Persistent Hearing Impairment Research Articles

Efficacy and safety of reoperation for residual or recurrent hemifacial spasm after microvascular decompression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The efficacy and safety of revision microscopic microvascular decompression (microscopic MVD) for treating residual or recurrent hemifacial spasm (HFS) remain uncertain. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the benefits and risks associated with this reoperation, focusing primarily on spasm relief, facial palsy, and hearing impairment. This study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. We performed a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for eligible articles from their inception through June 2024. A total of 17 studies involving 719 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Among these patients, 668 experienced overall symptom relief following reoperation, resulting in a relief rate of 94% (95% CI: 92-96%). Complete relief was achieved in 603 patients, corresponding to a rate of 87% (95% CI: 80-93%). Transient facial palsy developed in 4% (95% CI: 1-8%) of patients, while persistent facial palsy was observed in 5% (95% CI: 2-8%) of patients following reoperation. Transient hearing impairment occurred in 1% (95% CI: 0-3%) of patients, while persistent hearing impairment was reported in 4% (95% CI: 1-7%) of patients. Patients with recurrent HFS have significantly lower overall and complete relief rates after reoperation compared to those with residual HFS and are at higher risk of long-term hearing loss. Our study suggests that reoperation for residual or recurrent HFS after microscopic MVD could be considered a safe and effective treatment option. Early reoperation may be indicated in specific cases, and the timing should be tailored to each patient's specific circumstances to optimize outcomes.

Pediatric sensorineural hearing loss related COVID-19. Clinical cases

To present clinical cases of sensorineural hearing loss in children under 5 years of age after a novel coronavirus infection. We report 3 cases of unilateral and 1 case of bilateral acquired deep sensorineural hearing loss, while the association with SARS-CoV-2 has been confirmed anamnetically and/or laboratory. The SARS-CoV-2 virus can have a depressing effect on the cochlea on its own or enhance the toxic effect of viruses during the recovery period after COVID-19. The true frequency of acute sensorineural hearing loss of infectious origin in childhood and, as its outcome, the formation of persistent hearing impairment has not been determined. Viruses are volatile, contagious, and clinically dangerous due to their complications. Vaccination is the most effective measure for the prevention of infectious diseases.

Association of changes in self-reported vision and hearing impairments with depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults: Evidence from a nationwide longitudinal study in China

ObjectiveThis study assessed the longitudinal relationship between changes in self-reported vision impairment (VI) and hearing impairment (HI), and depressive symptoms in adults aged ≥45 years. MethodsData from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study for 2015 and 2018 were used, with a sample size of 10,050. VI and HI were self-reported. The 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D10) was used to assess depressive symptoms. Total scores and clinically significant depressive symptoms (CES-D10 scores ≥ 10) were used as outcomes and analyzed using generalized estimating equations with identity link and logit link functions. ResultsOf all changes in HI with good vision, only persistent HI was associated with higher CES-D10 scores (OR 95% CI: 1.09–3.30). Both new-onset and persistent VI with good hearing were associated with CES-D10 scores (OR 95% CI, new-onset: 1.70–3.52; persistent: 1.58–2.78) and clinically significant depressive symptoms (OR 95% CI, new-onset: 1.41–2.56; persistent: 1.36–2.27). Persistent dual sensory impairment (DSI) was associated with the highest CES-D10 scores (OR 95% CI: 3.63–5.97) and the highest risk of clinically significant depressive symptoms (OR 95% CI: 1.78–2.85). Those who self-reported improvements in vision and hearing still had higher CES-D10 scores (OR 95% CI: 1.35–2.83) and a higher risk of clinically significant depressive symptoms (OR 95% CI: 1.03–2.02) than those maintaining good vision and hearing. ConclusionSelf-reported VI and DSI are closely associated with depressive symptoms. Because VI and DSI are modifiable, interventions for them could also prevent depressive symptoms.

Otosclerosis: Etiology and Prognostic Factors

Otosclerosis is a temporal bone osseous dyscrasia that causes auditory impairment over time. Aberrant growth of a new bone in the middle ear eventually immobilizes and stops the stapes from oscillating in reaction to sound vibrations, resulting in gradual and persistent hearing impairment. Both ears are generally affected by the disease. Otosclerosis is a rapid occurrence of unexplained facial nerve palsy. With just an estimated prevalence of 15-30 per 100,000, it would be the most prevalent reason for lower motor neuron facial nerve paralysis. There are broadly two types of Otosclerosis, namely histological and clinical Otosclerosis. A minor incidence of Bell's palsy usually goes away in about a fortnight. It takes to recover from a more severe instance of complete paralysis varies. Among the potential complications are. Multiple sclerosis, Miller-Fisher syndrome, Guillain–Barré syndrome, and autoimmune encephalitis are autoimmune diseases. In patients with otitis media, malignant otitis externa damage to your facial nerve is irreversible.
 Nerve fiber regrowth is abnormal. When you try to move others, specific muscles may contract involuntarily (synkinesis) – for example, when you grin, the eye on the afflicted side may shut.
 Due to prolonged dryness and scratching of the transparent protective coating of the eye (cornea), the eye becomes wholly or partially blind.
 Patients report fast and increasing symptoms over a day to a week, with a 72-hour maximum severity. One-half of the face will be weak, resulting in eyebrows, forehead, and mouth angle instability. The incapacity to shut the afflicted eyelid or lip on the affected side is a common symptom. A partial or total weakening of the forehead is the most apparent physical exam finding. If the integrity of the forehead is preserved, a significant reason should be looked into. Most of the cases of Otosclerosis have idiopathic or unknown causative agents. In some patients with Otosclerosis, a sponge-like bone grows abnormally in the middle ear chamber. Because of this expansion, the ear bones cannot vibrate in response to acoustic pressure.

Infant hearing screening: effects of timeline

Universal infant hearing screening using otoacoustic emission and auditory brain-stem response audiometry is widely administered to attain the goals of early identification of, and intervention for hearing impairment. Concerns regarding screening specificity have, however, been raised. False positives may result from vernix occlusion in the ear canal or transient middle ear effusion, and can result in substantial costs to health care systems. The current study investigates the effects of age and time interval between tests on hearing assessment results. Three hundred and seventeen positive screens from a 2-stage distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) screening programme in Hong Kong, who subsequently received diagnostic auditory brainstem response (ABR) assessment and monitoring, were investigated. Differences in diagnostic ABR results were compared among infants of different ages at tests, and with different time lapses after DPOAE screening. The proportion of those having persistent hearing impairment, conductive loss and impairment of moderate degree or above, were also compared. A significantly higher rate of normal ABR thresholds (60%versus 24%) was noted in infants assessed after age 50 days, and in infants diagnostically assessed with a time lapse of over 20 days post-DPOAE screening (65%versus 42%). Delaying diagnostic ABR assessment may reveal a higher percentage of normal thresholds, and hence probably higher specificity. Time delay may allow for spontaneous resolution of transient outer and middle ear conditions. However, the goals of early identification and intervention, as well as possible parental anxiety with delayed assessment, should also be considered when reviewing infant hearing screening schedules.

Preschool hearing screening: evaluation of a parental questionnaire.

To evaluate the validity of a parental questionnaire used to screen preschool children for persistent hearing impairment. Six-hundred and eighty-five children aged 4-5 years from a Metropolitan area of Adelaide, Australia, were enrolled. Each parent completed a questionnaire aimed at detecting parental concerns about hearing impairment. Screening audiometry was then performed. Children who failed the initial audiometry screening underwent repeat audiometry screening 6-8 weeks later. The audiometry and questionnaire data were then compared. Of the 657 children who successfully completed initial audiometry, 544 (83%) passed and 113 (17%) failed. Of the 84 children who had follow-up audiometry, 64 (76%) passed. Parental concerns were identified on questionnaire in 50% of all children. Neither individual questions nor the number of concerns were found to relate to audiometry results. Compared with audiometry results, the hearing screening questionnaire had a sensitivity of 56% and specificity of 52%. The hearing questionnaire used in this study and in several Australian states is an ineffective screening test for detecting persistent hearing loss.