Tag: Hearing Health

April 17, 2023

Q&A: Does Caffeine Affect Hearing and Balance?

Q: Is caffeine harmful?

A: This is one of the most loaded questions about everyday health. Many studies have been conducted on the effects of caffeine on the body. Some of these effects are positive and some are negative. Some studies suggest a correlation between moderate caffeine consumption and lower risks of some diseases, while others have shown the opposite. Different lifestyle and genetic factors determine whether caffeine is a healthful substance for you personally, so always check in with your physician before making decisions about which drugs to ingest and how much to use. Caffeine can also interact with certain medications and supplements, so it’s always a good idea to discuss your intake with a doctor if you have questions or concerns.

Q: How does caffeine impact hearing?

A: Frustratingly, the jury is still out on this, but here’s what we know so far:

One animal model study demonstrated that caffeine may impair the body’s ability to recover from acoustic trauma. Typically, the effects of acoustic trauma are temporary and resolve days or weeks after exposure, but test subjects given daily doses of caffeine and subsequently exposed to loud noise recovered their hearing more slowly than those without caffeine. These findings are important to consider, because if the same results are observed in humans, it could change how we approach hearing safety in a variety of environments.

Another study using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey discovered that tinnitus was less prevalent in daily coffee drinkers in the 19–39 and 40–64 age groups than in their peers who rarely drink coffee. It also suggested that brewed coffee may have preventative effects on hearing loss and tinnitus, but that other coffee preparations may induce tinnitus in some age groups.

A UK study found that coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of disabling hearing loss in men. It is thought that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of coffee are responsible, rather than caffeine content, since the result held true for both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffees. Interestingly, female coffee drinkers did not receive the same benefit.

Q: Does caffeine affect balance?

A: Possibly. According to a study from 2021, consumption of caffeinated beverages may enhance postural stability and voluntary motor control. Because caffeine is a stimulant, it increases attention, which can have an effect on a person’s balance. We’re not yet sure if caffeine affects the vestibular system directly, or if caffeine’s effect on the central nervous system is responsible for observed improvements in the posture and balance of the test subjects. More research is needed to understand these results.

If you’re experiencing hearing loss, tinnitus, or balance problems, please don’t wait. Contact us today to get your questions answered or to schedule an exam. We’re HEAR to help!

March 24, 2023

What Causes Itching Sensations in the Ear?

Next to pain, itching is probably the most uncomfortable physical sensation we experience. It is annoying, distracting, and in some cases, absolutely maddening. When that itching occurs in a place we can’t reach, it can be difficult to find relief, and our ear canals are the most common place unreachable itching occurs. Fortunately, most causes of deep ear itching are understood, and there are things we can do to alleviate or even prevent it.

ALLERGIES

One of the most common culprits of inner ear itching is allergies. The same histamine response that causes itchy hives on the skin, watery eyes, and sneezing can also cause the eustachian tube to become inflamed. Most of us will press on our tragus (that small flap of cartilaginous skin near the ear’s opening) and wiggle it vigorously to relieve the sensation, but the best home remedy is to take an antihistamine.

DRY SKIN

For the outer ear, itching is rarely a notable issue, since we can easily rub or scratch that itch away. It is usually caused by dry skin or irritants that come into contact with the skin. It is no different from itching on any other exposed part of the body, but if it becomes a nuisance, applying a bit of mineral oil or Vaseline to the affected area with a cotton swab can help rehydrate the skin and protect it from further irritation.

SKIN CONDITIONS

In addition to the superficial irritation from substances you come in contact with, two of the most common benign skin diseases, eczema and psoriasis, can also affect your ears. If scaling of the skin is present, one of these conditions will be suspected as the cause of your itching. Your hearing care provider and dermatologist can provide solutions.

INFECTION

Almost everyone has suffered an ear infection at some point in their lives, and when we think back on this experience, it is usually the pain that we remember the most, but itching can also be an important indicator of bacterial buildup in the middle ear. If the itching you feel is persistent and intense or accompanied by a throbbing sensation, schedule an appointment with your audiologist or ENT. Treating an infection at this
stage can save you from further discomfort down the road.

ANXIETY

You may be surprised to learn this, but simply being nervous, stressed, or feeling on edge can cause itching in any area of the body, including the ears!

What Can I Do to Relieve Itching?

As mentioned above, medication is usually the best method to relieve persistent itching deep in the ear, but there are also some over-the-counter remedies you can try. Commercial eardrops that dissolve wax can clear the ear of buildup and debris and relieve itching. Taking a hot shower or sipping a hot cup of tea may also help, as the heat dilates blood vessels and improves circulation to the ears. An added benefit of
this approach is that it is likely to relax you, which will reduce nervous itching.

Can I Prevent Itchy Ears?

The best way to prevent itching in any part of the ear is topractice good ear hygiene and avoid allergy triggers. While we are all tempted to clean our ears at home, this often does more harm than good. No foreign object should ever be inserted into the ear. This pushes wax deeper into the canal, which can cause everything from
painful blockages to that persistent itching we’re trying to avoid. Wax is actually a very important component of ear health; it keeps the inner ear waterproof and resistant to microbes. Gently washing the outer ear with a soft washcloth and warm water will rinse away any excess wax or debris and help keep dermatitis at bay. Click here for more information.

If you wear earrings, make sure they are made of a hypoallergenic metal
such as pure gold, sterling silver, or titanium, as some other metals (chiefly nickel) can react with the skin and cause itching. This is especially important for cartilage piercings.

Avoid getting excess water in your ears whenever possible. Swim with your head above the surface and consider wearing a shower cap while bathing. Switching to a shampoo formulated for sensitive skin can also cut down on ear irritation.

Steer clear of allergens whenever possible, and follow your allergy treatment plan.

And finally, when inserting hearing aids, earbuds, or any other device that fits into the ear, do sogently and carefully, and ensure the device is clean. It may seem like a small gesture, but anytime we place something in or near the ear canal, we’re potentially disrupting the ear’s natural biome.

If you’re dealing with itchy ears this spring, don’t hesitate to call our caring team for a consultation. We’re here to help!

March 3, 2023

How Loud Is It?

When Breaking Out the Power Tools, Protect Your Ears

Since childhood, you’ve probably heard the warnings about loud noises and hearing loss. Maybe you’ve even experienced the sensation of ear pain, ringing in the ears, a headache, or a moment of hearing difficulty after the piercing bang of a firecracker, a blast from an MP3 player on high volume, or an ice-crushing blender whirring at the fastest speed.

But how loud is too loud? As power tools get pulled out of storage for spring projects, let’s take a look at the level of noise they generate and what you can do. After all, hearing is one of the most important senses. Understanding the dangers of excess noise exposure — and how you can protect your ears — can go a long way toward preserving your hearing.

What’s the Problem?

It’s rather fascinating that sound can affect your health, but it’s also a fact. Your ears and brain work together to perceive and process sound. The cochlea, an organ within the inner ear, contains tiny hair cells that detect sound and send signals to the brain through the auditory nerve. Excess noise can damage the hair cells, leading to temporary or even permanent hearing loss.

Hearing loss not only might impact communication but can also:

Lead to withdrawal from social situations
Play a role in increased risk of balance issues and falls
Go hand in hand with dementia and other cognitive problems
Appear alongside tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears or head)

When Is It Too Loud?

As a measure of loudness, decibels play a critical role. Your own perception also matters, but sometimes unsafe volumes aren’t perceived to be as loud as they truly are. If you already have hearing loss, the sounds may not seem as loud but can still do damage. Generally, sounds that are 85 decibels or higher can be especially harmful. The louder the sound and the longer it lasts, the more dangerous it can be for your ears.

Consider these decibel estimates for some common power tools as well as other familiar sounds:

Whisper — 30 decibels
Typical conversations — 65 to 80 decibels
Lawnmowers — 80 to 100 decibels
Gas leaf blower — over 100 decibels
Sports games — 94 to 110 decibels
Hand drill — 98 decibels
Personal listening devices at highest volumes — 105 to 110 decibels
Chain saw — 110 decibels
Jet at takeoff — 140 decibels
Fireworks — 140 to 160 decibels

What Can You Do?

Power tools can be hard on the ears, making it all the more important to take control of your listening environment. Where to start? Look for equipment that’s rated for being quieter while still ticking all the performance boxes. With no power parts, reel mowers can do the job with a lot less noise, but electric, battery-operated, and even some quieter gas mowers might fit the bill, too.

Lowering the “volume” on your equipment can make a difference as well. You won’t find a volume knob, but a reduced speed setting — when appropriate for the job — might bring the noise level down. In addition, the user manual may provide options on limiting noise. And remember to take periodic breaks from using the equipment altogether, giving your ears a breather.

Steering clear of excess noise isn’t always possible, but hearing protection has your back. Earmolds with a variety of filter systems that help keep louder sounds at a safer, more reasonable level can help you tackle spring projects with confidence. The best part? They can be customized to the contours of your ear for an effective, snug, and comfortable fit.

Measuring Noise: Easy App

Did you know? The free NIOSH Sound Level Meter app, compatible with iOS-based mobile devices, can measure the sound level in your environment — at home, work, or play.

Using your phone or tablet’s built-in microphone, the easy-to-use app offers an instant decibel rating. It doesn’t replace professional instruments or expert opinion, but it can help approximate noise.

Check it out!

Count on us to help you seize the season. Have questions about noise-induced hearing loss or options for hearing protection? Reach out to our knowledgeable team today!

February 8, 2023

National Heart Month: Are Your Ears & Cardio Health Connected?

Take a Closer Look With These 5 Facts

What do hearing and your heart have in common? They both help you experience the world in your own unique way. And with National Heart Month celebrated in February, it’s a great time to talk about the importance of taking care of cardiovascular and ear health. They’re even more connected than you might think!

Check out these five facts:

1. Global Issue

Like hearing loss, which affects more than 1.5 billion children and adults, per the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease — including heart disease and stroke — is a global challenge affecting people of all walks of life. It’s the No. 1 killer worldwide, with nearly 18 million deaths annually, according to public-health estimates.

2. Higher Risk

A study reviewing national health surveys found that the majority of older adult respondents who had heart failure were also experiencing hearing loss, per a Harvard news report on the investigation. A separate study discovered that a history of heart attack could mean at least a two-fold chance of hearing loss for women.

3. Increased Mortality

Hearing loss alone is linked to a respective 13% and 28% increase in the odds of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. When hearing loss is paired with vision loss, the increase jumps to 40% and 80%, respectively. The reasons aren’t fully known, but ties between hearing loss and other conditions that contribute to physical frailty — cognitive decline, for example — are suspected factors.

4. Mitigating Factor

Both hypertension — a major contributor to development of heart disease — and hearing loss may play a significant role in curbing dementia globally. The UK-based Lancet Commission identified hypertension and hearing loss among 12 potentially modifiable risk factors that, when addressed, could prevent or delay 40% of dementia cases worldwide.

5. Blood Flow

Exactly how heart issues and hearing loss are connected isn’t yet conclusive in all cases. Cardiovascular disease, however, can cause decreased hearing sensitivity by actually restricting blood flow to the structures of the inner ear. These structures require blood flow for nourishment.

As you can see, taking care of both your heart and your hearing supports overall health in more ways than one. Some risk factors such as age and family history can’t be helped, but healthy choices such as avoiding tobacco, choosing a nutritious diet, taking up physical activities, and scheduling regular health checkups can make a difference in helping prevent either condition.

If you have or suspect heart-health issues, see your cardiologist and make sure professional hearing help is also part of your wellness plan. Our knowledgeable team can evaluate any hearing problems and provide solutions that help keep you healthy and connected to what you love. Contact us today!

December 27, 2022

Tips to Help You Live Longer With Hearing Loss

It’s Not Just About Hearing

Hearing loss can affect not only your well-being but your overall quality of life as well. If you have hearing loss, read on for ways to be the happiest, healthiest you.

Hearing Loss and Falls Are Linked

Research backs up the connection between hearing loss and falls. In one study, those with at least a mild hearing loss fell more often than those with healthy hearing. In fact, the odds of a fall increased as hearing loss worsened — falls were 1.4 times more likely for each 10-decibel increase in hearing loss.

One possible cause is that hearing loss robs your brain of resources. As more brainpower becomes devoted to hearing, less is available for postural control, which increases the risk of falling.

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA):

Falling is the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans.
Falls threaten safety and independence, and they generate enormous economic and personal costs.
Falls result in more than 3 million injuries treated in emergency departments annually, including over 800,000 hospitalizations.

Hearing Technology Can Help

In a study from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, participants with hearing loss had better balance when using hearing aids than when they didn’t. Senior author Timothy E. Hullar explained they seemed to use “the sound information coming through their hearing aids as auditory reference points or landmarks to help maintain balance.”

Lifestyle and Hearing Are Linked

A study done by Age and Ageing looked at hearing loss alongside disability and mortality in older men. The study found that, compared with those with no hearing loss, those with hearing loss have a greater risk of mobility problems and difficulties when performing daily activities. It also found that men with hearing loss have a greater risk of dying of any cause.

In a different study, it was reported that hearing loss is 5.5 times more prevalent in men than in women. In particular, those with high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as smokers of more than 20 years, are more likely to have a hearing loss.

Hearing Technology Can Help

A study done by the National Council on Aging found that people who used hearing aids reported an increased sense of independence and safety, as well as improvements in depression, anxiety, and social isolation compared with the time before they treated their hearing loss.

Nutrition Affects Your Hearing

Nutrients are a great first-line defense against hearing loss, especially folate and omega-3 fatty acids.

Folate, a B vitamin, helps prevent age-related hearing loss. It does this by regulating the amount of homocysteine (an amino acid) in your system. A lack of homocysteine reduces blood flow to the inner ear, resulting in hearing loss. Good sources of folate include broccoli, leafy green vegetables, pulses, and liver.

Omega-3 fatty acids are a building block of your cell membranes. They fight inflammation, too. These are two properties that make omega-3 fatty acids ideal protectors of hearing health, and research backs this up. It’s well established that omega-3 fatty acids do, indeed, prevent age-related hearing loss. Good sources of this nutrient are fish, nuts, seeds, plant oils, and fortified foods.

Hearing Technology Can Help

If you do have age-related hearing loss, it’s easy to miss out on children laughing in another room, birds chirping, or your sweetheart’s whispered “I love you.” It’s these little moments that make life so rich. But hearing technology is now so advanced that you can adjust your settings to your surroundings.

Don’t miss another moment — contact us today!

May 3, 2022

Allergies and Hearing Loss — What’s the Connection?

A: This is a great question! Let’s start with some allergy basics.

Allergies

An allergy is when your body’s defenses overreact to something that is not typically harmful. These are called allergens, and common ones include latex, pet dander, and peanuts.

When you come across an allergen, your immune system goes into defensive mode. Chemicals called histamines flood your body and where you encountered the allergen.

The Allergic Response

Histamines are like security guards — once released, they do what’s needed to remove the allergen. Reactions such as inflammation, itchiness, and excess mucus production result. But how does this cause hearing loss?

Seasonal Allergies and Hearing Loss

Because the allergic reactions leading to hearing loss so often involve seasonal allergies, that’s where we’ll focus. Other allergies, such as those triggered by mold or pets, would also work as examples.

The outer ear

Let’s use pollen as our allergen example. We’ll begin with the effects on the outer ear:

Pollen lands in or near your ear canal
Histamines kick into high gear and try to remove the allergen
Inflammation, itching, and possibly swelling begin
A strong enough reaction blocks sound trying to get to your eardrum
Hearing loss is the result

The middle ear

Continuing with pollen as our allergen example, let’s look at the effects on the middle ear:

Pollen lands in your nostril or nasal passage
Histamines kick into high gear and try to remove the allergen
Inflammation and excessive mucus production begin
Mucus builds up in your middle ear
Your Eustachian tube, which drains excess mucus from your middle ear, becomes blocked (from inflammation or mucus)
Discomfort, hearing loss, or an infection result

The inner ear

Finally, continuing with pollen, the effects of allergies on the inner ear are:

Pollen lands in your nostril or nasal passage
Histamines kick into high gear and try to remove the allergen
Inflammation and excessive mucus production begin
These have been known to worsen symptoms of other ear-related problems, such as Ménière’s disease, which includes symptoms such as hearing loss, balance issues, and tinnitus

As you can see, it’s simple cause and effect — and the cause is usually inflammation, mucus, or a combination of both in the tiny passageways in your ears.

Contact us today if you think your hearing issue could be more than the temporary effects of seasonal allergies!

April 28, 2022

Give Mom the Gift of Better Hearing This Mother’s Day

Hearing on Her Terms Makes Moments More Special

Moms are a busy bunch.

These duty-juggling, many-hats-wearing heroes can be hard-pressed to find time for themselves. So whether they’re hitting the dance floor, perfecting their golf game, catching up with a BFF, or scaling a rock wall, they can enjoy those special moments even more with healthy hearing. And you can help!

Recognizing the Signs

Is your mom, or a mom you know, missing out on the sounds of her life? Potential hearing loss has many signs. She may often turn up the TV, say “Huh?” or “What?” in response to clear questions, and have trouble following phone conversations or video calls.

Withdrawal from social situations can also signify a hearing issue. Your mom might not even realize she’s pulling away from her life. And it’s not uncommon for people to put off life-changing hearing help for more than a decade even after a diagnosis of hearing loss.

Mom might need a loving nudge in the right direction.

Better Hearing, Better Life

The benefits of seeking hearing care can go far beyond better communication. We love seeing patients reconnect with family, friends, and favorite hobbies thanks to a whole new world of sound in their lives.

And with hearing loss linked to other conditions, including dementia, cardiovascular disease, depression, and falls, it’s encouraging that a growing body of research connects improved hearing to better cognitive health and other benefits.

Modern, Invisible Technology

The traditional barriers to seeking hearing care — feeling stigmatized for needing a hearing aid, for example — are things of the past. Today’s technology is not only practically invisible, but it also works seamlessly and continuously with the environment to maximize the wearer’s experience no matter where they go.

Some of today’s sophisticated hearing instruments can even work alone or with apps on compatible smartphones and tablets, handling activities such as:

Conveniently controlling hearing aid settings through the smartphone or tablet
Streaming TV, music, phone calls, and other audio straight to the ears
Tracking brain and body health to help with fitness planning
Communicating with people of other languages through real-time translation
Enjoying remote care — including professional hearing aid adjustments — in the comfort of home

Reuniting your mom with the sounds she loves could be just a visit away. Contact us today to schedule a hearing consultation that could change her life. We’re here to help!

September 8, 2021

6 Ways to Keep Your Hearing Loss From Getting Worse

Looking Out for Your Hearing Health Is Even Easier Than You Think

If you have hearing loss, you’re not alone. With an estimated 466 million children and adults living with disabling hearing loss, per the World Health Organization, it’s one of the most common chronic physical conditions around the globe.

Though most types of hearing loss cannot be reversed, they can often be successfully managed with today’s innovative technology. And there are empowering ways you can keep your hearing loss from getting worse. Read on for six tips to do just that.

Avoid Noisy Environments

Among the most preventable causes of hearing loss, harmful noise levels — especially those reaching 85 decibels or higher — can do a number on your ears. The damage could be temporary or permanent. And it can worsen with greater noise exposure. When possible, avoiding harmful noise levels altogether is the best bet.

Wear Hearing Protection

Of course, avoiding excess noise isn’t always practical — especially if it’s part of your occupation. Whether you’re working around jet engines, calling games amid the whistles and cheers of a packed arena, or operating machinery at a farm, workplaces can be loud. That’s where hearing protection comes in. We recommend custom protection for even more effectiveness and a secure fit.

Address Earwax Buildup

Excess cerumen, or earwax buildup, can also be the culprit in worsening hearing loss. Typically your ears naturally push out excess wax, but sometimes the accumulation can form a blockage. To remove an earwax plug, gently soften it with drops of warmed olive oil, almond oil water, or a commercial solution — as long as you don’t have an eardrum perforation.

Beware of Ototoxicity

Some medications, including certain drugs used to fight cancer, can be ototoxic, or damaging to the inner ear, potentially leading to hearing loss or worsening of existing hearing difficulties. Rather than stopping the medication if prescribed, talk to your doctor or another provider about the risks, potential alternatives, and possible ways to mitigate any threats to your hearing.

Think Total Wellness

It’s easy to think of hearing loss as just an isolated challenge, but it can go hand in hand with other conditions, such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, dementia, and other health problems. Though cause and effect aren’t necessarily conclusive in all cases of hearing loss, staying dedicated to total wellness can potentially go a long way toward helping preserve your current hearing levels.

Lean Into Technology

As mentioned early in this story, today’s exciting, advanced technology plays a big role in successfully managing hearing loss. With the help of a licensed hearing care professional and solutions tailored to your needs, you can discover a whole new world of sound. Using hearing technology also helps you preserve the hearing you have.

So don’t wait. Take steps to preserve your hearing today. If it’s been a while since your last hearing check, or your current hearing devices don’t seem to help as much as they used to, contact us for an evaluation. We’re committed to helping you hear your best!

August 31, 2021

Golfers: 5 Reasons to Keep Your Hearing Health in Shape

Why Would a Hearing Care Provider Be Writing About Golf?

If you play golf, you already know one swing of the club is a complex matter. A half-inch difference in heel placement could mean a solid shot or a ball taking a swim.

But one thing golfers depend on, even more than they realize, is their hearing. Here are five ways hearing health supports your golf game.

The Sound of the Clubhead Meeting the Ball

Anyone who has played long enough knows the sweet spot. It’s the sound of your clubhead hitting the ball just right. Distance and accuracy are all but guaranteed with that sweet-spot combination of tone and volume.

Sound is just as important, though, for recognizing when — and how — your clubhead hits the ball wrong. It gives you the information you need to adjust the next shot. This is especially important for chipping and putting, where you want finesse over power.

The Sounds of Camaraderie

A big part of the game is the people involved. Strategizing, heckling, and catching up on each other’s lives is half the enjoyment — and a big reason why many of us pick up the game in the first place.

But it doesn’t stop there. You also hear the heckles, encouragement, and laughter on the other fairways and greens. You might even get to know the people in the group in front of you — or behind you — if it’s a busy day on the links.

The Sound of Danger

Danger? On a golf course? Yes! And you need to be able to hear dangers in advance.

There are surprising dangers — like rattlesnakes and bear cubs — as well as more common ones. Even the best golfers can flub a shot, sending it sailing into another fairway or tee box. And errant, speeding golf carts abound, especially when playing a scramble and when the best shot is “just over this hill, I know it!”

“Golfers, beware,” indeed!

Sure Footing

Sometimes, hearing loss can indeed affect your balance. Every aspect of your game depends on good balance, though, from setup to follow-through. The results of mixing poor balance and golf can range from minor — a missed shot — to major, such as a thrown club, a golf cart accident, or a fall.

Keeping Your Head in the Game

Golf takes brainpower. Strategy and focus are key to a good round. Hearing loss, though, has been linked to cognitive decline. Thinking, remembering, and even your ability to keep your head in the game can suffer. In fact, in one study, seniors with hearing loss experienced cognitive issues 30% to 40% faster than their peers without hearing loss. Hearing aid use, however, may slow cognitive decline by as much as 75%.

A Note in Conclusion

Even way back in 2009, the growing popularity of thin-faced titanium drivers was cause for concern. One study compared the sound of a King Cobra club meeting the ball to a gun blast or sonic boom! If you enjoy using clubs such as the King Cobra — or if you’ve simply noticed that your club packs quite a sonic wallop — consider using hearing protection. There are many kinds available, and some, such as earplugs for musicians, allow you to enjoy conversations and ambient sounds around you but block levels that could damage your hearing.

Contact us today if you think you’d benefit from a hearing evaluation or hearing protection!

June 16, 2021

Could Healthy Hearing Help People With Movement Disorders?

Your ears and your brain are fast friends. In fact, it seems like a new connection is reported every few months. There’s even a growing body of research showing that untreated hearing loss is linked to dementia.

That’s why we encourage annual hearing checkups. Catching changes in hearing early keeps a host of other issues at bay. And we’re just scratching the surface of what we know about the ear-brain connection.

Your ears and brain are so well connected, in fact, that one recent study in Scientific Reports is based on a link the researchers discovered on accident. It’s a link that could improve the assistive devices used by people with movement disorders or limb loss.

Brain-Computer Interfaces

A research team called BrainGate develops brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). These are implants that use nerve signals in the brain to manipulate assistive devices such as prosthetic limbs. Most BCI implants are put in a part of the brain that controls planning to act called the motor cortex. The BrainGate team wondered how workable it was to gather nerve signals earlier than that, though.

Could they use nerve signals from an area of the brain responsible for the simple urge to act — before the planning-to-act brain region gets involved? If so, they might be able to speed up BCI response times.

An Accidental Discovery

One clinical trial participant, because of a spinal cord injury, no longer had the use of his arms and legs. During a simple movement exercise that involved visual cues, his brain was monitored by fMRI. It showed activity in a certain area of this urge-to-act region of his brain.

They repeated the experiment with the BCI implant, instead of fMRI. To their surprise, the implant didn’t register activity in that same area. But while reviewing data from a related research session, they found something equally surprising. During the movement exercise, when they used verbal — not visual — cues, the implant picked up strong signals from that same urge-to-act area.

A Study With Only One Participant

To the BrainGate team, it seemed like this urge-to-act area didn’t care at all about visual cues, only sound-based cues. They designed a new study using the BCI implant to test their hypothesis. It had a sample size of only one — that same spinal-cord-injury participant mentioned above — and the research alternated between visual-only and sound-based-only cues.
They found that the urge-to-act area responded to sound-based cues but not to visual cues. They also found that the planning-to-act area responded to both, and had no preference either way.
The results were published in Scientific Reports in the article “Auditory cues reveal intended movement information in middle frontal gyrus neuronal ensemble activity of a person with tetraplegia.”

Why It Matters

The BrainGate team has some successes under their belt. People with spinal cord injury, brainstem stroke, and ALS have managed to control a computer cursor simply by thinking about the corresponding limb movement. In clinical research, they’ve managed intuitive control over advanced prosthetic limbs. Plus, people with paralysis have enjoyed easy control over powerful external devices.

By discovering that this urge-to-act area responds to sound cues, they can use it as a complement to the planning-to-act area, and BCI implants can gather movement data from two different regions of the brain. The researchers hope to one day use BCIs to enable reliable, intuitive, naturally controlled movement of paralyzed limbs.

And healthy hearing could be an important piece of this exciting puzzle.