High Frequency Pure Tone Research Articles

Association between the systemic immuno-inflammation index and hearing loss: result from NHANES 2009-2018.

A novel inflammatory marker that measures the degree of systemic immunoinflammation, the systemic immuno-inflammation index (SII) is frequently used to forecast a number of illnesses. According to earlier studies, inflammation may play a role in the pathophysiology of hearing loss (HL). A sample from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) covering the years 2009 to 2018 was used in the current cross-sectional survey. Subgroup analysis and weighted multiple linear regression models were used to examine the independent linear correlation between SII and HL. Fitted smoothed curve analyses were also conducted to show the non-linear relationship between the two variables. Among the 8,535 participants, the mean age was 40.92 ± 18.6 years, with 49.01% being male. Notably, individuals with hearing loss demonstrated an SII of 530.00 ± 320.72, while those with normal hearing displayed an SII of 491.21 ± 265.15. The mean ± SD values of low-frequency, speech-frequency, and high-frequency Pure Tone Average (PTA) hearing thresholds were 10.33 ± 9.79, 12.20 ± 11.11, and 22.48 ± 19.49 dB, respectively. A positive dose-response relationship between higher SII and hearing thresholds was observed after adjusting for potential confounders. Furthermore, the interaction analysis did not reveal any significant impact on this positive correlation. The results of our investigation suggest that the Systemic Inflammatory Index may serve as a potential biomarker for the likelihood of hearing loss. However, additional research is required to further elucidate the nature of this association.

Digits-in-Noise Test as an Assessment Tool for Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between an American English Digits in Noise (DIN) test and commonly used audiological measures to evaluate the DIN test's ability to detect hearing loss and validate hearing aid fitting. QuickSIN and DIN tests were completed by participants with untreated hearing loss (n = 46), prescription hearing aids (n = 15), and over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids (n = 12). Performance on the QuickSIN showed moderate positive correlations with DIN for untreated hearing loss participants and prescription hearing aid users, but not for OTC hearing aid users. For untreated hearing loss participants, both QuickSIN and DIN tests showed positive moderate to strong correlations with high frequency puretone averages. In OTC users, DIN scores did not significantly change over a 6-month time period and were better when conducted remotely compared to in-person testing. Our results suggest that the DIN test may be a feasible monitoring option for individuals with hearing loss and those fitted with hearing aids. However, due to small sample size in this pilot study, future research is needed to examine DIN test's utility for fitting and validating OTC hearing aids.

Predictive model for aminoglycoside induced ototoxicity.

Irreversible hearing loss is a well-known adverse effect of aminoglycosides, however, inability to accurately predict ototoxicity is a major limitation in clinical care. We addressed this limitation by developing a prediction model for aminoglycoside ototoxicity applicable to the general population. We employed a prospective non-drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), non-HIV/AIDS cohort of 153 adults on Streptomycin based anti-TB therapy. High frequency pure-tone audiometry was done at regular intervals throughout the study. Clinical and audiological predictors of ototoxicity were collated and ototoxic threshold shift from the baseline audiogram computed. The prediction model was developed with logistic regression method by examining multiple predictors of ototoxicity. Series of models were fitted sequentially; the best model was identified using Akaike Information Criterion and likelihood ratio test. Key variables in the final model were used to develop a logit model for ototoxicity prediction. Ototoxicity occurred in 35% of participants. Age, gender, weight, cumulative Streptomycin dosage, social class, baseline pure tone average (PTA) and prior hearing symptoms were explored as predictors. Multiple logistic regression showed that models with age, cumulative dosage and baseline PTA were best for predicting ototoxicity. Regression parameters for ototoxicity prediction showed that yearly age increment raised ototoxicity risk by 5% (AOR = 1.05; CI, 1.01-1.09), and a gram increase in cumulative dosage increased ototoxicity risk by 7% (AOR = 1.05; CI, 1.05-1.12) while a unit change in baseline log (PTA) was associated 254% higher risk of ototoxicity (AOR = 3.54, CI: 1.25, 10.01). Training and validation models had area under the receiver operating characteristic curve as 0.84 (CI, 0.76-0.92) and 0.79 (CI, 0.62-0.96) respectively, showing the model has discriminatory ability. This model can predict aminoglycoside ototoxicity in the general population.

Analysis of clinical audiological characteristics of noise-induced silent hearing loss

Objective: To explore the characteristics of audiology examination of Noise-Induced Hidden Hearing Loss (NIHHL), and then explore its valuable diagnostic methods.Methods: A total of 80 young men aged between 19 and 35 were selected. They were classified into the experimental group with noise exposure history and the control group without noise exposure history, with 40 men in each group. We carried out extended high-frequency audiometry test for good ears; conducted speech in noise measurement and distortion product emission for good ears; DPOAE test, compare and analyze the results of each test.Results: The extended high frequency hearing threshold test results showed that the hearing threshold of the experimental group was larger than that of the control group at the frequency above 8kHz, with significant statistical difference (p < .01). The results of speech audiometry under noise showed that the signal-to-noise ratio loss in the experimental group was greater than that in the control group, with a significant statistical difference (p < .01). The results of otoacoustic emission showed that the signal-to-noise ratio of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group at the frequency of 6 kHz and above, with a statistically significant difference (p < .01). There is a correlation between pure tone audiometry and DPOAE test results at high frequencies (6 kHz: p <. 0001, r = -.478; 8 kHz: p < .0001, r = -.491;) ; There was a correlation between speech audiometry and DPOAE test results under noise (p = .031, r = -.299).Conclusion: Compared with the control group, the extended high frequency pure tone hearing threshold increased or could not be elicited in the experimental group, speech recognition ability decreased significantly under noise, DPOAE was normally elicited but signal-to-noise ratio decreased, and there was a certain correlation between them. The above three audiological examination methods have a certain reference value for early recognition of hidden hearing loss.

Association between nineteen dietary fatty acids and hearing thresholds: findings from a nationwide survey

IntroductionHearing loss is a prevalent health concern, and dietary factors, such as fatty acid intake, may play a role in its development. The current study aimed to investigate the association between the intake of dietary fatty acids and hearing thresholds among U.S. adults.MethodsThe researchers examined data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), including 7,623 participants with available dietary fatty acid intake and audiometry data. Dietary fatty acid intake was assessed using dietary recalls, and hearing thresholds were measured using pure-tone audiometry. Multivariate linear regression models and smoothing curve fitting were utilized to explore the associations between dietary fatty acid intake and hearing thresholds, adjusting for relevant covariates.ResultsThis study reveals a direct association between both low and high frequency pure tone average (PTA) hearing thresholds and the dietary intake of total saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Conversely, the intake of total monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) demonstrates an inverted U-shaped correlation with low-frequency and high-frequency PTA hearing thresholds, having inflection points at 11.91 (energy (%)) and 10.88 (energy (%)), respectively.ConclusionDietary intake of certain fatty acids may influence hearing thresholds in adults.

Characterizing Electrophysiological Response Properties of the Peripheral Auditory System Evoked by Phonemes in Normal and Hearing Impaired Ears.

This study aimed to characterize time and spectral domain characteristics of the phoneme-evoked electrocochleography (ECochG) response and explore potential associations between the ECochG spectral content, word recognition scores (WRSs), residual hearing, and aging in normal and hearing-impaired listeners. This was a prospective study with 25 adult participants. All participants underwent intraoperative ECochG testing and responses were recorded from the round window niche. Participants were divided into two groups based on their preoperative pure tone average: normal/mild sensorineural hearing loss and moderate/moderately-severe sensorineural hearing loss. Target stimuli were a 40 ms /da/ and an 80 ms /ba/ presented in alternating polarity (rarefaction/condensation). Waveform response patterns were analyzed including amplitude, latency, and spectra. Structural similarity index measure (SSIM) was used to determine similarity between the stimulus spectrum and that of the ECochG differential waveform. Correlation analyses were carried out among pure tone average, SSIM, age, and WRS. ECochG alternating waveform morphology evoked by the /da/ stimulus consisted of five prominent peaks labeled N 1 -N 5 . Its spectrum was dominated by the fundamental (F 0 ) frequency. The ECochG alternating response evoked by /ba/ consisted of nine prominent peaks labeled N 1 -N 9 and was also dominated by F 0 . Amplitudes and latencies were not statistically different between groups for both stimuli. Significant positive correlations were found between SSIM and WRS for responses evoked by /da/ (r = 0.56) and responses evoked by /ba/ (r = 0.67). High frequency pure tone average and the /ba/ SSIM were found to have a significant negative correlation (r = -0.58). Speech-like stimuli have become increasingly utilized in the assessment of auditory function. Here, we provided the groundwork for understanding how commonly employed syllable stimuli are encoded by the peripheral auditory system in regard to temporal and spectral characteristics. Expanding this work to include measurements of central auditory processing in conjunction with cochlear physiology is warranted to further understand the relationship between peripheral and central encoding of speech-like stimuli.

Calibration and initial validation of a low-cost computer-based screening audiometer coupled to consumer insert phone-earmuff combination for boothless audiometry

Objective To undertake calibration and preliminary validation of a custom-designed computer-based screening audiometer connected to consumer insert phone-earmuff combination for adult pure tone audiometry. Design Part 1 involved electroacoustic measurement and biological calibration of a laptop-earphone pair used for the computer-based audiometry (CBA). Part 2 compared CBA thresholds obtained without a sound booth with those measured using the gold-standard clinical audiometry. Study sample 17 young normal-hearing volunteers (Part 1) and 43 normal and hearing loss subjects (Part 2) recruited from an audiology clinic via convenience sampling. Results The transducer-device combination produced outputs suitable for measuring thresholds down to 0 dB HL. Threshold pairs obtained from the CBA and clinical audiometry were highly correlated (Spearman’s correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.92, p < 0.0001) and had a good degree of agreement (mean difference of −1.06 ± 7.63 dB). Also, the CBA showed about 90% sensitivity and 80% specificity for detecting hearing loss based on low (0.5, 1, 2 kHz) and high frequency (4, 8 kHz) pure tone averages of >25 dB HL. Conclusions The use of a computer-based audiometer application with consumer insert phone-earmuff combination can offer a cost-effective solution for boothless screening audiometry.

ZABURZENIA ŚLIMAKOWE U PACJENTÓW Z BIELACTWEM

BackgroundVitiligo is a common chronic disease of pigmentation, which may be accompanied by audiological abnormalities.Material and methodsThe aim of this study was to assess vitiligo patients in terms of hearing thresholds using conventional pure tone audiometry (0.25 to 8 kHz), high frequency pure tone audiometry (10 and 12.5 kHz), as well as Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAEs). We correlated the audiometric findings with vitiligo duration and severity. The study included 75 subjects with a mean age of 29.7 ± 8.6 years. There were 50 vitiligo patients and 25 age and gender matched healthy controls who had never had any audiological condition or exposed to excessive noise.ResultsOnly 24% of vitiligo patients had high frequency sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) using conventional audiometry and the majority (76%) had bilaterally normal hearing. The majority (90%) of vitiligo patients had SNHL in extended high frequency audiometry. There was a statistically significant difference between the cases and controls regarding TEOAE SNR at 5 kHz, and nearly half of the normal hearers had an abnormal TEOAE. Vitiligo patients were found to have subclinical inner ear dysfunction compared with the controls. There was a statistically significant correlation between PTA and age of the patients but not with vitiligo duration or severity.ConclusionsThe audiometric findings of the vitiligo group and the statistically significant differences from the control group suggest a subclinical involvement of the cochlea, probably related to the vitiligo condition, but not affected by vitiligo duration or severity. We therefore recommend the use of extended high frequency audiometry and otoacoustic emission tests for early detection of inner ear involvement in vitiligo.

High frequency sensitivity to interaural onset time differences in the bat inferior colliculus

Many neurons in the auditory midbrain are tuned to binaural cues. Two prominent binaural cues are the interaural level difference (ILD) and the interaural time difference (ITD). The ITD cue can further be subdivided into the ongoing envelope ITD cues and transient onset ITD cues. More is known about the sensitivity of single neurons to ongoing envelope ITDs compared to transient onset ITDs in the mammalian auditory system, particularly in bats. The current study examines the response properties of single neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC) of the big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus, to onset ITDs in response to high frequency pure tones. Measures of neurons’ dynamic ITD response revealed an average change of 36% of its maximum response within the behaviorally relevant range of ITDs (±50 µs). Across all IC neurons, we measured an average time-intensity trading ratio of 30 µs/dB in the sensitivity of the ITD response function to changing ILDs. Minimum and maximum ITD responses were clustered within a narrow range of ITDs. The average peak in the ITD response function was at 268 µs, a finding that is consistent with other non-echolocating mammals. Some ITD-sensitive neurons also showed weak facilitation of maximum response during binaural stimulation, compared to monaural stimulation. These results suggest that echolocating bats possess the potential to use onset ITD cues to assist in the azimuthal sound localization of ultrasonic frequencies.

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.

Rib Design for Improving the Local Stiffness of Gearbox Housing for Agricultural Electric Vehicles

In this work, a rib design process is proposed to improve the local stiffness of gearbox housing for agricultural electric vehicles. Unlike conventional engines, electric powertrain noise includes high frequency factors and pure tones. Considering these characteristics, local stiffness was evaluated in the frequency range of interest for the prediction of dynamic behavior. The local stiffness of the gearbox housing was evaluated using the finite element (FE) model. Experimental modal analysis and FE model update were conducted to ensure the reliability of the results. Using the results of local stiffness evaluations, the stiffness weak point was identified, and the rib design location was selected through a strain analysis. The shape of the ribs was parameterized by width, length, and height, and parameter studies were used to compare the local stiffness increase rate according to the rib design pattern. According to the results, the stiffness increase rate against the same mass was distributed differently according to the rib shape, and the most efficient rib shape was selected from a manufacturing perspective.

Audiovestibular functions in chronic kidney disease in relation to haemodialysis.

Several studies have reported that the audiovestibular system is affected in patients with chronic kidney disease. This study aimed to investigate how the audiovestibular system is affected in patients with various stages of chronic kidney disease. Sixty participants were divided into three groups: group 1 - controls; group 2 - chronic kidney disease patients receiving conservative treatment; and group 3 - chronic kidney disease patients undergoing regular haemodialysis. Assessments included: standard and high-frequency audiometry and otoacoustic emissions testing, oculomotor tests, and combined vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials testing. Fifty per cent of group 2 and 60 per cent of group 3 had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. High-frequency pure tone audiometry showed reduced detectability and higher thresholds at 12 kHz and 16 kHz in patients than in controls. Otoacoustic emissions, tracking, optokinetic and combined vestibular-evoked myogenic potential tests showed abnormal results in chronic kidney disease cases. Both the auditory and vestibular pathways are affected in different stages of chronic kidney disease. High-frequency pure tone audiometry, otoacoustic emissions and combined vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials could be performed routinely in patients with chronic kidney disease, regardless of the disease stage.

Olivocochlear Efferent Activity Is Associated With the Slope of the Psychometric Function of Speech Recognition in Noise.

The medial olivocochlear (MOC) efferent system can modify cochlear function to improve sound detection in noise, but its role in speech perception in noise is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between MOC efferent activity and performance on two speech-in-noise tasks at two signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). It was hypothesized that efferent activity would be more strongly correlated with performance at the more challenging SNR, relative to performance at the less challenging SNR. Sixteen adults aged 35 to 73 years participated. Subjects had pure-tone averages ≤25 dB HL and normal middle ear function. High-frequency pure-tone averages were computed across 3000 to 8000 Hz and ranged from 6.3 to 48.8 dB HL. Efferent activity was assessed using contralateral suppression of transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) measured in right ears, and MOC activation was achieved by presenting broadband noise to left ears. Contralateral suppression was expressed as the decibel change in TEOAE magnitude obtained with versus without the presence of the broadband noise. TEOAE responses were also examined for middle ear muscle reflex activation and synchronous spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SSOAEs). Speech-in-noise perception was assessed using the closed-set coordinate response measure word recognition task and the open-set Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers sentence task. Speech and noise were presented to right ears at two SNRs. Performance on each task was scored as percent correct. Associations between contralateral suppression and speech-in-noise performance were quantified using partial rank correlational analyses, controlling for the variables age and high-frequency pure-tone average. One subject was excluded due to probable middle ear muscle reflex activation. Subjects showed a wide range of contralateral suppression values, consistent with previous reports. Three subjects with SSOAEs had similar contralateral suppression results as subjects without SSOAEs. The magnitude of contralateral suppression was not significantly correlated with speech-in-noise performance on either task at a single SNR (p > 0.05), contrary to hypothesis. However, contralateral suppression was significantly correlated with the slope of the psychometric function, computed as the difference between performance levels at the two SNRs divided by 3 (decibel difference between the 2 SNRs) for the coordinate response measure task (partial rs = 0.59; p = 0.04) and for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers task (partial rs = 0.60; p = 0.03). In a group of primarily older adults with normal hearing or mild hearing loss, olivocochlear efferent activity assessed using contralateral suppression of TEOAEs was not associated with speech-in-noise performance at a single SNR. However, auditory efferent activity appears to be associated with the slope of the psychometric function for both a word and sentence recognition task in noise. Results suggest that individuals with stronger MOC efferent activity tend to be more responsive to changes in SNR, where small increases in SNR result in better speech-in-noise performance relative to individuals with weaker MOC efferent activity. Additionally, the results suggest that the slope of the psychometric function may be a more useful metric than performance at a single SNR when examining the relationship between speech recognition in noise and MOC efferent activity.

The effects of noise and age on the detection of ultrasonic vocalizations and pure tones by laboratory mice

Mice are frequently used to study and model age-related hearing loss (ARHL) due to similarities in human and mouse cochleae and in genetic makeup. Mice emit ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) that may be used for communication. Behavioral research has established that mice exhibit ARHL for detection of USVs and pure tones, however later in life than previously estimated by electrophysiological methods. In addition, mice showed sex-related ARHL differences for USVs but not for 42 kHz tones. In order to fully understand whether mice can be used to model ARHL it is critical to examine hearing loss for simple and complex stimuli in a variety of listening environments. In this study, detection thresholds were measured in adult mice using operant conditioning procedures and positive reinforcement. Mice were trained to detect USVs and high frequency pure tones in silence and in 50 dB white noise. The results revealed that adult mice retain hearing late into their lifespan, with very old mice exhibiting higher thresholds for USVs and pure tones in noise than in silence. The results highlight the importance of measuring hearing in awake, trained, behaving subjects when comparing ARHL across different species. [This work was supported by F31 DC016545 and R01 DC012302.]

Frequency modulation improves sensitivity to interaural timing differences at high frequencies in the presence of noise

Sensitivity to interaural timing differences (ITDs) at high frequencies has largely been attributed to slow amplitude modulations (AM) in the envelope. However, in noisy situations, high-frequency signal envelopes can easily be corrupted making AM less useful for sound localization. Previous work has shown that frequency modulation (FM) introduced into a high frequency pure tone can also yield sensitivity to ITDs. This suggests that FM may be an additional cue used by the auditory system to resolve high-frequency ITDs, which may be useful in noisy situations. This experiment tests the hypothesis that in-phase AM and FM are complementary cues that improve ITD sensitivity at high frequencies in the presence of noise. A 4-kHz tone stimulus with a fixed ITD of 500 μs was used, and had either 200 Hz AM, FM or in-phase AM + FM imposed. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) needed to achieve 70.7% correct in a left-right discrimination task was measured. Results showed that the SNR needed for FM was typically lower than AM, and AM + FM was significantly lower than either AM or FM alone. The results suggest that in-phase AM and FM may provide complementary cues that aid in discriminating ITDs at high frequencies in the presence of noise.

Auditory dysfunction in patients with Huntington’s disease

ObjectiveHuntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal, dominantly inherited, neurodegenerative disease. The main clinical features are motor impairment, progressive cognitive deterioration and behavioral changes. The aim of our study was to find out whether patients with HD suffer from disorders of the auditory system. MethodsA group of 17 genetically verified patients (11 males, 6 females) with various stages of HD (examined by UHDRS – motor part and total functional capacity, MMSE for cognitive functions) underwent an audiological examination (high frequency pure tone audiometry, otoacoustic emissions, speech audiometry, speech audiometry in babble noise, auditory brainstem responses). Additionally, 5 patients underwent a more extensive audiological examination, focused on central auditory processing. The results were compared with a group of age-matched healthy volunteers. ResultsOur results show that HD patients have physiologic hearing thresholds, otoacoustic emissions and auditory brainstem responses; however, they display a significant decrease in speech understanding, especially under demanding conditions (speech in noise) compared to age-matched controls. Additional auditory tests also show deficits in sound source localization, based on temporal and intensity cues. We also observed a statistically significant correlation between the perception of speech in noise, and motoric and cognitive functions. However, a correlation between genetic predisposition (number of triplets) and function of inner ear was not found. ConclusionsWe conclude that HD negatively influences the function of the central part of the auditory system at cortical and subcortical levels, altering predominantly speech processing and sound source lateralization. SignificanceWe have thoroughly characterized auditory pathology in patients with HD that suggests involvement of central auditory and cognitive areas.

Early detection of sensorineural hearing loss in Muckle-Wells-syndrome.

BackgroundMuckle-Wells-syndrome (MWS) is an autoinflammatory disease characterized by systemic and organ-specific inflammation due to excessive interleukin (IL)-1 release. Inner ear inflammation results in irreversible sensorineural hearing loss, if untreated. Early recognition and therapy may prevent deafness. The aims of the study were to characterize the spectrum of hearing loss, optimize the otologic assessment for early disease and determine responsiveness to anti-IL-1-therapy regarding hearing.MethodsA single center prospective cohort study of children and adults with MWS was performed. Standardized clinical, laboratory and otologic assessments including standard pure tone audiometry, additional high tone thresholds, vestibular organ testing, tinnitus evaluation and functional disability classes were determined serially. Pure-tone-average models were developed and evaluated. Risk factors for hearing loss and the impact of anti-IL-1 treatment were determined.ResultsA total of 23 patients with genetically confirmed MWS were included, of whom 63 % were females; 52 % were children. At baseline all patients had active MWS; 91 % reported clinically impaired hearing with 74 % having an abnormal standard assessment (0.5–4 kHz). In contrast, high frequency pure tone averages (HF-PTA) were abnormal in all symptomatic patients including those with early hearing loss (sensitivity 100 %). Females were at highest risk for hearing loss even after adjustment for age (p = 0.008). Treatment with IL-1 blockade resulted in improved or stable hearing in 91 % of patients.ConclusionsEarly inner ear inflammation in MWS primarily affects the high frequencies, beyond the range of standard otologic assessment tools. The HF-PTA is a sensitive tool to detect imminent hearing loss and monitor treatment response.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12969-015-0041-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Evaluation of the effects of nonlinear frequency compression on speech recognition and sound quality for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss

Objective: While potentially improving audibility for listeners with considerable high frequency hearing loss, the effects of implementing nonlinear frequency compression (NFC) for listeners with moderate high frequency hearing loss are unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of activating NFC for listeners who are not traditionally considered candidates for this technology. Design: Participants wore study hearing aids with NFC activated for a 3–4 week trial period. After the trial period, they were tested with NFC and with conventional processing on measures of consonant discrimination threshold in quiet, consonant recognition in quiet, sentence recognition in noise, and acceptableness of sound quality of speech and music. Study sample: Seventeen adult listeners with symmetrical, mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss participated. Better ear, high frequency pure-tone averages (4, 6, and 8 kHz) were 60 dB HL or better. Results: Activating NFC resulted in lower (better) thresholds for discrimination of /s/, whose spectral center was 9 kHz. There were no other significant effects of NFC compared to conventional processing. Conclusion: These data suggest that the benefits, and detriments, of activating NFC may be limited for this population.

Otoacoustic emissions recorded in people with chronic migraine

Migraine, a moderate to severe chronic headache occurring on one or both sides, is a common disease affects young people. Although hearing loss in subjects with migraine is not rare, the correlation of migraine with hearing loss is not clear. In this study, we examined hearing loss in young migraine subjects to determine if migraine may be a factor in causing cochlear dysfunction. Seven college students with migraine and three age matched subjects without history of migraine were assessed using extended high frequency audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). There was no significant difference in regular audiometry threshold between the migraine group and the control group. However, high frequency audiometry (9–16 kHz) showed thresholds at 25 dB nHL or higher in six out of twenty ears in the migraine group. The amplitude of DPOAEs were reduced for more than 10 dB in the migraine group in comparison with the control group. These data suggest that migraine may affect cochlear dysfunction evidenced by the reduced amplitude of DPOAE and high frequency pure-tone audiometry.

Comparison of the effectiveness of monitoring Cisplatin-induced ototoxicity with extended high-frequency pure-tone audiometry or distortion-product otoacoustic emission.

Background and ObjectivesTo compare the effectiveness of monitoring cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in adult patients using extended high-frequency pure-tone audiometry (EHF-PTA) or distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DP-OAE) and to evaluate the concurrence of ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity in cisplatin-treated patients.Subjects and MethodsEHF-PTA was measured at frequencies of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11.2, 12.5, 14, 16, 18, and 20 kHz and DP-OAE at frequencies of 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz in cisplatin-treated patients (n=10). Baseline evaluations were made immediately before chemotherapy and additional tests were performed before each of six cycles of cisplatin treatment. Laboratory tests to monitor nephrotoxicity were included before every cycle of chemotherapy.ResultsFour of 10 patients showed threshold changes on EHF-PTA. Five of 10 patients showed reductions in DP-OAE, but one was a false-positive result. The results of EHF-PTA and DP-OAE were consistent in two patients. Only one patient displayed nephrotoxicity on laboratory tests after the third cycle.ConclusionsIn our study, the incidence rate of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity was 40% with EHF-PTA or DP-OAE. Although both EHF-PTA and DP-OAE showed the same sensitivity in detecting ototoxicity, they did not produce the same results in all patients. These two hearing tests could be used to complement one another. Clinicians should use both tests simultaneously in every cycle of chemotherapy to ensure the detection of ototoxicity.