I don't know if I'm right, but most of you are Americans - right? I'd like to say that I was crushed when I saw the attack on NY a few days ago. How can someone disrespect human life so much?! But I feel that most of the countries respect and help each other more than ever: here in Denmark we put candles in our windows the recent nights, placed flowers at the American Embassy etc. And look at us guys in here, look at how we cling to every possibility to ease the life of humans with problems - just like this regeneration of hair cells.

But unfortunately it's easier to destroy than to create...

Thank you so much for your message of support. This has been a difficult time for everyone. I received a link to pictures from around the world showing the solidarity and support the U.S. has received. It was one of the most heartwarming things I've ever seen. For those of you who are interested, here is the link: http://uweb.ucsb.edu/~deter/thankyou.htm

Also, thank YOU to those of you participating in this thread. I am learning so much about hair cell regeneration!

~ Paula

Thanks for your support ! It's nice to know that the Americans are getting support from other countries in the world. We appreciate it. Keep up the good work !

Sincerely,
--Dan

Kresge Hearing Research Institute
http://www.khri.med.umich.edu

Yes, I'm aware of that site. Also, shown below they even had a "Inner Ear Hair Cell Regeneration Initiative for the Year 2000". Makes me wonder if they will have more of these in the future ?

http://www.nohrfoundation.org/Pages/hair%20cell%20initiative.html

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

INNER EAR HAIR CELL REGENERATION INITIATIVE
FOR THE YEAR 2000

Request Grant Application #2

The National Organization for Hearing Research Foundation announces a Request for Applications to participate in an Inner Ear Hair Cell Regeneration Initiative. NOHR intends to provide 2-3 projects up to $250,000 a year for a five-year period. Funds will be awarded by December 20, 2000.

This does make a person wonder if the research organizations and the Universities are aware of the different initiatives? Perhaps they are connected. Changing the subject a little bit, I've just purchased an inversion board(inversion therapy) to improve blood circulation, It has been reported that exercise can help improve hearing and inversion therapy is using the same idea. I have noticed that afer heavy exercise, running, weightlifting etc my hearing is a bit better. Have you ever heard of anyone using inversion therapy to help improve hearing? I have not checked out the company's website yet but they did mention a couple of situations listed under the subject "Sharpening Sensory Organs" in the information boolet that came with the equipment I purchased. Their website is www.inversiontherapy.com.

Sincerely,
Bob

I have some information about Sound Therapy for hearing loss, you can find it in http://www.intouchmag.com/soundtherapy1.html. I am also aware of a doctor who is a chiropractor and is specialised in 'Neural Cranial Restucturing' (NCR). He said some of his patients hearing has been improved because of this NCR treatment. Please find more information on his web site, http://www.getyourheadonstraight.com/.
I dont know how much this helps, but I just wanted to give you the information.

The only folks I've heard talk about working with the body's ability to restore itself is SoundHealth. (They are pioneers in Sound Therapy and can be found at www.soundhealthinc.com) This is highly experimental, and they have not a track record with hearing. I have my first appointment for my son next week (Sept 28 through Oct 1.) I'll post after the trip and let you know the progress. I don't know if it will help Cole's hearing, or if it will help him with sensory integration or his vestibular development.

Cole is 22 months now, and I am working hard NOW to help him during this period of language acquisition.

I hadn't heard of NCR, I have heard of cranial sacral; I'm grateful for the NCR link above.

The 'Sound Health' seems interesting. I have a 4 year old boy who has hearing loss in both of his ears. Please dont forget to let me know the result after your appointment next week. I am very interested to know the result.

First thanks to Jamie Berke, webmaster of the Deafness & Hard of Hearing About.com website. Who suggested that I write an article on this subject for the About.com website.

http://deafness.about.com/library/weekly/uchair.htm

Is Hair Cell Regeneration the Solution ?

Guest article by Daniel Morris

"When in the Course of human events,...", as one elite Founding Father person wrote at the beginning of the famed "Declaration of Indepence" article. The declaration had stated America's independence, and their desire to break free from the laws and regulations imposed on them from their mother country, England. And now, hundreds of years after the Declaration was written, we are now able to see the magnitude and importance of such a decision. That America had turned out to be one of the best country in the world !

Never underestimate the power of a decision or action. Now, what about this intriguing concept that Science and Technology could help those with a hearing loss to hear better ? Possibly, going as far as coming up with a cure someday ?

What is the solution then ? Is it Hair cell regeneration ? Or, how about the Stem cell research ? Or what about Dr. Qu Qiang and that claim of his that his herb pills has helped those with a hearing loss to hear better ? What are the other alternatives or possibilities ?

Hair cell regeneration seems to be a viable option. There are currently many different centers or labs throughout the world that's working on this research. However, some of those places do need more funds in order to progress further in their work. The interested parties could always help out to see what they can do about it. They could make donations or write to their congressman. Or write to different television programs and ask them to possibly do an episode on this subject. To try to help bring more awareness to this issue.

With due respect to the many different labs working on hair cell regeneration. Which I'm sure many of them are putting in the hours and working hard. However, the two research centers that comes to mind are the following:

The Virginia Merrill Bloedel Hearing Research Center http://depts.washington.edu/hearing/Home.html
And this company Otogene, from Germany
http://www.otogene.com/

So, do not assume that one person cannot make a difference. That is if more people just put their minds to it. And ask themselves this question, "What can I do to help ?". It could hopefully speed up the progress in the different Hair cell regeneration research.

For your information, I tend to post many pro-hearing science and technology related articles or information throughout the different message boards for the deaf and hard of hearing. Including those that of hair cell regeneration. So, keep an eye out for these. And feel free to participate in those discussions and add postings of your own. There are currently two very good conversations going on about Hair cell regeneration in the following boards:

About.com Messages
http://forums.about.com/ab-deafness/messages?LgnF=y&msg=1120.1

Hair Cell Research-A cure? - HearingExchange Forums http://www.hearingexchange.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000066.html

If you have any good ideas or suggestions, or would like to help out or would like more information on Hair cell Regeneration. Let me know by sending an e-mail to HHIssues@aol.com. Go for it and good luck !

Sincerely,
--Daniel Morris

Just came across an online article in "The Scientist" titled "Hair cell Regeneration Continues to Elude Scientist" This article in the Oct 1st issue describes the current status of hair cell regeneration. The Website is listed below: www.the-scientist.com/researcharchive.htm

I hope you find it informative.

Sincerely,
Bob

The hair cells they are trying to regenerate are related to sensorineural hearing loss. The majority of people with hearing loss are afflicted with sensorineural hearing loss.

Sincerely,
Bob