Loss of Hearing and Cytomegalovirus

Many studies have been done finding a connection between a virus of the herpes family the "Cytomegalovirus" (CMV) and the deterioration of hearing health in children. These studies have been done by the University of Alabama as well as the Baylor College of Medicine.

The virus is part of the herpes family, although not as easily spreadable. It can be transmitted through contact with fluids such as saliva, breast milk, semen, urine, blood, cervical secretions. According to an article written by the American Speech-Language–Hearing Association (ASHA), “Most healthy children and adults infected with CMV will have no symptoms or might develop only a mild mononucleosis-like illness.”

Although adults might not experience any symptoms, mothers can still transfer the virus to the baby as a fetus which may result in loss of hearing among other disabilities. The only way to know if your child might have hearing damage due to this virus is by doing a blood spot analysis. Another way of knowing is if the mother was infected with the virus, then the newborn should be tested.

There is a 10%-15% that children who are infected with CMV will suffer from loss of hearing. According to ASHA, preventing infection with the virus can be done “through simple hygienic practices such as hand-washing.”

If you believe your child may suffer from hearing loss visit your local Miami Audiologist such as Dr. Joseph Duran for a consultation.

Elle Macpherson on the Importance of Hearing Health

Australian supermodel Elle Macpherson is now part of the hearing health campaign by "Hear the World"

She was born in Sidney, Australia as Eleanor Nancy Gow. Her modeling career took off when she traveled to New York City, to save up money for law school. Since then she appeared on different magazines, including Sports Illustrated, gracing the cover of said magazine six times.

New Generation Miami hearing center appreciates her involvement with the initiative, knowing she will bring awareness on topics dealing with hearing loss and the correct usage of hearing aids.

Elle Macpherson believes that “only a perfectly functioning sense of hearing enables us to truly appreciate the beauty of music.”

Viagra and Hearing Loss

Viagra or the “Blue pill” as it is commonly known, which has been helping men who suffer from erectile dysfunction has now been linked to an increased risk of suffering from loss of hearing.

This conclusion came from a study conducted by University of Alabama’s professor of epidemiology Gerald McGwin. The study was conducted with 11,525 men, 40 years or older. The results showed that those who took Viagra or any drug acting in a similar way known as Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE-5i) were, according to the study ”twice as likely to also report hearing loss as were men who had not used the drugs.”

Although this is a first study done, in 2007, the Food and Drug Administration had voiced concerns, being more strict on the labeling of PDE-5i drugs, making sure they displayed the risk taking this medication would have on hearing health.

If you take Viagra, and have noticed a deterioration in your hearing, do not hesitate to visit your local Miami hearing center, where an Audiologist such as Dr. Joseph Duran, will be able to help you.

Dave Stewart is a Hearing Health Ambassador

Dave Stewart gained fame from his hit songs performed in partnership with Annie Lennox, “Here Comes The Rain Again” and “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” among others.

He has created songs as well as collaborated with stars such as Gwen Stefani, Shakira, Bono, and Celine Dion etc. He is not only a talented musician but he has helped Amnesty International and Greenpeace by donating the proceeds from his world tour to these organizations.

Now he has joined the hearing health campaign from “Hear the World,” increasing awareness on topics dealing with hearing aids and hearing loss. This is why he is this week’s New Generation Hearing Miami Hearing Center ambassador.

Your Hearing Health and Convertible Vehicles

The New York Times recently discussed a study done by St. Louis University School of Medicine’s department of otolaryngology in conjunction with the Ear Institute of Texas. The study concentrates on the negative effects driving in a convertible can have on your hearing health.

In it, it was concluded that driving at speeds greater than 55 m.p.h. with the top of your convertible down creates noise that increases the risk of suffering from loss of hearing. It is advised to drive with the roof top on to avoid this risk.

Among the cars used for the study was the 2009 Saturn Sky Red Line, a 2004 Nissan 350z, a 2001 Porsche 911 C4, 2005 Saab Aero Convertible (illustrated above) and finally a 2005 Ford Mustang GT.

The cars were all driven with the tops down and the windows open while taking measurements of the noise at speeds of 55, 65 and 75 m.p.h. The benchmark was that of 85 decibels which according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health is an “excessive noise exposure.”

The results showed that all of the vehicles when driven past 55 m.p.h. showed a noise level of at least 85 decibels which puts you in an increased risk of suffering from hearing loss and hearing damage. If you own a convertible, keep the top up, to avoid these negative effects. Visit your local Miami hearing center for more information on how take care of your Hearing health.

Dionne Warwick Joins Hearing Health Campaign

Dionne Warwick or Marie Dionne Warwick is an American singer, known for hits such as "Love Power" and "I'll Never Love This Way Again". She was born on December 12^th, 1940 to a family full of musicians. Her exposure to music from an early age has helped her rank among the “40 biggest hit makers of the entire rock era (1955-1999)” according to Wikipedia.

Ms. Warwick who is a Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, is also a US Ambassador of Health and this week’s New Generation Miami Hearing Center Hearing Health Supporter. She brings awareness about hearing loss and hearing damage, and believes “If seeing is believing, hearing must be knowing.”

City’s Loudness and Hearing Health

Noise induced hearing loss or NIHL as previously discussed, happens with constant exposure to loud noise.The Hear the World website, has come up with a way to help you know what parts of your city are the loudest, as well as the quiet places to give your hearing a break. As of right now, the cities include New York, Atlanta, London and Berlin.

The map is labeled with the following dots and colors: red for loud places, green for quiet places, gray when there is no audio example and blue to show a group in the map.

Once you check information in your city, you can zoom in and click on the red, green, blue or gray dots. The following graphic shows you what would happen when you click on one of the red dots. As you can see it shows you the level of noise found in that location and whether or not you require some type of ear protection. It also gives you an example of the noise, which you can hear when you click the Play/Pause button.

This is a very helpful tool, since it will allow you to prepare and protect your hearing health. For more information on more ways to protect your hearing, do not hesitate to contact your local Audiologist such as Dr. Joseph Duran.

Jude Law on the Importance of Hearing Health

Jude Law is this week's New Generation Miami Hearing Center hearing health ambassador. The English actor was born on December 29th, 1972. He has become famous due to the films “The Talented Mr. Ripley” as well as “Cold Mountain.” among others. The 38 year old actor began his career during his early teens with the National Youth Music Theatre.

It is no surprise that he would join the hearing loss initiative. Jude knows the effects hearing damage can have on someone's life, and he believes that “Most people take their hearing for granted. That is, until they lose it”. He also supports many other causes and charities, some of which include the Macmillan Cancer Support, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Breast Cancer Care and Make Poverty History.