Different Levels Of Hearing Loss Research Articles

Association between hearing loss and gout based on National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and Mendelian randomization analysis

Hearing loss(HL) represents a significant public health concern. This study aimed to determine the association between hearing loss and gout and to elucidate the underlying causative mechanisms. Data for this study were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and Mendelian randomization (MR) basic databases. Initially, baseline characteristics of individuals with and without gout were compared. A nonlinear relationship between pure tone audiometry (PTA) values and gout prevalence was confirmed through restricted cubic spline (RCS) curve analysis. Subsequently, hearing loss was categorized into different levels based on PTA values, and multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to calculate the impact of varying degrees of hearing loss on the risk of gout. Finally, MR analysis was conducted to further elucidate the causal relationship between hearing loss and gout. A total of 3,258 individuals were included in this study, with a gout prevalence of 3.7%. Significant differences were observed between the gout group and the non-gout group in variables such as age, gender, blood uric acid level, BMI, hypertension, and diabetes. RCS curve analysis revealed a significant nonlinear relationship between PTA values and gout risk, particularly when PTA values exceed a specific threshold, where the curve flattens. Based on different levels of hearing loss derived from PTA values, multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated that mild and moderate hearing loss significantly increased the risk of gout, remaining statistically significant after adjusting for covariates (odds ratio (OR) = 2.10–3.48, P < 0.05). MR analysis further confirmed the causal relationship between hearing loss and gout. Inverse variance weighting (IVW) was employed as the primary method, revealing that both individuals with hearing difficulties (OR = 0.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96–0.999, P = 0.012) and those without hearing impairment (OR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.04, P = 0.012) exhibited a significant causal relationship with gout. Goodness-of-fit tests and sensitivity analyses were used to verify the reliability of the results. Hearing loss has a significant causal relationship with an increased risk of gout, providing a new perspective for the prevention and management of gout. Focused attention and prompt treatment of hearing loss, particularly mild and moderate hearing loss, may significantly reduce the risk of developing gout.

ASL Spelling Detection Using Deep Learning

Abstract: Understanding American Sign Language is a difficult task for anyone who wish to communicate with the deaf and dumb. It creates a gap between people. This paper introduces a finger spelling recognition system designed to help bridge that gap. Our system uses a camera and specialized CNN architecture to understand hand gestures that represent letters. This approach offers a few key benefits: it uses the familiar alphabet, can be learned quickly, and works for people with different levels of hearing loss or sign language experience. This technology has the potential to make communication much easier for many people, especially in situations where spoken words or traditional signs might not be the best option. It detects the ASL alphabets and constructs words and sentences, also known as Finger-Spelling

Neuromarcadores basados en Estadística de EEG en el Dominio Temporal y Frecuencial para Detectar Acufeno

Tinnitus detection and characterization requires a carefully elaborated diagnosis mainly owing to its heterogeneity nature. The present investigation aims to find features in Electroencephalographic (EEG) signals from time and frequency domain analysis that could distinguish between healthy and tinnitus sufferers with different levels of hearing loss. For this purpose, 24 volunteers were recruited and equally divided into four groups: 1) controls, 2) slow tinnitus, 3) middle tinnitus and 4) high tinnitus. EEG signals were registered in two states, with eyes closed and opened for 60 seconds. EEG analysis was focused on two bandwidths: delta and alpha band. For time domain, the EEG features estimated were mean, standard deviation, kurtosis, maximum peak, skewness and shape. For frequency domain, the EEG features obtained were mean, skewness, power spectral density. Normality of EEG data was evaluated by the Lilliefors test, and as a result, the nonparametric technique Kruskal-Wallis H statistic to test significance was applied. Results show that EEG features are more differentiable between tinnitus sufferers and controls in frequency domain than in time domain. EEG features from tinnitus patients with high HL are significantly different from the rest of the groups in alpha frequency band activity when shape and skewness are computed.

Potential overestimation of cognitive impairment due to hearing loss: Impact of test modalities on cognitive test scores.

Hearing impairment in older adults may affect cognitive function and increase the risk of dementia. Most cognitive tests are delivered auditorily, and individuals with hearing loss may fail to hear verbal instructions. Greater listening difficulty and fatigue in acoustic conditions may impact test performance. This study aimed to examine the effect of decreased audibility on cognitive screening test performance in older adults. Older adults (n = 63) with different levels of hearing loss completed a standard auditory Mini-Mental State Examination test and a written version of the test. Individuals with moderate to moderately severe hearing loss (41-70 dB) performed significantly better on the written (24.34 ± 4.90) than on the standard test (22.55 ± 6.25), whereas scores were not impacted for mild hearing loss (less than 40 dB). Hearing evaluations should be included in cognitive assessment, and test performance should be carefully interpreted in individuals with hearing loss to avoid overestimating cognitive decline.

Intrinsic Noise Improves Speech Recognition in a Computational Model of the Auditory Pathway.

Noise is generally considered to harm information processing performance. However, in the context of stochastic resonance, noise has been shown to improve signal detection of weak sub- threshold signals, and it has been proposed that the brain might actively exploit this phenomenon. Especially within the auditory system, recent studies suggest that intrinsic noise plays a key role in signal processing and might even correspond to increased spontaneous neuronal firing rates observed in early processing stages of the auditory brain stem and cortex after hearing loss. Here we present a computational model of the auditory pathway based on a deep neural network, trained on speech recognition. We simulate different levels of hearing loss and investigate the effect of intrinsic noise. Remarkably, speech recognition after hearing loss actually improves with additional intrinsic noise. This surprising result indicates that intrinsic noise might not only play a crucial role in human auditory processing, but might even be beneficial for contemporary machine learning approaches.

‘It’s just a different dimension’: Music therapists’ experiences of hearing loss

This study explores the lived experiences of qualified music therapists who identify as having hearing loss. The risk of hearing loss for professional musicians is widely acknowledged in literature, with one study demonstrating an increased risk of hearing loss for music therapists. No current literature, however, explores the experiences of hearing loss from the perspective of the music therapist, in a profession in which hearing and listening could be seen as central to the work. For this study, qualitative research methods were employed, involving semi-structured interviews with six music therapists experiencing different levels of hearing loss. Verbatim transcripts were then analysed, using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), resulting in the identification of three principal themes across the data set: 1) Listening is exhausting: Identity as a music therapist with hearing loss; 2) Impatient or intrigued? Stigma versus support; and 3) How I manage: Strategies for coping. These themes are discussed in-depth, in light of existing theory and implications for practice. The analysis supports existing research demonstrating that acquired hearing loss does not impede musical ability. Barriers to proficiency arise from other areas. Implications are discussed, including recommendations for hearing-protection training within music therapy training programmes.

Reduced suprathreshold auditory nerve responses are associated with slower processing speed and thinner temporal and parietal cortex in presbycusis.

Epidemiological evidence shows an association between hearing loss and dementia in elderly people. However, the mechanisms that connect hearing impairments and cognitive decline are still unknown. Here we propose that a suprathreshold auditory-nerve impairment is associated with cognitive decline and brain atrophy. Methods: audiological, neuropsychological, and brain structural 3-Tesla MRI data were obtained from elders with different levels of hearing loss recruited in the ANDES cohort. The amplitude of waves I (auditory nerve) and V (midbrain) from auditory brainstem responses were measured at 80 dB nHL. We also calculated the ratio between wave V and I as a proxy of suprathreshold brainstem function. Results: we included a total of 101 subjects (age: 73.5 ± 5.2 years (mean ± SD), mean education: 9.5 ± 4.2 years, and mean audiogram thresholds (0.5–4 kHz): 25.5 ± 12.0 dB HL). We obtained reliable suprathreshold waves V in all subjects (n = 101), while replicable waves I were obtained in 92 subjects (91.1%). Partial Spearman correlations (corrected by age, gender, education and hearing thresholds) showed that reduced suprathreshold wave I responses were associated with thinner temporal and parietal cortices, and with slower processing speed as evidenced by the Trail-Making Test-A and digit symbol performance. Non-significant correlations were obtained between wave I amplitudes and other cognitive domains. Conclusions: These results evidence that reduced suprathreshold auditory nerve responses in presbycusis are associated with slower processing speed and brain structural changes in temporal and parietal regions.

Predictive values of maximum changes of brainstem auditory evoked potentials during microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm.

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) have been widely monitored to prevent hearing loss (HL) during microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm (HFS); however, their predictive value is still unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the predictive values of the maximum changes in BAEPs and define the best warning indicator and a cutoff value (CV) during HFS-MVD. The clinical data of 93 HFS-MVD patients were retrospectively analysed. The maximum change rates of the latency and amplitude of waves I, III, and V and the interpeak latencies (IPLs) I-III, I-V, and III-V, when BAEPs change most during MVD, were defined. Pure tone audiometry was performed to evaluate hearing loss (HL). Logistic regression, propensity score, receiver operating curve (ROC), and area under the curve (AUC) were used to identify the predictive value of relevant indexes and to determine the CV (with the largest Youden index) of the best index at different levels of HL. The AUCs of BAEPs for predicting HL were 0.98, 0.92, and 0.84 for 50dB, 30dB, and 10dB, respectively. The amplitude of wave V (AwV) was the best single predictive index at all three HL levels. The CV of AwV was 55% (50dB), 46% (30dB), and 34% (10dB). At 50dB HL, the predictive value of IPLs I-V (AUC 0.89 with CV 0.6ms) was better than that of LwV (AUC 0.82 with CV 1ms). BAEPs can predict HL well. AwV is the best single predictive index of all BAEPs. The reduction of AwV by 34% (watching), 46% (reporting), and 55% (warning) can be used as a sliding-scale warning sign. In addition, IPLs I-V (> 0.6ms) and LwV (> 1ms) should also be observed and reported during MVD.

Music Appreciation of Adult Hearing Aid Users and the Impact of Different Levels of Hearing Loss

The main aim of this study was to collect information on music listening and music appreciation from postlingually deafened adults who use hearing aids (HAs). It also sought to investigate whether there were any differences in music ratings from HA users with different levels of hearing loss (HL; mild, versus moderate to moderately-severe, versus severe or worse. An existing published questionnaire developed for cochlear implant recipients was modified for this study. It had 51 questions divided into seven sections: (1) music listening and music background; (2) sound quality; (3) musical styles; (4) music preferences; (5) music recognition; (6) factors affecting music listening enjoyment; and (7) music training program. The questionnaire was posted out to adult HA users, who were subsequently divided into three groups: (i) HA users with a mild HL (Mild group); (ii) HA users with a moderate to moderately-severe HL (Moderate group); and (iii) HA users with a severe or worse (Severe group) HL. One hundred eleven questionnaires were completed; of these, 51 participants had a mild HL, 42 had a moderate to moderately-severe loss, and 18 a severe or worse loss. Overall, there were some significant differences noted, predominantly between the Mild and Severe groups, with fewer differences between the Mild and Moderate groups. The respondents with the greater levels of HL reported a greater reduction in their music enjoyment as a result of their HL and that HAs made music sound significantly less melodic for them. It was also observed that the Severe group's mean scores for both the pleasant rating as well as the combined rating for the six different musical styles were lower than both the Mild and Moderate groups' ratings for every style, with just one exception (pop/rock pleasantness rating). There were significant differences between the three groups for the styles of music that were reported to sound the best with HA(s), as well as differences between the ratings on more specific timbre rating scales used to rate different elements of each style. In rating the pleasantness and naturalness of different musical instruments or instrumental groups, there was no difference between the groups. There were also significant differences between the Mild and Severe groups in relation to musical preferences for the pitch range of music, with the Severe group significantly preferring male singers and lower pitched instruments. The overall results indicated little difference in music appreciation between those with a mild versus moderate loss. However, poorer appreciation scores were given by those with a severe or worse HL. This would suggest that HAs or HL have a negative impact on music listening, particularly when the HL becomes more significant. There was a large degree of variability in ratings, though, with music listening being satisfactory for some listeners and largely unsatisfactory for others, in all three groups. Music listening preferences also varied significantly, and the reported benefit (or otherwise) provided by the HA for music was also mixed. The overriding variability in listening preferences and ratings leads to the question as to the benefit and effectiveness of generic, manufacturer-derived music programs on HAs. Despite the heterogeneity in the listening habits, preferences, and ratings, it is clear that music appreciation and enjoyment is still challenging for many HA users and that level of HL is one, but not the only factor that impacts on music appreciation.

Development of a Test Battery for Evaluating Speech Perception in Complex Listening Environments: Effects of Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

To evaluate the speech-in-noise performance of listeners with different levels of hearing loss in a variety of complex listening environments. The quick speech-in-noise (QuickSIN)-based test battery was used to measure the speech recognition performance of listeners with different levels of hearing loss. Subjective estimates of speech reception thresholds (SRTs) corresponding to 100% and 0% speech intelligibility, respectively, were obtained using a method of adjustment before objective measurement of the actual SRT corresponding to 50% speech intelligibility in every listening condition. Of the seven alternative listening conditions, two conditions, one involving time-compressed, reverberant speech (TC+Rev), and the other (N0Sπ) having in-phase noise masker (N0) and out-of-phase target (Sπ), were found to be substantially more sensitive to the effect of hearing loss than the standard QuickSIN test. The performance in these two conditions also correlated with self-reported difficulties in attention/concentration during speech communication and in localizing the sound source, respectively. Hearing thresholds could account for about 50% or less variance in SRTs in any listening condition. Subjectively estimated SRTs (SRTs corresponding to 0% and 100% speech intelligibility) were highly correlated with the objective SRT measurements (SRT corresponding to 50% speech intelligibility). A test battery that includes the TC+Rev and the N0Sπ conditions would be useful in identifying individuals with hearing loss with speech-in-noise deficits in everyday communication.

Smartphone-Based Hearing Self-Assessment System Using Hearing Aids With Fast Audiometry Method.

Hearing loss is an irreversible damage. Patients with hearing loss usually use hearing aids or cochlear implants for hearing compensation. Hearing test is used to detect hearing-loss degree in different frequency bands for both ears or for the single ear with hearing loss. The conventional hearing test method requires an audiologist to conduct the test process, which causes a burden for the patient in respect of cost and time. This paper describes a new smartphone-based audiometry method for the hearing self-assessment using hearing aids as the audio sources, a smartphone as the user-interface and controller. The hearing aids are controlled by the smartphone through low-power wireless communication link. The stimulus audio signal with the feature of sweeping amplitude out of the hearing aids is generated by an innovative "coarse-to-fine focus" algorithm, which reduces test time and improves test accuracy as well. The proposed method is verified by a demo smartphone-based hearing self-assessment (SHSA) system, which consists of hearing aid hardware, user-interface application, and stimuli generating algorithm. The objective measurement of the demo system verifies the precision of the sound level within a variation less than 0.5dB HL for all six frequency bands. The subjective test with 20 samples with different levels of hearing loss in a sound-proof booth indicates that the SHSA system has an average difference of less than 6dB HL for different hearing-loss severity, and is capable of saving more than 50% hearing test time on average compared to the conventional hearing test.

The Mitochondrial COI/tRNASER(UCN) G7444A Mutation may be Associated with Hearing Impairment in a Han Chinese Family.

Variations in mitochondrial genome have been found to be associated with hearing loss. Of these, the mitochondrial 12S rRNA and tRNASer(UCN) are the hot-spots for pathogenic variants associated with deafness. To understand the putative role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants in hearing loss, we recently screened the variants in mitochondrial genomes in patients with deafness from the Hangzhou area of Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China (PRC). In this study, we describe a maternally-inherited Han Chinese family with high penetrance of hearing loss, notably, the penetrance of hearing loss in this family were 80.0 and 40.0%, when the aminoglycoside was included or excluded. Three matrilineal relatives in this pedigree exhibited different levels of hearing loss with different age at onset. In addition, sequence analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome showed the presence of the well-known C1494T pathogenic variant in the 12S rRNA gene and the G7444A pathogenic variant in the COI/ tRNASer(UCN). The C1494T anomaly had been reported to be a pathogenic mutation associated with aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss (AINHL), while the G7444A was considered as a secondary mutation associated with deafness. However, the lack of functional variants in GJB2 and TRMU genes suggested that nuclear modified genes may not play important roles in deafness expression. Thus, the combination of G7444A and C1494T pathogenic variants in the mitochondrial genome may account for the high penetrance of hearing loss in this Chinese family.

The Effects of Hearing Impairment on Fire Team Performance in Dismounted Combat

Although hearing is known to play an essential role in military operations, few studies have directly measured the impact of hearing loss on combat effectiveness. In this study, Soldiers from the 101st Airborne were equipped with hearing loss simulators allowing parametric adjustment of hearing between normal and profound deafness. They then participated in a combat exercise requiring multiple fire teams with different levels of hearing loss to progress through a series of waypoints in a wooded area as quickly as possible without being eliminated by enemy gunfire. A GPS-based tracking system made it possible to record the progress of each team throughout the exercise, including information on player eliminations and the players credited with these kills. Results show that hearing impairment has a substantial negative impact on the performance of experienced Soldiers in terms of survivability, lethality, and mission success.

Genetics of hearing loss: where are we standing now?

Hearing loss (HL) is the most common sensory impairment and is caused by a broad range of inherited to environmental causes. Inherited HL consists 50-60% of all HL cases. The inherited form of HL is further classified to different categories. More than 300 syndromes and 40 genes have been identified to result in different levels of HL. Although several diagnostic or screening tests have been developed, yet there are controversies around their use.

A resposta auditiva de estado estável na avaliação auditiva: aplicação clínica

the auditory steady state response (ASSR) is an electrophysiological procedure that evaluates, at the same time, the hearing thresholds of both ears at various frequencies. This procedure reduces the time of testing and enables the stimulation of levels close to 125dB HL, characterizing residual hearing. to verify the applicability of the ASSR to determine the hearing thresholds in different levels of sensorineural hearing loss. 48 individuals aged 7-30 years, with different levels of hearing loss were assessed. The Pure tone Audiometry (PTA) and the ASSR were carried out in following carrier frequencies 0.5; 1; 2 and 4k Hz. The carrier frequencies in the ASSR were modulated in amplitude and frequency, with multiple dicotic stimulation for mild and moderate hearing loss. Simple stimulation was used to test the other hearing deficit levels. there was a significant association (p<0.01) between the thresholds obtained in the PTA and in the ASSR for all of the tested frequencies, especially for the severe levels. However, for some patients, the hearing loss level was overestimated in the ASSR. the ASSR can be used to estimate the PTA threshold; nevertheless, it should not be analyzed in an isolated way, but seen as a complementary procedure to the behavioral auditory assessment.

Does cardiovascular health mediate hearing ability?

Exercise and noise exposure causes temporary hearing loss. Yet, a direct relationship may exist between cardiovascular health and hearing. The purpose of this study was to determine whether noise and exercise caused different levels of hearing loss depending on one's cardiovascular fitness. Twenty-eight volunteers were considered: high fit VO2peak = 48.5 +/- 1.6 ml.kg-1.min-1, N = 10), moderately fit VO2peak = 38.1 +/- 0.9 ml.kg-1.min-1, N = 9), and low fit VO2peak = 30.4 +/- 0.9 ml.kg-1.min-1, N = 9). Hearing ability at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz was assessed following 10 min of noise (N), exercise (E), and noise-and-exercise (N&E). The high fit group consistently demonstrated better hearing after all conditions compared to the low fit group. Significant differences between the high and low fit groups always occurred during N&E and sometimes during N. E did not cause significant hearing loss in any group. Cardiovascular health as indicated by a mean VO2peak = 48.5 ml.kg-1.min-1 is associated with less hearing loss after 10 min of either N or N&E. Although the mechanisms have not been identified, these results support the existence of a cardiovascular health-hearing synergism.