PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

School hearing tests do not detect noise exposure hearing loss

2014-03-20
(Press-News.org) School hearing tests cannot effectively detect adolescent high-frequency hearing loss, which is typically caused by loud noise exposure, according to researchers at Penn State College of Medicine. The Pennsylvania Department of Health mandates school-administered hearing screens for children in kindergarten to third, seventh and 11th grades. The school screenings primarily focus on low-frequency hearing loss. This is logical for young children, who are more likely to develop low-frequency hearing loss due to fluid in the ear after a bad cold or an ear infection. Adolescents, however, are more susceptible to high-frequency hearing loss, usually brought on by exposure to loud noises, but the same tests are used on adolescents and young children. Deepa Sekhar, assistant professor of pediatrics, compared the results of a special hearing screening designed to detect noise-related high-frequency hearing loss with the results of the standard Pennsylvania school hearing test. The researchers reported their findings in the Journal of Medical Screening. Both screenings test the ability to hear a tone at a specific loudness. The tone is played at different frequencies, or pitches. The screening for noise-related hearing loss tests the ability to hear higher pitches, up to twice the frequency of the Pennsylvania school screen. Screening participants were 11th grade students at Hershey High School. Researchers administered both the statewide school screening and a high-frequency screening. Of the 282 participants, five failed the Pennsylvania school test and 85 failed the noise-related test. Of the group of 48 students returned for testing by an audiologist in a soundproof booth, nine were diagnosed with hearing loss. "More participants failed the initial screening than we predicted," said Sekhar. "Even with the effort and care put in by school nurses across the state, the current Pennsylvania school screen just isn't designed to detect high-frequency hearing loss in adolescents." One in five adolescents experiences hearing loss, and most of this is high-frequency hearing loss related to continued exposure to noise hazards. Early detection and avoidance of loud noises can prevent hearing loss from progressing. To efficiently detect adolescent hearing loss, schools across the U.S. may need to consider alternate tests that are better designed to detect noise-related high-frequency hearing loss. "The results of this study have the potential to reach schools across the nation, as many use screens similar to those used in Pennsylvania schools," said Sekhar. "We are currently working on a follow-up study at Lebanon High School in partnership with Penn State Nursing to further improve the high-frequency school hearing screen for use in the school setting." INFORMATION: Other Penn State College of Medicine researchers on the study were Tonya King, professor of biostatistics; Beth Czarnecki, audiologist; Shannon Grounds, audiologist; Ashley Barr, audiologist; and Ian Paul, professor of pediatrics and public health sciences. Other researchers include Soha Ghossaini, associate professor of otolarynglogy, University of Illinois, Chicago; Thomas Zalewski, Bloomsburg University; Julie Rhoades, Impulse Monitoring, Inc.; and Barry Deese, Summit ENT & Hearing Services. The Academic Pediatric Association/Maternal and Child Health Bureau Young Investigator Award funded this research.


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria among children in the United States on the rise

2014-03-20
(Chicago)--Infections caused by a specific type of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are on the rise in U.S. children, according to new study published in the Journal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society. While still rare, the bacteria are increasingly found in children of all ages, especially those 1-5 years old, raising concerns about dwindling treatment options. "Some infections in children that have typically been treated with oral antibiotics in the past may now require hospitalization, treatment with intravenous drugs, or both, as there may not be an oral treatment ...

Obesity and diabetes have adverse effects on cancer outcomes

2014-03-20
Both obesity and diabetes have adverse effects on outcomes in breast cancer patients who receive chemotherapy as primary treatment before surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy), according to research to be presented at the 9th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC-9) tomorrow (Friday). Although a high body mass index (BMI) is known to have a negative impact on cancer development and prognosis, until now there has been uncertainty as to whether having a high BMI had an equal effect on patients with different types of breast tumours. Dr Caterina Fontanella, MD, a trainee in ...

Deaths from breast cancer fall in Europe

2014-03-20
Improvements in treatment, as well as enhanced access to care, underlie the sustained decreases in breast cancer mortality seen in 30 European countries [1] from 1989 to 2010. But there are notable variations between different countries that cannot be explained simply by the resources devoted to cancer care, and these differences need to be studied further, according to research to be presented to the 9th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC-9) tomorrow (Friday). Professor Philippe Autier, from the International Prevention Research Institute, Lyon, France, told a press ...

In the genome of loblolly pine lies hope for better resistance to a damaging disease

2014-03-20
"The project was a huge undertaking because at 22 gigabases, the loblolly pine genome is about eight times larger than the human genome," said C. Dana Nelson, SRS Southern Institute for Forest Genetics (SIFG) project leader and research geneticist. "The group chose loblolly pine both because of its economic importance, and the knowledge gained from 60 years of breeding the species and managing millions of trees in genetic trials." As part of the project, researchers identified a candidate for a gene involved in resistance to fusiform rust, a disease that infects southern ...

Regular physical activity reduces breast cancer risk irrespective of age

2014-03-20
Glasgow, UK: Practising sport for more than an hour day reduces the risk of contracting breast cancer, and this applies to women of any age and any weight, and also unaffected by geographical location, according to research presented to the 9th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC-9). Compared with the least active women, those with the highest level of physical activity reduced their risk of breast cancer by 12%, researchers say Professor Mathieu Boniol, Research Director at the International Prevention Research Institute, Lyon, France, reported to a press conference ...

Scientists discover potential way to make graphene superconducting

Scientists discover potential way to make graphene superconducting
2014-03-20
Scientists at the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University have discovered a potential way to make graphene – a single layer of carbon atoms with great promise for future electronics – superconducting, a state in which it would carry electricity with 100 percent efficiency. Researchers used a beam of intense ultraviolet light to look deep into the electronic structure of a material made of alternating layers of graphene and calcium. While it's been known for nearly a decade that this combined material is superconducting, the ...

Stellar Slate of Industry Speakers at the Inaugural Internet of Things Asia 2014

2014-03-20
The first-ever Internet of Things (IoT) Asia 2014 to be held at Singapore EXPO Convention & Exhibition Centre from 21-22 April will feature a dynamic slate of international and local speakers from leading companies in the IoT field. Jointly organised by Singapore Industrial Automation Association (SIAA) and Singex Exhibitions, the event has a confirmed line-up of over 40 industry experts and practitioners in the IoT & machine-to-machine (M2M) field as speakers. Comprising a trade exhibition and conference, IoT Asia 2014 is the first event in the Asia Pacific ...

Nicholls Auction Marketing Group announces the Auction of 27 Valuable Lake Gaston Building Lots

2014-03-20
"This is an amazing opportunity for you to own gorgeous home sites on picturesque Lake Gaston," said John Nicholls, president of the company.. "The auction will be conducted at Kahill's Restaurant in South Hill, VA.Nicholls. Make plans to now to purchase these great lake properties." "The 27 lots include 22 waterfront and 5 interior lots, most with community water/sewer and boat slips/covered boat houses," said Mr. Sid Smyth, NAMG Auction Coordinator. "Two of the lots (26.5+/- and 7.7+/- acres) highlights include notable timber." ...

Phillip and Divine Fry Announce Their Training and Certification as Air Duct Cleaning Specialists

2014-03-20
Mold consultants Phillip and Divine Fry completed their classroom and hands-on training and certification on March 7, 2014, as Certified Air Duct Cleaning Specialists in the RotoMasters Certified Training program in Dallas, Texas, to enable the Frys to provide effective cleaning and environmental decontamination of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) air supply and return ducts. "Our Certified Air Duct Cleaning Specialist training and certification helps us to better serve our EnviroFry residential and commercial clients in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, ...

PacNet Services Showcasing International Payment Solutions at ad:tech San Francisco

2014-03-20
ad:tech is the leading digital marketing event for 8,500+ marketing and technology professionals from all over the world - a marketplace for buying and selling, a community for networking, a forum for exchanging ideas and an opportunity for contributing to industry trends and initiatives. The payment experts at PacNet are looking forward to adding their international payment processing expertise to the mix on the show floor. PacNet will be on hand at booth 2630, ready to discuss how an effective payment strategy can boost sales and lift response rates for international ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Underserved youth less likely to visit emergency department for concussion in Ontario, study finds

‘Molecular shield’ placed in the nose may soon treat common hay fever trigger

Beetles under climate stress lay larger male eggs: Wolbachia infection drives adaptive reproduction strategy in response to rising temperature and CO₂

Groundbreaking quantum study puts wave-particle duality to work

Weekly injection could be life changing for Parkinson’s patients

Toxic metals linked to impaired growth in infants in Guatemala

Being consistently physically active in adulthood linked to 30–40% lower risk of death

Nerve pain drug gabapentin linked to increased dementia, cognitive impairment risks

Children’s social care involvement common to nearly third of UK mums who died during perinatal period

‘Support, not judgement’: Study explores links between children’s social care involvement and maternal deaths

Ethnic minority and poorer children more likely to die in intensive care

Major progress in fertility preservation after treatment for cancer of the lymphatic system

Fewer complications after additional ultrasound in pregnant women who feel less fetal movement

Environmental impact of common pesticides seriously underestimated

The Milky Way could be teeming with more satellite galaxies than previously thought

New study reveals surprising reproductive secrets of a cricket-hunting parasitoid fly

Media Tip Sheet: Symposia at ESA2025

NSF CAREER Award will power UVA engineer’s research to improve drug purification

Tiny parasitoid flies show how early-life competition shapes adult success

New coating for glass promises energy-saving windows

Green spaces boost children’s cognitive skills and strengthen family well-being

Ancient trees dying faster than expected in Eastern Oregon

Study findings help hone precision of proven CVD risk tool

Most patients with advanced melanoma who received pre-surgical immunotherapy remain alive and disease free four years later

Introducing BioEmu: A generative AI Model that enables high-speed and accurate prediction of protein structural ensembles

Replacing mutated microglia with healthy microglia halts progression of genetic neurological disease in mice and humans

New research shows how tropical plants manage rival insect tenants by giving them separate ‘flats’

Condo-style living helps keep the peace inside these ant plants

Climate change action could dramatically limit rising UK heatwave deaths

Annual heat-related deaths projected to increase significantly due to climate and population change

[Press-News.org] School hearing tests do not detect noise exposure hearing loss