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.

Stem cells strategy for hearing loss cure...a captioned video

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 Successful Case Example of a Hearing Loss Cure in a Human Patient?

With the slow progress and FDA approval in the United States on using stem cells to help treat nerve deafness hearing loss a patient with autoimmune condition hearing loss was treated in South Korea using her own adult stem cells that eventually restored her hearing to almost normal levels.

Chloe visited Dr. Won, a plastic surgeon in Los Angeles to harvest her fat tissue around her belly button in last June. Then the tissue was sent to the laboratory RNL BIO in Germantown, Maryland, where they isolated stem cells, put them in liquid nitrogen shipper and transported them to RNL BIO in Seoul, Korea. It took them a month to expand her stem cells to a sufficient amount enough to treat her hearing loss. Chloe's family planned a trip to Korea during their summer vacation. At last, on July 27, 2009, they visited Korea for two weeks. The stem cell treatment took place in Japan -- 600 million cells were administered by three injections with 5 day intervals. The cells were injected into her veins and auditory system.

Chloe's hearing was tested two months after the procedure was completed on October 16, 2009. The results were spectacular. The left side of her ear improved 50% from not being able to hear at all. The right side of her ear gained almost complete hearing.

Dr. Jotterand could not bear her excitement, "Now it's just been a 180 degree turnaround. She's just enjoying life and enjoying being a freshman at the university. She's just having a great time and it's just wonderful to see the joy in her own face and in her life."

Again, with a grain of salt but this looks more promising. With more countries such as Mexico taking part in using stem cells to began the treatment of nerve deafness hearing loss, the United States will surely be left in the dust at this rate unless the FDA somehow fast track this medical process just as they have fast tracked for the treatment of damaged heart muscles with the patient's own stem cells.

Hat tip: Neuro.

UPDATE: See caption video interview of Chloe!

RIT Library Guide References Kokonut Pundit's blog piece

An interesting tidbit I found out recently. RIT library listed my blog by linking under "Deaf Native American Resources" to a piece I did about whether ASL has hurt Indian Sign Language where it is slowly disappearing. Scroll down to "Web Resources" to find my blog name.

Kokonut Pundit is now on Twitter

Going to try and see how this works out but go ahead and sign on if you want to follow me through this Twitter thing. A little social experiment to try out just as my blog was a "little social experiment." heh....

I have my Twitter icon up on the upper left hand column of my blog and all you have to do is click on it to get to my Twitter page.

Deaf man hears sound of piano for the first time

From the award winning documentary, "From Silence to Sound," :

Brooklyn Girl Productions presents the New York City premiere of the award-winning documentary film From Silence to Sound at the New York International Film Festival on Friday, October 23, 2009.

From Silence to Sound is an inspiring film that tells the extraordinary story of Justin Garrett, a man who has been profoundly deaf since birth. On March 13, 2006, Justin made history as the first recipient of a bilateral cochlear implant in Oklahoma.

Director Chase Matthews offers this moving documentary about Justin Garrett, a completely deaf young man who, in 2006, agreed to undergo radical cochlear implant surgery that could possibly make him hear for the first time. Matthews follows Justin as he prepares for, submits to and recovers from the high-stakes surgery. Success will reverse Justin’s condition, but failure will irrevocably destine him to a lifetime of total silence.

For the First Time Plays Piano for Deaf Mother

Here's a wonderful and true story of how deligence and perserverance paid off in learning how to play a piano and for the first time at a piano recital for his mother who was deaf.

Deaf and Blind Kid Plays Jazz Piano

Check it out. A young man with cerebral palsy began playing the piano just last year on a piano given to him for Christmas. He taught himself to play the piano by... ear! And plays some nice jazz pieces. The power of hearing music.

The Errigo and Aguilar Mess

I haven't heard anything about the Errigo and Aguilar mess but briefly heard about it through osmosis until I came across Gamas Wanderings' blog about the whole subject, especially after reading the comments, too. I was able to obtain and read the court transcript about some restraining order nonsense over some boogey-man claim over a threat. At least it certainly appears to be so. But if somebody is electronically harassing you, being a cyberbully or a cyberstalker, you do have the option of not responding, put the person on ignore, select their incoming email as "junk email" and so on. What both of them could've done was to ignore each other, especially Ms Aguilar who went ahead and filed for a restraining order against Errigo. This drama was simply ridiculous to the point of total embarassment for one individual. Let's not use audism or "Deafhood" as a weapon of choice. It simply becomes an exercise of futility and embarrassment.

Closed Captioned Video: Rush Limbaugh says Sarah Palin is ready to be president

Captioning by Kokonut Pundit.

When the "a-wordism" needs to disappear

Sometimes with good intention comes with unintended consequences. In this case it's the invention of a new word, "avdism" (yes, I purposely misspelled that). What's the value I see in it? Probably the same value in where I link it to describe the meaning behind it.

Gamas Wanderings has a nice blog on the word "avdism" and how it should be discontinued because it creates more problems than it does solve them. Namely one of them is the constant abuse of the word used as a weapon of choice to attack rather than to educate about a particular form of discrimination. It would be better to keep it neutral as possible and at the same time educate those who do not understand about the issues of deafness. Pointing fingers at them and scream, "Avdist! Avdist!" like some scene in the movie "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" certainly does not help the situation any more than people use a cop out word "Racist!" It just creates more problems than it does solving it.

It's time to retire the a-wordism once and for all and focus on the actual education of the public through neutral means and less attacking those who do not fully understand the issue of deafness and even the culture behind it.

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

Is "Deafhood" a new tool for oppression to those who disagree?

When new labels are introduced such as "audism," "Deafhood," "deficit thinker," "Deaf," "colonialism" and so on they are oftentimes used as a tool to oppress or even discriminate others who do not share their exact ideals or thinkings. This blog is a response to another round of "Deafhood" being discussed in the deaf/hh blogosphere. In my mind the word "Deafhood" pertains to a mostly, if not exclusively, Deaf culture ideal involving ASL rather than about the various deaf/hh experiences and preferred mode of communication. For one, there has been a mixed use of the word "deafhood" and "Deafhood" to define and even discriminate. Others try and downplay the use of the "D" and say instead "deafhood" while others insist it be called "Deafhood" as it relates entirely about their Deaf culture.

Jamie Burke in About.com Deafness used the lower case 'd' in "deafhood" rather than "Deafhood" to define her various experience as a person with hearing loss.

But the word "Deafhood" used by the likes of Paddy Ladd and others who insure that any experiences are about striving toward a Deaf culture mentality than not. Suddenly it has become NOT about the various life experiences and perspectives among the 33 million people who deal with their hearing loss in the United States, where most have gotten along quite well without the need for ASL, but about the presevation of Deaf culture. It's kind of like "It's my way or the highway" kind of thinking when it's about "Deafhood" rather than "deafhood" based on total acceptance and understanding. "Deafhood" has become, as it would seem, a required path to this other-worldly state of nirvana through self-submission. It has become the new found feel-good religion for Deaf people or deaf/hh people who want to seek that path for whatever reasons. Though the irony of this is that it's being used as a political tool instead.

The attempt at activism using the Alinsky's model on radicalism to push "Deafhood" simply leaves a bad taste in a lot of mouths among the many Deaf, deaf, and hard of hearing people alike. Granted, we all have various experiences growing up with hearing loss or by those who acquired deafness later in life that shapes us. Some good, some bad ones. There are people and businesses who do discriminate against those with hearing loss and the need for communication access. It's a fact of life but that doesn't mean we should ignore those problems. but address them. We all should strive for choices and accessibility whether it's better Closed Captioning, introduce the concept of signing to parents of deaf/hh babies, oral/aural methods, cued speech, SEE, the introduction of cochlear implant, advances in hearing aid technology, advances in communication technology, advances in the biotechnology such as stem cells and gene therapy and so on. There is no one shoe size fits all.

Each of us function accordingly with our preferred mode of communication and who we prefer to associate with. Most function just fine and are quiet happy without ever knowing sign language or even Deaf culture. Others are happy that ASL is their primary mode of communication and thrive in a Deaf culture atmosphere. Some fall between the two and that's fine. However, with new labels introduced over time we have seen an increasing use of those new words to discriminate against those who follow a different path or ideal. With "Deafhood" being squandered shamelessly we see less room in the boat for others to get in. Why would anybody jump onto a boat that is on the brink of capsizing? It's time to get rid of that S.S. Deafhood boat and the person in it. I'm content for who I am and not about what I am. No need to assign labels here. I just so happens to be a person with a hearing loss who enjoys life in a variety of ways.

Forging Ahead

All I can do is shake my head whenever I see these internal squabblings continue to occur within the Deaf community. Of course, this has been going on for years. Yet, at the same time, I'm certainly glad that I do not share their particular brand of narrow-mindedness. I like to think independently on these things. So, squabbles like over DVTV (of which I don't even follow or even really care), Deafread, the advantageous misuse and abuse of the word "audism," the continued personal labeling and slandering, character assassinations, and so on are just a part of every day annoyance worthy of a thousand eyerolls. I guess my flawless plan continues to work!

Yet I'm not certainly going stand by while some groups continue to call babies born with hearing loss (to mostly hearing parents 90% of the time) as "Deaf babies." Not only is this wrong but doing so implies that certain Deaf groups have a stake or "own" these babies over parents. They don't. They have no right to call them as "Deaf babies" unless they are the parents of that baby with a hearing loss to make that call. Despite all that I continue to forge ahead in my life to make the best of what it has to offer. And even laugh along the way, too.

Ghanans in Africa talk about "too soon" win of Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Win

This is demonstrably laughable and funny, too. The people of Ghana are laughing and even questioning the logic of awarding Obama the Nobel Peace Prize won by Obama so soon. Even they knew better and the mockery of all this by watching their faces and responses.

Watch the video and listen. It is subtitled as well so enjoy.





Video transcript

Talking about the Obama Nobel win in Ghana.

Interviewer: Actually, do you know what I want to know?

Man from Ghana: No.

Interviewer: What do you think about the President Obama's Nobel Prize win?

Man from Ghana: (smiles, and laughs a little). Actually, I've not heard the news for some time. Has he got it?

Interviewer: Yes, Obama's been given the Nobel Prize.

Flossy from Ghana: (looks suprised/puzzled) Really? So soon?

Interviewer: Peace Prize. The Nobel Peace Prize?


Flossy: Peace Prize?

Interviwer: Yes.

Flossy: In Norway?

Man from Ghana: What did he do? To deserve the Peace Prize?

Interviewer: You think it's too soon?

Man from Ghana: (he smiles) Yeah. It's too soon. He hasn't done much. Even though has been erm, erm...he hasn't done much.

(video pans back to Flossy still with a puzzled look on her face.


Flossy: He hasn't done much. It's too early, I....

Man from Ghana: It should be able to be given. But now, now.. (laughs). But that's nice. It's a good news. I'm happy for him.

Flossy: As for Obama, his character and his personality, people like it, so maybe (laughs heh hehh heh)...they are giving it to him on a personal basis. (smiles laughingly). They could have waited for a while.

Interviewer to "Kibnesh" from Ethiopia: What do you think about Obama's Nobel Peace Prize win?

Kibnesh: I'm surprised.

Interviwer: Surprised?

Kibnesh: Yeah. I'm surpised - I'm speechless, actually. He's a great man, and everything, but we just have to wait and see what he's going to do for the world. I don't know at this moment. (smiles).

Video ends. "Recorded at the National Museum. Accra, Ghana. October 9, 2009."

www.caribbeanfreeradio.com

Cherishing one's own hearing

That is, the remaining hearing you have left. This is true among the millions of people with hearing loss who use their hearing aids or cochlear implants to help them hear. Whether a person was born with a hearing loss or acquired it later in life, it doesn't take long to realize the importance and value of being able to hear. Some hear more than others based on the range of frequency available to them and amount of decibels loss, the feeling is generally the same and that many of us, like me, do in fact cherish what hearing we have left. It's the joy of hearing sound whether it's the sweet environmental sounds of the outdoors, to kids laughing at a play park to having conversations with friends and families over the phone. It's the amazing technology of hearing aids and cochlear implants that can easily open doors to these wonderful experiences. Which is why I support organizations such as Starkey Hearing Foundation and people who help donate and provide free hearing aids to people who are unable to afford or even have access to them. At least they are actively reaching out and provide the needs and services to those who can benefit the amazing world of sound.

I had a forum discussion covering this very topic. A few did answer my question that, yes, they do cherish their hearing while most of them either didn't answer or said 'no' which could mean that they do not derive any real benefits from their hearing aids or that simply do not want to elevate the status on the quality of hearing. The problem is that if they do wear hearing aids and say they do not cherish their hearing then why wear one? Some would respond that they see their hearing or even their hearing aid as simply a "tool." Not sure what that means but probably to mean to use it to just get by.

Next, we have those who actually believe that kids to late deafened adults with hearing loss in poor countries should not receive their free hearing aids donated by organizations that travel and give out free hearing aids. Some think the only answer is to set up deaf schools, which is nice but there are even caveats to this approach. The problems are really about the prejudices and discrimination experienced in third world countries that go against people with hearing loss in the area of education, communication access, and jobs. For example, Peru where deaf/hh people are faced with huge barriers when it comes to communication access. Even the World Federation of the Deaf acknowledges these problems exist in third world countries. So, for a start, providing free hearing aids to those who can benefit from such a technology is a big head start jump for many of these people. Rather than be critical of such missions embrace them like Marlee Matlin has been doing who sees the value of hearing.

My Personal Stalker

Just now realized I have a female stalker in AD who is hearing. Whenever I post she follows it up with snarky and derisive remarks, tons of eyeroll and LMAO emoticons. And I do mean just about everything. But here's the irony. The person is hearing and has a background in psychology. Makes me wonder. I don't get it. A woman studying in the field of psychology? That is, she's getting an advanced degree, and yet I pretty much get stalked each time whenever I post something that has nothing to do with her? Now, it's fine to debate and discuss issues but to follow my every posts with maligning and snarky comments? Even that's creepy. And it's not even Halloween yet.

Scary Obama Halloween Masks and More!

It always happen, a new president, a new Halloween president mask. Or rather several designs of it. Now, we have several scary Obama mask and some realistic ones while others look too dark and others too white.

Here's a scary zombie "Zobama" mask enough to frighten kiddies away...even adults.

And here's a new first, an Obama joker Halloween mask which appears to be only one mask available for sale.


Big teeth!! This one's a toothpaste maker marketing dream.


Didn't know Obama looked like Arsenio Hall.





And just to be fair, here's a Sarah Palin mask.

And McCain's, even a zombie one.

And who would want to miss out a first lady Michelle Obama mask looking more mulatto than black.

No Biden mask but you do have a John Edwards mask.

Oops. Wrong Edwards.

And the most popular requested item of all time? Tricky Dick's mask.

And what about a President G. W. Bush mask? Not really scary like Nixon's.

And then you have, of course, Lurch.