Tag Archives: hearing

AirPods Pro 3 vs. Hearing Aids: A Comparative Test

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I didn’t think too much when I asked my partner to repeat what they said. But I found myself doing it again and again. Eventually, my audiologist confirmed that I had moderate high-frequency hearing loss due to years spent near loud noises in a war zone. I needed hearing aids. The options she presented were around $7,000.


The price tag had a greater impact on me than the diagnosis itself. In the U.S., hearing aids generally lack insurance coverage, requiring out-of-pocket payment. I found a feasible alternative at Costco, where I bought the Jabra Enhance Pro 20s for $1,600. It took a month for me to adapt to the digital adjustments, but I finally restored my ability to hear normally.

Now, there’s another possibility: Apple’s AirPods Pro 3, priced at $249. They cater to 28.8 million Americans who require hearing aids but avoid them due to cost, stigma, or sheer obstinacy. The FDA gave the green light for its predecessor, the AirPods Pro 2, as an over-the-counter hearing aid in September 2024, and the new version is reported to provide even more fidelity. A friend gifted me a pair for my birthday, offering the ideal chance to evaluate their performance in everyday situations.

Apple AirPods Pro 3




Photo: Provided by Amazon
$249 on Amazon

$249 at Walmart

Nearly 50 million Americans see that only 16% of adults between 20 and 69 with some hearing loss have ever used hearing aids. The consequences can be severe: adults with hearing loss are 58% more likely to be unemployed and earn 25% less when they are. Untreated hearing loss is a major risk factor for dementia, as highlighted by the 2020 Lancet Commission.

The average American tends to wait 7 to 10 years from the onset of symptoms to seek assistance. Financial constraints are often the primary barrier to treatment, with traditional hearing aids running anywhere from $2,000 to $7,000. Stigma also plays a role—no one relishes the idea of appearing older.

Assessing Hearing Loss




Photo: Club Photo/Getty Images

Before utilizing AirPods as a hearing aid, you can complete a 10-minute self-test to pinpoint the specific areas of hearing loss or upload the results of a professional audiogram from an audiologist. I had just undergone such an exam 18 months prior and compared the lab results to what Apple could offer.

My clinical examination indicated typical noise-induced damage: mild to moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss, particularly at higher frequencies where consonants are detected. iPhone tests conducted in my quiet home office matched this pattern but with less intensity. My average loss registered at 33-34 dBHL (decibel hearing level), compared to 35-45 dBHL from my audiologist.


“AirPods won’t match the precision of calibrated devices in a testing booth, but they’re surprisingly effective,” noted Dr. David Zappala, president of the American Academy of Audiology. “The improvements from prior models and other devices are distinct…A standard audiogram can have a variation of plus or minus 5 dB, so a 10 dB difference falls within expected fluctuations.”

After a day of comparing my professional audiogram to the profile generated by Apple, certain distinctions emerged. The iPhone settings dulled some sibilance; the “s” sound lost sharpness, and hard consonants like “k” and “d” were slightly punchy. Still, conversational clarity remained intact. My partner noticed no differences in the sound of my voice, regardless of the device I was using.

Do AirPods Really Compete with Hearing Aids?




Photo: Christopher Allbritton/The Guardian

Sound quality: Jabras aim for “acoustic transparency,” enabling ambient sounds to blend seamlessly with enhanced audio, achieving a natural listening experience. They perform adequately in restaurant settings by distinguishing speech from background noise.

AirPods create what I refer to as “amplified reality.” The sound is bright and clear, yet retains a digital sheen that never completely subsides.

Battery life: No issues here. My Jabra lasts 24-30 hours on a single charge, while the AirPods last up to 10 hours. Although a quick 15-minute charge can extend usage by about 3 hours, it’s essential to consider your schedule regarding charging opportunities.

Occlusion effect: This effect results in a muffled sound when the ear canal is blocked, resonating within the skull and altering voice perception. Both devices seek to mitigate this issue, albeit in different ways.

Jabra design does not fully seal the ear, allowing external sounds to blend naturally with the amplified audio. On the other hand, AirPods close off the ear, requiring all incoming sounds, including one’s voice, to undergo digital processing, potentially making it sound overly loud.




Photo: Christopher Allbritton/The Guardian

Social recognition: Jabra is nearly invisible, with a small clear wire extending into my ear from a discreet component behind my ear. My partner mentions that people need to be looking carefully to even notice them.

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Conversely, AirPods are quite noticeable. Most people assume I’m listening to music, but there are instances when they hesitate to engage with me, thinking I could either be busy with music or on a call. Once I’ve clarified that I’m using them as a hearing aid, conversations flow as usual, often with surprise over AirPods’ capabilities.

Real-World Limitations

In noisy environments: At social gatherings and bars, Jabra effectively manages overlapping dialogues, while AirPods might unintentionally amplify the wrong audio or create confusion amid multiple conversations.

Music: It’s no surprise that AirPods outperform Jabras in music performance. AirPods leverage the same audiogram to enhance media streaming. Listening to Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue, each instrument stood out vividly; whereas Jabra rendered music resembling a small AM radio, which didn’t meet my expectations. But then again, that’s not their primary function.

Cost

My $1,600 Jabra package included three years of complimentary tune-ups, cleaning, and customer support. In contrast, AirPods ($249) lack any professional assistance. If you can’t adjust the amplification to match your specific hearing loss, you’re left with only Apple’s algorithms and some trial and error.


Who Should Buy What?




Photo: Christopher Allbritton/The Guardian

Consider AirPods Pro if:

  • You have mild to moderate hearing loss.

  • You need occasional situational support rather than all-day use.

  • You frequently use an iPhone or AirPods.

  • You want to test hearing aids before committing significant funds.

Stick with traditional hearing aids if:

  • You have moderate to severe hearing loss.

  • You need batteries that endure all day.

  • You can afford higher costs.

  • You want professional support.

If You’re Unsure, Give Them a Try

While AirPods Pro 3 aren’t flawless hearing aids, at $249, they serve as an excellent first choice for the 28 million Americans who haven’t sought treatment for hearing loss. They are accessible, budget-friendly, and help reduce stigma.

I primarily rely on my Jabra, a specialized device made for one purpose. However, I keep AirPods handy for music and calls, and occasionally, I prefer something that doesn’t sit deeply inside my ear canal. Sometimes, you can achieve 80% effectiveness for just 15% of the price.

If you think you could benefit, I encourage you to try them. You might catch a distant chat with your grandchild or a joke you missed at a dinner gathering.

“When I suggest them, I’m guiding people to opt for an easy first step,” Zappala states. “Try AirPods. There’s minimal risk in terms of money or time. Even if they fall short, you’ll still enjoy your music.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

Barrister Discovers AI Assistance in Hearing Preparation After Referencing ‘Hypothetical’ Case

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A judge discovered that an immigration barrister had utilized AI for his court proceedings by referencing “completely fabricated” or “entirely irrelevant” cases.

Chaudhry Rahman was reported to have employed tools like ChatGPT in preparing for legal inquiries, as presented in court. It was revealed that Rahman not only relied on AI for his preparations but also “failed to perform necessary accuracy checks” on his work.

Superior Court Judge Mark Blundell stated that Rahman attempted to obscure his use of AI, effectively “wasting” the court’s time. Blundell indicated he might report Rahman to the Bar Standards Board. The Guardian has reached out to Rahman’s firm for a response.

This situation emerged during the case involving two Honduran sisters seeking asylum due to threats from criminal groups in their homeland. Rahman represented the sisters, aged 29 and 35, and the matter progressed to Superior Court.

Mr. Blundell dismissed Mr. Rahman’s claims, asserting: “Nothing articulated by Mr. Rahman, either verbally or in writing, indicates any legal error by the judge, and the appeal should be rejected.”

In an exceptional statement, Blundell later noted there were “significant issues” with the appeal’s grounds as presented to him.

He remarked that Rahman’s documentation referenced 12 authorities, but upon reviewing the evidence, he discovered that “some of these authorities did not exist, while others did not substantiate the legal claims made in the evidence.”

In his ruling, he enumerated 10 such instances and clarified “what Mr. Rahman claimed regarding those incidents, whether real or hypothetical.”

Mr. Blundell remarked: “Mr. Rahman appeared to lack any knowledge of the authorities cited in the appeal, which were purportedly resolved in July of this year. It was evident he did not intend to accept my views on any of the judgments submitted.”

“Certain decisions were nonexistent. Not a single decision supported the legal proposition presented in the basis.”

Mr. Blundell pointed out that Mr. Rahman’s assertion of using “various websites” for his research was thus deceptive.

Blundell asserted: “The most plausible explanation…is that the appeal grounds were drafted, wholly or partly, by generative artificial intelligence like ChatGPT.”

“I am acutely aware that one of the cases mentioned in Mr. Rahman’s appeal was recently misapplied by ChatGPT to endorse a similar argument.”

Rahman explained to the judge that the discrepancies in his rationale were “a consequence of his drafting style” and admitted there might have been some “confusion and ambiguity” in his submission.

Mr. Blundell stated: “The issue I’ve outlined is not merely a matter of drafting style. The authorities referenced in the rationale either did not exist or failed to support that rationale.”

He added: “In my opinion, it is overwhelmingly probable that Mr. Rahman employed generative artificial intelligence to formulate his grounds of appeal in this case and endeavored to conceal that from me during the hearing.”

“Even if Mr. Rahman believed, for any reason, that these cases somehow bolstered the argument he intended to present, he cannot justify the entirely fictitious citations.”

“In my view, the only plausible scenario is that Mr. Rahman heavily relied on AI generation while preparing his evidence and sought to hide that fact during discussions with me at the hearing.”

The judge’s ruling was issued in September and made public on Tuesday.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Video Shown at House UAP Hearing Seems to Capture Missiles Targeting Objects Near Yemen

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During a House Committee hearing on “unidentified, unusual phenomena,” videos were presented, allegedly depicting missiles being launched in 2024 at an object referred to as an “orb” off the coast of Yemen.

The videos were part of a task force convened to discuss the declassification of federal secrets, focusing on “unidentified anomalous phenomena” (UAP), which refers to unexplained objects spotted in the sky.

Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) indicated that the footage was captured on October 30, 2024, showcasing an unidentified object tracked by an MQ-9 drone, commonly known as a Reaper.

Burlison stated that a second MQ-9 drone, not visible in the video, launched a Hellfire missile at the object.

The footage appears to show a missile speeding from the left side of the screen, striking the object, which then appears to deform and fall, with a small item faintly emerging from behind it.

Burlison commented, “It continued, and it looked like the fragments were drawn to it. I’m not going to speculate on what it is, but why are we being kept from this information?”

He added that the video originates from whistleblowers and that an independent review is currently underway.

The Task Force on Declassification of Federal Secrets was established in February by the House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer, to “examine the Confidentialization of Materials in the Public Interest.” I stated it back then.

Tuesday’s hearing was titled “Restore public trust through UAP transparency and whistleblower protection.”

The public has long been intrigued by the existence of UAPs, often known as UFOs, which could signify evidence of extraterrestrial life or undisclosed programs, yet neither narrative has provided definitive proof.

In November 2024, the Pentagon released its annual report on UAPs, stating that some reported sightings were identified as balloons, birds, or unmanned aerial systems.

According to the report, several cases were closed due to insufficient evidence for analysis, while 21 cases were flagged for further investigation. The Department of Defense’s All Domain Anomaly Resolution Office is leading the charge to gather and analyze UAP reports.

The report emphasizes, “To date, AARO has not found evidence of extraterrestrial existence, activity, or technology.”

Furthermore, it noted that “none of these resolved cases demonstrate advanced foreign hostile capabilities or groundbreaking aerospace technology.”

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) expressed during the hearing that skepticism regarding UAPs leads to rushed conclusions.

“For too long, the matter of unidentified, unusual phenomena, commonly referred to as UAPs, has been shrouded in secrecy, stigma, and sometimes outright dismissal,” she stated. “Today, I want to clarify: this is not science fiction or conjecture.”

She emphasized that this issue pertains to national security and “the right of the American people to know,” noting she has engaged with many military whistleblowers.

U.S. Air Force veteran Dylan Boland recounted at the hearing that he encountered a UAP in 2012 while stationed at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.

Borland, an expert in geospatial information, described returning to the barracks to witness “a long, 100-foot equilateral triangle taking off near the base’s NASA hangar.”

“The craft that disrupted my phone was silent, and its material appeared fluid or dynamic,” he reported. “I was directly beneath this triangular craft for several minutes, and in seconds it ascended to commercial jet elevation without any noticeable motion impairment, sound, or wind displacement.”

It remains unclear what the object was off the coast of Yemen when the missile was reportedly fired.

Luna shared with NBC News on Tuesday evening that she is uncertain about the object’s identity in the video, but believes the public deserves both answers and access to a video that has been overly classified by the government.

“I haven’t heard of balloons that can behave like this particular object,” she remarked.

“But what I assert is that, in the name of science and national security, we must obtain answers to these questions and treat this issue with the seriousness it warrants,” she concluded.

Military tensions around Yemen heightened after Houthi rebels targeted commercial vessels in November 2023. Iran-backed extremists claimed their objective was to support Hamas amid the conflict in Gaza.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Former CDC Director Susan Monarez Gives Testimony at Senate Committee Hearing

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WASHINGTON – The Senate Committee responsible for overseeing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will hold a hearing next week featuring testimonies from former CDC director Susan Monares, who was unexpectedly dismissed after the Trump administration pressured her to resign.

Senator Bill Cassidy, who chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, will conduct the hearing on September 17th, focusing on CDC oversight. Dr. Debra Howie, who resigned as the chief medical officer after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ousted Monares, is also anticipated to testify, as indicated by a committee spokesperson.

“For the sake of our children’s health, the American public deserves to know what is happening within the CDC,” Cassidy stated on Tuesday night. “Parents need reassurance that their children’s health is a priority, and radical transparency is the only way to achieve that.”

The Advisory Committee on Vaccination Practices is set to convene the next day, September 18th.

Along with the hour-long session, Kennedy’s attempts to reform the vaccine advisory panel will not include Dr. Demetre Daskarakis, who led the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, nor Dr. Daniel Gernigan, who headed another national center.

After Monares was dismissed, Cassidy, a physician who played a crucial role in confirming Kennedy as health secretary, urged that the Vaccine Advisory Committee’s meeting be postponed until thorough oversight can be conducted.

“If the meeting takes place, any recommendations should be deemed illegitimate due to the serious concerns surrounding CDC leadership and the current state of confusion,” he stated in a release last month.

In an op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal, Monares claimed she was let go after Kennedy allegedly refused to approve the recommendations of the panel during an August 25 meeting, shortly before her recent Congressional testimony, where she asserted she declined to support him when he appeared before the Senate Finance Committee this month.

“It is vital that panel recommendations undergo rigorous and scientific evaluation before acceptance or rejection, rather than being treated as mere formalities,” Monares remarked.

Kennedy’s hearing featured numerous tense exchanges between Cassidy and the Democratic senators, with the secretary defending his vaccine stance and articulating his policies aimed at addressing vaccine skepticism among panel members.

Monares’ legal representatives also condemned Kennedy’s testimony, labeling his claims as “false and at times absurd” in a statement issued following the hearing.

Brennan Leach and Frank Thorpe V reported from Zaw Richards of New York from Washington.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Apple Introduces Enhanced Accessibility Features for Individuals with Vision and Hearing Impairments

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Apple has unveiled an extensive array of iOS accessibility features aimed at supporting individuals with visual and auditory impairments, challenging the perception that Apple’s hardware pricing makes accessibility costly.

Ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day on Thursday, May 15th, Apple revealed its upcoming accessibility features, which will debut later this year. These include live captions, personal audio replication, tools for reading enhancement, upgraded Braille readers, and “nutrition labels.”

The nutrition labels mandate developers to outline the accessibility features available within their apps, such as voiceover, voice control, or large text options.


Sarah Herrlinger, senior director of Apple’s Global Accessibility Policy and Initiative, expressed to Guardian Australia her hope that the nutrition label will empower developers to create more accessibility options in the future.

“[It] gives them a real opportunity to understand what it means to be accessible and why they should pursue it and expand upon it,” she remarked.

“By doing this, we’re giving them the chance to evolve. There might be aspects they are already excelling in.”

The company has also enhanced its Magnifier app, bringing it to Mac, enabling users to utilize their camera or connected iPhone to zoom in on screens or whiteboards during lectures to read presentations.

The updated Braille functionalities allow for note-taking with Braille screen input or compatible Braille devices, along with calculations using Nemeth Braille, a standardized Braille code used in mathematics and science.




Apple’s new live listening accessibility features enable your iPhone or iPad to function as a microphone and transmit sounds to your hearing device. Photo: Apple

The enhanced personal audio feature allows users to replicate their voice using just 10 phrases, improving on previous models that demanded 150 phrases and required an overnight wait for the model to be processed. Apple assures that this voice replication will remain on the device unless password-protected and backed up to iCloud, where it will be encrypted, minimizing the risk of unauthorized use.

Herrlinger noted that as advancements in artificial intelligence have emerged at Apple, the accessibility team has actively sought ways to incorporate these innovations into their initiatives.

“We have been collaborating closely with the AI team over the years, ensuring we leverage the latest advancements as new opportunities arise,” she stated.


Google’s Android operating system offers several comparable accessibility features, such as live captions, Braille readers, and magnifying tools. New AI-supported features were announced this week.

Apple’s live caption feature, Live Listen, allows users to utilize AirPods to enhance audio in settings like lecture halls. In addition to live captions, Apple has recently introduced functionality that enables individuals with hearing loss to utilize AirPods as hearing aids.

While Apple’s hardware is typically viewed as high-end in the smartphone market, Herrlinger disputes the notion that the company’s accessibility options come at a premium, emphasizing that these features are built into the operating system at no additional cost.

“It’s available out of the box without extra charges,” she asserted.

“Our aim is to develop various accessibility features because we understand that each individual’s experience in the world is unique. Different people utilize various accessibility tools to aid them, whether it’s a single challenge or multiple.”

Herrlinger mentioned that it would be more cost-effective for customers to access multiple features on key devices.

“Now, they’re all integrated into a single device that has the same price for everyone,” she remarked. “Thus, in our view, it’s about making accessibility more democratic within the operating system.”

Chris Edwards, Head of Corporate Affairs at Vision Australia, commended the company for embedding accessibility features into their products and operating systems, highlighting his own experience as a blind individual with a Seeing Eye Dog.

“I believe that interpreting images through the new features enhances accessibility for all. The ability to interpret images in real-time is a significant step towards improving lives,” he stated.

“The new accessibility features seem particularly beneficial for students in educational settings, reinforcing that Braille remains a crucial mode of communication.”

Source: www.theguardian.com

US v. Google: Key Arguments from Both Sides in the Search Monopoly Hearing

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Over the last three weeks, the Department of Justice and Google have questioned over 20 witnesses in an effort to influence a federal judge’s ruling regarding the company’s unlawful monopoly in internet searches.

The hearing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Friday is anticipated to yield conclusions. To address the monopoly, the government has proposed robust measures, such as divesting Google of its widely-used Chrome web browser and obliging it to share its own data with competitors. Google contends that minor adjustments to its business practices would be more effective.

Both parties are set to present their closing arguments at the end of the month. Judge Amit P. Meta, who presides over the case, is expected to make a decision by August. His ruling could significantly impact how Google, its competitors, and users search for information online.

Here’s what you need to know about the discussions during the hearing:

In August, Judge Mehta ruled that Google breached antitrust laws by paying billions to companies like Apple, Samsung, and Mozilla to ensure its status as the default search engine on browsers and smartphones. He also found that Google’s monopoly could inflate certain search ad prices and create unfair advantages.

Last month, Judge Meta held a hearing to explore the best strategies for addressing search monopolies through a measure known as treatment. Executives from Google, competing search engines, and AI firms, along with experts, provided testimony regarding Google’s dominance on the Internet.

Government lawyers claimed that the only effective way to dismantle Google’s search monopoly is through decisive action.

They argued that Google should be compelled to spin off Chrome and share search results and ads with its competitors, enabling them to subscribe to their search engines. Other search engines and some AI firms require access to data regarding what Google users search for and the sites they visit.

During the hearing, the government cautioned that if Judge Meta does not act, Google could gain control over another technology, artificial intelligence. Searches may become chaotic as AI and chatbots transform the way users seek information online, similar to Google’s Gemini.

“The court’s remedy should be forward-looking and take into account future developments,” stated David Dalkist, the lead government attorney. “Google is employing the same strategies with Gemini that they once used for search.”

“It’s the first time in over 20 years in the last two months,” remarked Eddy Cue, an Apple executive who testified against Google. He linked this decline to the rise of AI.

Google’s attorneys contended that the government’s proposals could jeopardize products that consumers rely on for privacy and security during their online activities.

“There could certainly be many unintended consequences,” testified Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO.

The disclosure of Google data to competitors would compromise user privacy, the company’s attorneys claimed. They referenced incidents from 2006 when AOL released search data for research purposes, leading journalists to identify individuals through their searches.

They also noted that competition in AI is robust.

Instead, Google’s legal team suggested that web browsers and smartphone manufacturers should grant more freedom to competing search and AI services. Pichai testified that Google has already adjusted its contracts with other entities in line with the case’s proposals.

(The New York Times has sued OpenAI and its partner Microsoft over copyright infringement concerning news content related to AI systems, which they denied.)

During the hearing, several of Google’s competitors, including those from OpenAI and Chatbot Company, indicated they would consider purchasing Chrome if it were put up for sale. Government witnesses stated that access to Google’s search and advertising data would be beneficial for AI companies aiming to compete with Google.

When Judge Meta posed questions to the witnesses throughout the hearing, he offered insight into his perspective.

At times, he encouraged witnesses to discuss whether rivals could effectively compete with Google’s search dominance without court intervention.

Many of his inquiries focused on AI and its significance. Google competes against its rivals and has developed technology that has become a major influence in the tech industry.

When Pichai took the stand, Judge Meta mentioned he had noted the swift advancement of AI since the case commenced in the fall of 2023, highlighting his awareness of how technological developments have shaped the context of the hearing.

“One of the things that Pichai impressed upon me in these cases was that when we met long ago, consistent testimonies from witnesses indicated the combined AI and search impacts had been separate for years. By the time we convened today, the landscape had changed dramatically.”

Source: www.nytimes.com

What Your Hearing Can Reveal About Your Risk of Heart Failure

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Heart failure affects over 60 million people worldwide, where the heart is unable to properly pump blood due to a weak or stiff heart. Typical causes include coronary heart disease, hypertension, and obesity. However, new research published in the journal heart shows that hearing loss is also linked to an increased risk of heart failure.

Heart failure doesn’t mean the heart stops working completely, but rather needs extra support to function. The study, which evaluated data from over 160,000 people from the UK biobank, found that individuals with hearing loss had a higher risk of developing heart failure over a 5-year follow-up period compared to those with normal hearing.

The study also revealed that individuals with inadequate hearing had a 15% higher risk, while those with inadequate hearing had a 28% higher risk of heart failure. Higher scores on the Audio Reception Threshold test were also associated with a higher risk of heart failure. These findings suggest that hearing health should be considered in cardiovascular risk assessment and prevention strategies.

According to the World Health Organization, 25% of people over 60 suffer from varying levels of hearing loss.

Research suggests that untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation, psychological distress, and neurosis, all of which increase the risk of heart failure. The study authors also point out biological links between hearing loss and heart problems, emphasizing the importance of addressing hearing health in cardiovascular risk management.

Overall, while hearing loss may be considered a normal part of aging, it may actually indicate underlying issues that can impact heart health. It’s essential to consider hearing health in relation to overall cardiovascular health to reduce the risk of heart failure.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Trump supporter and NASA leader, Jared Isaacman, prioritizes Mars in confirmation hearing.

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NASA prioritizes sending American astronauts to Mars, a goal supported by President Trump’s candidate to lead the space agency.

The candidate, Jared Isaacman, CEO of Payment Processing Company Shift4 Payments and a close associate of Elon Musk, brings a unique perspective from leading private astronaut flights into orbit. He is expected to bring new ideas to NASA and its $25 billion budget, aligning with entrepreneurial aerospace companies like SpaceX.

Isaacman aims to revitalize a mission-first culture at NASA, as stated in his opening statement before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Technology.

While Mars remains a long-term goal for human spaceflight, NASA’s current focus has been on the International Space Station and sending astronauts back to the moon during Trump’s presidency.

Isaacman affirms that NASA will view the moon as a stepping stone to Mars, not abandoning it but utilizing it for scientific, economic, and national security interests.

He believes that fostering an economy in orbit will accelerate NASA’s scientific advancements and discoveries.

Isaacman’s confirmation hearing sheds light on NASA’s future direction amidst uncertainties surrounding federal agencies. With Musk’s influence and contrasting views, the path forward for NASA remains uncertain.

Isaacman is expected to address questions regarding NASA’s space launch system and the future of lunar missions during his confirmation hearing.

Isaacman’s appointment signals a departure from traditional NASA leadership, bringing a fresh perspective from his background in private space missions.

Despite criticisms of NASA’s costly programs like the SLS rocket, Isaacman emphasizes the importance of efficient and cost-effective missions to advance space exploration.

His vision includes prioritizing American astronauts’ return to the moon as a crucial step towards eventual Mars exploration.

Isaacman’s unique approach to space exploration has already been demonstrated through private missions like Inspiration 4 and Polaris Dawn, showcasing innovative technologies and partnerships with SpaceX.

In a shift from traditional aerospace leadership, Isaacman’s nomination for NASA administrator represents a new era of space exploration.

His experiences with private space missions demonstrate a commitment to innovation and collaboration in advancing human space travel.

Isaacman’s appointment heralds a new chapter for NASA as it navigates evolving priorities and challenges in space exploration.

As NASA looks to the future under Isaacman’s leadership, the agency is poised to embrace innovative solutions and partnerships to propel human space endeavors forward.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Trump’s nominee states at Senate hearing that nuclear tests are not recommended.

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Brandon Williams, who was chosen by President Trump to oversee the country’s nuclear weapons, stated on Tuesday that he does not recommend resuming explosive testing of deadly weapons.

This statement was made during his Confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, taking many by surprise. While other advisers suggested that the president resume test explosions for national security reasons, the last test in the U.S. occurred in 1992.

Appointed by Trump in January, Williams, a former naval officer from upstate New York, is set to oversee the National Nuclear Security Agency, a semi-autonomous agency within the energy sector responsible for managing the nation’s nuclear weapons complex.

Despite calls from Trump’s allies for a return to testing, one notable figure, former national security advisor Robert C. O’Brien, urged in a magazine article last summer that a new term for Trump would see the resumption of testing to maintain the U.S.’ advantages over China and Russia in nuclear capabilities.

At his confirmation hearing on Tuesday, Williams faced opposition against the resumption of explosive testing, particularly from Senator Jackie Rosen, a Democrat from Nevada, who highlighted the state’s history of nuclear tests during the Cold War.

Describing Nevada as “ground zero” for such testing, Rosen emphasized the harmful impact on the population and environment and vehemently opposed a return to these practices.

Williams responded to questions about advising Trump on explosive nuclear tests, stating his reliance on scientific information and expertise from the NNSA lab’s data and modeling rather than testing.

Concerns about the potential environmental and health impacts of testing in Nevada were also raised, to which Williams acknowledged the importance of considering such factors in decision-making.

With a background in naval service, Williams has been nominated to head the National Nuclear Security Agency and represents New York’s 22nd Congressional District.

In a letter to Williams, Senator Elizabeth Warren expressed concerns about his qualifications in the nuclear field and lack of relevant experience.

During the hearing, Williams stressed the importance of retaining skilled labor at the NNSA, following previous administration changes and workforce challenges.

Praising the agency’s staff, Williams assured senators that he speaks on their behalf and values their expertise.

The Senate Committee is currently evaluating Williams’ nomination, with expectations for approval and confirmation by the full Senate.

Source: www.nytimes.com

Apple challenges UK government data request in confidential court hearing

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The Guardian has learned that appeals to the UK government’s request to access clients’ highly encrypted data will be heard in a secret High Court hearing.

The appeal, scheduled for Friday, will be reviewed by the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, an independent court with the authority to investigate allegations of illegal actions by the UK Intelligence Reporting Authority.

This goes against a directive issued by the Home Office in February under the Investigatory Powers Act, which compels law enforcement to provide requested information.

The Home Office is seeking the ability to access users’ encrypted data in cases of national security threats. Currently, even Apple does not have access to data protected by Advanced Data Protection (ADP) programs.

ADP allows iCloud users to safeguard photos, memos, and other data with end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only users can access it. Messaging services like iMessage and FaceTime maintain default end-to-end encryption.

Apple has argued that removing this tool would make users vulnerable to data breaches and jeopardize customer privacy. Creating a “back door” would enable Apple to access all data and potentially share it with law enforcement agencies.

Last week, Computer Weekly reported that Apple plans to challenge the secret order.

The court took the unusual step of announcing the closed hearing before President Rabinder Singh on March 14th.

The court listing does not mention Apple or the government, and it does not disclose if the court is associated with either party.

The hearing will be held privately due to security concerns, but media outlets like Computer Weekly argue that it is a matter of public interest and should be conducted in open court as details have already been leaked.

News organizations, including the Guardian, and civil society groups are supporting Computer Weekly in their petition.

In a statement in February, Apple expressed disappointment at the situation. They cited increasing data breaches and threats to customer privacy as the reason for ceasing to offer advanced data protection in the UK.

A spokesperson emphasized the urgency of enhanced security with end-to-end encryption in cloud storage and reiterated Apple’s commitment to user data security.

“As we have stated many times before, we have never created backdoors or master keys for our products or services,” the spokesperson said.

Both Apple and the Home Office declined to comment on the upcoming hearing, and the Guardian reached out to the court for more information.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Scientists successfully capture the first baleen whale for hearing study

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Scientists recently performed a groundbreaking test on a baleen whale to assess its hearing abilities. This controversial step is bringing scientists closer to understanding how the largest and most intelligent creatures on Earth perceive the world.

In 2023, researchers captured two young minke whales off the coast of Norway, attached electrodes to their skin using suction cups, and measured their brain waves while playing tones at various frequencies. The young whales were both over 12 feet long and weighed around one ton each.

The findings of the research, published in Science on Thursday, surprised whale researchers by suggesting that whales have the ability to hear much higher frequencies than previously thought, exceeding the hearing capabilities of most mammals, including humans.

Dorian Hauser, the study’s lead author and director of conservation biology at the National Marine Mammal Foundation, described the discovery as “a little shocking.” He explained that whales have ultrasonic hearing, likely to detect killer whales, their primary predators, as they hunt prey using echolocation signals in a similar frequency range.

The startling revelation comes at a time of increasing concern over the impact of ocean noise from sources like naval sonar, oil and gas exploration, and shipping traffic, which can alter marine mammal behavior, cause hearing loss, and even lead to death. This new information may lead to revising regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and restricting certain activities.

Susan Parks, a biology professor at Syracuse University, stated, “High-frequency sound from ocean activities has not typically been considered a threat to baleen whales, but this may now need to be reevaluated,” as mentioned in the study.

The research concluded a longstanding disagreement in the whale research community. Previously, baleen whales were never captured for hearing tests due to safety concerns for both the whales and researchers, given their large size.

Certain scientists and activists opposed the four-year Minke Whale Hearing Project, fearing the whales could experience stress and even mortality during brief captivity. The project faced criticism, with organizations like Whale and Dolphin Conservation advocating against it in an open letter to the Norwegian government.

The hearing abilities of the largest whale species on Earth have long been a mystery due to the limitations of studying these massive creatures in captivity. However, through innovative methods like the Minke Whale Hearing Project, researchers are making strides in understanding how these animals experience the world through sound.

Brandon Southall, a scientist involved in developing standards for ocean sound exposure, believes that the research could influence future regulations to protect marine mammals from harmful underwater noise sources. He emphasized the importance of conducting such studies carefully and professionally to guide conservation efforts.

While the Minke Whale Hearing Project is currently on hold, researchers hope to continue the exploration of these fascinating creatures’ hearing abilities should further funding become available.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Minke whales found to have ultrasonic hearing in brainwave experiments

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Minke whales are a small species of baleen whale

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EEG tests on two young baleen whales reveal they can hear sounds at higher frequencies than previously thought, leading researchers to explore how the ocean's largest animals respond to noise from predators and humans. We are being forced to reconsider how we react.

“This is truly groundbreaking work,” he says. susan parks from Syracuse University in New York was not involved in the new study. “Directly measuring hearing in wild baleen whales is something researchers in this field have been working on for decades…To my knowledge, this is the first successful test of this method in baleen whales. is.”

However, baleen whales are the largest animals on earth, and research methods such as temporarily restraining them for hearing tests are not easy. “The body size of most baleen whales is too large for approaches to be effective,” he says. dorian howser at the National Marine Mammal Foundation, a California-based nonprofit organization. So Hauser and his colleagues focused on a relatively small baleen species called the minke whale.

Researchers investigated the migratory routes of minke whales along the Norwegian coast and discovered a natural channel between the two islands, where they used mesh fencing and boats to capture the two whales, which are about 3 to 5 meters long. The whale was guided to an enclosure at the farm. Drop down net door. The researchers then used a roller system to pull up the net, keeping the teens partially submerged in the water.

For the hearing test, the researchers were able to record brain wave signals by placing two gold-plated electrodes with silicone suction cups on each whale's skin near its blowhole and dorsal fin. They measured how the whales' brains responded to sounds played through underwater speakers for about 30 minutes in one whale and 90 minutes in the other.

These experiments revealed that whales' auditory brainstem responds to ultrasonic waves at frequencies as high as 45 to 90 kilohertz, which exceeds the ultrasonic waves that the human ear can detect. This is a much wider audible range than previously thought possible based on ear anatomy and vocalizations.

He said corralling and confining wild marine mammals is “quite controversial” because it can cause “significant stress” to the animals. Oliver Boisseau At Marine Conservation Research, a UK-based non-profit organization. But he said the discovery was “hugely important” for understanding how baleen whales evade predators such as killer whales, which use high-frequency echolocation clicks to hunt. .

Researchers should also reconsider how military sonar and commercial echo sounders used to map the ocean floor affect baleen whales, Boisseau said. “The more we study hearing in marine mammals, the more our initial assumptions seem to become confused,” he says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Study finds that extinct fin whales had narrow-band high-frequency hearing

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Parapontoporia The common dolphin, an extinct genus of long-nosed dolphins that lived along the Pacific coast of North America from the late Miocene to the Pliocene, was likely able to hear in a narrow band of high-frequency sounds, a new analysis has found. Parapontoporia The bony labyrinth.

The last known Chinese river dolphin, Qiqi. Image by Roland Seitre / CC BY-SA 3.0.

“Whales, dolphins and porpoises (cetaceans) represent one of the most dramatic transitions in the history of mammals: a return from land to water,” said researchers Dr. Joyce Sanks of Vanderbilt University and Dr. Rachel Racicot of the Senckenberg Institute and the Natural History Museum.

“As a result, this group acquired a series of aquatic adaptations, such as moving their nostrils to the top of their heads and streamlining their bodies.”

“Echolocation developed early in the evolutionary history of Oligocene toothed whales (Odontoceti), and all modern toothed whales possess this ability.”

“The biosonar clicks produced by most extant toothed whales typically cover a wide frequency spectrum, from tens of kilohertz to 150-170 kHz.”

“Conversely, certain toothed whales emit characteristic biosonar clicks that have narrow bandwidth but high centroid frequencies.”

“These distinctive clicks have a peak frequency of 125-140 kHz and a bandwidth of 11-20 kHz.”

Using high-resolution x-ray CT scans, the authors examined the inner ears of three people. Parapontoporia Two specimens, Parapontoporia sternbergii and Parapontoporia pacifica From the collection of the San Diego Natural History Museum.

With the help of 3D models, the team was able to prove that these creatures already had narrow-band, high-frequency hearing during the Miocene epoch, about 5.3 million years ago.

“Echolocation, as used by animals, also developed quite early in evolutionary history,” Dr Racicot said.

“The animals emit sound waves that bounce off objects and send back echoes, providing information about the object's distance and size. All toothed whales currently use this natural sonar system.”

“Echolocation is a rational hunting and communication strategy, especially in the ocean, where sound travels five times faster than in air, and where visibility is often reduced.”

“What's particularly interesting is that these dolphins have once again changed habitat, leaving the marine environment to colonize rivers.”

There are still a few dolphins living in the river today, with all six species now extremely rare and endangered.

As a relative Chinese river dolphin (Lipotes vexilifer) Last recorded in 2002, Parapontoporia It provides insight into the transition from marine habitats to freshwater environments.

“We speculate that this early and widespread evolution of echolocation in the dolphins we studied was driven by selective pressure or ecological advantage,” Dr Racicot said.

“River systems are spatially complex habitats, and this form of orientation and communication would likely have been advantageous for long-nosed dolphins.”

“Further research into toothed whales' sensory organs could be an important tool for studying the influence of habitat on cetacean hearing and for understanding the evolutionary dynamics of marine mammals.”

of result Published in this month's journal Anatomy record.

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Joyce Sanks & Rachel Racicot. Biology and prediction of hyperacusis. Parapontoporia – The extinct fin whale. Anatomy record Published online July 15, 2024; doi: 10.1002/ar.25538

Source: www.sci.news

Five children born deaf regain their hearing through gene therapy

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Gene therapy involves administering normal copies of the mutated gene that causes a particular disease.

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Five Chinese children born deaf have received gene therapy that provides them with a healthy copy of a mutated gene, allowing them to hear in both ears. Although the children have varying degrees of hearing loss, all can now hear and localize sounds at conversational volume.

Six months after treatment, the five children’s hearing was about 50 to 60 percent of normal levels, team members say. Chen Yi Chen “They get confused when we whisper, but normal conversation is fine,” he said at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston. “We’re very happy.”

In the first phase of the trial, which began in 2022, the team gave another group of six children in China the gene therapy in just one ear. Five of the six children had their hearing restored in the treated ear, with continued improvement, Chen said.

The team expects to see further progress in the second group of five children. “The progress we’re seeing now isn’t the peak,” Chen says. “We expect to see even more progress.”

The trial in China is the first of several ongoing trials around the world. She lives in the UK with her two children. There have also been reports in the United States of people regaining hearing in one ear after undergoing gene therapy.

“The tests are all pretty much the same.” Manohar Bans Doctors from Cambridge University treated two children in the UK.

All of the children in these trials were born with hearing loss because they carry a mutation in both copies of the gene for a protein called otoferin, which plays a key role in synapses, or connections, between the hair cells in the ear that detect sound and the nerves that transmit signals to the brain. The mutation affects the protein, blocking the transmission of signals.

Between 2 and 8 percent of children worldwide who are born with hearing loss are thought to have this condition, known as DFNB9.

Both parents of a child with DFNB9 have normal hearing if they each have just one mutant copy of otoferlin. These couples are often unaware that they have a one in four chance of having a child that is born deaf.

Gene therapy relies on the help of a virus called AAV to deliver a working version of the otoferlin gene to hair cells. Due to the gene’s large size, it needs to be split and put into two separate viruses.

The virus cocktail is injected into the inner ear, and the complete gene is reconstituted in cells that receive both halves. The DFNB9 trial marks the first time that so-called dual AAV gene therapy has been used to treat humans.

“This is a major technological advance,” Chen says, “and we hope that this technology will be widely used to treat other genetic diseases.”

The clinical trials will begin by treating one ear at a time because half the dose of AAV is needed, reducing the chance of adverse events, he says. No serious adverse events have been reported in any of the trials.

Chen’s team now plans to treat the other ears of the first group of children. This could be difficult because an immune response to the initial AAV injection could block gene delivery, but Chen believes it is possible.

Treating other inherited hearing loss is more difficult because some of the structures inside the ear degenerate. With DFNB9, all of the structures remain intact. “You only need to repair one element,” Chen says.

Some people believe that hearing loss is not a disease that needs treatment, Martin MacLean The position of the National Society for Deaf Children. Families should be free to make their own informed decisions.

“Parents and young people need to be aware of all the risks and, above all, understand that hearing loss in itself does not prevent people from living a happy and fulfilling life,” he says.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Dr. Fauci Provides Testimony at Contentious Hearing Regarding COVID-19 Origins

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Dr. Anthony Fauci faced tough questions from Republican politicians in a recent hearing regarding the lessons learned from the pandemic. This was his first public testimony since leaving government service at the end of 2022.

During the hearing with the House Select Subcommittee on COVID-19, Fauci addressed various allegations made against him, including claims about funding for virus research in China. Some conspiracy theories suggest that this research could have led to the coronavirus leak.

Fauci admitted that the possibility of a lab leak cannot be dismissed entirely, but denied any involvement in concealing information related to it. He emphasized that the origins of the pandemic remain unknown.

Despite the accusations, no evidence linking Fauci to the origins of the coronavirus was presented during the hearing.

Fauci, who served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, defended his actions during the pandemic and refuted claims of bribing scientists or misleading the public.

Democrats supported Fauci as a dedicated public servant, while some Republicans, like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, called for his prosecution and made unsubstantiated accusations against him.

The hearing also focused on the EcoHealth Alliance’s research activities, with Republicans questioning Fauci’s relationship with the organization and its president, Peter Daszak.

Fauci addressed the concerns raised during the hearing, including allegations about his former aide’s communications and the nature of the research funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Despite facing continued harassment and threats to his life, Fauci remains committed to serving the public and providing accurate information about public health issues.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

A fresh perspective on tinnitus and hearing loss may offer potential for their reversal

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Ten years ago, while working as a DJ in Liverpool, England, James Rand would often leave work hearing strange sounds he knew weren't real: high-pitched growls or low-pitched rumblings. . These tinnitus symptoms always went away by the time he woke up… and one day in 2017, they didn't go away.

Doctors confirmed that the sounds were probably caused by Rand's exposure to loud music for hours at a time. There was no cure, no way to get him used to it. “I thought I would never hear silence again,” he says. “He was incredibly depressed.”

But today, the outlook for tinnitus treatment is not so bleak. New research has developed a neurostimulator that reduces the volume of sounds. Additionally, there are several treatments in development that can even stop tinnitus completely. “For the first time, we are discussing potential treatments,” he says. Stéphane Maison at Harvard Medical School.

These insights also shed light on common causes of hearing loss. In fact, they suggest that the same treatments for tinnitus may also restore hearing in people who have become partially deaf due to aging. “The way we think about hearing loss has completely changed,” Maison says.

What is tinnitus?

Tinnitus is one of the most common long-term medical conditions. Affects up to a quarter of older adults. While the crying and rumbling sounds that Rand experiences are common, others may hear whistling, humming, clicking sounds, and even musical hallucinations. Sound can be annoying and distracting, and in some cases can cause depression and anxiety…

Source: www.newscientist.com

New research on Zinc sheds light on the link between loud noise and hearing loss

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Exposure to loud noises, such as at music festivals, can worsen your hearing

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Exposure to loud noises can disrupt zinc levels in the inner ear, potentially affecting hearing, a study in mice suggests. Treatments that reduce this could be used to treat or prevent such damage, for example, if taken before a rock concert.

Loud noises can cause cells in the inner ear die. Although it has long been known that this affects hearing, the mechanisms behind it are less clear.

Thanos Tsonopoulos Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, thought it might have something to do with free-moving zinc, which plays an important role in the neurotransmission of our senses.

Most of the zinc in the body is bound to proteins, but the rest acts as communication signals between organs, especially the brain, Tsonopoulos says. The highest concentration of free zinc in the body is in the cochlea, the snail-shaped structure in the inner ear that converts vibrations into electrical signals, which are then interpreted as sound.

To learn more, Tzounopoulos and colleagues tested free zinc levels in young mice that had been genetically engineered to produce biological markers that indicate the transport of free zinc throughout the body.

Tsonopoulos said mice exposed to 100 decibels of noise, about the same level as a bulldozer or motorcycle, for two hours straight developed significant hearing loss within the next 24 hours.

The researchers found that these mice had higher amounts of free zinc between and around the cells of the cochlea after the blast compared to before the blast and compared to a group of control mice that did not hear the loud noise. I discovered that

“There is a very strong upregulation of zinc, not only in terms of quantity but also in terms of regional spatial extent,” he says. “It goes everywhere.”

Tsonopoulos said the zinc appears to be released from specific cells in the cochlea after it is separated from the proteins to which it is normally bound. Free zinc ultimately causes cell damage and disrupts normal communication between cells, he says.

To see if lowering free zinc levels could protect hearing, Tsonopoulos and his team injected another group of mice with a compound that scavenged zinc into their abdomens or administered a slow-release drug into the inner ear. It was treated by placing an implant. The mice then listened to the same loud sound for two hours. Both groups experienced significant reductions in hearing loss.

With further research, zinc-capturing tablets, IV drugs, or slow-release implants could one day help prevent or treat inner ear damage caused by noise trauma, Tsonopoulos says.

“You can go to concerts, you can go to battle, you can take drugs,” he says. “Or, if you have an accident, you might have these compounds in your ER. [emergency room] We will give it to you to reduce the damage. ”

Future research should also determine how long after exposure to noise people can benefit from such zinc trap therapy, team members say. Amantha Satyaalso at the University of Pittsburgh.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Study discovers that hearing aids could extend lifespan

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Are hearing aids really worth the investment? Recent research suggests that they may be more beneficial than previously thought. In fact, a new study indicates that using hearing aids can decrease the risk of premature death by about 25%. Despite this, a large portion of adults with hearing loss in the US and UK do not use hearing aids, even though they could greatly benefit from them.

Researchers at the University of South Carolina conducted the study and are hoping that their findings will encourage more people with hearing loss to utilize hearing aids. Dr. Janet Choi, the study’s principal investigator, stated that the results are particularly interesting as they point to the possibility that hearing aids can contribute to overall health and longevity.

The study, which was published in the Lancet Health and Longevity journal and involved 10,000 participants, found that regular users of hearing aids had a considerably lower risk of death compared to non-users. The research also suggested that consistent use of hearing aids, rather than occasional use, was key to reaping the benefits for longevity.

This research indicates that hearing aids can lead to improved mental health and cognitive function, ultimately contributing to a longer and healthier life. Interestingly, the study found that factors such as degree of hearing loss, age, ethnicity, and income did not impact the benefits of hearing aids on lifespan.

These findings suggest that the benefits of using hearing aids go beyond improved hearing and may actually play a crucial role in promoting overall health and well-being.

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Source: www.sciencefocus.com