Preoperative Hearing Research Articles

Intraoperative Observational Real-time Electrocochleography as a Predictor of Hearing Loss After Cochlear Implantation: 3 and 12 Month Outcomes.

Objective:A decrease in intracochlear electrocochleographic (ECochG) amplitude during cochlear implantation has been associated with poorer postoperative hearing preservation in several short-term studies. Here, we relate the stability of ECochG during surgery to hearing preservation at 3- and 12-months.Methods:Patients with hearing ≤80-dB HL at 500 Hz were implanted with a slim-straight electrode array. ECochG responses to short, high-intensity, 500-Hz pure tones of alternating polarity were recorded continuously from the apical-most electrode during implantation. No feedback was provided to the surgeon. ECochG amplitude was derived from the difference response, and implantations classified by the presence (“ECochG drop”) or absence (“no drop”) of a ≥30% reduction in ECochG amplitude during insertion. Residual hearing (relative and absolute) was reported against the ECochG class.Results:ECochG was recorded from 109 patients. Of these, interpretable ECochG signals were recorded from 95. Sixty-six of 95 patients had an ECochG drop during implantation. Patients with an ECochG drop had poorer preoperative hearing above 1000 Hz. Hearing preservation (in decibels, relative to preoperative levels and functionally) was significantly poorer at 250-, 500-, and 1000-Hz at 3 months in patients exhibiting an ECochG drop. Twelve-month outcomes were available from 85 patients, with significantly poorer functional hearing, and greater relative and absolute hearing loss from 250 to 1000 Hz, when an ECochG drop had been encountered.Conclusion:Patients exhibiting ECochG drops during implantation had significantly poorer hearing preservation 12 months later. These observational outcomes support the future development of surgical interventions responsive to real-time intracochlear ECochG. Early intervention to an ECochG drop could potentially lead to prolonged improvements in hearing preservation.

What Clinicians Should Consider to Determine a More Beneficial Treatment Strategy for Small to Medium Sized Vestibular Schwannoma With Serviceable Hearing: A Single Surgeon's Long-term Outcome of Microsurgery and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.

The number of small to medium sized vestibular schwannoma (VS) patients presenting with serviceable hearing has steadily increased. There are various treatment strategies for small to medium sized VS, including microsurgery (MS), gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS), and serial observations using magnetic resonance imaging. In this study, we presented the long-term outcomes of patients with small to medium sized VS with serviceable hearing. We also evaluated the potential prognostic factors for hearing preservation and discussed appropriate treatment strategies. A retrospective review of 504 cases of all VS patients who underwent MS or GKS between 1993 and July 2019 was conducted. Surgical resection was performed on 267 patients using the retro-sigmoid approach and 55 (20.6%) of them were small to medium sized VS. GKS was performed on 237 patients and 175 (73.8%) of them were small to medium sized VS. Small to medium sized VS was defined as less than 25 mm in the greatest dimension. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 51 patients with small to medium sized VS with serviceable hearing were enrolled in this study and underwent either MS (n = 21) or GKS (n = 30). To define the clinical characteristics of the patients, clinical data at the time of treatment, age, sex, presenting symptoms, tumor location type, preoperative hearing status, posttreatment related complications, recurrence, and hearing loss progression-free survival data were collected. In the MS group, the hearing preservation rate was 71.4% and the tumor control rate was 100%. In the GKS group, the tumor control rate was 93.3% and two patients experienced recurrence at a median interval of 41.5 months. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the hearing progression-free survival rates at 1-, 3-, and 5-years following GKS were 80, 66.7, and 53.3%, respectively. The MS group had a higher hearing preservation rate at 5 years (71.4 versus 53.3%), but the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.173). Hearing preservation was statistically significant when the preoperative hearing status was class A in the GKS group (p = 0.016), but it was not statistically significant in the MS group (p = 0.777). In the MS group, medial type VS had a higher hearing preservation rate (80%) than the lateral fundal extended type VS (63.6%), and this difference was almost close to statistical significance (p = 0.058). The GKS group had a higher occurrence of postoperative tinnitus (23.3%) than the MS group (9.5%). MS was more suitable for patients who are younger, have good physical status, good preoperative hearing status including AAO-HNS class B, and medial type VS. GKS was more suitable for patients who are elderly, have poor physical status, preoperative AAO-HNS class A hearing.

Cochlear Implantation in Candidates With Moderate-to-Severe Hearing Loss and Poor Speech Perception.

To determine the improvement in word recognition score (WRS65 ) after cochlear implant (CI) surgery in hearing aid (HA) users with preoperative hearing threshold ≤80 dB HL and inadequate speech recognition scores with HA. Secondarily, to identify predictive factors for WRS65 with a CI (WRS65 [CI]) 6 months after surgery, derived from the standard German CI preoperative assessment. Retrospective chart review. Retrospective review of all adult patients who received a Nucleus cochlear implant in the ear, nose, and throat department of the University Hospital of Erlangen between January 2010 and April 2019. The inclusion criteria were a preoperative hearing threshold ≤80 dB HL in the ear to receive the implantation, German as the native language, and at least 6 months postimplantation care at our center. The inclusion criteria were met by 128 patients. All but two patients (98.4%) showed a significant improvement, WRS65 (CI) versus WRS65 with an (HA) (WRS65 [HA]), of at least 15 percentage points (pp). The median improvement was 55 pp with a median WRS65 (CI) of 70%. Three preoperative audiometric measures, the maximum word recognition score, age at implantation, and WRS65 (HA) were identified as predictive factors for WRS65 (CI). For three-quarters of the CI recipients, the score was not poorer than 12 pp below the predicted WRS65 (CI). For patients with a hearing loss ≤80 dB HL, cochlear implantation should be considered when speech perception with an HA is insufficient. The prediction model can support counseling in this patient group. 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E940-E945, 2021.

Audiological and subjective outcomes of 100 implanted transcutaneous bone conduction devices and preoperative bone conduction hearing aids in patients with bilateral microtia-atresia

Background: Bonebridge (BB) and bone conduction hearing aid (BCHA) are effective in patients with bilateral congenital microtia-atresia (CMA).Objectives: To investigate and compare the outcomes of these devices in a large sample size.Materials and methods: This single center prospective study involved 100 patients with bilateral CMA who were implanted with BBs and used BCHAs before implantation. Sound field threshold (SFT), speech reception thresholds (SRTs) and word recognition scores (WRSs) were compared between unaided, BCHA used and implanted patients. The Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) was used to evaluate subjective satisfaction.Results: Compared to unaided condition, the SFT, WRS and SRT of BCHA and BB were significantly improved. With BCHA or BB, the three subscale scores of the APHAB (ease of communication, background noise and reverberation) significantly reduced. However, the aversiveness subscale scored significantly higher than unaided condition. All outcomes were better in BB condition than BCHA.Conclusions: BB or BCHA use can be considered as effective methods to improve audiological outcomes and subjective satisfaction. Although not as good as BB, BCHA use is critical for improving hearing in the early period of language and auditory pathway development before the skull is suitable for BB implantation.

Improving facial nerve outcome and hearing preservation by different degrees of vestibular schwannoma resection guided by intraoperative facial nerve electromyography.

Facial nerve (FN) outcome has been improved by deciding upon the degree of vestibular schwannoma (VS) resection guided by intraoperative facial nerve monitoring (IOFM). This study aimed to evaluate hearing and FN outcomes following IOFM-guided VS removal through a retrosigmoid approach (RS). Between January 2015 and August 2017, 77 patients undergoing VS resection through RS, regardless of their preoperative hearing or tumor size, were included in this monocentric retrospective study. Total or near-/subtotal resection was decided intraoperatively according to IOFM. Partial resection was planned preoperatively. Pre- and postoperative FN function (House-Brackmann) and hearing level (AAO-HNS and Gardner-Robertson (GR) scales) were reported. Predictive factors for hearing preservation were analyzed according to a score developed to take into account pre-/postoperative hearing evolution. The mean extrameatal diameter was 17 ± 8.5 mm. VS resection was total, near-/subtotal, and partial in 71%, 21%, and 8% of cases, respectively. Postoperative grade I and II FN function was achieved in 91% of patients. Serviceable (A+B or GR I+II) hearing and hearing with intelligibility (A+B+C or GR I-III) were preserved in 30% and 43% of cases, respectively. In multivariate analysis, preoperative synchronized auditory brainstem responses (ABR) were the only predictive factor (p = 0.006) imparting a five times greater chance of hearing preservation. IOFM-guided VS excision through RS, whatever the VS size and hearing level, achieved a high rate of good postoperative FN function together with significant hearing preservation, and it should be used if hearing with some intelligibility is still present preoperatively, even in large VS.

Comparison of Graft Uptake and Postoperative Hearing Results between Butterfly-Cartilage and Temporalis-Fascia Myringoplasty

Introduction: Myringoplasty is one of the commonest surgeries done in Otology for chronic otitis media- mucosal type (COM-mucosal type). The objective of this study was to compare the graft uptake and post-operative hearing status between butterfly-cartilage and temporalis-fascia myringoplasty. Methods: Patients of age ≥15 years with COM-mucosal type with dry, small to medium sized central perforation of pars tensa with clearly visible perforation margin were randomized into two groups of butterfly-cartilage myringoplasty and temporalis-fascia myringoplasty. Graft uptake and hearing results were assessed after six weeks and results were compared within and between the groups. Results: Thirty-one patients in butterfly cartilage group and twenty-nine patients in temporalis fascia group were analysed. Graft uptake rate was 93.5% (29/31) in butterfly group and it was 86.2% (25/29) in temporalis fascia group with no statistically significant difference (p= 0.34) between the two groups. The mean pre and post-operative air bone gap in butterfly cartilage group were 20.65dB±8.35 dB; 12.86dB±7.39dB and that in the temporalis fascia group were 19.72±6.14dB, 13.16dB±6.26dB respectively. The difference of preoperative and postoperative hearing status, obtained within the two groups was statistically highly significant (p< 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in hearing results between the two groups (p= 0.54). Conclusion: The graft uptake rate and hearing results of butterfly-cartilage group and temporalis-fascia group were statistically significant within the group after myringoplasty but there was no statistically significant difference in between the two methods.

Comparison of Graft Uptake and Postoperative Hearing Results between Butterfly-Cartilage and Temporalis-Fascia Myringoplasty

Introduction Myringoplasty is one of the commonest surgeries done in Otology for chronic otitis media- mucosal type (COM-mucosal type). The objective of this study was to compare the graft uptake and post-operative hearing status between butterfly-cartilage and temporalis-fascia myringoplasty.
 MethodsPatients of age ≥15 years with COM-mucosal type with dry, small to medium sized central perforation of pars tensa with clearly visible perforation margin were randomized into two groups of butterfly-cartilage myringoplasty and temporalis-fascia myringoplasty. Graft uptake and hearing results were assessed after six weeks and results were compared within and between the groups.
 ResultsThirty-one patients in butterfly cartilage group and twenty-nine patients in temporalis fascia group were analysed. Graft uptake rate was 93.5% (29/31) in butterfly group and it was 86.2% (25/29) in temporalis fascia group with no statistically significant difference (p= 0.34) between the two groups. The mean pre and post-operative air bone gap in butterfly cartilage group were 20.65dB±8.35 dB; 12.86dB±7.39dB and that in the temporalis fascia group were 19.72±6.14dB, 13.16dB±6.26dB respectively. The difference of preoperative and postoperative hearing status, obtained within the two groups was statistically highly significant (p< 0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference in hearing results between the two groups (p= 0.54).
 ConclusionThe graft uptake rate and hearing results of butterfly-cartilage group and temporalis-fascia group were statistically significant within the group after myringoplasty but there was no statistically significant difference in between the two methods.

Cystic Meningioma in the Cerebellopontine Angle Mimicking Vestibular Schwannoma: A Case Report

Cystic meningioma in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) is an extremely uncommon disease. It is often misdiagnosed as other diseases. Its clinical features, surgical strategies and prognosis are not clearly understood. We reported a case of cystic meningioma in the CPA with tumor invasion into the internal auditory canal (IAC). Based on the typical preoperative symptoms, signs, hearing tests, and enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the 36-year-old female patient was diagnosed with vestibular schwannoma and underwent surgical resection. Postoperative pathology revealed that the tumor was meningioma. It was totally removed without any new neurological dysfunction, and no recurrence was observed in the follow-up within 24 months. Cystic meningioma in the CPA is considered to have a high pathological grade and recurrence rate. Considering this situation, total intraoperative resection, including the enhanced wall of the tumor and postoperative follow-up may be critical.

Role of pure tone audiometry in assessing ossicular status in patients with mucosal type of chronic otitis media

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is the disease of the middle ear cleft, which presents as hearing loss and ear discharge. This study aimed to assess the role of pure tone audiometry (PTA) in analysing the ossicular erosion in mucosal type of CSOM subjects.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The current cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 people with mucosal CSOM. Preoperative hearing was assessed by PTA. The surgeries were done and intra operative ossicular status were recorded. IBM SPSS 20 software was used for the analysis. Student t-test was used to correlate ossicular status and PTA findings. </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Among 60 subjects, 12 (20%) patients had eroded incus and 53 (88.3%) had normal stapes. The malleus was preserved in all patients. The result of our study showed that an average ABG of 58 dB at 500 Hz, 47 dB at 1 kHz, 41 dB at 2 kHz and 41 dB at 4 kHz in patients with ossicular erosion. ABG for 500 Hz and 1 kHz were statistically significant for eroded incus. ABG for 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz and 4 kHz were all statistically significant for eroded stapes.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> There is a significant difference between the PTA findings at different frequencies between intact and eroded ossicular chain. Pre-operative ABG helps us to assess the status of incus and stapes.</p>

Impact of Underlying Diagnosis on Speech and Quality of Life Outcomes After Cochlear Implantation for Single-Sided Deafness.

Our objective was to compare outcomes in speech and quality of life in those undergoing cochlear implantation for single-sided deafness (SSD), with the aim to characterize the clinical impact of underlying diagnosis in the affected ear and pre-operative hearing status. Prospective case series. Academic Cochlear Implant Center. 42 adult patients implanted with the diagnosis of SSD. Patients were evaluated at 3-, 6-, and 12-months post-operatively using AZBio sentence and speech, and consonant-nucleus-consonant (CNC) depending on appropriate testing level. Our previously validated Comprehensive Cochlear Implant Quality of Life (CCIQ) questionnaire was administered. Speech perception, quality of life. Subjects were stratified by the underlying diagnosis: Meniere's Disease (MD; n = 10), sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL; n = 13), and Other (eg TBI, acoustic neuroma, progressive, noise-induced; n = 19). Mean preoperative PTA of the implanted ear was 82dB ± 17; that of the nonimplanted ear was 32dB ± 17. SSNHL and MD demonstrated the highest speech perception score at 3 months (93 and 95%), and "Other" demonstrated the lowest scores at 88%. All 3 groups demonstrated nadir in speech scores at 6 months before improving at 12 months, but the "Other" diagnoses maintained the lowest speech testing across all time points. All 3 groups reported improved quality of life on CCIQ. Subjects with SSNHL and MD demonstrate excellent speech perception and quality of life outcomes after cochlear implantation for SSD. Subjects with "Other" diagnoses underlying their SSD demonstrated lower scores on speech testing but nonetheless reported improved quality of life.

Slim Perimodiolar Arrays Are as Effective as Slim Lateral Wall Arrays for Functional Hearing Preservation After Cochlear Implantation.

To compare functional hearing preservation (HP) with a slim perimodiolar array (SPA) and a slim lateral wall array (SLW) in cochlear implantation (CI). Retrospective chart review. Tertiary referral center. All adult, post-lingual CI recipients with serviceable preoperative hearing serially implanted with SPA or SLW electrodes from July 2015 through July 2018. Cochlear implantation. Hearing preservation (HP). Patients with a low frequency pure-tone average (LFPTA) (125, 250, 500 Hz) threshold less than 80 dB were considered HP candidates based on preoperative audiograms. Postoperative audiograms were obtained before activation. Successful HP was defined as retention of LFPTA less than 80 dB. The change in LFPTA (ΔLFPTA) was also calculated. One hundred twenty one patients were implanted with either the SPA or SLW electrodes, 82 (42,40) of whom were HP candidates with postoperative audiograms. Average (standard deviation, SD) preoperative LFPTA was 54.86 [19.38] and 54.38 [13.58] dB for SLW and SPA respectively, with a mean ΔLFPTA of 24.6 [15.94] and 24.92 [16.66] dB. Successful HP was achieved in 21 (50%) and 22 (55%). Preoperative LFTPA, ΔLFPTA, and postoperative LFPTA were not significantly different (p = 0.89, 0.75, 0.93) between electrodes. The SPA is as effective at immediate functional HP after CI as a SLW.

Genetic testing has the potential to impact hearing preservation following cochlear implantation

Background: Recent advances in less-invasive surgery and electrode design allow for a high degree of hearing preservation (HP) after cochlear implantation (CI), although residual hearing still deteriorates in some patients. To date, the factors predictive of preserving residual hearing remain a controversial topic.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive factors, including the etiology of hearing loss (HL) as a patient-related factor, influencing residual HP after CI.Methods: Forty-four patients (50 ears, 41 families) with residual acoustic hearing who underwent CI were included. Auditory thresholds before and at 6 months after initial activation were measured. Genetic testing was performed to identify the responsible genes for HL.Results: We identified the cause of HL in 21 families (51.2%). HP was marginally correlated with age at implantation, while it was independent of pre-operative low-frequency hearing thresholds, cochlear duct length, and electrode length. We found that patients who had pathogenic variants in the CDH23, MYO7A, or MYO15A gene showed statistically better HP scores compared with patients with HL due to other causes (p = .002).Conclusions: Identification of the etiology of HL using genetic testing is likely to facilitate the prediction of HP after implant surgery.

Outcomes for a clinically representative cohort of hearing-impaired adults using the Nucleus\xae CI532 cochlear implant

PurposeHearing performance data was collected from a large heterogeneous group of subjects implanted with the Cochlear™ Nucleus® CI532 with Slim Modiolar Electrode, for the purposes of postmarket clinical follow-up. Data was analysed for factors which may predict postoperative speech recognition scores.MethodsData was collected retrospectively from five German clinics for 159 subjects from March 2017 to August 2018. Hearing thresholds and recognition scores for monosyllabic words in quiet and sentences in noise were measured preoperatively and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively.ResultsThere was a mean gain of 44% points (95% CI 39–49%) at 6 months in monosyllable scores in quiet for implanted ears. Preoperative hearing thresholds in implant ears increased systematically with decreasing age; however, younger subjects had better baseline monosyllable scores with hearing aids compared with older subjects. Baseline performance alone explained 14% of the variation in postoperative scores. Residual hearing was preserved on average to within 22 dB at 250 Hz and 30 dB at 500 Hz of preoperative levels.ConclusionsIn a large and varied cohort of routinely treated hearing-impaired adults, speech recognition with the CI532 for German monosyllabic words in quiet at 6 months was equivalent to performance reported at one year or more in other published studies. Although younger subjects had poorer preoperative pure-tone thresholds, they had better preoperative word recognition scores compared with older subjects, and also had higher post implant scores. Further research is required to identify if this phenomenon is just applicable to German health system assessment and referral practices.

Application of electrophysiological monitoring in acoustic neuroma resection

Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective effect of facial nerve monitoring on acoustic schwannoma resection and its impact on prognosis. Methods: Eighty patients with acoustic schwannomas were enrolled in our study in the past 2 years and randomly divided into a monitoring group and a non-monitoring group. Tumor size was measured by MRI, and the general condition of the patients were analyzed. The preoperative hearing loss was evaluated, and the facial numbness, post-group related symptoms, and facial paralysis grade were also evaluated before surgery. The monitoring group performed facial nerve monitoring during the operation of auditory schwannomas resection, while the non-monitoring group did not. Both groups decided to perform total or subtotal resection according to the actual conditions during the operation. The hearing status, facial numbness, posterior group related symptoms and facial paralysis grade were evaluated 3 days after surgery, and the prognosis Glasgow outcome score (GOS) was evaluated 1 month after surgery. Results: There were no significant differences between two groups in terms of general condition and preoperative evaluation. There was also no significant difference in surgical methods. But the incidence of facial numbness in monitoring group (42.9%, 15/35) was significantly lower than that in non-monitoring group (86.7%, 39/45) (P<0.001). The facial paralysis grade in monitoring group (17/Ⅰ, 9/Ⅱ, 8/Ⅲ, 1/Ⅳ) was also significantly lower than that of non-monitoring group (1/Ⅰ, 18/Ⅱ, 17/Ⅲ, 9/Ⅳ) (P<0.001). The prognostic score (GOS) in monitoring group (4.60±0.55) was significantly higher than that in non-monitoring group (3.78±0.67)(P<0.001). Conclusion: Facial nerve monitoring can provide better neuroprotection on acoustic schwannoma resection, avoid facial nerve injury, and improve the prognosis quality of life significantly.

Postoperative Hearing Preservation in Patients Undergoing Retrosigmoid Craniotomy for Resection of Vestibular Schwannomas: A Systematic Review of 2034 Patients.

Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are benign tumors derived from Schwann cells ensheathing the vestibulocochlear nerve. The retrosigmoid (RS) surgical approach is useful to resect tumors of multiple sizes while affording the possibility of preserving postoperative hearing. To conduct a systematic review of published literature investigating hearing preservation rates in patients who underwent the RS approach for VS treatment. The PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases were surveyed for studies that reported preoperative and postoperative hearing grades on VS patients who underwent RS treatment. Hearing preservation rates were calculated, and additional patient demographic data were extracted. Tumor size data were stratified to compare hearing preservation rates after surgery for intracanalicular, small (0-20 mm), and large (>20 mm) tumors. Of 383 deduplicated articles, 26 studies (6.8%) met eligibility criteria for a total of 2034 patients with serviceable preoperative hearing, for whom postoperative hearing status was evaluated. Aggregate hearing preservation was 31% and 35% under a fixed and random effects model, respectively. A mixed effects model was used to determine hearing preservation rates depending on tumor size, which were determined to be 57%, 37%, and 12% for intracanalicular, small, and large tumors, respectively. Significant cross-study heterogeneity was found (I2=93%, τ2=.964, P<.01; Q=287.80, P=<.001), with rates of hearing preservation ranging from 0% to 100%. Tumor size may have an effect on hearing preservation rates, but multiple factors should be considered. Discussion of a patient's expectations for hearing preservation is critical when deciding on VS treatment plans.

Hearing Preservation Outcomes and Prognostic Factors in Acoustic Neuroma Surgery: Predicting Cutoffs.

To investigate the outcomes of hearing preservation surgery (HPS) for acoustic neuroma and quantify tumor and patient characteristics predictive of hearing preservation after surgery. Retrospective study. Tertiary referral center. A total of 100 consecutive patients diagnosed with acoustic neuroma from 2000 to 2012. Hearing preservation surgery through microscopic retrosigmoid approach combined with a retrolabyrinthine meatotomy. Pre- and postoperative hearing stratified according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) and the Tokyo classifications. The most accurate cutoff was identified for each tumor and patients' variable affecting the outcome by calculating the Youden index. A multivariable analysis was undertaken at these cutoffs to identify prognostic factors for hearing preservation. Preoperative hearing class was preserved after surgery in 31% (AAO-HNS), and 39% (Tokyo classification) of patients. According to the AAO-HNS classification, the tumor size in the cerebello-pontine angle, pure-tone average (PTA), and speech discrimination score cutoffs for predicting good postoperative hearing function were 7 mm, 21 dB, and 90%, respectively. With the Tokyo classification, only the PTA cutoff differed, with 27 dB. On multivariable analysis, tumor size and PTA were independent prognostic factors for postoperative hearing with high model's goodness of fit (area under the curve = 0.784; 95% CI = 0.68-0.88 and area under the curve = 0.813; 95% CI = 0.72-0.90), according to both the hearing classifications. The estimated cutoffs for tumor size and PTA were independently associated with HPS. These factors should be prospectively investigated before they are adopted as selection criteria for HPS.

The Pretragal Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System Fascia: A New Graft Material for Transcanal Tympanoplasty.

To compare outcomes of transcanal endoscopic tympanoplasty reconstructed using pretragal superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) fascia versus temporalis fascia. Retrospective patient review and posttreatment questionnaire survey. Tertiary referral center. Sixty adult patients with chronic dry tympanic membrane perforation. Patients underwent transcanal endoscopic type I tympanoplasty reconstructed using the SMAS fascia between September 2017 and May 2018; outcomes were compared with a matched cohort of patients where the temporalis fascia was used. Tympanic membrane closure rate, audiogram threshold, duration of procedure, and donor site scar satisfaction survey. Sixty patients were included in this study and were evenly divided into the SMAS and temporalis fascia groups. These cohorts were matched for age, sex, side of lesion, perforation size, and preoperative hearing level. The closure rate was 96.7% (29/30) and 93.3% (28/30) (p = 1.0), mean hearing gain was 8.3 ± 6.4 dB versus 8.2 ± 7.1 dB for air-conduction (p = 0.970) and 7.6 ± 5.1 dB versus 8.2 ± 6.8 dB for air-bone gap (p = 0.716), and mean surgical duration was 137.3 ± 23.0 versus 132.2 ± 27.3 minutes (p = 0.432) for the SMAS and temporalis fascia groups, respectively; there were no statistically significant differences for all the parameters listed. The posttreatment questionnaire survey revealed significantly higher acceptance of the SMAS fascia method. This preliminary outcome report of SMAS fascia grafting in transcanal endoscopic type I tympanoplasty showed equivalent surgical outcomes and better cosmetic satisfaction compared with the temporalis fascia. The SMAS fascia is a reasonable alternative to conventional techniques for transcanal tympanoplasty.

Clinical performance of the Osia™ system, a new active osseointegrated implant system. Results from a prospective clinical investigation

Background: Bone-conduction hearing implants are standard of care devices.Aims/Objectives: Evaluation of a new active magnetic bone-conduction hearing implant: Cochlear Osia™ system.Material and methods: This device uses a transcutaneous connection between an external sound-processor and an osseointegrated implant that generates vibrations using a piezoelectricity-based internal bone-conduction system. Nine patients with conductive-hearing loss were implanted. Surgical efficacy, hearing performance and quality-of-life were evaluated. Hearing performance in quiet and in noise was compared with unaided hearing and hearing with the Baha 5 Power® Sound Processor on a softband.Results: Surgery and healing were uneventful. Statistically significant improvements in audibility, speech-understanding, speech-recognition and quality-of-sound in noise and quiet were found for the Osia™ compared to preoperative unaided hearing and aided hearing with the Baha 5 Power® Sound Processor on a softband. The active vibration system provided improvement at low and high frequencies. At 6 months postoperatively, all patients continue to use the device.Conclusions and significance: The Osia™ is safe and effective, improving speech-recognition in quiet and in noise, at low and high frequencies, thus delivering better quality-of-hearing than passive devices.

A Study on Outcome of Myringoplasty

A cross sectional study was carried out from July 2004 to June 2006 at the department of ENT of SSMC and Mitford Hospital, Dhaka with the aim to assess the graft take rate as well as hearing improvement. This study included 60 patients those underwent myringoplasty operations by underlay technique with temporalis fascia graft. The age range of patients was 15-45 years. In this study graft take rate was 86.67% after 2 months. There was no gross difference in graft take in respect of sex. The pre operative and post operative hearing threshold is statistically significant which indicates improvement of hearing. Therefore, myringoplasty is a valid treatment modality for closing perforation of tympanic membrane, prevention of infection and improvement of hearing.&#x0D; Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol; April 2018; 24(1): 62-67

Electrode Array Type and Its Impact on Impedance Fluctuations and Loss of Residual Hearing in Cochlear Implantation.

Determine variables associated with electrode impedance fluctuations and loss of residual hearing in cochlear implant (CI) recipients. CI recipients with postoperative hearing preservation demonstrate superior speech perception with an electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS) device as compared with a CI-alone device. Maintaining superior speech perception over time relies on long-term hearing preservation; therefore, understanding variables that may contribute to loss of residual hearing is needed. Recent reports suggest a relationship between changes in electrode impedance and loss of residual hearing. The variables influencing this relationship have yet to be determined. Review of pediatric and adult CI cases from 2013 to 2016 who presented with preoperative residual hearing. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate effects of array type (lateral wall vs. perimodiolar), manufacturer, age at implantation, and preoperative hearing on impedance. The correlation between peak impedance change and change in low-frequency hearing was determined. One hundred forty-six CI recipients presented with preoperative residual hearing. A multivariate regression analysis demonstrated a statistically significant association between preoperative hearing thresholds (p = 0.017), device manufacturer (p = 0.011), and array type (p = 0.038) on postoperative impedance changes. Hearing preservation rates and change in impedance differed by electrode array type. The association between peak impedance changes and loss of residual hearing differed between manufacturers (R = 0.208, p = 0.029 vs. R = 0.016, p = 0.609). Impedance fluctuation appears to be a marker for loss of residual hearing for specific electrode array types and manufacturers. Specific arrays may affect the cochlear microenvironment differently, with different effects on postoperative hearing preservation.