Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Blinded by my own hearing
Related Kokonut Pundit blogs on adult stem cells and hearing loss.
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Video Interview (caption) with first American to have her hearing loss restored
More info on the story.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
First Successful Case Example of a Hearing Loss Cure in a Human Patient?
Chloe visited Dr. Won, a plastic surgeon in Los Angeles to harvest her fat tissue around her belly button in last June. Then the tissue was sent to the laboratory RNL BIO in Germantown, Maryland, where they isolated stem cells, put them in liquid nitrogen shipper and transported them to RNL BIO in Seoul, Korea. It took them a month to expand her stem cells to a sufficient amount enough to treat her hearing loss. Chloe's family planned a trip to Korea during their summer vacation. At last, on July 27, 2009, they visited Korea for two weeks. The stem cell treatment took place in Japan -- 600 million cells were administered by three injections with 5 day intervals. The cells were injected into her veins and auditory system.Again, with a grain of salt but this looks more promising. With more countries such as Mexico taking part in using stem cells to began the treatment of nerve deafness hearing loss, the United States will surely be left in the dust at this rate unless the FDA somehow fast track this medical process just as they have fast tracked for the treatment of damaged heart muscles with the patient's own stem cells.
Chloe's hearing was tested two months after the procedure was completed on October 16, 2009. The results were spectacular. The left side of her ear improved 50% from not being able to hear at all. The right side of her ear gained almost complete hearing.
Dr. Jotterand could not bear her excitement, "Now it's just been a 180 degree turnaround. She's just enjoying life and enjoying being a freshman at the university. She's just having a great time and it's just wonderful to see the joy in her own face and in her life."
Hat tip: Neuro.
UPDATE: See caption video interview of Chloe!
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
RIT Library Guide References Kokonut Pundit's blog piece
Kokonut Pundit is now on Twitter
I have my Twitter icon up on the upper left hand column of my blog and all you have to do is click on it to get to my Twitter page.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Deaf man hears sound of piano for the first time

From the award winning documentary, "From Silence to Sound," :
Brooklyn Girl Productions presents the New York City premiere of the award-winning documentary film From Silence to Sound at the New York International Film Festival on Friday, October 23, 2009.
From Silence to Sound is an inspiring film that tells the extraordinary story of Justin Garrett, a man who has been profoundly deaf since birth. On March 13, 2006, Justin made history as the first recipient of a bilateral cochlear implant in Oklahoma.
Director Chase Matthews offers this moving documentary about Justin Garrett, a completely deaf young man who, in 2006, agreed to undergo radical cochlear implant surgery that could possibly make him hear for the first time. Matthews follows Justin as he prepares for, submits to and recovers from the high-stakes surgery. Success will reverse Justin’s condition, but failure will irrevocably destine him to a lifetime of total silence.
For the First Time Plays Piano for Deaf Mother
Deaf and Blind Kid Plays Jazz Piano
The Errigo and Aguilar Mess
Closed Captioned Video: Rush Limbaugh says Sarah Palin is ready to be president
Captioning by Kokonut Pundit.
When the word "Audism" needs to disappear
Sometimes with good intention comes with unintended consequences. In this case it's the invention of a new word, "audism." What's the value I see in it? Probably the same value in where I link it to describe the meaning behind it.Gamas Wanderings has a nice blog on the word "audism" and how it should be discontinued because it creates more problems than it does solve them. Namely one of them is the constant abuse of the word used as a weapon of choice to attack rather than to educate about a particular form of discrimination. It would be better to keep it neutral as possible and at the same time educate those who do not understand about the issues of deafness. Pointing fingers at them and scream, "Audist! Audist!" like some scene in the movie "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" certainly does not help the situation any more than people use a cop out word "Racist!" It just creates more problems than it does solving it.
It's time to retire the word, "Audism" once and for all and focus on the actual education of the public through neutral means and less attacking those who do not fully understand the issue of deafness and even the culture behind it.
First case of stem cell treatment on hearing loss on humans?
6) Are you or can you treat sensory neural hearing loss with adult autologous stem cells? If not, do you expect to in the next year? Do you know of any doctors treating hearing loss at this point, if Nepsis does not?In time we'll find out whether if this is a success or not and if so would prove ground-breaking so early in this game rather than 10 or 15 years down the road. As always, take this with a grain of salt.
Actually, we have two patients with sensory neural hearing loss who will be undergoing stem cell treatment in the next two months. The approach is unique and proprietary, so I can’t get into specifics at this time.
Hat-tip: Neuro
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Is "Deafhood" a new tool for oppression to those who disagree?

Saturday, October 24, 2009
Forging Ahead
All I can do is shake my head whenever I see these internal squabblings continue to occur within the Deaf community. Of course, this has been going on for years. Yet, at the same time, I'm certainly glad that I do not share their particular brand of narrow-mindedness. I like to think independently on these things. So, squabbles like over DVTV (of which I don't even follow or even really care), Deafread, the advantageous misuse and abuse of the word "audism," the continued personal labeling and slandering, character assassinations, and so on are just a part of every day annoyance worthy of a thousand eyerolls. I guess my flawless plan continues to work!Sunday, October 11, 2009
Ghanans in Africa talk about "too soon" win of Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Win
Watch the video and listen. It is subtitled as well so enjoy.
Video transcript
Talking about the Obama Nobel win in Ghana.
Interviewer: Actually, do you know what I want to know?
Man from Ghana: No.
Interviewer: What do you think about the President Obama's Nobel Prize win?
Man from Ghana: (smiles, and laughs a little). Actually, I've not heard the news for some time. Has he got it?
Interviewer: Yes, Obama's been given the Nobel Prize.
Flossy from Ghana: (looks suprised/puzzled) Really? So soon?
Interviewer: Peace Prize. The Nobel Peace Prize?
Flossy: Peace Prize?
Interviwer: Yes.
Flossy: In Norway?
Man from Ghana: What did he do? To deserve the Peace Prize?
Interviewer: You think it's too soon?
Man from Ghana: (he smiles) Yeah. It's too soon. He hasn't done much. Even though has been erm, erm...he hasn't done much.
(video pans back to Flossy still with a puzzled look on her face.
Flossy: He hasn't done much. It's too early, I....
Man from Ghana: It should be able to be given. But now, now.. (laughs). But that's nice. It's a good news. I'm happy for him.
Flossy: As for Obama, his character and his personality, people like it, so maybe (laughs heh hehh heh)...they are giving it to him on a personal basis. (smiles laughingly). They could have waited for a while.
Interviewer to "Kibnesh" from Ethiopia: What do you think about Obama's Nobel Peace Prize win?
Kibnesh: I'm surprised.
Interviwer: Surprised?
Kibnesh: Yeah. I'm surpised - I'm speechless, actually. He's a great man, and everything, but we just have to wait and see what he's going to do for the world. I don't know at this moment. (smiles).
Video ends. "Recorded at the National Museum. Accra, Ghana. October 9, 2009."
www.caribbeanfreeradio.com
Monday, October 05, 2009
Cherishing one's own hearing
I had a forum discussion covering this very topic. A few did answer my question that, yes, they do cherish their hearing while most of them either didn't answer or said 'no' which could mean that they do not derive any real benefits from their hearing aids or that simply do not want to elevate the status on the quality of hearing. The problem is that if they do wear hearing aids and say they do not cherish their hearing then why wear one? Some would respond that they see their hearing or even their hearing aid as simply a "tool." Not sure what that means but probably to mean to use it to just get by.
Next, we have those who actually believe that kids to late deafened adults with hearing loss in poor countries should not receive their free hearing aids donated by organizations that travel and give out free hearing aids. Some think the only answer is to set up deaf schools, which is nice but there are even caveats to this approach. The problems are really about the prejudices and discrimination experienced in third world countries that go against people with hearing loss in the area of education, communication access, and jobs. For example, Peru where deaf/hh people are faced with huge barriers when it comes to communication access. Even the World Federation of the Deaf acknowledges these problems exist in third world countries. So, for a start, providing free hearing aids to those who can benefit from such a technology is a big head start jump for many of these people. Rather than be critical of such missions embrace them like Marlee Matlin has been doing who sees the value of hearing.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
My Personal Stalker
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Scary Obama Halloween Masks and More!
Here's a scary zombie "Zobama" mask enough to frighten kiddies away...even adults.
And here's a new first, an Obama joker Halloween mask which appears to be only one mask available for sale.
Big teeth!! This one's a toothpaste maker marketing dream.
Didn't know Obama looked like Arsenio Hall.


And just to be fair, here's a Sarah Palin mask.
And McCain's, even a zombie one.
And who would want to miss out a first lady Michelle Obama mask looking more mulatto than black.
No Biden mask but you do have a John Edwards mask.
Oops. Wrong Edwards.
And the most popular requested item of all time? Tricky Dick's mask.
And what about a President G. W. Bush mask? Not really scary like Nixon's.
And then you have, of course, Lurch.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Hearing aid powered by body heat. No more batteries.
Publication Date: 29-30 May 2009This would be ideal for any hearing aids whether it's behind the ear, in the ear, or even for future implantable hearing aids.
On page(s): 1-4
Location: Cetraro,
ISBN: 978-1-4244-3598-2
INSPEC Accession Number: 10790979
Digital Object Identifier: 10.1109/MEMEA.2009.5167942
Current Version Published: 2009-07-21
Energy harvesting from human body has been undergoing an interesting and quick development thanks to the technological availability of new electronic components and the growing of different applications, in particular, for biomedical and social impacts on human beings' daily life. The main scope of this paper is to modeling and to design a thermoelectric generator that extracts energy from human tissue warmth in order to supply a biomedical hearing prosthesis for deaf persons. An array of sensors based on thermocouple effect has been used. A conditioning and accumulator circuitry has been designed and tested.
Oh, yeah.
Captioned Videos of Underprivledged People Receiving their Starkey Hearing Aids
You can find more videos of these Starkey Hearing Foundation's "So the World Can Hear" missions to Tampa (2009). Phoenix 2009 (16 MB),Peru (2009), Nepal (2008), Mozambique (2008), Malawi (2008), Egypt (2008), Puerto Rico (2008) and the NBA All Star Week (2008). The captioned video of Peru is nice with a crowd of Starkey heairng aid recipents all signing "We...love...you!" And you'll see a few signs of "Thank you" and such. In Lima, Peru, over 3000 hearing aids were distributed.
Here's a captioned video on YouTube of a recent trip to Toluca, Mexico earlier this month. you can see the thanks in their eyes, their words and gestures.
Marlee Matlin Supports "So the World May Hear"
Then Fabian and I will jet up to Minneapolis for the annual "So the World May Hear" benefit that raises much needed funds and sponsors missions (like one you saw on DWTS) to remote parts of the world and help give poor children the gift of hearing. This year they're honoring Billy Jean King and I've heard there's a very special surprise musical guest performing, though I know who it is. It's going to knock the audience's socks off!Marlee Matlin appears in the October 2008 "So the World May Hear" newsletter. On page 5 of the newsletter Marlee Matlin can be seen with in a group picture (see below) with St. Louis Cardinals’ Mascot, Bill Austin, Boys & Girls Clubs of America President Roxanne Spillett, MLB Legends Fred Lynn, Gaylord Perry, George Brett, Rollie Fingers, Robin Roberts and MLB President and COO Bob DuPuy standing in the back while kneeling in the foreground are Marlee Matlin, Debbie Wright, Reebok Representative Joe Van Buskirk, Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation Director Cindy Picerni and Pittsburgh Pirates’ Mascot.

Below is another picture from Audiology Online of Marlee Matlin and her interpreter in a dance pose along with Bill and Tani Austin at the 2008 gala "So the World May Hear."

During Marlee Matlin's debut on "Dancing with the Stars" last year she wore her Starkey hearing aids.
First, many persons with profound hearing loss can still benefit from the use of quality hearing aids. Marlee wears hearing aids manufactured by Starkeys Labs which contain their proprietary BluWave’ signal processing technology.Lou Ferrigno, Marlee Matlin and many other well known celebrities also attended again for the 2009 gala "So the World May Hear" held in July. They can be seen here in a collage of pictures of stars posing with Bill Austin, the guy who made it all possible the philanthropy and mission to provide hearing aids to rural areas, to underprivledged people, and those in 3rd world or poor countries. Marlee Matlin has attended previous "So the World May Hear" galas in the past for several years.
In addition, Marlee felt the concussive pulsing beat from the lowest frequencies. The bass guitar and bass drum deliver waves through the floor, the walls and allowed Marlee to feel the rhythm of the music. Hey, your entire body is one big tuning fork!
Finally, Marlee relied on her dance partner, Fabian Sanchez, to keep the moves on track and in synch. Hes my music, Marlee proclaimed. The couple modified some of the moves so Marlee could maintain physical or eye contact with Fabian more frequently, though she had no trouble cha-cha-chaing her way across the stage, engaged in complex dance steps that were eye-popping.
This philanthropy and mission continue to grow in terms of monies donated and the growing support to make this work a smashing success. After all, hearing is a gift and can be seen in the faces of thousands through pictures and videos of those who received their hearing aids. In 2007, for example, they were able to raise $4.5 million dollars. That's alot of hearing aids to distribute and support.
In the 2008 gala they raised $5 million dollars and this year's gala they raised just as much. And so far they have distributed over 440,000 hearing aids around the world and many more into the future. It won't be long til the Starkey Foundation reaches the millionth hearing aid mark.With the help of dozens of well-known and highly respected celebrities, including Jim Belushi, Lou Ferrigno, Glenn Frey, Goldie Hawn, Jay Leno, Kenny Loggins, Marlee Matlin, Leslie Nielsen, Mickey Rooney, Kevin Sorbo, Robert Wagner, and many others, the Starkey Hearing Foundation raised a record $4.5 million at its annual "So the World May Hear" Awards Gala, which was held on Saturday, June 23 in St. Paul, Minn.
"For the seventh year in a row we had tremendous support from our friends all over the world who helped us raise an amazing $4.5 million to further our mission of promoting hearing health awareness and helping the world to hear," said William F. Austin, founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. "I offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone who was a part of this year's Gala and who, through their generosity of time and money, helped make the world a better place for so many children."
The Starkey Hearing Foundation is known for donating hearing aids to underprivileged children both here in the United States and in countries all over the globe. Thanks to funds raised during this annual event, the Foundation has been able to donate an estimated 200,000 hearing aids in the past seven years alone in an effort to give the gift of hearing to those in need.
The gift of hearing? Priceless.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
So the world may hear...
One is called "So the World May Hear" organization by the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Well known celebrities like Heather Whitestone and Lou Ferrigno support this mission. Plus many, many more well known celebrities that have attended the annual "So the World May Hear" award gala with the recent gala on July 12, 2009.
Elton John, Billy Crystal, Tony Bennett and Gladys Knight Headline at Ninth Annual So the World May Hear Awards Gala.
What an incredible line-up of stars, and what a magnificent evening of entertainment, celebration and generosity. The kind of generosity that is simply unprecedented. The kind of generosity that is born of passion and commitment. “The kind of generosity that will allow us to open the world as we know it—a world of music, laughter, language, and love—to kids all over the world by giving them the gift of hearing,” said William F. Austin, founder of Starkey Hearing Foundation. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made our 2009 Gala a success.”
The evening featured the comedy of Billy Crystal as well as performances by Gladys Knight, Tony Bennett and Ethan Bortnick. After saluting Bill and Tani Austin as two of the most important people in his life, Elton John capped off the evening with a touching and memorable one-hour performance that included such hits as “Rocket Man,” “Your Song,” “Daniel,” and “Circle of Life.” The inspirational evening would not have been complete without the recognition of four individuals and one corporation for their significant contributions to humanity. This year’s award recipients included comedian Norm Crosby, the 1961 New York Yankees, Minnesota philanthropists and business leaders Marilyn and Dr. Glen Nelson, and Rayovac, a long-time supporter of Starkey Hearing Foundation.
Additional celebrity guests who attended this year’s Gala included performers JC Chasez and Sam Moore; actors Lou Ferrigno, Verne Troyer and Robert Culp; TV personalities Alan Kalter and Paige Hemmis; astronaut Buzz Aldrin; golf legend Arnold Palmer; 1961 Yankees teammates Moose Skowron, Whitey Ford, Ralph Terry, and Bob Turley as well as Mickey Mantle’s son David Mantle; Southern Methodist University head football coach June Jones; songwriter Paul Williams; comedian Norm Crosby; and many others. In addition, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings trainer Eric Sugarman, University of Minnesota head basketball coach Tubby Smith, Marilyn and Dr. Glen Nelson, and several Minnesota Vikings players.

Please visit these two sites and learn what you can do for those who can use the joy of sound in their lives. The man, William Austin, who started the Starkey Hearing Foundation, read his story on how it all started.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Path to cure for sensorineural hearing loss explained

