Hearing In Patients Research Articles

Perrault syndrome: a forgotten presentation for infertile women.

Perrault syndrome (PRLTS) is an uncommon hereditary condition distinguished by ovarian failure in females and sensorineural hearing loss. Infertility can be the presenting problem for a serious disease. History and physical examination is very essential among infertile couples. Perrault syndrome (PRLTS) is an uncommon hereditary condition distinguished by ovarian failure in females and sensorineural hearing loss. This case presentation describes a 22-year-old female from Saudi Arabia with PRLTS. The patient presented with progressive bilateral hearing loss since childhood, impacting her academic achievement. Additionally, she experienced amenorrhea since the age of 18 years, with previous investigations showing no hormonal imbalances. Other laboratory tests, including bone mineral density, kidney and liver function, electrolytes, and lipid profile, showed mostly normal results, except for a slightly abnormal lipid profile with low high-density lipoprotein and high low-density lipoprotein levels. This case highlights the challenges faced by individuals with PRLTS, specifically progressive hearing loss and gonadal dysfunction, leading to infertility. Further evaluation and management are warranted to address the patient's hearing impairment and fertility concerns, with a multidisciplinary approach involving audiology, endocrinology, and reproductive medicine.

Radiotherapy-associated Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Pediatric Oncology Patients.

During the radiotherapeutic treatment of pediatric oncology patients, they would be at a latent risk of developing ionizing radiation-induced ototoxicity when the cochlea or auditory nerve is located within the radiation field. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is an irreversible late complication of radiotherapy, and its incidence depends on various factors such as the patient's hearing sensitivity, total radiation dose to the cochlea, radiotherapy fractionation regimen, age and chemoradiation. Importantly, this complication exhibits serious challenges to adult survivors of childhood cancer, as it has been linked to impairments in academic achievement, psychosocial development, independent living skills, and employment in the survivor population. Therefore, early detection and proper management can alleviate academic, speech, language, social, and psychological morbidity arising from hearing deficits. In the present review, we have addressed issues such as underlying mechanisms of radiation-induced SNHL, audiometric findings of pediatric cancer patients treated with radiotherapy, and management and protection measures against radiation-induced ototoxicity.

What is Causing This Patient's Hearing Loss?

What is Causing This Patient's Hearing Loss?

Changes of video head impulse test before and after translabyrinthectomy in patients with acoustic neuroma.

Acoustic neuroma (AN) is a benign tumor that usually affects a patient's hearing and balance function. For the screening and diagnosis of AN, the traditional approach mainly relies on audiological examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), often ignoring the importance of vestibular function assessment in the affected area. As an emerging method of vestibular function detection, video head impulse test (vHIT) has been widely used in clinic, but research on its use in AN diagnosis is relatively limited. This study aims to explore the value of vHIT in the diagnosis of AN, vestibular dysfunction assessment, and postoperative compensation establishment in unilateral AN patients undergoing unilateral AN resection through labyrinthine approach. This retrospective study was conducted on 27 AN patients who underwent unilateral AN resection via labyrinthine approach from October 2020 to March 2022 in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University. vHIT was performed 1 week before surgery to assess vestibular function, pure tone audiometry (PTA) was used to assess hearing level, and ear MRI was used to assess tumor size. Follow-up vHIT was conducted at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year post-surgery. The correlation of vHIT with hearing and tumor size was analyzed. Preoperative vHIT showed that the posterior semicircular canal on the affected side was the most common semicircular canal with reduced vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain. There was a correlation between the VOR gain of vHIT on the affected side and the hearing level (r=-0.47, P<0.05) or tumor size (r=-0.54, P<0.01). The results of vHIT on the affected side showed that the hearing level and mean VOR gain of the anterior semicircular canal increased slightly with time, and the amplitude and saccade percentage of the dominant saccades of the 3 semicircular canals increased, while the latency time decreased, with the most obvious changes occurring 1 week post-surgery. vHIT can effectively monitor the changes of vestibular function in AN patients before and after surgery and has application value in assisting the diagnosis of vestibular dysfunction in AN patients.

Chapter 5: Setting the Hearing Aid Response and Verifying Signal Processing and Features with Real-Ear Probe Microphone Measures.

The real-ear probe microphone system provides a powerful tool to individual hearing aid fittings accounting for your patient's hearing and ear canal characteristics. The primary treatment for hearing loss is audibility, returning an audible signal across frequencies and input levels given the constraints of the hearing loss. This chapter will provide detailed information on the measures needed to individualize the hearing aid fitting and will present various clinical scenarios that will allow you to work with this information and see how you apply this knowledge clinically. You will explore the verification of signal processing and features that allow you to support your patients.

What is Causing This Patient's Hearing Loss?

What is Causing This Patient's Hearing Loss?

Large Vestibular Aqueduct-Associated Symptoms: Endolymphatic Duct Blockage as a Surgical Treatment.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of endolymphatic duct blockage (EDB) on dizziness control in patients with a large vestibular aqueduct (LVA) and to evaluate its effect on hearing. This is a prospective nonrandomized study. Five adults and one child with dizziness and five children with progressive hearing loss were referred to our tertiary centers. The dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) and DHI-PC (dizziness handicap inventory-patient caregiver) questionnaires were used before and after surgery. All patients underwent a preoperative temporal bone HRCT scan and pure tone audiometry one day before surgery, then four and twelve months after surgery and at the last follow-up. The mean follow-up time was 5.6 years. Student's t-test was used to compare DHI/-PC results. The DHI scores were 44, 24, 84, 59 and 56 before surgery, respectively, for Patients 1 to 5. The DHI scores at four months was significantly different, i.e., 4, 6, 0, 7 and 18 (p = 0.001). No differences were found between 4 and 12 months. Patient 6 (child) had Trisomy 21; their DHI-PC score dropped from 38 (preoperative score) to 8 (postoperative score), showing no activity limitations; clinical evaluation showed the complete resolution of symptoms. We found no significant differences between hearing loss before the surgery and at 1 and 12 months post operation for four adult patients. Our fifth adult patient's hearing changed from severe to profound SNHL. For 5 out of 6 pediatric patients, preoperative PTA and mean ABG were 63 dB and 20 dB, respectively; postoperatively, they improved to 42 dB and 16 dB, respectively. The hearing loss level for the sixth pediatric patient dropped from moderate (PTA = 42 dB) to severe (PTA = 85 dB) due to an opening of the endolymphatic sac and a sudden leak of the endolymph. EDB, using two titanium clips, seems to be helpful for controlling vestibular symptoms and for stabilizing hearing or even to improve hearing in 82% of cases. Nevertheless, there is a risk of hearing worsening.

Small RNA Deep Sequencing Uncovers microRNAs Associated with Hearing Loss in Vestibular Schwannoma.

To analyze the correlation between the miRNA expression profile in vestibular schwannoma (VS) tumor tissue and preoperative patient's hearing status, using the RNA-seq technique. Nineteen tumor samples were collected from patients operated for VS in a Tertiary Academic Center. Samples were classified into "good hearing" and "poor hearing" study group based on the results of audiometric studies. Tumor miRNA expression was analyzed using high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technique, using NovaSeq 6000 Illumina system. Functional analysis was performed with the use of DIANA miRpath v. 4.0 online tool. The most overexpressed miRNAs in VS samples derived from poor hearing patients belonged to miR 449a/b, miR 15/16-1, and hypoxamiR families. Functional analysis showed that the differentially expressed miRNAs regulate cellular pathways associated with hypoxia, adherence junction functions, and signaling pathways such as Hippo, FOXO, MAPK, and Wnt signaling pathway. Our study identified a specific miRNA expression profile in VS tumor tissues that correlates with hearing impairment. These results suggest potential new molecular mechanisms related to hearing loss in the course of VS. 3 (cohort study) Laryngoscope, 134:3778-3785, 2024.

The electroacoustic performance of digital noise reduction systems in commercial hearing aids with Malay speech-plus-noise test signals

One of the most frequent complaints of hearing-impaired individuals is difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments. In order to improve listening comforts in background noise, digital noise reduction (DNR) has been incorporated into the hearing aid. However, each hearing aid manufacturer has their own proprietary algorithm for their DNR. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the DNR system in commercial hearing aids using the Malay speech-in-noise test. Electroacoustic testing has been performed on six hearing aids that have similar technology but different brands using newly developed Malay speech-in-noise test signals in the condition of DNR on and off. The total root-mean-square (RMS) gain reduction for each HA was calculated. The results show that the type of noise, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the gender of the speaker have a significant effect on the amount of gain reduction shown by the DNR of the tested hearing aids (p&lt;0.05). In conclusion, clinicians need to measure and understand methods to verify the functionality of DNR before fitting a patient's hearing aid to ensure its effectiveness in real life.

Optimization of stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) planning for brain metastases from lung cancer by Cyberknife system: reducing dose distribution inner ear.

Objective: Through retrospective statistical analysis of radiation distribution in inner ear avoidance for brain metastases from lung cancer by the CyberKnife (CK) system, it can provide a reference for stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) planning and treatment optimization. Methods: Computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging data of 44 patients with one brain metastases lesion from lung cancer were used to re-plan and analyze, who had been treated by CK system from April 2021 to April 2022. The prescribed doses of 14-30 Gy in 1-3 fractions was simultaneously delivered to the metastatic lesions. The SRT plans for the same patients were replaned under with and without inner ear avoidance setting. The plan parameters and dose distribution differences were compared between plans. Results: All plans met the dose restrictions. There were no significant differences in the coverage (Coverage), conformity index (CI), mean dose (Dmean), the maximum dose (Dmax) and minimum dose (Dmin) of planning target volume (PTV). With inner ear avoidance setting, the Dmax and Dmean of inner ear area decreased by 13.76% and 12.15% (p<0.01), respectively. The total number of machine nodes and monitor units (MU) increased by 4.63% and 1.06%. Conclusions: During the SRT plan designing for brain metastases from lung cancer, the dose distribution in inner ear area could be reduced by avoidance setting, and the patient's hearing would be well protected.

Hearing Loss in Stroke Cases: A Literature Review

Stroke is the most common cause of neurological disability (MacDonald, Cockerell, Sander, &amp; Shorvon, 2000) and about 1 in 3 stroke life survivors are functionally reliant on it after one year (Murray and Lopez 1996). The majority of stroke survivors need restoration (MacDonald et al., 2000), requiring them to be adequately informed of the prognosis, nature, and proposed treatment of their illness. Hearing plays an important role in effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients (Bensing, 2000), therefore hearing loss may restrict contribution in recuperation programs, leading to an inferior level of bodily performance (Landi et al., 2006). Both hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes may interrupt all stages of the hearing path and lead to hearing shortages that start acutely previously, throughout, or shortly after the occurrence of the stroke. Yet, hearing shortfalls after stroke have not been as lengthily investigated as visual shortfalls, possibly due to the potentially “invisible” nature of this loss compared to more noticeable symptoms (e.g., dysphasia or motor loss). Hearing impairment after stroke may be a vital unmet need for stroke patients and additional research into patterns, detection, prevalence, and treatment are compulsory. In SCA infarction, the ischemic lesion happens in the area where threads from the nucleus have already traversed, and therefore sensory hearing impairment is noticed in the contralateral sideways. There is clear evidence that PICA and AICA territory strokes may result in mixed cochlear/retro­ cochlear, and less frequently retro cochlear-only patterns of hearing impairment (H. Lee et al., 2002). Hearing impairment for both AICA and PICA infarcts is mostly one-sided. Stroke may affect all levels of the auditory pathway and lead to hearing reception and/or perception deficits. Sudden-onset hearing loss after stroke of the vertebra-basilar territory and/or low brainstem is one of the less frequent neurologic impairments, while cortical or central deafness is even rarer. However, studies of populations with stroke indicate that hearing loss is very common, while in the general population, a past history of stroke increases the likelihood of having hearing loss. Auditory-processing deficits after stroke are less well studied than hearing loss and possibly under documented. Auditory dysfunction may impact on patient communication and may even predict long-term patient outcome after stroke. Despite this, clinical guidelines for auditory assessments after stroke are rudimentary. This study reviews the available information of auditory function in patients with stroke. On the basis of the information available, it is suggested that screening the patient's hearing before the patient leaves the stroke ward with a short test and a minimum set of hearing-related questions and subsequently screening the patient's hearing needs with targeted questions at the chronic stage of stroke may be a cost-effective bare minimum assessment approach to addressing the hearing needs of this complex population.

Reconfigurable Multiband Dynamic Range Compression-based FRM Filter for Hearing Aid

In this research, we present an innovative method for enhancing the performance of hearing aids using a Multiband Dynamic Range Compression-based Reconfigurable Frequency Response Masking (FRM) Filterbank. First, a unform16-band reconfigurable filter bank, which is reconfigurable, is designed utilizing the FRM scheme. The strategic arrangement of each sub-band within the proposed filter bank is meticulously prepared to optimize the matching performance. Based on the hearing characteristics of patients, the sub-bands can be distributed in low, medium, and high-frequency regions. Also, the gain can be adjusted per the patient's hearing profile from their audiogram for better auditory compensation.&#x0D; Further, the Multiband Dynamic Range Compression (MBDRC) technique is applied to address the specific needs of individuals with different frequency-dependent hearing impairments. It involves using dynamic range compression independently to different frequency sub-bands within a filter bank. In MBDRC, the compression parameters, such as compression threshold and ratio, can be adjusted independently for every subband. It allows for a more tailored approach to address the specific hearing needs of different frequency regions. If an individual has more severe hearing loss in high-frequency regions, higher compression ratios and lower compression thresholds can be applied to those subbands to amplify and improve audibility for high-frequency sounds. Once dynamic range compression is applied to each sub-band, the resultant sub-bands are reassembled to yield the ultimate output signal, which can subsequently be transmitted to the speaker or receiver of the hearing aid. A GUI can be helpful for better visualization and parameter control, including gain adjustment and compression parameters of this entire process. With this aim in mind, a GUI has been developed on MATLAB. Different audio files can be imported, and their frequency response can be generated and observed. Based on a person's audiogram, the control parameters can be set to low, medium, or high. Their sub-band distribution in low, medium, and high-frequency regions can be visualized. Further, the filter bank makes automatic gain adjustments, as seen in the GUI. The gain points for each band can also be manually adjusted according to users' hearing characteristics to minimize the error. Also, the compression parameters can be set separately for each subband as per the hearing requirement of the patient. Further, the processed output can be visualized in the output frequency response tab, and the input and output audio signals can be analyzed.

A Novel EYA1 Mutation Causing Alternative RNA Splicing in a Chinese Family With Branchio-Oto Syndrome: Implications for Molecular Diagnosis and Clinical Application.

Branchio-oto syndrome (BOS) primarily manifests as hearing loss, preauricular pits, and branchial defects. EYA1 is the most common pathogenic gene, and splicing mutations account for a substantial proportion of cases. However, few studies have addressed the structural changes in the protein caused by splicing mutations and potential pathogenic factors, and several studies have shown that middle-ear surgery has limited effectiveness in improving hearing in these patients. BOS has also been relatively infrequently reported in the Chinese population. This study explored the genetic etiology in the family of a proband with BOS and provided clinical treatment to improve the patient's hearing. We collected detailed clinical features and peripheral blood samples from the patients and unaffected individuals within the family. Pathogenic mutations were identified by whole-exome sequencing and cosegregation analysis and classified according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines. Alternative splicing was verified through a minigene assay. The predicted three-dimensional protein structure and biochemical experiments were used to investigate the pathogenicity of the mutation. The proband underwent middle-ear surgery and was followed up at 1 month and 6 months postoperatively to monitor auditory improvement. A novel heterozygous EYA1 splicing variant (c.1050+4 A>C) was identified and classified as pathogenic (PVS1(RNA), PM2, PP1). Skipping of exon 11 of the EYA1 pre-mRNA was confirmed using a minigene assay. This mutation may impair EYA1-SIX1 interactions, as shown by an immunoprecipitation assay. The EYA1-Mut protein exhibited cellular mislocalization and decreased protein expression in cytological experiments. Middle-ear surgery significantly improved hearing loss caused by bone-conduction abnormalities in the proband. We reported a novel splicing variant of EYA1 in a Chinese family with BOS and revealed the potential molecular pathogenic mechanism. The significant hearing improvement observed in the proband after middle-ear surgery provides a reference for auditory rehabilitation in similar patients.

Risk factors for Microtia and preventive approaches

Microtia is a congenital anomaly that directly affects the external ear. Although the etiology of this pathology is not fully elucidated, there are several factors that are associated with its occurrence, such as genetics, perinatal and maternal conditions. During organogenesis of the outer ear it is important to mention that as anomalies occur before the sixth week of pregnancy, the chances of severe defects or total absence of the outer ear increase. At the genetic level, the etiology of microtia has been related to multiple causes, as well as the identification of genes involved in allelic expression pathways and transcription factors. Furthermore, this anomaly does not always occur alone, but associated with other pathologies such as cleft palate (12.8%), cleft lip and palate (11.5%), anophthalmia/microphthalmia (11.5%), facial asymmetry (10.6%), as well as oculoauriculovertebral spectrum syndromes, Goldenhar syndrome, craniofacial microsomia, Treacher Collins syndrome, Nager, DiGeorge or 22q deletion, Townes-Brock syndrome and branchi oto-renal syndrome. Treatments are based on the aesthetic management of the patient, but also related to the improvement of the patient's hearing ability. Epidemiologically, the prevalence ranges from 0.8 to 17.5 per 10,000 live births. One of the main risk factors for variation in case identification is altitude, genetics and maternal-perinatal factors. This literature review provides a thorough analysis of information for the better understanding, analysis and clinical management of this congenital anomaly.

Patient Autonomy: How a Student's Surgical Experience Highlights the Need for a New Standard Operating Procedure.

AbstractThe concerns regarding patient autonomy presented in August A. Culbert et al.'s "Navigating Informed Consent and Patient Safety in Surgery: Lessons for Medical Students and Junior Trainees" fall just short of addressing the main issue. Patient autonomy is not something that just one member of a team should consider, and it should not be something that any protocol should have the power to subvert, particularly in an environment as tenuous as the operating room. This article will take the concerns regarding the ethics of removing a patient's hearing aid prior to entering the operating room presented in the aforementioned article and show the necessity for a new standard operating procedure.

Features of processor fitting in patients with different types of cochlear implant electrode array

Introduction. The results of cochlear implantation in patients with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss are influenced by many factors, including the type of electrode array. The location of the electrodes in relation to neurons of spiral ganglion affects on levels of perception of the patient's hearing sensations.Aim. To evaluate the dependence of electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) thresholds values and comfortable levels depends on electrode array type.Materials and methods. 26 patients with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss with cochlear implantation systems were examined. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 1) patients with a straight electrode array (n = 14); 2) patients with a perimodiolar electrode array (n = 12). We tested speech intelligibility and ECAP thresholds. The difference in the values of both parameters was estimated.Results. For both groups of patients, the relationship between the threshold's profiles of ECAP thresholds and maximum comfortable stimulation levels was detected. For patients from the first group (straight electrode array), the differences in values between the studied parameters were 30.6 ± 6.1%. In patients from the second group, the differences in the values of the thresholds for ECAP thresholds and the levels of comfortable stimulation ranged 2.4 ± 2.1%.Conclusion. The perimodiolar electrode array is located closer to the neurons of the spiral ganglion, which may explain the greater relationship between the values of the ECAP thresholds and the levels of comfortable stimulation. This pattern must be considered when programming the processor of the cochlear implantation system.

A State-of-the-Art Method for Preserving Residual Hearing During Cochlear Implant Surgery.

The developments in surgical techniques and cochlear implant (CI) electrode design have expanded the indications for CI treatment. Currently, patients with high-frequency hearing loss may benefit from CIs when low-frequency residual hearing can be preserved, as this enables combined electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS). The possible benefits of EAS include, for example, improved sound quality, music perception, and speech intelligibility in noise. The risks of inner ear trauma and a deterioration or even complete loss of residual hearing vary according to the surgical technique and the type of electrode array used. Short, lateral-wall electrodes with shallower angular insertion depths have demonstrated higher rates of hearing preservation than longer electrodes. The very slow insertion of the electrode array through the round window of the cochlea contributes to insertion atraumaticity and, thus, may lead to favorable hearing preservation results. However, residual hearing can be lost even after an atraumatic insertion. Electrocochleography (ECochG) can be used to monitor inner ear hair cell function during the insertion of the electrode. Several investigators have demonstrated that the ECochG responses during surgery may predict postoperative hearing preservation results. In a recent study, we correlated the patients' subjective hearing perception with simultaneously recorded intracochlear ECochG responses during the insertion. This is the first report evaluating the association between intraoperative ECochG responses and hearing perception in a subject undergoing cochlear implantation under local anesthesia without sedation. The combination of intraoperative ECochG responses with the patient's real-time feedback to sound stimuli has excellent sensitivity for the intraoperative monitoring of cochlear function. This paper presents a state-of-the-art method for the preservation of residual hearing during CI surgery. We describe this treatment procedure with the special consideration of performing the surgery under local anesthesia, which makes it feasible for monitoring the patient's hearing during the insertion of the electrode array.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS USED BY BULGARIAN GENERAL PRACTITIONERS DURING THE MEDICAL CONSULTATION

Background: The concept of doctor-patient communication develops from the idea that its main function is to gather information to the idea that it is an interpersonal relationship and interaction. Aim:To evaluate and analyze the opinion of general practitioners on the application of basic communication skills in medical practice in the therapeutic process and in the process of health education of the patient. Material/Methods: An empirical sociological representative survey was conducted among 190 randomly selected family physicians from two regions of the country. Results: Half of the GPs try to motivate patients, and significant differences were found regarding their sex, age and work experience (p=0.004). For chronically ill patients, 96% GPs discuss and offer advice related to healthy life style, daily activities (toilet, nutrition, mobility) or social activities. The doctors often give advice on nutrition (77%) and physical activity (71%). The majority of GPs (90%) report that they can motivate their patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle if there is even a small interest to do it. However, general practitioners still make insufficient use of active listening techniques, maintain poor eye contact during the interview, and perform other activities during the patient's hearing. In addition, physicians rarely involved the patientin discussions for therapy anddecision making. Conclusion: Surveyed physicians report to a significant extent that they are committed to the health education of their patients in the form of advice on a healthy life style. They manage to deal with many of the difficult communication situations in general practice.

Clinical Interpretation of Word-Recognition Scores for Listeners with Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Confidence Intervals, Limits, and Levels.

Confidence levels were established to determine if a word-recognition score is within the expected range for a hearing loss group (based on 3-frequency pure-tone average) or significantly below or above the expected range. Two large clinical databases were mined to produce data-sets composed of word-recognition scores obtained with Q/MASS NU-6 materials and VA NU-6 materials for patients with average hearing losses ranging from 0 to 70 dB HL. Percentiles representing scores that are below (2.5%, 5%, and 10%) and above (90%, 95%, and 97.5%) the expected range (defined as the 80% confidence interval) were established. To estimate the distribution of scores and percentiles for the Auditec NU-6 materials (for which a large database is not available) Q/MASS scores were transformed to Auditec scores based on published psychometric functions. The resulting confidence levels and expected ranges of word-recognition scores should be useful for interpreting the relationship between a score and the distribution of scores for the patient's hearing loss severity. Confidence levels are described as low, moderate, and high corresponding to the statistical level of assurance that a score is lower or higher than the expected score. The confidence levels and expected ranges may be helpful for interpreting word-recognition scores obtained with three widely used sets of NU-6 test materials.

3D printed bionic ear and microtia-anotia: Medical and forensic implications.

Advances in science and technology result in continuous upgrading of the medical and clinical fields. These upgrades have been beneficial to many patients suffering from congenital and developmental diseases causing compromised functionality as well as the structural integrity of the affected organs. One such congenital anomaly is the microtia-anotia spectrum, which results in deformities of the external ear, affecting the hearing capability of an individual. The collaboration and integration of electronics in human biology are exemplified by the development of a 3D printed cyborg bionic ear from the patient's own cells, which is implanted to ameliorate microtia and improve the patient's hearing capacity. Since the late nineteenth century, forensic scientists have explored the external ear, establishing the significance of ear biometrics in the identification process. Similarly, ear prints can also play an important role in identifying the felon of a crime. In this regard, we examine the structure and functionality of implanted ears. This communication is an attempt to enlighten investigators on the forensic importance and limitations of the use of bionic ears for identification.