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Hearing Research May 2024The round window (RW) membrane plays an important role in normal inner ear mechanics. Occlusion or reinforcement of the RW has been described in the context of...
The round window (RW) membrane plays an important role in normal inner ear mechanics. Occlusion or reinforcement of the RW has been described in the context of congenital anomalies or after cochlear implantation and is applied as a surgical treatment for hyperacusis. Multiple lumped and finite element models predict a low-frequency hearing loss with air conduction of up to 20 dB after RW reinforcement and limited to no effect on hearing with bone conduction stimulation. Experimental verification of these results, however, remains limited. Here, we present an experimental study measuring the impact of RW reinforcement on the middle and inner ear mechanics with air and bone conduction stimulation. In a within-specimen repeated measures design with human cadaveric specimens (n = 6), we compared the intracochlear pressures in scala vestibuli (P) and scala tympani (P) before and after RW reinforcement with soft tissue, cartilage, and bone cement. The differential pressure (P) across the basilar membrane - known to be closely related to the hearing sensation - was calculated as the complex difference between P and P. With air conduction stimulation, both P and Pincreased on average up to 22 dB at frequencies below 1500 Hz with larger effect sizes for P compared to P. The P, in contrast, decreased up to 11 dB at frequencies between 700 and 800 Hz after reinforcement with bone cement. With bone conduction, the average within-specimen effects were less than 5 dB for either P, P or P. The inter-specimen variability with bone conduction, however, was considerably larger than with air conduction. This experimental study shows that RW reinforcement impacts air conduction stimulation at low frequencies. Bone conduction stimulation seems to be largely unaffected. From a clinical point of view, these results support the hypothesis that delayed loss of air conduction hearing after cochlear implantation could be partially explained by the impact of RW reinforcement.
PubMed: 38850830
DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2024.109049 -
CNS & Neurological Disorders Drug... Jun 2024Recently, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists (rimegepant, and ubrogepant), and selective serotonin... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Safety and Efficacy of Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide Receptor Antagonists and Selective Serotonin Receptor Agonist in the Management of Migraine: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Recently, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists (rimegepant, and ubrogepant), and selective serotonin receptor agonists (lasmiditan) in the management of migraine. However, the exact safety and efficacy profile of these drugs is unclear so far.
METHODS
The study's primary objective was to determine the exact safety and efficacy profile. The overall estimate was calculated in terms of risk ratios using a suitable model. The subgroup analysis was also performed to check the effect of individual drugs on the outcome, whereas sensitivity analysis was performed to check the effects of outliers on the outcome. All the analyses were performed using Rev Man 5. The drugs have shown significant improvement in efficacy parameters (pain freedom, most bothersome symptoms, phonophobia, nausea, and photophobia).
RESULTS
The subgroup analysis results have shown significant improvement in all efficacy parameters in the rimegepant and ubrogepant groups. The effect of ubrogepant on safety parameters was found to be non-significant, indicating a better safety profile of ubrogepant than lasmiditan.
CONCLUSION
The sensitivity analysis results have shown no effect of outliers on the efficacy parameters. Based on the available evidence, recently approved drugs are effective in the treatment of migraine, however, associated with few adverse drug reactions.
PubMed: 38847252
DOI: 10.2174/0118715273304677240529062909 -
Hearing Research Aug 2024Hearing loss is well known to cause plastic changes in the central auditory system and pathological changes such as tinnitus and hyperacusis. Impairment of inner ear... (Review)
Review
Hearing loss is well known to cause plastic changes in the central auditory system and pathological changes such as tinnitus and hyperacusis. Impairment of inner ear functions is the main cause of hearing loss. In aged individuals, not only inner ear dysfunction but also senescence of the central nervous system is the cause of malfunction of the auditory system. In most cases of hearing loss, the activity of the auditory nerve is reduced, but that of the successive auditory centers is increased in a compensatory way. It has been reported that activity changes occur in the inferior colliculus (IC), a critical nexus of the auditory pathway. The IC integrates the inputs from the brainstem and drives the higher auditory centers. Since abnormal activity in the IC is likely to affect auditory perception, it is crucial to elucidate the neuronal mechanism to induce the activity changes of IC neurons with hearing loss. This review outlines recent findings on hearing-loss-induced plastic changes in the IC and brainstem auditory neuronal circuits and discusses what neuronal mechanisms underlie hearing-loss-induced changes in the activity of IC neurons. Considering the different causes of hearing loss, we discuss age-related hearing loss separately from other forms of hearing loss (non-age-related hearing loss). In general, the main plastic change of IC neurons caused by both age-related and non-age-related hearing loss is increased central gain. However, plastic changes in the IC caused by age-related hearing loss seem to be more complex than those caused by non-age-related hearing loss.
Topics: Inferior Colliculi; Animals; Humans; Neurons; Auditory Pathways; Neuronal Plasticity; Hearing; Presbycusis; Auditory Perception; Age Factors; Hearing Loss; Aging; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; Acoustic Stimulation
PubMed: 38797036
DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2024.109033 -
BMC Neurology May 2024Surveys using questionnaires to collect epidemiologic data may be subject to misclassification. Here, we analyzed a headache questionnaire to evaluate which questions...
A study to investigate the prevalence of headache disorders and migraine conducted using medical claims data and linked results from online surveys: post-hoc analysis of other headache disorders.
BACKGROUND
Surveys using questionnaires to collect epidemiologic data may be subject to misclassification. Here, we analyzed a headache questionnaire to evaluate which questions led to a classification other than migraine.
METHODS
Anonymized surveys coupled with medical claims data from individuals 19-74 years old were obtained from DeSC Healthcare Inc. to examine proportions of patients with primary headache disorders (i.e.; migraine, tension-type headache, cluster headache, and "other headache disorders"). Six criteria that determined migraine were used to explore how people with other headache disorders responded to these questions.
RESULTS
Among the 21480 respondents, 7331 (34.0%) reported having headaches. 691 (3.2%) respondents reported migraine, 1441 (6.7%) had tension-type headache, 21 (0.1%) had cluster headache, and 5208 (24.2%) reported other headache disorders. Responses of participants with other headache disorders were analyzed, and the top 3 criteria combined with "Symptoms associated with headache" were "Site of pain" (7.3%), "Headache changes in severity during daily activities" (6.4%), and the 3 criteria combined (8.8%). The symptoms associated with headache were "Stiff shoulders" (13.6%), "Stiff neck" (9.4%), or "Nausea or vomiting" (8.7%), Photophobia" (3.3%) and "Phonophobia" (2.5%).
CONCLUSIONS
Prevalence of migraine as diagnosed by questionnaire was much lower than expected while the prevalence of "other headache" was higher than expected. We believe the reason for this observation was due to misclassification, and resulted from the failure of the questionnaire to identify some features of migraine that would have been revealed by clinical history taking. Questionnaires should, therefore, be carefully designed, and doctors should be educated, on how to ask questions and record information when conducting semi-structured interviews with patients, to obtain more precise information about their symptoms, including photophobia and phonophobia.
Topics: Humans; Middle Aged; Adult; Male; Female; Prevalence; Migraine Disorders; Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; Headache Disorders; Internet; Health Surveys
PubMed: 38796414
DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03675-3 -
Acta Neurochirurgica May 2024Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence (SSCD) is a dehiscence of the otic capsule which normally lies over the superior semicircular canal. This database constitutes the...
BACKGROUND
Superior Semicircular Canal Dehiscence (SSCD) is a dehiscence of the otic capsule which normally lies over the superior semicircular canal. This database constitutes the largest series of SSCD patients to date.
OBJECTIVE
To determine what preoperative factors, if any, contribute to postoperative outcomes and evaluate symptom resolution in a large SSCD patient cohort.
METHODS
A single-institution, retrospective chart review collected patient demographics, intraoperative findings, and pre-and postoperative symptoms. Fisher's exact t-test was performed for unpaired categorical variables, with a significance level of p < 0.05.
RESULTS
350 SSCD repairs were performed. The median age was 52 years (range: 17-86 years, ± 6.4 years), and the median follow-up duration was 4.6 months (range: 0.03-59.5 months, ± 6.8 months). Preoperative hearing loss was significantly associated with female sex (p = 0.0028). The most reported preoperative symptoms were tinnitus (77.4%), dizziness (74.0%), autophony (66.3%), amplification (63.7%), and disequilibrium (62.6%). Between patients who received unilateral versus bilateral SSCD repair, the greatest postoperative symptomatic resolution was seen in autophony (74.9%, p < 0.001), amplification (77.3%, p = 0.00027), hyperacusis (77.4%, p = 0.023), hearing (62.9%, p = 0.0063), and dizziness (54.6%, p < 0.001) for patients with unilateral SSCD repair.
CONCLUSION
Surgical repair via the middle cranial fossa approach can significantly resolve auditory, vestibular, and neurological symptoms of patients with SSCD. Although this is one of the largest single-institution SSCD studies to date, future multi-institutional, prospective studies would be beneficial to validate these results.
Topics: Humans; Middle Aged; Female; Male; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Adolescent; Young Adult; Retrospective Studies; Semicircular Canal Dehiscence; Treatment Outcome; Semicircular Canals; Postoperative Complications; Tinnitus
PubMed: 38789840
DOI: 10.1007/s00701-024-06115-w -
Operative Neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.) May 2024Cavernous malformations (CMs) are rare, often oligosymptomatic vascular lesions. Common manifestations include seizures and focal neurological deficits. Depending on the...
Cavernous malformations (CMs) are rare, often oligosymptomatic vascular lesions. Common manifestations include seizures and focal neurological deficits. Depending on the symptoms, location, size, and risk factors of bleeding, such as the presence of a developmental venous anomaly, the injury can be highly morbid. Hence, one can consider surgical resection. Deep and eloquently located CMs, such as those located in the temporal trunk, can be quite challenging and require an exact operative technique.1-7 We present a 27-year-old patient with a history of headaches that began two years ago and significantly worsened in the last month, associated with visual blurring, scotomas, nausea, phonophobia, and photophobia as well as paresthesias in the hands and perioral region. Imaging investigation revealed a CM in the temporal stem (Zabramski classification II). Owing to the risk of rebleeding and the young age, surgical resection was performed using a transsylvian approach to preserve the temporal cortex. We describe the technique applied and demonstrate the necessary care manipulating the distal sylvian fissure and the superficial sylvian veins. We also detail the anatomy of the temporal stem and the benefit of the transsylvian approach to preserve the white matter fibers that compose the temporal stem. The patient consented to the procedure and to the publication of his/her image. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of our institution. Performed CM resection using the transsylvian pterional craniotomy technique, and it proceeded without complications. The postoperative period was also uneventful. The postoperative imaging demonstrated total resection of the cavernoma.
PubMed: 38771090
DOI: 10.1227/ons.0000000000001207 -
American Journal of Audiology May 2024The aim of this study was to investigate the short- and long-term effects of a new cognitive sound exposure therapy (CSET) in patients with hyperacusis.
PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to investigate the short- and long-term effects of a new cognitive sound exposure therapy (CSET) in patients with hyperacusis.
METHOD
A new therapy was developed to reduce hyperacusis using sound exposure combined with breathing and relaxation strategies from both acceptance and commitment therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Patients who were referred to the Speech and Hearing Centers located in Hengelo and Zwolle in the Netherlands and aged ≥ 18 years with hyperacusis as main complaint and no or mild hearing loss were included in this study. Patients were seen for CSET between June 2020 and August 2022. The sessions took place biweekly. Sessions ended when exposure reached a level with a maximum of 70-80 dB SPL. Short-term effects between the start and the end of therapy were based on tolerable level of sound exposure (dB SPL), subjective-level hinderance of hyperacusis, and sensitivity to sound using the Hyperacusis Questionnaire (HQ). The long-term effect was based on HQ 6 months after the end of therapy. Linear mixed-effects and regression models were applied to study outcomes over time.
RESULTS
In total, 30 patients, 15 men and 15 women, aged between 24 and 76 years were included in this study. The mean number of sessions during therapy was 6 and ranged between 4 and 8. Results showed an increase of exposure level (mean change was +23.7 dB with an of 7.9, < .001), a decrease in sensitivity to daily sounds (mean [] change was -1.6 [2.1], < .001), and a decrease in HQ (mean [] change was -9.8 [4.9], < .001), between the start and the end of therapy. There was no significant change in HQ after the end of therapy and 6 months later; mean () change was 0.2 (4.3), = .81.
CONCLUSIONS
The evaluation of CSET indicated a decrease in short- and long-term sensitivity to sound in patients with hyperacusis. Additionally, CSET has shown a positive impact, not only for the sounds used in the therapy sessions but also in transferring benefits to everyday sounds. The results of combining psychoeducation, sound exposure, and counseling are promising and warrant further evaluation.
PubMed: 38768075
DOI: 10.1044/2024_AJA-23-00210 -
Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology May 2024The aim was to assess prevalence of tinnitus, hyperacusis, hearing and balance problems among patients recovered from COVID-19 infection. Self-reported ear and hearing...
INTRODUCTION
The aim was to assess prevalence of tinnitus, hyperacusis, hearing and balance problems among patients recovered from COVID-19 infection. Self-reported ear and hearing symptoms were compared in three groups comprising: confirmed COVID-19, possible COVID-19, and non-COVID-19.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
1649 participants completed the survey in this cross-sectional study. The mean age was 34 years and 65% were female. Participants with confirmed and possible COVID-19 were asked if after their infection (compared to the past) they experienced hearing loss, ringing or whistling noises, fullness or blockage in their ears, loudness of the sounds that are normal to other people bother them more (an indication of hyperacusis), dizziness, giddiness, or imbalance.
RESULTS
Among participants with confirmed COVID-19, 16% reported that compared to the past their hearing has decreased, 21.5% noticed tinnitus, 22.5% aural fullness, 26.1% hyperacusis and 17.3% balance problems. Regression models showed that compared to the non-COVID-19 group, participants with confirmed COVID-19 had odds ratios (ORs) of significantly greater than 1 in predicting presence of self-reported symptoms of hearing loss, tinnitus, aural fullness, hyperacusis and balance problems, OR=1.96 (=0.001), OR=1.63 (=0.003), OR=1.8 (<0.001), OR=2.2 (<0.001), and OR=2.99 (<0.001), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
There seem to be higher prevalence of self-report symptoms of ear-related problems among individuals with confirmed COVID-19 infection compared to a non-COVID-19 group during the pandemic.
PubMed: 38745685
DOI: 10.22038/IJORL.2024.71040.3414 -
Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology May 2024COVID-19 infection was accompanied by otologic symptoms, a pattern that was captured early by Google Trends. The objective of this study is to investigate searches for...
INTRODUCTION
COVID-19 infection was accompanied by otologic symptoms, a pattern that was captured early by Google Trends. The objective of this study is to investigate searches for otologic symptoms and identify correlations with the pandemic onset.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Search interest for otologic symptoms was gathered using Google Trends from two years before and two years following the pandemic start date. A two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test was used to identify significant changes and effect size.
RESULTS
In total, search interest for 14 terms was collected, with significant changes identified in 11. Six terms showed increased search interest, with the most significant rises observed for headache (r=0.589, 0.001), dizziness (r=0.554, 0.001), and tinnitus (r=0.410, 0.001). Search interest decreased for five terms, with the most notable declines found in searches for migraine headache (r=0.35, 0.001) and phonophobia (r=0.22, 0.002). No significant changes were seen in ear pressure (0.142), neck pain (0.935), and sudden hearing loss (0.863) searches.
CONCLUSION
COVID-19 infection is often accompanied otologic symptoms and holds a diagnostic role. Fluctuating search interest may be attributed to a true increase in cases, media trends, or people's desires to stay informed. Google Trends robustly captured trends in search interest and presented itself as a valuable epidemiological tool.
PubMed: 38745683
DOI: 10.22038/IJORL.2024.75617.3532 -
Trends in Hearing 2024Cochlear synaptopathy, a form of cochlear deafferentation, has been demonstrated in a number of animal species, including non-human primates. Both age and noise exposure... (Review)
Review
Cochlear synaptopathy, a form of cochlear deafferentation, has been demonstrated in a number of animal species, including non-human primates. Both age and noise exposure contribute to synaptopathy in animal models, indicating that it may be a common type of auditory dysfunction in humans. Temporal bone and auditory physiological data suggest that age and occupational/military noise exposure also lead to synaptopathy in humans. The predicted perceptual consequences of synaptopathy include tinnitus, hyperacusis, and difficulty with speech-in-noise perception. However, confirming the perceptual impacts of this form of cochlear deafferentation presents a particular challenge because synaptopathy can only be confirmed through post-mortem temporal bone analysis and auditory perception is difficult to evaluate in animals. Animal data suggest that deafferentation leads to increased central gain, signs of tinnitus and abnormal loudness perception, and deficits in temporal processing and signal-in-noise detection. If equivalent changes occur in humans following deafferentation, this would be expected to increase the likelihood of developing tinnitus, hyperacusis, and difficulty with speech-in-noise perception. Physiological data from humans is consistent with the hypothesis that deafferentation is associated with increased central gain and a greater likelihood of tinnitus perception, while human data on the relationship between deafferentation and hyperacusis is extremely limited. Many human studies have investigated the relationship between physiological correlates of deafferentation and difficulty with speech-in-noise perception, with mixed findings. A non-linear relationship between deafferentation and speech perception may have contributed to the mixed results. When differences in sample characteristics and study measurements are considered, the findings may be more consistent.
Topics: Humans; Cochlea; Tinnitus; Animals; Speech Perception; Hyperacusis; Noise; Auditory Perception; Synapses; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced; Loudness Perception
PubMed: 38738337
DOI: 10.1177/23312165241239541