Pure-tone Air-conduction Hearing Research Articles

Correlation Analysis and Comparison of Adult CE-Chirp ABR Response Threshold and Pure Tone Hearing Threshold.

To study the application of CE-Chirp in the evaluation of hearing impairment in forensic medicine by testing the auditory brainstem response (ABR) in adults using CE-Chirp to analyze the relationship between the V-wave response threshold of CE-Chirp ABR test and the pure tone hearing threshold. Subjects (aged 20-77 with a total of 100 ears) who underwent CE-Chirp ABR test in Changzhou De'an Hospital from January 2018 to June 2019 were selected to obtain the V-wave response threshold, and pure tone air conduction hearing threshold tests were conducted at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 kHz, respectively, to obtain pure tone listening threshold. The differences and statistical differences between the average pure tone hearing threshold and V-wave response threshold were compared in different hearing levels and different age groups. The correlation, differences and statistical differences between the two tests at each frequency were analyzed for all subjects. The linear regression equation for estimating pure tone hearing threshold for all subjects CE-Chirp ABR V-wave response threshold was established, and the feasibility of the equation was tested. There was no statistical significance in the CE-Chirp ABR response threshold and pure tone hearing threshold difference between different hearing level groups and different age groups (P>0.05). There was a good correlation between adult CE-Chirp ABR V-wave response threshold and pure tone hearing threshold with statistical significance (P<0.05), and linear regression analysis showed a significant linear correlation between the two (P<0.05). The use of CE-Chirp ABR V-wave response threshold can be used to evaluate subjects' pure tone hearing threshold under certain conditions, and can be used as an audiological test method for forensic hearing impairment assessment.

Evaluation of the effect of the menstrual cycle on hearing

Objective In women, sudden changes in sex hormones occur due to the menstrual cycle. These hormonal changes cause changes in the concentrations of inner ear fluid. It is also known that acoustic trauma specifically affects the audiometric frequency of 4000 Hz, and oestrogen has a protective effect against acoustic trauma. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hormonal changes on the peripheral auditory system during the menstrual cycle. Methods Within the scope of this study, pure tone audiometry, wideband tympanometry and otoacoustic emission tests (TEOAEs, & DPOAEs) were performed on 38 normal hearing women, between the ages of 18–25 years who did not use contraceptive medication. Statistical evaluations were performed using IBM Statistics SPSS 20.0 package program. Results Data from pure tone air-conduction hearing thresholds, middle ear function and Transient Evoked Otoacoustic emissions suggested that no significant changes were observed between follicular and luteal phases of the assessed subjects. However, for the Distortion Product Otoacoustic emission test, a significant difference was observed in the left ear at 4000 Hz (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion This study suggests that hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle do not have a significantly measurable effect on the peripheral auditory system.

Hearing screening of school children in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship, Poland

Introduction Hearing screening is an important part of prevention. It allows early detection of hearing disorders, thus the treatment may begin early, and eliminates or minimises negative consequences. Children with hearing impairment often experience delayed speech development and cognitive abilities, which can result in learning disabilities and reduce school progress. Since 1999, the Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing in Poland has provided a hearing screening program for school-age children in the country. The main aim of the program is the early detection of hearing disorders in children starting school, and increase in the awareness among parents of hearing problems. Materials and Methods Pure-tone air-conduction hearing thresholds were obtained at 0.5–8 kHz. The results of the hearing screening examination were regarded as positive if pure-tone thresholds were higher than 20 dB HL in one or both ears at one or more of the test frequencies. The audiometric results were supplemented by questionnaires completed by the parents. There were 8,091 first-grade children from the Podkarpackie Voivodeship enrolled in the program. Results Based on the audiogram, screening showed that hearing impairment was found in 1618 children (20% of the examined children). Conclusion Our study yielded a large group of children with hearing problems. We recommend that hearing screening in primary schools should be a routine procedure within a general framework of preventive pediatric health care.

Hearing loss patterns throughout life: Insights from Japan

Hearing loss patterns throughout life: Insights from Japan

The accuracy of parental suspicion of hearing loss in children

ObjectivesParental suspicion of hearing impairment in their children is generally inaccurate. Parents tend to underestimate hearing problems in their children. The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of parental suspicion of hearing loss in their children. MethodsThis was a population-based, epidemiological study conducted in elementary schools in villages and small towns in Poland. The study sample was 64,750 children aged 6–13 years old. The children underwent hearing screening with pure-tone audiometry. The parents answered a question about hearing problems in their children.The outcome parameters were sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of parental perception of hearing problems in their children. Parental suspicion of hearing problems was assessed by a questionnaire. Pure-tone air-conduction hearing thresholds were obtained from 0.5 to 8 kHz. Hearing loss was defined as a pure-tone average higher than 20 dB in one or both ears in at least one of the three following pure-tone averages: four-frequency pure-tone average, high-frequency pure-tone average, and low-frequency pure-tone average. ResultsPositive results of hearing screening were obtained in 16.3% of children. Hearing loss was detected in 6025 children (9.3%), of whom 1074 (17.8%) were correctly perceived by parents as having hearing problems. The degree of hearing loss was a significant factor which influenced the sensitivity of parental suspicion of HL in their children. Sensitivity of detecting hearing loss by parents reached about 20% for mild hearing loss and above 31% for moderate or worse hearing loss. ConclusionsParents underestimate hearing problems in their children, but they are more able to accurately detect hearing loss if it involves speech-related frequencies and is at least a moderate hearing loss or bilateral loss.

Relationship of hearing impairment with MRI brain volumes and cognitive decline in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study

AbstractBackgroundHearing impairment is associated with cognitive decline but whether it is a cause or marker is unknown. We investigated the association of hearing impairment with brain volumes and 8‐year cognitive decline. Because the superior temporal gyrus (STG) is the location of the primary auditory cortex, we stratified results by STG volume to investigate if the association of hearing and cognition differed among participants with and without evidence of possible hearing‐related brain atrophy.MethodWe used data from 1195 community‐dwelling adults (72‐94 years, 61% female, 36% black) from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. A composite cognitive score was created from 10 neuropsychological tests administered at 3 study visits spanning 8 years (2011‐13 to 2018‐19). Brain volumes were calculated from structural magnetic resonance imaging scans for 6 regions of interest. Pure tone air conduction hearing thresholds (frequencies 0.5‐4 kHz) were obtained in 2016‐17 and averaged, with better‐ear hearing impairment defined as an average &gt;25 dB. Multivariable‐adjusted linear regression was used to estimate cross‐sectional differences in standardized brain volumes, adjusting for intracranial volume, demographic and clinical covariates. We estimated differences in annual rates of cognitive change by hearing impairment status adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates using linear mixed models; results were stratified by intracranial volume‐adjusted STG volume (below vs. equal to or greater than the median value).ResultThe mean STG volume difference comparing hearing impairment to normal hearing was ‐0.121 standard deviations (SD) (95% CI: ‐0.213, ‐0.028). Overall, the difference in the rate of cognitive decline associated with hearing impairment was ‐0.014 SD (‐0.023, ‐0.005). Hearing was more strongly associated with cognitive decline among participants with smaller STG volumes; rate difference, ‐0.014 SD (‐0.027, ‐0.002) compared to ‐0.008 (‐0.022, 0.006) for participants with larger STG volumes.ConclusionHearing impairment was associated with smaller brain volumes in the primary auditory region, but not with other regions. Our stratified analysis suggests that hearing treatment might be an important possible strategy to delay cognitive decline, even among participants with hearing‐related brain atrophy. Furthermore, the adverse cognitive effects of hearing impairment could potentially be mitigated if early hearing treatment can prevent STG atrophy.

WYNIKI PILOTAŻOWYCH BADAŃ PRZESIEWOWYCH SŁUCHU WŚRÓD UCZNIÓW W WYBRANYCH KRAJACH AZJATYCKICH

BackgroundA number of pilot hearing screening programs have been started in various countries, promoting hearing-loss detection and treatment of communication disorders in school-age children. The aim of the study was to evaluate the hearing status of schoolchildren from selected schools in Armenia, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan.Material and methodsHearing screening was performed in 1022 children aged from 6 to 12 years in Armenia, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan. The study was carried out with the use of the Sensory Examination Platform. Pure-tone air-conduction hearing thresholds were obtained at 0.5–8 kHz. Hearing loss was defined as a loss of more than 20 dB in one or both ears in at least one of the following: high-frequency pure-tone average (HFPTA) and low-frequency pure-tone average (LFPTA) and others.ResultsNormal hearing was observed in 75.4% of children. Hearing loss was observed in 13.4% of the children unilaterally and 11.2% bilaterally. Overall, the results of screening indicate higher incidence of LFHL in children than HFHL.ConclusionsThe high prevalence of hearing loss in children from the studied countries indicates the need to conduct further hearing screening programs in this part of the world. This would allow earlier diagnosis of hearing problems and enhance the options for introducing proper diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, leading to better outcomes.

Increased atherogenic index in the general hearing loss population.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of hearing loss with atherogenic index (AI) in the general population.MethodsA multistage study using cluster random sampling method was conducted in the Zhejiang province from 2016 to 2018. Pure-tone air-conduction hearing thresholds were measured at frequencies of 0.125–8 kHz for each subject. After obtaining their consent, all participants were asked to provide their own plasma lipid data.ResultsA total of 3,414 eligible participants were included, 1,765 (51.7%) were men and 1,649 (48.3%) were women and 1,113 (32.6%) had hearing loss. Ridge regression showed increased AI in subjects with hearing loss. The subgroup with the highest quartile of AI, presenting the highest risk of hearing loss as compared to the lowest quartile, comprised young and middle-aged women. Further analysis revealed that the AI in people with different categories of hearing loss was higher than that in the normal population, except for those with (extremely) severe hearing loss. Moreover, the young and middle-aged women exhibited the most significant correlations between AI and hearing loss.ConclusionAI was positively associated with hearing loss in the general population, especially the young and middle-aged women.

Hearing thresholds and cognitive flexibility in young healthy individuals with normal hearing

Objective: Pure tone audiometry may seem to be a relatively easy task for the participant but it may involve cognitive as well as sensory abilities. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between hearing thresholds in the frequency range 0.125–8 kHz and the core executive function cognitive flexibility in healthy individuals with normal hearing.Design: Experimental study measuring correlations between different pure-tone hearing threshold measures and cognitive flexibility. Pure tone air conduction audiometry (frequencies 0.125–8.0 kHz) and two tests of cognitive flexibility (information updating and shifting ability) were conducted.Study sample: Seventy-two subjects (aged between 21 and 36) with normal hearing (<20 dB HL) for the tested frequencies.Results: Four measures of average pure tone hearing thresholds were negatively correlated with cognitive flexibility.Conclusions: Pure-tone air conduction hearing thresholds seem to be related to cognitive flexibility in healthy individuals with normal hearing.

Results of hearing screening of school-age children in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

To gauge the prevalence of hearing loss in school children in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and refer pupils with positive results for further diagnostic testing. According to WHO data, hearing disorders are common in school-age children. Screening for hearing loss is an important preventative tool, helping to avoid further complications. Expenditure that supports early child development can reduce future outlay on health care and social services; it can eliminate disability problems, education deficits, and social maladaptation in later adult life. Pure-tone air-conduction hearing thresholds were obtained at 0.5-8 kHz. The results of the hearing screening examination were regarded as positive if pure-tone thresholds were higher than 20 dB HL in one or both ears at one or more of the test frequencies. Data were also obtained from follow-up visits of children who failed the initial screening. This study included 452 children aged 7-13 years old. Based on audiograms, screening showed that 123 (27.2%) of the children had hearing impairment. The study has important implications for clinical practice and health policy. There is a need for systematic monitoring of hearing status among children of this age, and parents and educators need to be made aware of the significance of hearing loss.

Prevalence of hearing loss among polish school-age children from rural areas – Results of hearing screening program in the sample of 67 416 children

BackgroundHearing loss in children is a relevant health issue, both for its prevalence and for its physical, emotional and social consequences. Our aim was to estimate the national prevalence of hearing loss in school-age children from rural areas in Poland. MethodsThe study was conducted in the general, pediatric, nonclinical population of school-age children from rural areas in Poland. It was a population-based, epidemiological study. The participants were 67416 children (32630 girls and 34786 boys) aged from 6 to 13 years old (M = 8.65; SD = 2.54). Pure-tone air-conduction hearing threshold were obtained at 0.5–8 kHz. Hearing loss was defined as a pure-tone average higher than 20 dB in one or both ears in at least one of the following pure-tone average: four-frequency pure-tone average (FFPTA), high-frequency pure-tone average (HFPTA) and low-frequency pure-tone average (LFPTA). ResultsThe rate of positive results of hearing screening was 16.4% and it was significantly higher in younger children than in older children. Mild hearing loss was more frequently than moderate or worse hearing loss. The children more often experienced unilateral than bilateral hearing loss. ConclusionsThis study reveals that hearing problems are common in this population, especially among younger children. It shows a strong need for systematic monitoring of hearing status among children and increasing awareness of parents and educators of the significance of hearing loss, including unilateral and mild hearing loss. Further studies conducted among children in urban areas are needed to compare the prevalence of hearing loss in children from various environments.

Association between metabolic syndrome and sensorineural hearing loss: a cross-sectional study of 11,114 participants.

Background/objectivesHearing loss (HL) is associated with certain diseases and affects health, resulting in a low quality of life. Some components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) coincide with the risk factors for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). To date, very few studies have examined the link between MetS and HL. The aim of the current study was to try to understand the potential association between MetS and HL.MethodsUsing Iranian health surveys of professional drivers, we enrolled 11,114 individuals aged 20–60 years, whose main job is to operate a motor vehicle. We examined participants for the presence and absence of SNHL and the components of the MetS. Additionally, we investigated the relationship between MetS and the pure tone air conduction hearing thresholds of participants with SNHL, including low-frequency and high-frequency thresholds.ResultsThis cross-sectional study consisted of 11,114 participants: 3202 (28.81%) diagnosed with MetS and 7911 (71.18%) without and 2772 (24.94%) with SNHL and 8432 (75.86%) without. Participants with SNHL had a higher number of components of MetS (P<0.001 for all components).ConclusionOur results demonstrated that an association possibly exists between different components of MetS (obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, high fasting glucose levels, and waist circumference) and SNHL in a population of West Azerbaijan drivers. Therefore, it is important to schedule periodic checkups for drivers to detect and avoid the increase in MetS components at an early stage in this population.

Gender Differences in Mathematics Achievement of Deaf Students in Ashanti School for the Deaf, Ghana

Anchored on the socio-cultural theory of learning, this intact group comparison posttest-only research analyzed gender differences in Mathematics achievement of Deaf students in Ashanti School for the Deaf on the Ghana National Education Assessment Test for Primary Six (NEA-P6) in order to provide empirical information for educational practice in that school. One research question and one hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. Out of a population of 29 Primary Six students, a sample of 16 matched students (8 males and 8 females) aged 14 to 19 years with an average pure tone air conduction hearing loss of 101dB, participated in the study. A t-test for dependent samples was used to determine the mean differences between the two group means because the study involved matched participants chosen from a single population. Findings of the study indicated slightly higher mean achievement levels for female participants than that of their male counterparts. Implications for practice and further studies were discussed.

Components of Metabolic Syndrome as Risk Factors for Hearing Threshold Shifts.

BackgroundHearing loss was a common, chronically disabling condition in the general population and had been associated with several inflammatory diseases. Metabolic syndrome, which was associated with insulin resistance and visceral obesity, was considered a chronic inflammatory disease. To date, few attempts had been made to establish a direct relationship between hearing loss and metabolic syndrome. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome and hearing loss by analyzing the data in the reports of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2004.MethodsThis study included 2100 participants aged ≤ 65 years who enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999–2004). We examined the relationship between the presence of different features of metabolic syndrome in the participants and their pure-tone air-conduction hearing thresholds, including low-frequency and high-frequency thresholds.ResultsAfter adjusting for potential confounders, such as age, medical conditions, and smoking status, the participants with more components of metabolic syndrome were found to have higher hearing thresholds than those with fewer components of metabolic syndrome (p < 0.05 for a trend). The low-frequency hearing threshold was associated with individual components of metabolic syndrome, such as abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, elevated triglycerides, and a low level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p < 0.05 for all parameters).ConclusionsThe results indicated that the presence of a greater number of components of metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with the hearing threshold in the US adult population. Among the components of metabolic syndrome, the most apparent association was observed between low HDL and hearing loss.

Noise Attenuation of Earplugs as Measured by hREAT and F‐MIRE Methods in a Japanese Metal Manufacturing Plant

The aim of this study was to compare the noise attenuation (NA) properties of earplugs by using the headphone-based real-ear-attenuation-at-threshold (hREAT) and field microphone-in-real-ear (F-MIRE) techniques. The subjects were 89 male workers (mean age: 44.8 ± 12.1 yr) exposed to noise above 85 dBA (mean noise exposure period: 14.3 ± 11.3 yr) in a Japanese nonferrous metal manufacturing plant. They were confirmed to have pure-tone air-conduction hearing threshold levels (HTLs). The hREAT and F-MIRE NA values were measured by a Rion AG-20A and a 3M E-A-Rfit, respectively. The NA values could not be measured by hREAT for four workers (hREAT-group). The mean NA of the earplugs for subjects for whom hREAT measurements were possible (hREAT+ group) was 26.0 ± 10.0 dB. The NA of the earplugs could be measured for all subjects using F-MIRE, and the NAs of the hREAT- and hREAT+ groups were 9.5 ± 8.7 and 21.0 ± 7.3 dB. The mean HTL value at 500 Hz to 2 kHz was 45.8 ± 3.1 dB for the hREAT- group, which was significantly lower than the value for the hREAT+ group, 18.0 ± 8.6 dB. Because there is a difference between the NA values obtained by hREAT and F-MIRE, it may be necessary to compensate for this difference. In addition, workers with hearing loss and the length of the measurement time need to be taken into consideration. Finally the F-MIRE method may be useful for educating workers about using earplugs in noisy workplaces.

Evidence of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Young People Studying Popular Music

The number of students studying popular music, music technology, and sound engineering courses at both school and university to has increased rapidly in the last few years. These students are generally involved in music-making/recording and listening to a high level, usually in environments with amplified music. Recent studies have shown that these students are potentially exposed to a high risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL( and are not covered by the same regulatory framework as employees. This study examined the pure tone air conduction hearing thresholds of 50 undergraduate students, including recent school leavers, on a range of popular music courses, to assess if there was evidence of hearing loss. Forty-four percent of students showed evidence of audiometric notch at 4-6 kHz, and 16% were classified under the UK Occupational Health and Safety guidelines as exhibiting mild hearing loss. Instance of audiometric notch was considerably higher than reported from studies of the general population but was around the same level or lower than that reported from studies of "traditional" music courses and conservatoires, suggesting no higher risk for popular music students than for "classical" music students. No relationship with age was present, suggesting that younger students were as likely to exhibit audiometric notch as mature students. This indicates that these students may be damaging their hearing through leisure activities while still at school, suggesting a need for robust education measures to focus on noise exposure of young people.

Association Between Age-Related Hearing Loss and Stroke in an Older Population

Very few studies have investigated the association between hearing loss and stroke. A recent article in Stroke reported an increased incidence of stroke among patients with sudden hearing loss over a 5-year follow-up period. Our study aimed to explore this association among subjects with age-related hearing loss from a representative population. Further, we looked at the association between severity of hearing loss and risk of stroke in older persons, acknowledged as a limitation by the authors of the Stroke report. The Blue Mountains Hearing Study is a population-based survey of age-related hearing loss conducted during 1997 to 1999 and 2002 to 2004, among participants of the Blue Mountains Eye Study. Pure-tone air conduction hearing thresholds from 0.25 to 8.0 kHz were measured by audiologists. Hearing loss was defined as the pure-tone average of frequencies 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 kHz >25 dB HL in the better ear. Persons with moderate to severe hearing loss had a significantly higher likelihood of reporting previous stroke (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.20-3.49) after multivariable adjustment. However, moderate to severe hearing loss did not predict incident stroke after 5-year follow-up (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.59-2.23). We observed a strong cross-sectional association between stroke and moderate to severe hearing loss. However, age-related hearing loss did not increase risk of incident stroke in our cohort. Insufficient study power or differing underlying pathologies of sudden sensorineural hearing loss and typical age-related hearing loss may account for the discrepant findings between these studies.

Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions in Vestibular Neuritis

Partial or total degeneration of the vestibulocochlear anastomosis at its takeoff from the saccular ganglion and regenerating efferent neural buds under the cochlear outer hair cells (OHCs) have been found in the temporal bones of human patients with a history of vestibular neuritis (VN). We sought to test whether VN has any functional impact on the ipsilateral OHCs by means of transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) testing. We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected TEOAE data of 28 patients (19 female, 9 male; age range, 21 to 60 years; median age, 42.5 years). The pure tone air conduction hearing thresholds at each standard audiometric frequency (0.125 to 8 kHz) and the amplitudes of the TEOAEs at the 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-kHz frequency bands were compared between the lesional and contralateral sides by use of the nonparametric sign test for 2 paired samples. No significant difference was found in the pure tone air conduction hearing thresholds between the lesional and contralateral ears at any of the 11 standard tested frequencies. No significant difference was found between the TEOAE amplitudes of the lesional and contralateral sides. Subclinical OHC functional impairment is not present in VN. Moreover, no apparent significant changes in medial olivocochlear bundle resting activity accompany VN.

Classification of the severity of acoustic trauma based on pure tone threshold audiometry.

A simple-to-use classification system is presented for expressing the hearing loss resulting from acoustic trauma. They system is based upon the implications for social hearing as seen the pure tone air conduction hearing test, which is classified according to specifically segmented areas of the audiogram. A study of the audiometric results of 102 ex-army men with AcT and 25 controls with normal hearing included a detailed questionnaire to relate the patients' functional complaints to their audiograms, and the clinical picture was then completed by the administration of speech audiometry tests both in quiet backgrounds of various signal-to-noise ratios. Three main severity categories of hearing impairment were established. These are described and illustrated.