Hearing Thresholds In Patients Research Articles

The effect of different degrees of Eustachian tube dysfunction on hearing threshold in patients with acquired primary middle ear cholesteatoma after balloon eustachian tuboplasty

Objective:To investigate the changes in hearing threshold of the acquired primary cholesteatoma of the middle ear with different degrees of eustachian tube dysfunction after balloon eustachian tuboplasty. Methods:This retrospective study included forty cases with middle ear cholesteatoma and eustachian tube dysfunction who underwent open mastoidectomy + tympanoplasty + balloon eustachian tuboplasty were enrolled. All patients were admitted from November 2020 to April 2022. The preoperative eustachian tube score of 0-2 were defined as the lower group, and the scores of 3-5 were defined as the higher group. Pure tone audiometry was measured preoperatively and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The average value of bone conduction threshold and air conduction threshold of 250-4 000 Hz were calculated, and the air-bone gap was calculated simultaneously. SPSS 25.0 was used for statistical analysis. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:In the lower group, the air conduction threshold and air-bone gap at 3 months postoperatively were significantly decreased in comparison with those preoperatively（P<0.05），as was the air-bone gap at 6 months postoperatively（P<0.05）. In the higher group, the air conduction threshold and air-bone gap were significantly decreased at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively（P<0.05）. Conclusion:The air conduction threshold and air-bone gap of patients with the acquired primary cholesteatoma of the middle ear and eustachian tube dysfunction were significantly decreased after eustachian tube balloon dilatation. Hearing improvement lasted longer in patients with slight eustachian tube dysfunction.

Relationship Between Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor and Neurotrophin-3 Levels and Hearing Thresholds in Patients With Age-Related Hearing Loss.

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a general term used to describe the sensorineural type of hearing loss occurring in both ears in older adults. Neurotrophins are the most promising candidates for supporting the auditory nerve by increasing neuronal survival. This study aimed to help elucidate the pathophysiology of ARHL by determining whether any relationship exists between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) levels in serum samples from patients diagnosed with ARHL. Seventy-seven individuals, a study group of 41 patients diagnosed with ARHL, and a control group of 36 participants without hearing loss were evaluated. Serum samples were collected and used to measure serum BDNF and NT-3 levels with the new Nepenthe enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Median pure-tone average results in the 2000, 4000, and 6000 Hz ranges were 52.5 (44.3-67.3) dB HL in the ARHL group and 13.5 (11.1-17.1) dB HL in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (p = .001). Although NT-3 and BDNF levels were both lower in ARHL patients than in participants without hearing loss, only the BDNF levels were significantly (p = .002) lower. Mean left and right ear word recognition scores were also lower in ARHL patients than in control groups. The ARHL group was further divided into two subgroups based on word recognition scores to evaluate significant differences in BDNF and NT-3 levels. No statistically significant difference was observed in BDNF and NT-3 levels between these subgroups. However, there was a significant difference in word recognition scores. Low BDNF levels in the ARHL group suggest that BDNF may play a role in the pathogenesis of ARHL. Patients with low (ARHL1) and high (ARHL2) word recognition scores were compared for the first time in the literature in terms of BDNF and NT-3 levels. However, the results were not statistically significant. This article is a preliminary study and was written to provide guidance for our next comprehensive project.

Correlation of endolymphatic hydrops and perilymphatic enhancement with the clinical features of Ménière's disease.

To use three-dimensional real inversion recovery (3D-real IR) MRI to investigate correlations between endolymphatic hydrops (EH) grades or the degree of perilymphatic enhancement (PE) and clinical features of Ménière's disease (MD), as previous findings have been inconsistent. A total of 273 consecutive patients with definite unilateral MD were retrospectively enrolled from September 2020 to October 2021. All patients underwent 3D-real IR and 3D-T2WI 6 h after intravenous gadolinium injection. MD-related symptom duration and vertigo frequency were recorded. EH grades were evaluated, the signal intensity ratio (SIR) was measured, and correlations between clinical features and EH, PE were assessed respectively. The study included 123 males and 150 females, with a mean age of 53.0 years. A longer duration of vertigo was associated with higher cochlear EH grades, whereas the opposite was true for the duration of aural fullness. A longer time since vertigo onset was associated with higher vestibular EH grades; the opposite was true for the duration of individual vertigo attacks. The multiple regression analysis revealed that age, tinnitus duration, and vestibular EH were risk factors for SIR. Furthermore, the low-frequency hearing threshold (HT) was a risk factor for cochlear and vestibular EH, and the SIR. The EH grade and SIR (an indicator for the quantitative evaluation of PE) were correlated with clinical features and HT of MD; thus, imaging can be a valuable tool in planning individualised treatment. This study revealed that the grade of endolymphatic hydrops and degree of perilymphatic enhancement positively correlates with the length of time since onset of clinical symptoms and hearing thresholds in patients with Ménière's disease, facilitating the tailored treatment. • Relationships between 3-dimensional real inversion recovery features and clinical symptoms in Ménière's disease are unknown. • Symptom duration and hearing thresholds correlated with endolymphatic hydrops grades and degree of perilymphatic enhancement. • MRI features correlate with MD severity; thus, imaging is valuable for planning tailored treatment.

Incidence of Otalgia After Orthognathic Surgery.

In orthognathic surgery, it is well known that maxillary osteotomies and displacements sometimes affect auditory function. Thus, this study examined the relationship between the direction of maxillary displacement and postoperative otalgia. Twenty consecutive patients underwent Le Fort I maxillary osteotomy using advancement, impaction, setback, or a combination of these procedures. The direction of movement and incidence of otalgia were investigated. Patients provided informed consent preoperatively, and postoperative reassurance was prudent. Pure-tone average evaluation based on horizontal or vertical movements did not show significant differences, although vertical movements resulted in fewer changes in the hearing threshold. Specifically, no significant changes were observed in the hearing thresholds of patients after surgery. No significant difference was also observed between horizontal and vertical movements in the tympanometry results. Negative changes were found in the results of the Eustachian tube dysfunction test in vertical movements, which returned to preoperative values in the final test. The risk of minor changes in hearing function is probable during the first week after orthognathic surgery; however, these negative changes either completely disappear or remain negligible.

The Restorative Effects of Three Commonly Used Materials on Hearing Thresholds in Patients with Austin-Kartush Type A Ossicular Defects

The Restorative Effects of Three Commonly Used Materials on Hearing Thresholds in Patients with Austin-Kartush Type A Ossicular Defects

Bone Auditory Thresholds Variations in Cholesteatoma Middle Ear Surgery

Objective: To investigate the changes of bone auditory thresholds variations in cholesteatoma middle ear surgery and its related factors and its related factors. Methods: 122 cases (122 ears) of unilateral cholesteatoma otitis media were treated by mastoidectomy and/or tympanoplasty plus stage I tympanoplasty, and tragus cartilage ring-cartilage membrane (Referred to as cartilage group, 62 ears) and temporalis muscle fascia (Referred to as fascia group, 60 ears) were used as tympanic membrane grafts respectively. The changes of bone conduction hearing threshold were compared between the two groups before and 1, 3, 6 months and 1, 3 years after operation. And compare the difference in the incidence of ossicular chain fixation or necrosis, vestibular window or cochlear window dysfunction between the two groups of patients with increased (positive) and decreased (negative) bone conduction threshold before operation. Results: Compared with the healthy side, 95 ears of 122 ears in the two groups had higher bone conduction hearing threshold before operation. Among them, 48 ears were in cartilage group and 47 ears were in fascia group; In 72 ears (76.34%) of these cases, the bone conduction hearing threshold decreased after operation, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.01). During operation, 57 ears (79.17%, 57/72) were found to have ossicular chain or two windows dysfunction, including 30 ears in cartilage group and 27 ears in fascia group. Of the 27 patients with normal hearing threshold, 5 had the above-mentioned lesions, including 3 in cartilage group and 2 in fascia group. Conclusion: The improvement of bone conduction hearing threshold in patients with cholesteatoma otitis media is mainly related to the fixation or necrosis of ossicular chain and the dysfunction of two windows. The tragus cartilage ring-perichondrium tympanoplasty can not only reduce the air-bone conduction difference, but also reduce the bone conduction hearing threshold, which has the advantage of stable and lasting hearing improvement.

Correlation Between Quantitative Value of Endolymphatic Hydrops and Hearing Threshold Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

This study investigated the relationship between quantitative value of endolymphatic hydrops in the affected ear and the hearing threshold in patients with unilateral Meniere's disease. Prospective study. Forty patients with unilateral definite Meniere's disease were diagnosed in outpatient clinic. We recorded their clinical symptoms (duration of vertigo and tinnitus and duration of vertigo attacks), and obtained the hearing thresholds of high, middle, and low by pure tone audiometry. A 3D-FLAIR MRI revealed endolymphatic hydrops and assessed quantitative values of cochlear and vestibular endolymphatic hydrops. We assessed the correlation between hearing thresholds and quantitative values of endolymphatic hydrops. All patients showed varying degrees of endolymphatic hydrops in the affected ear. With the duration of vertigo, tinnitus and vertigo attacks as control variables, partial correlation analysis showed that the correlation coefficients between quantitative value of cochlear hydrops and hearing thresholds of low, middle, and high tone in the affected ear were 0.581, 0.610, and 0.125, respectively. The correlation coefficients between quantitative value of vestibular hydrops and hearing thresholds of low, middle, and high tone in the affected ear were 0.727, 0.569, and 0.201, respectively. The degree of endolymphatic hydrops in Meniere's disease can be revealed and assessed by 3D-FLAIR MRI after intravenous administration of double doses of gadoterate meglumine. Clinical evaluation of endolymphatic hydrops in Meniere's disease can be assisted by low- and middle-tone hearing thresholds, thereby providing anatomical support for the clinical symptoms of Meniere's disease.

Hearing Loss in Cancer Patients with Skull Base Tumors Undergoing Pencil Beam Scanning Proton Therapy: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Simple SummaryMost patients with skull base tumors require radiation therapy as part of their overall treatment, preferably with protons. However, vital and healthy organs, such as the cochlea, are often located in the immediate anatomical vicinity of the tumor. Despite the high precision of the proton beam, irradiating the cochlea is often unavoidable, resulting in an increased risk of hearing loss. To assess the frequency and severity of changes in hearing after proton therapy, we performed a retrospective study in a cohort of 51 patients undergoing proton therapy for skull base tumors. We observed that a hearing threshold shift correlates to the applied radiation dose intensity to the cochlea. In addition, advancing age, hearing sensitivity before proton therapy, and the time elapsed after the end of proton therapy are independently associated with the deterioration of the hearing threshold after proton therapy. These results are essential to adequately inform patients about the treatment’s impact and side effects.To assess the incidence and severity of changes in hearing threshold in patients undergoing high-dose pencil-beam-scanning proton therapy (PBS-PT). This retrospective cohort study included fifty-one patients (median 50 years (range, 13–68)) treated with PBS-PT for skull base tumors. No chemotherapy was delivered. Pure tone averages (PTAs)were determined before (baseline) and after PBS-PT as the average hearing thresholds at frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz. Hearing changes were calculated as PTA differences between pre-and post-PBS-PT. A linear mixed-effects model was used to assess the relationship between the PTA at the follow-up and the baseline, the cochlea radiation dose intensity, the increased age, and the years after PBS-PT. Included patients were treated for chordoma (n = 24), chondrosarcoma (n = 9), head and neck tumors (n = 9), or meningioma (n = 3), with a mean tumor dose of 71.1 Gy (RBE) (range, 52.0–77.8), and a mean dose of 37 Gy (RBE) (range, 0.0–72.7) was delivered to the cochleas. The median time to the first follow-up was 11 months (IQR, 5.5–33.7). The PTA increased from a median of 15 dB (IQR 10.0–25) at the baseline to 23.8 (IQR 11.3–46.3) at the first follow-up. In the linear mixed-effect model, the baseline PTA (estimate 0.80, 95%CI 0.64 to 0.96, p ≤ 0.001), patient’s age (0.30, 0.03 to 0.57, p = 0.029), follow-up time (2.07, 0.92 to 3.23, p ≤ 0.001), and mean cochlear dose in Gy (RBE) (0.34, 0.21 to 0.46, p ≤ 0.001) were all significantly associated with an increase in PTA at follow-up. The applied cochlear dose and baseline PTA, age, and time after treatment were significantly associated with hearing loss after proton therapy.

Development and Characteristics of Hearing Loss With the Progression of Endolymphatic Hydrops.

This study aims to explore how patients' hearing loss developed with the progression of endolymphatic hydrops and the characteristics of hearing loss at different stages. We collected 73 patients with definite or possible unilateral Meniere's disease or sudden hearing loss who underwent magnetic resonance imaging after intravenous contrast agent injection. There were 25 cases of isolated cochlear hydrops, 24 cases of isolated vestibular hydrops, and 24 cases of cochlear and vestibular hydrops. Primary outcome analyses included their evaluation of endolymphatic hydrops and hearing thresholds at low and high frequencies. The overall hearing threshold of patients with vestibular and cochlear hydrops was significantly higher than that of patients with isolated cochlear hydrops and patients with isolated vestibular hydrops. There was a significant correlation between low-frequency hearing loss and cochlear hydrops, and the low-frequency hearing threshold was proportional to the grade of cochlear hydrops. At low frequency, the hearing threshold of patients with isolated vestibular hydrops was lower than that of patients with isolated cochlear hydrops and patients with both cochlear and vestibular hydrops. The audiogram configurations of patients with isolated cochlear hydrops consist largely of flat type and up-sloping type. The audiogram configurations of patients with isolated vestibular hydrops and patients with both cochlear and vestibular hydrops are mainly flat type and down-sloping type. Patients present with low-frequency hearing loss in the early stage of endolymphatic hydrops. When the hydrops involves the whole cochlea and vestibule, the patients' hearing is impaired at both low and high frequencies.

Assessment Of Hearing Threshold Among Post Repaired Cleft Palate Patients In Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the hearing threshold in patients with repaired cleft palate and to determine the degree of hearing loss in various types of cleft palate.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study which was conducted on 97 consenting patients with clinical diagnosis of repaired cleft palate at the Plastic and Reconstructive surgery unit, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. The hearing loss threshold levels in the rightand left cleft palates were then compared using Chisquare test of independence.Results: A total of 97 participants who had cleft palate were seen that is 194 ears were examined. Most of patients had cleft of secondary palate (n=65, 67.0%), only one participant had cleft of primary palate only (1.0%) and the rest had cleft of both primary andsecondary palate (n=31, 32.0%). The age range of patients in this study was between the ages of 6 years to 12 years with a mean (±SD) age of 7.43 (3.85) and the male to female ratio was 1:1. Out of the total ear examined, 76 were mild conductive hearing loss and 95 ears had abnormal tympanogram. The overall prevalence rate for the abnormal tympanograms (B, C1, C2) in both ears is 49%. Therewas no statistically significant association between the level of hearing loss and the type of cleft palate for the left ear and the right ear respectively as well as the association between the type of tympanogram and the type of cleft palate for the left ear and the right ear respectively (p&gt;0.05).Conclusion: Prevalence rate of hearing loss among post repaired cleft palate subjects is 33%. This hearing loss is usually mild conductive hearing loss only. Mild conductive hearing loss and abnormal tympanogram was common between the ages of 6-8yearsirrespective of the type of cleft palate.

Degree of Hearing Threshold in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Degree of Hearing Threshold in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Analysis of hearing thresholds in patients with hearing impairments associated with mutations of the GJB2 gene (Sh26) in Buryatia

Analysis of hearing thresholds in patients with hearing impairments associated with mutations of the GJB2 gene (Sh26) in Buryatia

The effects of SARS-CoV-2 on hearing thresholds in COVID-19 patients with non-hospitalized mild disease

IntroductionCOVID-19 may have many nonspecific symptoms, such as hearing loss, tinnitus and dizziness. This study aims to investigate the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the hearing thresholds of patients with COVID-19. MethodsA total of 20 patients aged 20–55 years who were diagnosed with COVID-19 were included in this study. The relationship between the pure-tone thresholds of patients before and after COVID-19 was evaluated. ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference between bone conduction pure-tone thresholds in all frequencies before and after COVID-19. ConclusionSARS-CoV-2 has no effects on the hearing thresholds in patients with non-hospitalized mild COVID-19 disease. Further studies are needed to investigate the possible effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the auditory system.

The DizzyQuest: relation between self-reported hearing loss, tinnitus and objective hearing thresholds in patients with Meniere’s disease

BackgroundCombining a mobile application-based vestibular diary called the DizzyQuest and an iPad-based hearing test enables evaluation of the relationship between experienced neuro-otological symptoms and hearing thresholds in daily life setting. The aim was to investigate the relationship between self-reported hearing symptoms and hearing thresholds in patients with Meniere’s disease (MD), using the DizzyQuest and the iPad-based hearing test simultaneously.MethodsThe DizzyQuest was administered for 3 weeks in 21 patients. Using the experience-sampling-method (ESM), it assessed hearing loss and tinnitus severity for both ears separately. Each day after the DizzyQuest, an iPad-based hearing test was used to measure hearing thresholds. A mixed model regression analysis was performed to investigate relationships between hearing thresholds and self-reported hearing loss and tinnitus severity.ResultsFifteen patients were included. Overall, pure-tone averages (PTAs) were not correlated with self-reported hearing loss severity and tinnitus. Individual differences in PTA results between both ears did not significantly influence the difference in self-reported hearing loss severity between both ears. Self-reported hearing loss and tinnitus scores were significantly higher in ears that corresponded with audiometric criteria of MD (p < 0.001). Self-reported tinnitus severity significantly increased with self-reported hearing loss severity in affected (p = 0.011) and unaffected ears (p < 0.001).ConclusionCombining the DizzyQuest and iPad-based hearing test, facilitated assessment of self-reported hearing loss and tinnitus severity and their relationship with hearing thresholds, in a daily life setting. This study illustrated the importance of investigating neuro-otological symptoms at an individual level, using multiple measurements. ESM strategies like the DizzyQuest should therefore be considered in neuro-otological research.

Effect of stellate ganglion injections guided by different approaches on hearing threshold in patients with sudden deafness

ObjectiveThe current study was conducted aimed at investigating the effect of stellate ganglion injection guided with different approaches on hearing threshold in patients harboring sudden deafness. MethodsThere involved a total of 68 patients with sudden deafness in our study. The patients were randomly allocated into control group and study group, with 34 cases in each group. The control group and study group were respectively given conventional blind puncture block and ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion injection. The clinical efficacy, first puncture success rate, first block success rate, average block time, hearing threshold improvement value, vertigo disappearance time, hearing recovery time, hemorheological changes and complications of the two groups were compared. ResultsThe total effective rate of the study group was significantly higher than that of the control group (96.06 vs. 76.47%, P < 0.05). The first puncture success rate and the first block success rate of the study group were evidently higher than those of the control group, and the average block time of the study group was significantly shorter than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The improvement of hearing threshold in the study group was higher than that in the control group, and the time of vertigo disappearance and hearing recovery in the study group was shorter than that in the control group, with significant difference (P < 0.05). Before treatment, EAI, HCT and PV levels of the two groups were comparable (P > 0.05). After treatment, however, the levels of EAI, HCT and PV in the two groups were lower. Furthermore, the levels of EAI, HCT and PV in the study group were significantly lower compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of complications in the study group was significantly less than that in the control group (P < 0.05). ConclusionUltrasound-guided stellate ganglion injection achieved beneficial effects in treating sudden deafness, which is available for wide clinical practice.

Hearing threshold of patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing haemodialysis

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been recognised as a serious public health issue due to its many associated complications, including hearing loss (HL). The study aimed to determine the hearing threshold of adult patients with CKD undergoing haemodialysis.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; This was a prospective, hospital-based study of patients with CKD undergoing haemodialysis in a tertiary hospital in Kaduna, carried out between December 2017 and November 2018. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20. Statistical analysis was with t test and Chi square and level of significance was set at p&amp;lt;0.05.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; Thirty patients with CKD undergoing haemodialysis were age and sex matched with 30 controls (CKD patients not on dialysis). Mean age for subjects and controls were 44.6±14.3 and 41.7±12.5, respectively. Mean right ear pure tone average (PTAv) among subjects and the controls were 32.7±9.6 and 25.6±6.2, respectively. Mean left ear PTAv among subjects and controls were 33.3±9.7 and 25.8±6.2, respectively. Hearing loss was present in 73.3% and 41.7% among the subjects and controls respectively (p&amp;lt;0.001). Of the 22 ears of subjects that had ≤10 sessions of dialysis, 13 (59.1%) ears had HL and of the 38 ears that had &amp;gt;10 sessions of dialysis, 30 (78.9%) ears had HL. The difference between hearing threshold and sessions of dialysis was statistically significant (p=0.001).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; Hearing thresholds of CKD patients on dialysis was higher than those not on dialysis. Haemodialysis significantly affects the hearing thresholds of CKD patients.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;

BERA as a objective test in cases of inconsistent response for pure tone audiometry

Background: BERA is an objective study for assessing hearing loss on patients with inconsistent responses on pure tone audiogram. BERA is a non-invasive and the most cost-effective method for diagnosing retrocochlear lesion, not affected by sedation, anesthesia or age. Which helps to identify retrocochlear hearing loss. It is impossible to perform pure tone audiometry on infants and children. Methods and Aim: This is a cross sectional prospective cohortHospital based study, review of 50 patient subjected to BERA for SNHL in any age group referred to department of ENT Vijayanagara institute of medical sciences, Bellary. Our aim is to find out its applications on objective test in cases of inconsistent response to pure tone audiometry Result: Pure tone audiometry was done in all cooperative cases and found hearing loss of different severity, few with inconsistent responses, few retrocochlear pathology and also helps in identifying malingering as BERA as an objective test. Conclusion: BERA is useful in finding hearing thresholds in patients with inconsistent response to pure tone audiometry. Keywords: BERA, Pure tone audiometry, Absolute latency.

Hearing loss in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

To determine the prevalence of hearing loss (HL) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), describe frequency-specific hearing threshold changes in this patient population as compared to age-matched control, and compare the clinical and serological profiles of patients with SLE with and without HL. A systematic review querying four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane) was performed. Meta-analysis of available data was performed to determine the overall prevalence and odds ratio (OR) of HL, and compare mean differences in frequency-specific hearing thresholds between patients with SLE and control. Additionally, meta-analysis of proportions allowed for comparison of disease features present in patients with SLE with and without sensorineural HL. This review included 17 studies reporting on 1326 patients (635 with SLE and 691 control). The pooled prevalence of HL in patients with SLE was 27%. In comparison to control, patients with SLE had a significantly higher odds of HL (OR 14.6, 95% CI: 8.5 to 25.0). Mean air-conduction hearing thresholds in patients with SLE were significantly elevated relative to control at 125 and 250 Hz. Mean bone-conduction hearing thresholds were significantly elevated in patients with SLE across all measured frequencies except at 3000 and 6000 Hz compared to control. Disease features did not significantly differ between patients with SLE with and without HL. Compared to age-matched control, patients with SLE have increased odds of HL, which primarily manifests at low frequencies. Therefore, this patient population requires greater audiologic attention.

Evaluation of hearing acuity in patients with chronic renal failure by pure tone audiometry

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Hearing loss is common in patients with chronic renal failure. It is well known that chronic renal failure (CRF) causes different systemic and otorhinolaryngologic manifestations due to the accumulation of nitrogenous waste products. The aim of the study was to evaluate hearing threshold and the severity of hearing loss at different frequencies in patients of chronic renal failure (CRF), and to analyse the role of duration of disease on hearing threshold in patients of CRF.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; Fifty two patients of CRF were included in the study. Pure tone audiometry was done in all cases.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; Majority of the patients were in 21 to 40 year age group (mean: out of 52 patients, 38 patients (73.07%) had sensorineural hearing loss and 14 patients (26.93%) had normal hearing. Majority of the patients with hearing loss had mild (44.73%) or moderate (42.11%) sensorineural hearing loss. On comparison of the mean hearing threshold Group II (duration of disease more than five years- 17 patients) showed a statistically significant difference (P&amp;lt;0.05) in mean hearing threshold at 250 Hz.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; Hearing loss is present in majority of the patients of CRF. Most of the cases have mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss. High frequency hearing loss in chronic renal failure is related to the duration of the disease, duration of haemodialysis’ and internal homeostasis, namely hyponatremia.&lt;/p&gt;

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.