High Frequency Audiometry Research Articles

Evaluation of the possible effect of magnetic resonance imaging noise on peripheral hearing organ with the otoacoustic emission.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of noise produced by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device on hearing by using objective and subjective audiological assessments. A total of 38 patients between the ages of 18 and 50 without hearing loss, and had performed MRI for brain, head, neck or cervical imaging were included in this prospective clinical study. Pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, high frequency audiometry, transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) were performed before and after MRI. There was no statistically significant difference in TEOAE, pure tone audiogram, high frequency audiogram and speech audiogram thresholds. In DPOAE, the median value before and after MRI at the frequency of the left ear at 4.0kHz was 13.6 (8.5-19.9) and 15.7 (8.9-20.7) SNR respectively (p>.05). The median value before MRI at the right ear 4.0kHz frequency was 14.1 (9.1-20.5) SNR, whereas the median value after MRI was 13.2 (8.8-19.8 SNR (p=0,03). There was no statistically significant difference in other frequencies in DPOAE. This is the first objective study that examines the MRI noise on speech audiometry and otoacoustic emission together. However, the effect of MRI noise on hearing pathway is still doubt. Based on the difference at 4kHz frequency on DPOAE; on-earphones may not sufficiently protect the patients from the MRI noise and this issue should deserve further research.

Diagnostic significance of subjective techniques for the study of the acoustic organ in patients with primary arterial hypertension

Objectives - to evaluate the diagnostic significance of subjective techniques for the study of the acoustic organ in patients with primary arterial hypertension (HT) Material and methods. 40 patients (n = 40) were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 included patients with HT, group 2 - conditionally healthy patients, examined at the Republican Center for Research and Practice in Otorhinolaryngology, in 2018-2019. The mathematical statistics, Student t-test were used. Results. The patients in the group 1 presented the following complaints: the decrease in speech intelligibility 80% (n=16), difficulty in recognizing the speech in polyphony 70% (n=14), tinnitus 60% (n=12), hearing loss 15% (n=3). Otoscopy in both groups was within normal. Whisper test result was 6 m in the conditionally healthy patients. In patients with HT, the whisper test with familiar multi-syllable words resulted as 6±0.5 m. However, the mono-syllable word hearing in all patients was reduced to 4±0.5 m. Type A tympanogram was registered in patients of both groups (n=40) with bilateral acoustic reflex. High-frequency audiometry showed changes in 1/3 of the patients in HT group (n=6). Monoaural speech intelligibility (multi-syllable words) at the comfortable hearing threshold was not significantly different in both study groups. The binaural speech intelligibility tested by alternating binaural speech at the comfortable auditory threshold reached 80±5% (t>0,95), along with extremely low pass percentage (35%) in digital dichotic tests in patients with HT, that can suggest the feasible central mechanism of the auditory analyzer lesion. Conclusion. HT is a systemic disease that causes an impairment of the acoustic organ at the central and peripheral levels. In addition to the standard batch of hearing tests, it is recommended to use the superthreshold speech intelligibility tests in patients with arterial hypertension.

Early detection of hearing impairment in type 2 diabetic patients

Background: Hearing impairment is an under-recognized complication of type 2 diabetic patients. Exploring an appropriate technique and method to detect early hearing impairment in diabetic patients is the key to good hearing care.Objectives: The objectives of this study are to evaluate the application effects of extended high-frequency audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emissions in early detection of hearing impairment in diabetic patients.Materials and methods: The study recruited 65 type 2 diabetic patients with normal hearing thresholds detected by conventional PTA, and 60 control subjects. All subjects completed detailed medical history questionnaires and underwent ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) physical examinations and laboratory tests. Then they underwent the conventional pure tone audiometry (PTA) tests, extended high frequency audiometry (HFA) and distortion product of otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). Audiologic data and the related risk factors of audiology were analyzed.Results: Of 65 diabetic patients, 41 patients (63.1%) suffered from high frequency hearing loss detected by HFA and 58 patients (89.2%) suffered from cochlear dysfunction detected by DPOAEs. The incidence of high frequency hearing loss was 38%, 83.3% and 42.3% at the age of 30–39, 40–49 and 50–59 years, respectively. The factors of age (p = .00) and disease duration (p = .00) were related with the high frequency hearing threshold, while the factor of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (p = .716) had no relationship with it.Conclusions and significance: There can be cochlear dysfunction and high frequency hearing loss in diabetic patients with normal hearing thresholds of conventional frequencies. The examinations of HFA and DPOAEs are of great importance for early diagnosis of hearing loss in type 2 diabetic patients.

Audiological profile of indoor cycling teachers

ABSTRACT Purpose: to describe the audiological profile and auditory complaints of indoor cycling teachers, as well as to relate the findings with time of noise exposure and presence of tinnitus. Methods: participants were eight teachers of both genders, age ranging from 24 to 36 years, with professional experience in the area for at least one year. Sound pressure level was measured during the class, which lasted from 45 to 50 minutes and an adapted anamnesis questionnaire composed of ten items was applied to each individual to research the auditory symptoms and factors related to noise exposure and the audiological assessment performed. Inferential statistical tests were applied. The level of statistical significance was 0.05. Results: all of them had pure tone audiometry, tympanometry testing and brainstem auditory evoked potential within normal limits. There were alterations in the high frequency audiometry and otoacoustic emissions without a statistical correlation with the time of professional experience. Conclusion: the audiological profile obtained was pure tone audiometry, tympanometry and brainstem auditory evoked potential within normal limits; altered transient otoacoustic and distortion product emissions and high frequency audiometry. The complaints reported were: tinnitus, dizziness, the need to listen at a high volume and being exposed to excessive noise.

The application of extended high frequency audiometry in detecting the early hearing loss for polycystic ovarian syndrome

Objective:To preliminarily explore the clinical significance of extended high frequency audiometry in evaluating the early hearing loss in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome（PCOS）. The results were statistically analyzed. Method:The hearing threshold of forty young women diagnosed as PCOS and 20 healthy controls were obtained by using conventional audiometry（0.25-8.00 kHz） and extended high frequency（10-20 kHz） pure tone audiometry. Result:The hearing thresholds of the two groups were similar at conventional frequencies of 0.25，0.50，1.00，2.00 and 4.00 kHz（P>0.05）. The hearing threshold of PCOS group at 8-20 kHz frequency was significantly higher than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant（P<0.05）. The expanded high-frequency detectable rate was lower in PCOS group than that in control group, especially at 16 and 18 kHz （P<0.05） and the differences were statistically significant. Conclusion:The early hearing impairment of PCOS patients starts from the extended high frequency, which is more sensitive than the conventional pure tone audiometry in the early hearing impairment assessment of PCOS patients.

High frequency hearing among rural workers exposed to pesticides

Pesticides may cause a number of health problems and are considered oto-agressive agents. The objective of this study was to investigate the high frequency hearing characteristics of workers both with and without exposure to pesticides, that presented normal conventional audiometry. It involved a cross-sectional study with 87 workers, of both genders, between 19 and 59 years, with formal or informal jobs and some of whom worked with family agriculture, either using pesticides or not, who had taken High-Frequency Audiometry tests. The use of glyphosate was reported by 73% of workers and several pesticide mixtures occurred in 78% of them. There were no cases of proper use of personal protective equipment recommended for the activity. The workers exposed to pesticides had worse results in High-Frequency Audiometry tests in comparison with those who had no contact with pesticides (p < 0.0001). High-Frequency Audiometry has proved to be a useful and effective tool in the early detection of hearing loss caused by pesticides.

ABR findings in musicians with normal audiogram and otoacoustic emissions: evidence of cochlear synaptopathy?

Purpose: Although findings in human studies trying to identify signs of cochlear synaptopathy (CS) are still controversial, several methodological restrictions exist, including inconsistencies in participants profiles, definition of study groups and inclusion criteria, diverse electrophysiological measurements settings and noise exposure history metrics and participants’ age range, which question the reliability of conclusions.Method: Two groups of individuals aged 18–41 participated in this study. The first group consisted of 24 musicians with well documented occupational noise exposure and the second one of 24 healthy controls. Groups were matched for age and gender. Inclusion criteria were normal and symmetrical pure tone audiometry and extended high frequency audiometry thresholds, as well as present and normal TEOAEs and DPOAEs. Outcome measures included SNR scores of speech in bubble audiometry and auditory brainstem response waves I, II and V amplitudes and latencies at three different presentation rates: 11, 33 and 44 clicks/s.Results: Wave I amplitude in musicians was significantly lower compared to controls at all presentation rates (11/s: p .043, 33/s: p .007 and 44/s: p .014). There was also a significantly greater reduction in wave I amplitude as well as in wave Ι/V amplitude ratio in the 33/s stimulus presentation in musicians compared to the control group (p .02 and .01, respectively). Finally, lower wave I amplitudes were found in musicians with auditory symptoms compared to musicians without symptoms at the 44/s presentation rate (p = .002).Conclusion: The ABR findings in our study are suggestive of possible increased prevalence of CS in musicians. Wave I amplitude was lower in Musicians group compared to matched controls. Furthermore, there was a greater reduction of wave I amplitude and wave Ι/V amplitude ratio at higher stimulation rates, which would support their use in CS studies.

Early Diagnosis of Hearing Loss in Patients Under Methadone Maintenance Treatment.

Background and Objective: Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) as the most effective treatment for opioid addictions could induce both reversible and permanent hearing loss. Therefore, early detection of methadone-induced hearing loss is necessary to prevent irreversible cochlear damage. The present study aims to identify the early onset of hearing loss in patients who underwent MMT and to compare them with the age and gender matched normal hearing peers.Methods: This was an analytic cross-sectional study conducted on patients (n = 27 males; age range: 18–53 years old) who received 3 months MMT course (MMT group) and a control group consisting of age and gender matched healthy individuals (n = 27 males). Before MMT, all patients underwent conventional audiometry (250–8,000 Hz) and those with normal hearing threshold participated into the study. One month after MMT termination, the patients were assessed for possible hearing loss using conventional pure tone audiometry (PTA), extended high frequency (EHF) audiometry, and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs).Results: Our results demonstrated that the mean EHF thresholds in the MMT patients were significantly greater than the age- and gender-matched healthy controls across all frequencies (p < 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in conventional PTA thresholds between both groups (p > 0.05). DPOAE amplitudes significantly reduced at higher frequencies (3,000–8,000 Hz) in the MMT group, compared to the healthy control group. In contrast to the conventional PTA audiometry, the EHF and DPOAE assessments identified hearing impairments in 11 (40.74%), and 14 (51.85%) of the MMT patients, respectively. The main mechanisms proposed for methadone induced hearing loss are cochlear ischemia following vasospasm or vasculitis, direct effect of opioids on opioid receptors present in cochlear stria vascularis of inner ear, blood-labyrinth selective transport of opioidproteins and receptors, and genetic polymorphism and mutations.Conclusion: The EHF and DPOAE tests have the potential to detect earlier changes in auditory function than conventional frequency audiometry in the MMT patients.

The results of high-frequency audiometry in tinnitus patients

Objective: To evaluate high-frequency (HF) audiometry in subjects with unilateral subjective tinnitus and normal pure tone thresholds (≤25 dB HL) at 0.25-8 kHz.Materials and methods: The study group; consisted of 20 patients with unilateral subjective tinnitus (12 women, 8 men) and normal hearing threshold levels. A control group was also selected as 20 subjects (11 women, 9 men) having normal pure tone thresholds below 25 dBHL at 0.25-8 kHz and not complaining of tinnitus. The HF audiometry testing was used. HF hearing threshold measurements were performed in a sound-treated booth using the clinic audiometer (Interacoustics AC 40, Danimarka) with Koss R80 HF headphone at 10, 12.5, 14 and 16 kHz.Results: The pure tone hearing thresholds showed difference between tinnitus ears of study group and control group at 10, 12.5, 14 and 16 kHz (p < .05). Similarly HF hearing thresholds showed difference between tinnitus ears and non-tinnitus ears in the study group at 10, 12.5, 14 and 16 kHz (p < .05).Conclusions: The routinely use of HF audiometry in tinnitus subjects with normal pure tone thresholds with conventional audiometry can provide useful information about the patients’ hearing status.

Hearing Thresholds Changes after MRI 1.5T of Head and Neck.

Introduction Exposure to high intensity noise produced by MRI is a cause for concern. This study was conducted to determine the temporary and permanent effects of exposure to noise created by performing MRI on the hearing threshold of the subjects using conventional and extended high frequency audiometry. Methods This semiexperimental study was performed on 35 patients referred to Shahid Rahnemoun Hospital for head and neck MRI due to different clinical conditions. The hearing threshold of patients was measured before, immediately after, and 24 hours after performing 1.5 Tesla MRI using conventional and extended high frequency audiometry. SPSS version 18 was used to compare the mean hearing thresholds before and after MRI using paired T test and repeated measures analysis. Results Comparison of auditory thresholds in conventional and extended high frequencies before and immediately after MRI showed a significant shift at 4 KHz (P = 0.008 and P = 0.08 for right and left ears), 6 KHz (P = 0.03 and P = 0.01 for right and left ears), and 14 KHz (P =0.03 and P = 0.31 for right and left ears). However, there was no significant difference between audiometric thresholds before and 24 hours after MRI. Conclusion Noise due to 1.5 Tesla MRI can only cause transient threshold shift.

Comparing musicians and non-musicians in signal-in-noise perception

Objectives: The objective is to compare musicians and non-musicians in signal-in-noise perception.Design: Participants underwent the following tests: (1) High-frequency (HF) audiometry, (2) QuickSIN (a test for speech perception in noise), and (3) Binaural Masking Level Difference (BMLD) test (a test that examines the hearing threshold of a low-frequency tone from noise masking when the phase of the signal or noise in one ear is reversed with respect to the phase of the signal or noise in the other ear, i.e. the difference in the threshold for detection of the tone in noise under the SπNo and SoNo conditions).Study sample: Thirty-four healthy young normal-hearing listeners including 17 musicians (M) and 17 non-musicians (NM).Results: There were no study group difference in HF audiometry and QuickSIN. The M group had a significantly better performance under the SoNo but not under the SπNo condition. As a result, the BMLD value (SoNo–SπNo) was significantly smaller in the M group than in the NM group.Conclusions: There is a musicians’ advantage in binaural tone-in-noise detection in the BMLD task under the SoNo condition, suggesting that long-term music training positively shapes the auditory system.

Evaluation of hearing results in Behçet's disease

Objectives: Behçet's disease is an inflammatory rheumatic disease with recurrent scarring in the oral and genital area, as well as skin, eye, joint, vein, and nerve involvement. The aim of the study was to investigate the level of hearing in Behçet’s disease and whether there is a change in hearing levels as the level of the disease increases. Methods: In this study we examined 32 patients with Behçet’s disease and 50 healthy volunteers. All patients were evaluated with audiometry, tympanometry and acoustic reflex tests, as well as detailed ear, nose, and throat examinations. Results: Sensorineural hearing loss was observed in 9.3% of the patients with Behçet's disease, according to the audiological data, and all patients were bilateral. We also observed sensorineural hearing loss to be the fifth most common symptom in our study. Especially in high frequencies, there was positive correlation between hearing levels and disease exposure time (p &amp;lt; 0.05). Conclusions: We think that the audiological examinations should be included in the routine check-ups of Behçet's patients. In addition, a follow-up assessment of the hearing level of these patients with high frequency audiometry may be more meaningful.

Evaluation of medial olivocochlear efferent system and hearing loss in patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome

Background/aim Autoimmune diseases are a remarkable issue for researchers due to their adverse effects on the auditory system, but for primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) there is little research on the comprehensive audiological findings in literature. The main objective of this study was to investigate the medial olivocochlear efferent functions of subjects with pSS and to examine the audiological findings.Materials and methods The study included 36 subjects with pSS and 36 healthy subjects. All the subjects underwent testing including pure tone, speech, and high frequency audiometry; tympanometry and acoustic reflexes; distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE); and suppression of DPOAE.Results The hearing thresholds of the pSS group were higher than those of the control at all frequencies (P < 0.001). Minimal to mild sensorineural hearing loss was observed in 52.77% of all the subjects with pSS. Additionally, all of the subjects had type A curve tympanograms, but the static compliances of the pSS group were lower and the acoustic reflex thresholds were higher than in the control (P < 0.001). In suppression levels of DPOAE, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion The study indicates that because of obtaining normal suppression levels in DPOAE, the medial olivocochlear efferent system is functional in pSS. However, there is a need for more tests, including auditory brainstem response, to evaluate the afferent auditory system in pSS.

Changes in the hearing threshold using high frequency audiometry in medical personnel exposed to ionizing radiation

&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; Effect on sensorineural hearing loss by low dose ionizing radiation exposure in radiation workers has been rarely evaluated. A case control study was done among the radiation associated workers and normal subjects.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; The study was designed in low dose of radiation exposing healthy medical personnel. Age and sex matched healthy control group of subjects were selected. Groups were evaluated by normal otoscopic evaluation; normal tuning fork test and normal standard pure tone audiogram at frequencies from 250 to 8000 Hz. They underwent impedance audiometry, transient evoked otoacoustic emissions, and high frequency audiometry (from frequencies 10000 to 20000 Hz) was done. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; No statistically significant difference was found in the results of impedance audiometry, transient evoked otoacoustic emissions and standard pure tone audiogram from 250 to 8000 Hz between cases and controls. In the high frequency range, statistically significant difference was observed (p=0.0001). Mean thresholds were higher at all frequencies in cases compared to controls, except at 4000 Hz. A statistically significant correlation was found between duration of exposure and thresholds at 500 Hz (p=0.014) and 10000 Hz (p=0.048). Tinnitus, vertigo, ear block, hard of hearing and loss of appetite were seen more in cases, but was not significant.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class="abstract"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/strong&gt; Taking account of the very low incidence of nerve and parathyroid injury in this series, the authors suggest that meticulous capsular dissection is superior to dissection of the entire nerve in avoiding transcient nerve damage as well as temporary hypocalcemia. However it is stated that a deliberate search for the nerve is definitely indicated in cases where there is likely to be distorted anatomy, as in infiltrating malignancies and recurrent thyroidectomies.&lt;/p&gt;

High frequency audiometry in tinnitus patients with normal hearing in conventional audiometry

ContextHearing loss is the most important risk factor of tinnitus, but this relation is not straightforward; some patients with severe tinnitus have normal hearing, whereas many patients with hearing loss do not have tinnitus.AimsThe aim was to determine if high frequency audiometry (HFA) may reveal significant differences between normal hearing participants with and without tinnitus.Settings and designThis is a case–control study.Participants and methodsHFA was done on two groups of participants with normal hearing sensitivity. The first group was composed of 20 adults with tinnitus, whereas the control group was 15 age-matched and sex-matched participants, not suffering from tinnitus.Statistical analysisData were analyzed using SPSS software package version 20.0. Significance of the results was judged at the 5% level. χ2 with Fisher’s exact as a correction, Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney, and Pearson’s coefficient tests were used.ResultsHFA showed no significant difference between the two studied groups.ConclusionTinnitus in normal hearing participants does not necessarily indicate corresponding damage in the cochlea

Applicability of the real ear measurement for audiological intervention of tinnitus

IntroductionTinnitus is present in a large part of chronic health complaints, and it is considered a public health problem injurious to the individual's quality of life. Considering the increase of the world population associated with an increase of life expectancy, tinnitus remains a cause for medical concern, since during aging the occurrence of auditory impairments due to the deterioration of the peripheral auditory structures and central impairs the quality of life. ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to analyze the applicability of real ear measurements for audiological intervention of tinnitus through specific evaluation, selection, verification and validation of the hearing aids combined with the sound generator. MethodsForty individuals of both genders with hearing loss and tinnitus complaints were deemed eligible to compose the sample. They were enrolled according to clinical symptoms and submitted to the following procedures: anamnesis and previous complaint history, high frequency audiometry, immittanciometry and acuphenometry with the research of psychoacoustic thresholds of pitch, loudness and minimum masking threshold, sound generator, in addition to the application of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Visual Analog Scale tools. The entire sample was adapted with Siemens hearing aids and a sound generator, participated in a counseling session with support of digital material and evaluated in two situations: Initial Assessment (before the hearing aids and sound generator adaptation) and Final Assessment (6 months, after adaptation). The statistical analyzes were descriptive and inferential, adopted a significance level of 5% and the T-Paired Test and the Spearman Correlation test were performed. ResultsThe results showed that there was a benefit with the use of hearing aids combined with a sound generator from the statistically significant values and strong correlations between the sound generator verification data regarding acuphenometry and the nuisance/severity questionnaires. Regarding the verification of the sound generator, it is important to highlight that the entire sample selected the effective acoustic stimulation based on the comfort levels, which was proved in the present study to be a sufficient intensity for positive prognosis, whereas the users’ noises were found below the psychoacoustic thresholds of acuphenometry. ConclusionThe present study concluded that the audiological intervention with any level of sound stimulus is enough to obtain a positive prognosis in the medium term. Data that specifies that the verification of sound generator was effective at the real ear measurements are important in the evaluation and intervention of the complaint. In addition, it points out that the greater the tinnitus perception, the greater its severity, and the greater the nuisance, the higher the psychoacoustics thresholds of frequency and the minimum threshold of masking.

Extended High-Frequency Audiometry (9-20 kHz) in Civilian Pilots.

The greater sensitivity of extended high-frequency audiometry (EHFA) than conventional audiometry (CA) for identifying early changes in hearing has been well documented in previous literature. However, no studies about EHFA were conducted on civilian pilots. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of EHFA as an assay to evaluate civilian pilots' hearing status. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 134 civilian pilots (case group) and 101 subjects without noise exposure (control group). All of the subjects underwent CA (0.25-8 kHz) and EHFA (9-20 kHz). The potential of EHFA for identifying early changes in hearing was assessed. The two audiometric tools both showed significantly higher hearing thresholds in the case group for most of the frequencies tested, but the differences were more obvious for EHFA. Compared with the control group, the average thresholds in the case group increased 3.15 dB at CA and 7.83 dB at EHFA for age 20-29. The number was 2.37 dB and 9.90 dB for age 30-39; 3.80 dB and 8.19 dB for age 40-49; and 10.84 dB and 16.86 dB for age 50-59. There were 74.6% of pilots who had hearing loss in at least in one ear and at one frequency in CA and 94.8% at EHFA. Significant differences in EHFA were observed also between pilots and their controls with normal hearing thresholds at CA. EHFA is more sensitive than CA and could be useful in detecting subclinical changes of hearing in civilian pilots.Ma F, Gong S, Liu S, Hu M, Qin C, Bai Y. Extended high-frequency audiometry (9-20 kHz) in civilian pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2018; 89(7):593-600.

Cochleotoxicity monitoring protocol

IntroductionCochlear damage is frequent in long-term aminoglycosides therapy or chemotherapeutic treatments with platinum-based agents. Despite its prevalence, it is currently underestimated and underdiagnosed. A monitoring protocol is vital to the early detection of cochleotoxicity and its implementation is widely encouraged in every hospital unit. Our aim was to elaborate a cochleotoxicity monitoring protocol for patients treated with platinum compounds or aminoglycosides antibiotics. MethodsPubMed® database was searched using terms relevant to drug cochleotoxicity in order to identify the most adequate protocol. Several articles and guidelines influenced our decision. ResultsThere is no consensus on a universal monitoring protocol. Its formulation and application rely heavily on available resources and personnel. High-frequency audiometry and otoacoustic emissions play an important role on early detection of cochleotoxicity caused by aminoglycoside antibiotics and platinum compounds. ConclusionA cochleotoxicity monitoring protocol consisting on an initial evaluation, treatment follow-up and post-treatment evaluation is proposed.

The Protective Effect of Sertraline in Preventing Cisplatininduced Ototoxicity in Solid Organ Chemotherapy

Cisplatin, as a platinum-based chemotherapeutic medication, is applied for various types of solid tumors. Regarding the treatment of cancer cells, cisplatin is potentially accompanied with some side effects such as nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and ototoxicity in spite of high efficacy of Cisplatin. The present study aimed to determine whether the use of oral sertraline can contribute to preserve hearing threshold among the patients who receive cisplatin or not. This research has done for one year, along with a 3 months course and follow-up. This is a double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial study. The study was conducted in Oncology Clinic and Audiology Department of Firoozgar University Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Among 112 patients, 79 patients who were suffering from different types of solid tumors and were candidates for receiving cisplatin for chemotherapy treatment were selected. The grade of hearing impairment and otoacoustic emission in the first day and the last stage of the study was used for data analysis. Among 112 patients, 79 patients were randomly selected to receive either sertraline (50 mg/d) as the case group, or placebo as the control group. Before and after the treatments, the patients were assessed by High-Frequency Audiometry and dpOAE tests. First, the two groups were distributed homogeneously based on sex and age. Based on Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), the Ototoxicity Grade indicated a significantly lower grade of deficits in the Sertraline group (p<0.001), compared to that of the control group. In addition, a significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding the changes in the threshold of dpOAE (p=0.000). The daily consumption of sertraline (50 mg/d) among the adults who were candidates for chemotherapy treatment with cisplatin could result in preserving the hearing threshold significantly.

Long-term hearing outcomes after recurrent acute otitis media during early childhood

Objective: To survey long-term hearing outcomes and middle ear pathology in a 30-year follow-up in individuals with onset of recurrent acute otitis media (rAOM) before three years of age.Methods: 28 adults, aged 30.1–31.8 years, who originally – at the age of 12–32 months – participated in a study on rAOM between 1979 and 1983, were re-examined regarding self-reported ear problems, current tympanic membrane changes and audiology. Thirteen subjects had suffered from rAOM during early childhood and 15 subjects served as a control group.Results: Recurrent acute otitis media subjects reported hearing problems comparable to those of the controls. Pure tone audiometry, at 125–8000 Hz, did not differ between groups. The rAOM group had a trend for impaired high-frequency (9000–14,000 Hz) threshold levels (9000–14,000 Hz); implying that their cochlear function seemed to have deteriorated.Conclusions: Adults, who suffered from recurrent acute otitis media as infants, did not show any clinically significant hearing loss for pure tone audiometry when compared to controls, but there was a trend for impaired results regarding extended high frequency audiometry (9–14 kHz). Children suffering from rAOM will be at low risk of developing hearing loss and severe middle ear disease.