In The News

Saliva is Effective in Screening for CMV Infection in Newborns, Says NIH-funded Research

Swabbing a newborn's mouth for saliva can be used to quickly and effectively screen for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, a leading cause of hearing loss in children, says research in the June 2 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) found saliva correctly identified every baby born with the infection when liquid samples were used, and 97.4 percent of babies when the samples were dried. The research was funded by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), part of the National Institutes of Health.

"Most babies infected with CMV don't show symptoms at birth," said James F. Battey, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., director of the NIDCD. "It's important for us to develop diagnostic tools to screen babies for congenital CMV infection so that those who test positive can be monitored for possible hearing loss and, if it occurs, provided with appropriate intervention as soon as possible."

CMV is the most common infection passed from a mother to her unborn child. Of the 20,000-30,000 infants who are born infected with CMV each year, roughly 10-15 percent are at risk for developing hearing loss.

The multicenter research project, led by UAB researchers Suresh Boppana, M.D., and Karen Fowler, Dr.P.H., was seeking to find the most effective screening test for CMV infection in newborns. In an earlier study, the scientists had concluded that a dried blood spot, such as that taken using the common heel stick technique, detected only 30-40 percent of babies with CMV infection, and was therefore not an effective screening tool. A screening method should have at least 95 percent accuracy, or sensitivity, in order to be considered effective.

Nearly 35,000 infants in the well baby nurseries of seven U.S. hospitals were enrolled in the study between June 2008 and November 2009. Mouth swabs were taken when the infants were roughly 1 day old; the swabs were sent to UAB for testing. For the initial phase of the trial, the saliva samples were stored in solution; for the second phase, the swabs were air dried.

To conduct the screening, the researchers used a high-throughput molecular diagnostic procedure called real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis and compared their results to the standard method for detecting CMV infection in newborns, known as the rapid culture method. Rapid culture, though highly accurate, involves a lengthy incubation and testing procedure, and is therefore not conducive to a widespread screening program.

With the PCR procedure, DNA from a sample is broken down into two separate strands. A special molecule, called a primer, seeks out a characteristic piece of CMV DNA and, if it is present, causes it to multiply and glow so it can be easily detected. To reduce the number of false positives, any babies who tested positive for CMV infection were retested using additional PCR and rapid culture tests. In addition, samples were tested directly without having to extract DNA, thereby saving considerable time and expense. 

Of the infants enrolled in phase one, 85 infants were found to have CMV infection through both the rapid culture method and the PCR method; therefore, the sensitivity of PCR liquid samples was 100 percent. Of those newborns in phase two, saliva rapid culture identified CMV infection in 76 infants, 74 of which were identified with the saliva PCR; therefore, sensitivity of PCR dried samples was 97.4 percent. The researchers contend that the dry samples may be the best option for widescale screening, because this method has high sensitivity plus it is more efficient in terms of sample collection, storage, and transport.

Sixteen additional samples were found to test positive for the saliva PCR samples but not for the saliva rapid culture. Follow-up testing revealed that three of these samples were indeed positive, leading the researchers to conclude that PCR may be a superior method to rapid culture for CMV screening. As for the remaining 13 samples, the researchers noted that CMV may have been present in the mother's breast milk or secretions in the birth canal, which showed up in the baby's mouth swab. For this reason, they suggest that all positive screenings be confirmed with follow-up testing within the first three weeks of age.

"We now know that we have a test with saliva that works," said Dr. Boppana. "The challenge is, unlike the dried blood spot, which is already used for newborn screening in hospitals across the country, we don't have a system in place for the collection of saliva. But we've shown that if you wanted to test a lot of babies for congenital CMV infection, it can be done."

The researchers are now looking to find out how much congenital CMV infection contributes to overall hearing loss at birth and between the ages of 3 1/2 to 4 years old. For this reason, infants who tested positive for CMV infection in the study are being enrolled in a follow-up program to monitor their hearing every six months until they are four years of age.

About NIDCD

NIDCD supports and conducts research and research training on the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech and language and provides health information, based upon scientific discovery, to the public. For more information about NIDCD programs, see the Web site at www.nidcd.nih.gov.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

Starkey Named to Star Tribune Top Workplaces 2011

Starkey Ranked Number 16 on Large Employers List

Minneapolis, June 20, 2011 - Starkey Laboratories, Inc., one of the world's leading hearing technology companies, is proud to announce it has been named one of the Top 100 Workplaces in Minnesota based on an employee-based survey project from the Star Tribune. The Star Tribune Top Workplaces special section was published in the Star Tribune on Sunday, June 19. The report can also be found at StarTribune.com/jobs/topworkplaces2011.

"We are so proud to be named to the Top 100 Workplaces list," said Larry Miller, Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Starkey. "We have an excellent team of employees in a variety of jobs in Minnesota, and it's good to know that they are as confident in Starkey as we are in them."

Produced by the same team that compiles the 20-year-old Star Tribune 100 report of the best-performing public companies in Minnesota, Top Workplaces recognizes the most progressive companies in Minnesota based on employee opinions about company leadership, communication, career opportunities, workplace environment, managerial skills, pay and benefits. The analysis included responses from more than 60,500 employees at Minnesota public, private and nonprofit organizations.

The rankings in the Star Tribune Top 100 Workplaces are based on survey information collected by WorkplaceDynamics, an independent company specializing in employee engagement and retention.

Starkey was ranked 16 on the Large Employers company list. To qualify for the Star Tribune Top Workplaces, a company must have more than 50 employees in Minnesota. Over 1,200 companies were invited to participate. Rankings were composite scores calculated purely on the basis of employee responses.

"The companies in the Star Tribune Top 100 Workplaces deserve high praise for creating the very best work environments in the state of Minnesota. My congratulations to each of these exceptional companies," said Star Tribune Publisher Michael J. Klingensmith.

About Starkey®

Starkey Laboratories, Inc. is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minn. The company is recognized for its innovative design, development and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Founded in 1967, Starkey currently employs more than 3,500 people, operates 22 facilities and conducts business in more than 100 markets worldwide. For more information, visit Starkey.com 

Get the Hearing Loss Blues & Support NHCA!

June 14, 2011. Seattle, WA. Hearing Loss Blues , a new MP3 released by Amazon.com, is a light-hearted song that looks at the effects of noise exposure on hearing. Written by Dave Stern and performed by Paul Buchignani, Hearing Loss Blues was initially conceived for use as an introduction to hearing conservation training sessions. Upbeat and fun, it was intended to engage professionals' attention in order to begin a more serious dialogue about the effects of hearing loss and best practices in prevention. 

Thanks to its clever lyrics and bluesy beat, it quickly caught on with audiologists outside of training sessions. In the song, the singer laments having hearing loss and tinnitus, not wanting to wear ear protection during 30 years on a noisy job ("…'Cause I was too tough") and participating in loud recreational activities. He ends with a plea: "So please listen to me, or you will have the hearing loss blues, too." 



Hearing Loss Blues MP3 photo, featuring Dave Stern

A portion of each sale of Hearing Loss Blues will be donated to the National Hearing Conservation Association to support its continuing efforts to educate, illuminate and prevent hearing loss from excessive noise exposure and other environmental factors. 

Thanks to Dave Stern for this song preview. Go to Amazon today and get the Hearing Loss Blues! 

Kick-off Summer with Brain Injury Awareness

Ottawa, June 20, 2011 - As warmer temperatures and longer days greet the official start of summer, the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA) reminds you June is Brain Injury Awareness Month in Canada. During the coming months, people of all ages will participate in various activities that expose them to the threat of traumatic brain injuries. While enjoying summer activities, experts recommend wearing appropriate headgear during sporting activities, avoiding high-risk activities and behaviour and wearing your seatbelt, to help prevent brain injuries.

CASLPA represents more than 5,800 speech and hearing professionals, who have an important role to play in helping individuals recovering from and/or coping with brain injuries. It is estimated that 80 to 100 per cent of individuals with a brain injury will have some form of communication disorder. Treatment by these professionals is essential, as they "strive to help individuals with brain injury make sense of large, complex ideas to become more concrete, clear, and accessible," says CASLPA member Luella Jonk, a speech-language pathologist working in Winnipeg, MB.

"Each individual has a story. There is what was once their life, what it is now, and what they think it will become. This occurs as they try to reconstruct their identity. It is a journey," adds Jonk. "This journey becomes somewhat convoluted and strained by cognitive impairments (such as memory loss)."

Approaches to treatment and rehabilitation of brain injuries are diverse, as each individual will experience different challenges in speaking, swallowing, reading, listening or hearing. "Therapy helps clients to develop a new relationship with themselves and redefine their identity to form a realistic self-representation that includes the impact of the injury as a significant event in their life," adds Jonk.

If you or someone you know has a communication problem or limitation, CASLPA recommends contacting a speech-language pathologist or audiologist. For more information about the role these professionals play in the management of communication disorders or to find a speech-language pathologist or audiologist in your area, visit CASLPA's website at www.speechandhearing.ca.

Sound Pharmaceuticals Announces a New SPI-1005 Clinical Trial Involving Personal Music Players

Seattle, June 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ - Sound Pharmaceuticals (SPI) will begin recruiting a new clinical trial testing the oral drug SPI-1005 to prevent the hearing loss induced by loud music. Exposure to loud music or noise can induce temporary and permanent auditory threshold shifts (TTS or PTS). In some people, a repeated TTS will ultimately give way to a PTS that is irreversible. As people age, this level of PTS grows and results in a loss of speech perception and discrimination. According to a recent US study of 12-19 year olds between 1994 and 2006, the incidence of hearing loss increased 30%. Now one in five teenagers has a hearing loss of at least 16 decibels. In an Australian survey, 71% of respondents believed that listening to loud music through headphones would have the largest impact on their hearing.

In this clinical trial, young adults will listen to music that has been recorded onto personal music players (pmp). Volunteers will take either a placebo or SPI-1005 starting two days before and then listen to the pmp for four hours to induce a mild TTS. SPI-1005 is an oral capsule that contains a proprietary formulation of ebselen, a small molecule that mimics the activity of Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), a critical enzyme in the inner ear that protects it from loud sounds. After noise exposure, the activity of GPx decreases in several inner ear structures including the auditory hair cells. In several preclinical studies, ebselen treatment was shown to improve the function of auditory hair cells and reduce the TTS induced by intense noise exposure. "The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if SPI-1005 can prevent the TTS induced by an environmentally relevant exposure to sound," said Dr. Jonathan Kil, President and CEO.

Currently there are no FDA approved drugs for the prevention and treatment of sensorineural hearing loss including noise-induced hearing loss. SPI hopes to address this unmet medical need with its first in-class first in-indication drug.

Sound Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is a privately held biopharmaceutical company with a focus on developing the first drugs for hearing loss. www.soundpharma.com

Starkey's SoundLens to be Honored at the 2011 red dot Gala

Minneapolis, June 16, 2011 -  Starkey Laboratories, Inc., one of the world's leading hearing technology companies, is proud to announce that its SoundLens™ hearing aid will be honored at the red dot gala July 4 in Essen, Germany. The awards ceremony will be held in the Aalto-Theater of the Essen opera house, where all prize-winning recipients will take stage to accept their red dot trophy and award.

SoundLens is Starkey's custom invisible-in-the-canal hearing aid. Designed to deliver high quality, customization and performance, SoundLens harnesses the power of Voice iQ², Starkey's noise management and speech preservation system designed to let people hear the conversations they want to and reduce the noise they don't. SoundLens overcomes the hearing aid stigma by allowing a hearing impaired person to wear a hearing instrument that no one else can see.

This night also marks the opening of the special exhibition "Design on stage," where SoundLens will be featured with the other prize-winning products July 5 to August 1, 2011, at the red dot design museum. With an excess of 1,500 products spread over an area of more than 4,000 m², the red dot design museum houses the largest permanent exhibition of contemporary design worldwide.

About the red dot design award

The red dot design award dates back to 1955 and is now the world's largest and most distinguished design competition. It breaks down into the three disciplines 'red dot award: product design,' 'red dot award: communication design' and 'red dot award: design concept.' There were nearly 14,000 entries from 68 countries in the year 2010 alone. Find out more at www.red-dot.de/presse.

About Starkey®

Starkey Laboratories, Inc. is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minn. The company is recognized for its innovative design, development and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Founded in 1967, Starkey currently employs more than 3,500 people, operates 22 facilities and conducts business in more than 100 markets worldwide. For more information, visit Starkey.com.

The Hear the World Foundation Gives Hundreds of Hearing Instruments to 2011 Special Olympics Athletes

Washington DC, USA / Zug, Switzerland, June 24, 2011 – From June 25 to July 4, Athens, Greece will host more than 7,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities from 170 countries for the 13th Special Olympics World Summer Games. During the Games, all athletes will receive comprehensive hearing screening as part of their medical check-up. For those athletes showing hearing loss, the Hear the World Foundation will donate hearing instruments with free follow-up care in their home country. The Hear the World Foundation was established in 2006 by leading Swiss hearing instrument manufacturer Phonak and is committed to improve the quality of life and promote equal opportunities for people with hearing loss worldwide.

An amazingly high 26 percent of the athletes participating in the Special Olympics have hearing loss. Unfortunately, many do not have hearing instruments. Often the cause is lack of access to medical and audiological care in their home country, or lack of funds . For this reason the Hear the World Foundation donates hundreds of high-quality hearing instruments to the Healthy Hearing Program organized by the Special Olympics.

"We are extremely honored to welcome the Hear the World Foundation into the Special Olympics Movement," said Dr. Timothy Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics. "Our athletes represent the most medically underserved population in the world, and the World Games represents the largest health program exclusively for persons with intellectual disabilities. Now, Special Olympics can offer these deserving athletes the health intervention that will have an enormous impact on them, both on and off the playing field." 

Free hearing screening for all athletes

During the Games, all of the athletes will undergo a comprehensive hearing screening as part of their medical check-up. Those who have been identified with hearing loss will receive free hearing instruments and corresponding follow-up care in their home countries – all organized and funded by the Hear the World Foundation. "The advanced technology in modern hearing instruments enables people with hearing loss to significantly enhance their quality of life," says Alexander Zschokke, Chairman of the Board of the Hear the World Foundation. "We are particularly pleased to be able to offer the athletes at the Special Olympics the chance to improve their hearing and ultimately their quality of life." In order to ensure that the athletes can enjoy their new hearing instruments year round, VARTA Microbattery, a leading provider of hearing instrument batteries and Partner of the Hear the World Foundation, is providing a year's supply of batteries for each athlete.

Hear the World Foundation projects around the globe

In addition to its cooperation with the Special Olympics, the Hear the World Foundation supports a variety of other projects all over the world, in countries such as Kenya, Cambodia and the Dominican Republic. Further information and the application form for those interested in supporting the projects can be found at www.hear-the-world.com.

About the Hear the World Foundation

The Hear the World Foundation is committed to improve the quality of life and promote equal opportunities for people with hearing loss globally. To achieve this, the Foundation provides financial funds, hearing aids and assistive listening technology. The Foundation has a special focus on projects that support children reach their development milestones and realise their full potential in life regardless of their hearing loss.

For more information please visit www.hear-the-world.org, follow Hear the World on twitter.com/Hear_The_World and become a Fan on www.facebook.com/CanYouHearTheWorld.

About Healthy Hearing

Healthy Hearing is one of seven medical disciplines that make up the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program. Healthy Athletes is the primary health-related program for Special Olympics, providing free health screenings to athletes with intellectual disabilities in vision, hearing, oral health, healthy lifestyles, general fitness, podiatry, and sports physicals. The need for Healthy Athletes is great. Despite a mistaken belief that people with intellectual disabilities receive the same or better health care than others, they typically receive sub-standard care or virtually no health care at all. Special Olympics has shown that many health concerns are more common and significant for people with intellectual disabilities. Among Special Olympics athletes in the United States, 30.8% fail hearing tests; 24.6% have obvious, untreated tooth decay; 22% have low bone density; and 15.3% have eye disease.

About Special Olympics

Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by encouraging and empowering people with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics movement has grown from a few hundred athletes to nearly 3.5 million athletes in over 170 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round sports training, athletic competition and other related programs. Special Olympics now takes place every day, changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities in places like China and from regions like the Middle East to the community playgrounds and ball fields in every small neighborhood's backyard. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org.

For more information, please visit www.phonak.com and www.phonakpro.com.

Protect Your Ears This 4th of July, Better Hearing Institute Urges

Washington, DC, June 24, 2011 - The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) is urging people to pack earplugs when heading out to this year's 4th of July celebrations and is urging them to exercise safety whenever around fireworks. The single bang of a firecracker at close range can permanently damage hearing in an instant. But by following some simple precautions, people can enjoy the 4th of July festivities and still protect their hearing. 

"The best advice I can offer is to leave the fireworks to the professionals and sit at a comfortable distance from the display, where you can enjoy the colors and lights, but not expose yourself and your family to loud noises," says Sergei Kochkin, PhD, BHI's executive director. "To protect your hearing, make sure you're wearing ear plugs and that they're securely in place before the show begins. And be sure to keep them in for the entire show." 

Disposable ear plugs, made of foam or silicone, are typically available at local pharmacies. They're practical because you still can hear music and the conversation of those around you when you have them in your ears. But when they fit snuggly, they're effective in adequately blocking out dangerously loud sounds. 

Noise is one of the most common causes of hearing loss. Ten million Americans have already suffered irreversible hearing damage from noise; and 30 million are exposed to dangerous noise levels each day. 

According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, consumption of fireworks in the United States has risen dramatically over the past decade, from 152.2 million pounds in 2000 to 213.9 million pounds in 2009. As more and more Americans come into contact with fireworks, it becomes increasingly important that people follow sound safety measures, including the use of ear protection. 

The Dangers and Signs of Loud Noise

Loudness is measured in decibels, with silence measuring at 0 dB. Any noise above 85 dB is considered unsafe. Most firecrackers produce sounds starting at 125 dB–presenting the risk of irreversible ear damage. Repeated exposure to loud noise, over an extended period of time, presents serious risks to hearing health as well. If you have to shout over the noise to be heard by someone within arm's length, the noise is probably in the dangerous range. Here are other warning signs:

• You have pain in your ears after leaving a noisy area.
• You hear ringing or buzzing (tinnitus) in your ears immediately after exposure to noise.
• You suddenly have difficulty understanding speech after exposure to noise; you can hear people talking but can't understand them.

Anyone can take the first step to addressing hearing loss by taking a simple, interactive screening test in the privacy of their own home by going to www.hearingcheck.org. 

"Prevention is so critical to preserving our hearing, especially for children who are at highest risk for noise-induced hearing loss," adds Kochkin. "So make sure your family and friends fully enjoy the holiday festivities and celebrate smart. Leave the fireworks to the professionals. Stay a safe distance away. And pack the earplugs. Remember: close to 40 percent of hearing loss is preventable with proper protection."

Protecting Our Hearing

We hear sound when delicate hair cells in our inner ear vibrate, creating nerve signals that the brain understands as sound. But just as we can overload an electrical circuit, we also can overload these vibrating hair cells. Loud noise damages these delicate hair cells, resulting in sensorineural hearing loss and often tinnitus (ringing of the ears). The cells that are the first to be damaged or die are those that vibrate most quickly–those that allow us to hear higher-frequency sounds clearly, like the sounds of birds singing and children speaking. 

The best way to protect hearing is to avoid excessively loud noise. When you know you'll be exposed to loud noises, like fireworks, wear ear protection. Every day you can protect your hearing by keeping down the volume on earbuds, stereos, and televisions. And you can teach children to quickly plug their ears with their fingers when they're suddenly and unexpectedly bombarded by loud sirens, jack hammers, and other loud sounds. 

Kochkin warns that people should not personally use firecrackers to celebrate the 4th of July, since one explosion in close proximity could cause permanent hearing loss, not to mention bodily harm. There is a reason why fireworks are illegal in many states, and that is because of their inherent danger. 

Sonic Innovations Makes Donation to the Salus University Audiology Library

Salt Lake City - Sonic Innovations, Inc. is donating a collection of scientific and educational journals to the Salus University George S. Osborne College of Audiology. The collection will be used to establish a new audiology library within the Osborne College.

"Education and research are important to Sonic Innovations," says President and COO of Sonic Innovations, Joe Lugara. "We are happy to make a donation of this kind to Salus University Osborne College of Audiology." 

The journals were part of the auditory research library at Sonic Innovations. With the recent acquisition of Sonic Innovations by William Demant Holding, the company gained access to a large library of materials, making much of its current library collection redundant. The donated collection contains journals on topics including Seminars in Hearing and Trends in Amplification . Some of the historic materials range as far back as the 1950s. 

"We are thrilled to be receiving this collection of journals to add to our library," says Dean of the George S. Osborne College of Audiology, Victor Bray, Ph.D. "Our students and faculty will benefit greatly from them, and it is always exciting to acquire additional educational resources for our College."

For more information on the Salus University Osborne College of Audiology, visit www.salus.edu/audiology.

About Sonic Innovations: 

Sonic Innovations (www.sonici.com) is a US-based manufacturer of hearing care solutions that provide exceptional patient benefit, unparalleled service, and superior quality. In conjunction with its distributor partners, Sonic Innovations has provided more than 1 million hearing instruments to patients in more than 25 countries. Sonic products are renowned for their superior sound processing, noise reduction, directional capabilities, and award-winning design. Since November 2010, Sonic Innovations is a wholly owned subsidiary of William Demant Holding (www.demant.com).

Societal and Scientific Challenges in the Next Decade of Vaccines

In the first paper of The Lancet Series on the New Decade of Vaccines, Professor Richard Moxon, University of Oxford and John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK, and Professor Claire-Anne Siegrist, Geneva University Hospitals, Switzerland, discuss societal and scientific challenges for vaccines in the next 10 years.

In the past century, the judicious use of vaccines against microbial diseases has improved the health of millions of people. Vaccines have eliminated or substantially diminished the toll of major scourges, including smallpox, poliomyelitis, measles, pertussis, tetanus, yellow fever, and diphtheria. In the past two decades, great progress has been made in prevention of meningitis, pneumonia, and hepatitis.

Yet while acknowledging these successes, the authors point out that hurdles remain in the way of further progress. In the past, successful vaccines were largely developed by identification of antigens that induced immune responses to conserved pathogen components, whereas, in the future, a major challenge is to develop vaccines against deadly diseases in which the target antigens have extensive antigenic variability, such as HIV and malaria.

Other technical challenges to progress remain. There is a need for vaccines to be generated to protect the people who are most vulnerable because of age or underlying diseases. And another major challenge is how to develop vaccines capable of conferring lifelong protection without the need for repeated booster immunisations. To increase vaccine safety, use of subunit antigens* has been increasing, but these antigens are devoid of the natural adjuvant properties typical of whole-cell vaccines, and, therefore, are less immunogenic, and need novel strategies to increase immunogenicity. The molecules and pathways through which antigen-presenting cells drive specific and effective T cell formation is crucial for further progress in vaccine development. The authors also highlight issues raised by the recent H1N1 influenza pandemic, where existing technology to make vaccines was not fast enough to keep pace with the rapid spread of this pandemic strain.

In addition to the technical challenges facing vaccines themselves, other developments in biological science—such as pharmacogenomics—could increasingly reveal how individuals are likely to react to vaccines and result in tailored vaccination programmes suited to the individual. For example, recognition of individuals having a genetic predisposition to adverse reactions to specific vaccines could result in more selective immunisation policies and increase the safety of immunisation. 

Despite the extraordinary past achievements in immunisation and the future application of new technologies to provide future improved and novel vaccines, the basis of these science-driven benefits must be communicated effectively if the benefits to global public health are to be realised. The authors say: "The public needs to regain confidence in immunisation and trust the organisations responsible for the research, development, and implementation of vaccines…In informing the public, advocates need to achieve a balance between the benefits of immunisation and acknowledgment of possible adverse outcomes."

Starkey Launches New Starkey.com Website

New site provides easier navigation, greater focus on patient testimonials and interactive tools

Minneapolis, June 7, 2011 – Starkey Laboratories, Inc., one of the world's leading hearing technology companies, is proud to announce the launch of the new Starkey.com website, designed specifically for people with hearing loss and the people who love them. The complete redesign is a reflection of Starkey's commitment to making its site welcoming to a wide variety of patients and address their expanding needs.

The new website updates include:

• A revitalized homepage that showcases patient testimonials that bring the experience of wearing Starkey hearing aids to life.
• A new structure for researching Starkey products that allows visitors to search by style or technology.
• An interactive hearing aid finder tool that calculates which product and style is right for a patient based on lifestyle and social needs.
• More information about what makes Starkey unique within the hearing healthcare industry.
• A new site architecture that provides an excellent user experience.
• And more!

The new Starkey.com still provides users with the same trusted information on hearing loss and features an online hearing test and hearing loss simulator.

About Starkey®

Starkey Laboratories, Inc. is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minn. The company is recognized for its innovative design, development and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Founded in 1967, Starkey currently employs more than 3,500 people, operates 22 facilities and conducts business in more than 100 markets worldwide. For more information, visit Starkey.com

Legislative Update from Hearing Industries Association

TN Mandates Hearing Aid Coverage for Children

Tennessee Gov Bill Haslam has signed legislation (H.B.761) that mandates that insurance policies in the state provide coverage of up to $1,000 per ear, every three years, for every child covered as a dependent by the policy holder. The state exempted TennCare, the state's expanded Medicaid program, from the mandate which will go into effect on January 1, 2012. There are now 19 states that have formally adopted legislation mandating insurance coverage for hearing aids, with only New Hampshire and Rhode Island mandating coverage for adults in addition to children. A Summary of Insurance Mandates is featured on HIA's website at hearing.org.

MD Codifies Right to Utilize Insurance Benefit to Cover Part of Hearing Aid Cost

On May 19, Maryland adopted legislation (H.B.452/S.B.702) that specifies that an individual purchasing a hearing aid can opt to pay the difference between the price of the hearing aid and the dollar limit on the hearing aid benefit provided by an insurance policy. This had become an issue for some people with hearing loss and hearing professionals in the state when an individual sought to utilize a defined benefit to cover part of the final cost of a hearing aid, and to pay the balance out-of-pocket. Since 2002, Maryland has mandated that all insurance policies provide up to $1,400 per hearing aid for children up to age 18. 

House Research Institute Family Camp Offers Weekend of Fun for Children with Hearing Loss and Their Families

Los Angeles, CA – June 2, 2011 – Celebrating its' 26th anniversary, House Research Institute's Family Camp continues to be a popular program for many families who have a child with a hearing loss. The camp is once again filled to capacity setting an attendance record.

"The Institute's Family Camp is one of the oldest camps in the country for children and their families to attend together. Our camp has a unique ability to bring families of all economic and cultural backgrounds and philosophies together in a reassuring atmosphere that often results in lifelong friendships and improved communications, both inside and outside the family unit," said Marilee Potthoff, director of community education and outreach at House Research Institute.

Families continue to come back year after year because camp offers a comfortable forum designed to be a supportive atmosphere that helps build self-esteem, friendships, and respect for each other's differences and decisions. Shortly after the first pediatric cochlear implants took place in 1980, Dr. Howard House recognized the need for families with children who had hearing loss to get together to learn and share ideas in a relaxed, safe environment.

Some children are born with hearing loss but some children experience gradual hearing loss during their school years. Stephanie Goldstein-Warner started losing her hearing in first grade and started wearing hearing aids in fifth grade. After attending camp for the first time as a teenager, Stephanie realized that she was not alone and there are other hard of hearing young people just like her.

"I don't like camp, I LOVE camp," said Warner, 21, who was a camper for 3 years and has been a counselor for 3 years. "Family Camp is the one weekend where I feel proud to use my ASL (American Sign Language) skills. Family Camp is amazing and I wish they had it all year round."

Parents have a full day of workshops on Saturday starting with "Bullies, Victims, and Bystanders – Tips for Parents," led by the founders of Training & Advocacy Group, known as TAG.

A successful addition to last years' schedule will be returning this year, which is a young adult panel discussion for parents to hear how several young people have dealt with their hearing loss and are successful in their careers and personal lives.

A speech therapist will present "The Language-Literacy Connection – What It Means for Children with Hearing Loss." The last session for parents on Saturday is a group sharing session which allows parents to talk with each other and a licensed family therapist about issues they experience raising a child with hearing loss.

Similar to the parent sharing session, the children will have a chance to participate in sharing/communications sessions with their age groups under the direction of a licensed family therapist.

Camp activities for the children include: a dance workshop, arts & crafts, ropes course, tennis lessons and wildlife animals. Campers are matched with counselors based on the camper's mode of communication to optimize the children's learning and enjoyment.

Family Camp will be held at Camp Hess Kramer from June 3-5 in the Santa Monica Mountains overlooking northern Malibu.

For additional information, visit House Research Institute's website at www.houseresearchinstitute.org or call 213-483-4431.

This year's camp is funded by Southern California Edison, Delta Zeta Foundation, Sonance, The Wood Claeyssens Foundation and the Employees Community Fund of Boeing California. Furthermore, the Battery Foundation donates hearing aid and cochlear implant battery products for campers.

About the House Research Institute

The House Research Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with hearing loss and related disorders through scientific research, patient care, and the sharing of knowledge. Institute scientists research the auditory system, at the level of function, as well as at the cellular, molecular and genetic levels. We also explore the neurological interactions between the auditory system and brain, and study ways to improve auditory implants, diagnostics, clinical treatments and intervention methods. We share our knowledge with the scientific and medical communities as well as the general public through our education and outreach programs. For more information about the House Research Institute, please call (800) 388-8612 or (213) 483-4431, E-mail info@hei.org or visit www.houseresearchinstitute.org.

Hearing Loss Association of America Presents the National Access Award to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Bethesda, MD - The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) will present the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts with the prestigious National Access Award during HLAA's Convention 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City on June 19. 

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is being recognized for its extraordinary efforts to make the performing arts a treasure to be enjoyed by everyone, including people with hearing loss. In the United States there are 36 million people with hearing loss which includes an estimated five million in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. As the nation's premiere performing arts center, the Kennedy Center has led by example, ensuring that performances are accessible through real-time captioning, hearing assistive technology, and sign language interpretation for people with hearing loss. 

The Kennedy Center has made performing arts programming available to all people with disabilities including providing large-print and Braille playbills, audio-described performances, and seating that is accessible for people who use wheelchairs. The Kennedy Center has also led the way for other performing arts centers, sharing information that promotes disability access across the country. 

"We are grateful to be recognized for our accessibility efforts," said Kennedy Center President Michael M. Kaiser. "It is a priority at the Kennedy Center to make sure performances and facilities are enjoyed by all patrons. Through our accessibility initiatives and VSA, our goal is to provide arts and arts education opportunities for people with disabilities and older adults and increase access to the arts for all." 

Six hundred HLAA Convention attendees will have an opportunity to celebrate the range of accessibility at the Kennedy Center at a performance of Wicked on June 17. That evening's performance will be made communication accessible through captioning, hearing loop and infrared systems, and sign language interpretation. 

"This historic performance shows what can be done to ensure that people with hearing loss can enjoy the arts when appropriate accommodations are in place," said Brenda Battat, executive director of the HLAA. 

This off-site event for HLAA Convention attendees is sponsored by Audiotoniq, an innovative hearing device company, and CTIA the Wireless Association®. Ampetronic, an international hearing loop manufacturer is providing and installing a hearing loop in the Kennedy Center's Opera House for the occasion. 

Congressional members who champion disability access have been invited to experience the different types of access that their support has made possible for all Americans. 

About the Hearing Loss Association of America

The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), founded in 1979, opens the world of communication to people with hearing loss through information, education, advocacy and support. HLAA publishes the bimonthly Hearing Loss Magazine, holds annual conventions (Convention 2012 is June 21 – 24 in Providence, Rhode Island), produces the national Walk4Hearing™, hosts online learning with the Hearing Loss Academy, holds monthly webinars, and advocates for the rights of people with hearing loss. HLAA has more than 200 chapters and 14 state organizations. The national headquarters is located at 7910 Woodmont Avenue, Suite 1200, Bethesda, MD 20814. Phone: 301.657.2248 or visit www.hearingloss.org.

Unitron's Favourite Sound Program and Impact Video Recognizes Healthcare Professionals Around the Globe and Tells the World that

June 14, 2011 - Kitchener, Canada - In recognition of the individuals who have dedicated their lives to helping people with hearing loss, Unitron has united hearing healthcare professionals from around the globe to put the spotlight on the issue of hearing loss, staging a rolling global program that asks the simple question, "what is your favourite sound?" 

The first wave of the Unitron initiative, which reached out to US hearing healthcare professionals, concluded at the end of April, and has resulted in the production of an inspirational video that shares a message that 'Hearing matters.' The video, which will be made available on Unitron's website and YouTube and showcases sound contributions from hundreds of hearing healthcare professionals, including such favorites as baby's heartbeat, the roll of thunder, and milk steaming for a latte. Along with the video, a full gallery of all sound submissions can be viewed at www.unitron.com/mysound.

Favourite Sound campaigns are now underway or planned in other countries where Unitron operates, including Canada, France and Germany. 

"We have been tremendously pleased by the response to this program as it rolls out to hearing healthcare professionals in the countries we serve. We believe this business is personal, and that belief defines everything we do as a company," says Unitron President and CEO, Michael Tease. "Clearly, our partners and customers are equally moved by the power of sound, and share in Unitron's passionate belief that 'hearing matters'. We look forward to seeing the contributions coming in from other countries around the globe." 

For every submission of sound received, Unitron US donated a financial contribution to the NEADS, a nationally recognized non-profit organization established to provide guide dogs for deaf and disabled Americans. Similar philanthropy programs were initiated for other countries. 

About Unitron

Unitron is a global innovator of technologically advanced hearing instruments. We care deeply about people with hearing loss and work closely with hearing healthcare professionals to make advanced, purpose-driven solutions available to everyone. Headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, Unitron, a member of the Sonova Group, meets the needs of our customers through 18 international offices and through distributors in a further 48 countries. For more information, please visit us on the web at unitron.com.

Ear Gear Donates to Global Foundation in Vietnam

The Global Foundation For Children With Hearing Loss visited Dalat, Danang, and Saigon in January, 2011 to mentor teachers of the deaf and parents about how to help young children with hearing loss develop listening and spoken language. The team also trained audiology staff and fit hearing aids on children. In support of their work Ear Gear donated product for the children. 

Audiologist setting up Ear Gear for Vietnamese Child

" It was wonderful to have the Ear Gear with us! We fit 95 hearing aids on children from low-income families and gave them the Ear Gear accessories to ensure they would be protected," said Paige Stringer, Executive Director and Founder, of the Foundation. 

Ear Gear will continue to support the Foundation and will be participating in the second Teacher Training Program in July 2011 as well as their next Mobile Mission Scheduled for February 2012. Ear Gear would like to extend an offer to all other organizations doing charitable work with the poor and underprivileged to contact us for a donation of Ear Gear. For more information, visit us at www.gearforears.com, or call toll free at 1-888-766-1838.

The Starkey Hearing Foundation Brings the Gift of Hearing to More Than 1,000 Palestinians

Starkey's Barry Freeman Participates in Israel-Palestine Hearing Mission of Peace

Minneapolis, June 6, 2011 – Starkey Laboratories, Inc., one of the world's leading hearing technology companies, is proud to announce that the Starkey Hearing Foundation and its Israeli partners fit more than 1,000 Palestinian children and adults with hearing devices as part of the Israel-Palestine Hearing Mission of Peace. The mission was held May 24-26 at the Khaled ben Said school in Tulkarem, Palestine. The goal of the three-day effort was to promote greater communication and understanding among the local communities through improved hearing.

Barry Freeman, Ph.D., Senior Director of Audiology for Starkey, was among the audiologists from all three countries that worked together to fit each of the recipients who ranged in age from four to 75, and hailed from as far as Hebrong in the South, to Jenin in the North.

"The partnership between the Starkey Hearing Foundation, its Israeli partners, and the Palestinian people made this mission not only a success, but also a collaboration unlike any other I've ever experienced," said Freeman.

In order tois mission, the Starkey Hearing Foundation partnered with the Chaim Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer in Israel, the American Friends of Sheba Medical Center in New York, and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel.

About Starkey®

Starkey Laboratories, Inc. is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minn. The company is recognized for its innovative design, development and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Founded in 1967, Starkey currently employs more than 3,500 people, operates 22 facilities and conducts business in more than 100 markets worldwide. For more information, visit Starkey.com.

About Starkey Hearing Foundation

The Starkey Hearing Foundation is striving to change the social consciousness of hearing and hearing loss prevention. Hearing loss affects one in 10 Americans, and 63 million children worldwide, yet many do not have access to the hearing devices that can help correct that disability. The Foundation now delivers more than 100,000 hearing aids through hearing missions in countries stretching from the U.S. to Vietnam. Since 2000, the Foundation has supplied more than 500,000 hearing aids to people in need and is striving to achieve its goal of distributing over one million free hearing aids in this decade. In addition to giving the gift of hearing, the Foundation partners with Best Buy and the GRAMMY Foundation to promote 'safe hearing' through its SoundMatters program and recently launched a campaign aimed at preventing hearing loss among teens and young people called Listen Carefully. For more information on the Starkey Hearing Foundation, visit www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org.

Ida Institute's e-Learning Lab Offers Collaborative Learning Experience and Educational Units

Animated Instructors, Life-Like Clinical Settings and Virtual Consultations Engage and Enlighten in First e-Learning Module

Naerum, DK May 31 - Ida Institute today launched the first of the e-learning courses that will be offered through the non-profit institute's new e-Learning Laboratory. The new online educational portal reflects the institute's commitment to freely sharing the knowledge, insights and tools that come out of its collaborative learning seminars and workshops. The first e-learning module focuses on Ida's Motivation Tools – The Line, The Box and The Circle – and features the active engagement and reflection that are hallmarks of the Institute proprietary learning approach. 



"Since its establishment in 2007, Ida Institute has been transforming the ways in which hearing healthcare professionals acquire new learning and skills in patient-centered care," says Managing Director Lise Lotte Bundesen. "Through the Ida e-Learning Laboratory, we aim to expand the reach of Ida learning and tools to audiologists, speech therapy specialists and others working in the field of hearing healthcare worldwide and thus continue to contribute to a paradigm shift to more patient-centered care." 

The Motivation Tools e-learning course encourages practitioners to call upon prior knowledge, challenge current understanding and reflect on their own patterns of behavior. Animated instructors guide e-learners through a series of active learning experiences ncluding virtual client consultations n life-like clinical settings. Ethnographic videos, mirror exercises and reflective journaling provide an opportunity for practitioners to experience the Motivation Tools in a context that enables them to reflect on their own patterns of behavior and facilitate desired patient-centered changes in their clinical routines. 



The development of a Personal Action Plan as a final step in the learning process is an innovative component that will be incorporated in each of the e-learning modules offered through the e-Learning Laboratory. "Managing goals can benefit all areas of clinical practice," explains Bundesen. "Creating a Personal Action Plan enables practitioners to identify precisely how they can best apply the learning from each course, clarifying areas in which patient-centered care can improve day-to-day patient encounters." 

The Motivation Tools e-learning module is available free of charge at idainstitute.com. E-learners can take the course at times that best suit their schedules and do not need to complete the course in one sitting. For American e-learners 0.2 continuing education units (CEUs), approved by the American Academy of Audiology (AAA), are earned upon completion of the coursework. For British e-learners, the course has been approved by the British Academy of Audiology (BAA) and 2 CPD points (Continuous Professional Development points) are earned upon completion. For Australian e-learners, Hearing Aid Audiometrist Society of Australia ( HAASA) members can claim Continuing Professional Educational Development Activities points (CPED points) for the course under "Independent Activities" equating to 1 point per hour of study (in total approximately 2 points).

The Institute is in the process of securing Educational Units approval from additional certification organizations in various countries. 

My Ida membership is required to access "The Line, The Box and The Circle" e-learning module. Membership is free at www.idainstitute.com and open to hearing and health care professionals and all others interested in the human dynamics of hearing loss. The Institute plans to continue to expand the course offerings available through the e-Learning Laboratory, focusing on sharing different aspects of the Ida world, primarily the Ida tools, in ways that reflect the Ida approach to learning. 

About the Ida Institute

Established in 2007 with a grant from the Oticon Foundation, the Ida Institute is a non-profit independent educational institute located in Copenhagen, Denmark. The Institute seeks to foster a better understanding of the human dynamics associated with hearing loss. By serving as a catalyst for knowledge sharing and the development of innovative and practical tools, the Institute assists hearing care professionals in helping hearing impaired people address the physical, psychological and social challenges of hearing loss. For more information, visit www.idainstitute.com.

Unitron Announces Quantum, Moxi and TrueFit

New generation of hearing instruments and fitting software delivers high-fidelity sound

June 6th, 2011 - Kitchener, Canada – Unitron, a global provider of world-class hearing innovations announced today the release of its new Quantum™ and Moxi™ product families, and its new and intuitive TrueFit™ fitting software. The release, one of the most significant in Unitron's company history, brings to the hearing healthcare marketplace a completely new generation of hearing instruments built on Era™, Unitron's next generation sound processing platform. 

"The announcement of Quantum and Moxi represents a new generation of products for Unitron – products that will define their category, and offer our customers and their clients tremendous advancement in reliability, accuracy, performance speed and sound quality ," says Bruce Brown, Unitron Vice President of Global Marketing. "We are particularly proud of Quantum and Moxi's ability to provide enhanced speech understanding and a more natural sounding hearing instrument."

Announcing Quantum – High-fidelity sound the way nature intended

Powered by Era, Quantum represents the next generation of hearing instruments that deliver life's sounds naturally. Quantum makes enormous strides in automatic performance and speech understanding in noise, through intelligently combined high-fidelity features. Quantum offers three technology levels (Quantum 20, 12 and 6) all wireless, including capabilities such as Binaural Phone and uTV™ that enrich the wearer's hearing experience. It is available in a full spectrum of shells and styles (BTE and ITE). 

Announcing Moxi – Open fit goes high-fidelity

Moxi takes open-fit performance where it has never been before. Also powered by Era, Moxi is a beautiful little canal receiver technology (CRT) hearing instrument, with performance that goes far beyond great looks. An integrated open-fit strategy makes for an incredible listening experience, combining three proprietary technologies – Automatic Program with SmartFocus™, Natural Sound Balance and Pinna Effect - to deliver high fidelity sound. Available in three wireless technology levels (Moxi 20, 12, and 6), Moxi ensures smooth, effortless transitions for more natural listening.

Announcing TrueFit – Intuitive and flexible fitting software

Unitron TrueFit™ fitting software was designed in collaboration with hearing healthcare professionals with their client's needs in mind. It features intuitive and easy to navigate screens that provide hearing healthcare professionals with all the tools they need for a successful fit. 

Two product families, four signature features

Quantum and Moxi product families each leverage four signature features. These are:

• Automatic performance with SmartFocus™ - Long recognized for a superior automatic approach, Unitron advances this technology by enabling the custom blending of the hearing instruments' response based on high-resolution sensing and precise classification of the complex sound environment. The Automatic Program is further enhanced by SmartFocus, technology at work in the background that combines adaptive features for optimal speech intelligibility or comfort depending on the situation, to provide a truly effortless way to enjoy all of life's sounds. 
  
  
• Pinna Effect - The location of hearing instrument microphones alters the natural sound enjoyed by people with normal hearing. Pinna Effect uniquely corrects for the location of the hearing instrument microphones, providing more natural directionality, particularly at high frequencies. 
  
  
• Natural Sound Balance - Continuously monitors the combination of unamplified and amplified sounds entering the ear canal and makes precise adaptive adjustments to deliver one clear, balanced signal. 
  
  
• Best in class wireless - The Era platform offers the most advanced broadband wireless capabilities, offering a fast and stable wireless connection.

"Unitron continues to make dramatic improvements in platform design and in the technology powering our hearing instruments. The Era platform along with the Quantum and Moxi product families and new TrueFit software is the culmination of the efforts of Unitron's research & design team who are united by a passion to build nothing but the best for our customers and their clients," says Ara Talaslian, Vice President of Research & Development, Unitron. 

About Unitron

Unitron is a global innovator of technologically advanced hearing instruments. We care deeply about people with hearing loss and work closely with hearing healthcare professionals to make advanced, purpose-driven solutions available to everyone. Headquartered in the Waterloo Region, Canada, Unitron, a member of the Sonova Group, meets the needs of our customers through 18 international offices and through distributors in a further 46 countries. For more information, please visit us on the web at unitron.com/us

Starkey's Brent Edwards Elected Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America

MINNEAPOLIS, May 27, 2011 – Starkey Laboratories, Inc., one of the world's leading hearing technology companies, is proud to announce that Brent Edwards, Ph.D., Vice President of Research and Director of the Starkey Hearing Research Center was elected a Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America (ASA) in recognition for his contribution to the understanding and treatment of hearing impairment. Edwards was nominated by current ASA Fellows and voted in by the awards committee.

The ASA holds two meetings each year where students, young researchers and experienced acousticians share information. Edwards was honored at the 161st Meeting of the ASA in Seattle, Wash., this week, where more than 1,300 papers were delivered. Session highlights included the impact of noise on land and sea animals; the use of sound to study the body and treat disease; new developments on hearing implants in children and adults; and how noise impacts our medical care, schools and home life.

 About the Acoustical Society of America

The Acoustical Society of America (ASA) is the premier international scientific society in acoustics devoted to the science and technology of sound. Its 7,000 members worldwide represent a broad spectrum of the study of acoustics. ASA publications include The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (the world's leading journal on acoustics), Acoustics Today magazine, books, and standards on acoustics. The society also holds two major scientific meetings each year. For more information about ASA, visit acousticalsociety.org. 

 About Starkey^®

Starkey Laboratories, Inc. is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minn. The company is recognized for its innovative design, development and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Founded in 1967, Starkey currently employs more than 3,500 people, operates 22 facilities and conducts business in more than 100 markets worldwide. For more information, visit Starkey.com.