Tech

‘Once it’s gone, it’s gone’: How to future-proof your hearing

Hearing loss is not only caused by rocket launches or death metal concerts. Hearing loss can be caused by many everyday activities. What you can do now to keep your hearing healthy for years to come.
You can build your muscles back up in just a few months if you don’t go to the gym. What about your hearing? You can’t train your hearing. Once it is gone, you can’t get it back, says Valerie Pavlovich Ruff. She’s an audiologist at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
Audiologists have reported hearing loss among teens and children under 10 years old, despite the fact that we know our hearing declines with age.
Jamie Bogle is an audiologist with the Mayo Clinic Arizona in the US. She says, “We all have a bad habit of not protecting our ears as we get older.” But these episodes can add up, and things we did as children may show up in later life.
It’s not only rocket launches or death metal concerts that can affect your hearing in the long term.
Learn how to prepare your ears to face the future.
What Hearing Works
The cochlea is located deep inside your inner ear, past your eardrum. The cochlea is lined with thousands tiny hair cells. Each cell has a delicate tuft with dozens of bristles. On the bottom of the cell, there is a nerve that connects to the auditory cord, which sends electrical signals from the brain.
These tiny hairs move like leaves in the breeze as sound waves enter the ear. These hairs move in a way that is converted into electrical signals, which are then interpreted by our brain as sound.
The cumulative effect of the loudness at which most events are played can be damaging to your inner ears after only 10 or 15 minutes.
The exposure to loud sounds for too long can act like a gale force wind, breaking or bending these hairs. These hairs don’t regrow, unlike eyelashes.
Hearing loss and its effects
Hearing loss, as we age can cause social isolation. Pavlovich-Ruff says that people who worry about mishearing things are more likely than others to isolate themselves from their friends and communities.
A number of studies also link age-related loss in hearing with dementia or cognitive decline.
The evidence gathered to date does not prove that these changes in mental health are caused by hearing loss. Hearing loss and dementia may both be signs of the same degenerative process. Pavlovich-Ruff explains that the two are often confused at an early stage. This person might not even have cognitive impairment. They may simply not be able hear.
Pavlovich Ruffle says, “The human hair cell count is the same as it was the day I was born.” Once you’ve lost those cells, it is irreversible. “It can’t ever be repaired.”
Scientists are developing gene therapies that will regrow hairs. They have been inspired by the way hair cells grow in certain animals such as chickens and zebrafish. Pavlovich-Ruff warns that until this happens, the best defence is to protect your assets.
Headphone jamming and concerts
Pavlovich-Ruff explains that “live music is often amplified, and it is too loud.” She explains that at the level of music played by many venues, your inner ears are damaged after only 10 to 15 minutes. If you plan to attend the entire concert, it is best that you wear earplugs. Foam earplugs will actually distort music.
Look for high-fidelity plugs that soften sound without altering its character. Pavlovich-Ruff says that you can buy some high-fidelity plugs as low as $25 (PS19). She says that real music lovers may be interested in investing in custom-made musician’s plugs. These cost around $175 (PS133), and are fitted by an audiologist.
It’s the same at sporting events. Stadiums are often proud of how loud their fans cheer. Pavlovich says that she often observes babies at sporting events wearing hearing protectors, while the parents don’t. What about your ears? “Don’t you wish to hear the baby as an adult?”
Audiologists notice a one-sided loss of hearing in those who ride with their windows down.
Most of us still go to sporting and concert events only once or twice a year. Our main way to hear loud music is via headphones.
Pavlovich-Ruff says that teens and children who listen to loud sounds for long periods of time are beginning to lose their hearing. Pavlovich-Ruff recalls the case of a 6-year-old girl she treated recently in clinic. Although her family had not noticed any changes in her hearing abilities, Pavlovich-Ruff found evidence that the maximum volume setting on the laptop was to blame.
In a study conducted in Sweden, a difference was found in the hearing of children who regularly wore headphones compared to those who did not. According to researchers, up to 1.35 billion under-35s could suffer from hearing loss prematurely due amplified sounds and personal listening devices.
Pavlovich-Ruff stresses that many devices have active volume limits which limit sound levels to a safe level. It’s vital to adhere to these guardrails. If you wear headphones but can communicate with someone standing close by, then you are fine. It’s too loud if someone shouts at you, or if you cannot hear anyone at all.
Home repair, gardening and road trips
What you might not expect is how loud your DIY tools can be. The buzzsaw, leaf blower, lawnmower and weedwhacker are all examples. Many jurisdictions are mandating the switch to electric tools from noisy gas powered ones.
Pavlovich Ruff & Bogle advise that it’s essential to protect your ears during such activities. This can be done by wearing earplugs or earmuffs over the ears, or even both. It’s generally best to choose the loudest noise reduction rating (NRR) you can tolerate. NRR is measured in decibels. Each NRR point equals one decibel.
Bogle, a professional earmuffs manufacturer, says that “earmuffs have a larger size, provide more protection from noise, and are harder to misplace.”
Bogle and Pavlovich-Ruff recommend noise-cancelling headphones if you’re going to be doing noisy tasks.
It’s tempting to open the window as the weather gets better. Pavlovich-Ruff says that while this is fine for quiet streets, riding on the highway with your window down can damage your hearing.
She says that the wind rush is much louder than people think. Audiologists see a one-sided loss of hearing in those who ride with their windows down. The radio is another problem. We unconsciously turn it up to drown out the wind. Pavlovich says, “It is a double-whammy.”
She says that motorcyclists must always wear earplugs. But they should use plugs with high fidelity so you can hear traffic and emergency vehicles. They will also reduce the Harley revs to a soft purr.
There is too much earplugging
You’re not the only one who finds that reading this article makes you realize you need to plug your ears much more frequently than you thought. You should be careful when inserting anything into your ear.
It’s like an oven that cleans itself. Earwax is used to flush away dead skin cells and bacteria. The ear canal is like a self-cleaning oven. It uses earwax to flush out dead skin and bacteria.
Cotton buds and earplugs can be used to compact the wax in the canal of the ear, pushing it toward the eardrum. Itching or pressure can result. Over time, the wax can build up and form a layer that muffles sounds, causing hearing loss. This bacteria build-up and moisture trapped can cause infection.
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Pavlovich-Ruff advises against wearing earplugs at night because of the possibility of infection and earwax buildup. She says that earplugs are fine for short-term periods, such as a holiday or red-eye flight in a loud neighbourhood.
Tests for Hearing Loss
If you wear earplugs regularly, it’s possible that your hearing has been affected. What are the signs that it is time for a test?
Bogle asserts that several US states are “really adept” at testing children in schools for hearing impairment. Bogle says that as we age, “we don’t really do any testing until there is a problem.”
Hearing loss can occur at any age. The conventional advice has been to have a hearing test done before the age of 60. Pavlovich-Ruff advises that people under 30 and even those younger than this should be aware if they are having trouble hearing a conversation when in a noisy environment.
Pavlovich Ruff advises getting tested as soon as you notice any problem. Noise-induced hearing loss can be preceded by tinnitus, or ringing of the ears. If you have been subjected to loud sounds and you hear ringing in your ears, it’s time for you to get a hearing evaluation.
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Sign up for the Health Fix Newsletter by Melissa Hogenboom, senior health correspondent who has also written the Live Well For Longer course and the Six Steps To Calm course.
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Tech

Ukraine and 9 other countries announce a coalition to protect Europe from ballistic missiles

PARIS (AP). — Ukraine, nine other nations and the European Union announced on Monday that they would form a new coalition to defend Europe against ballistic missiles. They will use Kyiv’s four-year experience fighting Russia’s invasion.
The 10 nations made a joint statement at a meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris.
He asked two dozen European leaders to help him develop measures against the Russian missile attacks which have devastated his country, and caused the rest of Europe to be wary about Moscow’s ambitions in Europe.
Zelenskyy, along with the leaders of Denmark France Germany Italy the Netherlands Norway Spain Sweden the United Kingdom and Denmark said that they were aware “of the growing threat” posed by Ballistic Missiles, which are more difficult to intercept than Cruise missiles and drones.
The statement stated that “we believe protecting Europe needs a comprehensive approach, which includes an integrated missile defence architecture to neutralize and deter future missile threats.” We recognize Ukraine’s experience gained from its fight against Russia’s war of aggression.
In the statement, no date was given for the deployment of the system. The plan is open to all countries.
Putin does not show any signs of backing down
Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, was unyielding and vowed Monday to retaliate emphatically against Kyiv for its recent attacks at a distance on petrochemical refineries, tanks, terminals, which have led to widespread fuel shortages.
Putin said at a Kremlin-friendly activists’ meeting that he would respond to any attack on Russian soil with strikes several times stronger.
Separately, the European Foreign Ministers met in Brussels to discuss Ukraine’s concerns and Russia’s threat against Europe.
Zelenskyy wants to intensify efforts to build air defenses with European countries ahead of the winter when Russia will increase its attacks on Ukraine to prevent them from having electricity, heat, and water.
Zelenskyy reported that Ukrainian officials had been in Paris for a presentation of a proposed Anti-Ballistic Program, and to meet with potential participants, including government leaders, advisers on national security, and companies involved in defense.
The pledge made by U.S. president Donald Trump last week that Ukraine would be granted a production license for Patriot air defense system to combat ballistic missiles, could represent a significant breakthrough for Kyiv. Experts and Ukrainian officials caution that it will probably take many years to turn the idea into a reality. Uncertainty surrounded the speed of a European-wide system.
Ukraine wants Putin to negotiate
Kyiv, along with its European allies, wants to highlight the recent victories of Ukraine and force Putin to end the conflict. However Moscow is unwilling to make any compromises despite the peace efforts made by the Trump Administration.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesperson, said that Moscow would closely monitor the Paris Meeting but dismiss its aspirations.
Peskov stated that “this is a warmongering coalition.” They are motivated by the deep delusion it is possible to defeat our country strategically. This coalition, therefore, is one of war-instigators.
Analysts and Western officials claim that Ukraine has gained an advantage in recent times due to its advances in drone technologies. The strikes against supply routes in the back of the line have cost the Russian Army momentum, and made their progress costly and slow.
Ukraine claims it has hit 105 Russian ships in eight days
Robert Brovdi said that between 6-13 July, Ukrainian unmanned systems forces had struck 105 Russian ships in the Sea of Azov, near the Crimean Peninsula.
Brovdi, who posted the information on Telegram, said that amongst other vessels, there were tankers, ships for dry cargo, tugboats and a ferry.
This campaign is part a larger Ukrainian attempt to isolate Crimea, currently experiencing its worst fuel shortage since being illegally annexed by Moscow back in 2014. It also aims at disrupting Russian logistics. Crimea serves as a major rear base for Russian troops occupying southern Ukraine.
The Russian government did not immediately comment on the allegations, as it was impossible to independently confirm them.
European leaders show their support for Kyiv
Paris’ meeting of the Coalition of the Willing – which includes more than 30 nations and 25 head of state or government – appeared to demonstrate a commitment for the long term to Ukraine, and to send a message to Russia as it tests the resilience of Europe.
Zelenskyy made the trip after the U.S. senator Lindsey Graham died. Graham was one of Kyiv’s most ardent supporters in Washington. Oleksandr Merezhko, a lawmaker from Ukraine’s parliament called Graham the “closest link” between Ukraine and Trump.
This trip comes at the same time as a major government reshuffle that resulted in Prime Minister Yulia stepping down on Sunday.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced that he will summon the Russian Ambassador to France, and impose sanctions on Russian hackers. According to Barrot, the matter is “a massive cyber campaign by Russia aimed at sabotage or espionage in around 10 European countries.”
Ukraine’s neighbours have felt the impact of war as well.
Moldovan Foreign Ministry said that in the most recent incident, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launched by Russia during overnight Russian attacks against Ukraine’s Odesa Region crashed and exploded onto Moldova’s land. The incident, it said, was “serious” and “inacceptable.”
Ukraine launches over 300 drones at Moscow
Ukraine’s long-range missiles and drones, developed domestically, have been aimed deep within Russia.
Sergei Sobyanin, mayor of the capital city, said that Russian air defenses have shot down 350 Ukrainian drones headed toward Moscow, 50 in close proximity to the capital.
Moscow Regional Gov. Andrei Vorobyov stated that 81 Ukrainian drones had been downed over night, and added that three people died as a result of this attack.
Ukraine’s air force said that Russia had launched three guided missiles, as well as 134 long range strike drones, at Ukraine.
Five crewmen were killed and 10 injured in a strike against port infrastructure that took place in the Odesa Region of Ukraine.
Russia claims to have foiled a large drone operation in Ukraine
The Russian Federal Security Service announced that it foiled a Ukrainian drone attack plan on Ukrainka Air Base in Amur Region, in eastern Russia. It also said the Shagol Air Base in Chelyabinsk in southern Urals.
Security service: Small drones were brought into Russia’s Bryansk Region using transport drones. The agents were then arrested after they were taken to the base by cars.
According to Ukrainian officials, an undercover Ukrainian operation, Operation Spiderweb, carried drones secretly into Russia a year earlier, damaged or destroyed nearly a third (33%) of Moscow’s strategic aircraft fleet.
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Novikov reports from Kyiv in Ukraine. Lorne Corbet and Sylvie Cook contributed from Paris, Brussels.
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Tech

Paramount, WBD hit with lawsuit from 12 states to block merger

Twelve state attorneys general have filed a suit Monday to oppose Paramount Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
After weeks of speculation, the lawsuit seeks to stop the merger due to antitrust issues. David Faber, a CNBC reporter earlier that day, reported the expected lawsuit to be filed on Monday.
This merger would bring together two legendary film studios – Paramount Studios and Warner Bros. – as well streaming platforms Paramount+, and HBO Max. Paramount CEO David Ellison said previously that the streaming services will become one after the deal.
This would create the biggest portfolio of television networks in the U.S. by combining Paramount’s CBS broadcast network and other pay channels such as MTV, BET, and TNT with WBD CNN and TNT.
The lawsuit was brought by the California Attorney General Rob Bonta and also by the attorneys general of Arizona. Connecticut, Massachusetts. Minnesota. Nevada. New Jersey. New Mexico. New York. Oregon. Washington.
Bonta stated in a press release that the merger would result in higher prices, lower content, and reduced quality for films and TV. This will harm movie theaters and basic cable providers, as well as audiences in every movie theater and sofa in America.
A Paramount spokesperson released a long statement on Monday in which they called the suit a “misrepresentation” of today’s competition within the entertainment industry. They also stated that the company plans to vigorously defend the deal and show that the challenge does not align with the competition policies and realities of the market.
Paramount continued, “Delaying the transaction would only hurt entertainment workers that have already been affected by technology disrupting their livelihoods and costing California tens thousands of jobs in entertainment.”
In the lawsuit, filed on Monday, concerns were raised about the combined size. The merged company would have control over nearly one third of all films and almost a quarter of cable television programming.
Attorneys general warned Warner Bros., and Paramount to wait until the legal process was completed before closing the merger.
Bonta, who is suing the company for alleged wrongful conduct in connection with the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles, held a press conference on Monday to reiterate the claims made in his lawsuit.
Bonta stated during the event that “this merger would kill competition, increase prices, reduce content quality and create fewer films and shows every year.” We have merger control laws and antitrust laws for good reason. Competition is vital to a vibrant and healthy economy.
Paramount responded in a statement released on Monday, stating that the merger “would create a stronger and better-capitalized media company with heightened creative capabilities that would be better-positioned to compete against companies such as Netflix, which have dominated the market for premium content, audiences, and talent.” Any attempt to stop this deal undermines antitrust laws’ principles of promoting more competition for consumers and creators, as well as more opportunity for workers and employees.
WBD shareholders approved the merger in April. Ellison stated on a recent call with investors that they were on schedule to complete by September.
Paramount may incur additional costs in the event that closing of the deal is delayed. Paramount agreed as part of the merger proposal to pay an additional fee if closing is delayed past September 30. Paramount has set this fee as an extra 25 cents per quarter paid to WBD investors until the closing.
For every quarter that the transaction is not completed, this fee will be equivalent to about $650 Million in cash.
Hollywood expressed its concerns over the merger, noting the possibility of job loss and fewer films being released. Ellison promised to release 30 films per year once the studios were combined and he said that he was committed to protecting job opportunities.
After the filing of the lawsuit on Monday, The Writers Guild of America and Cinema United, which is the largest trade association in the exhibition industry, issued statements to support the position of the coalition.
The WGA stated in a press release that the merger between two major Hollywood studios would reduce the competition within the industry. This will lead to lower salaries for the entertainment workers and less programming for the consumers.
Michael O’Leary said, in a press release, that “the ramifications” of more movie studio consolidation would be profound and long-lasting, not only in Hollywood but also on Main Streets in communities across the nation, where movie theaters are cultural and economic cornerstones.
Ellison set out to buy WBD in September last year. After Paramount’s merger with Ellison Skydance, WBD made its first bid just weeks later. This led to several offers and an official sale.
WBD signed an agreement to sell their film studios and streaming assets. Paramount, however, launched an hostile bid and then amended it. Netflix canceled its agreement, while Paramount agreed to purchase the entire WBD at $31 per share.
Both U.S. lawmakers and European legislators questioned the deal, particularly in relation to Paramount’s foreign financing. The Antitrust Division of U.S. Department of Justice cleared the deal of any federal concerns in mid-June.
The Department of Justice stated in its decision that “the Division completed its analysis on the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros., and determined from the evidence it received during its investigation that this transaction will not harm the competition or American customers.”
As the merger moves towards a possible close, it has received approvals from several international jurisdictions.

Tech

EU sanctions Russian cyber spies for years-long hacking

BRUSSELS – The European Union blacklisted Monday members of a Russian Intelligence group that it claimed was responsible for spying and hacking against targets in the EU and Ukraine as far back as 2010.
The EU’s top diplomatic official said that a unit of Russia’s Federal Security Service was in charge of directing the actions carried out by the Turla hacking group, backed by the Russian government, who targeted critical infrastructure, governments and strategic industries throughout Europe.
In a statement, the FSB said that cybercriminals, companies, and hacktivists had orchestrated attacks, “resulting in disruptions and losses of financial value.”
French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot said to BFMTV that France would summon Russia’s ambassador in relation to the hacking campaign.
This latest list refers to EU cyber sanctions, which were first implemented in 2020. The EU used them against Russian military intelligence officers GRU who carried out attacks such as a global NotPetya outbreak and a hack on the German Bundestag. Brussels expanded its list of hackers sanctioned to include additional GRU officers for attacks against Estonia. The EU has sanctioned individuals involved in Russia’s hybrid aggression such as sabotage, disinformation and sabotage.
Turla, according to the French government has compromised unclassified emails at the Defense Ministry’s in 2017. It also allegedly breached France’s embassy in Moscow in the year following and stolen industrial secrets from high-tech companies in 2025. French officials accuse Turla of hijacking infrastructure from third parties, including offensive cyber-capabilities linked to Iran. This is to hide the source of their operations.
Barrot stated that “these operations are aimed at military personnel, companies and operators, with the intention of intercepting communications or sabotaging operations, such as railway infrastructure in Poland.”
EU officials said that the FSB was behind a sabotage campaign in Poland against critical infrastructure, such as combined heat and power plants.
Sanctions imposed on Monday include asset and travel freezes, as well as travel and other restrictions for individuals and entities listed. The sanctions also apply to Russian tech companies that support the intelligence services. This includes Advanced System Technology and NPP Gamma. These will be banned from trading in the EU. AST was previously sanctioned in the United States by 2021.
On Monday, the United Kingdom announced sanctions against 24 people and entities that are linked with Russian intelligence services.

Tech

EU wants 13+ age restriction for social media

BRUSSELS – The European Union is imposing a minimum internet age to allow young users access to social media sites without supervision from parents, announced Ursula von der Leyen on Monday.
It is clear that platforms should be restricted according to age. It isn’t about whether or not children have access to social media. “It is not about whether or when children can use social media,” said she.
Von der Leyen has presented the report of a group of experts that she assembled last year in order to examine policies for fighting social media harms. On Monday, the report recommended that children under 13 should have access to social networks only for a limited time and with supervision from parents.
After years of addressing the risks that social media poses to children’s mental and physical well-being, the EU has finally made its announcement. Von der Leyen made this issue her top priority during her second tenure as head of the EU executive. Athens and Paris, as well as other EU countries like Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia, have all pushed for an age restriction.
Users under the age of 13 are already restricted from using social media because they can’t consent to their data being processed in accordance with EU privacy laws.
Von der Leyen said that parents also should have the power to set age restrictions on social media. She said that children should be allowed to use social media only under supervision by parents, teachers and caregivers.
She said that change is not instantaneous and takes time. She said that eventually people would change their behaviors, just as when they introduced seat belts for road safety.
Von der Leyen stated that the bloc will also consider age limits for other online platforms and begin work to determine which are harmful to children.
She said that the Commission wanted to “impose a phased and gradual approach for different age groups,” adding, “Childhood will not wait and, once it is gone, it can’t be brought back.”
It was also suggested that the panel recommends that kids should not be exposed to screen technology below age three, and gradually introduced to other technologies and social media until they are 13 years old.

Tech

Defense startup Helsing raises $1.8 billion at $18 billion valuation

Helsing, a German defense start-up in Europe, announced Monday that it had raised $1.8 billion through a financing round. This puts the German company at 18 billion.
The funding was provided by both new and existing investors, such as JPMorgan Chase Investment Bank and Lightspeed Venture Partners as well venture capital funds Iconiq and Lightspeed Venture Partners.
Helsing stated in a release that “investor demand exceeded available allocations, reflecting strong confidence and growth in AI-driven software defined defence technology.”
Helsing describes itself as an hardware and software platform in defense. The company makes underwater surveillance and drones, as well as artificial intelligence software and autonomous systems to support these applications.
Munich’s firm, which is headquartered in Munich, has established itself as an European leader in the defense sector. Its HX-2 drones are among systems being provided to the Ukrainian Army. Helsing is benefiting from the renewed European focus on developing more sovereign capabilities for technology and defence.
In a press release, Helsing stated that “the company is still primarily owned by Europeans.” This highlights the firm’s deep European roots.
Helsing said that the latest round of funding will help “accelerate Helsing’s mission of developing and integrating entirely new AI platforms in the defense capabilities” of the growing number of nations it partners with.
Investors on the private market have shown a keen interest in new-age defense companies. Helsing’s rival Anduril, valued at $61 billion in the U.S. Shield AI, autonomous shipmaker Saronic and other startups have recently raised funds.