Pure-tone Hearing Thresholds Research Articles

Analysis of gadolinium magnetic resonance in inner ear by tympanic membrane puncture in 1 126 cases

Objective: To investigate the success rate, safety and repeatability of gadolinium (Gd)-enhanced inner ear magnetic resonance (MR) by tympanic membrane puncture. Methods: The imaging and clinical data of 1 126 cases with Gd-enhanced inner ear MR by tympanic membrane puncture from February 2010 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. All cases were reexamined in the outpatient clinic after MR gadolinium contrast to check the tympanic membrane and external auditory canal. The success rate was identified by whether there was gadolinium contrast in the labyrinth. Meanwhile, the pure tone hearing threshold data of asymptomatic ears before and after gadolinium contrast was collected and compared. The consistency in the scores of the asymptomatic ears in patients who underwent twice Gd-enhanced MR was analyzed, in which the scores of vestibular, cochlea, and semicircular canals were acquired respectively. Results: Among 1 126 patients [including 506 males and 620 females, aged (54±17) years old], 45 were reviewed once, while 4 patients were reviewed twice. There were 958 cases who were examined on both sides, and 168 cases were checked only on one side. There were 166 cases of Meniere's disease (14.7%), 219 cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (19.5%) and 741 cases of being remained to be investigated (65.8%), respectively. A total of 2 084 ears underwent first gadolinium angiography, of which 63 ears had no contrast agent in the labyrinth, with a success rate of 97.0% (2 021/2 084). Only 1 case had tympanic membrane perforation while the rest had no complications. The hearing threshold before and after otography in 57 asymptomatic ears had no differences at any frequency (all P>0.05). Moreover, the consistency in the scores of two radiography within the 21 asymptomatic ears in vestibular and cochlea was good [both intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) values>0.75]. Conclusion: The success rate and safety of Gd-enhanced inner ear MR is high by tympanic membrane puncture, and the results can be repeated well.

Hörklassen bei Patienten mit Vestibularisschwannom bei Verwendung deutschsprachiger Testverfahren

HintergrundDie Klassifikation der Hörfunktion bei Patienten mit Vestibularisschwannom wird oft nach Gardner und Robertson (1988) oder Maßgaben der American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS, 1995) vorgenommen. Diesen Klassifikationssystemen liegen englische Sprachtestverfahren zugrunde. Eine deutschsprachige Entsprechung existiert nicht. Ziel der Arbeit ist die Untersuchung des Einflusses verschiedener Zielparameter auf die Hörklassifikation und die Ableitung einer Empfehlung für die Verwendung deutschsprachiger Testverfahren.Material und MethodenDie auf englischsprachigen Testverfahren für die Sprachaudiometrie beruhenden Regeln wurden für deutsches Sprachmaterial fortgeschrieben. Darauf basierend wurde an einer Kohorte von 91 Patienten mit Vestibularisschwannom Reintonhörschwellen, Sprachverständlichkeitsschwelle und Sprachverständlichkeit bei verschiedenen Schalldruckpegeln gemessen und das Hörvermögen nach den Klassifizierungen Gardner und Robertson (1988) und AAO-HNS (1995) kategorisiert.ErgebnisseSowohl in der Gardner-Robertson-Klassifizierung als auch in der Klassifikation nach AAO-HNS ist die Anzahl der Patienten in den Hörklassen mit einer gut versorgbaren Hörschädigung (gemessen als Puretone-Average von drei (3PTA) oder vier Frequenzen (4PTA)) am höchsten, wenn der 3PTA0,5;1;2 kHz verwendet wurde, gefolgt vom 4PTA0,5;1;2;3 kHz, 4PTA0,5;1;2;4 kHz und 4PTA0,5;1;2;“3”kHz. Wird das maximale Sprachverstehen (Word Recognition Score, WRSmax) anstelle des WRS bei 40 dB Sensation Level (WRS40SL) verwendet, steigt die Anzahl der Patienten in den Hörklassen mit gut versorgbarer Hörschädigung unabhängig vom verwendeten Reintonhörschwellenmittelwert leicht.SchlussfolgerungDie Klassifizierung der Hörfunktion nach Gardner und Robertson sowie AAO-HNS kann im deutschsprachigen Raum angewendet werden. Für die Bestimmung der Sprachverständlichkeit bzw. der maximalen Sprachverständlichkeit kann der Freiburger Einsilbertest verwendet werden.

Comparison of Auditory, Language, Memory, and Attention Abilities in Children With and Without Listening Difficulties.

Objectives School-age children with and without parent-reported listening difficulties (LiD) were compared on auditory processing, language, memory, and attention abilities. The objective was to extend what is known so far in the literature about children with LiD by using multiple measures and selective novel measures across the above areas. Design Twenty-six children who were reported by their parents as having LiD and 26 age-matched typically developing children completed clinical tests of auditory processing and multiple measures of language, attention, and memory. All children had normal-range pure-tone hearing thresholds bilaterally. Group differences were examined. Results In addition to significantly poorer speech-perception-in-noise scores, children with LiD had reduced speed and accuracy of word retrieval from long-term memory, poorer short-term memory, sentence recall, and inferencing ability. Statistically significant group differences were of moderate effect size; however, standard test scores of children with LiD were not clinically poor. No statistically significant group differences were observed in attention, working memory capacity, vocabulary, and nonverbal IQ. Conclusions Mild signal-to-noise ratio loss, as reflected by the group mean of children with LiD, supported the children's functional listening problems. In addition, children's relative weakness in select areas of language performance, short-term memory, and long-term memory lexical retrieval speed and accuracy added to previous research on evidence-based areas that need to be evaluated in children with LiD who almost always have heterogenous profiles. Importantly, the functional difficulties faced by children with LiD in relation to their test results indicated, to some extent, that commonly used assessments may not be adequately capturing the children's listening challenges. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12808607.

Prospective cohort study of ototoxicity in persons with cystic fibrosis following a single course of intravenous tobramycin

IntroductionAminoglycoside (AG) antibiotics, such as tobramycin, are known to be ototoxic but important clinically due to their bactericidal efficacy. Persons with cystic fibrosis (CF) are at risk for AG-induced ototoxicity due to the repeated use of intravenous (IV) tobramycin for the treatment of pulmonary exacerbations. While it is well-established that ototoxic hearing loss is highly prevalent in this clinical population, the progression of hearing loss over time remains unclear. Cumulative IV-AG dosing has been associated with a higher risk of ototoxic hearing loss, yet some individuals lose substantial hearing after a single IV-AG treatment, while others never seem to lose hearing. Methods31 persons with CF (18 on IV tobramycin, 13 controls) were enrolled in an observational study. Pure-tone hearing thresholds (0.25–16 kHz) were measured at baseline (pre-treatment) and at follow-up for each subject. A hearing shift was determined using various metrics, and outcomes were compared to characterize changes in hearing bilaterally for both study groups. ResultsComparison of pure-tone threshold shifts between baseline and follow-up audiograms following either a course of IV tobramycin (n = 18) or no intervening therapy (n = 13) demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) threshold shifts in all continuous metrics tested. ConclusionA single course of IV tobramycin causes ototoxic hearing loss in some people with CF, which supports the need for routine ototoxicity monitoring and management in this clinical population. These findings also suggest that people with CF are a suitable population for clinical trials examining ototherapeutics in single IV-tobramycin treatment episodes.

Better Hearing in Norway: A Comparison of Two HUNT Cohorts 20 Years Apart.

To obtain updated robust data on a age-specific prevalence of hearing loss in Norway and determine whether more recent birth cohorts have better hearing compared with earlier birth cohorts. Cross-sectional analyzes of Norwegian representative demographic and audiometric data from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT)-HUNT2 Hearing (1996-1998) and HUNT4 Hearing (2017-2019), with the following distribution: HUNT2 Hearing (N=50,277, 53% women, aged 20 to 101 years, mean = 50.1, standard deviation = 16.9); HUNT4 Hearing (N=28,339, 56% women, aged 19 to 100 years, mean = 53.2, standard deviation = 16.9). Pure-tone hearing thresholds were estimated using linear and quantile regressions with age and cohort as explanatory variables. Prevalences were estimated using logistic regression models for different severities of hearing loss averaged over 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz in the better ear (BE PTA4). We also estimated prevalences at the population-level of Norway in 1997 and 2018. Disabling hearing loss (BE PTA4 ≥ 35 dB) was less prevalent in the more recent born cohort at all ages in both men and women (p < 0.0001), with the largest absolute decrease at age 75 in men and at age 85 in women. The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of disabling hearing loss was 7.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.5 to 7.9) and 5.3% (95% CI 5.0 to 5.5) in HUNT2 and HUNT4, respectively. Hearing thresholds were better in the more recent born cohorts at all frequencies for both men and women (p < 0.0001), with the largest improvement at high frequencies in more recent born 60- to 70-year old men (10 to 11 dB at 3 to 4 kHz), and at low frequencies among the oldest. The age- and sex-specific prevalence of hearing impairment has decreased in Norway from 1996-1998 to 2017-2019.

A novel mutation in TRIOBP gene leading to congenital deafness in a Chinese family

BackgroundThe autosomal recessive non-syndromic deafness DFNB28 is characterized by prelingual sensorineural hearing loss. The disease is related with mutations in TRIOBP (Trio- and F-actin-Binding Protein) gene, which has three transcripts referred to as TRIOBP-5, TRIOBP − 4 and TRIOBP-1. Among them, TRIOBP-5/− 4 are expressed in the inner ears and crucial for maintaining the structure and function of the stereocilia.MethodsThe proband is a 26-year-old Chinese female. She and her younger brother have being suffered from severe deafness since birth, whereas her parents, who are cousins, have normal communication ability. Hearing impairment of the two siblings was determined by pure tone audiometry. Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) was performed on the genomic DNA of the proband and Sanger sequencing was conducted on the DNA samples of the four family members.ResultsTests of pure tone hearing thresholds showed a severe to profound symmetric hearing loss for the proband and her younger brother. Moreover, a novel TRIOBP c.1342C > T (p.Arg448*) variant was identified by WES in the DNA sample of the proband and confirmed by Sanger sequencing in DNA of the family members.ConclusionsThe TRIOBP c.1342C > T (p.Arg448*) variant is predicted to disrupt TRIOBP-5 and TRIOBP-4, which may lead to the congenital deafness. The results will broaden the spectrum of pathogenic variants in TRIOBP gene. The characteristics of deafness in the family imply that marriage between close relatives should be avoided.

Hearing Loss in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis

To determine the prevalence of hearing loss (HL) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and to describe frequency-specific hearing threshold changes in this patient population compared to patients without AS. A systematic review querying 4 databases (PubMed, OVID Medline, Scopus, Cochrane) was performed to identify studies evaluating HL in patients with AS. Metaanalysis was performed to identify overall prevalence rate and OR of HL, as well as to compare mean differences in frequency-specific hearing thresholds between patients with and without AS. Our metaanalysis included 14 studies and 1083 patients (598 with AS vs 485 without AS). The pooled prevalence of HL in patients with AS was 42.4% (95% CI 29.2-56.2). Patients with AS had a significantly higher OR of HL than patients without AS (OR 4.65, 95% CI 2.73-7.91). Mean differences in pure-tone hearing thresholds ranged from 0-5 decibels (dB) for frequencies of 0.25-4 kHz, and from 5-15 dB for frequencies of 6-16 kHz. Patients with AS have higher odds of having HL than patients without AS. The AS population also presents with significantly impaired hearing thresholds across all conventional and extended pure-tone frequencies. This may manifest as slight to moderate HL. Results of this systematic review might justify increased attention to audiologic manifestations of patients with AS.

Factors Associated with Occupational Hearing Loss among StoneMortar Workers in Phayao Province, Northern Thailand

Objective: Noise pollution is an unwanted phenomenon that affects human health and can lead to occupational hearingloss in exposed workers. The stone-mortar industry is one of the processes which can create a noise hazard. This studyaimed to explore the factors associated with occupational hearing loss among stone-mortar workers in Phayao Province, Northern Thailand.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted 27 stone-mortar workers who were interviewed with a questionnaire. Pure-tone hearing thresholds were measured using audiometry. The data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman’s rank correlation test and Kruskal-Wallis test and Multiple linear regression analysis.Results: The study found a significant difference between age and high frequency hearing loss in both right and left ears (p-values 0.024 and 0.049, respectively). There were significant correlations between working hours per day and high frequency hearing loss in both right and left ears (p-values 0.030 and 0.042, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis found increasing age was associated with high frequency hearing loss in both right and left ears (p-values 0.033 and 0.017, respectively) after adjusting for number of years worked, working hours per day, and use of personal protective equipment as random variables.Conclusion: All stone-mortar factories produce noise pollution. Therefore, the local policy makers should emphasize reducing noise pollution from stone factories and surveillance of occupational hearing loss to improve the quality of life of the people who work in such factories.

Hearing impairment among scuba divers in Kuantan and neighbouring regions

Introduction: Hearing impairment has been listed as one of the health risks associated with scuba diving. Evidence of hearing loss associated with inner ear barotrauma was found in previous studies. This cross-sectional study investigates the relationship between hearing status and years, depth and total hours of diving. Methods: Thirty male divers from Kuantan and neighbouring areas, with age ranging between 22 and 45 years old, were recruited as subjects. Details regarding diving activity were gathered using a set of questionnaires. Assessment of hearing status was done using otoscopic examination, tympanometry, pure tone audiometry (PTA) and distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE). Results: Fifteen subjects were found to have sensorineural hearing loss at high frequencies. Pearson's correlation showed no significant correlation between pure tone hearing thresholds and years, depth and total hours of diving. Significant negative correlation was found between DPOAE at 6 kHz on the left ear and years of diving (r= -0.378, p= 0.04) and depth of diving (r= -0.404, p= 0.027). Conclusions: These findings indicate that scuba diving activity may affect cochlear function, particularly in the basal region of the cochlea.

Adjuvant Migraine Medications in the Treatment of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

To examine the hearing outcomes of patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) treated with oral and intratympanic (IT) steroid only or a combination of steroid and migraine treatment. Our hypothesis was that adjuvant migraine medications may improve outcomes in SSNHL. A retrospective chart review at a tertiary otology center was conducted to identify patients with SSNHL who received oral steroid and IT dexamethasone injection(s) with or without migraine medications (a combination of nortriptyline and topiramate). A total of 47 patients received oral steroid and IT dexamethasone injection(s) only, and 46 patients received oral steroid and IT dexamethasone injection(s) as well as migraine lifestyle changes plus a combination of nortriptyline and topiramate. There were no significant differences in demographics and baseline audiometric data between the two groups. Both groups demonstrated improvements in pure tone average (PTA) and hearing thresholds at 250 Hz and 8000 Hz posttreatment. However, compared to steroid-only group, the adjuvant migraine medications group had significantly greater improvements in hearing thresholds at the lower frequencies (250 Hz, 500 Hz, 1000 Hz). Patients in the latter cohort also had greater improvement in PTA (P = .01) and received fewer IT injections (P = .04) PTA improvement of ≥ 10 dB was observed in 36 patients (78%) in the adjuvant migraine medications group and 22 patients (46%) in the control group (P < .001). In multimodal treatment of SSNHL, supplementing oral and IT steroid with migraine medications may result in greater improvements in lower frequency hearing thresholds and PTA. Furthermore, adjuvant migraine treatment can lead to decrease in number of IT injections, thus reducing procedure-related risks and complications. 3 Laryngoscope, 131:E283-E288, 2021.

Hearing thresholds and cognitive flexibility in young healthy individuals with normal hearing

Objective: Pure tone audiometry may seem to be a relatively easy task for the participant but it may involve cognitive as well as sensory abilities. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between hearing thresholds in the frequency range 0.125–8 kHz and the core executive function cognitive flexibility in healthy individuals with normal hearing.Design: Experimental study measuring correlations between different pure-tone hearing threshold measures and cognitive flexibility. Pure tone air conduction audiometry (frequencies 0.125–8.0 kHz) and two tests of cognitive flexibility (information updating and shifting ability) were conducted.Study sample: Seventy-two subjects (aged between 21 and 36) with normal hearing (<20 dB HL) for the tested frequencies.Results: Four measures of average pure tone hearing thresholds were negatively correlated with cognitive flexibility.Conclusions: Pure-tone air conduction hearing thresholds seem to be related to cognitive flexibility in healthy individuals with normal hearing.

Prostaglandin E1 effects on CD62p and PAC-1 in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss

PerspectivesTo evaluate the treatment outcome of vasodilator prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) in treating sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and to determine its effects on platelet activation, as reflected by changes in CD62p and PAC-1. MethodsWe prospectively enrolled 60 patients with confirmed SSNHL and randomly divided them into two groups: the SSNHL group received regular therapy, and the SSNHL-PGE1 group received additional intravenous injection of PGE1. After 14 days of treatment, we measured clinical improvement and CD62p-positive and PAC-1-positive platelets. 30 healthy medical staff members were included as a control group. ResultsThe SSNHL patients had significantly higher levels of CD62p-positive or PAC-1 positive platelets than the healthy subjects. The ratios of CD62p positive or PAC-1 positive platelets significantly decreased after the two treatments. The average pure tone (PTA) hearing thresholds decreased to 26.51 ± 12.65 dB in SSNHL-PGE1 group after treatment, which was significantly lower than that of the SSNHL group (34.46 ± 10.35 dB). Patients with initial severe or profound hearing loss (PTA ≥ 71 dB) had better hearing improvement on PGE1 than on the regular treatment. Patients in the SSNHL-PGE1 treatment group had significantly lower CD62p and PAC-1 levels than those in the SSNHL group. Patients with higher initial positive CD62p and PAC-1 ratios tended to have higher potential of clinical improvement and hearing gains after PGE1 treatment. Initial CD62p and PAC-1 levels were significantly correlated with hearing thresholds in patients with SSNHL. ConclusionPGE1 application could improve treatment efficacy and suppress excessive platelet activation in patients with SSNHL.

Audiometric evaluation of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients according to their metabolic control

Background: Diabetes is a multisystem disorder and the basic pathophysiology behind most complications of diabetes is microangiopathy leading to neuropathy. Cochlear microangiopathy may cause hearing impairment in diabetes patients. Literature in this field in the Indian population is sparse, making this study extremely relevant in the Indian context. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare the pure tone hearing thresholds between diabetics and nondiabetics and to describe the association between hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), duration of diabetes, and pure tone hearing thresholds. Materials and Methods: The study subjects were evaluated for their glycemic status and were categorized into three groups; Group 1: Non-diabetics, Group 2: Diabetics with good glycemic control (HbA1c 7%). All three groups underwent pure tone audiometric evaluation and the data were statistically evaluated. Results: The air and bone conduction thresholds of diabetic patients were higher in all the frequencies between 250 Hz and 8000 Hz for both ears. The air-bone gap was

Gender variation in age-related hearing loss using pure tone audiometry in city of Bengaluru

Background: Age-related hearing loss is one of the common reasons for disability in our population. There are many studies conducted to find a specific pattern of hearing loss correlating gender and age but have failed to prove a relation. Aim and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to obtain gender related hearing thresholds and to determine the rate of change in pure-tone hearing thresholds between genders. Materials and Methods: Subjects were selected after thorough history to exclude any past history of otorrhoea, usage of ototoxic drugs, head injury, and subjects exposed to noise at work place. Pure tone audiometric evaluation was conducted on 46 male and 54 female volunteers from Bengaluru. Hearing levels for frequencies of 0.25, 0.5. 1, 2, 4, and 8 KHz were determined using ARPHI 500 MK 1 audiometer. Results: The mean hearing ability increases from 17.82 dB at 0.5 KHz to 14.02 dB at 2 KHz in males and from 15.18 dB at 0.25 KHz to 12.50 dB at 1 KHz in females. The average rate of change in threshold was 0.30 dB per decade for males and 0.40 dB per decade for females at 0.25 kHz, increasing/decreasing gradually to 0.62 dB per decade for males and 0.27 dB per decade for females at 8 kHz. Women appear to have faster rate of change in of hearing at the lower frequency of 0.25 KHz. Men had significantly faster rates of threshold increase at 4 and 8 kHz than women. The rate of decline in hearing is faster in males compared to females. Conclusion: Our study has been able to find gender differences in hearing thresholds between genders and found that females have better hearing ability than males. It also found that rate of decline in hearing levels was faster in males compared to females.

Clinical value of vestibular-evoked myogenic potential tests in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss

BackgroundThis study aims to investigate the clinical value of two kinds of vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL).MethodsA total of 82 patients were divided into two groups: vertigo group and non-vertigo group. All patients underwent examinations for pure tone hearing thresholds, middle ear analysis, the videonystagmography, caloric tests, and vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials elicited from the sternocleidomastoid and extraocular muscle. In addition, 30 healthy subjects were selected as the control group.ResultsFor the 30 healthy subjects, the average latency of p13 and n23 of the cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) were 13.13 ± 2.89 ms and 23.51 ± 3.25 ms, respectively, and the bilateral amplitude asymmetry rate ranged within 0.05–0.31. The average latency of n10 of the ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMPs) was 10.13 ± 0.48 ms. The average amplitude of the n10-p15-wave was 5.58 ± 0.65 μV. Among the 35 vertigo patients with SSNHL, 27 patients had normal cVEMP and oVEMP examination results, five patients had abnormal oVEMP examination results, and five patients had abnormal cVEMP examination results. The latency and amplifier of oVEMPs and cVEMPs were within the normal range in 47 SSNHL patients without vertigo. The chi-square value was 5.647, the P-value was equal to 0.017, and the difference was statistically significant at a confidence interval of 95%.ConclusionsOVEMPs and cVEMPs can be used evaluate the vestibular nerve function of SSNHL patients with vertigo.

Association of Slight to Mild Hearing Loss With Behavioral Problems and School Performance in Children

ImportanceChildren with severe hearing loss are known to have more behavioral problems and may perform worse at school than children without. Few large-scale studies of slight to mild hearing loss are available.ObjectiveTo examine the relevance of slight to mild hearing loss by studying its association with behavioral problems and school performance.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional study was performed within an ongoing prospective birth cohort study in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Participants were part of a population-based sample of children. Between ages 9 and 11 years, 5355 children underwent audiometric and behavioral evaluations. Children were excluded if they had missing data for either audiometry or both outcomes. Data were collected from April 2012 through October 2015. Data were analyzed from March to June 2018.ExposuresAudiometric evaluation included pure-tone audiometry tests and speech-in-noise testing.Main Outcomes and MeasuresChild behavior was rated by the primary caregiver using the Child Behavior Checklist at ages 9 to 11 years (n = 4471). School performance was measured with a standardized test at age 12 years (n = 2399).ResultsThe final sample included 4779 participants who were a mean (SD) age of 9.8 (0.3) years. The sample had nearly equal distribution between boys (n = 2200; 49.2%) and girls (n = 2271; 50.8%). Associations of hearing thresholds with behavioral problems differed between boys and girls. Among boys, higher pure-tone hearing thresholds at low frequencies were associated with higher total problem, social problem, and attention problem scores (total problems for the better-hearing ear: β = 0.01; 95% CI, 0-0.02). Higher speech reception thresholds were associated with higher attention problem scores among girls (β = 0.04; 95% CI, 0-0.08). Higher speech reception thresholds were associated with poorer school performance scores for both boys and girls (β = −0.06; 95% CI, −0.10 to −0.02).Conclusions and RelevanceHigher hearing thresholds during pure-tone audiometric and speech-in-noise testing were associated with higher behavioral problem scores and poorer school performance. This supports the relevance of slight to mild hearing loss with these outcomes in school-aged children.

Pure-Tone Hearing Thresholds and Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials in Sporadic Ataxia.

Introduction Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is part of a genetic and clinical heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia. Objective To describe the results of audiological and electrophysiological hearing evaluations in patients with sporadic ataxia (SA). Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out with 11 patients submitted to the following procedures: anamnesis, otorhinolaryngological evaluation, tonal and vocal audiometry, acoustic immittance and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) tests. Results The patients presented with a prevalence of gait imbalance, of dysarthria, and of dysphagia; in the audiometric and BAEPs, four patients presented with alterations; in the acoustic immittance test, five patients presented with alterations, predominantly bilateral. Conclusion The most evident alterations in the audiological evaluation were the prevalence of the descending audiometric configuration between the frequencies of 2 and 4 kHz and the absence of the acoustic reflex between the frequencies of 3 and 4 kHz bilaterally. In the electrophysiological evaluation, the patients presented changes with a prevalence of increased I, III and V wave latencies and the interval in the interpeak I-III, I-V and III-V. In the present study, it was observed that auditory complaints did not have a significant prevalence in this type of ataxia, which does not occur in some types of autosomal recessive and dominant ataxia.

Cross-sectional assessment of hearing acuity of an unscreened 85-year-old cohort - Including a 10-year longitudinal study of a sub-sample

As the proportion of older people increases, it is important to investigate hearing acuity in older individuals and to calculate hearing decline for older ages, using standardised test protocols. The main aim of this study was to determine pure-tone hearing thresholds in an unscreened birth cohort of 85-year-olds born in 1930, living in an industrial Swedish city. A further aim was to describe hearing decline in men and women from 75 to 85 years of age with the aid of longitudinal data. The study was part of the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies in Sweden. Hearing thresholds (0.25–8 kHz) were measured using automated pure-tone audiometry for 286 85-year-old participants. A subsample (n = 182) was hearing examined at 75 years of age and studied longitudinally from 75 to 85 years. At age 85 years, men had better hearing at low frequencies but poorer hearing at high frequencies than women. The longitudinal study showed a considerable decline between 75 and 85 years at mid-high frequencies (>1 kHz) and the amount of decline was similar between sexes. The results contribute to the estimation of the future need for hearing health services.

The in-air auditory thresholds of the eurasian otter (Lutra lutra, L. 1758) as determined by auditory brainstem responses

As of yet there is no literature record of the hearing range of the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra, L. 1758), a key species for natural conservation efforts in Europe. We recorded in-air pure tone hearing thresholds of anaesthetized otters using auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and report the results of the Eurasian otter. The recorded potentials showed the typical mammalian auditory brainstem response consisting of 5 distinct positive peaks during the first 10 ms after stimulus onset. At 80 dB SPL the hearing ranged from around 200 Hz to 32 kHz, with lowest thresholds around 4 kHz.

Poly-Lactic Acid-Based Biopolymer Formulations Are Safe for Sustained Intratympanic Dexamethasone Delivery.

The clinical treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss currently relies on the administration of steroids, either systemically or via intratympanic injections. Intratympanic injections bypass the hemato-cochlear barrier, reducing its systemic side effects. The efficacy of the injections is limited through rapid drug clearance via the Eustachian tube, and through nonoptimal properties of slow-release drug carriers. A new slow-release drug delivery vehicle based on hexyl-substituted-poly-lactic-acid (HexPLA), with the highest possible safety profile and complete bio-degradability, has been evaluated for safety and efficacy in a standardized guinea pig model of intratympanic injection. A total of 83 animals received through retrobullar injection either empty Nile-red-colored HexPLA vehicle, 5%-dexamethasone-HexPLA, 5%-dexamethasone suspension, or a sham operation. Long-term residence time of vehicle, biocompatibility, click- and pure-tone hearing thresholds, and dexamethasone levels in the perilymph were prospectively assessed. At 1 week after injection, HexPLA vehicle was morphologically present in the middle ear and perilymph levels in the 5%-dexamethasone-HexPLA were on average 2 to 3 μg/ml and one order of magnitude higher compared with those of the 5%-dexamethasone suspension group. No significant postoperative morphological or functional changes were observed up to 3 months postdelivery. HexPLA is safe, fully biocompatible, and efficient for sustained high-dose, intratympanic delivery of dexamethasone at least for 1 week and therefore of high interest for the treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss and other acute inner ear diseases. Due to the favorable chemical properties, a wide range of other drugs can be loaded into the vehicle further increasing its potential value for otological applications.