Moderate Hearing Loss Research Articles

Modeling the Intelligibility Benefit of Active Noise Cancelation in Hearing Devices That Improve Signal-to-Noise Ratio.

The extent to which active noise cancelation (ANC), when combined with hearing assistance, can improve speech intelligibility in noise is not well understood. One possible source of benefit is ANC's ability to reduce the sound level of the direct (i.e., vent-transmitted) path. This reduction lowers the "floor" imposed by the direct path, thereby allowing any increases to the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) created in the amplified path to be "realized" at the eardrum. Here we used a modeling approach to estimate this benefit. We compared pairs of simulated hearing aids that differ only in terms of their ability to provide ANC and computed intelligibility metrics on their outputs. The difference in metric scores between simulated devices is termed the "ANC Benefit." These simulations show that ANC Benefit increases as (1) the environmental sound level increases, (2) the ability of the hearing aid to improve SNR increases, (3) the strength of the ANC increases, and (4) the hearing loss severity decreases. The predicted size of the ANC Benefit can be substantial. For a moderate hearing loss, the model predicts improvement in intelligibility metrics of >30% when environments are moderately loud (>70 dB SPL) and devices are moderately capable of increasing SNR (by >4 dB). It appears that ANC can be a critical ingredient in hearing devices that attempt to improve SNR in loud environments. ANC will become more and more important as advanced SNR-improving algorithms (e.g., artificial intelligence speech enhancement) are included in hearing devices.

Genetic characteristic analysis of slight-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss in children

Objective:To analyze genetic factors and phenotype characteristics in pediatric population with slight-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss. Methods:Children with slight-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss of and their parents, enrolled from the Chinese Deafness Genome Project, were studied. Hearing levels were assessed using pure tone audiometry, behavioral audiometry, auditory steady state response（ASSR）, auditory brainstem response（ABR） thresholds, and deformed partial otoacoustic emission（DPOAE）. Classification of hearing loss is according to the 2022 American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics（ACMG） Clinical Practice Guidelines for Hearing Loss. Whole exome sequencing（WES） and deafness gene Panel testing were performed on peripheral venous blood from probands and validations were performed on their parents by Sanger sequencing. Results:All 134 patients had childhood onset, exhibiting bilateral symmetrical slight-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss, as indicated by audiological examinations. Of the 134 patients, 29（21.6%） had a family history of hearing loss, and the rest were sporadic patients. Genetic causative genes were identified in 66（49.3%） patients. A total of 11 causative genes were detected, of which GJB2 was causative in 34 cases（51.5%）, STRC in 10 cases（15.1%）, MPZL2 gene in six cases（9.1%）, and USH2A in five cases（7.6%）.The most common gene detected in slight-to-moderate hearing loss was GJB2, with c. 109G>A homozygous mutation found in 16 cases（47.1%） and c. 109G>A compound heterozygous mutation in 9 cases（26.5%）. Conclusion:This study provides a crucial genetic theory reference for early screening and detection of mild to moderate hearing loss in children, highlighting the predominance of recessive inheritance and the significance of gene like GJB2, STRC, MPZL2, USH2A.

Bilateral Hearing Loss after Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Background: Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, flammable gas that is formed by the incomplete combustion of fuels and binds to hemoglobin with 200 to 250 times greater affinity compared to oxygen. As a result, blood oxygen-carrying capacity is reduced when CO is bound to hemoglobin. Reversible and irreversible unilateral or bilateral hearing loss due to CO poisoning has rarely been reported. We present a case of an 18-year-old previously healthy male with bilateral hearing loss after severe CO poisoning. Case Report: An 18-year-old male with no past medical history presented to the emergency department (ED) after being found unconscious with emesis in his vehicle. He failed to respond to Naloxone. In the ED, he was obtunded with vital signs significant only for tachycardia of 115 bpm. Initial workup revealed leukocytosis (WBC 16.0 10*3/uL), hyperglycemia (glucose 195 mg/dl ) and high sensitivity troponin elevation (131 ng/L). Electrocardiogram revealed sinus tachycardia with an incomplete right bundle branch block. Head CT and urine drug immunoassay were negative. Several hours after ED arrival, it was reported that the vehicle had a known problem with the exhaust pipe. The patient remained unresponsive for several hours. Approximately 6 hours after ED arrival, a carboxyhemoglobin level was ordered and returned at 9.5%. A non-rebreather oxygen mask was applied and the patient began waking up shortly after. Prior to receiving the first session of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO2), the patient complained of bilateral hearing loss with tinnitus. Three sessions of HBO2 were done in the first 24 hours. The patient remained with bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus with minimal improvement over the three day hospitalization. A 3 day course of dexamethasone 10 mg daily was given. Audiological testing was not performed prior to discharge. Six months after discharge, he continued to have tinnitus and hearing loss though endorsed improvement. His audiogram shows moderate hearing loss. Discussion: CO poisoning is a rare cause of hearing loss. Tinnitus with hearing loss is reported even less. The mechanism for hearing loss in the setting of CO poisoning has not been identified however it is believed to be due to tissue hypoxia. The pattern of hearing loss after acute or chronic CO poisoning is typically sensorineural and could be unilateral or bilateral, reversible or irreversible. HBO2 is commonly used to treat severe CO poisoning, and occasionally to treat idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss (ISNHL). However, HBO2 has not been described for the sole purpose of treating CO-associated hearing loss. Corticosteroids have been shown to prevent delayed neuropsychiatric sequelae after CO poisoning and to treat ISNHL, but no reported cases with CO hearing loss. Due to the potential benefits of these relatively benign interventions, the patient was treated with HBO2 and corticosteroids with improvement in symptoms. Conclusion: Hearing loss is a rare clinical manifestation of carbon monoxide poisoning with few reported cases in the literature. Resulting hearing loss may be unilateral or bilateral, and reversible or irreversible.

Severity and Types of Hearing Loss in Patients with Hypertrophic Adenoids

Background: Hearing loss in children can significantly impact language development and social interaction. Hypertrophic adenoids are a common pediatric condition that can contribute to hearing impairments. Understanding the prevalence and severity of hearing loss in this demographic is crucial for effective management and intervention strategies. Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of hearing loss among children with hypertrophic adenoids, assessing the demographic characteristics and the types of hearing loss observed in this population. Methods: This observational cross-sectional survey was conducted over nine months at the Children's Hospital and Institute of Child Health, University of Lahore Teaching Hospital. The study included a sample size of 339 children aged 5-13 years, calculated based on a prevalence rate of 67.3% for mild hearing loss. Children with comorbidities like Down syndrome, Autism, ADHD, and other disabilities were excluded. Hearing assessments were conducted using an otoscope, a tympanometer, and a diagnostic audiometer (MAICO MA41 model). Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 25.0, focusing on the frequency and percentage of various types of hearing loss. Results: The study included 183 males (54%) and 156 females (46%), with a higher representation from rural areas (60%, n=203). Tympanometric analysis revealed 51.9% (n=176) with Type A tympanograms, 43.1% (n=146) with Type B, and 5% (n=17) with Type C. Audiometric results showed that 53.1% (n=180) of participants had normal hearing levels, while 27.1% (n=92) experienced mild hearing loss, 16.2% (n=55) had moderate hearing loss, 3.5% (n=12) had moderately severe hearing loss, 1.5% (n=5) had sensorineural hearing loss, and 2.1% (n=7) had mixed hearing loss. Conclusion: The study demonstrates a significant occurrence of mild to moderate conductive hearing loss in children with hypertrophic adenoids, particularly in rural settings. These findings highlight the need for regular auditory screening and early intervention strategies in this demographic to prevent long-term speech and language complications.

The Implementation of the K-Medoid Clustering for Grouping Hearing Loss Function on Excessive Smartphone Use

During the current pandemic, smartphones have become a means of learning for all students in Indonesia, including high school students. Students use smartphones to send assignments, learn via video calls, and conduct online exams. The prolonged use of smartphones, from the beginning of learning hours in the morning to study hours in the evening, has a terrible impact on the ear health of high school students in Padang. Excessive smartphone use caused a decrease in the student's hearing function. Therefore, this study aims to group the audiometry results of high school students in Padang who have a hearing loss function. The audiogram result is only performed as the result of a frequency test of the subject's hearing in both the left and right ear. Conventionally, an otolaryngologist concluded the final decision of hearing loss ability. This research proposed an automatic classification of audiometry results using machine learning methods. The K-Medoids clustering was selected to classify the audiometry data in this research. Of 210 audiometry data, 91 data is confirmed by an otolaryngologist as valid data. By using the K-Medoids clustering, 93 data is classified into Normal hearing, Mild Hearing loss, and Moderate Hearing loss. The proposed model successfully grouped the audiometry data into three categories. The confusion matrix is applied to measure the model performance, which has 28,3% accuracy, 64,3% precision, and 21,4% recall.

Prevalence of Hearing Loss Associated with Diabetes Mellitus and Hypercholesterolemia

Background: The relationship between hearing loss and metabolic disorders, particularly diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia, has emerged as a critical research focus. The intricate interplay between these systemic conditions and auditory health poses significant implications for global public health, warranting comprehensive exploration and intervention strategies. Objective: To determine the prevalence of hearing loss associated with diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Settings: Department of ENT, CMH, Multan Pakistan. Duration: From November 2022 to April 2023. Methods: Total 153 adult patients aged 18 years and above of either gender with known history of diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia although without a history of pre-existing auditory disorders, congenital hearing impairment, or any other systemic conditions known to affect hearing were included. Patients with a history of known auditory disorders, pre-existing hearing impairment, or other systemic conditions such as autoimmune diseases or neurodegenerative disorders affecting hearing were excluded. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients before their inclusion in the study. Fasting blood samples were collected for the assessment of metabolic parameters. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Results: The mean age of the patients was 45.2 ± 8.7 years. Gender distribution revealed that 78 patients (51%) were male, while 75(49%) were female. Of the total patients, 27 (18%) had hearing loss, while the majority, 126(82%), had normal hearing. Mild hearing loss was identified in 15(10%), moderate hearing loss in 8(5%), and severe hearing loss in 4(3%) patients. Regarding the type of hearing loss, sensorineural impairment was the most common, affecting 20(13%), followed by conductive hearing loss in 5(3%), and mixed hearing loss in 2(1%) patients. Conclusion: The prevalence of hearing loss associated with diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia underscores the multifaceted nature of health conditions and their impact on sensory functions.

The Implementation of the K-Medoid Clustering for Grouping Hearing Loss Function on Excessive Smartphone Use

During the current pandemic, smartphones have become a means of learning for all students in Indonesia, including high school students. Students use smartphones to send assignments, learn via video calls, and conduct online exams. The prolonged use of smartphones, from the beginning of learning hours in the morning to study hours in the evening, has a terrible impact on the ear health of high school students in Padang. Excessive smartphone use caused a decrease in the student's hearing function. Therefore, this study aims to group the audiometry results of high school students in Padang who have a hearing loss function. The audiogram result is only performed as the result of a frequency test of the subject's hearing in both the left and right ear. Conventionally, an otolaryngologist concluded the final decision of hearing loss ability. This research proposed an automatic classification of audiometry results using machine learning methods. The K-Medoids clustering was selected to classify the audiometry data in this research. Of 210 audiometry data, 91 data is confirmed by an otolaryngologist as valid data. By using the K-Medoids clustering, 93 data is classified into Normal hearing, Mild Hearing loss, and Moderate Hearing loss. The proposed model successfully grouped the audiometry data into three categories. The confusion matrix is applied to measure the model performance, which has 28,3% accuracy, 64,3% precision, and 21,4% recall.

The Implementation of the K-Medoid Clustering for Grouping Hearing Loss Function on Excessive Smartphone Use

During the current pandemic, smartphones have become a means of learning for all students in Indonesia, including high school students. Students use smartphones to send assignments, learn via video calls, and conduct online exams. The prolonged use of smartphones, from the beginning of learning hours in the morning to study hours in the evening, has a terrible impact on the ear health of high school students in Padang. Excessive smartphone use caused a decrease in the student's hearing function. Therefore, this study aims to group the audiometry results of high school students in Padang who have a hearing loss function. The audiogram result is only performed as the result of a frequency test of the subject's hearing in both the left and right ear. Conventionally, an otolaryngologist concluded the final decision of hearing loss ability. This research proposed an automatic classification of audiometry results using machine learning methods. The K-Medoids clustering was selected to classify the audiometry data in this research. Of 210 audiometry data, 91 data is confirmed by an otolaryngologist as valid data. By using the K-Medoids clustering, 93 data is classified into Normal hearing, Mild Hearing loss, and Moderate Hearing loss. The proposed model successfully grouped the audiometry data into three categories. The confusion matrix is applied to measure the model performance, which has 28,3% accuracy, 64,3% precision, and 21,4% recall.

Pyogenic Granuloma of External Auditory Canal: A Case Report

The external auditory canal is an atypical location for pyogenic granuloma (PG) to originate. We report a case of PG in a 15-year-old boy's external auditory canal. He experienced reduced hearing and occasional blood-tinged ear discharge for 8 months. Examination revealed a pinkish-soft mass occluding the canal lumen. Pure tone audiogram showed 42 dB moderate conductive hearing loss in the right ear. High-resolution computed tomography showed a well- defined, homogenously enhancing soft tissue density lesion in the canal. The mass was completely excised, and post-operative histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of PG. No recurrence was observed during the six-month follow-up period. PG should be considered in the differential diagnosis of external auditory canal lesions.

Congenital Deafness and Deaf-Mutism: A Historical Perspective.

Hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit and one of the most common congenital abnormalities. The estimated prevalence of moderate and severe hearing loss in a normal newborn is 0.1-0.3%, while the prevalence is 2-4% in newborns admitted to the newborn intensive care unit. Therefore, early detection and prompt treatment are of utmost importance in preventing the unwanted sequel of hearing loss on normal language development. The problem of congenital deafness is today addressed on the one hand with hearing screening at birth, on the other with the early (at around 3 months of age) application of hearing aids or, in case of lack of benefit, by the cochlear implant. Molecular genetics, antibody tests for some viruses, and diagnostic imaging have largely contributed to an effective etiological classification. A correct diagnosis and timely fitting of hearing aids or cochlear implants is useful for deaf children. The association between congenital deafness and "mutism", with all the consequences on/the consideration that deaf mutes have had since ancient times, not only from a social point of view but also from a legislative point of view, continued until the end of the nineteenth century, with the development on one side of new methods for the rehabilitation of language and on the other of sign language. But we need to get to the last decades of the last century to have, on the one hand, the diffusion of "universal newborn hearing screening", the discovery of the genetic causes of over half of congenital deafness, and on the other hand the cochlear implants that have allowed thousands of children born deaf the development of normal speech. Below, we will analyze the evolution of the problem between deafness and deaf-mutism over the centuries, with particular attention to the nineteenth century.

Inquiring Life span Impact of Mild and Moderate Hearing Impairment on Diverse Aspects of Development

The current study was particularly designed to endeavor the effects of hearing impairment on the developmental dimensionsof persons with hearing impairment. Mild and moderate hearing impairment was assumed to be as independent factor having mild and moderate levels of losses. Multidimensional developmental dimensionsof persons with hearing impairment were taken to be as dependent variables such as cognition, physical, moral, social as well as economicdevelopments. The parents as well as relatives of the persons with hearing impairment from Faisalabad, Jhang and Chiniot citieswere chosen as the population of the study while sample was comprised ofn=208 participantschosen through purposive sampling technique. Effects were stronger among older n=51 with mean ages 69 years (65-74 years) than youngern=72 with mean ages 36 years (20-44 years) and middle aged n=77 with mean ages 58 years (45-64 years) manifesting long lasting effects of independent variable (hearing impairment) on dependent variables (developmental dimensions) of persons with mild and moderate hearing losses. The results of the study revealed monotonically increasing function of developmental dimensions that is affected by the level of disability as in the case of hearing impairment, the effects of disability on the person’s developmental dimensions always increase or remain constant and never decrease in any case or in any circumstances at any stage of life.

THE ASSOCIATION OF HEARING LOSS AND FRAILTY AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN THE US

Abstract Frailty is common in older adults and increases the risk of functional limitations and death. Hearing loss affects ~2/3 of older adults in the U.S. and is associated with poorer physical and cognitive function and social isolation, which may increase the risk for frailty. We aimed to determine if hearing loss is associated with higher odds of being frail or pre-frail versus robust and if hearing aid use is protective. We analyzed data from 2,361 participants from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHTAS), a U.S. nationally representative sample of older adults, collected in 2021. Hearing was assessed by pure-tone audiometric testing, and we used a speech-frequency (0.5-4 kHz) better hearing ear’s pure-tone average (BPTA) to categorize participants into no hearing loss (BPTA≤25 dB HL), mild (26-40), and moderate or greater (>40) hearing loss. Physical frailty was categorized according to the presence of the frailty phenotype components (unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, weakness, slow walking speed) into robust (0), pre-frail (1-2), and frail (≥3). In our study population (mean age=81, 56% female, 19% Black), there were 1,724 (73%) participants with hearing loss. Using multinomial logistic regression, we found that participants with moderate or greater hearing loss (vs. those without) had higher odds of being frail versus robust (OR=1.82, 95% CI 1.11, 2.99, p-trend=0.016). Hearing loss may be a risk factor for frailty. Future studies on the impact of hearing interventions in preventing and managing frailty will have significant public health and clinical importance.

AN INTERDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO ADDRESSING HEARING LOSS IN THE INPATIENT SETTING TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION

Abstract Nearly half of all adults over 60 years of age have hearing loss which is associated with decreased satisfaction with care, higher risk of readmission, and longer length of stay. These associations may be mediated by the barriers hearing loss places on patient-provider communication. There is a paucity of sustainable programs focused on addressing hearing loss among older adults in the inpatient. An interdisciplinary collaborative team comprising audiologists, geriatricians, and nurses developed and implemented a quality initiative to address hearing loss in the inpatient setting in two medical inpatient units at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center that started with offering 16 training session slots to raise awareness of hearing loss and teach technologic, environmental, and communication considerations for adults with hearing loss. Over a 3-month period, 543 of 644 admitted patients were screened for hearing loss using a sustainable model built into the admission process. Those without hearing loss (52.6%) received no intervention, those with mild loss (31.3%) received signage in the room reminding providers of training, and those with moderate or greater loss (16.1%) received signage and an amplifier. At discharge, 79% and 81.6% of those with mild and moderate hearing loss indicated improved communication during their current stay relative to previous stays. Notably, a larger proportion of those without hearing loss (52.9%) also indicated improved communication. A post study survey among 18 nurses suggested themes of moderate (33%) desiring more training and overwhelming perceptions (94.4%) the program didn’t interfere with other duties and made communication with patients easier.

Comparisons of air-conduction hearing thresholds between manual and automated methods in a commercial audiometer.

To investigate the correlation of air-conduction thresholds between automated audiometry in a non-isolated environment and manual audiometry in participants with normal hearing and different degrees of hearing loss. Eighty-three participants aged 11-88 years old underwent automated pure-tone audiometry in a non-acoustically isolated environment, and the results were compared with those of manual pure-tone audiometry performed in a standard acoustically isolated booth, with the order of testing randomised. Six frequencies of 250, 500, 1,000, 2000, 4,000 and 8,000 Hz were tested. All 166 ears were completed and 996 valid hearing threshold data were obtained, with 28 data exceeding the 95% confidence interval in the Bland-Altman plot, accounting for 2.81% of all data. The means and standard deviations of the differences for the six frequencies from 250 to 8,000 Hz were, respectively, 0.63 ± 5.31, 0.69 ± 4.50, 0.45 ± 4.99, 0.3 ± 6.2, -0.15 ± 4.8, and 0.21 ± 4.97 dB. The correlation coefficients of the two test results for normal hearing, mild, moderate, severe and above hearing loss groups were 0.95, 0.92, 0.97, and 0.96, respectively. The correlation coefficient of the automated and manual audiometry thresholds for the age groups under 40 years, 40-60 years, and 60 years above, were 0.98, 0.97 and 0.97, respectively, with all being statistically significant (p < 0.01). The response time of the three age groups were 791 ± 181 ms, 900 ± 190 ms and 1,063 ± 332 ms, respectively, and there was a significant difference between the groups under 40 years and over 60 years. There was good consistency between automated pure-tone audiometry in a non-acoustically isolated environment and manual pure-tone audiometry in participants with different hearing levels and different age groups.

POPULATION ATTRIBUTABLE FRACTIONS FOR THE CONTRIBUTION OF HEARING LOSS ON DEMENTIA RISK ACROSS COHORT STUDIES

Abstract Estimates range from 2-8% of dementia cases in the US are attributable to hearing loss. Here, we investigate measurement considerations in quantifying the population attributable fraction (PAF) of dementia from hearing loss to highlight how differences in methodology can underestimate the PAF. We use two cohort studies of older adults in the US: the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a nationally-representative sample of older Medicare beneficiaries; and the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study, a large, community-based cohort study with longitudinal follow-up. Each study collects reference-standard hearing measures on participants. We have two specific aims. First, we compare two valid, formula-based approaches to quantifying the PAF. The advantages of quantifying a PAF using a well-characterized, biracial, community-based sample with a longitudinal design are weighed against those of using a nationally-representative sample with a cross-sectional design (moderate or greater hearing loss: PAF in NHATS, 16.9% [95% CI: 4.1-28.7%]; PAF in ARIC, 13.2% [95% CI: 2.2-20.9%]), highlighting the need for longitudinal designs in studies of the PAF from hearing loss. Second, we describe the impact of subjective versus objective measures of hearing loss on the PAF. In ARIC, subjective hearing loss was not associated with incident dementia (hazard ratio &amp;lt;1.0). PAFs of dementia from objective hearing loss were 6- to 8-fold greater than PAFs previously quantified using self-reported hearing measures in population-based studies. Our findings have broad implications for the inclusion of hearing loss as a potentially modifiable risk factor in clinical and public health initiative for dementia prevention.

Treatment of Acute Otitis Media with Inner Ear Involvement in Adults.

Inner ear involvement (IED) is a rare local complication of the very common acute otitis media (AOM). The most beneficial treatment for IED remains a matter of debate. The aim of this study is to analyze different treatment modalities based on hearing outcomes to contribute to the discussion of therapy for IED in AOM. This retrospective study includes 112 adult patients diagnosed with AOM with IED between 2000 and 2020. Patients either received conservative (systemic antibiotic and systemic steroid therapy), interventional (conservative plus myringotomy and tympanic tube) or operative (interventional plus antrotomy) treatment. Pre- and post-treatment pure tone audiometry was performed. The hearing outcome was compared, and hearing recovery was analyzed based on modified Siegel's criteria. The pre-treatment pure tone average (PTA) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the operative group than in the other groups. All treatment modalities led to a significant hearing improvement (p < 0.001). The pre- and post-treatment hearing loss was predominantly observed in high frequencies 2-4 kHz. The operative group showed the highest rate of complete hearing recovery. While all treatment modalities led to a significant improvement in hearing, the operative group showed the most beneficial hearing results in patients with high pre-treatment hearing loss. It remains to be shown if the findings in patients with high pre-treatment hearing loss can be generalized to patients with mild or moderate pre-treatment hearing loss.

Comparing Direct-to-Consumer Devices to Hearing Aids: Amplification Accuracy for Three Types of Hearing Loss.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration finalized regulations for over-the-counter hearing aids (OTC-HAs) on August 17, 2022. Little is known about the comparative performance of OTC-HAs and prescription HAs. This study compared amplification accuracy of prescription HAs and direct-to-consumer devices (DTCDs, including personal sound amplification products [PSAPs] and OTC-HAs). Eleven devices were programmed to meet prescriptive targets in an acoustic manikin for three degrees of hearing loss. Devices consisted of high- and low-end HAs, PSAPS, and OTC-HAs. Each was tested, and deviations from target measured with an HA analyzer at every combination of 10 frequencies and low-, average-, and high-level inputs. Accuracy was compared using a multilevel Poisson model with device-specific intercepts controlling for input level, frequency, and device type. For mild-moderate hearing loss, deviations from targets were not statistically different between high- and low-end HAs, but PSAPs (5.50 dB, SE = 0.92 dB) and OTC-HAs (8.83 dB, SE = 1.10 dB) had larger differentials. For flat moderate hearing loss, compared to high-end HAs, average differentials were larger for all device types at all input levels and frequencies (Low HA: 3.82 dB, SE = 1.10 dB; PSAP: 9.24 dB, SE = 1.22 dB; OTC-HA: 8.61 dB, SE = 1.19 dB). For mild sloping to severe hearing loss, compared to high-end HAs, OTC-HAs (9.72 dB, SE = 1.20 dB) and PSAPs (7.34 dB, SE = 1.07 dB) had larger differentials and significant variability at the highest and lowest frequencies. Half (three) of the PSAPs and OTC-HAs met most targets within ±5 dB. DTCDs were unable to meet prescriptive targets for severe types of hearing loss but could meet them for mild hearing loss. This study provides an examination of current hearing devices. More research is needed to determine whether meeting prescriptive targets provides any benefit in the outcomes and performance with DTCD devices.

Electrophysiological Changes Associated with the Progression of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics and electrophysiological changes in patients with different degrees of noise-induced hearing loss compared with those of normal controls to elucidate the progression of auditory neural damage attributed to noise exposure. A retrospective cohort study was conducted through a review of the medical records for the patients who presented to a tertiary referral center. Sixty-nine participants were included in the study: 29 had noise-induced hearing loss, and 40 were healthy controls. All the participants underwent electrophysiological tests and pure-tone audiometry. Nine patients showed mild hearing loss (mild hearing loss group), while the others showed worse than moderate hearing loss on puretone audiometry (severe hearing loss group). Significantly reduced wave I and V amplitudes of auditory brainstem response were present in both mild and severe hearing loss groups compared to the control group (P -lt; .001 and P=.002, respectively), without significant differences between the mild and severe hearing loss groups. In the multivariate analysis, auditory brainstem response wave V amplitude was negatively associated with auditory brainstem response wave I-V inter-peak latency delay (B=-0.48, P=.02). The results of the present study confirm the similarity in the electrophysiological characteristics between the mild and severe hearing loss groups. Thus, widespread disruption in the auditory neural conduction could have been established in the early period when the patient developed mild hearing loss following noise exposure.

Assessing the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial examining the effect of hearing aids on cognitive decline in elderly individuals: a study protocol

IntroductionHearing loss is one of the leading potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia. There is growing evidence suggesting that treating hearing loss with hearing aids could be a relatively low-cost...

Hearing and Hearing Loss Progression in Patients with GJB2 Gene Mutations: A Long-Term Follow-Up.

We aimed to investigate whether the degree of hearing loss with GJB2 mutations could be predicted by distinguishing between truncating and non-truncating mutations and whether the genotype could predict the hearing loss level. Additionally, we examined the progression of hearing loss in individuals monitored for over 2 years for an average of 6.9 years. The proportion of truncating mutations was higher in patients with profound and severe hearing loss, but it was not accurate enough to predict the degree of hearing loss. Via genotype analysis, mutations of the p.Arg143Trp variants were associated with profound hearing loss, while mutations of the p.Leu79Cysfs*3 allele exhibited a wide range of hearing loss, suggesting that specific genotypes can predict the hearing loss level. Notably, there were only three cases of progression in four ears, all of which involved the p.Leu79Cysfs*3 mutation. Over the long-term follow-up, 4000 Hz was significant, and there was a trend of progression at 250 Hz, suggesting that close monitoring at these frequencies during follow-up may be crucial to confirm progression. The progression of hearing loss was observed in moderate or severe hearing loss cases at the time of the initial diagnosis, emphasizing that children with this level of hearing loss need regular follow-ups.