Learning that your baby or child has hearing loss is a frightening scenario for any parent to imagine. In the United States, hearing loss is present in every 3 per 1,000 births. Hearing loss in children, while not common, is a condition that can result from many causes. Approximately half of hearing loss in babies and children is genetic, where one or both parents can also suffer from hearing loss or carry the genetic material that would allow their child to have their hearing affected. Other children experience hearing loss as a result of other syndromic conditions (such as Down

The EEF hosted a lunch and learn webinar presented by Jonas Johnson, MD, Barry Hirsch, MD, and Elena LaQuatra on advancements in cochlear implant technology within the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The patient perspective was also covered. Dr. Hirsch is Professor of Otolaryngology, Director, Division of Otology/Neurotology, and Program Director, Neurotology Fellowship Program. A board certified neurotologist, Dr. Hirsch is a surgeon specializing in treatment of benign and malignant tumors of the temporal bone and skull base. These areas include the ear canal and middle ear, posterior and middle fossae and cranial nerves.

Consistently ranked among the best programs in the country, the Department of Audiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine continues to work towards solving the puzzle of hearing loss. The number of people affected by hearing loss is staggering, with nearly 50 million people here in the United States and roughly 466 million worldwide experiencing some degree of hearing loss. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization expects this number to climb to nearly 900 million by the year 2050 due to an aging population. While hearing loss is routinely thought of as a problem affecting the elderly, there are