Factor In Sensorineural Hearing Loss Research Articles

Metabolic Syndrome as a Risk Factor for Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Adult Patients with Turner Syndrome.

Background and purposeMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is a disorder associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The frequency of each component of MetS in Turner syndrome (TS) subjects is high. An elevated incidence of hearing loss has also been reported in TS. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) affects at least half of young women with TS. The association between MetS and SNHL has not been previously considered in TS. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between these two conditions.Patients and MethodsCross-sectional anthropometric, cardio-metabolic and audiological data were obtained from a cohort consisting of unrelated TS subjects (>20 years of age; n = 93). Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Types and severity of hearing loss were based on the American Speech Hearing Association guidelines.ResultsHearing loss was detected in 74% of ears from adult TS subjects and SNHL was observed in half of our TS subjects. The prevalence of MetS in TS subjects with or without SNHL was 64% and 11%, respectively (P < 0.05). After adjusting for age, MetS was related to a ninefold increase in the odds of SNHL. This odds increased in a stepwise manner as the number of MetS components increased.ConclusionMetS and its individual components were associated factors for SNHL in TS subjects. A reduction in the number and severity of the components of MetS might potentially contribute to decreasing the progression of SNHL at younger ages, but further studies will be needed to explain the underlying pathological mechanism connecting MetS and SNHL.

Is there “hidden hearing loss” in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis?

Objective: This study was to investigate whether there is impairment of auditory function in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).Study sample: A total of 85 patients were allocated into either the CRS group (n = 65) or a simple deviated nasal septum group (n = 20). Both groups without other risk factors for sensorineural hearing loss exhibited normal thresholds at standard audiometric frequencies. Another group (n = 30) of healthy subjects without CRS or a deviated nasal septum were gender and age matched.Design: Analyse the results of audiology test including pure tone audiometry, an acoustic impedance test, distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and the auditory brainstem response (ABR) for each subject analyse the test results of for each object.Results: The group differences were statistically significant for each high-frequency pure tone (p < 0.05). The ABR showed a difference between groups in amplitude. The DPOAE pass rate of the CRS group was lower than that of the control group.Conclusions: This study showed a significant correlation between CRS and auditory impairment. CRS might impair cochlear functions by damaging inner ear hair cells and/or, outer hair cells (OHCs), consequently altering the activity of the entire auditory pathway originating in the ventral cochlear nucleus (VCN) to the inferior colliculus.

Etiological factors of sensorineural hearing loss in children after cochlear implantation

Introduction: Congenital sensorineural hearing loss is one of the most common sensory defects affecting 1-3 children per 1000 newborns. There are a lot of causes which result in congenital hearing loss, the most common is the genetic origin, but infection, cochlear malformation or other acquired causes can be reasons as well. Aim: The aim of this study was to establish the etiological factors of congenital profound sensorineural hearing loss in children who underwent cochlear implantation. Results: Our results show that the origin of the hearing loss was discovered in 62.9% of our patients. The most common etiological factor was the c.35delG mutation of the gap junction protein β-2 gene, the allele frequency was 38.7% in our cohort. Infection constituted to 10.1%, and meningitis and cytomegalovirus infection were the second most common cause. 79.9% of our patients received sufficient hearing rehabilitation before the end of the speech development's period (6 years old), but 11.2% of our cases were still diagnosed late. Conclusions: Based on our data we can state that genetic evaluation is crucial in the diagnostic process of congenital profound sensorineural hearing loss. Sufficient hearing rehabilitation affects the whole life of the child, and by late cochlear implantation the speech development falls behind. We can decrease the ratio of the late implantation with the new protocol of newborn hearing screening, and with sufficient information provided to the colleagues, so the children may be referred to the proper center for rehabilitation without delay. Orv Hetil. 2019; 160(21): 822-828.

Adolescent Obesity Is an Independent Risk Factor for Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Results From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005 to 2010

We investigated the hypothesis that childhood obesity is a risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) independent of other metabolic risk factors. A complex, multistage, stratified geographic area design for collecting representative data from noninstitutionalized US population. A total of 5,638 adolescents between age 12 and 19 from the NHANES database (2005-2010) were studied. Subjects with body mass index >= 95th percentile were classified as obese. SNHL was defined as average pure-tone greater than 15 dB HL for 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz or 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz in at least 1 ear. Multivariable logistic regression models assessed incident hearing loss odds across obese patients in comparison with normal weight individuals (5th-85th percentile). Multivariable models included age, sex, socioeconomic status, race, smoke exposure, high density lipoprotein level, triglyceride level, elevated blood pressure measurement, hemoglobin A1C level, and C-reactive protein level. The rate of SNHL was 21.5% in obese and 13.44% in normal weight adolescents (p < 0.0001). In multivariable analyses, obesity was associated with 1.73-fold increase in the odds of SNHL (95% CI: 1.25-2.40, p value = 0.006). Potentially confounding and mediating factors had minimal effect on the odds of SNHL in obese study participants (OR range of 1.69-1.75, all p values <= 0.01). Obesity is associated with higher prevalence of SNHL in adolescents independent of other potential risk factors. Future longitudinal investigations and mechanistic studies are warranted.

Risk Factors for Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia

Hyperbilirubinemia is a common neonatal problem with toxic effects on the nervous system that can cause hearing impairment. This study was conducted to assess the risk factors for sensorineural hearing loss and other coexisting problems in icteric infants. In a case-control study, 200 term infants with bilirubin levels higher than 20 mg/dl admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad during 2007-2015 were investigated. Profiles of infants with hearing impairment (n=60) were compared with those of icteric newborns with normal hearing (140 newborns) as the control group. After confirming the clinical diagnosis of jaundice by laboratory findings, a validated questionnaire containing mother and infant profiles were used for data collection. The auditory brainstem response test was used for assessment of infant hearing status after discharge. Sensorineural hearing loss among infants with severe hyperbilirubinemia was found to be 4.8%. Serum total bilirubin (P=0.001), creatinine levels (P=0.002), direct Coombs test results (P=0.001), etiology (P=0.000) and treatment for jaundice (P=0.000), eye movement disorders (P=0.001), opisthotonos (P=0.001), and microcephaly (P=0.001) were found to be significantly different between the two groups (P<0.005). The prognostic predictability of sensorineural hearing loss based on total bilirubin level was found to be 82%. Hearing impairment occurs about 10-50 times more frequently in neonates with severe jaundice. Total bilirubin level has the highest predictability for infant hearing status. Blood group and Rhesus (Rh) incompatibilities between mother and child and G6PD deficiency are important known causes for hearing impairment due to jaundice.

Risk factors of sensorineural hearing loss in patients with unilateral safe chronic suppurative otitis media

PurposeChronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is the major cause of hearing impairment, especially conductive hearing loss. Few patients also had sensorineural component, the sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in CSOM is controversial, especially for safe mucosal type. This study aims to assess the relationship between the frequency of SNHL development in patients with safe mucosal CSOM and its relation to patient's age, sex, duration of disease, size of perforation and different audiological findings. Material and methodsThis is a prospective study conducted from June 2016 to June 2017 in a tertiary referral hospital. 200 patients with unilateral mucosal type of CSOM with normal contralateral ear were included in the study. The diseased ears were taken as study ears and normal ears as control ears in all patients. Detailed otologic history, clinical and audiometric findings were recorded and analyzed. Results were statistically compared in all patients for both study and control ears using different parameters. ResultsTwenty patients had an average bone conduction threshold of all frequencies above 25dB, which implies SNHL (10%). The incidence of SNHL was statistically significant at higher speech frequencies. The incidence increased with the presence of Diabetes Mellitus, smoking, duration of disease, presence of active discharge and the increase in size of perforation. However, it is not age dependent and there was no difference between males and females. ConclusionSafe mucosal CSOM can cause SNHL with multiple predisposing factors.

Association between metabolic syndrome and sensorineural hearing loss: a cross-sectional study of 11,114 participants.

Background/objectivesHearing loss (HL) is associated with certain diseases and affects health, resulting in a low quality of life. Some components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) coincide with the risk factors for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). To date, very few studies have examined the link between MetS and HL. The aim of the current study was to try to understand the potential association between MetS and HL.MethodsUsing Iranian health surveys of professional drivers, we enrolled 11,114 individuals aged 20–60 years, whose main job is to operate a motor vehicle. We examined participants for the presence and absence of SNHL and the components of the MetS. Additionally, we investigated the relationship between MetS and the pure tone air conduction hearing thresholds of participants with SNHL, including low-frequency and high-frequency thresholds.ResultsThis cross-sectional study consisted of 11,114 participants: 3202 (28.81%) diagnosed with MetS and 7911 (71.18%) without and 2772 (24.94%) with SNHL and 8432 (75.86%) without. Participants with SNHL had a higher number of components of MetS (P<0.001 for all components).ConclusionOur results demonstrated that an association possibly exists between different components of MetS (obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, high fasting glucose levels, and waist circumference) and SNHL in a population of West Azerbaijan drivers. Therefore, it is important to schedule periodic checkups for drivers to detect and avoid the increase in MetS components at an early stage in this population.

Does an Otolaryngology‐Specific Database Have Added Value? A Comparative Feasibility Analysis

There are multiple nationally representative databases that support epidemiologic and outcomes research, and it is unknown whether an otolaryngology-specific resource would prove indispensable or superfluous. Therefore, our objective was to determine the feasibility of analyses in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) databases as compared with the otolaryngology-specific Creating Healthcare Excellence through Education and Research (CHEER) database. Parallel analyses in 2 data sets. Ambulatory visits in the United States. To test a fixed hypothesis that could be directly compared between data sets, we focused on a condition with expected prevalence high enough to substantiate availability in both. This query also encompassed a broad span of diagnoses to sample the breadth of available information. Specifically, we compared an assessment of suspected risk factors for sensorineural hearing loss in subjects 0 to 21 years of age, according to a predetermined protocol. We also assessed the feasibility of 6 additional diagnostic queries among all age groups. In the NAMCS/NHAMCS data set, the number of measured observations was not sufficient to support reliable numeric conclusions (percentage standard error among risk factors: 38.6-92.1). Analysis of the CHEER database demonstrated that age, sex, meningitis, and cytomegalovirus were statistically significant factors associated with pediatric sensorineural hearing loss (P < .01). Among the 6 additional diagnostic queries assessed, NAMCS/NHAMCS usage was also infeasible; the CHEER database contained 1585 to 212,521 more observations per annum. An otolaryngology-specific database has added utility when compared with already available national ambulatory databases.

Sensorineural hearing loss following tympanoplasty surgery: a prospective cohort study

Abstract Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) subsequent to middle-ear surgery is an important yet under-reported complication. Our aim is to assess the prevalence of this complication and to identify the risk factors for SNHL after type 1 tympanoplasties. In this prospective cohort study, a total of 312 patients with tubotympanic chronic suppurative otitis media and pure conductive hearing loss were included. The patients were evaluated using case histories, clinical examinations, preoperative and postoperative (3, 6, and 12 months) audiograms, and laboratory investigations. All patients underwent type 1 tympanoplasties, the surgical details were noted, and the prevalence of SNHL as a consequence of the surgical procedure was recorded. Sixteen patients (5.1%) developed SNHL. Fifteen operations were performed by residents, and one was performed by a consultant. We concluded that the most important factor in the development of SNHL after a type 1 tympanoplasty is the surgeon’s experience.

Risk Factors for Sensorineural Hearing Loss Among High-Risk Infants in Golestan Province, Iran in 2010 - 2011.

Background:Hearing impairment, as one of the most common birth defects, is a hidden disability with negative impacts on speech and cognitive development.Objectives:The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and determine the associated risk factors among infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and neonatal wards of teaching hospitals, affiliated to Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.Patients and Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 791 infants were recruited via non-random sampling. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the subjects were gathered, and the Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) test was performed upon admission. Afterwards, the subjects were followed-up and re-assessed, using the AABR test. For infants with abnormal AABR results, the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test was performed on the day of discharge.Results:The mean age of the infants was 3.75 ± 4.86 days upon admission, and 56.4% of the subjects were female. The mean length of hospital stay was 9.63 ± 1.1 days; the subjects were hospitalized for 3.50 ± 10.21 days in the NICUs and 6.1 ± 5.27 days in the neonatal wards. In total, 3.4% of the infants presented with SNHL. No significant difference was found between SNHL and neonates’ age (P = 0.52), sex (P = 0.5), or sepsis (P = 0.94). However, SNHL was significantly associated with gestational age (P = 0.045), birth weight (P < 0.001), length of hospital stay (P < 0.001), pathological jaundice (P=0.033), antibiotic treatments (P = 0.007), and total serum bilirubin level (P = 0.01). Additionally, binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated the association between SNHL and these factors.Conclusions:In this study, the prevalence of SNHL among hospitalized neonates was similar to previous reports in Iran and other countries. Based on the findings, administration of ototoxic drugs during the neonatal period can lead to SNHL. Therefore, it seems essential to regularly screen newborns under treatment and limit the indiscriminate use of ototoxic drugs.

The Relationship Between Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia and Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Introduction and ObjectiveSevere jaundice that requires exchange transfusion has become a relatively rare situation today. About 60% of full term neonates and 80% of premature ones will suffer from jaundice within the first week of life.Hyperbilirubinemia at birth is a risk factor associated with hearing loss that is usually further linked to other factors that might have an effect on hearing synergistically. This study aimed to identify the relationship between hyperbilirubinemia at birth as a risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss in children born at Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno-Infantil de Gran Canaria, in the 2007–2011 period. MethodThis was a retrospective study of 796 newborns that had hyperbilirubinemia at birth, using transient evoked otoacoustic emissions and evoked auditory brainstem response. ResultsHundred eighty-five newborns (23.24%) were referred for evoked auditory brainstem response. Hearing loss was diagnosed for 35 (4.39%): 18 neonates (51.43%) with conductive hearing loss and 17 (48.57%) with sensorineural hearing loss, 3 of which were diagnosed as bilateral profound hearing loss. Half of the children had other risk factors associated, the most frequent being exposure to ototoxic medications. ConclusionsThe percentage of children diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss that suffered hyperbilirubinemia at birth is higher than for the general population. Of those diagnosed, none had levels of indirect bilirubin ≥20mg/dl, only 47% had hyperbilirubinemia at birth as a risk factor and 53% had another auditory risk factor associated.

Nontumorous Enlargement of the Internal Auditory Canal: A Risk Factor for Sensorineural Hearing Loss? AHigh Resolution CT-Study.

First aim of the study was to define normal shape and diameter of the internal auditory canal (IAC). In the second part the clinical relevance of IAC-enlargement was analyzed, considering also lesions of the subtle structures at the fundus of the internal auditory canal. 440 high resolution CT-scans of the temporal bone were used for retrospective analysis of the internal auditory canal and its fundus region. The mean value of the IAC diameter in axial and coronal plane was determined. In 20 of 440 patients IAC enlargement was found. In the group with pronounced enlargement (3fold SD) nearly all patients suffered from hearing impairment. In some of them we found structural abnormalities near the IAC fundus in the CSF/perilymph border zone. A new CT-based definition of normal shape and diameter of the internal auditory canal is presented. There is some evidence that a pathologic transmission of CSF-pressure in case of IAC-enlargement and/or abnormal fistulous communications could play an important role in the pathophysilogy of hearing loss. • New CT-based definition of normal internal auditory canal.• Nearly all patients showing pronounced IAC-enlargement suffer from hearing impairment.• Possible pathomechanism: Transmission of CSF-pressure on the inner ear.

Relación entre hiperbilirrubinemia neonatal e hipoacusia neurosensorial

Introduction and objectiveSevere jaundice that requires exchange transfusion has become a relatively rare situation today. About 60% of full term neonates and 80% of premature ones will suffer from jaundice within the first week of life.Hyperbilirubinemia at birth is a risk factor associated with hearing loss that is usually further linked to other factors that might have an effect on hearing synergistically. This study aimed to identify the relationship between hyperbilirubinemia at birth as a risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss in children born at Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno-Infantil de Gran Canaria, in the 2007-2011 period. MethodThis was a retrospective study of 796 newborns that had hyperbilirubinemia at birth, using transient evoked otoacoustic emissions and evoked auditory brainstem response. ResultsHundred eighty-five newborns (23.24%) were referred for evoked auditory brainstem response. Hearing loss was diagnosed for 35 (4.39%): 18 neonates (51.43%) with conductive hearing loss and 17 (48.57%) with sensorineural hearing loss, 3 of which were diagnosed as bilateral profound hearing loss. Half of the children had other risk factors associated, the most frequent being exposure to ototoxic medications. ConclusionsThe percentage of children diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss that suffered hyperbilirubinemia at birth is higher than for the general population. Of those diagnosed, none had levels of indirect bilirubin≥20mg/dl, only 47% had hyperbilirubinemia at birth as a risk factor and 53% had another auditory risk factor associated.

Risk factors for sensorineural hearing loss in pediatric chronic otitis media

ObjectivesTo assess the clinical significance of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in a group of pediatric patients suffering from unilateral chronic otitis media (COM) with or without cholesteatoma, using the contralateral healthy ear as a control, and to define risk factors for the development of SNHL in such patients. MethodsThe subjects of this retrospective study were 124 pediatric patients with unilateral COM admitted for surgery. Mean age at surgery was 13.3±3.2 years (range, 7–18) and mean duration of the disease was 88.4±45.0 months (range, 6–192 months). The preoperative pure-tone average value (PTA) for bone conduction (BC) was calculated in each ear (BC-PTA) as the average of BC thresholds at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000Hz. Potential risk factors for SNHL that we evaluated were demographics, duration of disease, presence of cholesteatoma, and previous otologic history. ResultsMean BC-PTA values in the diseased ears prior to surgery differed significantly from those in the healthy ears (12.74±8.75dB and 9.36±6.33dB, respectively; P<0.01). The degree of SNHL in the diseased ear at 2000Hz was found to be significantly correlated with the presence of cholesteatoma and with age above 10 years. ConclusionsOne of the complications of COM, with or without cholesteatoma, in addition to the conductive hearing loss, is the development of clinically significant SNHL. It is therefore imperative to actively treat pediatric patients diagnosed with COM, with the aim of preventing the possible development of SNHL.

Risk factors for sensorineural hearing loss in chronic otitis media

Conclusions: Risk factors for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) development in patients with chronic otitis media (COM) are longer duration of disease, older age and the presence of cholesteatoma. To prevent the expected development of SNHL, it is imperative to treat COM actively. Objectives: To assess the severity of SNHL in patients with unilateral COM and to define risk factors for its development. Methods: The study included 317 patients with unilateral COM. Mean age was 28.7 ± 16.7 years (range 7–78 years) and mean duration of disease was 12.2 ± 11.3 years (range 0.25–60 years). In all patients, air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) thresholds in both ears were measured at 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz. The parameters evaluated were demographics, duration of disease, presence and location of cholesteatoma and otologic history. Results: The difference in mean BC thresholds between the diseased ears and the healthy ears was statistically significant, ranging from 4.55 ± 10.89 dB to 12.55 ± 19.09 dB across the measured frequency range (p < 0.0001). Multivariate regression analysis revealed statistically significant correlations between advanced age, longer duration of disease and presence of cholesteatoma, and the BC threshold differences between the affected and healthy ears.

Does Bone Mineral Density Have an Effect on Hearing Loss in Postmenopausal Patients?

An age-related decline in the bone mineral density (BMD) of the temporal bone, specifically in the segments that house the middle and inner ear, has been suggested as an additional risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss. We evaluated the effect of BMD on hearing loss in postmenopausal patients. This study involved 120 postmenopausal women who were referred between May 1,2012, and September 1, 2012. The age range was 50 to 55 years (mean, 52.7 +/- 2.3 years). The subjects were divided into three groups according to the results of BMD measurements. Of these, 30 were control subjects with normal BMD values, 45 had osteopenia, and 45 had osteoporosis. Each subject was tested with low- and high-frequency audiometry by a single experienced investigator under standard audiometric testing conditions. For each set of tests, mean values of air and bone conduction at each frequency and tympanometric values were calculated for the osteopenia, osteoporosis, and control groups. All three groups were designed to have similar mean ages and roughly equal durations of menopause and body mass indexes. At low frequencies (0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz), the differences in the mean air conduction threshold values among the three groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). At high frequencies (4, 6, and 8 kHz), the difference in the mean air conduction threshold values between the osteopenia and control groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), but that in the osteoporosis group was statistically significantly higher than those in the osteopenia and control groups (p < 0.05). At low frequencies (0.5, 1, and 2 kHz), the differences in the mean bone conduction threshold values among the three groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). At 4 kHz, the difference in the mean bone conduction threshold values between the osteopenia and control groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), but that in the osteoporosis group was statistically significantly higher than those in the osteopenia and control groups (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference among the three groups in tympanometric values (p > 0.05). We conclude that patients with low BMD values should routinely be counseled for an audiological assessment to detect any change in hearing thresholds.

Prevalence and risk factors for sensorineural hearing loss: Western Sicily overview

The objective of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and distribution of the main risk factors associated to it focusing on their role in the development of deafness and their interaction. We performed a global audiological assessment (through TEOAE, tympanometry and ABR) in 508 infants at risk studying the main risk factors reported by Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (2007). Fifty-one infants (10.03 %) were diagnosed with SNHL (45 bilateral and 6 unilateral) with a mean hearing threshold of 87.39 ± 28.25 dB HL; family history of hearing impairment (HI) and TORCH infections indicated independent significant risk factors (P < 0.00001 and P = 0.024, respectively). High SNHL percentages were evidenced also in NICU babies, due to the various pathologies and risk factors presented by these infants, and among newborns who suffered from hyperbilirubinemia (11.97 and 9.52 %, respectively). The mean degree of hearing loss for children with family history of HI (>100 dB HL) emphasizes the necessity of an early diagnosis to avoid the consequences of auditory deprivation. Craniofacial abnormalities and syndromes associated to HI showed an important relationship (P < 0.00001) with conductive hearing loss. A progressive increase was evidenced in SNHL incidence as the number of risk factors rises (from 5.12 for 2 risk factors to 28.5 % for 5 or more) with a significant difference among the groups (P = 0.049); multiple risk factors showed an additional cofactor for HL (r (2) = 0.93). Considering the high SNHL prevalence (10.03 %) in infants at risk, this study highlights the necessity to implement a neonatal hearing screening program in Western Sicily.

Genetic and audiologic study in elderly with sensorineural hearing loss

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.

Auditory Brainstem Response in Newborns with Hyperbilirubinemia

Received May 23, 2013 Revised June 29, 2013 Accepted July 5, 2013 Address for correspondence Seung Hwan Lee, MD Department of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 133-792, Korea Tel +82-31-560-2363 Fax +82-31-566-4884 E-mail shleemd@hanyang.ac.kr Background and ObjectivesZZNeonatal hyperbilirubinemia is one of the important causative factors of sensorineural hearing loss including auditory neuropathy. The auditory brain stem response (ABR) is widely used as a screening or diagnostic tool for newborn hearing loss. This study aimed to analyze serial ABR results of newborns with severe hyperbilirubinemia. Subjects and MethodZZThis study examined 120 full term infants treated for hyperbilirubinemia in the neonatal intensive care unit. The first ABR was performed within one month after birth. Follow-up tests were conducted in patients with abnormal results (25 cases). The control group was composed of 21 healthy newborns who passed the newborn hearing screening. ResultsZZThe mean ABR threshold was higher in the newborns with hyperbilirubinemia than in the control group (43.8 dB nHL versus 30.0 dB nHL, p<0.001). Of the 25 newborns who underwent follow-up ABR, 15 newborns demonstrated recovery of the hearing threshold up to 30 dB nHL. The hearing threshold did not improve below 50 dB nHL for five newborns, of whom one was diagnosed with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder. There was no difference in the mean ABR interwave latency between newborns with hyperbilirubinemia and the control group. ConclusionZZNeonates with hyperbilirubimenia might suffer transient or permanent hearing loss. Serial ABR tests might be essential for the diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss in patients with neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2013;56:490-4

The polymorphisms of the MBL2 and MIF genes associated with Pediatric Cochlear Implant Patients

ObjectivesMannose-binding lectin and macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene polymorphisms are associated with several acute/chronic autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate if there was any association between mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) gene polymorphisms and profound congenital sensorineural hearing loss in children who underwent cochlear implantation. MethodsA total of 62 patients with congenital hearing loss and 80 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated for codon 54 A/B polymorphisms in MBL2 and the-173 G/C polymorphism in MIF by using the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism method. ResultsThe frequency of the BB genotype of MBL2 and MIF −173 GC genotype were statistically significantly higher in the patient group than in the controls (p=0.0127, p=0.0408, respectively). ConclusionIn this study, we found that a subject who is homozygous for the variant allele B of codon 54 of the MBL2and heterozygous for variant allele C of −173 MIF has a risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss.