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International Archives of... Apr 2024NB CE-Chirp LS was developed to improve the audiogram estimation by auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds during audiological assessment of infants and...
NB CE-Chirp LS was developed to improve the audiogram estimation by auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds during audiological assessment of infants and difficult to test children. However, before we know how the stimulus behaves in several types of hearing loss, it is important we know how the stimulus behaves in normal hearing infants. To describe ABR thresholds with NB CE-Chirp LS stimulus for 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 Hz, as well as the amplitude and absolute latency for ABR thresholds. Auditory brainstem response thresholds were evaluated with the Eclipse EP25 system. NB CE-Chirp LS was presented using an ER-3A insert earphone. EEG filter was 30 Hz high-pass and 1,500 Hz low-pass. The ABR threshold was defined as the lowest intensity capable of clearly evoke wave V, accompanied by an absent response 5 dB below. Eighteen normal hearing infants were evaluated. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of the ABR threshold (dB nHL) were: 23.8 (±4.2); 14.4 (±5.7); 6.0 (±5.0); and 7.0 (±5.9). The mean and SD of the absolute latency (ms) were: 8.86 (±1.12); 9.21 (±0.95); 9.44 (±0.78); and 9.64 (±0.52). The mean amplitude (nV) and SD were: 0.123 (±0.035); 0.127 (±0.039); 0.141 (±0.052); and 0.105 (±0.028), respectively, for 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000 Hz. Auditory brainstem response threshold with NB CE-Chirp LS reaches low levels, in special for high frequencies. It provides absolute latencies similar between frequencies with robust amplitude. The results obtained brings to the examiner more confidence in the results registered.
PubMed: 38618589
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1776727 -
Hearing Research May 2024Auditory nerve (AN) fibers that innervate inner hair cells in the cochlea degenerate with advancing age. It has been proposed that age-related reductions in brainstem... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Auditory nerve (AN) fibers that innervate inner hair cells in the cochlea degenerate with advancing age. It has been proposed that age-related reductions in brainstem frequency-following responses (FFR) to the carrier of low-frequency, high-intensity pure tones may partially reflect this neural loss in the cochlea (Märcher-Rørsted et al., 2022). If the loss of AN fibers is the primary factor contributing to age-related changes in the brainstem FFR, then the FFR could serve as an indicator of cochlear neural degeneration. In this study, we employed electrocochleography (ECochG) to investigate the effects of age on frequency-following neurophonic potentials, i.e., neural responses phase-locked to the carrier frequency of the tone stimulus. We compared these findings to the brainstem-generated FFRs obtained simultaneously using the same stimulation. We conducted recordings in young and older individuals with normal hearing. Responses to pure tones (250 ms, 516 and 1086 Hz, 85 dB SPL) and clicks were recorded using both ECochG at the tympanic membrane and traditional scalp electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings of the FFR. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) were also collected. In the ECochG recordings, sustained AN neurophonic (ANN) responses to tonal stimulation, as well as the click-evoked compound action potential (CAP) of the AN, were significantly reduced in the older listeners compared to young controls, despite normal audiometric thresholds. In the EEG recordings, brainstem FFRs to the same tone stimulation were also diminished in the older participants. Unlike the reduced AN CAP response, the transient-evoked wave-V remained unaffected. These findings could indicate that a decreased number of AN fibers contributes to the response in the older participants. The results suggest that the scalp-recorded FFR, as opposed to the clinical standard wave-V of the auditory brainstem response, may serve as a more reliable indicator of age-related cochlear neural degeneration.
Topics: Humans; Female; Cochlea; Adult; Aged; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; Male; Acoustic Stimulation; Audiometry, Evoked Response; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Age Factors; Cochlear Nerve; Aging; Nerve Degeneration; Electroencephalography; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Auditory Threshold; Presbycusis; Predictive Value of Tests; Time Factors
PubMed: 38598943
DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2024.109005 -
Noise & HealthThe aim of this study was to verify the association between the auditory handicap found in the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly-Screening Version (HHIE-S)...
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to verify the association between the auditory handicap found in the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly-Screening Version (HHIE-S) questionnaire and hearing loss and the plasma levels of inflammatory biomarkers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Cross-sectional study with 76 participants, 67 (88%) females and 9 (12%) males, with a mean age of 70 years. Tonal threshold audiometry and self-assessment with HHIE-S questionnaire were performed to measure the plasma levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10; tumor necrosis factor alpha; and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) flow cytometry method. For all data analyzed, the significance level adopted was P < 0.05 and 95% confidence interval.
RESULTS
An inverse correlation was observed between the increase in plasma levels of IFN-γ and normal auditory handicap (P = 0.015; rs = -0.280). The severe handicap group showed an increase in the averages I (P = 0.005; rs = 0.350) and II (P = 0.016; rs = 0.368) in the right ear and the light/moderate handicap group increased the means I (P = 0.027; rs = 0.350) and II (P = 0.046; rs = 0.310) of the left ear. A statistically significant association was found between the speech recognition threshold (SRT) test results of the right ear and the severe handicap group (P = 0.002; rs = 0.271).
CONCLUSIONS
There was an association between the increase in plasma levels of IFN-γ and normal auditory handicap. Additionally, statistically significant associations were observed between the mild/moderate and severe handicap groups with the increase in hearing means and an increase in SRT associated with the severe handicap group.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Aged; Interferon-gamma; Cross-Sectional Studies; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Hearing Loss; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sensation
PubMed: 38570310
DOI: 10.4103/nah.nah_4_23 -
Clinical EEG and Neuroscience Jul 2024This study aimed to investigate age-related changes in cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) while considering three crucial factors: aging, high-frequency...
This study aimed to investigate age-related changes in cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) while considering three crucial factors: aging, high-frequency hearing loss and sensation level of the CAEP stimulus. The electrophysiological and audiometric data of 71 elderly participants were analyzed using multiple regression analysis to investigate the association of CAEPs with the factors of aging, high-frequency hearing loss and sensation level of the CAEP test stimulus. Aging was significantly associated with prolonged N1 and P2 latencies and reduced P2 amplitude. Elevated thresholds related to the sensation level of the CAEP stimulus were significantly associated with increased N1 and P2 amplitudes and decreased N1 latency. A significant relationship was detected between high-frequency hearing thresholds and the shortening of P2 latencies and the reduction of P2 amplitudes. The results of this study highlight the complex interplay of aging, high-frequency hearing loss and the sensation level of the CAEP stimulus on CAEP components in elderly people. These factors should be considered in future research using CAEPs to enhance overall understanding of auditory processing in the aging population.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Female; Male; Evoked Potentials, Auditory; Aging; Middle Aged; Electroencephalography; Auditory Threshold; Aged, 80 and over; Acoustic Stimulation; Auditory Cortex; Presbycusis; Hearing Loss; Hearing Loss, High-Frequency; Auditory Perception
PubMed: 38566606
DOI: 10.1177/15500594241243116 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Apr 2024Although sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a serious condition, there are currently no approved drugs for its treatment. Nevertheless, there is a growing...
Although sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a serious condition, there are currently no approved drugs for its treatment. Nevertheless, there is a growing understanding that the cochlear pathologies that underlie SSNHL include apoptotic death of sensory outer hair cells (OHCs) as well as loss of ribbon synapses connecting sensory inner hair cells (IHCs) and neurites of the auditory nerve, designated synaptopathy. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a common subtype of SSNHL and is widely used to model hearing loss preclinically. Here, we demonstrate that a single interventive application of a small pyridoindole molecule (AC102) into the middle ear restored auditory function almost to prenoise levels in a guinea pig model of NIHL. AC102 prevented noise-triggered loss of OHCs and reduced IHC synaptopathy suggesting a role of AC102 in reconnecting auditory neurons to their sensory target cells. Notably, AC102 exerted its therapeutic properties over a wide frequency range. Such strong improvements in hearing have not previously been demonstrated for other therapeutic agents. In vitro experiments of a neuronal damage model revealed that AC102 protected cells from apoptosis and promoted neurite growth. These effects may be explained by increased production of adenosine triphosphate, indicating improved mitochondrial function, and reduced levels of reactive-oxygen species which prevents the apoptotic processes responsible for OHC death. This action profile of AC102 might be causal for the observed hearing recovery in in vivo models.
Topics: Guinea Pigs; Animals; Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced; Hearing; Cochlea; Noise; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Hair Cells, Auditory, Outer; Auditory Threshold
PubMed: 38557194
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2314763121 -
Scientific Reports Mar 2024Pure-tone audiometry (PTA) is the gold standard for assessing hearing loss. However, traditional PTA tests require specialized equipment, trained personnel, and a...
Pure-tone audiometry (PTA) is the gold standard for assessing hearing loss. However, traditional PTA tests require specialized equipment, trained personnel, and a soundproof environment. Recently, smartphone-based PTA tests have been developed as an alternative method for hearing assessment. The aim of this study was to validate the accuracy and reliability of a smartphone application-based audiometry test. This study was conducted to assess the performance of application-based audiometry from November 2021 to January 2022. Pure-tone thresholds were measured using a smartphone application-based PTA test and compared with results obtained using a traditional audiometer in a sound-treated booth. The smartphone application used in this study was the "Care4Ear (Care4ear, version 1.0.6, MIJ Co., Ltd.)". Hearing thresholds less than 35 dB HL were classified as group A, 35-64 dB HL as group B, and 65 dB HL or greater as group C for the classification of hearing levels. We evaluated the accuracy of smartphone audiometry for each group and compared the results of frequency-specific hearing tests. Additionally, we examined the results of smartphone audiometry in individuals (n = 27) with asymmetric hearing loss. Seventy subjects completed both conventional audiometry and smartphone application-based hearing tests. Among the ears assessed, 55.7% were classified as group A, while 25.7% and 18.6% were classified as group B and group C, respectively. The average hearing threshold obtained from conventional pure-tone audiometry was 37.7 ± 25.2 dB HL, whereas the application-based hearing test yielded thresholds of 21.0 ± 23.0 dB HL. A significant correlation (r = 0.69, p < 0.01) was found between the average hearing thresholds obtained from the application-based and conventional pure-tone audiometry tests. The application-based test achieved a 97.4% hit rate for classifying hearing thresholds as class A, but lower rates of 22.2% for class B and 38.5% for class C. Notably, a discrepancy was observed between the hearing threshold measured by the application and the conventional audiometry for the worse ear with asymmetric hearing. The smartphone-based audiometry is a feasible method for hearing evaluation especially in persons with normal hearing. In cases of hearing loss or asymmetric hearing loss, the results of the application-based audiometry may be inaccurate, limiting its diagnostic utility.
Topics: Humans; Reproducibility of Results; Auditory Threshold; Hearing Loss; Hearing; Deafness; Audiometry, Pure-Tone
PubMed: 38548854
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57944-9 -
NeuroImage May 2024The growing trend of bilingual education between Chinese and English has contributed to a rise in the number of early bilingual children, who were exposed to L2 prior to...
The growing trend of bilingual education between Chinese and English has contributed to a rise in the number of early bilingual children, who were exposed to L2 prior to formal language instruction of L1. The L2-L1 transfer effect in an L1-dominant environment has been well established. However, the threshold of L2 proficiency at which such transfer manifests remains unclear. This study investigated the behavioral and neural processes involved when manipulating phonemes in an auditory phonological task to uncover the transfer effect in young bilingual children. Sixty-two first graders from elementary schools in Taiwan were recruited in this study (29 Chinese monolinguals, 33 Chinese-English bilinguals). The brain activity was measured using fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy). Bilingual children showed right lateralization to process Chinese and left lateralization to process English, which supports more on the accommodation effect within the framework of the assimilation-accommodation hypothesis. Also, compared to monolinguals, bilingual children showed more bilateral frontal activation in Chinese, potentially reflecting a mixed influence from L2-L1 transfer effects and increased cognitive load of bilingual exposure. These results elucidate the developmental adjustments in the neural substrates associated with early bilingual exposure in phonological processing, offering valuable insights into the bilingual learning process.
Topics: Child; Humans; Multilingualism; Linguistics; China
PubMed: 38548037
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2024.120592 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024The ability of individuals with visual impairment to recognize an obstacle by hearing is called "obstacle sense". This ability is facilitated while they are moving,...
Examining How Interaural Differences Owing to Head Rotation during Walking Improve the Distance of Auditory Obstacle Perceptions among Individuals with Visual Impairment: A Case Study in Small-Scale Blind Group.
The ability of individuals with visual impairment to recognize an obstacle by hearing is called "obstacle sense". This ability is facilitated while they are moving, though the exact reason remains unknown. This study aims to clarify which acoustical factors may contribute to obstacle sense, especially obstacle distance perception. First, we conducted a comparative experiment regarding obstacle distance localization by individuals who are blind (N = 5, five men with blindness aged 22-42 (average: 29.8)) while they were standing and walking. The results indicate that the localized distance was more accurate while walking than while standing. Subsequently, the head rotation angle while walking and acoustic characteristics with respect to obstacle distance and head rotation angle were investigated. The peaks of the absolute head rotation angle during walking ranged from 2.78° to 11.11° (average: 6.55°, S.D.: 2.05°). Regarding acoustic characteristics, acoustic coloration occurred, and spectral interaural differences and interaural intensity differences were observed in the blind participants (N = 4, four men including two blind and two control sighted persons aged 25-38 (average: 30.8)). To determine which acoustic factors contribute, we examined the threshold of changes for interaural differences in time (ITD) and intensity (IID) (N = 11, seven men and four women with blindness aged 21-35 (average: 27.4)), as well as coloration (ICD) (N = 6, seven men and a woman with blindness aged 21-38 (average: 29.9))-depending on the head rotation. Notably, ITD and IID thresholds were 86.2 μs and 1.28 dB; the corresponding head rotation angles were 23.5° and 9.17°, respectively. The angle of the ICD threshold was 6.30° on average. Consequently, IID might be a contributing factor and ICD can be utilized as the cue facilitating the obstacle distance perception while walking.
PubMed: 38541681
DOI: 10.3390/life14030356 -
Laryngoscope Investigative... Apr 2024Otitis media with effusion is common in children with cleft palates. This study aimed to investigate the link between palatal closure techniques and audiological...
OBJECTIVE
Otitis media with effusion is common in children with cleft palates. This study aimed to investigate the link between palatal closure techniques and audiological outcomes.
METHODS
In this retrospective-prospective cohort study, we examined the relationship between palate repair techniques and hearing outcomes in children with cleft palates. From 2017 to 2022, 190 ears of 95 cleft patients were studied at the Cleft Lip and Palate Department of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Variables assessed included the surgical technique, cleft severity, auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold, and tympanometry configuration.
RESULTS
The mean ABR improved from a prepalatoplasty value of 39.51(11.62) decibels (dB) to a postpalatoplasty mean of 26.61(11.60) dB (Cohen's : 1.12 [95% CI; 0.90-1.34]). Initially, 87.9% of the studied ears exhibited abnormal tympanometry, but this significantly decreased to 47% postsurgery (risk ratio: 4.43 [95% CI; 1.20-16.43]). When compared with Sommerlad intravelar veloplasty, the Nadjmi modified Furlow palatoplasty was associated with a notably lower mean ABR (: -6.58 [95% CI: -10.43 to -2.73], -value = .001) and a reduced frequency of abnormal tympanometry (odds ratio [OR]: -1.10; 95% CI: -1.85 to -0.36, -value = .004). Factors like prepalatoplasty ABR, cleft palate severity, gender, and syndromic did not confound these findings.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the Nadjmi modified Furlow palatoplasty showed better results, our findings indicate a significant improvement in ABR and tympanometry outcomes for both techniques. Future randomized controlled trials are suggested to confirm the influence of palatal closure techniques on audiological outcomes.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
3b.
PubMed: 38525123
DOI: 10.1002/lio2.1237 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024Auditory brainstem response (ABR) is the gold standard for hearing testing in dogs. ABR is commonly used in puppies to diagnose congenital sensorineural deafness. Long...
INTRODUCTION
Auditory brainstem response (ABR) is the gold standard for hearing testing in dogs. ABR is commonly used in puppies to diagnose congenital sensorineural deafness. Long test times limit the use for a more comprehensive hearing screening in veterinary practice. This study aimed to establish a super-fast hearing screening protocol in dogs.
METHODS
Hearing thresholds were routinely measured with a mobile device designed for newborn hearing screening in 90 dogs. We introduced modifications of the ABR protocol, e. g., a binaural test mode, higher stimulus rates, a broadband chirp stimulus, and an algorithm for automatic peak V detection in a stepwise fashion. Hearing thresholds were then measured with fast protocols utilizing either 30 Hz click or 90 Hz broadband chirp stimuli with 80, 60, 40, 30, 20, 10, 0 and -10 dBnHL stimulation intensities. Interrater reliability, agreement between click and chirp hearing thresholds and correlations with clinical characteristics of the dogs were assessed.
RESULTS
Using all innovations, the test time for hearing threshold assessment in both ears was reduced to 1.11 min (mean). The chirp stimulus accentuated both, peak V and the subsequent trough, which are essential features for judgement of the hearing threshold, but preceding peaks were less conspicuous. Interrater reliability and agreement between click and chirp hearing threshold was excellent. Dogs >10 years of age and dogs with abnormal hearing score or otitis score had significantly higher hearing thresholds than younger dogs ( ≤ 0.001) or dogs without abnormalities ( < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
The results demonstrate that modifications in ABR protocols speed-up test times significantly while the quality of the recordings for hearing threshold assessment is maintained. Modified ABR protocols enable super-fast hearing threshold assessment in veterinary practice.
PubMed: 38511189
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1358410