Severe Hearing Loss Research Articles

Comparative analysis of vestibular endolymphatic hydrops grading methods and hearing loss in Ménière's disease: a retrospective MRI study using 3D-real inversion recovery sequence.

To compare the correlation between different grading methods of vestibular endolymphatic hydrops (EH) and the severity of hearing loss in Ménière's disease (MD), and evaluate the diagnostic value of these methods in diagnosing MD. This retrospective study included 30 patients diagnosed with MD from June 2021 to August 2023. All patients underwent inner ear MR gadolinium-enhanced imaging using three-dimensional (3D)-real inversion recovery sequences and pure-tone audiometry. The EH levels were independently evaluated according to the classification methods outlined by Nakashima et al. (Acta Otolaryngol Suppl 5-8, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1080/00016480902729827 ) (M1), Fang et al. (J Laryngol Otol 126:454-459, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022215112000060 ) (M2), Barath et al. (Am J Neuroradiol 35:1387-1392, 2014. https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A3856 ), (M3), Liu et al. (Front Surg 9:874971, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2022.874971 ), (M4), and Bernaerts et al. (Neuroradiology 61:421-429, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-019-02155-7 ) (M5), with a subsequent comparison of interobserver agreement. After achieving a consensus, an analysis was performed to explore the correlations between vestibular EH grading using different methods, the average hearing thresholds at low-mid, high-, and full frequencies and clinical stages. The diagnostic capabilities of these methods for MD were then compared. The interobserver consistency of M2-M5 was superior to that of M1. The EH grading based on M4 showed a significant correlation with the average hearing thresholds at low-mid, high-, and full frequencies and clinical stages. M1, M2, M3, and M5 correlated with some parameters. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that M5 significantly outperformed M1, M2, M3, and M4 in terms of diagnostic efficiency for MD. M4 showed the strongest correlation with the degree of hearing loss in patients with MD, whereas M5 showed the highest diagnostic performance.

Whole blood viscosity and its association with the presence and severity of hearing loss and other microangiopathies in Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Although studies correlating idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) to whole blood viscosity (WBV) have been conducted, no such study has been done in diabetic patients in whom WBV is said to be altered. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the potential association between calculated WBV and the presence and severity of SNHL and other microangiopathies in Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Kasturba Medical College (KMC) group of hospitals among individuals who were older than 18 years and had T2DM. The included patients underwent pure-tone audiometry, ophthalmoscopy, monofilament test, and routine blood investigations for diabetes. WBV was derived using hematocrit and total protein with a validated formula. Of the total 60 participants, 73.3% had SNHL, which was predominantly bilateral and moderate. There was a statistically significant association between glycemic control and the degree of SNHL. The associations between SNHL and HbA1C levels and random plasma glucose were both statistically significant (P = .001). The statistical association between WBV and the degree of SNHL was not significant (P = .056). Although higher mean blood viscosity was noted in individuals with diabetic retinopathy and neuropathy than those without, the associations between blood viscosity and the presence of retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy were not statistically significant (P = .238, P = .621, and P = .656; respectively). Finally, the associations between WBV and glycemic control were also not significant (P = .652 for random plasma glucose and P = .928 for HbA1C). This study concludes that SNHL is highly prevalent in diabetes, and poor glycemic control is associated with its worsening. Elevations in WBV, if present, are not affected by poor glycemic control and do not appear to significantly contribute to the development of complications of the microvasculature in T2DM.

Empowering Diversity in Education: A Web-Based Tool for Real-Time Sign Language Detection

People worldwide have severe hearing loss and there is little to no technological involvement to empower diversity and inclusion in the education system. This study aims to provide an understanding of the needs of the community of such individuals and a possible solution to the problem using current advances in artificial intelligence technologies. In particular, we will present a solution to the problem through a real-time sign language detection web application. First, the structural and functional aspects of the application are described, followed by the software architecture needs. The technological aspect of the application is entirely defined by expressing all the significant implementations of each programming language contained behind the software diagrams and architecture. This study will provide the latest technologies in the market combined with a well-planned and developed image detection application that is scalable, portable, maintainable, and efficient in empowering diversity in education. This technologically up-to-date application is delivered as a full-stack web application. The application produces results that waver between 85%-95% quality off detection; it consists of a bi-partite backend, one for creating and compiling models, namely Python, TensorFlow, and Jupyter Notebooks, and the other part held by Node.JS to power the front-end built with React and TensorFlow's JS. This study presents a fully developed web-based application that has the potential to impact and improve diversity in education significantly.

Enhancing Liver Disease Detection and Management with Advanced Machine Learning Models

The prevalence of hearing loss has risen making it a significant public health issue. Hearing loss is caused by complicated pathophysiological pathways, with various risk factors identified, such as hereditary factors, inflammatory processes, systemic disorders, noise exposure, medicines, oxidative stress, and age. Metabolic syndrome is a medical condition characterized by the presence of hypertension, central obesity, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. Metabolic syndrome has been linked to several clinical diseases, such as stroke, heart attack, cardiovascular disease-related death, and diabetes. A cross-sectional study was done on 100 patients with metabolic syndrome which used specific cut-off points of waist circumference, fasting glucose levels, blood pressure, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels to diagnose the condition. Among these five criteria, at least three had to be met, and the presence of additional criteria indicated greater severity. Audiological evaluation with pure tone audiometry was done and recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the significance of the results. The majority of the patients (62%) had unilateral hearing loss, amongst which sensory-neural type and moderately severe hearing loss were the most common type (67%) and severity (61%) of hearing loss respectively. Chi-square tests were done for the comparison of type, severity, and laterality of hearing loss with age, gender of the patients, and criteria fulfilled for metabolic syndrome. The severity of hearing loss had a statistically significant association with the age of the patients and the number of criteria fulfilled for metabolic syndrome with a p-value of 0.003. There was a statistically significant association between the severity of hearing loss and the age of the patients and the number of criteria fulfilled for metabolic syndrome with a p-value of 0.004. Metabolic syndrome affects the auditory system in several ways. It damages hearing and exacerbates presbycusis. Hearing loss worsens as components of the metabolic syndrome increase.

Hearing loss in children with congenital heart disease

Background : Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a dangerous disease, about 50% of deaths will occur in the first month of life. In developed countries almost all types of congenital heart disease have been detected in infancy even at less than 1 month of age, whereas in developing countries many are only detected after the child is older, so in some severe CHD types may have died before being detected. Rubella infection in pregnancy or congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) can cause miscarriage, fetal death, or congenital abnormalities after birth. CRS is characterized by sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), congenital cataracts or glaucoma, congenital heart disease, and developmental delays. Purpose : This case report was submitted in order to find out how to properly treat patients with hearing loss with sensory deafness and congenital heart disease. Case : Reported a 3-year-old 6-month-old boy diagnosed with very severe degree sensorineural deafness and congenital heart disease based on anamnesis, physical examination and examination of OAE, BERA and ASSR for examination of auditory function) and echocardiography examination for examination of cardiac function. Conclusion : From the history, physical examination and examination of OAE, BERA, ASSR showed patients with very severe sensorineural hearing loss of the left and right ear and congenital heart disease, planned use of hearing aids or cochlear implantation and cardiac consul for CHD treatment.

Evaluation of Semicircular Canal Function in Relapsing Polychondritis Patients With Dizziness and Sensorineural Hearing Loss Using Video Head Impulse Test.

To evaluate semicircular canal function using video head impulse test (vHIT) in relapsing polychondritis (RP) patients presenting with dizziness and sensorineural hearing loss. Retrospective case review. Tertiary referral center. Three patients with RP underwent vHIT and hearing tests. Diagnostic. The gain in vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) and the presence of catch-up saccade were examined, and the correlation between semicircular canal dysfunction and hearing loss was investigated. Of the six ears, five exhibited semicircular canal dysfunction. Among these, one ear showed dysfunction in two semicircular canals, while the remaining four ears demonstrated dysfunction in all three semicircular canals. Sensorineural hearing loss, ranging from moderate to profound, was detected by pure-tone audiometry in all six ears. Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between VOR gain in the horizontal semicircular canal (HSC) and hearing level. This study demonstrated semicircular canal dysfunction in RP patients presenting with dizziness and hearing loss using vHIT. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between HSC dysfunction and the severity of hearing loss. While inner ear involvement is a key clinical symptom included in the diagnostic criteria for RP, there have been few reports evaluating vestibular dysfunction, and this is the first report on the evaluation of several cases using vHIT. Accurate assessment of vestibular function by vHIT may facilitate early diagnosis and intervention in RP, potentially improving patient outcomes.

Association of Metabolic Syndrome or Weather Conditions with the Severity and Prognosis of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

It is reported that sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is closely related to diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. While the metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a multifactorial disease that includes diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity, which are known to be associated with SSNHL. Weather conditions have long been known to affect the SSNHL. This study aimed to make a clear connection between MetS, or weather conditions, and the severity and prognosis of SSNHL. 127 SSNHL patients have been divided into the MetS group and the non-MetS group, and the demographic and clinical characteristics of the 2 groups have been analyzed retrospectively. There were 52 (40.9%) patients in the MetS group, while there were 75 (59.1%) patients in the non-MetS group. The rate of vertigo, hypertension, diabetes, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, high triglyceride (TG), and body mass index (BMI) ≥25 (kg/m2 ) were significantly higher in the MetS group than those in non-MetS group. Vertigo, hypertension, and Mets were linked to the severity of hearing loss. The rate of complete recovery and partial recovery in the MetS group was clearly lower than that in non-MetS group. According to the multivariate analysis, MetS was significantly associated with a poorer prognosis of SSNHL; a high ambient temperature difference at onset and hypertension were correlated with a poor prognosis. These results demonstrate that the severity and prognosis of SSNHL can be influenced by the MetS. High ambient temperature differences at onset and hypertension were indicators of a poor prognosis for SSNHL.

Experiences of Mothers With Hearing Impairment Regarding the Care of Their Children.

Background and Purpose: Hearing loss is one of the most common types of disability in the world. Studies have reported that mothers with disabilities have some difficulties in fulfilling their maternal role in childcare. This study was conducted to determine the experiences of mothers with hearing impairment regarding the care of their children. Methods: This study, which was conducted using a qualitative method in a phenomenological design, was carried out with 10 mothers with moderate, severe, and highly severe bilateral hearing loss in a province in the southeast of Türkiye. Methodologically, inductive coding was followed for data analysis. In the analysis, the Max Qualitative Data Analysis Analytics Pro2022 software was used. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research was used for qualitative research reporting. Results: The data codes obtained were gathered under nine categories, and the categories were divided into subcodes. These categories were respectively related to "difficulties caused by hearing impairment," "tactics developed in coping with difficulties," "difficulties experienced independently of hearing impairment," "approaches to being a mother with impairment," "mother's attitude toward hearing impairment," "issues related to children," "fears and concerns," "experienced advantages and disadvantages," and "expectations and recommendations." Conclusion: The study revealed that mothers had experienced difficulties caused by hearing impairment, received help in childcare, or developed facilitating strategies Implications for Practice: Pediatric nurses should provide training on childcare and safety to mothers with hearing impairment, as well as develop strategies to facilitate childcare by working in cooperation with mothers who have hearing impairment.

ICF-based hearing and functioning assessment: validation and research outcomes of utilizing the HEAR-COMMAND tool for patients with mild to moderately severe hearing loss and individuals with normal hearing.

Current clinical assessments for Hearing Loss (HL) are often limited to controlled laboratory settings in which a narrow spectrum of hearing difficulties can be assessed. A majority of the daily life challenges caused by HL cannot be measured in clinical methodologies. To screen the individuals' needs and limitations, a questionnaire named the HEAR-COMMAND tool was developed and qualitatively validated through an international collaboration, aligning with the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health Framework (ICF) Core Sets for Hearing Loss. The tool empowers healthcare professionals (HCPs) to integrate the ICF framework into patient assessments and patient-reported outcomes (PRO) in clinical and non-clinical settings. The aim is to provide a general foundation and starting point for future applications in various areas including ENT and hearing acoustics. The outcome can be employed to define and support rehabilitation in an evidence-based manner. This article presents the validation and research outcomes of using the tool for individuals with mild to moderately severe HL in contrast to normal-hearing individuals. Using a cross-sectional multicenter study, the tool was distributed among 215 participants in Germany, the USA, and Egypt, filled in German, English, or Arabic. Three outcome scores and the corresponding disability degree were defined: hearing-related, non-hearing-related, and speech-perception scores. The content and construct validation were conducted, and the tool's internal consistency was assessed. The extracted constructs included "Auditory processing functionality", "Sound quality compatibility", "Listening and communication functionality", "Interpersonal interaction functionality and infrastructure accessibility", "Social determinants and infrastructure compatibility", "Other sensory integration functionality", and "Cognitive functionality". Regarding content validity, it was demonstrated that normal-hearing participants differed significantly from individuals with HL in the hearing-related and speech-perception scores. The reliability assessment showed a high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.9). The outcome demonstrated the HEAR-COMMAND tool's high content and construct validity. The tool can effectively represent the patient's perspective of HL and hearing-related functioning and enhance the effectiveness of the treatment plans and rehabilitation. The broad range of targeted concepts provides a unique overview of daily life hearing difficulties and their impact on the patient's functioning and quality of life.

Differences in the type of vocabulary understood by deaf and hearing students: Results to guide interventions

IntroductionVocabulary knowledge is an essential element in language development. There is evidence of significant differences in vocabulary knowledge between deaf children and hearing peers of the same age. These differences put deaf students at a disadvantage when compared to their hearing counterparts. The aim of this study was to investigate whether certain types of words characterise the lexical difficulties of deaf students. Our starting point is that this knowledge is needed to design interventions that are adapted to the particular needs of these students for their lexical development. MethodsWe evaluated the lexical comprehension of 90 Spanish students. The sample comprised 45 hearing students and 45 students with severe or profound hearing loss. Both groups were attending the later years of primary school (8 to –12-year-olds). They were tested using the Spanish Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-III. The performance of both groups was statistically compared using percentiles and standard scores as well as a selected set of words from the test. ResultsNo significant differences between hearing and deaf groups were found by age, sex, and sociocultural level. Significant differences were found between groups in their percentile and standard scores. There were no significant differences in performance between the two groups on only five of the 25 words with the highest error rate in the deaf group. The qualitative analysis of the remaining 20 words that were especially challenging for deaf students reveals results of interest which could help guide interventions. ConclusionsThe results indicate the need for lexical intervention for deaf students in the final years of primary school. The specialised support service for deaf learners should approach the intervention by targeting a specific type of vocabulary, making the semantic relationships between these words more transparent and promoting a deeper understanding of them.

The medical and functional burden of surviving childhood ependymoma: A population-based study in Ontario, Canada.

Few studies have characterized the burden of late effects among childhood ependymoma survivors. To address this gap, we examined these sequelae using real-world health services data in a population-based ependymoma survivor cohort. All individuals younger than 18years diagnosed with an ependymoma in Ontario, Canada between 1987 and 2015 who had survived at least 5years from their latest pediatric cancer event (index date) were matched 1:5 with population controls. Following linkage with provincial health services data, the cumulative incidences of multiple medical and functional outcomes between survivors and controls were compared. Among 96 survivors, 77.1% had been irradiated and 9.4% had received cisplatin. At 10years post-index, survivors were at significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality (7.1%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0-13.3 vs. 0.3%, 95% CI: 0.0-1.0; p=.0002), non-obstetric hospitalization (45.1%, 95% CI: 32.6-56.7 vs. 10.6%, 95% CI: 7.6-14.1; p<.0001), stroke (6.5%, 95% CI: 2.3-13.7 vs. 0%; p<.0001), severe hearing loss requiring an amplification device (7.5%, 95% CI: 2.7-15.7 vs. 0%; p<.0001), receiving homecare service (27.6%, 95% CI: 18.5-37.5 vs. 7.7%, 95% CI: 5.3-10.7; p<.0001), and submitting a disability support prescription claim (24.0%, 95% CI: 14.8-34.3 vs. 5.4%, 95% CI: 3.5-7.8; p<.0001) compared to controls. Pediatric ependymoma survivors are highly vulnerable to severe late sequelae, including death, stroke, severe hearing loss, and disability. Urgent efforts are needed to improve risk-stratification approaches that mitigate exposure to toxic therapies for children with lower risk disease. Interventions to prevent or decrease the risk of developing late sequelae are critical to optimizing survivor long-term health.

Characterization of the components in plasma EVs unveiling the link between EVs-derived complement C3 with the severity and initial treatment response of profound sudden sensorineural hearing loss

BackgroundSudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is characterized by rapid, unexplained loss of hearing within a 72-hour period and exhibits a high incidence globally. Despite this, the outcomes of therapeutic interventions remain largely unpredictable, especially for those with profound hearing loss. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), nano-sized entities containing biological materials, are implicated in the development of numerous diseases. The specific relationship between EVs and both the severity and treatment effectiveness of SSNHL, however, is not well understood. MethodsThis study involved the analysis of medical records from the Department of Otolaryngology (September 1, 2020 − December 31, 2022) of patients diagnosed with SSNHL according to the 2015 Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Sudden Deafness in China. Peripheral blood samples from patients with various types of SSNHL before and after treatment were collected, alongside samples from healthy volunteers serving as controls. Plasma EVs were isolated using gel rejection chromatography and analyzed for concentration, marker presence, and morphology using Nanosight, Western blot, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. Proteomics and miRNA assessments were conducted to identify differentially expressed proteins and miRNAs in the plasma EVs of SSNHL patients and healthy volunteers. Key proteins were further validated through Western blot analysis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was utilized to determine the levels of complement C3 in plasma EVs, and correlation analyses were performed with audiological data pre- and post-treatment. ResultsPlasma from SSNHL patients of varying types was collected and their EVs were successfully isolated and characterized. Proteomic analysis revealed that complement C3 levels in the plasma EVs of patients with profound SSNHL were significantly higher compared to healthy controls. Differential expression of miRNAs in plasma EVs and their related functions were also identified. The study found that the level of complement C3 in plasma EVs, but not the total plasma complement C3, positively correlated with the severity of SSNHL in patients exhibiting positive therapeutic responses, particularly in those with initially lower levels of EV-associated complement C3. After treatment, complement C3 level was decreased in patients with initially higher levels of EV-associated complement C3. No significant correlation was observed between changes in plasma EV-derived complement C3 levels and the degree of hearing loss in either responders or non-responders among patients with profound SSNHL. ConclusionDifferential profiles of proteins and miRNAs were identified in patients with profound SSNHL. Notably, plasma EV-derived complement C3 was linked to both the severity and early treatment effectiveness of patients with profound SSNHL.

Hearing Loss and Depressive Symptoms Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults - Liaoning, Henan, and Guangdong Provinces, China, 2019-2020.

More than half of Chinese older adults over 60 are suffering from hearing loss (HL), which might increase the risk of depressive symptoms. The results indicated a significant association between severe or profound HL and depressive symptoms, characterized by notable age and gender disparities, particularly among women aged 60-74 years old. Timely intervention and treatment for elderly individuals with HL, particularly younger female elders suffering from severe or profound HL, are pivotal in reducing depressive symptom rates and are key policy considerations.

Hearing Loss and Cognitive Impairment Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults - Liaoning, Henan, and Guangdong Provinces, China, 2019-2020.

Many studies have shown that hearing loss (HL) is a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia, but there are still limited studies on this association among Chinese older adults. Based on the results of pure-tone audiometry tests, HL is associated with cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults. The odds ratios (ORs) were 1.23 (1.08-1.40) for mild HL, 1.55 (1.32-1.82) for moderate HL, and 1.87 (1.47-2.39) for severe or profound HL. Enhanced public awareness of hearing protection is important for preventing cognitive impairment. It is advocated to promote the screening of HL and cognitive function assessment in elderly health examinations or management in primary care services.

Histopathological Patterns of Otosclerosis Progression: Exploring Otic Capsule and Round Window Involvement.

Obliteration of the round window (RW) in cases of otosclerosis presents a significant clinical challenge due to its association with more severe hearing loss and a poorer prognosis for functional recovery after stapes surgery. The objective is to assess and characterize the occurrence of RW involvement in otosclerosis cases and to identify patterns of disease progression that may indicate a potential for RW obliteration. We selected archival temporal bones from donors with otosclerosis. We evaluated the degree of RW obliteration using a semi-quantitative scale and the location of the foci within the temporal bone, and whether the foci were continuous or isolated. Most of the foci were located anteriorly to the oval window (89.2%), while RW area involvement was seen in 26.9% of the ears. In cases with fenestral foci, 68.1% directly involved and/or fixed the footplate. Among donors with bilateral otosclerosis, foci affected both ears in a similar pattern in 64.2%. Among donors with RW involvement, ones with continuous, large lesions that extended from the oval window associated with complete RW obliteration, while ones with smaller degrees of obliteration had solitary foci scattered within the otic capsule. Our results demonstrate a high rate of RW involvement in cases of otosclerosis. Ears with continuous lesions extending from the oval window region to the RW area were more likely to present with complete RW obliteration. These results provide insights that could lead to better prognostic assessment of patients with otosclerosis in the future. N/A Laryngoscope, 2024.

Infant Cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials: A Scoping Review.

Children diagnosed with hearing loss typically demonstrate increased rates of vestibular loss as compared with their peers, with hearing within normal limits. Decreased vestibular function is linked with delays in gross motor development, acquisition of gross motor skills, and academic challenges. Timely development of sitting and walking gross motor skills aids in the progress of environmental exploratory activities, which have been tied to cognitive, language, and vocabulary development. Considering the time-sensitive development of gross motor skills and cognitive, language, and vocabulary development, identifying vestibular loss in infancy can support early intervention. This scoping review analyzes stimulus, recording, and participant factors relevant to assessing cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) in the infant population. The scoping literature review was conducted on literature published between 2000 and 2023, focusing on articles assessing cVEMPs in infants. Two authors independently followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta-Analysis guidelines for title and abstract screening, full-text review, data extraction, and quality assessments. Sixteen articles meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the analysis. The existing literature lacks consensus regarding stimulus and recording parameters for measuring infant cVEMPs. In addition, the review reveals a decrease in cVEMP response occurrence rates with the severity of hearing loss, especially in cases of severe to profound hearing loss, compared with mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss in infants. This scoping review demonstrates the increasing use of cVEMP as a reliable tool for objectively assessing infant vestibular function. The lack of consensus in stimulus and recording parameters emphasizes the need for systematic research to establish an evidence-based protocol for cVEMP measurements in infants. Such a protocol will ensure the reliable measurement of cVEMPs in infants and enhance the effectiveness of cVEMP as part of the infant vestibular test battery. In addition, there is a necessity for a comprehensive large-scale study to evaluate the practicality and feasibility of implementing vestibular screening protocols for infants diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss in the United States.

Voxelwise analysis of the central hearing pathway in senior dogs reveals changes associated with fractional lifespan

Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, affects both elderly humans and dogs, significantly impairing their social interactions and cognition. In humans, presbycusis involves changes in peripheral and central auditory systems, with central changes potentially occurring independently. While peripheral presbycusis in dogs is well-documented, research on central changes remains limited. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a useful tool for detecting and quantifying cerebral white matter abnormalities. This study used DTI to explore the central auditory pathway of senior dogs, aiming to enhance our understanding of canine presbycusis. Dogs beyond 75% of their expected lifespan were recruited and screened with brainstem auditory evoked response testing to select dogs without severe peripheral hearing loss. Sixteen dogs meeting the criteria were scanned using a 3 T magnetic resonance scanner. Tract-based spatial statistics was used to analyze the central auditory pathways. A significant negative correlation between fractional lifespan and fractional anisotropy was found in the acoustic radiation, suggesting age-related white matter changes in the central auditory system. These changes, observed in dogs without severe peripheral hearing loss, may contribute to central presbycusis development.

A human-specific cytotoxic neopeptide generated by the deafness gene Cingulin

Accumulation of mutant proteins in cells can induce proteinopathies and cause functional damage to organs. Recently, the Cingulin (CGN) protein has been shown to maintain the morphology of cuticular plates of inner ear hair cells and a frameshift mutation in CGN causes autosomal dominant non-syndromic hearing loss. Here, we find that the mutant CGN proteins form insoluble aggregates which accumulate intracellularly and lead to cell death. Expression of the mutant CGN in the inner ear results in severe hair cell death and hearing loss in mice, resembling the auditory phenotype in human patients. Interestingly, a human-specific residue (V1112) in the neopeptide generated by the frameshift mutation is critical for the aggregation and cytotoxicity of the mutant human CGN. Moreover, the expression of heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) decreases the accumulation of insoluble mutant CGN aggregates and rescues cell death. In summary, these findings identify mutant-specific toxic polypeptides as a disease-causing mechanism of the deafness mutation in CGN, which can be targeted by the expression of the cell chaperone response regulator HSF1.

Relationship of Metabolic Syndrome With Hearing Loss

The prevalence of hearing loss has risen making it a significant public health issue. Hearing loss is caused by complicated pathophysiological pathways, with various risk factors identified, such as hereditary factors, inflammatory processes, systemic disorders, noise exposure, medicines, oxidative stress, and age. Metabolic syndrome is a medical condition characterized by the presence of hypertension, central obesity, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Metabolic syndrome has been linked to several clinical diseases, such as stroke, heart attack, cardiovascular disease-related death, and diabetes. A cross-sectional study was done on 100 patients with metabolic syndrome which used specific cut-off points of waist circumference, fasting glucose levels, blood pressure, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels to diagnose the condition. Among these five criteria, at least three had to be met, and the presence of additional criteria indicated greater severity. Audiological evaluation with pure tone audiometry was done and recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the significance of the results. The majority of the patients (62%) had unilateral hearing loss, amongst which sensory-neural type and moderately severe hearing loss were the most common type (67%) and severity (61%) of hearing loss respectively. Chi-square tests were done for the comparison of type, severity, and laterality of hearing loss with age, gender of the patients, and criteria fulfilled for metabolic syndrome. The severity of hearing loss had a statistically significant association with the age of the patients and the number of criteria fulfilled for metabolic syndrome with a p-value of 0.003. There was a statistically significant association between the severity of hearing loss and the age of the patients and the number of criteria fulfilled for metabolic syndrome with a p-value of 0.004. Metabolic syndrome affects the auditory system in several ways. It damages hearing and exacerbates presbycusis. Hearing loss worsens as components of the metabolic syndrome increase.

Relationship between hearing loss and depression: A cross-sectional analysis from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2018

BackgroundHearing loss is a prevalent issue resulting from loud noise exposure, aging, diseases, and genetic differences. As individuals age, the likelihood of experiencing hearing loss and depression escalates; yet, the link between hearing loss and the risk of depression remains ambiguous. This study explores the relationship between hearing and depression risk, taking into account sociodemographic and health-related factors. MethodsUsing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2015–2018, a cross-sectional analysis was conducted, focusing on adult participants. It evaluated their hearing status and depression levels using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The study examined a range of variables, such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, lifestyle choices, and comorbidities, to understand their influence on the link between hearing loss and depression. ResultsAnalysis indicated a significant association between moderate to severe hearing loss and an increased risk of depression, notably in older adults. This relationship remained significant even after adjusting for a variety of sociodemographic and health factors. LimitationsThis is a study using the NHANES database using self-reported surveys. ConclusionThe findings of this study emphasize the need to integrate hearing health in the holistic assessment and treatment of depression, particularly advocating for combined care strategies for the elderly.