Audiology features
Mind the gap – developing a sustainable pipeline for hearing therapeutics
In this article, the authors describe three key challenges faced in developing hearing therapeutics. Collaboration between companies, sectors and disciplines will be key to finding solutions. The unmet need for therapies for hearing loss grows apace, with prevalence rising across...
Microneedles enable inner ear precision medicine
Developing safe, reliable and efficient ways to deliver therapeutics into the cochlea is a key challenge. In this article, the authors share their work to develop microneedles to address this challenge. The era of precision medicine of the inner ear...
Rapid genetic testing to avoid hearing loss in neonates
Thousands of newborn babies could avoid a lifetime of hearing loss thanks to a new rapid genetic test. In this article, we learn how. We have demonstrated for the first time that a rapid genetic test from a cheek swab...
Cell therapies for hearing loss
Cell therapies could offer a way to repair damage to the auditory system and reverse many types of hearing loss. This article looks at the progress being made.
OTC hearing aids: where are we now?
The ‘Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act’ of 2017 set in motion plans for a long-debated shift in the hearing care market. In 2021, the FDA released draft guidance which will allow hearing aids in the US to be sold direct to...
The preventative audiologist
Rob Shepheard has been championing the role of ‘the preventative audiologist’ for many years. In this article, he explores how that can be achieved.
Fall prevention in the elderly population
A fall in later life can have a catastrophic impact on a person’s quality of life. Lilian Felipe explains how falls prevention programmes and vestibular rehabilitation can help.
COOL therapy for cisplatin-induced hearing loss
Cisplatin is a commonly used cancer therapy, with nearly 50% of patients undergoing chemotherapy receiving cisplatin as part of their regimen [1]. Depending on the dose, incidence of hearing loss has been reported as 12-100% in adults, and 37-94% in...
A new approach to workplace hearing conservation
The traditional approach to managing workplace noise has failed - how can we better protect our nation’s hearing using smart hearing protection? Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) is the most common occupational health condition in the world and the most...
OBITUARY: Professor David M Baguley (1961-2022)
Leader, teacher, mentor, scientist, clinician, patient advocate and man of faith: we will not see his like again. The sudden and tragic death of David (Dave) Baguley has left a gap within the national and international audiology and hearing science...
Decreased sound tolerance in autism: understanding and distinguishing between hyperacusis, misophonia, and phonophobia
Decreased sound tolerance (DST) affects a significant proportion of autistic people throughout their lifetime and, as Zachary J Williams explains, it is important that clinicians are aware of the three distinct subtypes of DST when making a diagnosis. Autism spectrum...
Audiological management of autistic children
Philippa James and Lucy Shiels explain the development of the ‘Autism Listening Clinics’, highlighting a recommended clinical approach for audiologists, the importance of remote microphone technology and sharing some wonderful caregiver experiences. Auditory challenges in autistic children Autism spectrum disorder...
