THE TOP STORIES OF THE WEEK
Our New Automated Client Intake Form Is Open!
If you need help with any situation, you can begin the process of getting us to
help you by clicking on the following link;
http://www.deafadvocacy.org/intakeform.html
Confidentiality and privacy is assured!
Brought to you by the Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center
Http://www.deafadvocacy.org
*******************
DO YOUR SHOPPING AT OUR WEBSTORE.
We have lots of new items and our webstore count stands at over 800 items. We
have fresh donations. We hope to have over 900 items by the end of this season!
Lots of products for the deaf, and blind, and other disabilities. Remember your
parents, grand parents, brothers, sisters, family members, co-workers who need
adaptive equipment. Employers can shop here for equipment and accessories for
their hearing impaired workers.
Buy Here, Buy Now, Pay Less with our ADA kits! This includes long term savings
associated with ADA compliance. Our ADA kits supply is running low and it will
take some time to restock.
Stop by http://stores.ebay.com/OCDAC-Adaptive-Equipment-and-More today to start
your shopping.
*******************
THE GRAPEVINES
Register Now for the 2010 National ADA Symposium
The Great Plains ADA Center is pleased to announce that registration for the
2010 National ADA Symposium is now available. We are holding it on June 20-23 in
Denver, Colorado, and the Rocky Mountain ADA Center is our co-host. 2010 marks
the 20-year anniversary of the ADA, and we're excited about the celebrations
being planned in its honor. We hope you will join us in Denver for an
outstanding training opportunity and to Celebrate 20 Years of ADA progress!
Additional information about the Americans with Disabilities Act National
Conference. Additional information about the Americans with Disabilities Act
National Conference
http://www.adasymposium.org/
Brought to you by The Orange Deafie Blog
Http://www.deafadvocacy.org/blog/blog.html
*******************
FACE TO FACE TIMES
Two Federal Agencies Partner to Allow Rental Assistance to Support Independent
Living for Non-Elderly Persons with Disabilities
As part of President Obama's `Year of Community Living' initiative, the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) have joined together to provide housing support for
non-elderly persons with disabilities to live independent lives in their
communities rather than in institutional settings.
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&news\
Id=20100407006655&newsLang=en
Brought to you by Modern Deaf Communication
http://www.moderndeafcommunication.org
*******************
MAXED OUT ON YOUR CREDIT CARDS?
Get yourself an OCDAC credit card through a special program at
http://www.cardpartner.com/enduser.aspx?AEID=D0974
We get a $50 donation for each person who completes the signup, and uses the
card.
*******************
THE FINGER BOWS
April 2010 Disability Employment Statistics Released
The unemployment rate for those with disabilities was 15.2 percent, compared
with 9.3 percent for persons with no disability, not seasonally adjusted.
===========================
TRAINING: COURSES & TUTORIALS ON THE WEB $FREE Webcourses (3) and CEU/CRCC
credit offered by DBTAC: ADA Centers:
At Your Service: Welcoming Customers with Disabilities Webcourse (0.5 CEU; 5
CRCC) http://www.wiawebcourse.org/
ADA Basic Building Blocks Webcourse (0.5 CEU; 3.5 CRCC)
http://www.adabasics.org/
Title II Online Tutorial for ADA Coordinators (0.3 CEU; 3 CRCC)
http://www.adacourse.org/title2/index.php
Brought to you by ASL News http://www.aslnews.com
*******************
Take a look and bookmark our new search page!
Http://www.deafadvocacy.org/search.html . It's a good source of information you
can use.
*******************
THE SOUR ORCHIDS
Response To Thatdeaf's "TTY Vs Videophone" Vlog - TTY's Mean More Jobs For Deaf!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3Jost7WTHw
77% TTY users have jobs verses 45% Videophone users. My research shows that.
Richard
Brought to you by the other Orange Deafie Blog at http://ocdac.wordpress.com/
*******************
COME TO OUR MEETUPS!
The Orange County American Sign Language Meetup Group -
http://asl.meetup.com/37/ - and the Orange County Deaf & Hearing
Impaired Meetup Group http://deaf.meetup.com/38/ meets each 3rd Fridays of the
month.
We are currently pondering a new locations for all of our meetup events because
our competition appears to have hijacked the excitement, prestige, and normalcy
of our cherished monthly gatherings.
*******************
FROM THE BLOGSPHERE
AB2072 BILL STATUS
The hearing on AB 2072 will be held at State Senate Health Committee on June
16th.
We will continue to update you as soon as we get more information.
MEASURE : A.B. No. 2072
AUTHOR(S) : Mendoza.
TOPIC : Hearing screening: resources and services.
HOUSE LOCATION : SEN
+LAST AMENDED DATE : 04/27/2010
TYPE OF BILL :
Active
Non-Urgency
Non-Appropriations
Majority Vote Required
Non-State-Mandated Local Program
Non-Fiscal
Non-Tax Levy
LAST HIST. ACT. DATE: 05/13/2010
LAST HIST. ACTION : Referred to Com. on HEALTH.
COMM. LOCATION : SEN HEALTH
HEARING DATE : 06/16/2010
TITLE : An act to add Section 124121 to the Health and Safety Code, relating
to public health.
Brought to you by the Hearing For Life Foundation Http://www.hear-for-life.org
*******************
DO YOU HAVE TINNITUS? ARE YOUR EARS RINGING ALOUD BY ITSELF? DO YOU WANT THAT
TO STOP?
Tinnitus affects people with or without hearing loss.
Tinnitus is the ringing sensation that occurs in the ears. Severe tinnitus can
be painful and disable a person. Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center has two
people serving in a patient advocacy council. Orange County Deaf Advocacy
Center wants to help people retain their productivity by helping them manage
tinnitus.
We are introducing a nutraceutical cocktail of Ginkgo Biloba, Zinc, and Garlic
to manage tinnitus (ringing) in the ears. New studies show that a combination
of these three working together helps manage tinnitus. We have the research
that suggest the cocktail helps manage tinnitus.
This cocktail doesn't create the flush reaction you get from using high dosage
of Niacin taken to manage tinnitus.
Tinnitus management kit contains Ginkgo Biloba, Zinc, Garlic, pill minders box,
carrying case, and 2 sets of ear plugs.
Kit is assembled by people with disabilities.
If you care about your ears, please shop through our paypal link below now
Tinnitus 2 month management kit $79.99 - Free Shipping On All Orders!
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=8502596
Refills each month $29.99 (Link will be mailed to you with your order)
The funds generated from this offering will be returned to the community in the
form of assisted housing, education, advocacy, free equipment, outreach, and
conference activities.
***These Statements have not been evaluated by the US FDA. This product is not
intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. There is no guarantee this
will help you manage tinnitus. This may work on some people and this may not
work on some people too.
*******************
FROM THE VLOGSPHERE (VIDEO BLOGGING)
The ASLrocks website becomes a bastion of a closed deaf society. The website
which recently went from open access to members only access reflects the deaf
community yearnings to be a closed society.
This video blog reflects the yearning;
No Visitor Here !! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvXX7DCjjMc
Brought to you by the Eye Fire Vlogs Http://eyefirevlogs.com
*******************
Please donate to Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center. We have a lot of work to
do on behalf of people with hearing and speech impairments and we have a
donation form ready for your use.
Donation form :
http://partners.guidestar.org/controller/searchResults.gs?action_donateReport=1&\
partner=networkforgood&ein=33-0806007
Thank you very much for the time youve taken to read this newsletter and
clicking on the donation link above.
*******************
FROM THE NEWSLETTER READERS
The Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA), located at
the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, is recruiting
participants with hearing loss (hard of hearing and deaf) who are aged 18+ and
have completed high school to take part in two focus groups. The goal of the
focus groups, conducted by a team of Georgia Tech researchers, is to review the
ease of use of technologies that can improve social or workplace interaction and
increase job options for people with disabilities. We are looking for
individuals who are familiar with any or all of these technologies:
* smart phones (e.g., Blackberry, IPhone, Palm Treo)
* social networking (e.g. LinkedIn or Facebook)
* virtual worlds like Second Life, where the user takes on a role in a
simulated world
* electronic gaming, either for fun or for serious purposes such as
education or training
* peer publishing, where people gather and distribute information and news,
such as blogging, wikis, YouTube and other ways of sharing ideas and views
* open source software applications and processes (e.g. Linux, Firefox,
etc.)
The project is funded by the National Council on Disability (NCD), and is being
managed by Georgia Tech's Center for Advanced Communications Policy (CACP), and
involves researchers from the Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental
Access (CATEA) and the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI).
By participating in this study, you will help NCD and the disability community
by providing your perceptions of the digital technologies and the potential
usability of these technologies to enhance workplace participation. The research
will help us devise recommendations in the form of best practices for technology
developers on cost-effective development and application to increase the
employment of people with disabilities in the new media and/or digital
technology environments. It will also provide general policy recommendations on
how such media and technologies may be used to foster the employment of people
with disabilities, and what new employment opportunities they may offer.
The focus group will be conducted at the CATEA offices in Atlanta, Georgia on
June 3, 2010 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. It will require a maximum of 2 hours of
availability. Participants will be provided a $50 stipend for participation in
the focus group, and ASL translators will be provided. If you need other
accommodations, please contact Chris Langston (chris.langston@coa.gatch.edu).
The stipend will be paid at the end of the group interview. Please note that
participants are responsible for individual transportation arrangements and
costs.
If you wish to participate contact: Christopher Langston
[trainingcore@coa.gatech.edu] 404.894.3683.
If you have any questions about the NCD study you may contact Dr. James D. White
at 404.385.4613. If you have any questions about your rights as a research
volunteer, call Ms. Melanie Clark, Georgia Institute of Technology at (404)
894-6942.
Paul M.A. Baker, Ph.D.,
404.385.4618 [V]
paul.baker@cacp.gatech.edu
Brought to you by Deaf Paradise Http://deafparadise.ning.com/
**********************
**** DISCLAIMER ****
**********************
The OCDAC Newsletter is designed to share information of interest to people with
disabilities, their friends, associates, and relatives and promote advocacy in
the disability community. Information circulated herein does not necessarily
express the views of The Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center. The OCDAC
Newsletter is non-partisan. OCDAC Newsletter does not sell advertising space.
The Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center is a community based organization that
puts people with disabilities first in their advocacy for equal opportunities in
safety, health, and productive living.
The Orange County Deaf Advocacy Center provides services for disabled
individuals and their families in our community who need help in navigating the
social services maze. Every day people go without proper food, shelter, and
essential medical care every day due to a variety of factors including low
wages, job loss, injuries, illness, age, domestic violence, or divorce. While
all of us are susceptible to hard times, disabled individuals are at the most
risk. With the generous support of people like you, we are able to help many of
these families and individuals not only to meet essential daily needs, but to
work toward a brighter future with programs in job training, education,
counseling, elderly assistance, and temporary housing.
Feel free to forward this email message IN ITS ENTIRETY to anyone and any of
your personal mailing lists so we can get the important messages out far and
wide and encourage them to sign up for our weekly newsletter.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Support Ca bill AB2072 to inform parents of ALL options for deaf and hard of hearing
Support Ca bill AB2072 to inform parents of ALL options for deaf and hard of hearing
AB2072 provides that parents of an infant diagnosed with hearing loss shall be provided with written or electronic information on American Sign Language (ASL), Total Communication, Cued Speech, and Listening and Spoken Language. This bill also clarifies that parents should be provided information about deaf and hard-of-hearing organizations, agencies and early intervention centers, and educational programs.
AB 2072 specifies that this information is to be provided at two specific times. 1) At the follow-up appointment with an audiologist or related professional after a diagnosis with hearing loss. 2) By a local early start provider upon initial contact with the parents of an infant newly diagnosed with a hearing loss.
Background:
The Education of children who are deaf presents unique challenges because deafness is a low-incidence disability significantly impacting the child’s ability to access communication at home, at school, and in the community. Over the past fifty years, there have been numerous advances in technology as well as a growing awareness about the importance of delivering services to children in a variety of communication modalities to support their early development and ensure continued access to communication.
It is critical to create the coordination of educational services and support for children who are deaf or hearing impaired and to promote the development of communication-rich learning environments for these children. It is vital that parents of all newborns and infants diagnosed with a hearing loss be provided with current, information on all options and modalities, as well as the community resources and services available to families.
Currently in California, parents of newborns diagnosed with hearing loss are not provided with information on all options and modalities for treatment and education of their children. This bill would assure parents are given unbiased information and resources so that they can determine the most appropriate treatment for their child. Appropriate resources are currently developed and available free of charge to California for immediate distribution.
Why AB 2072 Is Needed
Parents of infants who are diagnosed with hearing loss are often unfamiliar with the resources and options that are available to them. This bill clarifies that parents will be provided information at two specific times. This will result in better information sharing and less confusion about the availability of resources. This will help ensure that parents understand the rights and resources that they have available for their children.
Related Legislation
AB 2555 (Torrico) – Statutes of 2008:
This bill required that the copy of the notice of parent rights include information regarding the state special schools for pupils who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind.
Support of Bill
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCE)
The California Coalition (sponsor)
California Academy of Audiology
California Association of Private Special Education School (CAPSES)
Maura Martindale, Director CA. Lutheran Univ.
Individuals (107)
Opposition to Bill
Deaf Bilingual Coalition
Parent Links
Special Education Local Plan Area Administrators
Rachel Friedman, Professor CSU Northridge
Nor-Cal
Independently Merging Parents Assoc. of California (IMPACT)
ASL Presents LLC
Individuals (4)
Personally, I think this bill should be passed because it allows parents to learn what options are available to them so they can make informed decisions. It is not designed to promote one educational decision over another. What I find upsetting is the fact that the California SELPA (Special Education Local Plan Associates) also know by lay people as "school districts". Why would all California special education school district administrators want top keep parents uninformed and limit deaf children's ability to learn? Didn't they get into this business to help children?
Current Statistics
• English-Language Arts: 92% of deaf students and 85% of hard of hearing students are functioning below grade level
•Mathematics: 90% of deaf students and 82% of hard of hearing students functioning below grade level.
We can do better for these kids.
AB2072 provides that parents of an infant diagnosed with hearing loss shall be provided with written or electronic information on American Sign Language (ASL), Total Communication, Cued Speech, and Listening and Spoken Language. This bill also clarifies that parents should be provided information about deaf and hard-of-hearing organizations, agencies and early intervention centers, and educational programs.
AB 2072 specifies that this information is to be provided at two specific times. 1) At the follow-up appointment with an audiologist or related professional after a diagnosis with hearing loss. 2) By a local early start provider upon initial contact with the parents of an infant newly diagnosed with a hearing loss.
Background:
The Education of children who are deaf presents unique challenges because deafness is a low-incidence disability significantly impacting the child’s ability to access communication at home, at school, and in the community. Over the past fifty years, there have been numerous advances in technology as well as a growing awareness about the importance of delivering services to children in a variety of communication modalities to support their early development and ensure continued access to communication.
It is critical to create the coordination of educational services and support for children who are deaf or hearing impaired and to promote the development of communication-rich learning environments for these children. It is vital that parents of all newborns and infants diagnosed with a hearing loss be provided with current, information on all options and modalities, as well as the community resources and services available to families.
Currently in California, parents of newborns diagnosed with hearing loss are not provided with information on all options and modalities for treatment and education of their children. This bill would assure parents are given unbiased information and resources so that they can determine the most appropriate treatment for their child. Appropriate resources are currently developed and available free of charge to California for immediate distribution.
Why AB 2072 Is Needed
Parents of infants who are diagnosed with hearing loss are often unfamiliar with the resources and options that are available to them. This bill clarifies that parents will be provided information at two specific times. This will result in better information sharing and less confusion about the availability of resources. This will help ensure that parents understand the rights and resources that they have available for their children.
Related Legislation
AB 2555 (Torrico) – Statutes of 2008:
This bill required that the copy of the notice of parent rights include information regarding the state special schools for pupils who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind.
Support of Bill
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCE)
The California Coalition (sponsor)
California Academy of Audiology
California Association of Private Special Education School (CAPSES)
Maura Martindale, Director CA. Lutheran Univ.
Individuals (107)
Opposition to Bill
Deaf Bilingual Coalition
Parent Links
Special Education Local Plan Area Administrators
Rachel Friedman, Professor CSU Northridge
Nor-Cal
Independently Merging Parents Assoc. of California (IMPACT)
ASL Presents LLC
Individuals (4)
Personally, I think this bill should be passed because it allows parents to learn what options are available to them so they can make informed decisions. It is not designed to promote one educational decision over another. What I find upsetting is the fact that the California SELPA (Special Education Local Plan Associates) also know by lay people as "school districts". Why would all California special education school district administrators want top keep parents uninformed and limit deaf children's ability to learn? Didn't they get into this business to help children?
Current Statistics
• English-Language Arts: 92% of deaf students and 85% of hard of hearing students are functioning below grade level
•Mathematics: 90% of deaf students and 82% of hard of hearing students functioning below grade level.
We can do better for these kids.
Hamilton Relay Helps California Address Deaf, Blind, Speech-Disabled Requirements
Hamilton Relay Helps California Address Deaf, Blind, Speech-Disabled Requirements
Through a new contract with the State of California, Hamilton Relay starting this summer will provide free telecommunications services that make telephone connections possible between people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled and people who use standard phones. In some cases, special equipment is required to access the service, and the State of California relies on a separate contractor for the provision of that equipment. INTERNET TELEPHONY recently interviewed Anne Girard, director of marketing at Hamilton Relay, about the deployment.
What will Hamilton Relay’s solution allow the State of California to offer that it couldn’t before?
Girard: As outlined in the new contract, there is an increased focus on outreach, customer education and service use training for speech-to-speech customers. In addition, there are enhanced customer preference options including customized greetings, the ability to simply provide communication assistants with a name and/or unique identifier for dialing purposes and specialized deaf blind preference options.
How, if at all, will the new State of California system compare with relay systems in use in other states around the country?
Girard: Telephone relay service has been available in the State of California as well as all 50 states as a result of the Americans with Disabilities Act passed into law in 1990, and further developed in 1994 to include the provision of relay service. Relay in California is unique in that it allows users of the service to select a provider. This choice is only available to customers of the California Relay Service.
What role, if any, does IP technology play in this?
Girard: Outside of the California Relay Service contract, Hamilton Relay provides Internet Relay services nationwide, which are based on IP technology.
What types of endpoints will hearing-impaired people require to use this system?
Girard: In some cases, special equipment is required to access relay service. The California Equipment Distribution program, managed by a separate contractor, facilitates the provisioning of that equipment.
What new technology trends are we seeing in telecommunications relay services, and how is Hamilton Telecommunications addressing them?
Girard: Outside of traditional relay, [which] is state-based, the FCC (News - Alert) oversees the provision of video relay and Internet relay on a national level. These technologies are certainly a result of the latest advancements of the communication industry as whole. IT
Through a new contract with the State of California, Hamilton Relay starting this summer will provide free telecommunications services that make telephone connections possible between people who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled and people who use standard phones. In some cases, special equipment is required to access the service, and the State of California relies on a separate contractor for the provision of that equipment. INTERNET TELEPHONY recently interviewed Anne Girard, director of marketing at Hamilton Relay, about the deployment.
What will Hamilton Relay’s solution allow the State of California to offer that it couldn’t before?
Girard: As outlined in the new contract, there is an increased focus on outreach, customer education and service use training for speech-to-speech customers. In addition, there are enhanced customer preference options including customized greetings, the ability to simply provide communication assistants with a name and/or unique identifier for dialing purposes and specialized deaf blind preference options.
How, if at all, will the new State of California system compare with relay systems in use in other states around the country?
Girard: Telephone relay service has been available in the State of California as well as all 50 states as a result of the Americans with Disabilities Act passed into law in 1990, and further developed in 1994 to include the provision of relay service. Relay in California is unique in that it allows users of the service to select a provider. This choice is only available to customers of the California Relay Service.
What role, if any, does IP technology play in this?
Girard: Outside of the California Relay Service contract, Hamilton Relay provides Internet Relay services nationwide, which are based on IP technology.
What types of endpoints will hearing-impaired people require to use this system?
Girard: In some cases, special equipment is required to access relay service. The California Equipment Distribution program, managed by a separate contractor, facilitates the provisioning of that equipment.
What new technology trends are we seeing in telecommunications relay services, and how is Hamilton Telecommunications addressing them?
Girard: Outside of traditional relay, [which] is state-based, the FCC (News - Alert) oversees the provision of video relay and Internet relay on a national level. These technologies are certainly a result of the latest advancements of the communication industry as whole. IT
Deaf rapper Sean Forbes signs record deal with label that helped launch Eminem
Deaf rapper Sean Forbes signs record deal with label that helped launch Eminem
Sean Forbes, a 28-year-old deaf rapper from Farmington Hills has been making waves in the music world for years now, but recently he reached an important milestone in his career when he was signed to a major record label.
"People said 'no' to me," Forbes said while simultaneously translating himself into sign language. "But I knew that I wasn't going to take no for an answer. I just kept going at it."
Forbes has been signed by Web Entertainment, which is headed by Detroit producers the Bass Brothers.
The Bass Brothers consist of brothers Mark and Jeff Bass, who were responsible for discovering and grooming Eminem.
"I remember looking on the back of Eminem's first album and seeing the name 'The Bass Brothers,'" Forbes said. "Just being associated with that is really amazing."
Jeff Bass said he hopes to see Forbes break into the mainstream.
"Sean doesn't quit," Jeff said. He's so hungry ... He would break all barriers."
A launch party for Forbes' first single and video "I'm Deaf" will be held on May 20 at the Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak.
Sean Forbes, a 28-year-old deaf rapper from Farmington Hills has been making waves in the music world for years now, but recently he reached an important milestone in his career when he was signed to a major record label.
"People said 'no' to me," Forbes said while simultaneously translating himself into sign language. "But I knew that I wasn't going to take no for an answer. I just kept going at it."
Forbes has been signed by Web Entertainment, which is headed by Detroit producers the Bass Brothers.
The Bass Brothers consist of brothers Mark and Jeff Bass, who were responsible for discovering and grooming Eminem.
"I remember looking on the back of Eminem's first album and seeing the name 'The Bass Brothers,'" Forbes said. "Just being associated with that is really amazing."
Jeff Bass said he hopes to see Forbes break into the mainstream.
"Sean doesn't quit," Jeff said. He's so hungry ... He would break all barriers."
A launch party for Forbes' first single and video "I'm Deaf" will be held on May 20 at the Memphis Smoke in Royal Oak.
Stanford Discovery Could Lead To Cure For Deafness
Stanford Discovery Could Lead To Cure For Deafness
A new discovery from Stanford researchers may pave the way for treatment -- and even a possible cure -- for deafness.
Stem cell scientists reported Thursday that they have for the first time created in the laboratory the inner-ear cells responsible for hearing and balance.
For the profoundly deaf, a risky and invasive cochlear implant is currently the only way to restore hearing.
Doctors said in the vast majority of cases, the auditory nerve is intact. But it's the inner ear that doesn't work.
“It's usually a loss of the sensory cells inside of the cochlea,” said Stanford Cochlear Implant Surgeon Dr. Nikolas Blevins. “And that is exactly what a cochlear implant is designed to bypass.”
Thursday’s announcement suggests that there may be another way.
“It's a huge step forward for basic science,” said Professor of Otolaryngology Stefan Heller.
Professor Heller and his colleagues said the huge step is that they've created the first functional cochlear sensory cells from stem cells.
Inside the spiral inner ear, there are only a few thousand sensory cells. They do not regenerate once damaged by noise, virus or if genetically absent. Deafness is permanent.
Scientists used mouse stem cells to create sensory cells that had a tiny but critical hair bundle.
“This is a sensor which detects sound vibration and converts it to electrical signal,” explained Stanford researcher Dr. Kazuo Oshima.
“Fascinatingly, the cells were working which is a major step forward,” said Heller. “Eventually in the future possibly a cure for hearing loss.”
Researchers cautioned that parents should not wait for this cure because it could be a decade or more away. And while some people in the deaf community applaud research, one summed it up to KTVU in a view not uncommon among deaf people: "Why don't they quit trying to fix us."
A new discovery from Stanford researchers may pave the way for treatment -- and even a possible cure -- for deafness.
Stem cell scientists reported Thursday that they have for the first time created in the laboratory the inner-ear cells responsible for hearing and balance.
For the profoundly deaf, a risky and invasive cochlear implant is currently the only way to restore hearing.
Doctors said in the vast majority of cases, the auditory nerve is intact. But it's the inner ear that doesn't work.
“It's usually a loss of the sensory cells inside of the cochlea,” said Stanford Cochlear Implant Surgeon Dr. Nikolas Blevins. “And that is exactly what a cochlear implant is designed to bypass.”
Thursday’s announcement suggests that there may be another way.
“It's a huge step forward for basic science,” said Professor of Otolaryngology Stefan Heller.
Professor Heller and his colleagues said the huge step is that they've created the first functional cochlear sensory cells from stem cells.
Inside the spiral inner ear, there are only a few thousand sensory cells. They do not regenerate once damaged by noise, virus or if genetically absent. Deafness is permanent.
Scientists used mouse stem cells to create sensory cells that had a tiny but critical hair bundle.
“This is a sensor which detects sound vibration and converts it to electrical signal,” explained Stanford researcher Dr. Kazuo Oshima.
“Fascinatingly, the cells were working which is a major step forward,” said Heller. “Eventually in the future possibly a cure for hearing loss.”
Researchers cautioned that parents should not wait for this cure because it could be a decade or more away. And while some people in the deaf community applaud research, one summed it up to KTVU in a view not uncommon among deaf people: "Why don't they quit trying to fix us."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)