Month: September 2015

What Is Ototoxicity? The definition of ototoxicity, in its simplest form, is ear poisoning (“oto” references the ear and toxicity references “poisoning”). Chemicals, drugs, and other agents that are known to cause hearing loss, balance disorders, or tinnitus are referred to as ototoxic. Damage to the auditory system can occur when the vestibulo-cochlear nerve, which sends balance and hearing information …

Those in the military are highly susceptible to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) due to exposure to guns, explosives, and engines. As the prevalence of NIHL among those who serve is gaining greater awareness, a Phase III trial of a drug designed to prevent noise-induced hearing loss, D-Methionine (D-Met), is being conducted at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. The trial is …

When it comes to communication, hearing is our most important sense — it allows us to gather auditory information during normal day-to-day activities. Hearing not only allows us to socialize, communicate at work, and talk with our loved ones, but it also warns us of potential danger. When our hearing is impaired, it affects our ability to locate where sounds …