2010 preview: "tooth" device to restore hearing for millions
By Linda Geddes
New Scientist Magazine
Beethoven is said to have overcome his deafness by attaching a rod to his piano and clenching it between his teeth, enabling the musical vibrations to travel through his jawbone to his inner ear. Next year, a similar but less unwieldy approach might restore hearing to people with a common form of deafness.
Single-sided deafness (SSD) affects around 9 million people in the US, and makes it difficult for them to pinpoint the exact source of sounds. This can make crossing roads extremely hazardous, and also makes it hard to hear conversations in noisy rooms.
Sonitus Medical of San Mateo in California has created a small device that wraps around the teeth. It picks up the sounds detected from a tiny microphone in the deaf ear and transforms them into vibrations. These then travel through the teeth and down the jawbone to the cochlea in the working ear, where they are transmitted to the brain providing stereo sound. The same process of "bone conduction" explains how we hear our own voices, and why they sound different when they are recorded and played back to us.
Some existing hearing aids also use bone conduction to transmit sounds to the cochlea, but these either require a titanium post to be drilled into the skull, or rely on cumbersome headsets. It also differs from conventional hearing aids, which employ air conduction to simply turn up the volume of sound travelling into the ear. The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio voted Sonitus's device its top medical innovation for 2010.
Sonitus is testing the device in people with SSD. One study suggests the device is comfortable and doesn't damage the teeth, and that it improved speech intelligibility in noisy surroundings (Otology and Neurotology
, DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0b013e3181be6741). The firm may start testing the device in people with other forms of deafness and at least one functioning cochlea.
The company plans to submit its results to the US Food and Drug Administration for approval in early 2010, and if all goes to plan, the device should become available later in the year. It will lend an ear to millions.
(c) 2009 Reed Business Information - UK. All Rights Reserved.
miércoles, 6 de enero de 2010
"FIVE RELATIVELY MINOR ADJUSTMENTS TO PREVENT BIG CHRONIC PROBLEMS LATER"
FIVE RELATIVELY MINOR ADJUSTMENTS TO PREVENT BIG CHRONIC PROBLEMS LATER.
Men's Journal
you spend a third of your life trapped inside your office, and it's not just making you prone to carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, and several other crippling ailments -- it's stiffening your muscles and joints, keeping you from playing the sports you love. But short of becoming a traffic cop, there are a number of simple tweaks you can implement that will make a huge difference. We tapped Cornell professor of ergonomics Alan Hedge to show us how.
Turn down the Lights
Most high-powered lights found in offices reflect off your screen and cause glare, straining your eyes. Reduce overhead lighting in your office (tell HR it's bad for you) and use lamps, like the ones from the Human Solution, that allow you to put light where you need it (as when you're reading) (from $68; thehumansolution.com).
Lower your Desk
Most desks are about 29 inches high, but your keyboard should be at 24 to 25 inches. Typing at the wrong height can lead to wrist and elbow injuries like tendinitis and carpal tunnel. You can adjust the height and tilt with a keyboard tray like those from Ergoware that mount beneath your desk (from $150; ergoware.com).
Pimp your Monitor
To reduce eye strain, the top of your monitor should be just above eye level, about an arm's length away, and the brightness should be set to what feels "most comfortable," says Hedge. 3M offers adjustable monitor arms so you don't have to ruin your desktop's aesthetic with a stack of hardbacks (from $80; officedepot.com).
Tilt your Keyboard away
"You know those little tabs on the bottom of your keyboard that tilt it toward you? Break them off," Hedge says. Angling your board toward you bends your wrists back, which can lead to joint and soft-tissue injuries such as tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Add a footrest
A chair that supports your lumbar region -- the five lowest vertebrae in your spine -- is crucial to prevent sciatica. You'll also want a reclining back and seat that's adjustable. (A seat edge that hits you in the calves can lead to circulation problems.) Finally, add an angled footrest so you'll sit back and take advantage of the support.
Stay fit at your desk
As you sit, your body atrophies. Reverse that by doing these exercises at least twice a day.
Shoulders
Shrug both shoulders. Hold three seconds. Repeat five to 10 times.
Neck
Tilt head to one side. Hold 15 seconds. Repeat three times each way.
Lower back
Cross legs. Pull the top leg in for 10 seconds. Repeat three times a side.
Glutes
Squat from a seated position to a standing position 15 to 20 times.
Abs
Standing straight up, flex your abs. Hold for 10 seconds 20 times.
Copyright 2009 Men's Journal. First published in Men's Journal Magazine. (r) Distributed by Tribune Media Services.
Men's Journal
you spend a third of your life trapped inside your office, and it's not just making you prone to carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, and several other crippling ailments -- it's stiffening your muscles and joints, keeping you from playing the sports you love. But short of becoming a traffic cop, there are a number of simple tweaks you can implement that will make a huge difference. We tapped Cornell professor of ergonomics Alan Hedge to show us how.
Turn down the Lights
Most high-powered lights found in offices reflect off your screen and cause glare, straining your eyes. Reduce overhead lighting in your office (tell HR it's bad for you) and use lamps, like the ones from the Human Solution, that allow you to put light where you need it (as when you're reading) (from $68; thehumansolution.com).
Lower your Desk
Most desks are about 29 inches high, but your keyboard should be at 24 to 25 inches. Typing at the wrong height can lead to wrist and elbow injuries like tendinitis and carpal tunnel. You can adjust the height and tilt with a keyboard tray like those from Ergoware that mount beneath your desk (from $150; ergoware.com).
Pimp your Monitor
To reduce eye strain, the top of your monitor should be just above eye level, about an arm's length away, and the brightness should be set to what feels "most comfortable," says Hedge. 3M offers adjustable monitor arms so you don't have to ruin your desktop's aesthetic with a stack of hardbacks (from $80; officedepot.com).
Tilt your Keyboard away
"You know those little tabs on the bottom of your keyboard that tilt it toward you? Break them off," Hedge says. Angling your board toward you bends your wrists back, which can lead to joint and soft-tissue injuries such as tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Add a footrest
A chair that supports your lumbar region -- the five lowest vertebrae in your spine -- is crucial to prevent sciatica. You'll also want a reclining back and seat that's adjustable. (A seat edge that hits you in the calves can lead to circulation problems.) Finally, add an angled footrest so you'll sit back and take advantage of the support.
Stay fit at your desk
As you sit, your body atrophies. Reverse that by doing these exercises at least twice a day.
Shoulders
Shrug both shoulders. Hold three seconds. Repeat five to 10 times.
Neck
Tilt head to one side. Hold 15 seconds. Repeat three times each way.
Lower back
Cross legs. Pull the top leg in for 10 seconds. Repeat three times a side.
Glutes
Squat from a seated position to a standing position 15 to 20 times.
Abs
Standing straight up, flex your abs. Hold for 10 seconds 20 times.
Copyright 2009 Men's Journal. First published in Men's Journal Magazine. (r) Distributed by Tribune Media Services.
lunes, 4 de enero de 2010
ERICK HEIDEN, COLUMNA SOBRE FITNESS, LA MEJOR MANERA DE COMENZAR EL 2010!!
ERIC HEIDEN, COLUMNA SOBRE FITNESS, LA MEJOR MANERA DE COMENZAR EL 2010!!
El cinco veces medallista olimpico de oro en la categoria de patinaje sobre hielo de velocidad y cirujano ortopedico Eric Heiden escribe ahora una nueva columna semanal sobre Fitness para Tribune Media Services (TMSI), la cual ya ha comenzado a distribuirse entre los medios escritos y on line alrededor del mundo.
Cada semana Heiden ofrecera a sus lectores consejos sobre los principios del fitness para una vida mejor y mas duradera desarrollados durante decadas como patinador, campeon en ciclismo, cirujano y consultor de varios equipos deportivos. El estara en Vancouver en Febrero como el doctor del equipo olimpico de patinaje de velocidad.
"Estamos muy emocionados de que uno de los atletas mas admirados en la historia moderna Americana estara escribiendo una columna semanalmente para TMSI y de esta forma ayudando a los lectores de todas partes del mundo que estan interesados en conseguir vidas mas saludables," dijo Mary Elson, Directora Editorial de TMSI. "La posicion unica de Eric como atleta de clase mundial y de medico vanguardista ofrecera una perspectiva como ninguna otra. Esperamos ofrecer su columna a los editores en un momento en el que muchos editores estan expandiendo su contenido de salud."
"Escribir una columna sera un gran forum para poder conectar con otros atletas y entusiastas de la salud y el ejercicio," comento Heiden. "Estoy orgulloso de lo que logre como patinador de velocidad, pero lo que estoy haciendo en mi practica medica y ahora con esta columna se ha convertido en mi logro mas gratificante."
Ademas de sus logros olimpicos, Heiden tambien se convirtio en un ciclista comprometido y compitio en el Tour de France en 1986. Hijo de un cirujano ortopedico quien a su vez se convirtio en un cirujano ortopedico, fue co-fundador del UC Davis Sports Performance Center en California, con su companero profesional de muchos anos Dr. Massimo Testa. Actualmente dirige el departamento de Medicina del Deporte en el Hospital de Especialidades Ortopedicas (TOSH) en Salt Lake City y es el co-director medico para el ciclismo en USA, tambien con el Dr. Testa.
Heiden tambien trabaja como medico de equipos para varios equipos profesionales (incluyendo a los equipos de basquetball Sacramento Kings y Monarcas) y para los eventos Olimpicos de patinaje sobre hielo de velocidad y ciclismo.
El cinco veces medallista olimpico de oro en la categoria de patinaje sobre hielo de velocidad y cirujano ortopedico Eric Heiden escribe ahora una nueva columna semanal sobre Fitness para Tribune Media Services (TMSI), la cual ya ha comenzado a distribuirse entre los medios escritos y on line alrededor del mundo.
Cada semana Heiden ofrecera a sus lectores consejos sobre los principios del fitness para una vida mejor y mas duradera desarrollados durante decadas como patinador, campeon en ciclismo, cirujano y consultor de varios equipos deportivos. El estara en Vancouver en Febrero como el doctor del equipo olimpico de patinaje de velocidad.
"Estamos muy emocionados de que uno de los atletas mas admirados en la historia moderna Americana estara escribiendo una columna semanalmente para TMSI y de esta forma ayudando a los lectores de todas partes del mundo que estan interesados en conseguir vidas mas saludables," dijo Mary Elson, Directora Editorial de TMSI. "La posicion unica de Eric como atleta de clase mundial y de medico vanguardista ofrecera una perspectiva como ninguna otra. Esperamos ofrecer su columna a los editores en un momento en el que muchos editores estan expandiendo su contenido de salud."
"Escribir una columna sera un gran forum para poder conectar con otros atletas y entusiastas de la salud y el ejercicio," comento Heiden. "Estoy orgulloso de lo que logre como patinador de velocidad, pero lo que estoy haciendo en mi practica medica y ahora con esta columna se ha convertido en mi logro mas gratificante."
Ademas de sus logros olimpicos, Heiden tambien se convirtio en un ciclista comprometido y compitio en el Tour de France en 1986. Hijo de un cirujano ortopedico quien a su vez se convirtio en un cirujano ortopedico, fue co-fundador del UC Davis Sports Performance Center en California, con su companero profesional de muchos anos Dr. Massimo Testa. Actualmente dirige el departamento de Medicina del Deporte en el Hospital de Especialidades Ortopedicas (TOSH) en Salt Lake City y es el co-director medico para el ciclismo en USA, tambien con el Dr. Testa.
Heiden tambien trabaja como medico de equipos para varios equipos profesionales (incluyendo a los equipos de basquetball Sacramento Kings y Monarcas) y para los eventos Olimpicos de patinaje sobre hielo de velocidad y ciclismo.
ERIC HEIDEN FITNESS COLUMN A GREAT START FOR 2010!!!
ERIC HEIDEN COLUMN A GREAT START FOR 2010!
Five-time Olympic gold-medalist speed skater and orthopedic surgeon Eric Heiden will write a new, weekly fitness column for Tribune Media Services (TMSI), which started just now to distribute it to print and online publishers around the word.
Each week Heiden offers readers advice on lifelong fitness principles developed over decades as a skater, champion cyclist, surgeon and consultant to many sports teams. He will be in Vancouver in February as team doctor for the United States Olympic speed-skating team.
“We are excited that one of the most admired athletes in modern American history will be writing a column for TMSI and helping readers everywhere who are interested in healthier lives,” said Mary Elson, managing editor of TMSI. “Eric’s unique position as a former world-class athlete and cutting-edge doctor will offer a perspective on fitness like no other. We’re looking forward to providing his column at a time that many publishers are expanding their health-care coverage.”
“Writing a column will be a great forum for me to connect with other athletes and exercise/health enthusiasts,” said Heiden. “I’m proud of what I did as a speed skater, but I find what I’m doing in my practice, and now with the column, to be my most rewarding accomplishment.”
Beyond his Olympic achievements, Heiden also became an accomplished cyclist and competed in the 1986 Tour de France. The son of an orthopedic surgeon who became an orthopedic surgeon himself, he co-founded the UC Davis Sports Performance Center in California, with his long-time professional partner, Dr. Massimo Testa. He now directs the Sports Medicine department at The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital (TOSH) in Salt Lake City and is the co-medical director for USA Cycling, also with Dr. Testa.
Heiden also works as team physician for several professional teams (including basketball's Sacramento Kings and Monarchs), and at Olympic speed-skating and cycling events.
Five-time Olympic gold-medalist speed skater and orthopedic surgeon Eric Heiden will write a new, weekly fitness column for Tribune Media Services (TMSI), which started just now to distribute it to print and online publishers around the word.
Each week Heiden offers readers advice on lifelong fitness principles developed over decades as a skater, champion cyclist, surgeon and consultant to many sports teams. He will be in Vancouver in February as team doctor for the United States Olympic speed-skating team.
“We are excited that one of the most admired athletes in modern American history will be writing a column for TMSI and helping readers everywhere who are interested in healthier lives,” said Mary Elson, managing editor of TMSI. “Eric’s unique position as a former world-class athlete and cutting-edge doctor will offer a perspective on fitness like no other. We’re looking forward to providing his column at a time that many publishers are expanding their health-care coverage.”
“Writing a column will be a great forum for me to connect with other athletes and exercise/health enthusiasts,” said Heiden. “I’m proud of what I did as a speed skater, but I find what I’m doing in my practice, and now with the column, to be my most rewarding accomplishment.”
Beyond his Olympic achievements, Heiden also became an accomplished cyclist and competed in the 1986 Tour de France. The son of an orthopedic surgeon who became an orthopedic surgeon himself, he co-founded the UC Davis Sports Performance Center in California, with his long-time professional partner, Dr. Massimo Testa. He now directs the Sports Medicine department at The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital (TOSH) in Salt Lake City and is the co-medical director for USA Cycling, also with Dr. Testa.
Heiden also works as team physician for several professional teams (including basketball's Sacramento Kings and Monarchs), and at Olympic speed-skating and cycling events.
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