Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): W. Schallig, J. van den Noort, J. McCahill, M. Maas, J. Harlaar, M. van der Krogt
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Σάββατο 30 Ιουνίου 2018
O 066 - Kinematic comparison of the Oxford Foot Model and Rizzoli Foot Model during voluntary equinus and crouch gait in healthy adults
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): W. Schallig, J. van den Noort, J. McCahill, M. Maas, J. Harlaar, M. van der Krogt
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Walking combined with reach-to-grasp while crossing obstacles at different distances
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 65
Author(s): Natalia Madalena Rinaldi, Jongil Lim, Joseph Hamill, Richard Van Emmerik, Renato Moraes
BackgroundObstacle avoidance and object prehension occur regularly in real-world environments (walking up/down steps and opening a door). However, it is not known how walking and prehension change when there is an increase in the level of difficulty of the walking task.Research questionWe investigated the changes in walking and reach-tograsp when performing these two motor skills concomitantly in the presence of an obstacle on the ground positioned in different locations in relation to the object-to-be-grasped.MethodsFifteen young adults walked and grasped a dowel placed on a support with the obstacle positioned at the step before (N-1), during (N) and after (N + 1) the prehension task.ResultsThe prehension task did not affect leading limb obstacle negotiation. Toe clearance and maximum toe elevation were lesser at obstacle position N + 1 than at obstacle position N-1 when combining grasping and obstacle-crossing task for the trailing limb. Step width increased in the presence of the obstacle-crossing task independent of obstacle location. The correlation between foot position before the obstacle and toe clearance revealed that the addition of the prehension task disrupted the relationship between these variables for the trailing limb. Foot placement and limb elevation were unaffected by the prehension task. The reaching component was unaffected by the increased level of difficulty of the walking task. The grasping component was affected by the increased level of difficulty of the walking task, as the time to peak grip aperture occurred earlier in the presence of the obstacle at position N, and may indicate a cautious strategy to grasp the dowel successfully.SignificanceOur results showed that prospective control is affected after the prehension since the attention to grasping may have impaired the acquisition of visual information for planning the trailing limb elevation.
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Motion analysis evaluation of adolescent athletes during dual-task walking following a concussion: A multicenter study
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 64
Author(s): Matthew J. Solomito, Regina O. Kostyun, Yen-Hsun Wu, Nicole M. Mueske, Tishya A.L. Wren, Li-Shan Chou, Sylvia Ounpuu
BackgroundResearch suggests that dynamic balance in adolescents is compromised following concussion and may worsen if patients return to sport (RTS) too soon. Understanding if there are ongoing dynamic balance deficits in adolescents at the time of RTS clearance would determine if more complex motor tasks are necessary to facilitate safe RTS decisions.Research questionThe purpose of this study was to determine if there were remaining dynamic balance deficits in concussed adolescents at the time of clearance for RTS.MethodsSixteen concussed adolescent athletes (age 14.6 ± 1.8 years; 9 males; 57 ± 46 days post injury) performed a simple walking task as well as two split attention gait tasks (reciting months backwards and audio Stroop). The center of mass (COM) movement and walking velocity during these tasks was compared to a control group of 15 healthy non-concussed adolescent athletes (age 13.8 ± 1.4 years; 9 male).ResultsThe results indicated that there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups for any of the tasks. Height-normalized walking speed did not differ between groups during walking alone (control: 0.757 ± 0.119, concussed: 0.739 ± 0.108, p = 0.34), with the recitation task (control: 0.555 ± 0.095, concussed: 0.557 ± 0.143, p = 0.72), or with the Stroop task (control: 0.589 ± 0.129, concussed: 0.567 ± 0.141, p = 0.43). Similarly, height-normalized medial-lateral COM displacement did not differ between groups during walking alone (control: 0.027 ± 0.007, concussed: 0.028 ± 0.007, p = 0.98, with the recitation task (control: 0.037 ± 0.012, concussed: 0.0.037 ± 0.016, p = 0.82), or with the Stroop task (control: 0.032 ± 0.014, concussed: 0.033 ± 0.009, p = 0.891).SignificanceThese findings indicate that the patients were returned to sport when their dynamic balance was similar to controls suggesting that this cohort had recovered from their concussion. However, large variability in dynamic balance measures in both the patient and control groups may reflect ongoing neuromuscular development and requires further exploration.
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Editorial: Avoid being tripped up by statistics: Statistical guidance for a successful research paper
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): John Prescott Robin
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Estimation of muscle activation during different walking speeds with two mathematical approaches compared to surface EMG
Publication date: July 2018
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 64
Author(s): Ursula Trinler, Fabien Leboeuf, Kristen Hollands, Richard Jones, Richard Baker
BackgroundMuscle force estimation could improve clinical gait analysis by enhancing insight into causes of impairments and informing targeted treatments. However, it is not currently standard practice to use muscle force models to augment clinical gait analysis, partly, because robust validations of estimated muscle activations, underpinning force modelling processes, against recorded electromyography (EMG) are lacking.Research QuestionTherefore, in order to facilitate future clinical use, this study sought to validate estimated lower limb muscle activation using two mathematical models (static optimisation SO, computed muscle control CMC) against recorded muscle activations of ten healthy participants.MethodsParticipants walked at five speeds. Visual agreement in activation onset and offset as well as linear correlation (r) and mean absolute error (MAE) between models and EMG were evaluated.ResultsMAE between measured and recorded activations were variable across speeds (SO vs EMG 15–68%, CMC vs EMG 13–69%). Slower speeds resulted in smaller deviations (mean MAE < 30%) than faster speeds. Correlation was high (r > 0.5) for only 11/40 (CMC) and 6/40 (SO) conditions (muscles X speeds) compared to EMG.SignificanceModelling approaches do not yet show sufficient consistency of agreement between estimated and recorded muscle activation to support recommending immediate clinical adoption of muscle force modelling. This may be because assumptions underlying muscle activation estimations (e.g. muscles’ anatomy and maximum voluntary contraction) are not yet sufficiently individualizable. Future research needs to find timely and cost efficient ways to scale musculoskeletal models for better individualisation to facilitate future clinical implementation.
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Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 64
Author(s): Ursula Trinler, Fabien Leboeuf, Kristen Hollands, Richard Jones, Richard Baker
BackgroundMuscle force estimation could improve clinical gait analysis by enhancing insight into causes of impairments and informing targeted treatments. However, it is not currently standard practice to use muscle force models to augment clinical gait analysis, partly, because robust validations of estimated muscle activations, underpinning force modelling processes, against recorded electromyography (EMG) are lacking.Research QuestionTherefore, in order to facilitate future clinical use, this study sought to validate estimated lower limb muscle activation using two mathematical models (static optimisation SO, computed muscle control CMC) against recorded muscle activations of ten healthy participants.MethodsParticipants walked at five speeds. Visual agreement in activation onset and offset as well as linear correlation (r) and mean absolute error (MAE) between models and EMG were evaluated.ResultsMAE between measured and recorded activations were variable across speeds (SO vs EMG 15–68%, CMC vs EMG 13–69%). Slower speeds resulted in smaller deviations (mean MAE < 30%) than faster speeds. Correlation was high (r > 0.5) for only 11/40 (CMC) and 6/40 (SO) conditions (muscles X speeds) compared to EMG.SignificanceModelling approaches do not yet show sufficient consistency of agreement between estimated and recorded muscle activation to support recommending immediate clinical adoption of muscle force modelling. This may be because assumptions underlying muscle activation estimations (e.g. muscles’ anatomy and maximum voluntary contraction) are not yet sufficiently individualizable. Future research needs to find timely and cost efficient ways to scale musculoskeletal models for better individualisation to facilitate future clinical implementation.
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Carrying asymmetric loads while walking on an uneven surface
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Junsig Wang, Jason Gillette
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O 070 - Individualizing the ankle angle in an ankle-foot orthosis: Effects at the knee for children with cerebral palsy and equinus
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): K. Kane, K. Musselman, J. Lanovaz
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O 066 - Kinematic comparison of the Oxford Foot Model and Rizzoli Foot Model during voluntary equinus and crouch gait in healthy adults
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): W. Schallig, J. van den Noort, J. McCahill, M. Maas, J. Harlaar, M. van der Krogt
from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2KwpAMp
via IFTTT
Walking combined with reach-to-grasp while crossing obstacles at different distances
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 65
Author(s): Natalia Madalena Rinaldi, Jongil Lim, Joseph Hamill, Richard Van Emmerik, Renato Moraes
BackgroundObstacle avoidance and object prehension occur regularly in real-world environments (walking up/down steps and opening a door). However, it is not known how walking and prehension change when there is an increase in the level of difficulty of the walking task.Research questionWe investigated the changes in walking and reach-tograsp when performing these two motor skills concomitantly in the presence of an obstacle on the ground positioned in different locations in relation to the object-to-be-grasped.MethodsFifteen young adults walked and grasped a dowel placed on a support with the obstacle positioned at the step before (N-1), during (N) and after (N + 1) the prehension task.ResultsThe prehension task did not affect leading limb obstacle negotiation. Toe clearance and maximum toe elevation were lesser at obstacle position N + 1 than at obstacle position N-1 when combining grasping and obstacle-crossing task for the trailing limb. Step width increased in the presence of the obstacle-crossing task independent of obstacle location. The correlation between foot position before the obstacle and toe clearance revealed that the addition of the prehension task disrupted the relationship between these variables for the trailing limb. Foot placement and limb elevation were unaffected by the prehension task. The reaching component was unaffected by the increased level of difficulty of the walking task. The grasping component was affected by the increased level of difficulty of the walking task, as the time to peak grip aperture occurred earlier in the presence of the obstacle at position N, and may indicate a cautious strategy to grasp the dowel successfully.SignificanceOur results showed that prospective control is affected after the prehension since the attention to grasping may have impaired the acquisition of visual information for planning the trailing limb elevation.
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Motion analysis evaluation of adolescent athletes during dual-task walking following a concussion: A multicenter study
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 64
Author(s): Matthew J. Solomito, Regina O. Kostyun, Yen-Hsun Wu, Nicole M. Mueske, Tishya A.L. Wren, Li-Shan Chou, Sylvia Ounpuu
BackgroundResearch suggests that dynamic balance in adolescents is compromised following concussion and may worsen if patients return to sport (RTS) too soon. Understanding if there are ongoing dynamic balance deficits in adolescents at the time of RTS clearance would determine if more complex motor tasks are necessary to facilitate safe RTS decisions.Research questionThe purpose of this study was to determine if there were remaining dynamic balance deficits in concussed adolescents at the time of clearance for RTS.MethodsSixteen concussed adolescent athletes (age 14.6 ± 1.8 years; 9 males; 57 ± 46 days post injury) performed a simple walking task as well as two split attention gait tasks (reciting months backwards and audio Stroop). The center of mass (COM) movement and walking velocity during these tasks was compared to a control group of 15 healthy non-concussed adolescent athletes (age 13.8 ± 1.4 years; 9 male).ResultsThe results indicated that there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups for any of the tasks. Height-normalized walking speed did not differ between groups during walking alone (control: 0.757 ± 0.119, concussed: 0.739 ± 0.108, p = 0.34), with the recitation task (control: 0.555 ± 0.095, concussed: 0.557 ± 0.143, p = 0.72), or with the Stroop task (control: 0.589 ± 0.129, concussed: 0.567 ± 0.141, p = 0.43). Similarly, height-normalized medial-lateral COM displacement did not differ between groups during walking alone (control: 0.027 ± 0.007, concussed: 0.028 ± 0.007, p = 0.98, with the recitation task (control: 0.037 ± 0.012, concussed: 0.0.037 ± 0.016, p = 0.82), or with the Stroop task (control: 0.032 ± 0.014, concussed: 0.033 ± 0.009, p = 0.891).SignificanceThese findings indicate that the patients were returned to sport when their dynamic balance was similar to controls suggesting that this cohort had recovered from their concussion. However, large variability in dynamic balance measures in both the patient and control groups may reflect ongoing neuromuscular development and requires further exploration.
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Editorial: Avoid being tripped up by statistics: Statistical guidance for a successful research paper
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): John Prescott Robin
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via IFTTT
Estimation of muscle activation during different walking speeds with two mathematical approaches compared to surface EMG
Publication date: July 2018
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 64
Author(s): Ursula Trinler, Fabien Leboeuf, Kristen Hollands, Richard Jones, Richard Baker
BackgroundMuscle force estimation could improve clinical gait analysis by enhancing insight into causes of impairments and informing targeted treatments. However, it is not currently standard practice to use muscle force models to augment clinical gait analysis, partly, because robust validations of estimated muscle activations, underpinning force modelling processes, against recorded electromyography (EMG) are lacking.Research QuestionTherefore, in order to facilitate future clinical use, this study sought to validate estimated lower limb muscle activation using two mathematical models (static optimisation SO, computed muscle control CMC) against recorded muscle activations of ten healthy participants.MethodsParticipants walked at five speeds. Visual agreement in activation onset and offset as well as linear correlation (r) and mean absolute error (MAE) between models and EMG were evaluated.ResultsMAE between measured and recorded activations were variable across speeds (SO vs EMG 15–68%, CMC vs EMG 13–69%). Slower speeds resulted in smaller deviations (mean MAE < 30%) than faster speeds. Correlation was high (r > 0.5) for only 11/40 (CMC) and 6/40 (SO) conditions (muscles X speeds) compared to EMG.SignificanceModelling approaches do not yet show sufficient consistency of agreement between estimated and recorded muscle activation to support recommending immediate clinical adoption of muscle force modelling. This may be because assumptions underlying muscle activation estimations (e.g. muscles’ anatomy and maximum voluntary contraction) are not yet sufficiently individualizable. Future research needs to find timely and cost efficient ways to scale musculoskeletal models for better individualisation to facilitate future clinical implementation.
from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2KxnLPs
via IFTTT
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 64
Author(s): Ursula Trinler, Fabien Leboeuf, Kristen Hollands, Richard Jones, Richard Baker
BackgroundMuscle force estimation could improve clinical gait analysis by enhancing insight into causes of impairments and informing targeted treatments. However, it is not currently standard practice to use muscle force models to augment clinical gait analysis, partly, because robust validations of estimated muscle activations, underpinning force modelling processes, against recorded electromyography (EMG) are lacking.Research QuestionTherefore, in order to facilitate future clinical use, this study sought to validate estimated lower limb muscle activation using two mathematical models (static optimisation SO, computed muscle control CMC) against recorded muscle activations of ten healthy participants.MethodsParticipants walked at five speeds. Visual agreement in activation onset and offset as well as linear correlation (r) and mean absolute error (MAE) between models and EMG were evaluated.ResultsMAE between measured and recorded activations were variable across speeds (SO vs EMG 15–68%, CMC vs EMG 13–69%). Slower speeds resulted in smaller deviations (mean MAE < 30%) than faster speeds. Correlation was high (r > 0.5) for only 11/40 (CMC) and 6/40 (SO) conditions (muscles X speeds) compared to EMG.SignificanceModelling approaches do not yet show sufficient consistency of agreement between estimated and recorded muscle activation to support recommending immediate clinical adoption of muscle force modelling. This may be because assumptions underlying muscle activation estimations (e.g. muscles’ anatomy and maximum voluntary contraction) are not yet sufficiently individualizable. Future research needs to find timely and cost efficient ways to scale musculoskeletal models for better individualisation to facilitate future clinical implementation.
from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2KxnLPs
via IFTTT
Carrying asymmetric loads while walking on an uneven surface
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Junsig Wang, Jason Gillette
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via IFTTT
O 070 - Individualizing the ankle angle in an ankle-foot orthosis: Effects at the knee for children with cerebral palsy and equinus
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): K. Kane, K. Musselman, J. Lanovaz
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via IFTTT
InnerScope Launches Marketing Campaign with New DTC Site
InnerScope Hearing Technologies (http://www.innd.com/) has kicked off its "Hearing Better in America" marketing campaign with the re-launching of its direct-to-consumer (DTC) online stores, www.nohasslehearing.com, to encourage existing and potential hearing aid users to seek out their more affordable hearing assistive products. The campaign includes educating consumers on health risks associated with living with consequences of untreated hearing loss, including increased risks of dementia and Alzheimer's, running full-page newspaper ads offering phone-in orders or directing consumers to www.hearingbenefit.com for personal sound amplifiers products or www.nohasslehearing.com for FDA-cleared hearing aid devices at factory direct pricing, and adding possible direct mail campaigns and satellite radio ads to direct traffic to the DTC websites sales platforms. InnerScope also plans to utilize online advertising and social media marketing campaigns on platforms like Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and more.
InnerScope said the "Hearing Better in America" campaign will not only cause a disruption in the traditional sales and delivery model within the hearing aid industry, but it will also assist in increasing the acceptance and adoption of hearing aids as a part of a person's overall health and well-being. Matthew Moore, CEO of InnerScope, said the traditional cost and inconvenience of hearing aids are just too high, but the true cost is even higher with all the documented health risks of living with untreated hearing loss. "Although InnerScope is not a substitute for hearing health care providers and the needed audiological services they provide, but when the time comes for the consumer to purchase hearing aids, InnerScope is a viable option," he said.
Published: 6/29/2018 9:12:00 AM
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InnerScope Launches Marketing Campaign with New DTC Site
InnerScope Hearing Technologies (http://www.innd.com/) has kicked off its "Hearing Better in America" marketing campaign with the re-launching of its direct-to-consumer (DTC) online stores, www.nohasslehearing.com, to encourage existing and potential hearing aid users to seek out their more affordable hearing assistive products. The campaign includes educating consumers on health risks associated with living with consequences of untreated hearing loss, including increased risks of dementia and Alzheimer's, running full-page newspaper ads offering phone-in orders or directing consumers to www.hearingbenefit.com for personal sound amplifiers products or www.nohasslehearing.com for FDA-cleared hearing aid devices at factory direct pricing, and adding possible direct mail campaigns and satellite radio ads to direct traffic to the DTC websites sales platforms. InnerScope also plans to utilize online advertising and social media marketing campaigns on platforms like Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and more.
InnerScope said the "Hearing Better in America" campaign will not only cause a disruption in the traditional sales and delivery model within the hearing aid industry, but it will also assist in increasing the acceptance and adoption of hearing aids as a part of a person's overall health and well-being. Matthew Moore, CEO of InnerScope, said the traditional cost and inconvenience of hearing aids are just too high, but the true cost is even higher with all the documented health risks of living with untreated hearing loss. "Although InnerScope is not a substitute for hearing health care providers and the needed audiological services they provide, but when the time comes for the consumer to purchase hearing aids, InnerScope is a viable option," he said.
Published: 6/29/2018 9:12:00 AM
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via IFTTT
InnerScope Launches Marketing Campaign with New DTC Site
InnerScope Hearing Technologies (http://www.innd.com/) has kicked off its "Hearing Better in America" marketing campaign with the re-launching of its direct-to-consumer (DTC) online stores, www.nohasslehearing.com, to encourage existing and potential hearing aid users to seek out their more affordable hearing assistive products. The campaign includes educating consumers on health risks associated with living with consequences of untreated hearing loss, including increased risks of dementia and Alzheimer's, running full-page newspaper ads offering phone-in orders or directing consumers to www.hearingbenefit.com for personal sound amplifiers products or www.nohasslehearing.com for FDA-cleared hearing aid devices at factory direct pricing, and adding possible direct mail campaigns and satellite radio ads to direct traffic to the DTC websites sales platforms. InnerScope also plans to utilize online advertising and social media marketing campaigns on platforms like Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and more.
InnerScope said the "Hearing Better in America" campaign will not only cause a disruption in the traditional sales and delivery model within the hearing aid industry, but it will also assist in increasing the acceptance and adoption of hearing aids as a part of a person's overall health and well-being. Matthew Moore, CEO of InnerScope, said the traditional cost and inconvenience of hearing aids are just too high, but the true cost is even higher with all the documented health risks of living with untreated hearing loss. "Although InnerScope is not a substitute for hearing health care providers and the needed audiological services they provide, but when the time comes for the consumer to purchase hearing aids, InnerScope is a viable option," he said.
Published: 6/29/2018 9:12:00 AM
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WHO Holds 3rd Stakeholders’ Consultation on Hearing Loss Prevention
On 3-4 July 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) will hold the third stakeholders' meeting for its program on prevention of deafness and hearing loss at its headquarter in Geneva, Switzerland. This meeting is an opportunity for WHO member states, professional groups, non-governmental organizations, civil society, academicians, clinicians, the private sector, and United Nations agencies to come together to address global hearing loss issues.
One of the most important of the goals for the meeting is to review the World Health Assembly (WHA) resolution on the prevention of deafness and hearing loss that was adopted in 2017. The resolution called on national governments and stakeholders to address hearing loss by raising awareness while encouraging treatment and prevention of increasingly prevalent hearing problems, particularly in underserved regions.
A major feature of this upcoming meeting will be the exploration of strategies for a global alliance on hearing loss prevention. "An alliance would have a cohesive body of stakeholders whose main purpose is to undertake advocacy and develop networks that facilitate knowledge sharing and foster opportunities for collaboration. With strong leadership, a diverse membership and sound financial backing, such an alliance would be well positioned to drive a global initiative" wrote Shelly Chadha, PhD, Alarcos Cieza, PhD, and Etienne Krug, MD, of WHO in an editorial earlier this year (Bull World Health Organ. 2018 Mar 1; 96(3):146). Dr. Chadha is the technical officer of WHO's Prevention of Deafness and Hearing Loss Division.
Other objectives for this meeting include reviewing the past year's activities in implementing the WHA resolution, exploring possibilities for resource mobilization, and planning next year's World Hearing Day observance.
The meeting's organizers expressed optimism about the benefits of coordination in helping promote greater awareness of hearing health care. "Such collaborative and determined action would enable protection of the hearing for over the billion people who are at risk, as well as allowing those who experience hearing loss to achieve their potential through equitable access to the required services and rehabilitation," Chadha, et al., concluded in their editorial.
To get updates on the WHO Stakeholders' Meeting, subscribe to our e-newsletter
To know more about the WHA resolution, read this editorial by Jackie Clark, PhD
Published: 6/28/2018 2:01:00 PM
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Female-Dominated Occupations are at High Risk for Hearing Problems
Preschool teachers and obstetric personnel are at high risk for hearing related issues, reported a new research at Sahlgrenska Academy in Sweden. The study examined the diagnostic validity of self-reported symptoms and compared the occurrence and risk of hearing-related symptoms in women working in obstetrics, preschool, and the general population. The maximum sound level in obstetrical wards was greater than 115 dBA with a corresponding increased risk of tinnitus and auditory fatigue. The study found that preschool teachers have a more than double risk of sound-induced auditory fatigue, hyperacusis, and difficulty perceiving speech.
These two occupations, preschool teachers and obstetrics care personnel, have a higher prevalence of hearing issues than occupations with similar noise levels, perhaps because of the nature of their work environments, which are typically communication-intensive. The stressful environment and the need to listen to the loud noises inherent in the work contribute to hearing problems.
"The symptoms can be triggered by the boisterous environment, and it's also difficult to use hearing protection," said Sofie Fredriksson, the study's author. Children cannot necessarily be ignored by using earplugs or other hearing protection.
In terms of the appropriate interventions, Fredriksson stressed that various strategies would be needed to address the needs of people with these jobs. "Hearing protection devices are normally the main intervention if the sound level cannot be reduced in another way, and it may be necessary if you have a child who subjects your ears to crying for a whole day during their introductory period at preschool," Fredriksson said in a press release. "But the design of the premises and room acoustics also have to be considered. In a large room with solid walls, it becomes noisy no matter how educational and strategic you are in your work," she added.
Published: 6/27/2018 11:57:00 AM
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InnerScope Launches Marketing Campaign with New DTC Site
InnerScope Hearing Technologies (http://www.innd.com/) has kicked off its "Hearing Better in America" marketing campaign with the re-launching of its direct-to-consumer (DTC) online stores, www.nohasslehearing.com, to encourage existing and potential hearing aid users to seek out their more affordable hearing assistive products. The campaign includes educating consumers on health risks associated with living with consequences of untreated hearing loss, including increased risks of dementia and Alzheimer's, running full-page newspaper ads offering phone-in orders or directing consumers to www.hearingbenefit.com for personal sound amplifiers products or www.nohasslehearing.com for FDA-cleared hearing aid devices at factory direct pricing, and adding possible direct mail campaigns and satellite radio ads to direct traffic to the DTC websites sales platforms. InnerScope also plans to utilize online advertising and social media marketing campaigns on platforms like Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and more.
InnerScope said the "Hearing Better in America" campaign will not only cause a disruption in the traditional sales and delivery model within the hearing aid industry, but it will also assist in increasing the acceptance and adoption of hearing aids as a part of a person's overall health and well-being. Matthew Moore, CEO of InnerScope, said the traditional cost and inconvenience of hearing aids are just too high, but the true cost is even higher with all the documented health risks of living with untreated hearing loss. "Although InnerScope is not a substitute for hearing health care providers and the needed audiological services they provide, but when the time comes for the consumer to purchase hearing aids, InnerScope is a viable option," he said.
Published: 6/29/2018 9:12:00 AM
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via IFTTT
WHO Holds 3rd Stakeholders’ Consultation on Hearing Loss Prevention
On 3-4 July 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) will hold the third stakeholders' meeting for its program on prevention of deafness and hearing loss at its headquarter in Geneva, Switzerland. This meeting is an opportunity for WHO member states, professional groups, non-governmental organizations, civil society, academicians, clinicians, the private sector, and United Nations agencies to come together to address global hearing loss issues.
One of the most important of the goals for the meeting is to review the World Health Assembly (WHA) resolution on the prevention of deafness and hearing loss that was adopted in 2017. The resolution called on national governments and stakeholders to address hearing loss by raising awareness while encouraging treatment and prevention of increasingly prevalent hearing problems, particularly in underserved regions.
A major feature of this upcoming meeting will be the exploration of strategies for a global alliance on hearing loss prevention. "An alliance would have a cohesive body of stakeholders whose main purpose is to undertake advocacy and develop networks that facilitate knowledge sharing and foster opportunities for collaboration. With strong leadership, a diverse membership and sound financial backing, such an alliance would be well positioned to drive a global initiative" wrote Shelly Chadha, PhD, Alarcos Cieza, PhD, and Etienne Krug, MD, of WHO in an editorial earlier this year (Bull World Health Organ. 2018 Mar 1; 96(3):146). Dr. Chadha is the technical officer of WHO's Prevention of Deafness and Hearing Loss Division.
Other objectives for this meeting include reviewing the past year's activities in implementing the WHA resolution, exploring possibilities for resource mobilization, and planning next year's World Hearing Day observance.
The meeting's organizers expressed optimism about the benefits of coordination in helping promote greater awareness of hearing health care. "Such collaborative and determined action would enable protection of the hearing for over the billion people who are at risk, as well as allowing those who experience hearing loss to achieve their potential through equitable access to the required services and rehabilitation," Chadha, et al., concluded in their editorial.
To get updates on the WHO Stakeholders' Meeting, subscribe to our e-newsletter
To know more about the WHA resolution, read this editorial by Jackie Clark, PhD
Published: 6/28/2018 2:01:00 PM
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via IFTTT
Female-Dominated Occupations are at High Risk for Hearing Problems
Preschool teachers and obstetric personnel are at high risk for hearing related issues, reported a new research at Sahlgrenska Academy in Sweden. The study examined the diagnostic validity of self-reported symptoms and compared the occurrence and risk of hearing-related symptoms in women working in obstetrics, preschool, and the general population. The maximum sound level in obstetrical wards was greater than 115 dBA with a corresponding increased risk of tinnitus and auditory fatigue. The study found that preschool teachers have a more than double risk of sound-induced auditory fatigue, hyperacusis, and difficulty perceiving speech.
These two occupations, preschool teachers and obstetrics care personnel, have a higher prevalence of hearing issues than occupations with similar noise levels, perhaps because of the nature of their work environments, which are typically communication-intensive. The stressful environment and the need to listen to the loud noises inherent in the work contribute to hearing problems.
"The symptoms can be triggered by the boisterous environment, and it's also difficult to use hearing protection," said Sofie Fredriksson, the study's author. Children cannot necessarily be ignored by using earplugs or other hearing protection.
In terms of the appropriate interventions, Fredriksson stressed that various strategies would be needed to address the needs of people with these jobs. "Hearing protection devices are normally the main intervention if the sound level cannot be reduced in another way, and it may be necessary if you have a child who subjects your ears to crying for a whole day during their introductory period at preschool," Fredriksson said in a press release. "But the design of the premises and room acoustics also have to be considered. In a large room with solid walls, it becomes noisy no matter how educational and strategic you are in your work," she added.
Published: 6/27/2018 11:57:00 AM
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