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Brain Communications 2023Accumulating evidence indicates that coronavirus disease 2019 is a major cause of delirium. Given the global dimension of the current pandemic and the fact that delirium...
Accumulating evidence indicates that coronavirus disease 2019 is a major cause of delirium. Given the global dimension of the current pandemic and the fact that delirium is a strong predictor of cognitive decline for critically ill patients, this raises concerns regarding the neurological cost of coronavirus disease 2019. Currently, there is a major knowledge gap related to the covert yet potentially incapacitating higher-order cognitive impairment underpinning coronavirus disease 2019 related delirium. The aim of the current study was to analyse the electrophysiological signatures of language processing in coronavirus disease 2019 patients with delirium by using a specifically designed multidimensional auditory event-related potential battery to probe hierarchical cognitive processes, including self-processing (P300) and semantic/lexical priming (N400). Clinical variables and electrophysiological data were prospectively collected in controls subjects ( = 14) and in critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 patients with ( = 19) and without ( = 22) delirium. The time from intensive care unit admission to first clinical sign of delirium was of 8 (3.5-20) days, and the delirium lasted for 7 (4.5-9.5) days. Overall, we have specifically identified in coronavirus disease 2019 patients with delirium, both a preservation of low-level central auditory processing (N100 and P200) and a coherent ensemble of covert higher-order cognitive dysfunctions encompassing self-related processing (P300) and sematic/lexical language priming (N400) (spatial-temporal clustering, -cluster ≤ 0.05). We suggest that our results shed new light on the neuropsychological underpinnings of coronavirus disease 2019 related delirium, and may constitute a valuable method for patient's bedside diagnosis and monitoring in this clinically challenging setting.
PubMed: 37013171
DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad073 -
Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and... Mar 2023Patients with tinnitus experience difficulties in cognitive control and executive functions. Many of which are regarded as the cause of tinnitus rather than its...
Patients with tinnitus experience difficulties in cognitive control and executive functions. Many of which are regarded as the cause of tinnitus rather than its complications. Methods for the improvement of inhibitory and cognitive control seem to be effective in the control of tinnitus. In this study, transcranial direct current stimulation and auditory Stroop exercise were have been to improve inhibitory control and the ability to ignore tinnitus in patients suffering from chronic tinnitus. 34 patients with chronic tinnitus (> 6 months) were randomly divided into two groups. The first group consist of 17 patients who received 6 sessions of tDCS followed by 6 sessions of auditory Stroop training. The second group received 6 sessions of sham tDCS followed by 6 sessions of auditory Stroop training. The initial evaluations including pure tone audiometry, psychoacoustic measurements, tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) survey and visual analog scale (VAS) of annoyance and loudness were performed before, immediately after, and one month after the tDCS, sham, and Stroop training. The results of this study revealed a significant reduction in THI score, VAS of loudness, and annoyance of tinnitus. A significant correlation was detected between the reaction time of incongruent words in the Stroop task and improvement of THI score and VAS of annoyance. Combined tDCS and Stroop training efficiently improve chronic tinnitus.
PubMed: 37007882
DOI: 10.1007/s12070-022-03258-z -
Noise & Health 2023Road traffic is the major source of noise pollution leading to human health impacts in urban areas. This study presents the relation between changes in human brain waves...
Road traffic is the major source of noise pollution leading to human health impacts in urban areas. This study presents the relation between changes in human brain waves due to road traffic noise exposure in heterogeneous conditions. The results are based on Electroencephalogram (EEG) data collected from 12 participants through a listening experience of traffic scenarios at 14 locations in New Delhi, India. Energetic, spectral and temporal characteristics of the noise signals are presented. The impact of noise events on spectral perturbations and changes in the relative power (RP) of EEG signals are evaluated. Traffic noise variations modulate the rate of change in α and θ EEG bands of temporal, parietal and frontal lobe of the brain. The magnitude of event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP) increases with each instantaneous increase in traffic noise, such as honking. Individual noise events impact the temporal lobe more significantly in quieter locations compared with noisy locations. Increase in loudness changes the RP of α band in frontal lobe. Increase in temporal variation due to intermittent honking increases the RP of θ bands, especially in right parietal and frontal lobe. Change in sharpness leads to variation in the RP of right parietal lobe in theta band. Whereas, inverse relation is observed between roughness and the RP of right temporal lobe in gamma band. A statistical relationship between noise indicators and EEG response is established.
Topics: Humans; Noise, Transportation; Electroencephalography; Brain Waves; Auditory Perception; India
PubMed: 37006115
DOI: 10.4103/nah.nah_58_22 -
Journal of Personalized Medicine Mar 2023A retrospective study is presented to correlate the inter-judge consistency for the different psycho-perceptual parameters of the recently proposed Impression Noise...
PURPOSE
A retrospective study is presented to correlate the inter-judge consistency for the different psycho-perceptual parameters of the recently proposed Impression Noise Fluency Voicing (INFVo) perceptual rating scale for substitution voices, and the vocal function as perceived by the patient.
METHODS
The scale Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQoL) and the Self Evaluation of Communication Experiences After Laryngectomy scale (SECEL)-a self-evaluation questionnaire of communicative experience after laryngectomy surgery-were administered to 89 total laryngectomees, subdivided in four groups depending on their type of alaryngeal voice (i.e., tracheoesophageal and esophageal speakers, electro larynx users, voiceless patients), in order to evaluate the impact of the impairment of the phonatory function on the quality of life.
RESULTS
No significant differences exist among the various groups on their perception of QoL using subjective questionnaires, whereas the INFVo scale has proven to be a useful tool for the description and analysis of the psychoacoustic characteristics of the vocal signal and a reliable instrument to correctly classify the patients. It is also notable that the judgement of the patients on their own voice and those of the referees are highly significant.
CONCLUSION
Although speech rehabilitation for the acquisition of a substitution voice offers a new way of communication for the laryngectomized patients, nonetheless, their QoL is not significantly related to the type of substitution voice. Therefore, improving the patient's adaptation to the new phonatory condition is mandatory.
PubMed: 36983751
DOI: 10.3390/jpm13030570 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2023Hearing loss is a widespread problem while treatment is not always accessible, mainly because of the limited availability of hearing care professionals and clinics. In...
Hearing loss is a widespread problem while treatment is not always accessible, mainly because of the limited availability of hearing care professionals and clinics. In this work, part of the User-Operated Audiometry project, we investigate the acoustic environment of inexpensive non-sound-treated rooms that could be used for unsupervised audiometric testing. Measurements of 10 min of ambient noise were taken from 20 non-sound-treated rooms in libraries and private and public clinics, nine of which were measured twice. Ambient noise was compared against two traditional audiometric sound-treated rooms and Maximum Permissible Ambient noise levels by ISO 8231-1, while factoring for the attenuation by the DD450 circumaural headphones provided. In most non-sound-treated rooms, MPAs were violated only by transient sounds, while the floor-noise level was below MPAs. Non-sound-treated rooms' ambient noise levels presented with much larger fluctuations compared to sound-treated rooms. Almost all violations occurred at low to mid-low frequencies. Our results suggest that large-scale implementation of user-operated audiometry outside traditional audiometric rooms is possible, at least under some realizable conditions. Circumaural headphones' attenuation is probably a necessary condition for all cases. Depending on the room, an online system making decisions based on ambient noise might also be included in combination with active attenuation.
PubMed: 36981546
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11060889 -
Seminars in Hearing Feb 2023Basic research investigating auditory development often has implications for clinical diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss in children, but it can be challenging to... (Review)
Review
Building on the Academic Legacy of Pat Stelmachowicz and other Pioneers in Developmental Psychoacoustics and Pediatric Audiology: The Children's English/Spanish Speech Recognition Test (ChEgSS).
Basic research investigating auditory development often has implications for clinical diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss in children, but it can be challenging to translate those findings into practice. Meeting that challenge was a guiding principle of Pat Stelmachowicz's research and mentorship. Her example inspired many of us to pursue translational research and motivated the recent development of the Children's English/Spanish Speech Recognition Test (ChEgSS). This test evaluates word recognition in noise or two-talker speech, with target and masker speech produced in either English or Spanish. The test uses recorded materials and a forced-choice response, so the tester need not be fluent in the test language. ChEgSS provides a clinical measure of masked speech recognition outcomes for children who speak English, Spanish, or both, including estimates of performance in noise and two-talker speech, with the goal of maximizing speech and hearing outcomes for children with hearing loss. This article highlights several of Pat's many contributions to pediatric hearing research and describes the motivation and development of ChEgSS.
PubMed: 36970649
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1764135 -
Journal of Otology Jan 2023Recent developments in virtual acoustic technology has levered promising applications in the field of auditory sciences, especially in spatial perception. While...
BACKGROUND
Recent developments in virtual acoustic technology has levered promising applications in the field of auditory sciences, especially in spatial perception. While conventional auditory spatial assessment using loudspeakers, interaural differences and/or questionnaires are limited by the availability and cost of instruments, the use of virtual acoustic space identification (VASI) test has widespread applications in spatial test battery as it overcomes these constraints.
PURPOSE
The lack of test-retest reliability data of VASI test narrows its direct application in auditory spatial assessment, which is explored in the present study.
METHODS
Data from 75 normal-hearing young adults (mean age: 25.11 y ± 4.65 SD) was collected in three sessions: baseline, within 15 min of baseline (intra-session), and one week after baseline session (inter-session). Test-retest reliability was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV), and cluster plots.
RESULTS
The results showed excellent reliability for both accuracy and reaction time measures of VASI, with ICC values of 0.93 and 0.87, respectively. The CV values for overall VASI accuracy and reaction time 9.66% and 11.88%, respectively. This was also complemented by the cluster plot analyses, which showed 93.33% and 96.00% of temporal stability in the accuracy and reaction time measures, indicative of high test-retest reliability of VASI test in auditory spatial assessment.
CONCLUSIONS
The high temporal stability (test-retest reliability) of VASI test validates its application in spatial hearing test battery.
PubMed: 36820153
DOI: 10.1016/j.joto.2022.12.006 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2022The condition of teeth and function of the oral organs are important when playing wind or brass instruments. Although there are some reports on dental treatment for...
INTRODUCTION
The condition of teeth and function of the oral organs are important when playing wind or brass instruments. Although there are some reports on dental treatment for musicians, few studies have investigated their acoustic performance following treatment. This report describes the prosthodontic rehabilitation provided for an oboist who had lost a tooth as a result of trauma and includes an evaluation of her subsequent musical performance using acoustic analyzes.
CASE DESCRIPTION
The patient was a 63-year-old professional oboe player who fractured the upper and lower alveolar bone and avulsed the upper right central incisor during a fall due to epileptic seizure. While the alveolar fracture was healing, she sought maxillofacial rehabilitation for the missing tooth to maintain her ability to play the oboe. Her rehabilitation consisted of a provisional removable prosthesis with an acrylic base and clasps followed by a fixed implant prosthesis. A recording of her musical performance was objectively analyzed at each stage of treatment. Rhythm analysis confirmed the stability of notes played rapidly. Her performance dynamics were analyzed by psychoacoustic measurements. Her satisfaction with the prosthesis was assessed by a self-reported questionnaire. The results of the acoustic evaluation helped to adjust the provisional prosthesis so that it was suitable for playing the oboe and the final prosthesis was designed accordingly.
CONCLUSION
Prosthetic dental treatment for this patient included both subjective and objective evaluations that helped to ensure that she could continue playing the oboe at her previous performance level.
PubMed: 36817383
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1022205 -
Frontiers in Neuroscience 2023[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1022354.].
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1022354.].
PubMed: 36816110
DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1143063 -
Audiology & Neuro-otology 2023Tinnitus is the most common complication of sudden deafness. There are many studies on tinnitus and tinnitus as a prognostic factor for sudden deafness. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Tinnitus is the most common complication of sudden deafness. There are many studies on tinnitus and tinnitus as a prognostic factor for sudden deafness.
SUMMARY
We collected 285 cases (330 ears) of sudden deafness to investigate the relationship between tinnitus psychoacoustic characteristics and the hearing curative effective rate. The hearing curative effective rate was analyzed and compared between the patients whether it is accompanied by tinnitus, with different tinnitus frequency and different tinnitus loudness.
KEY MESSAGES
Patients with tinnitus frequency (125-2,000 Hz) and no tinnitus have better hearing efficacy, and those with high frequency tinnitus (3,000-8,000 Hz) have worse hearing efficacy. Test the tinnitus frequency of patients in the initial stage of sudden deafness has some guiding significance for the evaluation of hearing prognosis.
Topics: Humans; Hearing Loss, Sudden; Tinnitus; Hearing Tests; Prognosis; Hearing; Deafness
PubMed: 36809749
DOI: 10.1159/000528444