A Cure for Hearing Loss on the Horizon

​Activation of the signaling pathway that regulates the differentiation of hair cells could represent a new approach to cochlear regeneration and potentially restore hearing, a new study found (Eur J Neurosci. 2018 Sep 30. doi: 10.1111/ejn.14183. [Epub ahead of print]). Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center and the Massachusetts Ear and Eye Infirmary hypothesized that signaling from the epidermal growth factor receptor family may play a role in cochlear regeneration. Specifically, they focused on a receptor called ERBB2, which is found in cochlear support cells. They found that activating the ERBB2 pathway triggered a cascading series of cellular events by which cochlear support cells began to proliferate and start the process of activating other neighboring stem cells to become new sensory hair cells. This process not only could impact the regeneration of sensory hair cells but also support their integration with nerve cells. The authors said their findings suggest a new model where an interplay of cell signaling regulates regeneration by endogenous stem-like cells. 

Published: 10/19/2018 11:00:00 AM

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Phonak Introduces Marvel Hearing Aids with Real-Time Support and Voice-to-Text Transcription

Phonak has launched Marvel, a revolutionary hearing aid family that combines the benefits of exceptional speech understanding and reduced listening effort in noise with the ability to stream all audio content seamlessly from iPhone, Android smartphone or billions of other Bluetooth enabled devices to both ears in stereo quality. Marvel hearing aids are rechargeable and empower consumers to benefit from remote real-time support via smart apps as well as real-time voice-to-text transcription of phone calls. It has the AutoSense OS™ 3.0 operating system which was developed with artificial intelligence to provide exceptional sound quality from the first fit, better speech understanding in noise, reduced listening effort, and rich sound experience when streaming. The Phonak Audéo™ M will be the first Marvel hearing aid to feature this breakthrough technology.

The Marvel hearing aids include the following features:

• Wearers can stream any audio content, including music, eBooks, and more to both ears from any Bluetooth device
• Built-in microphones allow completely hands-free phone conversations from both iPhone and Android devices while the conversation is heard in both ears
• Lithium-Ion rechargeable option available for a full day of hearing including streaming on a single charge
• Smart apps enable remote fine-tuning and live voice-to-text phone transcriptions
  

Sound quality

AutoSense OS 3.0 was developed using artificial intelligence, to automatically learn, detect and adapt, providing the best hearing experience in any listening environment.

With Marvel technology, AutoSense OS 3.0 can even classify streamed media. In a recent study¹, Audéo M was top-rated for quality of streaming media against five competitors. The enhanced operating system also includes Binaural VoiceStream Technology™ into Marvel hearing aids. This highly-sophisticated four-microphone technology has been proven to significantly improve speech understanding by 60%² in noisy places like restaurants while simultaneously reducing the amount of effort by 19%³ required to listen and understand.

"Audiology is at the heart of everything we do at Phonak." said Martin Grieder, Group Vice President, Hearing Instruments Marketing at Sonova. "That's why Marvel is such a game-changer for our industry. Marvel technology empowers people and provides a true "love at first sound" experience. We believe the sound quality is second to none, and it begins the moment the person puts the hearing aids on."

Stream from iOS, Android and billions of Bluetooth devices

The Android operating system accounts for 86%⁴ of all smartphones worldwide, yet until today, binaural (two-ear) streaming of phone calls, music, and other multimedia content directly to hearing aids has only been a reality for iPhone users, who only account for 13% of smartphone owners worldwide. Empowering all consumers regardless of the smartphone operating system has been a driving force behind Phonak. Audéo M is capable of direct audio streaming from virtually any smartphone around the world.

"For years, the hearing aid industry has waited for a single solution that streams phone conversations, music, and video content in stereo from both iPhone and Android devices," said Thomas Lang, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Phonak. "Today, we're proud to announce that the wait is over. Marvel technology gives wearers access to billions of Bluetooth-enabled devices, so people no longer have to think about whether their hearing aids will work with their phones or other personal electronics."

Continuing the rechargeable revolution

There are numerous benefits to not having to change tiny hearing aid batteries, not only for people with vision or dexterity challenges. In fact, rechargeable hearing aids are cited as the top feature most likely to attract potential first-time hearing aid wearers⁵. In 2016, Phonak released the world's first lithium-ion rechargeable hearing aids and set new standards for efficiency and convenience.

With Marvel hearing aids wearers can enjoy a full day of hearing - including streaming - on a single charge. The Audéo M rechargeable hearing aid turns on automatically when taken out of the charger. Integrated LED lights and a new mini charger provide the usability people expect.

Enhancing the user experience with smart apps

With Marvel hearing aids comes the introduction of a suite of convenient smart apps. The myPhonak app allows wearers to have their hearing aids adjusted in real-time, in any situation, anywhere via video call by the hearing care professional. It also gives consumers the ability to rate their hearing aid satisfaction in various environments and directly send this feedback to their hearing care professional. Finally, the myCall-to-Text app provides live transcription of phone calls from the other party in more than 80 languages. This is an ideal solution for noisy environments, or for people who prefer additional visual captions when using the phone.

The Audéo M will be available in the U.S. beginning the end of November. The new hearing aids are also RogerDirect™ ready, meaning they can receive signals from Roger™ microphones directly and without attaching a separate receiver in the future for better understanding in noise and over distance. RogerDirect functionality will be available as a firmware upgrade in Fall 2019.

REFERENCES:

1. Legarth, S., Latzel, M., & Rodrigues, T. (2018). Media streaming: The sound quality wearers prefer. Phonak Field Study News, retrieved from www.phonakpro.com/evidence
2. Field Study News about Phonak StereoZoom in preparation, available by end of 2018 at www.phonakpro.com/evidence.
3. Winneke, A., Latzel, M., & Appleton-Huber, J. (2018). Less listening- and memory effort in noisy situations with StereoZoom. Phonak Field Study News, retrieved from www.phonakpro.com/evidence
4. Global mobile landscape 2016, eMarketer, November 2016
5. Marketrak 2015, asked of non-owners only (n=2099) – multiple responses allowed 
   

Published: 10/16/2018 10:48:00 AM

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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Key to Curing SSNHL

The addition of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) to standard corticosteroid treatment is associated with higher rates of hearing recovery in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), according to a new study (JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2018 Sep 27. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2018.2133). A systematic review, which included three randomized clinical trials and 16 nonrandomized studies, found that the rate of complete hearing recovery in SSNHL patients who received both HBOT and medical therapy of systemic and/or intratympanic corticosteroids was 29.4 percent, compared with 20.7 percent in those who were only treated with medications. Absolute hearing gain was also significantly greater in the HBOT and medical treatment group than in the medical treatment alone group for the overall frequencies. Furthermore, the benefit of this treatment approach was greater in those with severe to profound hearing loss.

The authors wrote that this study demonstrates for the first time to date that HBOT combined with medical treatment is associated with a significant improvement in complete hearing recovery and any hearing recovery. "Using HBOT, it is possible to maximize the oxygen partial pressure supplied to the inner ear," they wrote. "This process can minimize ischemic damage after SSNHL and aid vascular recovery. Furthermore, it can provide antibacterial effects through oxygen radicals and promote angiogenesis with tissue regeneration." 

Published: 10/12/2018 1:29:00 PM

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GSI Introduces New Tympanometer

Grason-Stadler (GSI) released its latest handheld screening tympanometer, the GSI Allegro™.

The Allegro is ready to take on any testing environment that requires tympanometry or ipsilateral acoustic reflexes. The Allegro has a four-button navigation panel, making it easy to use and easy to learn.

The Allegro comes equipped with a charging cradle, printer, and a convenient carrying case allowing for easy transport to satellite clinics and off-site community events. A fully charged battery will last for approximately eight hours of testing and the device holds up to 32 patient records. Flexible printing options include printing all tests at the end of the day or individually after each patient.

Additional features of the Allegro include auto-start and customizable user settings. With auto-start, the Allegro automatically begins recording a tympanogram as soon as the ear canal seal is obtained, allowing for quick and efficient testing even on the most challenging patients. Default test settings such as reflex frequencies may be customized on the Allegro to fit each clinic’s preferences. To learn more about the Allegro, visit www.grason-stadler.com.

Published: 10/11/2018 12:52:00 PM

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FDA Approves Marketing of First Self-Fitting Hearing Aid

The U.S. FDA approved the marketing of the first self-fitting hearing aid for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. The Bose Hearing Aid allows users to fit, adjust, and control the device without a hearing health professional. This nod came after the FDA reviewed the results of clinical studies that showed the device's self-fitting features to be comparable with professional fitting in terms of adjusting the amount of amplification, speech in noise testing, and overall performance.

"Today's marketing authorization provides certain patients with access to a new hearing aid that provides them with direct control over the fit and functionality of the device," said Malvina Eydelman, MD, director of the Division of Ophthalmic, and Ear, Nose and Throat Devices at the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health in a press release. "The FDA is committed to ensuring that individuals with hearing loss have options for taking an active role in their health care."

The Bose Hearing aid makes use of air conduction through sound vibrations that are captured in the device's microphones. It allows users to adjust the hearing aid through a mobile app, enabling them to control its features to suit real-time and real-world listening environments. Notably, the device comes with a label informing consumers when to consult a hearing health care professional.

Some states, however, may still require consumers to purchase these hearing aids from a licensed hearing aid dispenser. At present, the FDA is still drafting a set of regulations for over-the-counter hearing aids as required by the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017. These regulations are expected to be reviewed and finalized by 2020. (Read this cover story for more on OTC hearing aids and the FDA regulations.)

The Bose Hearing Aid was reviewed under the FDA's De Novo premarket regulatory pathway for new and low-to-moderate risk products for which there are no prior legally marketed device.

Published: 10/5/2018 2:39:00 PM

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Eargo Wins 2018 Medtech Insight Awards

​Eargo (https://eargo.com/) has received the Best Technology Innovation – Consumer Devices for its air conduction hearing aid Eargo Max and Best Company for Accelerated Growth at this year's Medtech Insight Awards. The judges of Medtech Insight Awards, which honor those who strive to cure, inform, minimize treatment burden, and make human lives better through medical devices and diagnostics, said Eargo has grown their team by more than 200%, brought two products to market, and is on track to launch their third-generation product by 2019. "This technology could really turnaround a difficult market where patient compliance can be a challenge due to issues with 'stigma,'" they said.

Published: 10/5/2018 11:56:00 AM

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New Canal Hearing Aids Market Report

HTF Market Intelligence has released the World Canal Hearing Aids Market study on the devices’ market size, industry status and forecast, competition landscape and growth opportunity to 2023. The market study is segmented by key regions that are accelerating the marketization, and includes key players such as William Demant, Sonova, Sivantos, GN Hearing, ReSound, Starkey, and Widex, It also categorizes the international canal hearing aid market by companies, region, type, and end-use industry. The full report is available at http://bit.ly/2NCE52E.

Published: 9/28/2018 2:30:00 PM

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