Here's a look at some of the top health news being talked about around the U.S. and the world today:

• Baby boomers appear to be suffering from fewer hearing problems as they age than their parents did, according to a new study.

• Pain pumps, often used in hospitals after surgery to deliver local anesthetic to specific areas of the body, are being blamed in more than 150 lawsuits. Several studies have concluded the pumps may to blame for an uptick an ailment called Chondrolysis, in which cartilage between the bone dies, creating painful grinding.

• As sodium intake gains attention on the national health agenda, a new study is blaming the amount of salt in processed foods for unhealthy increases of sodium in the American diet. Public health officials are calling for companies in the food industry to reduce sodium content in their products.

• A Japanese-based company is recalling more than 2 million medical needles in the U.S. because of a design flaw that could endanger patients, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.