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Audiology Research Oct 2023The cochlear implant (CI) is a widely accepted option in patients with severe to profound hearing loss receiving limited benefit from traditional hearing aids. CI... (Review)
Review
The cochlear implant (CI) is a widely accepted option in patients with severe to profound hearing loss receiving limited benefit from traditional hearing aids. CI surgery uses a default setting for frequency allocation aiming to reproduce tonotopicity, thus mimicking the normal cochlea. One emerging instrument that may substantially help the surgeon before, during, and after the surgery is a surgical planning software product developed in collaboration by CASCINATION AG (Bern, Switzerland) and MED-EL (Innsbruck Austria). The aim of this narrative review is to present an overview of the main features of this otological planning software, called OTOPLAN. The literature was searched on the PubMed and Web of Science databases. The search terms used were "OTOPLAN", "cochlear planning software" "three-dimensional imaging", "3D segmentation", and "cochlear implant" combined into different queries. This strategy yielded 52 publications, and a total of 31 studies were included. The review of the literature revealed that OTOPLAN is a useful tool for otologists and audiologists as it improves preoperative surgical planning both in adults and in children, guides the intraoperative procedure and allows postoperative evaluation of the CI.
PubMed: 37887851
DOI: 10.3390/audiolres13050070 -
Audiology Research Apr 2024Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for tinnitus management is effective and widely recommended by national and international practice guidelines. However, all the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for tinnitus management is effective and widely recommended by national and international practice guidelines. However, all the evidence for CBT so far has come from Psychologist-led programs, and the potential role of Audiologists in providing CBT for tinnitus remains an important consideration.
OBJECTIVES
This study sets out to systematically map the body of literature relating to Audiologist-provided CBT for tinnitus, in order to summarise the current state of evidence and determine directions for future research.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Sources were eligible for inclusion if they addressed the concept of Audiologist-provided CBT. No restrictions were imposed on the date of publication. Only sources published in English were included.
SOURCES OF EVIDENCE
A wide range of primary and secondary literature sources were sought.
CHARTING METHODS
Data from included sources were charted systematically using a pre-designed data charting form.
RESULTS
Of the 267 identified sources, 30 were included in this review. This included both primary and secondary literature sources. Primary sources were compared and showed variation across Audiologist-provided CBT programs both in terms of procedural details and from a research standpoint.
CONCLUSIONS
A growing body of evidence has addressed the concept of Audiologist-provided CBT. Directions for future research include further primary research with an increased focus on face-to-face Audiologist-provided CBT, and a comparison of the outcomes of Audiologist-provided vs. Psychologist-provided CBT.
PubMed: 38804459
DOI: 10.3390/audiolres14030035 -
American Family Physician Apr 2024Hearing loss is a prevalent, chronic condition in the United States; it is often gradual and progressive and is underreported by patients and undertreated by physicians.... (Review)
Review
Hearing loss is a prevalent, chronic condition in the United States; it is often gradual and progressive and is underreported by patients and undertreated by physicians. The impaired ability to effectively hear and communicate may result in negative emotional, cognitive, economic, and social consequences for individuals and may pose a safety risk. Questionnaires and smartphone apps are available to help identify and evaluate self-perceived hearing loss. Physicians should assess for objective hearing impairment when the patient or family member raises a concern or if cognitive or mood symptoms are present that could be influenced by hearing loss. Three types of hearing loss exist: conductive, sensorineural, and mixed. Pure-tone audiometry uses an audiometer and is reported on an audiogram; it is the most accurate method for hearing loss detection. It can be used for screening or comprehensive testing when combined with tympanometry, speech-reception thresholds, and word-recognition testing. Audiograms that show a unilateral or asymmetrical sensorineural hearing loss can be signs of retrocochlear pathology and warrant additional evaluation by an audiologist and otolaryngologist as well as imaging studies. Medicare Parts A and B do not pay for hearing aids, although some Medicare Advantage (Part C) or supplemental plans may provide insurance coverage for hearing aids. Less expensive, over-the-counter hearing aids may help mild to moderate hearing loss. Family physicians should counsel patients on the importance of protecting their hearing.
Topics: Humans; Hearing Loss; Adult; United States; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Audiometry
PubMed: 38648830
DOI: No ID Found -
Seminars in Hearing Feb 2024Speech-in-noise testing has been proposed as a useful part of the audiometric test battery dating back to the earliest years of the field of audiology. Many... (Review)
Review
Speech-in-noise testing has been proposed as a useful part of the audiometric test battery dating back to the earliest years of the field of audiology. Many speech-in-noise tests have been developed and used to varying degrees. However, multiple barriers have prevented speech-in-noise testing from being used widely in the clinic. The purpose of this article is to provide a resource to audiologists and other hearing health professionals who want to know (1) what tests are available for use, (2) the rationale behind specific tests, and (3) important considerations when selecting one or more tests to use clinically. In addition, data are presented for four speech-in-noise tests with the purpose of comparing outcomes as a function of age and hearing status. The four tests (QuickSIN, Words in Noise [WIN], Listening in Spatialized Noise-Sentences [LiSN-S], and Coordinate Response Measure [CRM]) were completed by 30 individuals from three groups: 10 young adults with normal hearing, 10 older adults with normal hearing, and 10 older adults with hearing loss. The results suggest that, despite significant differences in performance between groups, group overlap was present such that some individuals from one group performed similar to some individuals of other groups; therefore, individual performance was more important than associated group. When selecting an appropriate speech-in-noise test to use clinically, audiologists should carefully consider the purpose of their testing and the type of information they desire as an outcome. A quick-resource table and appendix is provided to aid audiologists and other health professionals in their selection of an appropriate speech-in-noise test.
PubMed: 38370518
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1770155 -
American Journal of Audiology Sep 2023This study examined current auditory processing disorder (APD) protocols and audiologists' perspectives on the active debate seen in the literature regarding the status...
PURPOSE
This study examined current auditory processing disorder (APD) protocols and audiologists' perspectives on the active debate seen in the literature regarding the status of APD as a unique disorder.
METHOD
This study used a cross-sectional, nonexperimental survey design. The participants were 134 U.S. audiologists, representing diversity across experience level and work setting.
RESULTS
Popular APD tests from prior surveys remain popular, and a few new tests have emerged. Most audiologists use diverse strategies to identify potential comorbid disorders as part of their APD protocol, including multidisciplinary assessment and referral to other specialists. Most participants disagreed with the assertion that APD is not a unique disorder; however, many also pointed out that patients' struggles with listening need to be the primary focus of APD assessment and management, regardless of the label of the disorder. Qualitative analysis of participant comments on the controversy yielded six themes: Clinical Experience, Comorbidity, Listening Skills, Literature Support, Overdiagnosis, and More Information Needed.
CONCLUSION
Most participants consider APD to be a unique disorder, citing clinical experience and the literature for support; however, many also indicated APD is complicated by comorbidity and APD may be overdiagnosed.
Topics: Humans; Audiologists; Auditory Perceptual Disorders; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Referral and Consultation; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 37625132
DOI: 10.1044/2023_AJA-23-00035 -
American Journal of Audiology Dec 2023The primary purpose of this study was to determine which scope of practice roles and responsibilities are attributed to the profession of audiology (AUD) relative to...
PURPOSE
The primary purpose of this study was to determine which scope of practice roles and responsibilities are attributed to the profession of audiology (AUD) relative to other health care disciplines by a group of health and human services faculty and students.
METHOD
An online survey inquiring about participant knowledge of different health professions' scopes of practice, and experience with and attitude toward the profession of AUD, was sent to faculty and students in the Western Michigan University College of Health and Human Services. Students also completed two subscales of the Interprofessional Attitudes Scale. Descriptive statistics and chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis analyses evaluating response differences between groups are presented.
RESULTS
Thirty-six faculty and 118 students (48 graduate and 70 undergraduate) completed the survey. AUD was the profession most often associated with all hearing-related scope of practice activities. Speech-language pathology was often associated with hearing-related scope of practice activities. Audiologists were less commonly associated with vestibular, balance, and mobility scope of practice activities. Group was significant for four scope of practice activities. About half of respondents indicated they knew nothing or a little about AUD, and a majority had no or rare interactions with audiologists in class or clinic. Only about half of participants responded they were likely or very likely to refer patients to an audiologist.
CONCLUSION
Increased knowledge of the scope of practice and exposure to the profession of AUD may benefit other health care professionals and patients, possibly leading to increased interprofessional practice and an increased number of appropriate referrals.
Topics: Humans; Audiology; Scope of Practice; Audiologists; Hearing; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 37783210
DOI: 10.1044/2023_AJA-23-00027 -
AIDS (London, England) Nov 2023To evaluate the peripheral hearing sensitivity and central auditory processing in persons with HIV (PWH) and persons without HIV (PWoH); and the association between... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the peripheral hearing sensitivity and central auditory processing in persons with HIV (PWH) and persons without HIV (PWoH); and the association between cognitive function and central auditory processing in PWH and PWoH.
DESIGN
Cross-sectional, observational study.
METHODS
Participants included 67 PWH {70.2% men; mean age = 66.6 years [standard deviation (SD) = 4.7 years]} and 35 PWoH [51.4% men; mean age = 72.9 years (SD = 7.0 years)]. Participants completed a hearing assessment and a central auditory processing assessment that included dichotic digits testing (DDT). Pure-tone air-conduction thresholds were obtained at octave frequencies from 0.25 through 8 kHz. A pure-tone average (PTA) was calculated from 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz thresholds for each ear. Participants also completed a neuropsychological battery assessing cognition in seven domains.
RESULTS
PWH had slightly lower (i.e. better) PTAs compared with PWoH, but this was not statistically significant. Conversely, PWH and PWoH had similar DDT results for both ears. Poorer verbal fluency, learning, and working memory performance was significantly related to lower DDT scores, and those defined as having verbal fluency, learning, and working memory impairment had significantly poorer DDT scores (8-18% lower) in both ears.
CONCLUSION
Hearing and DDT results were similar in PWH and PWoH. The relationship between verbal fluency, learning, and working memory impairment and poorer DDT results did not differ by HIV serostatus. Clinicians, particularly audiologists, should be mindful of cognitive functioning abilities when evaluating central auditory processing.
Topics: Male; Humans; Aged; Female; Cross-Sectional Studies; HIV Infections; Cognition; Cognition Disorders; Learning
PubMed: 37289579
DOI: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000003618