Association between sensorineural hearing loss and weather conditions: an analytic case series in two hospitals at Kinshasa

On the basis of strong research, universal newborn screening should be performed before age 1 month with repeat or follow-up testing for those who do not pass performed before age 3 months and intervention started before age 6 months. On the basis of strong research and consensus statement, tympanostomy tubes should be considered for individuals with bilateral persistent middle ear effusion for 3 months or greater and a documented conductive hearing loss. On the basis of consensus statement, all children with suspected hearing loss should have an age appropriate hearing test. On the basis of strong research, the most common form of congenital hearing loss is genetic. Most of this is nonsyndromic hearing loss.

Ischemia as a potential etiologic factor in idiopathic unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss: Analysis of posterior circulation arteries

Characterization of hearing loss in pediatric patients with osteogenesis imperfecta

Defibrinogenation therapy with batroxobin for idiopathic pediatric sudden sensorineural hearing loss: Report of three cases

PurposeThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of meteorological factors on the onset of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL).Materials and MethodsMeteorological data from 2005 to 2011 were obtained from the web-based "Monthly Weather Reports of the Meteorological Administration" database. Patients with ISSHL who visited our hospital during this same period and presented the precise day on which hearing loss developed were included in this retrospective study. Twelve meteorological factors were analyzed between the days when ISSHL onset was observed as well as the days when ISSHL did not occur. The weather conditions occurring 1-7 days before ISSHL onset were also analyzed to assess any possible delayed effects of meteorological factors on the onset of ISSHL.ResultsDuring the study period, 607 patients were included for the study. Although mean and maximal wind velocities were higher for the days when ISSHL occurred than the days without ISSHL onset, after adjusting the value for multiple comparisons, we cannot find any significant relationship between any of meteorological factors and the onset of ISSHL. However, in analysis of time lag effect of the weather conditions, we found that there was still a significant difference in maximum wind speed on 5 days before ISSHL onset even after applying Bonferroni correction.ConclusionThe result of this study suggests that stronger wind speed may be related to the occurrence of ISSHL.

AimConsideration of how treatment for hypothyroidism may lead to an improvement in hearing, illustrated by two cases of hearing loss identified by neonatal screening.MethodTwo babies referred for Audiological assessment and...

This study aimed to correlate probable predisposing factors for sensorineural hearing loss in elderly by investigating the audiologic characteristics and frequency of mutations in genes considered responsible for non-syndromic hearing loss. Sixty elderly patients were separated into two groups: the Case Group, composed of 30 individuals, 21 females and nine males, all 60 years old or older and presenting diagnoses of sensorineural hearing loss, and the Control Group, composed of 30 elderly individuals matched to the experimental group by age and gender, presenting normal hearing. The patients underwent anamnesis and pure tone audiometry in frequencies of 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 6000 Hz. Blood samples were collected from each patient for analysis of mutations in nuclear and mitochondrial genes related to non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss. It was observed a greater tendency to noise exposure and consumption of alcohol in the Case Group. The statistically significant symptoms between the groups were tinnitus and hearing difficulty in several situations as: silent environment, telephone, television, sound location and in church. All the individuals of Case Group presented sensorineural and bilateral hearing loss. The symmetry and progression of the hearing impairment were also statistically significant between the groups. No genetic mutations were identified. The most reported symptoms were communication difficulties and tinnitus. The predominant auditory characteristics included sensorineural, bilateral, progressive and symmetrical hearing loss. It was not evidenced a relationship between sensorineural hearing loss in elderly and genes considered responsible for non-syndromic hearing loss as no genetic mutation was found in this study.

ObjectiveSudden hearing loss is a frightening symptom that often prompts an urgent or emergent visit to a health care provider. It is frequently, but not universally, accompanied by tinnitus and/or...

ObjectiveSudden hearing loss is a frightening symptom that often prompts an urgent or emergent visit to a health care provider. It is frequently but not universally accompanied by tinnitus and/or v...

Age-related hearing loss is the third most common health condition affecting elderly individuals. The relationship between lycopene in blood and sensorineural hearing loss in elderly adults has rarely been reported. This study aimed to elucidate the connection between serum lycopene levels and sensorineural hearing loss among elderly individuals. This cross-sectional study included 693 participants aged 70–80 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2017 to 2018. The outcomes included sensorineural low-frequency hearing loss [pure-tone average (PTA) at 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz ≥ 20 dB], speech-frequency hearing loss (PTA at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz ≥ 20 dB), and high-frequency hearing loss (PTA at 4, 6, and 8 kHz ≥ 20 dB). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between lycopene in blood and the risk of hearing loss. There were 418 (60.3%), 522 (75.3%), and 667 (96.2%) participants who experienced hearing loss at low, speech, and high frequencies, respectively. Serum total lycopene (OR = 0.575, 95% CI 0.337–0.984) and serum cis-lycopene (OR = 0.334, 95% CI 0.112–0.994) were associated with a lower risk of low-frequency hearing loss after adjusting for covariates. Among male participants, the serum total, cis-, and trans-lycopene levels were inversely related to low- and speech-frequency hearing loss. However, no relationship was observed among the female participants. In conclusion, our findings indicate that increased serum lycopene levels are associated with a decreased prevalence of sensorineural low-frequency hearing loss in older adults, especially in men.

To investigate the whole sequence of SLC26A4 gene among 1552 deaf students from 21 regions of China with SLC26A4 hot spot mutation IVS7-2A > G and analyze the epidemiological state of enlarged-vestibular-aqueduct-syndrome (EVAS) related hearing loss in China. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of 1552 students from deaf and dumb school of 21 regions in China. The nationality of the 1552 cases covers Han (1290 cases), Uigur (69 cases), Hui (37 cases), Mongolia (31 cases), Yi, Zhuang, Bai, Miao and other 13 nationalities (125 cases). Firstly, all subjects were analyzed for the hot spot mutation IVS7-2A > G by direct sequencing. Those carrying a single heterozygous IVS7-2A > G were given further analyzed for the probable second mutation in other exons except exon7 and exon8 of SLC26A4. One hundred and fifty cases with normal hearing were in the control group. The sequencing results revealed 197 cases carrying IVS7-2A > G, of whom 83 carrying IVS7-2A > G homozygous mutation, 114 carrying IVS7-2A > G heterozygous mutation. Of the 114 cases with heterozygous IVS7-2A > G, 78 cases were found to have another mutation and 36 cases were found no other mutation in SLC26A4. Of the 1552 cases, the percentage of cases carrying homozygous IVS7-2A > G and compound heterozygous mutations was 10.37% (161/1552). Of the 78 cases with SLC26A4 compound heterozygous mutations, the mutations except IVS7-2A > G were found mainly in exon 19, 10, 17, 15, 11 + 12, 14 and 3. Twenty-one novel SLC26A4 mutations were found. In the control group, there were only 3 cases carrying heterozygous IVS7-2A > G, and no other mutation in SLC26A4 was found. SLC26A4 mutations account for at least 10% of EVAS related hereditary hearing loss in China. It's of great importance to screen SLC26A4 gene for making aetiological diagnosis for deafness. The discovery of novel variants of SLC26A4 gene makes the mutational and polymorphic spectrum more plentiful in Chinese population. We also provide preliminary evidence for the hot spot areas of SLC26A4.

Profile of childhood hearing loss in the Western Cape, South Africa

A Truncating Mutation in SERPINB6 Is Associated with Autosomal-Recessive Nonsyndromic Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Among the types of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss, low-tone type without vertigo has attracted attention for its recurrence and progression to Ménière's disease. The purpose of this article is to characterize the recurrent type of sudden low-tone sensorineural hearing loss without vertigo using neuro-otologic examination. Retrospective. Tertiary referral center. Diagnostic and prognostic. Long-term follow-up of 82 patients diagnosed at the university hospital with idiopathic sudden low-tone sensorineural hearing loss without vertigo. The recurrence rate was determined according to results of electronystagmography (ENG) and electrocochleography (ECochG) tests at the onset of the first episode of hearing loss. Forty percent of the patients experienced recurrent hearing loss. Among the patients who experienced recurrence, 45% had a recurrence within 6 months from the first episode of hearing loss. The recurrence rate varied largely according to the results of the ENG and ECochG tests. In patients with an elevated ratio of the summating potential to the action potential and spontaneous nystagmus on ENG, the recurrence rate was 78.6%. However, in those with a normal ratio of the summating potential to the action potential and without spontaneous nystagmus, the recurrence rate was 31.8%. Our results indicate that idiopathic sudden low-tone sensorineural hearing loss without vertigo has a high recurrence rate when vestibular alteration and endolymphatic hydrops are detected on initial examination. A combination of nystagmus detection and ECochG test well characterizes the pathophysiology of sudden low-tone sensorineural hearing loss without vertigo.

The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the incidence and the pattern of post-meningitis hearing impairment. A prospective study of 68 meningitis patients was performed. The patients' hearing was evaluated immediately following acute illness and periodically checked for two years. The incidences of the initial sensorineural and conductive deafness were 26.4% and 20.6%, respectively. Two patients (3%) suffered from mixed deafness. No consistent audiometric pattern was found in the cases of sensorineural hearing loss. Serial hearing evaluations demonstrated complete recovery of all cases of conductive hearing loss with only a slight improvement in the low tones noted in one patient with sensorineural hearing loss. No late development of sensorineural loss has occurred.