Crescenta Valley High School: Hearing Conservation Presentation

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of presenting to the students of Crescenta Valley High School's Academy of Science and Medicine program. The presentation is part of the grassroots effort on behalf of House Ear Institute's (www.hei.org) teen hearing conservation program titled, "It's How You Listen That Counts!"

The presentation included a range of topics including: basic anatomy of the ear, noise-induced hearing loss information and prevention, benefits of earplugs, how to use earplugs and the myth of cotton swabs. Afterwards, the students had some of the most thought-provoking questions about hearing and ear health! They were an outstanding group, not to mention very respectful!

Hopefully, the group will be able to schedule a field trip to visit the House Ear Institute to check out the ear model in the lobby and a few research labs!

I hope that I will be asked to return for more presentations at Crescenta Valley in the future!

I plan to post some photos from the presentations soon.

House Ear Institute Teen Workshop information

Study published about genes that influence age-related hearing loss

A new study by House Ear Institute and other institutions, published in the journal Human Molecular Genetics, has found genes related to hearing loss risk. 

You can read more about this interesting study at the Los Angeles Times website:  http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2008/12/gene-that-influ.html

Here is another news brief about the same study:

Science Daily 

Photos from presentation for 9th graders

I posted a couple photos of the 9th graders during the presentation on Nov. 21st. Photos courtesy of Julian Diego Lometillo, a Clark Magnet HS student.

Hearing Presentation on Nov. 21st

It has been a while since I last posted here, but school has managed to keep me quite busy! However, I am pleased to share that I will be returning to Clark Magnet High School this week to present to 9th graders on hearing health and conservation. 

I plan to post with a briefing on the experience. Check back soon! 

Useful resource: Encyclopaedia Britannica

Page through the various pages for information on ear related topics. 

Japan is releasing speakers that fit inside your ear canal this August 2008. Click on the link to read about the technology on Tech-On! Victor's Earphone Makes Sound Deeper in Ear. (Image from http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/)

Think this might be a bad idea? Definitely! Here's why...

First of all, the brain adjusts to sound after a while. So, for the argument that having the earphone deeper in the ear would allow people turn the volume down lower than with earphones that do not sit as deep... this would most likely not be the case. As the brain adjusts to the lower volume, people have a tendency of wanting to turn it up.

These speakers definitely have the potential and technology to cause permanent hearing damage. The placement of these speaker units being so close to your eardrum also mean that they are closer to the hair cells of the cochlea (sensory organ of hearing) in the inner ear. Hair cells are responsible for transmitting sound information to the brain. When these hair cells are exposed to loud sounds, anything above 85 dB, they are prone to permanent damage. There is a pie chart created by House Ear Institute with different decibel levels and the number of hours of exposure it would take to cause hearing damage. With repeated exposure at unsafe levels, there would likely be a measurable hearing loss.

Yes although those with hearing loss who are fit with hearing aids have an earmold that sits deeper inside their ear canal, which delivers amplified sound to their ears, they only have access to making minimal adjustments with their volume control. The amount of gain applied is prescribed using objective measures. However with these speakers, unless you were well aware of safe sound levels, you could potentially blow your eardrums. Anyone heard of a ruptured eardrum?