Hearing Disorders In Patients Research Articles

Impairment of auditory function in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus depending on the level of peripheral myelin protein 22

Background. One of the priority tasks of modern medicine is early diagnosis and treatment of micro- and macrovascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) which cause a decrease in the quality of life of working age people and an increase in mortali­ty. Variability of carbohydrate metabolism indicators, metabolic dysfunction are leading factors in the development and progression of disabling complications of type 2 DM with hearing loss due to degenerative changes in nerve fibers. An important aspect of diagnostic and treatment algorithms of sensorineural hearing disorders in patients with type 2 DM is early detection of demyelinating processes to prevent damage to neuronal structures. The purpose of the study is to determine the relationship between the level of peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP 22) and the condition of the auditory analyzer according to the data of instrumental examination in patients with type 2 DM combined with hearing impairment. Materials and methods. There were examined 30 patients with type 2 DM (15 men and 15 women aged 56.28 ± 4.54 years) associated with degree I–II sensorineural disorders of the auditory function; 15 people with signs of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) (8 men, 7 women aged 59.33 ± 2.65 years) without diabetes and 15 controls. During the examination, the patients with type 2 DM and SNHL, depending on the severity of the underlying disease, were divided into groups: the first group (n = 15) with or without isolated microvascular complications of type 2 DM, the second group (n = 15) with neuro-, nephro- and retinopathy. All patients underwent a set of laboratory tests to determine the content of PMP 22 in the blood serum, clinical and instrumental diagnosis of the auditory function. The obtained data were processed statistically, and correlations were identified. Results. The analysis of the results revealed that in patients with type 2 DM and SNHL (groups 1 and 2), the level of peripheral myelin protein 22 significantly increased compared to both controls and the comparison group, and more significantly in those with microangiopathies. The correlations were found bet­ween the most informative indicators reflecting the state of various structures of the hearing analyzer and the content of PMP 22 in the blood serum. Conclusions. A significant increase was revealed in the content of PMP 22 and manifestations of sensorineural hearing loss in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus associated with microangiopathies that indicate demyelinating processes in the neural structures of the auditory analyzer.

Association of iris pigmentation with hearing disorders in patients presenting at a tertiary care hospital of Punjab, Pakistan.

Objective: Hearing disorders are very common these days due to increasing noise pollution. Iris color is due to that melanin pigment. As in Pakistan, people having dark eye colors are common. Melanin is involved in the hearing because cochlear melanocytes are involved in generating endo cochlear potential that helps in hearing. Hence eye color may be associated with hearing loss due to melanin pigment. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Physiology, Sahiwal Medical College, Sahiwal. Period: 11 June to 16 July 2022. Material & Methods: Convenient sampling technique was used. Patients with hearing disorders at OPD of Sahiwal teaching hospital were included in our research. Results: During the study period, 86 patients visited the STH as cases valid for this study. Majority of the patients (93.02%) had a darker iris and only a small number of them (4.65%) had a fair iris color. The middle ear disorders were the most common in the patients prevailing in 47.67% of the patients flowed by outer ear issues in 45.35% patients and the inner ear issues were less prevalent fount in only 6.98% patients. In 39.53% patients have issues in there both ears simultaneously. Though the statistical significance was not found between iris color and hearing disorder (p=0.904), yet it (iris color) was statistically significant with the age groups of the study population (p=0.004). Conclusion: There is no association between Iris color and hearing disorders.

Ototoxicity of Aminoglycosides the Modern Concepts

Aminoglycosides are broad-spectrum antibacterial agents used in the treatment of urinary tract infections, tuberculosis, visceral leishmaniasis, sepsis in newborns, as well as cystic fibrosis. However, the use of aminoglycosides is limited due to their ototoxicity — the risk of developing serious adverse reactions, in particular, persistent irreversible hearing loss and vestibular disorders associated with the death of hair cells in the inner ear. The review analyzes scientific data on the possible mechanisms of aminoglycosides’ damaging effect on the hair cells of the inner ear. Genetically determined causes contributing to the manifestation of ototoxic properties of drugs of this group are described. The necessity of genetic screening for the carriage of mutations m.1555A>G and m.1494C>T in the MT-RNR1 gene of mitochondrial DNA is substantiated in order to minimize the risk of hearing disorders in patients with hereditary predisposition. Understanding the mechanisms of ototoxicity of aminoglycosides will make it possible to find ways to prevent and correct hearing loss after their use.

Zespół Fahra – rzadka choroba o złożonej symptomatologii. Przegląd piśmiennictwa

Zespół Fahra jest rzadką chorobą charakteryzującą się symetrycznymi zwapnieniami w obrębie jąder podstawy oraz w innych obszarach mózgu, zwłaszcza w okolicach wzgórza, jądra zębatego, móżdżku oraz hipokampa. W artykule przedstawiono zróżnicowaną symptomatologię zespołu na podstawie najnowszych doniesień literaturowych oraz zwrócono uwagę na aktualne kryteria diagnostyczne. Ze względu na różnorodność objawów składających się na obraz kliniczny zespołu Fahra jego diagnostyka różnicowa stanowi wyzwanie dla klinicystów i wymaga interdyscyplinarnej współpracy z przedstawicielami wielu specjalności medycznych. Proces diagnostyczno-terapeutyczny u pacjentów z zespołem Fahra może być trudniejszy ze względu na współwystępowanie zaburzeń słuchu, dlatego może wymagać współpracy otolaryngologa lub audiologa, stąd celem artykułu jest również przedstawienie charakterystyki niedosłuchu oraz jego leczenia w grupie pacjentów z zespołem Fahra.

Prevalence of hearing loss at primary health care clinics in South Africa.

Hearing loss prevalence data in South Africa is scarce, especially within primary health care settings. To determine; (i) the prevalence of hearing disorders in patients ≥3 years of age attending two primary health care clinics, and (ii) the nature and characteristics of hearing disorders at these primary health care clinics. A cross-sectional design was used at two primary health care clinics. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to screen participants at clinics for hearing loss with pure tone audiometry. A total of 1236 participants were screened (mean age 37.8 ±17.9 years). Diagnostic testing was available for confirmation of hearing loss on participants who failed the screening. Hearing loss prevalence was 17.5% across both clinics. Most hearing losses were bilateral (70.0%) and were of a sensorineural nature (84.2%). Hearing loss prevalence was comparable at both primary health care clinics. Participants 40 years and older were at significantly higher risk for hearing loss. The current study is the first attempt to establish hearing loss prevalence for primary health care clinics in South Africa.

Evaluating the Hearing of Patients with Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome

It is estimated that pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) occurs in 10-20% of the general population over 60 years of age, and its morbidity increases with age. Some research indicates that PEX may be a systemic disease. Some experts state that it can also lead to ear dysfunction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the incidence and type of hearing disorders in patients with PEX. The study included 51 patients (102 eyes) hospitalized in Wroclaw Medical University Hospital's Department of Ophthalmology and scheduled for cataract surgery in 2012-2014. Among these patients (whose age ranged from 55 to 92), 28 had PEX and 23 served as a control group. Both groups underwent ophtalmic examinations as well as ENT inspection and audiological tests (tonal audiometry, impedance audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emission tests [DPOAE] and auditory brainstem response tests [ABR]). A statistically significant increase in the threshold of hearing in pure-tone audiometry was observed in PEX group for 2 kHz. In impedance audiometry tests, the stapedius reflex was identified in a greater proportion of patients in the PEX group than in the control group in all frequency ranges. There was no difference between the PEX groups and the control group in the results of the DPOAE and ABR tests. PEX can be a systemic disease that affects the functioning of the inner ear causing sensorineural hearing impairment. The increased hearing threshold in pure-tone audiometry of the patients with PEX affects the speech range (mainly the frequency of 2 kHz). Impedance audiometry and pure-tone audiometry appeared useful in audiological diagnostics of patients with PEX.

Neurophysiological Characteristics and Methods of Correcting Somatic Dysfunctions in Sensory Auditory System in Children with Perinatal Pathology of the Central Nervous System

The study showed how the severe health condition at birth has influence on manifestation rate of the peripheral and central hearing disorders in patients with perinatal pathology of the central nervous system. The algorithm for correcting somatic dysfunctions reduces frequency and degree of neurosensory hearing disorders at the earliest child development stage, thereby promoting the integration of these patients into society.

Subclinical permanent hearing disorders in patients with sleep apnea

Background: The obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is characterized by partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway and it affects 5% of the adult population. Repeated episodes of partial or total obstruction of the upper airway are responsible for the decrease in oxygen saturation in arterial blood (SaO2) and therefore hypoxia. Hypoxia is linked to a damage of the cochlear structures: vascular stria, afferent synapse, inner hair cells but also outer hair cells of the basal turn which appear to be the most vulnerable. Such damages are responsible for sensorineural hearing loss.

Hörvermögen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Down-Syndrom

There are controversial opinions about the incidence of hearing impairment of children and adolescents with Down's syndrome as an additional cause for obstruction in social and communicative live. Next to congenital diseases of the inner ear, functional limitations can often lead to conductive hearing disorders in patients with Down's syndrome. The hearing ability, otoscopic and audiometric characteristics of 115 patients aged 3.2+/-2.9 years were analysed retrospectively over 42 months. A total of 86 children showed morphologic otoscopic peculiarities: transitory evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) were often non-reproducible, even in patients with normal hearing abilities(14.1% of cases), and were not evaluable in 32.8% of cases. Half of the patients showed hearing loss, 82% of whom suffered from a conductive hearing loss, 6.9% from a combined, and 8.6% from isolated sensorineural hearing loss. Hearing loss was first diagnosed when the children were 4.6+/-3.4 years old. The frequent occurrence of hearing loss justifies and requires an early and continuous pedaudiological examination. As a common screening examination, TEOAE is limited due to its cost, however, it fulfils its purpose as a means of distinguishing healthy children from those with possible hearing disorders. In most cases, objective and subjective audiometric methods must be combined in order to precisely define the hearing ability.