Fabry Disease, a rare inherited condition whose side effects may include: full body or localized pain to the
extremities, kidney complications, high blood pressure, and fatigue,
among others. The treatment of this condition is done by enzyme
replacement therapy. A study has found the effects of this treatment may
lead to hearing health problems.
The study was conducted with 20 patients, 11 males and 9 females,
between the ages of 15 and 69 years old. According to the National
Center for Biotechnology (NCBI),
“Nine patients complained of hearing symptoms (hearing loss, tinnitus);
for six of them the onset and/or progression of the hearing loss were
sudden.” The study goes on to suggest how replacement therapy may cause
hearing damage, and result in loss of hearing for patients.
It is commended for individuals undergoing enzyme replacement therapy, to visit their local audiologist
and have their hearing tested. The proper diagnosis can help patients
receive the right treatment that will help in improvement their hearing
as well as their quality of life.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
IBM Research Scientist Helps Hearing Loss Sufferers
New technology may facilitate phone conversations for those
suffering from hearing loss. A recent article published by CNET, discusses how
an IBM research scientist,
Dimitri Kanevsky, who has suffered from hearing loss since the age of 3, has developed a
technology that can help hearing loss
sufferers better communicate.
He utilizes technology that instantly transcribes a phone
conversation and posts the text on a commonly viewable Web site. As the article
states, “Kanevsky and 13 others were honored at the White House in a ceremony
to celebrate
those "leading the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math
for people with disabilities.”
Technological advances occur every
single day, whether it is to help facilitate phone communications, or improve a
hearing aid.
Hearing loss sufferers are day after day able to receive a unit, which will
help in the improvement of their quality of life.
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