ED Drugs Have Toxic Effect on Hearing
The Food and Drug Administration has approved labeling changes for erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs after finding the potential risk of sudden hearing loss caused by such products as Cialis, Levitra and
Viagra. A case report published earlier this year in the Journal of Laryngology & Otology concerning sudden hearing loss in a man taking Viagra, prompted a search of the FDA’s Adverse Events Reporting System for instances of hearing loss with ED drugs. After reviewing the results and finding a small percentage of users suffered sudden hearing loss, sometimes accompanied by ringing in the ears and dizziness, the FDA has asked manufacturers to change ED drug labels to correctly caution patients. For more information about this study, visit www.fda.gov/cder/drug /infopage/ed_drugs/QA.htm.
From Silence to Sound
Asian actress Jacqueline Law recently visited the Advanced Bionics headquarters in Valencia, Calif., as the final step to documenting her hearing journey. Law mysteriously lost her hearing about eight years ago while scuba diving. After deciding to get a cochlear implant (CI), Law began documenting the process on film. “The Deafening Sound of Silence and My Journey Back to Life” is scheduled to be released in spring 2008. For more, visit www.advancedbionics.com.
And while you’re at it, check out Advanced Bionics’ new Web site, www.BionicEar.com, a key feature of which is “The Journey to Hearing” – a guide to coping with hearing loss and the CI treatment option. The Web site also has a clinic locator, support information and personal stories of those who have benefited from Bionic Ears.
Murine’s Not Just for Eyes
Prestige Brands, Inc., announces the Murine™ Earigate™ Ear Cleansing System for preventing problematic ear wax build-up with a patented reverse-spray action that cleans the ear canal without putting pressure on sensitive eardrums. Murine Earigate Ear Cleansing System for Kids delivers the hypoallergenic solution made of isotonic, desalinated, 100 percent natural-source sea water but with 50 percent less force. Both products are available at $16.99 for 50 applications. Visit www.murine.com.
Hot Tips & News Clips
Virginia Commonwealth University received a two-year, $300,000 grant from the National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study how disabilities that are present at birth affect how physicians identify, evaluate and treat hearing loss in infants and young children. For more, visit www.news.vcu.edu and follow the link to “News Releases.”
New York City is the first in the U.S. to install induction loops in a pilot program for 15 taxis and at the northbound side of the Wall Street information booth. For more information call the Hearing Access Consortium at 212.988.8099.
2008 Abilities Expo is coming to New York, California and Minnesota. Test assistive listening devices and much more. Call 800.385.3085 or visit www.abilities expo.com.
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