Hearing Outcomes In Patients Research Articles

Otosclerosis: Experience With Stapes Surgery.

IntroductionOtosclerosis is a disorder in which the footplate of the stapes is replaced by an abnormal bone, thereby affecting sound transmission to the inner ear at the level of the oval window. The solution to this condition is to reestablish this mechanism back to normal via the ossicular chain to the inner ear. The aim of stapes surgery is to improve the hearing level to thresholds appropriate enough to obviate the need for hearing aid. The hearing improvement achieved after surgery often lasts for many years. The purpose of the current study was to review our experience and find out the rate of success related to hearing outcomes after stapedotomy.MethodsThe patients who were operated for otosclerosis between January 2000 and December 2010 at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan were included in the study. The charts were reviewed to collect clinical data regarding stapes surgery. The values of speech reception threshold (SRT) were recorded, and the preoperative and postoperative means were compared with a t-test. The bone conduction (BC) and air conduction (AC) thresholds were evaluated at 0.5 kHz, 1.0 kHz, 2.0 kHz, and 3.0 kHz. The preoperative and postoperative means of air-bone gap (AB-gap) were compared with a t-test. The descriptive frequency was calculated to evaluate postoperative AB-gap in individual patients; patients were grouped with a difference of 10 dB of AB-gap. The SPSS Statistics software (IBM, Armonk, NY) was used for statistical analysis.ResultsA total of 46 patients were included in the study. There were 15 males and 31 females. The mean age was 35 years (range: 20-56). Thirty-three patients had bilateral otosclerosis; two patients had surgery for both ears, taking the total number of ears operated to 48. The mean preoperative AB-gap was 39, while the mean postoperative AB-gap was 11. The means were compared with a t-test and a p-value of <0.05 was considered significant. The means of preoperative and postoperative SRT were 56.25 and 24.27 respectively. Both means were compared with a t-test, and a p-value of <0.05 was considred significant. Postoperatively, 34 ears had AB-gap of 10 dB (70.8%), 11 (22.9%) had within 20 dB, and three (6.3%) had within 30 dB.ConclusionsThe success rate related to hearing outcomes in patients operated for otosclerosis was excellent and comparable to that found in the current literature. The wide AB-gap noticed in the majority of our patients may represent a delayed presentation to otolaryngologists, which requires further evaluation.

Evaluation of Cochlear Duct Length Measurements From a 3D Analytical Cochlear Model Using Synchrotron Radiation Phase-Contrast Imaging.

Evaluating the accuracy of cochlear duct length (CDL) measurements from a published three-dimensional (3D) analytical cochlear model using Synchrotron Radiation Phase-Contrast Imaging (SR-PCI) data will help determine its clinical applicability and allow for model adjustments to increase accuracy. Accurate CDL determination can aid in cochlear implant sizing for full coverage and frequency map programming, which has the potential to improve hearing outcomes in patients. To overcome problems with the currently available techniques for CDL determination, a novel 3D analytical cochlear model, dependent on four basal turn distances, was proposed in the literature. SR-PCI data from 11 cadaveric human cochleae were used to obtain reference measurements. CDL values generated by the analytical cochlear model were evaluated in two conditions: when the number of cochlear turns (NCT) were automatically predicted based on the four input distances, and when the NCT were manually specified based on SR-PCI data. When the analytical cochlear model automatically predicted the NCT, the mean absolute error was 2.6 ± 1.6 mm, with only 27% (3/11) of the samples having an error in the clinically acceptable range of ±1.5 mm. When the NCT were manually specified based on SR-PCI data, the mean absolute error was reduced to 1.0 ± 0.6 mm, with 73% (8/11) of the samples having a clinically acceptable error. The 3D analytical cochlear model introduced in the literature is effective at modeling the 3D geometry of individual cochleae, however tuning in the NCT estimation is required.

Durability of Hearing Preservation Following Microsurgical Resection of Vestibular Schwannoma.

To ascertain long-term hearing outcomes in patients with serviceable hearing following microsurgical resection of sporadic vestibular schwannoma (VS). Retrospective cohort. Tertiary academic referral center. Forty-three adult subjects with unilateral sporadic VS who had serviceable hearing (American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery [AAO-HNS] class A or B) on initial postoperative audiogram following microsurgical resection between 2003 and 2016 with a minimum of two postoperative audiograms available for review. Surgical treatment with a retrosigmoid or middle cranial fossa approach. Rate of maintaining serviceable hearing, as estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, in accordance with the 1995 and 2012 AAO-HNS guidelines on reporting hearing outcomes. The median immediate postoperative pure-tone average (PTA) and word recognition score (WRS) were 31 dB and 95%, respectively. At last follow-up, the median PTA was 38 dB with a median change of 5 dB from initial postoperative audiogram, and the median WRS was 90% with a median change of 0% from initial postoperative audiogram. Eight patients developed non-serviceable hearing at a median of 4.1 years following microsurgical resection (interquartile range, 2.9-7.0). The median duration of hearing follow-up for the 35 patients who maintained serviceable hearing was 3.1 years (interquartile range, 2.2-7.5). Tumor control was achieved in 41 (95%) patients. The rate of maintaining serviceable hearing at 5 years was 81%. Microsurgical resection provides excellent tumor control and durable long-term hearing in those with AAO-HNS class A or B hearing postoperatively. The paradigm of proactive microsurgical resection-when the tumor is small and hearing is good-hinges on the surgeon's ability to preserve residual hearing in a very high percentage of cases at or near preoperative hearing levels to maintain an advantage over conservative observation with regard to long-term hearing preservation.

Comparison of the Effects of Intratympanic Steroid Injection at Different Intervals in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

Background and ObjectivesSystemic steroid therapy (SST) and intratympanic steroid injection (ISI) have been the treatment of choice for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). We studied the effect of ISI administered at different intervals on hearing outcomes in patients with SSNHL.Subjects and MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of 427 patients diagnosed with SSNHL at Bundang Jesaeng Hospital, of whom 51 patients with SSNHL who received SST and four ISIs were included in this study. Patients were treated with four ISIs either every day for 4 days (group 1) or at intervals (mean duration of interval: 2.21 days) (group 2). Hearing outcomes were evaluated using the pure-tone test before the injection and 14 days, 1 month, and 3 months after the final injection. Recovery rates were classified based on Siegel’s criteria.ResultsThe amount of improvement was 27.67 dB (±20.45) in group 1 and 32.79 dB (±21.42) in group 2. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups (p= 0.714). The recovery rates based on Siegel’s criteria were 18/27 (66.7%) and 16/24 (66.7%) in groups 1 and 2, respectively, with no significant difference (p=1.000). Considering only complete recoveries in hearing recovery, the recovery rates were 15/27 (55.6%) and 14/24 (58.3%) in groups 1 and 2, respectively, with no significant difference (p=0.842).ConclusionsThere were no significant differences in hearing outcomes or recovery rates after ISI administration every day or at intervals of 2-3 days.

Analysis of factors affecting postoperative functional outcome in patients with otosclerosis

ObjectiveThis study aimed to analyze the factors affecting postoperative hearing results of patients with otosclerosis. MethodsMedical records of 245 patients with clinical otosclerosis who underwent stapes surgery at our center from January 2009 to December 2018 were reviewed. The retrospectively collected data included patients’ demographics, clinical characteristics, pre- and postoperative audiometric data, size of preoperative air-bone gap (ABG) (small/large). The patients were categorized into two groups according to the postoperative functional outcome: Group 1 consisted of patients with a postoperative ABG of ≤10dB and Group 2 comprised those with a postoperative ABG of >10dB. Evaluation of factors affecting functional outcome were performed by logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was generated to obtain the cut-off points for preoperative ABG. ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of age group (p=0.393), gender (p=0.670), operated side (p=0.370), and laterality of disease (p=0.607). There were 42 patients (31.6%) with a small ABG and 91 patients (68.4%) with a large ABG in group 1, and six (13.6%) and 38 patients (86.4%), respectively in group 2. There was a statistical significant difference between the groups in terms of the size of preoperative ABG (p=0.020). In group 1, the mean preoperative air conduction (AC) threshold and preoperative ABG were significantly lower than in group 2 (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the preoperative bone conduction (BC) threshold (p=0.406). Preoperatively, the AC threshold and large ABG were found to be significantly poorer prognostic factors (p<0.001; 95%CI: 1.031–1.210 and p=0.037; 95%CI: 1.063–7.023, respectively). Preoperative ABG cut-off threshold for functional success was found to be 34.5dB. The functional success rate was significantly higher in patients with a preoperative ABG of <34.5 than in patients with a preoperative ABG of ≥34.5dB (p<0.001). ConclusionThe preoperative AC threshold and large ABG were poor prognostic factors for postoperative hearing outcome in patients with otosclerosis. The functional outcomes were similar in patients with a preoperative small ABG and those with a preoperative ABG of <34.5dB. A preoperative ABG cut-off value of <34.5dB should be possibly considered as a parameter for predicting surgical success in otosclerosis and seems to be useful in clinical practice.

Endoscopic approach in second stage ossicular chain reconstruction.

Today limited studies regarding surgical and hearing outcomes in patients undergoing the totally endoscopic ossicular chain reconstruction has been published. The aim of this study is to show the different materials and endoscopic technique used in our experience to perform a second stage endoscopic ossiculoplasty. Patients underwent to second stage endoscopic ossiculoplasty has been enrolled in the study. According to the ossicular defect the endoscopic surgical procedures of ossicular chain reconstruction used in our clinical practice were: ossicular chain reconstruction using PORP (13 cases); ossicular chain reconstruction using TORP (11 cases); incus interposition ossiculoplasty (6 cases); cartilage ossiculoplasty (10 cases). Intraoperative and postoperative complications were analyzed. Final hearing recovery at 6 months follow-up was used to evaluate audiological outcomes. None of the patients developed intraoperative complications. Postoperative TM complications emerged in 5% of cases: one patient (2.5%) presented TM perforation and prosthesis extrusion (TORP) after 3 months follow up. A significative difference between preoperative and postoperative values of AC-PTA, ABG and WRS (p < 0.05 in each case) emerged. Different materials and methods can be used for performing an endoscopic ossicular chain reconstruction in order to obtain optimal clinical-audiological outcomes. Endoscopic surgery can be considered a valid alternative technique to traditional microscopic surgery for ossiculoplasty surgery.

Prognostic Factors for the Hearing Outcome in Patients with Profound Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (ISSHL) Receiving the Triple Combined Therapy

Prognostic Factors for the Hearing Outcome in Patients with Profound Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (ISSHL) Receiving the Triple Combined Therapy

Hearing Outcome of Patients with Acute Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

Background and Objectives Although poor hearing outcomes have been associated with acute noise-induced hearing loss (ANIHL), only limited studies exist on this issue. This study evaluated the prognosis of ANIHL in comparison to idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) and investigated the types of noise causing these disorders. Subjects and Method Patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss due to noise exposure were included in the ANIHL group if the threshold shift was more than 30 dB in three or more consecutive frequencies within the study period (from January 2010 to December 2016). The ANIHL group included 19 patients. As a matched-control group, treated patients with ISSNHL (n=95) were selected as a way of controlling the known prognostic factors that were evenly distributed between groups. Selected prognostic variables used for matching included age, sex, the degree of initial hearing loss, the number of days before the start of treatment, and treatment method. Results The overall hearing recovery rate of ANIHL was 11% and that of the control group was 80% (p<0.001). Noise exposure in military service (37%) and leisure activities (37%) was the most prominent cause of ANIHL. Conclusion The hearing outcome of ANIHL was worse than that of ISSNHL. It is thus necessary to establish national guidelines for environmental noise regulations and to raise awareness of hazardous noise exposure. Key words: Noise-induced hearing loss ㆍ Prognosis ㆍ Sudden hearing loss

Can Endoscopic Tympanoplasty Be a Good Alternative to Microscopic Tympanoplasty? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Although efficacies and proportions of tympanoplasty performed via endoscopic ear surgery (EES) have gradually introduced, it remains unclear whether total EES is a good alternative to microscopic ear surgery (MES). Herein, we aimed to compare therapeutic effects of EES and MES in patients receiving tympanoplasty or myringoplasty. A search of MEDLINE, PubMed, and Embase databases was conducted to compare the efficacies of EES and MES. Two investigators independently reviewed all studies and extracted data with a standardized form. We assessed risk of bias and calculated pooled odds ratio (OR) estimates with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Thirteen studies (607 EES patients and 678 MES patients) met inclusion criteria for quantitative meta-analysis. In pooled analysis, those who undergo EES have 0.99 times the OR of graft success compared to those with MES (95% CI, 0.84 to 1.16; P=0.894). In qualitative analysis, comparable hearing improvement was observed between the two groups, despite inconsistent audiometric evaluation. The air-bone gaps (ABGs) improved 2.02 dB less in EES than in MES (mean difference of improvements of ABGs, 2.02; 95% CI, –3.84 to –0.20; P=0.029); however, substantial heterogeneity and publication bias limited the integrity of this analysis. Further, EES significantly decreased canalplasty rate, wound complications, and operation time, compared to MES. Moreover, patients receiving EES reported higher cosmetic satisfaction than patients receiving MES. EES can be a good alternative to MES in terms of comparable graft success rate and hearing outcomes in patients receiving tympanoplasty or myringoplasty. Moreover, EES was less invasive, resulting in higher cosmetic satisfaction, reduced morbidity, and shorter operation time. Our results may affect decision-making and outcome prediction in cases of EES; however, confirmation is needed to clarify potential bias.

PO171 Barriers to the Use of Cardiovascular Polypills In India: A Mixed-Methods Study

To evaluate the effect of intratympanic steroid injection frequency on hearing outcomes for patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.A retrospective chart review was performed from 2007 to 2015 at a neurotology tertiary referral center. Adults who met academy criteria for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss within two months of onset and negative imaging were grouped based on injection frequency. Injection schedules were every 1–4 (group 1), 5–10 (group 2), or 11–30 (group 3) days. All patients had at least two injections with Dexamethasone 10 mg/ml. All patients had pre- and post-injection audiograms.Seventy patients met inclusion criteria (group 1, n = 21; group 2, n = 29; group 3, n = 20). There was no significant difference between group demographics or baseline audiometric data. Mean gains were significant and similar between groups for pure tone average (group 1 = −23.6 ± 22.0 dB; group 2 = −19.7 ± 18.4 dB; group 3 = −24.9 ± 24.7 dB; p = 0.67) and word recognition score (group 1 = +26.3 ± 34.8%; group 2 = +23.3 ± 29.9%; group 3 = +33.4 ± 28.9%; p = 0.53).Frequency of intratympanic steroid injections does not significantly affect hearing outcomes. Following injection therapy, hearing outcomes improved regardless of prior or concomitant oral steroid regimen. Earlier time to initiating injections yielded a higher rate of hearing improvement. Long term hearing outcomes >6 months did not show significant additional improvement.

The Effect Of Perioperative I.V. Corticosteroids On Hearing Outcome Following Stapedotomy

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of steroids on postoperative hearing outcome in patients with a clinical diagnosis of otosclerosis, who received intraoperative steroid treat ment during surgery for conductive-type hearing loss. Methods: Between January 2014 and January 2017, 106 patients, comprising 43 men (40.6%) and 63 women (59.4%) between the ages of 18-64 (mean age: 44.1 ± 11.5 years), who had been diag nosed with otosclerosis resulting in conductive-type hearing loss, were included in the study. The audiometric values obtained for patients who had received intraoperative intravenous steroids were analysed on a retrospective basis by comparing the pre- and post-operative sit uation. The group of all patients was then subdivided into two groups on the basis of whether or not they had received intraoperative ster oids. These groups were then evaluated in terms of pre- and post-op erative bone and air conduction levels and the differences investigated statistically. Results: Postoperative bone conduction averages for all the patients in both Group 1 and Group 2 were significantly improved at all fre quencies, except at 4000 Hz, compared to the preoperative mean val ue. However, there was no statistically significant difference observed between patients who did receive intra-operative single-dose IV corti costeroid injections and patients who did not receive IV corticosteroid injections group in terms of preoperative and postoperative air-bone conduction levels. Conclusion: It is not necessary routinely to administer systemic corti costeroids in order to prevent perioperative sensorineural hearing loss during surgery for otosclerosis. However, perioperative corticosteroids may be helpful in preventing sensorineural hearing loss when there are conditions present that can lead to inner ear damage during the operation.

The effect of intratympanic steroid injection frequency in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

PurposeTo evaluate the effect of intratympanic steroid injection frequency on hearing outcomes for patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Materials and methodsA retrospective chart review was performed from 2007 to 2015 at a neurotology tertiary referral center. Adults who met academy criteria for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss within two months of onset and negative imaging were grouped based on injection frequency. Injection schedules were every 1–4 (group 1), 5–10 (group 2), or 11–30 (group 3) days. All patients had at least two injections with Dexamethasone 10 mg/ml. All patients had pre- and post-injection audiograms. ResultsSeventy patients met inclusion criteria (group 1, n = 21; group 2, n = 29; group 3, n = 20). There was no significant difference between group demographics or baseline audiometric data. Mean gains were significant and similar between groups for pure tone average (group 1 = −23.6 ± 22.0 dB; group 2 = −19.7 ± 18.4 dB; group 3 = −24.9 ± 24.7 dB; p = 0.67) and word recognition score (group 1 = +26.3 ± 34.8%; group 2 = +23.3 ± 29.9%; group 3 = +33.4 ± 28.9%; p = 0.53). ConclusionsFrequency of intratympanic steroid injections does not significantly affect hearing outcomes. Following injection therapy, hearing outcomes improved regardless of prior or concomitant oral steroid regimen. Earlier time to initiating injections yielded a higher rate of hearing improvement. Long term hearing outcomes >6 months did not show significant additional improvement.

Stapes surgery in patients with a small air-bone gap.

The objective of this study was to determine hearing outcomes in patients undergoing stapes surgery with a preoperative air-bone gap (ABG) <21.25 dB. Patients with a unilateral or bilateral preoperative ABG <21.25 dB undergoing primary stapes surgery were identified from a database of all stapes surgeries performed in a tertiary center over 15 years. A total of 254 ears met the inclusion criteria. The primary outcome measure was the degree of closure of the preoperative ABG. A secondary outcome measure was improvement in bone-conduction thresholds at 4 kHz. All patients underwent stapes surgery under local anesthesia. Ossicular reconstruction was achieved using a SMart 360 nitinol fluoroplastic piston (Gyrus ACMI, Inc.; Southborough, Mass.), and complete posterior crurotomy was performed with a KTP laser. Hearing was assessed with clinical voice testing immediately postoperatively and with pure-tone audiometry at 6 weeks postoperatively. A total of 248 ears (97.6%) demonstrated ABG closure to <10 dB. Bone-conduction thresholds showed an increase in 114 (44.9%), no change 74 (29.1%), and a decrease in 66 (26.0%). There is a slight increase in the risk of stapes mobilization in ears with a small ABG when compared to those with larger ABGs; however, this can be overcome by using a laser-assisted technique in combination with good surgical experience. The benefit in terms of hearing aid avoidance and the restoration of symmetrical hearing is both achievable and significant for the patient.

Outcomes of circumferential tympanomeatal flap tympanoplasty in large central perforation

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Tympanoplasty is the commonest procedure performed in patients with chronic otitis media. Circumferential elevation of tympanomeatal flap and underlay graft placement is thought to be a good surgical technique as it ensures elevation of canal skin over the Eustachian tube area to form a good assemble between the temporalis graft and the flap to increase the success rate. In our study we intend to study the surgical and hearing outcome in patients undergoing tympanoplasty with circumferential tympanomeatal flap in large central perforations.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; A prospective study with 25 patients in a tertiary care hospital for a period of 2 years, who underwent circumferential tympanomeatal flap tympanoplasty. Patients were followed up on one month and two months. Graft outcomes and hearing outcomes were studied. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; Graft uptake was 92%. Blunting was noticed in 4% and medialisation in 4% of patients in circumferential group. Average air-bone gap closure achieved was 17.468 dB.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; Circumferential flap elevation in tympanoplasty is an effective surgical technique in patients with anterior and large central perforations with satisfactory outcomes. &lt;/p&gt;

Association of Vertigo With Hearing Outcomes in Patients With Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) accompanied by vertigo may portend a negative prognosis in the hearing outcome. To investigate the association of vertigo with prognosis of hearing variables in SSHL. A literature search of eligible studies was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase from September 26, 1973, through September 26, 2017. Studies published in English were retrieved with no restrictions on the date of publication. References were identified by screening the proceedings of relevant reviews, and annual meeting and other correlative papers were scanned manually for enrollment. All original research studies and retrospective or prospective studies focusing on the role of vertigo in the prognosis for the hearing outcome of SSHL were systematically retrieved. Studies that did not include data regarding the association between the rate of hearing recovery and vertigo were excluded, as were reviews, comments, case reports, editorials, letters, and practice guidelines. Data were extracted and evaluated by 2 researchers. Data extracted included research type, number of participants with or without vertigo, treatment regime, definition of pure-tone average, criteria for hearing improvement, and length of follow-up. The quality of included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (scores range from 0-9, with a score of ≥6 indicating a high-quality study). The data were synthesized in Mantel-Haenszel models; the aggregate results were estimated in forest plots. Association of vertigo with the prognosis for the hearing outcome of SSHL. Of the 4814 unique patients identified in 10 studies, 1709 were included in the SSHL group with vertigo and 3105 were included in SSHL group without vertigo. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score of each study selected was greater than 7. The recovery rate of hearing was 42.13% in the group with vertigo, compared with 60.29% in the group without vertigo. Vertigo was significantly associated with a worse hearing recovery (odds ratio, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.54-3.20; I2 = 74%). Similar results were obtained in subgroup analyses of the grading system using the Siegel criteria and systemic corticosteroid therapy. However, no association of vertigo with the prognosis of SSHL was observed within the subgroup receiving intratympanic corticosteroids (odds ratio, 1.78; 95% CI, 0.64-4.94; I2 = 70%). Current evidence revealed that vertigo may be negatively associated with hearing recovery in patients with SSHL, except in a subgroup that received intratympanic corticosteroids. Corticosteroid injection may be more effective for treatment of SSHL accompanied by vertigo; future studies are needed to determine whether treatment of vertigo might contribute to the recovery of SSHL.

Elevated Level of Myeloperoxidase-Deoxyribonucleic Acid Complex in the Middle Ear Fluid Obtained From Patients With Otitis Media Associated With Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-associated Vasculitis.

The purpose was to explore the presence of myeloperoxidase (MPO)-deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) complex as a surrogate marker of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in the middle ear fluid, and to clarify the correlation between its quantifiable level and hearing outcome in patients with otitis media associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). Prospective study. Tertiary referral center. Nine AAV patients presenting with otitis media. Collection of the fluid samples from middle ear. The quantifiable levels of MPO-DNA complex using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The quantifiable levels of MPO-DNA complex in patients with AAV were significantly higher than those in controls (p < 0.001). In particular, both ANCA-positive and -negative cases indicated higher levels of MPO-DNA complex compared with the controls (p = 0.004 and p = 0.006, respectively). The significant negative correlations were observed between the level of MPO-DNA complex and the functional hearing values for air (r = -0.82, p = 0.009) and bone conduction (r = -0.73, p = 0.028), respectively. This analysis is the first to reveal the presence of elevated levels of MPO-DNA complex in the middle ear fluid, suggesting the pathogenic role of NETs in otitis media associated with AAV. NETs may be a valuable biomarker for use in clinical decision-making and predicting hearing outcome, regardless of ANCA status.

OSSICULOPLASTY IN HEARING LOSS TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH OSTEOGENESIS IMPERFECTA

Osteogenesis imperfecta is a connective tissue disease manifested by abnormalities within organs and structures rich in collagen. Typically, symptoms arise from the osteoarticular system. Excessive brittleness of the bones causes multiple fractures. Among patients with hearing loss, osteogenesis imperfecta manifests as changes to the stapes: the legs are broken and the footplate is immobilized and thickened. Changes to the malleus and incus are rarely reported. This location is associated with difficult conditions during surgery, difficult access to the ossicles. This research presents the characteristics and hearing results of patients who have undergone ossiculoplasty as a treatment of hearing loss in osteogenesis imperfecta. Two case reports present massively altered conditions within the middle ear in patients with type III osteogenesis imperfecta – the most severe among live births, who have undergone multiple surgeries due to hearing loss, resulting in a moderate improvement in hearing.

Comparison of 2 and 4 Intratympanic Steroid Injections in the Treatment of Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

We studied the effect of intratympanic steroid administration with different total injection times on hearing outcomes in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). The subjects were 191 consecutive patients (192 ears) with ISSNHL (hearing level ≥40 dB, interval between onset and treatment ≤30 days). They received systemic prednisolone (100 mg followed by tapered doses) combined with intratympanic injection of dexamethasone (4 mg/ml). Intratympanic injection was performed 4 times (days 1, 2, 4, and 7) in 92 patients (92 ears) or 2 times (days 1 and 2) in 99 patients (100 ears). The hearing outcomes were evaluated at 1 week from the start of treatment and 1 to 2 months after the completion of treatment. There was no significant difference in hearing outcomes between the 4- and 2-injection groups at either time point. Multiple regression analysis also showed that the hearing level after treatment did not depend on the total number of intratympanic steroid injections. These results indicate that a protocol using only 2 intratympanic steroid injections exerts a sufficient effect on the hearing outcomes of ISSNHL. This simplified treatment protocol would be greatly beneficial to relieve the physical and mental stress of patients.

Hearing Outcomes in Patients with Cholesteatomatous Otitis Media Complicated by Labyrinthine Fistula

Hearing Outcomes in Patients with Cholesteatomatous Otitis Media Complicated by Labyrinthine Fistula

Hearing Outcome in Stapes Surgery Using Various Biomaterial Prostheses

Aims: To assess the hearing outcome in patients who have undergone stapes surgery using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and Titanium prosthesis at 1 and 3 months post operatively. Material & Methods: Research design: Prospective study. Setting: ENT department, Pushpagiri Medical College. Study population: All age groups with clinical diagnosis of otosclerosis and air-bone gap more than 15 dB irrespective of sex difference. Patients with Meniere’s disease are excluded. Method: A prospective study was conducted for a period of one and a half years from January 2014 to July 2015 to find out the hearing outcome of stapes surgery in patients with otosclerosis using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and Titanium prostheses, attending our outpatient department. Results: In this study, 84.21% of ears with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and 81.81% of ears with titanium were able to achieve good results in terms of Air-Bone gap (ABG) closure (ABG < 20 dB). The average post op hearing following stapes surgery at 3 months improved to near normal levels of 34.12 dB ± 8.95 with an average hearing gain of 19.19 dB with PTFE prosthesis and 30.86 dB ± 5.47 with an average hearing gain of 21.2 dB with titanium which were significant. Conclusion: Stapes surgery is the surgical procedure of choice for otosclerosis. In our study, a significant hearing improvement was seen in majority of cases. None of the factors considered relevant for the success of stapes surgery like age, sex, type of prosthesis appeared to affect the post-operative hearing significantly. Hence stapes surgery can be effectively used to improve hearing in otosclerosis.