We extend our heartfelt thank you to the sponsors, vendors, presenters, and attendees for making the 2025 NHCA Annual Conference a fantastic 3 days of programming. As we reflect on this year’s achievements, we’re already buzzing with excitement for our next milestone: the 50th Anniversary at the 2026 Annual Conference in Fort Worth, TX, coming next February. We can’t wait to celebrate half a century of excellence in hearing conservation with you. Thank you once again for being an integral part of our journey, and we look forward to seeing you next year!

It is still not too late to apply to the Student Research Award! The Student Research Award (SRA) provides $1,000 to support graduate student research in hearing conservation/hearing loss prevention, and up to $1,000 for travel expenses plus complimentary registration to present the funded research at a future annual NHCA conference. The award is intended to support research studies such as dissertations, theses, or other special projects that are in the planning stages or currently underway. Completed projects are not eligible.

NHCA will select up to two graduate students to receive the SRA. Awardees will be notified by email early in the spring semester. Students must be currently enrolled at an accredited educational institution and studying in a field related to hearing loss prevention/hearing conservation. Recipients will receive an award of $1,000 for research-related expenses and will be eligible for up to $1,000 in additional funds for travel expenses plus complimentary registration to present the funded research at an annual NHCA conference.

Students must submit a complete application by the official SRA due date, March 15, 2025. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

This year’s theme builds upon the 2024 focus on changing mindsets towards ear and hearing care. We invite individuals of all ages to empower themselves to ensure healthy ears and hearing for themselves and others, with the theme, "Changing mindsets: empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all!"  

By encouraging individuals to recognize the importance of ear and hearing health, this campaign aims to inspire them to change behavior to protect their hearing from loud sounds and prevent hearing loss, check their hearing regularly, use hearing devices if needed, and support those living with hearing loss. Empowered individuals can drive change within themselves and in society at large.  

Learn more about events and download campaign materials here. 

Investigating the Potential Hearing Impairment and Ototoxicity in Children up to Six Years With Cystic Fibrosis After Aminoglycoside Exposure (PIANO-CF Extension). 
Schneider-Futschik EK, Munro CB, Quinlan C, Ranganathan S.Pediatr Pulmonol. 2025 Feb;60(2):e27505. doi: 10.1002/ppul.27505.PMID: 39935234 Free PMC article. 
 

LDHA-mediated glycolysis in stria vascularis endothelial cells regulates macrophages function through CX3CL1-CX3CR1 pathway in noise-induced oxidative stress. 
Yi Y, Wu MY, Chen KT, Chen AH, Li LQ, Xiong Q, Wang XR, Lei WB, Xiong GX, Fang SB.Cell Death Dis. 2025 Feb 3;16(1):65. doi: 10.1038/s41419-025-07394-6.PMID: 39900910 Free PMC article. 
 

Noise Exposure and Hearing Loss Among Landscape and Groundskeepers. 
Lyon J.Workplace Health Saf. 2025 Feb;73(2):109. doi: 10.1177/21650799241288910. Epub 2024 Oct 24.PMID: 39445637 
 

Neural and behavioral binaural hearing impairment and its recovery following moderate noise exposure. 
Benson MA, Peacock J, Sergison MD, Stich D, Tollin DJ.Hear Res. 2025 Feb;456:109166. doi: 10.1016/j.heares.2024.109166. Epub 2024 Dec 12.PMID: 39693785 
 

Occupational noise exposure and maternal pregnancy complications: register-based cohort from urban areas in four Nordic countries. 
Pasanen TP, Tiittanen P, Roswall N, Persson Waye K, Selander J, Sanchez Martinez N, Sjöström M, Vincens N, Ögren M, Aasvang GM, Evandt J, Krog NH, Weyde KV, Khan J, Gissler M, Lindstrøm JC, Poulsen AH, Pershagen G, Sorensen M, Lanki T.Occup Environ Med. 2025 Feb 12;81(12):603-609. doi: 10.1136/oemed-2024-109724.PMID: 39805682 
 

Vestibulocochlear system and quality of life in musicians: a study on the effects of auditory exposure. 
Scheuer M, Pimentel BN, Martins PDS, Moreira HG, Santos Filha VAVD.Codas. 2025 Feb 3;37(1):e20240010. doi: 10.1590/2317-1782/e20240010pt. eCollection 2025.PMID: 39907361 Free PMC article. 
 

Hearing threshold quartiles from the 1999-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. 
Murphy WJ, Flamme GA, Losonczy KG, Themann CL, Hoffman HJ.J Acoust Soc Am. 2025 Feb 1;157(2):940-946. doi: 10.1121/10.0035784.PMID: 39918580 

 Figure 1 from Kawchuk et al., linked in text below 

One of the more bizarre study set-ups in 2015 saw a human participant lay down in an MRI machine with a contraption on their finger that meant scientists could capture the internal machinations of a knuckle crack in real-time. It had long been thought that the cracking sound was the result of a tiny gas bubble collapsing in the synovial fluid that surrounds our joints, but not so, said the MRI study. 

To learn more about what actually causes the sound when you crack your knuckles, and what it might mean for your health, read on over here! The original study is available here. 

Who is NHCA?

Our Vision: To prevent hearing loss and other auditory disorders due to noise and secondary environmental factors in all sectors of society.

Our Mission: NHCA provides leadership, expertise, and education on hearing loss prevention strategies and services to the broader professional community and empowers and supports members through networking and advocacy.