongly recommend them. Stimulation therapies encompass approaches such as tinnitus masking, which uses external sounds to reduce the perception of tinnitus, and acoustic therapies.</p><p>Behavioral/Habituation Therapies: These therapies focus on behavioral interventions to help individuals habituate to the perception of tinnitus. Common approaches mentioned in the review include counseling, tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques, and attention diversion strategies.</p><p>Pharmacological, Herbal, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine Therapies: This category encompasses treatments involving medications, herbal remedies, complementary therapies, and alternative medicine. However, the review noted a lack of significant findings and strong recommendations for these interventions, indicating the need for further research in this area.</p><p>Tinnitus research has predominantly focused on stimulation therapies and acoustic therapies. However. digital therapies, including internet-based interventions, are more cost-effective and are gaining traction in the treatment and management of tinnitus. They are showing promise in improving the effectiveness of interventions, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). They have the potential to improve patient outcomes and provide accessible options for individuals with tinnitus. However, their integration into healthcare systems requires careful consideration and the accumulation of strong evidence to support their effectiveness and long-term benefits.</p><p><br /></p><p>REFERENCES</p><p>Conlon B, Hamilton C, Meade E, Leong SL, O Connor C, Langguth B, Vanneste S, Hall DA, Hughes S, Lim HH. Different bimodal neuromodulation settings reduce tinnitus symptoms in a large randomized trial. Sci Rep. 2022 Jun 30;12(1):10845. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-13875-x. Erratum in: Sci Rep. 2023 Jul 10;13(1):11152. PMID: 35773272; PMCID: PMC9246951.</p><p>Chhaya, V., Patel, D., Shethia, F. et al. Current Therapeutic Trends for Tinnitus Cure and Control: A Scoping Review. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-023-03910-2</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Aurametrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473714823289213681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6943560098381781557.post-78127841207722387022023-04-10T10:14:00.001-07:002023-04-11T10:37:27.706-07:00Improving Accessibility and Affordability for Age-Related Hearing Loss<p>While hearing aids are the most common treatment for age-related hearing loss, low uptake of hearing aids is due to high cost, stigma, and a lack of perceived need. To increase accessibility and affordability, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration created a new OTC hearing aid category. Currently, there are various hearing devices available for individuals with and without hearing loss, including medical devices (prescription hearing aids, self-fitting OTC hearing aids, and pre-set OTC hearing aids) and non-medical devices (PSAPs, hearables, and consumer audio devices such as Apple's AirPods Pro and Live Listen feature, Samsung's Galaxy Buds and Hearing Aid feature, and Bose Hearphones). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDix7_iFv6-zyzag-6pHvlcCfM33jx0NS7XDOBREICHLUtQ2qJ92QqJzWCLxHYEsIHScWQHLUz6BAoFfr6KJ4oVrS8G83Z3a5JGmArfLSavDhHFz-gIrFlTQWBsXKP797cpIjCT4HdYaJV9N7E5WDGqasgvp6fUOHYRn7731G_x8yMMeFRKJjD9ER41w/s1178/hearingaids.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="613" data-original-width="1178" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDix7_iFv6-zyzag-6pHvlcCfM33jx0NS7XDOBREICHLUtQ2qJ92QqJzWCLxHYEsIHScWQHLUz6BAoFfr6KJ4oVrS8G83Z3a5JGmArfLSavDhHFz-gIrFlTQWBsXKP797cpIjCT4HdYaJV9N7E5WDGqasgvp6fUOHYRn7731G_x8yMMeFRKJjD9ER41w/s320/hearingaids.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Regulated by the FDA, hearing aids have evolved rapidly in the last decade, with features, functionalities, and designs improving significantly. However, there is a lack of research on all aspects of OTC hearing aids currently on the market. High-quality independent research is necessary to supplement evidence provided by OTC hearing aid manufacturers for regulatory approval purposes. <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fragi.2023.1105879/full">Recently published article</a> has reviewed existing research on direct-to-consumer (DTC) hearing devices such as PSAPs and highlighted the need for immediate research on OTC hearing aids and service delivery models to inform policy and clinical care.</p><p>REFERENCE</p><p>Manchaiah V, Swanepoel W, Sharma A. Prioritizing research on over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for age-related hearing loss. Front Aging. 2023 Mar 23;4:1105879. doi: 10.3389/fragi.2023.1105879. PMID: 37033402; PMCID: PMC10078955.</p>Aurametrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473714823289213681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6943560098381781557.post-6445889321772136692022-12-25T11:53:00.004-08:002023-01-19T07:03:19.288-08:00The audio CAPTCHA<p>Audio CAPTCHAs are a type of CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) used to determine if a user is a human or a bot. Audio CAPTCHAs are designed to be accessible to users with visual impairments, who may have difficulty reading visual CAPTCHAs. Hearing-based "I'm not a robot" quizzes play audio clips that read out the text or letters presented in the CAPTCHA. These recordings usually feature some form of background noise, which is intended to fool bots that try to interpret the audio. They used to be fairly effective since first generation bots struggled to properly interpret audio. They even were used for shadow crowdsourcing, making people <a href="https://www.govtech.com/data/passive-crowdsourcing-5-ways-we-do-work-for-others-without-realizing-it.html">work for others without realizing it</a> - eg, translate old newspapers and characters from street images for Google Maps. </p><p>However, the effectiveness of audio CAPTCHAs has been challenged by the improving accuracy of automated speech recognition (ASR) systems, which are able to solve audio CAPTCHAs even in the presence of background noise. As a result, researchers have focused on developing new audio CAPTCHA designs that are more resistant to ASR attacks, as well as evaluating the performance of different audio CAPTCHA designs under various conditions.</p><p>Some of the audio CAPTCHA papers have explored the use of different types of audio signals, such as noise and music, to create audio CAPTCHAs that are more difficult for ASR systems to solve. Other papers have examined the use of multiple audio CAPTCHAs in sequence, or the use of visual and audio CAPTCHAs in combination, in an effort to increase the overall security of the CAPTCHA system.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiJuQbCVj4cSe7hmvcHQrvIAMyNe9nA9UMk9VBVpM7TqMeHSLiT6ff8TRZeh034k0AEO3egdLxMkSaIrSd3mH573wPUESxOHrWj4upaTVmEnH2ISov0wR9J1iAMivUk9t9zzydiYQo00gFsAyEklsdnixlchI_7ojMphbl3e1wAy0AMgarTmTHFQoBA/s1251/notarobot-music.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1251" data-original-width="843" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiJuQbCVj4cSe7hmvcHQrvIAMyNe9nA9UMk9VBVpM7TqMeHSLiT6ff8TRZeh034k0AEO3egdLxMkSaIrSd3mH573wPUESxOHrWj4upaTVmEnH2ISov0wR9J1iAMivUk9t9zzydiYQo00gFsAyEklsdnixlchI_7ojMphbl3e1wAy0AMgarTmTHFQoBA/w270-h400/notarobot-music.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>Both text and image-based CAPTCHAs are becoming difficult for humans to resolve. Bruce Schneier, an internationally renowned security technologist, offered this humorous example on his blog: "select all images where if you were to add a decrescendo it would add to the musicality of the piece without being interpreted as an overly heavy-handed metaphor within the context of the thematic material "<p></p><p>ChatGPT answered to this challenge by writing lyrics to short musical pieces incorporating a decrescendo: </p><p> Verse 1: (Moderately fast tempo, 8th note = 120 bpm) </p><p>The sun is shining bright, </p><p>The birds are singing sweet, </p><p>My heart is filled with joy, </p><p>As I dance down the street. </p><p>Chorus:
(8th note = 120 bpm) </p><p>Life is good, life is grand, </p><p>I am free to roam this land. </p><p><br /></p><p>Verse 2:
(Moderately fast tempo, 8th note = 120 bpm) </p><p>But as the day wears on,
The clouds start to roll in.
My steps slow down,
As the rain begins. </p><p>Chorus:
(8th note = 120 bpm)
Life is good, life is grand,
But sometimes it's hard to understand. </p><p>Bridge:(Moderately slow tempo, 8th note = 60 bpm)
The rain falls heavy now,
My mood starts to change.
I feel a sense of sadness,
As I contemplate the pain. </p><p>Outro:
(Moderately slow tempo, 8th note = 60 bpm)
But even in the darkest times,
There is always a way.
The rain will eventually stop,
And a brighter day will come my way.
(Decrescendo from 8th note = 60 bpm to pianissimo) </p><p>In this musical piece, the decrescendo at the end helps to convey a sense of resolution and hopefulness, as the music gradually fades out to a pianissimo dynamic. The use of a decrescendo in this context adds to the musicality of the piece without being overly heavy-handed or interpreting the thematic material in a specific way.</p><p>It's a challenge to develop effective CAPTCHAs that are able to differentiate between humans and bots, while also being accessible to all users.</p><p><br /></p><p>REFERENCES</p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Alqarni M, Yu F, Raavi R, Sukhai M. An Accessible Web CAPTCHA Design for Visually Impaired Users.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Solanki S, Krishnan G, Sampath V, Polakis J. In (cyber) space bots can hear you speak: Breaking audio captchas using bots speech recognition. InProceedings of the 10th ACM Workshop on Artificial Intelligence and Security 2017 Nov 3 (pp. 69-80).</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Reinheimer BM, Islam F, Shumailov I. Audio CAPTCHA with a Few Cocktails: It’s so Noisy I Can’t Hear You. InCambridge International Workshop on Security Protocols 2019 Apr 10 (pp. 20-40). Springer, Cham.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Shirali-Shahreza S, Penn G, Balakrishnan R, Ganjali Y. Seesay and hearsay captcha for mobile interaction. InProceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems 2013 Apr 27 (pp. 2147-2156).</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Huang CH, Wu PH, Liu YW, Wu SH. Attacking and Defending Behind A Psychoacoustics-Based Captcha. InICASSP 2021-2021 IEEE International Conference on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing (ICASSP) 2021 Jun 6 (pp. 895-899). IEEE.</span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></p><p><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">IG: Special thanks to <a href="https://openai.com/">OpenAI</a>'s Assistant for their help with writing this article.</span></p>Aurametrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473714823289213681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6943560098381781557.post-26322202582537732482018-09-14T11:37:00.015-07:002022-12-22T05:30:14.768-08:00The Brain FiltersOur brains have a built-in "noise cancelling" circuit known as a cortical filter that helps us ignore the sounds of our own movements, such as footsteps. This filter is essential for our daily lives, as it allows us to focus on important sounds and conversations without being distracted by the noise of our own actions (or even voice of people we got used to filter out, like mothers or wives). However, in some cases, this filter may not work properly, leading to conditions such as tinnitus, where the brain struggles to filter out certain sounds. For example, a person with tinnitus may hear a constant ringing or buzzing noise, even in a quiet room. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.ffcbd1e4d174e0b685caed15fd7c6f0a?rik=An3eNQ1ZP8dyMw&riu=http%3a%2f%2f1.bp.blogspot.com%2f-TQ9mfdQ2Xnc%2fVfge_iEuiSI%2fAAAAAAAABGM%2frEml9o0oqA8%2fs1600%2fAuditory.jpg&ehk=nn98K3ldKTCu9c1fNKQkBLfaZDAZoh4vNsgnnwRU0RQ%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0&sres=1&sresct=1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="799" data-original-width="725" height="320" src="https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.ffcbd1e4d174e0b685caed15fd7c6f0a?rik=An3eNQ1ZP8dyMw&riu=http%3a%2f%2f1.bp.blogspot.com%2f-TQ9mfdQ2Xnc%2fVfge_iEuiSI%2fAAAAAAAABGM%2frEml9o0oqA8%2fs1600%2fAuditory.jpg&ehk=nn98K3ldKTCu9c1fNKQkBLfaZDAZoh4vNsgnnwRU0RQ%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0&sres=1&sresct=1" width="290" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Cochlear implant recipients may also struggle to adjust to the new sounds they are able to hear after receiving the implant, as their brains may have difficulty filtering out their own movement sounds at first. However, with time and practice, the brain can learn to use the cortical filter more effectively, allowing people to focus on the sounds that matter most to them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sounds that arise from our own movements, such as vocalizing or walking, are known as reafferent sounds. These sounds are essential for normal hearing, as they help us to anticipate and distinguish them from sounds that come from the environment. However, the neural circuits that allow us to learn to anticipate and distinguish these sounds are not well understood. </div><div><br /></div><div>In order to study these neural circuits, researchers developed a system called acoustic virtual reality (aVR), in which mice were trained to associate a novel sound with their own movements. By using this system, the researchers were able to identify the neural mechanisms that learn to suppress reafferent sounds and study the behavioral consequences of this predictable sensorimotor experience. </div><div><br /></div><div>The researchers found that aVR experience gradually and selectively suppressed auditory cortical responses to the reafferent frequency, in part by strengthening motor cortical activation of auditory cortical inhibitory neurons that respond to the reafferent tone. This plasticity, or ability to change in response to experience, was behaviorally adaptive, as mice that had experienced aVR showed an enhanced ability to detect non-reafferent tones during movement. </div><div><br /></div><div>Overall, these findings suggest that there is a dynamic sensory filter in the brain that involves motor cortical inputs to the auditory cortex, and that this filter can be shaped by experience to selectively suppress the predictable acoustic consequences of movement.<br /><div><br /></div><div>REFERENCES</div><div><br /></div><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Schneider DM, Sundararajan J, Mooney R. A cortical filter that learns to suppress the acoustic consequences of movement. Nature. 2018 Sep;561(7723):391-5.</span></div><div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="article-body clear" data-article-body="true" data-track-component="article body" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: "Source Sans Pro", helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; letter-spacing: 0.17px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><section aria-labelledby="Abs1"><div class="serif article-section js-article-section cleared clear" id="Abs1-section" style="clear: both; font-family: Lora, Palatino, Times, "Times New Roman", serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="pl20 mq875-pl0 js-collapsible-section" id="Abs1-content" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
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Sounds can have a powerful effect on living beings - humans, animals, plants. Relaxing <a href="http://aurametrix.com/info/Music">music</a> can have a healing effect. A new study showed this specifically for premature babies.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_lNagWg7mQwM8vTXs6M-MnwaNFufjDE31iiJ0lHtVO7M1QfQdzuZ1qkSanMz734kyXOeOazdcu1NFIHm1HegcORaNX-tJA1vBK94nAH8gtXGIdV8MhyrJgW_dhazMWO-_bAsQdJuB9nM/s1600/lyrics-to-baby-lullabies.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_lNagWg7mQwM8vTXs6M-MnwaNFufjDE31iiJ0lHtVO7M1QfQdzuZ1qkSanMz734kyXOeOazdcu1NFIHm1HegcORaNX-tJA1vBK94nAH8gtXGIdV8MhyrJgW_dhazMWO-_bAsQdJuB9nM/s1600/lyrics-to-baby-lullabies.jpg" /></a><br />
Live ocean disc whoosh sounds, gato box rhythms, and parent's sung <br />
lullabies - these sounds have been found to be especially beneficial increasing infants' capacity to feed, sleep, and self-regulate.<br />
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Baby's hearing develops in the womb. The very first sound unborn baby hears at about 16 weeks of development is the mother's heartbeat. Gato - a small rectangular wooden drum - creates a rhythm in soft timbre that reminds the heartbeat. Ocean waves resemble the fluid sounds of the womb, as well as inhalation and exhalation sounds. And a sweet lullaby could definitely soothe anyone who has problems trying to get to sleep or suffer with insomnia - as this is one of the oldest, most natural forms of human interaction that brings <a href="http://aurametrix.com/info/Feeling%20good">feelings</a> of warmth and togetherness.<br />
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REFERENCES<br />
Loewy J, Stewart K, Dassler AM, Telsey A, Homel P.The Effects of Music Therapy on Vital Signs, Feeding, and Sleep in Premature Infants. Pediatrics. 2013 Apr 15. [<a href="http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2013/04/10/peds.2012-1367">Epub ahead of print</a>] </div>
Aurametrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473714823289213681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6943560098381781557.post-29261254751095079302013-02-07T09:46:00.000-08:002013-02-07T09:46:26.604-08:00Big Data of Sounds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Hearing begins with the ears, but it's more than the sum of sounds. We are able to recognize piano notes and experience <a href="http://aurametrix.com/info/Music">music</a>, understand speech in noisy surroundings and localize voice in 3D. Is it because the s<span style="background-color: white;">ound transmitted to the inner ear is broken down into frequencies and mapped onto the brain like musical notes are mapped on a piano keyboard? But are not we able to hear different things at once in three dimensions? Are not we translating frequencies into meanings on the fly, processing Big Data better than any famous statistician? As Jacob Oppenheim and Marcelo Magnasco showed that simple decomposition of sounds into its components by Fourier transform loses important information about the sound's duration, something that our brain is actually able to overcome. Humans can beat the limits of Fourier analysis, and the Brain processes the big data of sounds better than existing algorithms do. As a matter of fact, training our brain on music makes us <a href="http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/1997/11.13/HowYourBrainLis.html">better in math</a> and problem solving skills. While inability to process signals in the brain leads to developmental disorders. More to discover, more to learn.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">REFERENCES</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Oppenheim, Jacob N., and Marcelo O. Magnasco. "Human Time-Frequency Acuity Beats the Fourier Uncertainty Principle." </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">arXiv preprint arXiv:1208.4611</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">(2012).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Díaz, Begoña, et al. "Dysfunction of the auditory thalamus in developmental dyslexia." </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"> 109.34 (2012): 13841-13846.</span></div>
Aurametrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473714823289213681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6943560098381781557.post-64855886188935553702011-03-22T17:01:00.000-07:002011-03-22T17:01:11.761-07:00Can Your Baby Hear Well?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">About <a href="http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick.htm">2 to 3 out of every 1,000</a> children in the United States are born deaf or hard-of-hearing. Nine out of every 10 children who are born deaf are born to parents who can hear. </span></span><br />
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Unfortunately existing hearing tests do not always catch hearing loss in newborns. According to a new study, one-third of children later treated for deafness with cochlear implants had actually passed the newborn screening.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;"><a href="http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/screening.htm"><img alt="Thumbnail of chart; click to display full-size image." height="134" src="http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/StaticResources/health/statistics/Newborn-Hearing-Screening-Rates_sm.png" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; float: right; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;" width="135" /></a></span></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">The <a href="http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/screening.htm">graph</a> on the right shows summary rates of the percentage of newborns screened for hearing loss prior to hospital discharge based on individual State reports posted on the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/ehdi/data.htm" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program (EHDI), 1999–2005</a> Web site. Trend data on newborn hearing screening rates are also available from the DHHS Healthy People 2010 Project (US DHHS, 2006) and from <a href="http://wonder.cdc.gov/data2010/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">CDC Wonder: Healthy People 2010</a>. Newborn hearing screening rates increase in a linear fashion from 46.1% in 1999 to 82.9% in 2002; thereafter, while the rates continue to increase, the trend line begins to flatten out, reaching 91.5% in 2005. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">So more babies are screened for hearing loss while they are still in the hospital before they go home. </div><br />
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Yet, as researchers at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago found out - by looking at the records of 127 children who had hearing problems severe enough to be treated with cochlear implants: one-third of these babies had passed the newborn hearing test.<br />
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This is not necessarily because the screening is not accurate, but rather the result of the fact that some hearing loss develops slowly. Babies at risk for progressive deafness include those who had cytomegalovirus infections, and those who were in a neonatal intensive care unit.<br />
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The earlier children with hearing problems get help, the better they will do at developing language skills. And more testing screens may be needed - Perhaps, even including genetic tests like those <a href="http://pcpgm.partners.org/lmm/tests/hearing-loss">developed by Harvard's Center for PErsonalized Genetic Medicine</a>. Or more at-home screening, including<a href="http://www.hearingreview.com/news/2009-05-11_01.asp"> iPhone apps</a> or other inexpensive devices.<br />
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References<br />
<br />
Nancy Melinda Young, MD; Brian Kip Reilly, MD; Larisa Burke, BA<br />
<a href="http://archotol.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/137/3/230">Limitations of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening in Early Identification of Pediatric Cochlear Implant Candidates</a>. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2011;137(3):230-234. doi:10.1001/archoto.2011.4<br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Chapter 28: Vision and Hearing. In:<cite>Healthy People 2010 Midcourse Review.</cite> Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, December 2006. (Available at <a href="http://www.healthypeople.gov/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;">www.healthypeople.gov/</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><a href="http://www.healthypeople.gov/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0066cc; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none !important; vertical-align: baseline;"></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">White KR. Research review—Early hearing detection and intervention programs: Opportunities for genetic services. <cite>Am J Med Genet</cite> 2004; 130A: 29–36.</span></div>Aurametrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473714823289213681noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6943560098381781557.post-69409402791604774332010-07-15T08:56:00.001-07:002022-12-22T17:08:55.942-08:00Temperature-induced hearing loss<div class="bodytext"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>There are many reasons why people loose hearing. <a href="http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/1994/102-11/focus2.html">Environmental factors</a> - especially prolonged loud noise and infection or injury - are among the leading causes in the US (figure on the right). Drugs, and chemical toxins could also play a role. Genes accounts for less than half of causes. Gene-environment interactions are contributing too. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TCEs6LldWouLjIsyORaBLkXON0WVhnPJScubr2rTe5OkpTIQ8YbOyNwsEBFPDKt6ynMc-UEhahPPFnItFGSHA0oQibRqDMkGQLrVNFo3VZxMVLgbBS8-trzKusuepc49xHolcxN8DkN8Mw4Av_ORQd2lPS_6ztM4WxwT4_k7qcdTprYEQBjQrqN5fA/s150/thear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="150" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1TCEs6LldWouLjIsyORaBLkXON0WVhnPJScubr2rTe5OkpTIQ8YbOyNwsEBFPDKt6ynMc-UEhahPPFnItFGSHA0oQibRqDMkGQLrVNFo3VZxMVLgbBS8-trzKusuepc49xHolcxN8DkN8Mw4Av_ORQd2lPS_6ztM4WxwT4_k7qcdTprYEQBjQrqN5fA/s1600/thear.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br /><ul class="bodytext"><li>Drug induced - some medications can result in damage to the auditory system with prolonged use. They are called ototoxic. Here are a few drugs that are known to cause hearing loss: aminoglycoside antibiotics (such as streptomycin, neomycin, kanamycin); salicylates in large quantities (aspirin), loop diuretics (Lasix, ethacrynic acid); and drugs used in chemotherapy regimens (cisplatin, carboplatin, nitrogen mustard). Genetics may predispose to vulnerability to drugs.</li>
<li>Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) - this is hearing loss due to exposure to either a sudden, loud noise or exposure to loud noises for a period of time. A dangerous sound is anything that is 85 dB (sound pressure level - SPL) or higher. Genetics may determine vulnerability thresholds to noise.</li>
<li>Temperature-induced hearing loss. Genetics could cause temporary hearing loss caused by a high body temperature. They recover some time after their body temperature has returned to normal. Cold weather could also affect hearing (eg, by hardening earwax blocking the ear canal) leading to conditions such as tinnitus. </li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;">It is well known that high fevers cause hearing loss. High fevers account for about 1,200 to 1,800 cases of hearing loss in the US each year. Artificially induced high body temperature - for example by a strenuous workout in a 105-degree room - may be the culprit too.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mutations in the otoferlin (OTOF) gene - <span id="main" style="visibility: visible;"><span id="search" style="visibility: visible;">known to cause neurosensory nonsyndromic recessive deafness - </span></span>have been recently linked to rare temporary hearing loss caused by a high body temperature.</div>In one of the cases examined, hearing of a young boy in the morning was better than in the afternoon, and temperature measurements showed that his body temperature in the afternoon was generally higher than that in the morning. Hospital examination showed that when his body temperature rose above 36.5°C, the hearing loss was severe (70-80dB HL) and this symptom could last for a whole day. The boy with the temperature-dependent hearing loss had two variant OTOF genes, each of which is not usually seen in normal-hearing people.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"></div>Another study of a family with three children whose hearing was sensitive to temperature also linked their ailments to OTOF gene.<br />
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<b>References</b><br />
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Fukushima K, Ramesh A, Srisailapathy CR, et al. (1996). An autosomal recessive nonsyndromic form of sensorineural hearing loss maps to 3p-DFNB6. Genome Res. 5 (3): 305–8. <span class="citation Journal"><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PubMed_Identifier" title="PubMed
Identifier">PMID</a> <a class="external text" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8593615" rel="nofollow">8593615</a></span><br />
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Varga, R. (2005). OTOF mutations revealed by genetic analysis of hearing loss families including a potential temperature sensitive auditory neuropathy allele Journal of Medical Genetics, 43 (7), 576-581 DOI: 10.1136/jmg.2005.03861<br />
<br />
Wang, D., Wang, Y., Weil, D., Zhao, Y., Rao, S., Zong, L., Ji, Y., Liu, Q., Li, J., Yang, H., Shen, Y., Benedict-Alderfer, C., Zheng, Q., Petit, C., & Wang, Q. (2010). Screening mutations of OTOF gene in Chinese patients with auditory neuropathy, including a familial case of temperature-sensitive auditory neuropathy BMC Medical Genetics, 11 (1) DOI: 10.1186/1471-2350-11-79<br />
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Marlin, S., Feldmann, D., Nguyen, Y., Rouillon, I., Loundon, N., Jonard, L., Bonnet, C., Couderc, R., Garabedian, E., & Petit, C. (2010). Temperature-sensitive auditory neuropathy associated with an otoferlin mutation: Deafening fever! Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 394 (3), 737-742 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.03.06</div>Aurametrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473714823289213681noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6943560098381781557.post-21822399152495296612009-12-16T10:14:00.000-08:002010-12-27T13:04:52.590-08:00Drug-induced hearing loss: new SNPs in old genesDrug-induced ototoxicity is known and well documented. <a href="http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec08/ch086/ch086d.html">Merck manual</a> lists several antibiotics (streptomycin, neomycin, vancomycin), chemotherapeutic drugs (such as cisplatin), diuretics (like ethacrynic acid and furosemide), Quinine and Salicylates among the prime suspects.<br />
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<a href="http://s2.hubimg.com/u/1627345_f248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://s2.hubimg.com/u/1627345_f248.jpg" width="200" /></a>The impact of these drugs on individuals depends on their genetic makeup. <br />
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Here is a new addition to the collection of genes associated with hearing loss caused by gene-environment-interaction: Genetic variants in TPMT and COMT have been found to affect hearing of children receiving cisplatin chemotherapy (<a href="http://www.nature.com/ng/journal/v41/n12/full/ng.478.html">Ross et al., 2009</a>)<br />
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220 drug-metabolism genes are suspected to be responsible for genetic susceptibility to cisplatin-induced hearing loss in children. Metabolism genes such as Glutathione S-transferases and megalin were previously studied. Genotyping of 1,949 SNPs in these candidate genes in an initial cohort of 54 children lead to identification of new genetic variants in TPMT (rs12201199, P value = 0.00022, OR = 17.0, 95% CI 2.3–125.9) and COMT (rs9332377, P value = 0.00018, OR = 5.5, 95% CI 1.9–15.9.<br />
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What do we know about these genes?<br />
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TPMT is a<i>S</i>-adenosyl methionine-dependent methyltransferase<sup> </sup>that converts 6TI to 6MMPr. Its sequence is conserved in human, chimpanzee, dog, cow, rat, chicken, and zebrafish. Hard to say how our ancestors were exposed to this compounds, but as thiopurines are known inhibitors of <i>de novo</i> purine synthesis and cellular proliferation, it makes sense to have ways to deal with this molecule. <br />
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The enzyme is mostly known because it metabolizes thiopurine drugs via S-adenosyl-L-methionine as the S-methyl donor and S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine as a byproduct. Accordingly, genetic polymorphisms that affect this enzymatic activity are correlated with variations in sensitivity and toxicity to drugs such as 6-mercaptopurine within individuals. A pseudogene for this locus is located on chromosome 18q<br />
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COMT is a Catechol-O-methyltransferase that catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine to catecholamines - chemicals produced in the medulla of the adrenal gland. COMT is also known for its role in the metabolism of catechol drugs used in the treatment of hypertension, asthma, and Parkinson disease.<br />
Location: 22q11.21-q11.23|22q11.21<br />
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Now that we know, what can we do with the new SNP information? <br />
<br />
Perhaps, investigate cost-effectiveness of genotyping for ototoxycity implications - clinical trial <a href="http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00521950">NCT00521950</a> is already doing it for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Aurametrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473714823289213681noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6943560098381781557.post-86401793083626415212009-12-04T21:57:00.000-08:002010-01-15T18:26:12.181-08:00The Ear Blog<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzjLbMzYWDW6ta8Nim_AuiJ-CeDh2oK4sZQjuf9ryNdui5c74k2rl0pc8ImqrT0n6ej-MmSclWyjCUb03KTQ5d9SaGRVkoC9BsL6DS9cRsX7l_21OS879ffSBs4JEN6ixC59XqEmF4q2g/s1600-h/ear.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzjLbMzYWDW6ta8Nim_AuiJ-CeDh2oK4sZQjuf9ryNdui5c74k2rl0pc8ImqrT0n6ej-MmSclWyjCUb03KTQ5d9SaGRVkoC9BsL6DS9cRsX7l_21OS879ffSBs4JEN6ixC59XqEmF4q2g/s200/ear.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427154111869581074" border="0" /></a>Welcome to the Ear Blog!<br /><br />Hearing has always been <a href="http://discovermagazine.com/1993/jun/goodvibrations226">the <em>Cinderella</em> of the <em>senses</em></a>, but we can't undermine its importance. Among all the senses, this is the one we are most likely to lose.<br />The fascinating world of the inner ear consists of the smallest bones, spirals and fluid-field channels, along with tiny sensory units called hair cells. We are born with about 15,000 of them in each ear, and are subjecting these remarkable structures to constant damage from drugs, iPods, many other silence-disrupting technologies, even diets and aging. We'll talk more about it in other bloglications, meanwhile see <a href="http://www.uaf.edu/theatre/courses/sound/Ear5.swf">these animations</a> by TheatricalDesign or play with <a href="http://www.infj.ulst.ac.uk/%7Epnic/HumanEar/Andy">this one</a> by adjusting the frequency of the sound entering the ear and watch <a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ear+works&search_type=&aq=f">youtube videos</a>. <div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://reblog.zemanta.com/zemified/72a8b24b-e59b-4839-9d09-cb90f5c44204/" title="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=72a8b24b-e59b-4839-9d09-cb90f5c44204" alt="Reblog this post [with Zemanta]" /></a><span class="zem-script more-related pretty-attribution"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Aurametrixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09473714823289213681noreply@blogger.com0