A small number of new studies, including one I find particularly exciting: Apparently, the cochlea, which is part of the inner ear, produces distinct, very quiet noises in reaction to noise coming in externally. These so-called otoacoustic emissions differ between genders. A study found that otoacoustic emissions of gender dysphoric boys match the emissions of control girls. This is yet another physical difference to control groups of the birth gender and a physical similarity to control groups of the target gender!

• “Click-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions in Children and Adolescents with Gender Identity Disorder” by Burke et al., 2014.
• The Belgian group around Karen Wierckx, Els Elaut, Gunter Heylens, Griet de Cuypere and Guy T’Sjoen et al. published in 2013 “Hormonal therapy satisfaction is associated with better quality of life in transsexual persons”. The study stated that even after treatment, transsexuals have worse mental health than controls. However, mental and physical functioning can be improved by hormone therapy.
• The Journal of Sex Research published in 2014 an article by VanderLaan et al. that shows a link between obsessional interests and gender dysphoria in boys. This indicates a link between gender dysphoria and autism spectrum disorder.
• Bazarro-Castro et. al. published a study 2012 that shows hormone therapy is not only medically safe, it even reduces health risks (!).

And in personal news, I’m overwhelmed by the friendliness and caring attitude of the staff of a university hospital I went to this week… I got a date for surgery week after next, further reducing my gender dysphoria. Personal service by the chief physician and the anaesthesiologist… I can only say wow! I’m excited and happy and so thankful to the medical profession working so hard helping us all. There really is hope!