The elimination of a scourge....

An organization in New Zealand is setting out to eradicate this scourge that affects an estimated 284 million people worldwide. Approximately 80% of the cases are due to causes which could have been prevented, treated or cured in the first place. This scourge cost the New Zealand society some $2.8 billion dollars in 2009. Multiply this cost in all of the countries worldwide and you'll see how exacting this condition affects society. This organization makes a point that this "is a scourge to be avoided at all costs." Just like the scourge of polio that is now a thing of the past. The irony here is that no outrage will be directed at this organization's ultimate goal in New Zealand on finding ways to eliminate this "scourge."

And then you have Dimity Dornan who says that deafness is scourge and that one day it will disappear just like polio. Yet you have some Deaf people in an outrage over this attempt at eradicating the condition of hearing loss whether it's mild or profound hearing loss.

Funny thing, if you were born with a hearing loss or became deaf pre-lingually and later in life as an adult you lose your vision completely but you'd be the first one to step up to have your eye-sight restored once a cure for vision loss becomes available. The irony would be that you'd object to a cure and the eradication for hearing loss but not for eradicating vision loss. Me think some people out there are hyperventilating a wee bit too much.

Could your nose help restore your hearing loss someday?

Don't pick your nose! You just might ruin your chance on the cure of your hearing loss someday!

Ok.

Seriously.

That won't happen.

I mean, the nose picking part. But news came out a few weeks ago on stem cells in the nose could provide a potential source of adult stem cells to harvest that can be used to help restore hearing loss in the cochlea from that same person's own nose.

The findings, published in the journal STEM CELLS, found that transplanting mucosa-derived stem cells, a form of rapidly renewing tissues in the nose, can help prevent sensorineural hearing loss during its early stages.

Scientists transplanted adult human nasal stem cells into the ears of mice that exhibited signs of hearing loss. The mice were 4 weeks old, the typical age when hearing loss in mice first becomes apparent. Dr. Sharon Oleskevich, lead study author from the Hearing Research Group at The University of New South Wales, said her research team found improvements in hearing function one month later when compared against age-matched mice that received placebo injections.

It has been demonstrated in a number of studies that stem cells, such as olfactory stem cells, dental pulp stem cells and hair follicle stem cells have the ability to transform into functional cells of the nervous system," Dr. Christian Drapeau, chief science officer of Stemtech International, told AOL Health. "For example, in animal studies, injection of hair follicle stem cells in the spinal cord was able to restore mobility."

He says the olfactory stem cells injected in the cochlear cavity could help reverse or protect sensorineural hearing loss in the same kind of way.

"Examination of hearing levels one month post-surgery demonstrated that hearing thresholds in stem cell-transplanted mice were significantly lower than those of mice that received a placebo injection, indicating that transplanted mice were better able to hear less-intense sounds," Oleskevich told AOL Health in an e-mail.

Doctors and researchers are optimistic their research could impact future treatments of hearing loss.

Who knows? Maybe they got something going there?

Need a hanky, anyone?

The timeline predictions on the cure for hearing loss

In a recent news about stem cells that were made grow into ear hair cells in mouse got me thinking on the scientists/researchers attempt to predict when a cure or treatment for hearing loss in humans would take place. Ever since the discovery of birds' ability to regrow and restore their own hearing loss in 1986 researchers have used the terms "decades away" on when an application for hearing loss restoration may take place. In this recent news it was quoted that a possible cure could be at least a decade away noting that people who already benefit from hearing aids would be the most likely targeted group. But lets go back in time on how these predictions changed over time.

In 2004 it was predicted that an application for hearing loss rather than a cure could be at least twenty years away by Dr. Rubel. In another article in 2004 Dr. Rivolta said a cure could be possible in 10 to 15 years away. In 2009 in the Department of Otolaryngology University of Miami Ear Institute's newsletter quoted believing they could be 10 years away from a cure at the earliest possible timeline. But most seem to concur that a cure or a very applicable treatment for hearing loss would be seen within their (the scientists') lifetime.

Often times these revelations on stem cells discoveries on hearing loss are made in jumps rather than something that unfolds smoothly over time. Once discoveries or breakthroughs are published in scientific journals researchers from all over the world pour over the data and details and apply the discovered knowledge to theirs. And thus increasing the likelihood of another jump in evolutionary discovery on the path for the cure or restoration of hearing loss in humans. The revelation in this latest news out of California was about the fact that when the bundles of lab grown ear hair cells were mechanically stimulated or moved mimicking how sound moves ear hair cells, the cells were able to generate electrical currents that resemble those produced by young hair cells. It was not simply growing ear hair cells but seeing that the electro-mechanical qualities and properties in a lab grown ear hair cells worked.

It'd be wise to take the word "cure" loosely and see it from a restorative/treatment point of view in the very near future. But then again, with scientists and researchers from all over the world working on the cure for hearing loss, a cure could be very well within our grasp a lot more sooner rather than later.

Texting and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome...a danger to deaf people?

In a Foxnews story a 16 year girl was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome of her wrists recently lost some feelings in her hands and was unable to pick up certain objects. This was due to excessive texting, constraining her fingers, hands and wrists over a smart phone keyboard which eventually affected her nerves in her wrists. This is known as "Repetitive Strain Injury" (RSI). Along with this affliction, it's not uncommon for many text users to experience thumb pain known as Blackberry Thumb.

Since texting is the number one communication method among most Deaf (or culturally deaf) and deaf cell phone users it comes with an added risk for those who also communicate preferably through signing. This is perhaps true among teens who are among the most prolific group of all phone texting users.

Teenagers sending and receiving an average of 80 text messages each day may be vulnerable to repetitive stress injuries of the thumb, according to the New York Times. As with Blackberry Thumb, compulsive texting can cause cramping, pain or numbness. While previous reports have stated that teens seem largely immune to Blackberry Thumb and that problems (like tendonitis) tend to crop up in patients in their 40s and 50s, the long-term effects of frequent texting are unknown. Ergonomics researchers are just beginning to study texting's impact, according to the Times.

Here are some statistics on texting:

* 72.2% of wireless users have paid for SMS packages. This equates to 203 million Americans.
* 57% of wireless users 13+ are considered regular text message users.
* There has been a 107% increase in text message use in the USA in the past year.
* 2.5 billion text messages are sent each day in the USA.
*More text messages are sent per phone than phone calls. The average
text messages used per month is 357 compared to 204 cell phone calls.
*15 million Americans used video on their cell phones in quarter two, 2008.
*138 million Americans have sent a text message in the past three months.

Not only are short texting popular you have Instant Messaging (IM) that are much more heavily used with longer conversations than short messages seen in SMS. On Facebook alone some 1 billion IMs are sent each day. Chatting or texting gives users greater privacy and are done in silence as opposed to talking on their cell phones heard by anybody within an ear shot.

The number of smart phones sold is rapidly on the rise so will the amount of texting/chatting that will increasingly merge URL linking to videos, music, webpages, and mobisodes/webisodes (and you thought TV soap operas were bad?)into their everyday smart phone communication. Which means more conversations using the QWERTY keyboard on smart phones to communicate.

Will this be a good thing or bad for deaf/hh smart phone users? Will we see an increase on fingers and hands related injuries or pain because of the constant texting that could affect deaf/hh people who signs? Are companies who offfer short text messaging or Instant Messaging be liable for people's hands and fingers injuries? Or are the makers of QWERTY keypads for smart phones be responsible for the supposedly "poor" ergonomics design?

Who is ultimately responsible?

The answer is that the smart phone users are the ones who are ultimately responsible for the health of their hands, wrists and fingers. Whether a person is prone to injuries or not there are ways to reduce the chances of injuries, pain or discomfort when it comes to texting or chatting on their smart phone.

If it's bad and quite painful, take a "Sabbatical" break for a few weeks off. This is almost like going cold turkey but if it's affecting your signing ability and that it is painful, your body is telling you an important message and that is to stop! If that's seems "impossible" then work out a plan to reduce the amount of time you use your smart phone. Include other exercises to help your hands, fingers and wrists.

Virgin Mobile has a website on exercises you can do to help alleviate the pain and discomfort. Or perhaps buy a contraption that supposedly helps strengthen your hands and fingers. But a cheap and simple sure-fire way of strengthening your hands and fingers is to get a bucket of sand and do some sand digging and finger extension exercises, among other exercises seen here.

The responsibility is yours alone on the health of your hands, fingers, and wrists when it comes to texting and chatting on your smart phones. More than likely if you are a smart phone user you will find yourself using the QWERTY keyboard more often as smart phones continue to improve and the desire to reach out and touch someone becomes even more irresistible.

Make cure for hearing loss mandatory by law for deaf babies if stem cell prove successful?

According to one Deaf person in a deaf forum he felt that deaf babies and toddlers ought to be cured for their hearing loss if stem cell proved successful and see that a law making it mandatory for them to be treated.

stem cell consistently proves to be 100% successful, I will have unwavering support for it and will want to see a law making it mandatory for toddlers, not adults.

Agree or disagree? That day may actually come, and it'd simply be a matter of time. And this is a contention that worries many people.

"Deaf group attacks stem cell researcher for his work on the cure for deafness"

"Arrests were made against a small group of Deaf people who attacked a stem cell researcher for his work on finding a cure for hearing loss. The attack took place at the researcher's home where he sustained multiple injuries. He was treated at a nearby hospital and released. The attack occurred while he was home alone. Graffiti was spray painted on the living room walls and elsewhere in the victim's house with words like 'Audism is wrong,' and 'Deaf babies do not need your help,' along with several epithets. The group, based on the graffiti, named themselve as 'Deaf Crusaders.' "

Could this shocking news conceivably happen someday?

Let's hope not. But with researchers working around the clock all across the United States (and the world) on the cure for hearing loss (see here, here, here, here and here) it would be a matter of time until a cure could be found for various kinds of hearing losses. For some Deaf people they would consider these scientific advancements as a threat to their Deaf culture (see "Will Deaf Culture Die Out Someday - Part I and Part II) should a cure finally be found. And certainly among those few who do view a cure for hearing loss as a threat there could be potentially smaller subset of Deaf extremists who may resort to the use of violence against stem cell researchers on the cure for hearing loss. As with any group there is always a few bad apples who will resort to violence as their means of protesting (see vandalism question at Gallaudet protest). Researchers have been attacked in the past before for their medical work.

Police said several students from the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) attacked a researcher, who uses mice to study breast cancer, at her home Feb. 24. (2008)

The biology professor, who declined to give her name to protect herself and her family from more violence, was at home with her children and husband when the alleged assailants attacked her home just before noon. The suspects attacked the professor’s husband and then fled the scene in a vehicle. Because the incident happened in daylight, the husband, who suffered minor injuries, was able to write down the license plate of the car.

If a bunch of students went after a professor for her medical work on mice to the point of terrorizing and injuring a researcher then it wouldn't be inconceivable that a Deaf person (or a small group of Deaf people) with extremist tendencies to attack a researcher working on a cure for hearing loss. Or for that matter supposingly a cure has been found would a research center get vandalized and broken into in the attempt to "stop" the cure on deafness from getting out. There is always that possibility. It may be small or even non-existant but certainly a possibility based on fear and frustration.

The above news is a hypothetical one but the fact remains that there are always somebody with extremist tendencies who will go further, even to the point of injuring, or heaven forbid, murder a researcher in the name of stopping medical advancements, for example, such as for the cure on hearing loss.

Promising research continues for cure on hearing loss

For 2010, the American Hearing Research Foundation will be funding six grants. This year, we received the highest number of grant proposals in our history—41 proposals in all. The following grants will begin on January 1, 2010, and will be funded for $20,000 for one year.

Douglas Cotanche, Ph.D.
Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts
“Cell fate regulation in cochlear development and regeneration”

Birds can regenerate hair cells in the cochlea once they are lost – an ability that mammals do not possess. When hair cells are lost in birds, following loud noise exposure or administration of ototoxic drugs in the lab, the supporting cells around the hair cells turn into new hair cells. Cotanche and colleagues hope that by studying this process in birds, they will be able to induce the mammalian cochlear cells to undergo a similar regeneration. Specifically, the researchers will study the genetics involved in supporting cell transduction into hair cells in chicks and mice. They hope to gain understanding of the molecular processes involved in hair cell regeneration in order to cause the same regeneration in mammalian cells.

Saima Riazuddin, Ph.D.
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Ohio
“Generation and characterization of a mouse model of DFNB26”

More than 100 gene locations have been indentified as contributing to hearing loss in its various forms. However, knowledge on how genes affect hearing remain inadequate. Researchers need to be able to study and develop animal models to study disease causing mutations, and to define the molecular pathways leading to hearing loss to ultimately develop therapeutic approaches to treating deafness. Riazuddin and colleagues have recently mapped a deafness causing gene called DFNB26 in an extended family. They also discovered another gene that that suppresses the deafness-causing gene. The researchers hope to study how these two genes work to cause and prevent deafness among the members of this family by developing mice with these genes. The study will provide valuable models for defining the role of DFNB26 in the inner ear and to develop treatment strategies for this disease.

Angelika Doetzlhofer, Ph.D.
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
“Response of supporting cell to hair loss in the mammalian cochlea”

Doetzelhofer and colleagues hope to uncover the molecular signals activated in supporting cells after hair cell loss, and what pathways may inhibit hair cell regeneration. In mammals, hair cells only develop during embryonic development, and when hair cells are lost, they are not replaced. However, in birds, when hair cells are lost, supporting cells can transform into new hair cells. Researchers believe that supporting hair cells, even in mammals, have the ability to transform into hair cells, but that signals from adjacent cells and/or dying hair cells block supporting cells from becoming new hair cells. Doetzlhofer and colleagues will investigate these inhibitory pathways and will look at changes in gene expression in supporting cells as hair cells are lost. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that prevent hair cell regeneration in mammals is a crucial first stem in developing successful hair cell replacement therapies.

Researchers identify protein needed to develop auditory neurons

Loss of spiral ganglion neurons or hair cells in the inner ear is the leading cause of congenital and acquired hearing impairment. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health found that Sox2, a protein that regulates stem cell formation, is involved in spiral ganglion neuron development. The study was published in the January 13 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

"These findings may provide the first step toward regenerating spiral ganglion neurons, the nerve cells that send sound representations to the brain," said Alain Dabdoub, PhD, co-investigator and assistant professor of surgery with the...

See - http://www.newsrx.com/newsletters/Stem-Cell-Week/2010-01-25/39012520101SC.html

Proteins found to help develop auditory neurons

The leading cause of congenital and acquired hearing impairment is loss of spiral ganglion neurons or hair cells in the inner ear.

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health found that Sox2, a protein that regulates stem cell formation, is involved in spiral ganglion neuron development. The study was published in the January 13 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.

"These findings may provide the first step toward regenerating spiral ganglion neurons, the nerve cells that send sound representations to the brain," said Alain Dabdoub, PhD, co-investigator and assistant professor of surgery with the division of otolaryngology at the UC San Diego School of Medicine. "This has significant implications for advances in cochlear implant technology and biological treatments for hearing loss."

In the cochlea, auditory neurons transmit sound vibrations conveyed by hair cells. These vibrations are then converted to nerve impulses that communicate with the brain. If the neurons are lost or damaged, hearing loss occurs. Existing therapies for hearing loss are based on either increasing hair cell stimulation with hearing aids or introducing an electronic substitute for the hair cells with cochlear implants. In either case, the presence of functional spiral ganglion neurons is required for a successful outcome.

Prior research shows that as few as 10 percent of the normal number of spiral ganglion neurons is sufficient for the success of cochlear implants.

"The identification of factors that induce functional neurons has important implications for hearing restoration," said Chandrakala Puligilla, PhD, a research fellow at the National Institutes of Health. "The ability to induce even a small number of cells with gene-based therapy could be enormously beneficial."

Source: - read more.

Could your own stem cells in your hair follicles help you hear someday?

From the October 2009 22ND IGB MEETING STEM CELLS: FROM MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY TO THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS:

Adult stem cells in your hair follicles seen as a potential source that could differentiate into auditory neurons.

Stem cells from the hair follicle differentiate into auditory neurons. Margriet A. HUISMAN, Ragad El Seady, Johan H.M. Frijns

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Leiden University Medical Centre, The Netherlands To patients suffering from profound sensorineural hearing loss, cochlear implantation(CI) is currently the standard approach. Most implant recipients experience benefits, however, understanding speech in noisy circumstances and music perception remains challenging. It is suggested that stem cell-based therapy, by increasing the number of auditory neurons (ANs), will improve the performance of a CI1.

Stem cells, derived from the bulge of hair follicles from adult mammalian dermis (epidermal neural crest stem cells, EPI-NCSC), are potential candidates for AN regeneration: they have a similar origin as inner ear cells, their functionality has been proven and autologous transplantation is possible, avoiding graft versus host disease2,3. The aim of this research is to investigate whether EPI-NCSC have the capacity to differentiate into neurons with features of auditory neurons, such as bipolar morphology, presence of TrkB/C and GluR2/3 and sodium voltage channel 1.6 (NaV1.6)4. EPI-NCSCs from whiskers of mice were expanded and differentiated on a collagen I matrix. Subsequent t o proliferation, quantitative immunohistochemistry was performed to demonstrate the presence of neural stem cells (nestin). In addition, expressions of TUJ1, TrkB and -C, GluR2/3 and NaV1.6 were determined.

After the proliferative phase, the majority of the cells (90%) were positive for nestin. The average yield per follicle was 2x105, while for inner ear transplantation purposes 2-5x105 cells are required. 70%±8% of the differentiated cells was positive for the neural marker TUJ1. Moreover, 60%±2% of the neurons showed a bipolar morphology and the majority was positive for GluR2/3 and NaV1.6 and showed co-expression of TrkB and –C. EPI-NCSC-derived neural stem cells can easily be obtained in quantities sufficient for inner ear transplantation purposes. These stem cells have the capacity to differentiate into neurons with hallmarks of functional AN, which makes them promising candidates for a stem cell-based therapy of the auditory nerve.

Who knew? Adult stem cells from your own hair follicles have the potential and capacity to help restore your hearing loss. Problem is, bald guys are out of luck.

Stem Cells for hearing loss live chat tomorrow night, November 19, 2009!

Stem Cells for hearing loss live chat tomorrow night, November 19, 2009!

(Errata: The topic heading said November 18. Correct date is November 19. It has been corrected)

Get ready and dial in at 9 PM Eastern Time (8PM - Central time, 7PM Mountain time, or 6 PM West Coast time)


Topic: "Development and regeneration of hair cells – the latest news in research"

Guest Speaker: Dr. Douglas A. Cotanche

Date & Time: November 19, 2009 at 9 PM

Live Webchat Schedule

Hearing Loss Association of America is proud to present live moderated chats,
featuring the nation's leading experts in hearing loss. This is your opportunity
to ask a question and learn more about hearing loss from leaders in a number of
medical disciplines associated with hearing loss.

How to Participate (no
need to register):
1. Go to www.myhearingloss.org/ (5-10mins before
webchat is scheduled)
2. Click on the "Log in to our Chat Room" button
3. Enter a username to use for the chat
4. Click on the "Connect" button
5. Click on "Rooms" tab (found on the right column)
6. Then double click
on "Guest_Chat" to join the webchat

NOTE: The webchat is a moderated
chat to allow the guest speaker to answer all the questions that have been
submitted in advance, which means you will not be able to type in your question
until after all these questions have been answered.

Here are my questions that I submitted to Dr. Cotanche.

Dr. Cotanche,

I run a blog (Kokonut Pundit) and I do try and keep abrest of these news and developments regarding stem cells and gene therapy for the restoration/cure of hearing loss, mostly in the arena of nerve deafness.

Have you heard recently the latest development about an 18 year old woman Chloe Sohl who had her hearing partially restored (so far - see captioned video http://kokonutpundits.blogspot.com/2009/11/video-interview-caption-with-first.html) by using her own adult stem cells? And if so, is this an indication of how rapidly the field of regenerative medicine using stem cells for the cure/restoration of hearing loss? Instead of a few decades away are we looking at within the next 5 or even 10 years to see this become a common procedure? If not in the United States but what about in other countries (due to FDA lagging behind?).

Thank you

Stem cell history on search for cure for hearing loss

Over at The Stem Cell Blog where David Granovsky compiled a summary with links on the history of stem cells research for the search (more like a race right now) on the cure for hearing loss from January 2001 to November 2009. It is interesting to see just how fast research has evolved over a relatively short amount of time to the point where an 18 year old woman whose hearing has basically recovered (so far) in less than 2 months once given her own adult stem cells to treat her hearing loss.

For the rest of Kokonut Pundit blogs on stem cells for the cure on hearing loss go here.

Hattip: Granovsky.

Blinded by my own hearing

Not me but I was pleased to hear David Granovsky's comment in his blog "The Stem Cell Blog" when he covered the Chloe Sohl's story on her miraculous recovery from her hearing loss using her own adult stem cells. David went onto say that basically he forgot about people with hearing loss may unable to hear or understand fully what the original YouTube version of Chloe's story. And that he was "blinded" by his own hearing for not thinking about a captioned version of Chloe's video story.


Related Kokonut Pundit blogs on adult stem cells and hearing loss.

Video Interview (caption) with first American to have her hearing loss restored

Not fully restored so far but it looks like Chloe's hearing is on the mend already since this adult stem cells procedure began only a few months ago. Watch the video about a story that is probably the first case of an American woman that was successfully treated with her own adult stem cells to treat her hearing loss caused by her auto-immune resonse.




More info on the story.


YouTube's version without captions.

First case of stem cell treatment on hearing loss on humans?

From what I've found there seems to be two patients with sensorineural hearing loss iare undergoing stem cell treatments in Mexico at the Nepsis Institute from a "Ask the Doctor" which seems to be on the edge of discovering how well these treatments will work in restoring some or all of the hearing nerves.

6) Are you or can you treat sensory neural hearing loss with adult autologous stem cells? If not, do you expect to in the next year? Do you know of any doctors treating hearing loss at this point, if Nepsis does not?

Actually, we have two patients with sensory neural hearing loss who will be undergoing stem cell treatment in the next two months. The approach is unique and proprietary, so I can’t get into specifics at this time.

In time we'll find out whether if this is a success or not and if so would prove ground-breaking so early in this game rather than 10 or 15 years down the road. As always, take this with a grain of salt.

Hat-tip: Neuro

Path to cure for sensorineural hearing loss explained

Here's WongTanLim3 blog that does a very good job breaking down the discussion on the path to cure sensorineural hearing loss and does a quick summary along with important links. Reading this blog you will realize that this particular biomedical field is now soon becoming into a race for the cure for hearing loss in the area of nerve deafness. This blog piece is a MUST READ! And a must have blog to add to your favorite link.

Like me, if you're following stem cell or gene therapy research for the treatment or cure for sensorineural hearing loss or nerve deafness which is one of the most promising field of medical research and development into the coming next decade, then this is a must read blog to read. And keep abreast of important news and thoughts like this recent blog post by WongTanLim3.

Be sure send a thank you to WongTanLim3 for keeping a sharp eye on this growing field soon to be a burgeoning biomedical development which will have the potential to affect several hundreds million people around the world with nerve deafness. Of course, this alone would have the greatest impact to those in the Deaf community when compared to the issues and consternations involving cochlear implants.

Avdism as a crutch excuse?

This "a-wordism" has lately become vulgarized through the repeated abuse of the word, marketing, and just plain ol' fashioned use of the internet to help spread the word. In the main heading of my blog I stated, "Don't use deafness as your crutch. We all face adversity in our life and don't let it become an obstacle but a challenge!" Yet it is true and a sad fact that people are discriminated for what they are and it shouldn't be like that. But that isn't justification to abuse this a-wordism by over-playing this particular discrimination card. Just like when people use the race card for every single supposed racist act when it never happened or existed a la Gates-Crowley Incident. People on both end purposely practice discrimination. Yes, even Deaf people against hearing people, even discriminate against those who prefer to talk despite their deafness. The horrors!

Maybe the answer to this a-wordism will either be that technology becomes so great and prevalent and accessible to all will ensure that this a-wordism wouldn't be an issue since techology would become that great 'equalizer.'

Or perhaps more likely that biotechnology would come early and a cure for hearing loss is made real where all babies born deaf will become hearing through the help of stem cells, thus the decline of Deaf culture and community would occur through attrition in the next 100 years. Some say this cure for babies born deaf won't happen in our lifetime or that it won't happen so "soon" in 10, 20 or 30 years. Or some simply believe it'll never happen and it'll be impossible for the biomedical technology to come up with a cure for hearing loss. Oh, wait, I think the cure for babies born deaf or acquired hearing loss very early on is already beginning in clinical studies this year.

The CBR Center for Regenerative Medicine is collaborating with two leading medical institutions to initiate a research study that would evaluate using a child's own cord blood stem cells to help restore or improve hearing that's been damaged from injury or sickness.

Specifically, we are looking for children under the age of 18 months whose own cord blood is stored at CBR and who have sustained hearing damage...

Regardless, this a-wordism may eventually go away either wholly or to some extent. Just a matter of time. But for the time being, do not use it as crutch and an excuse for your deafness. Certainly we have really dumb hearing people who don't know better but ignorance is not the same thing as accusing them with the a-wordism. Educate them instead.