-
International Journal of Pediatric... Dec 2020To evaluate middle and inner ear function and hearing status of children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate middle and inner ear function and hearing status of children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).
METHODS
We assigned 56 patients with FMF to the study group and 52 healthy volunteers to the control group. The mean age of patients in the study and control groups were 10.10 ± 3.70 and 9.77 ± 3.74 years, respectively. Physical examination and hearing evaluation were performed in both groups. The audiological test battery included 226-Hz tympanometry, pure tone audiometric evaluation, acoustic stapedial reflex measurements, distortion product otoacoustic emission recording, and wide-band tympanometry assessment.
RESULTS
The groups were similar in age and sex ratio (p > 0.05 for both comparisons). Pure tone audiogram and distortion product otoacoustic emission results were also similar for both groups (p > 0.05). The ipsilateral acoustic stapedial reflex were present in both of the groups and all participants had Type A tympanogram. The contralateral acoustic stapedial reflex thresholds were significantly higher in the familial Mediterranean fever group (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). The ambient and peak pressure absorbance values of wide-band tympanometry were significantly lower at 2000 Hz and significantly higher at 4000 Hz in the familial Mediterranean fever group (p < 0.05 for both comparisons). The severity and duration of disease adversely affected the absorbance values of wide-band tympanometry at 2000 and 4000 Hz (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the adverse subclinical effects of familial Mediterranean fever on the middle ear. We recommend that children diagnosed with FMF should be closely monitored for future clinical middle ear pathologies.
Topics: Acoustic Impedance Tests; Adolescent; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Auditory Threshold; Case-Control Studies; Child; Ear, Middle; Familial Mediterranean Fever; Humans; Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous
PubMed: 33032256
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2020.110417 -
The International Tinnitus Journal Mar 2021Auditory processing is the analysis of sounds' attributions such as localization, lateralization, temporality, frequency, loudness, phase, auditory memory and auditory...
PURPOSE
Auditory processing is the analysis of sounds' attributions such as localization, lateralization, temporality, frequency, loudness, phase, auditory memory and auditory attention through primer and secondar central auditory paths. This study aims to show that music contributes on auditory processing by applying central auditory tests on two groups who are musicians and nonmusicians.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The participants in this study are aged between 20 and 40. The mean age of the musician participants is 24.40±3.811, when the mean age of non-musician participants is 26.07±4.525. Each group has 30 participants. All participants got examined for otorhinolaryngology and they were tested for pure tone audiometry and immitansmetric measurement. For musician participants, this study included people who have professional music career for at least 5 years and for non-musician participants, it has been included those who are capable of normal hearing. All participants tested for Frequency Patterns Test (FPT), Duration Patterns Test (DPT), Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT) and Staggered Spondaic Word Test (SSWT).
RESULTS
The results of the FPT, DPT, RGDT and SSWT tests applied to musician and non-musician participants indicate that there is a statistical significance on auditory processing between these two groups (p<0.05). It is founded that there is a considerable difference as a result of statistical significance between the tests from right to left and from left to right (p<0.05). In addition, it is founded that musician participants have much more comprehension ability in the tests from left to right than the tests from right to lefts.
CONCLUSION
This study indicates that people who are interested in music professionally have developed auditory processing skills and senses than people who does not show any professional interest in music.
Topics: Adult; Attention; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Auditory Perception; Humans; Music; Young Adult
PubMed: 34410090
DOI: 10.5935/0946-5448.20210021 -
Journal of Communication Disorders 2023Calibration is an essential component of audiology practice to ensure the accuracy of the equipment for audiometric tests and the transferability of test results across...
Calibration is an essential component of audiology practice to ensure the accuracy of the equipment for audiometric tests and the transferability of test results across different clinics and countries. The ability to check the accuracy of the equipment and the ambient noise levels allows clinicians to monitor the functions of their equipment, to reduce noise distractors in the testing environment, and to have confidence in their test results, especially in humanitarian or field test settings. Sound level meters are the primary instruments to measure the sound pressure levels of the transducers and the test rooms used for audiometric testing. The International Electrotechnical Commission released a 3-part IEC 61672 standard of the specifications of sound level meters in 2013, and it is adopted by the standards organizations of many countries. This first installment of the tutorial series references this international standard and discusses basic acoustics concepts, calibration principles, and key functions of sound level meters in the application of audiometric calibration. Subsequent installments will discuss how to measure the ambient noise levels, how to determine whether a test room is suitable for testing hearing thresholds using different transducers, and how to determine whether different transducers of audiometers meet the national or international standards.
Topics: Humans; Calibration; Audiometry; Noise; Acoustics
PubMed: 36638627
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcomdis.2022.106300 -
Acta Oto-laryngologica 2023The increase in screen time and the decrease in physical- activity cause balance problems as well as many systemic handicaps.
BACKGROUND
The increase in screen time and the decrease in physical- activity cause balance problems as well as many systemic handicaps.
AIMS/OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to determine the effect of screen time on balance and the effect of headphone usage time on hearing.
METHOD
Thirty-four individuals aged 6-16 years who applied to our clinic with complaints of dizziness and/or balance disorder were included in the study. Participants were divided into 2 groups according to their screen time: Group 1 (4-8 h/day) and Group2(>8 h/day). The other two groups are grouped according to headphone usage time as Group A (2-4 h/day) and Group B (>4hours/day). Pure-tone audiometry, extended high frequency-audiometry, Videonystagmography (VNG) and Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) tests and Pediatric Berg Balance Scale and Visual Analogue Scale were applied to all individuals. CDP scores and pure tone hearing thresholds between groups were compared.
RESULTS
A significant difference was observed between Group 1 and Group 2 according to the CDP test (visual, vestibular and composite scores), and according to the VAS-dizziness and PBS ( ≤ .05). Pure tone average and pure tone thresholds at high frequencies were compared between Group A and Group B according to headphone usage time. Pure tone thresholds of Group B were worse at high frequencies than Group A ( ≤ .05).
CONCLUSIONS
It has been observed that prolonged screen time may cause balance impairment in children and prolonged use of headphones may affect high-frequency hearing thresholds.
Topics: Humans; Child; Dizziness; Screen Time; Hearing; Vertigo; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Auditory Threshold
PubMed: 38197860
DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2023.2296556 -
International Journal of Audiology Apr 2021To determine if tinnitus was related to working memory (WM) in adults and if tinnitus handicap was related to WM in adults with tinnitus.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if tinnitus was related to working memory (WM) in adults and if tinnitus handicap was related to WM in adults with tinnitus.
DESIGN
Two groups, cross-sectional design.
STUDY SAMPLES
76 adults forming a tinnitus group ( = 38) and a control group ( = 38). Each group included 19 adults with normal hearing and 19 adults with hearing loss matched for age, sex and educational backgrounds. All participants completed the visual back test; pure tone audiometry (0.125-16 kHz); and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Tinnitus sufferers also completed the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI).
RESULTS
For all participants, tinnitus was not related to WM scores when corrected for hearing thresholds, anxiety, and depression. The corrections for best ear high-frequency pure-tone average hearing threshold (BEHFPTA: 10, 12.5, 14 and 16 kHz) were significant. For tinnitus sufferers, THI was related to WM scores in the easiest back condition, and BEHFPTA was related to WM scores in the easiest and the hardest back condition.
CONCLUSION
Tinnitus was not related to WM scores. Tinnitus handicap was related to some WM scores in tinnitus sufferers. Further investigation of the possible relationship between high-frequency hearing and WM is warranted.
Topics: Adult; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Cross-Sectional Studies; Hearing Loss; Humans; Memory, Short-Term; Tinnitus
PubMed: 33000654
DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2020.1822550 -
International Journal of Pediatric... Jan 2022Access to hearing health care in developing countries and for individuals living in rural areas is a challenge. This has prompted the development of portable audiometry...
UNLABELLED
Access to hearing health care in developing countries and for individuals living in rural areas is a challenge. This has prompted the development of portable audiometry using automated game-based procedures via smartphones and tablets.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to compare the automated game-based and tester-assisted (conventional procedure administered via a tablet) options available on a tablet audiometer with children outside a clinical environment.
METHODS
58 children ages 5-12 years were tested using a tablet audiometer at four different after-school facilities, with half the children completing the automated game-based procedure and half completing the conventional (tester-assisted) procedure administered via the tablet. Seven of the children completed both procedures.
RESULTS
The tester-assisted procedure was found to be significantly more efficient than the automated game-based procedure, both in terms of time taken to provide test instructions, and for the duration of the testing.
CONCLUSION
Although tablet audiometry has been found to be accurate and reliable, the currently available automated game-based procedure takes longer than the tester-assisted mode. The game-based procedure could be improved by adding automated reinforcement to make it more engaging for children ages 5-12 years.
Topics: Audiometry; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Child; Child, Preschool; Computers, Handheld; Hearing; Hearing Loss; Humans; Smartphone
PubMed: 34923294
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2021.111006 -
Audiology & Neuro-otology 2021The ADHEAR device, a new nonsurgical bone conduction hearing device, has been developed for patients with conductive hearing loss.
BACKGROUND
The ADHEAR device, a new nonsurgical bone conduction hearing device, has been developed for patients with conductive hearing loss.
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to assess the impact of the ADHEAR device on the audiological performance and satisfaction level in subjects with conductive hearing loss.
METHODS
Twelve patients with conductive hearing loss were included. All patients received the device for 3 months. The audiological outcomes were determined using basic audiological assessments, including pure tone audiometry and sound field measurements of pure tone and speech audiometry with the contralateral ear occluded with a specific earplug. Additionally, the patients were subjectively evaluated using (1) the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities Questionnaire (SSQ), and (2) the custom-made ADHEAR questionnaire.
RESULTS
Analysis of the measured audiological outcomes revealed an average improvement in pure tone thresholds (functional gain) of 23 (± 4.4) dB HL when the ADHEAR system was used compared to the unaided condition in the sound field. Moreover, speech reception thresholds improved by an average of 23 (± 15.3) dB SPL in the aided condition with plugged contralateral ear. Additionally, when using ADHEAR in the sound field, subjects' speech recognition scores improved by 32% (± 17.7) in quiet and 21% (± 15.1) in the presence of interfering noise. The average SSQ questionnaire scores improved from 3.9 at the study initiation to 6.6 after 3 months of device usage. ADHEAR custom questionnaire assessments revealed high satisfaction and acceptance of the device with no pain or skin irritation.
CONCLUSION
During the study period, this new adhesive system yielded improved audiological outcomes with high patient satisfaction and acceptance and no reported skin irritation or pain.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Audiometry, Speech; Bone Conduction; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Hearing Aids; Hearing Loss, Conductive; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Noise; Patient Satisfaction; Speech Perception; Speech Reception Threshold Test; Surveys and Questionnaires; Treatment Outcome; Young Adult
PubMed: 32544908
DOI: 10.1159/000507775 -
Orvosi Hetilap Oct 2022Introduction: Tinnitus is a sound without an external sound stimulus, usually only perceived by the sufferer. Inner ear damage might be found in its background, although...
Introduction: Tinnitus is a sound without an external sound stimulus, usually only perceived by the sufferer. Inner ear damage might be found in its background, although many other possible causes exist. Therefore, there is a need for a detailed examination in all cases. Method: In the present investigation, 100 patients (38 men, 62 women; mean age +/- SD: 59 years +/- 11.3) suffering from tinnitus were enrolled. The data and examination results of these patients were analysed in detail. The outcomes of the brain MRI, carotid-vertebral ultrasound, cervical X-ray, pure-tone audiometry, and tinnitometry were analyzed regarding the detailed examinations. Results: In terms of tinnitus laterality, left-sided (34%) and both-sided (53%) were the most frequent ones. The frequency of the examinations was the following: audiometry and tinnitometry (100%), cervical X-ray (80%), cerebral MRI (76%) and carotid-vertebral Doppler ultrasound (21%). Cervical spondylosis/spondyloarthrosis (69 patients), vascular encephalopathy (56 patients) and atherosclerosis of the carotid artery (20 patients) were observed as the most common aberrations. Using the audiometry, normal hearing was detected in 14%, slight sensorineural hearing loss in 25%, moderate sensorineural hearing loss in 44% and severe sensorineural hearing loss in 17%. Tinnitometry detected tinnitus with a mean frequency of 4200 +/- 2200 Hz and intensity of 40 +/- 14.4 dB. Conclusion: The detailed examination of patients suffering from tinnitus is essential in multidisciplinary therapy planning. Possible complications in other organs can also be detected using the carotid-vertebral ultrasound as screening method. Based on the cervical X-ray, the somatosensory tinnitus form can be observed. Pure-tone audiometry and tinnitometry help detect hearing loss combined with tinnitus, pitch, and loudness, which are also essential in therapy planning.
Topics: Acoustic Stimulation; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Female; Hearing Loss; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Humans; Male; Tinnitus
PubMed: 36244011
DOI: 10.1556/650.2022.32605 -
Biological Reviews of the Cambridge... Aug 2020The perception of airborne infrasound (sounds below 20 Hz, inaudible to humans except at very high levels) has been documented in a handful of mammals and birds. While... (Review)
Review
The perception of airborne infrasound (sounds below 20 Hz, inaudible to humans except at very high levels) has been documented in a handful of mammals and birds. While animals that produce vocalizations with infrasonic components (e.g. elephants) present conspicuous examples of potential use of infrasound in the context of communication, the extent to which airborne infrasound perception exists among terrestrial animals is unclear. Given that most infrasound in the environment arises from geophysical sources, many of which could be ecologically relevant, communication might not be the only use of infrasound by animals. Therefore, infrasound perception could be more common than currently realized. At least three bird species, each of which do not communicate using infrasound, are capable of detecting infrasound, but the associated auditory mechanisms are not well understood. Here we combine an evaluation of hearing measurements with anatomical observations to propose and evaluate hypotheses supporting avian infrasound detection. Environmental infrasound is mixed with non-acoustic pressure fluctuations that also occur at infrasonic frequencies. The ear can detect such non-acoustic pressure perturbations and therefore, distinguishing responses to infrasound from responses to non-acoustic perturbations presents a great challenge. Our review shows that infrasound could stimulate the ear through the middle ear (tympanic) route and by extratympanic routes bypassing the middle ear. While vibration velocities of the middle ear decline towards infrasonic frequencies, whole-body vibrations - which are normally much lower amplitude than that those of the middle ear in the 'audible' range (i.e. >20 Hz) - do not exhibit a similar decline and therefore may reach vibration magnitudes comparable to the middle ear at infrasonic frequencies. Low stiffness in the middle and inner ear is expected to aid infrasound transmission. In the middle ear, this could be achieved by large air cavities in the skull connected to the middle ear and low stiffness of middle ear structures; in the inner ear, the stiffness of round windows and cochlear partitions are key factors. Within the inner ear, the sizes of the helicotrema and cochlear aqueduct are expected to play important roles in shunting low-frequency vibrations away from low-frequency hair-cell sensors in the cochlea. The basilar papilla, the auditory organ in birds, responds to infrasound in some species, and in pigeons, infrasonic-sensitive neurons were traced back to the apical, abneural end of the basilar papilla. Vestibular organs and the paratympanic organ, a hair cell organ outside of the inner ear, are additional untested candidates for infrasound detection in birds. In summary, this review brings together evidence to create a hypothetical framework for infrasonic hearing mechanisms in birds and other animals.
Topics: Animals; Audiometry; Behavior, Animal; Birds; Ear Canal; Ear, Inner; Ear, Middle; Hearing; Pitch Perception; Vocalization, Animal
PubMed: 32237036
DOI: 10.1111/brv.12596 -
International Journal of Audiology Oct 2023This study aimed to analyse outcomes with hearing aid (HA) use and to determine whether common audiological tests, including pure-tone audiometry or word recognition...
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to analyse outcomes with hearing aid (HA) use and to determine whether common audiological tests, including pure-tone audiometry or word recognition test, correlate with HA wearers' subjective benefit.
DESIGN
A retrospective chart review.
STUDY SAMPLE
A total of 129 patients who adopted new HAs between January 2011 and December 2018 were enrolled. Outcome measures including pure tone thresholds, word recognition score (WRS), and self-reported questionnaires were obtained 1, 4, and 12 months post fit.
RESULTS
The mean aided threshold and WRS at each post-fit visit significantly improved from the unaided condition. Self-reported outcomes confirmed by the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE) scores significantly improved compared to the unaided condition at 1- and 4-month follow-up. Results of the regression analysis indicated that the aided WRS score is a significant factor at all post-fit visits that explains less than 10% of the variance in HHIE scores.
CONCLUSIONS
Aided WRS is the factor most associated with subjectively reported HA outcomes, both in the short- and long term. Therefore, aided WRS should be considered as a useful tool for evaluating HA benefits, even after the prolonged use of HAs.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Retrospective Studies; Hearing Aids; Hearing; Audiometry, Speech; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Speech Perception
PubMed: 36107004
DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2022.2106451