Unilateral Hearing Research Articles

The acute vestibular syndrome: prevalence of new hearing loss and its diagnostic value

ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of new hearing losses in patients with acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) and to start to evaluate its diagnostic value for the differentiation between peripheral and central causes.DesignWe performed a cross-sectional prospective study in AVS patients presenting to our Emergency Department (ED) from February 2015 to November 2020. All patients received an MRI, Head-impulse test, Nystagmus test and Test of skew (‘HINTS’), caloric testing and a pure-tone audiometry.ResultsWe assessed 71 AVS patients, 17 of whom had a central and 54 a peripheral cause of dizziness. 12.7% had an objective hearing loss. ‘HINTS’ had an accuracy of 78.9% to diagnose stroke, whereas ‘HINTS’ plus audiometry 73.2%. ‘HINTS’ sensitivity was 82.4% and specificity 77.8% compared to ‘HINTS’ plus audiometry showing a sensitivity of 82.4% and specificity of 70.4%. The four patients with stroke and minor stroke had all central ‘HINTS’. 55% of the patients did not perceive their new unilateral hearing loss.ConclusionsWe found that almost one-eighth of the AVS patients had a new onset of hearing loss and only half had self-reported it. ‘HINTS’ plus audiometry proved to be less accurate to diagnose a central cause than ‘HINTS’ alone. Audiometry offered little diagnostic accuracy to detect strokes in the ED but might be useful to objectify a new hearing loss that was underestimated in the acute phase. Complete hearing loss should be considered a red flag, as three in four patients suffered from a central cause.

Cochlear Implant Facilitates the Use of Talker Sex and Spatial Cues to Segregate Competing Speech in Unilaterally Deaf Listeners.

Talker sex and spatial cues can facilitate segregation of competing speech. However, the spectrotemporal degradation associated with cochlear implants (CIs) can limit the benefit of talker sex and spatial cues. Acoustic hearing in the nonimplanted ear can improve access to talker sex cues in CI users. However, it's unclear whether the CI can improve segregation of competing speech when maskers are symmetrically placed around the target (i.e., when spatial cues are available), compared with acoustic hearing alone. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a CI can improve segregation of competing speech by individuals with unilateral hearing loss. Speech recognition thresholds (SRTs) for competing speech were measured in 16 normal-hearing (NH) adults and 16 unilaterally deaf CI users. All participants were native speakers of Mandarin Chinese. CI users were divided into two groups according to thresholds in the nonimplanted ear: (1) single-sided deaf (SSD); pure-tone thresholds <25 dB HL at all audiometric frequencies, and (2) Asymmetric hearing loss (AHL; one or more thresholds > 25 dB HL). SRTs were measured for target sentences produced by a male talker in the presence of two masker talkers (different male or female talkers). The target sentence was always presented via loudspeaker directly in front of the listener (0°), and the maskers were either colocated with the target (0°) or spatially separated from the target at ±90°. Three segregation cue conditions were tested to measure masking release (MR) relative to the baseline condition: (1) Talker sex, (2) Spatial, and (3) Talker sex + Spatial. For CI users, SRTs were measured with the CI on or off. Binaural MR was significantly better for the NH group than for the AHL or SSD groups ( P < 0.001 in all cases). For the NH group, mean MR was largest with the Talker sex + spatial cues (18.8 dB) and smallest for the Talker sex cues (10.7 dB). In contrast, mean MR for the SSD group was largest with the Talker sex + spatial cues (14.7 dB), and smallest with the Spatial cues (4.8 dB). For the AHL group, mean MR was largest with the Talker sex + spatial cues (7.8 dB) and smallest with the Talker sex (4.8 dB) and the Spatial cues (4.8 dB). MR was significantly better with the CI on than off for both the AHL ( P = 0.014) and SSD groups ( P < 0.001). Across all unilaterally deaf CI users, monaural (acoustic ear alone) and binaural MR were significantly correlated with unaided pure-tone average thresholds in the nonimplanted ear for the Talker sex and Talker sex + spatial conditions ( P < 0.001 in both cases) but not for the Spatial condition. Although the CI benefitted unilaterally deaf listeners' segregation of competing speech, MR was much poorer than that observed in NH listeners. Different from previous findings with steady noise maskers, the CI benefit for segregation of competing speech from a different talker sex was greater in the SSD group than in the AHL group.

Vestibularisschwannome – Basis- und Verlaufsdiagnostik

Vestibular (vestibulocochlear) schwannomas are rare, benign schwannomas of the cerebellopontine angle, the internal auditory canal, or the inner ear. They can occur with or without clinical symptoms. The most common symptoms are unilateral or side-differentiated hearing loss with or without tinnitus and balance disorders. Initial symptomatology is nonspecific in the basic functional diagnosis, raising the question of when a hearing or balance disorder should be thought of as a differential diagnosis of vestibular schwannoma and what diagnostic pathway is appropriate. This concerns not only the confirmation of the diagnosis and the recording of all dysfunctions of the involved cranial nerves in the initial basic diagnostics, but also the procedure in the course and follow-up diagnostics - especially in patients who are subject to an observation strategy. Today, imaging alone is no longer sufficient for differentiated and individualized patient counseling. Due to the increasing detection of smaller tumors on MRI and the growing proportion of nearly asymptomatic patients, a shift in thinking from pure imaging monitoring to a detailed analysis of auditory and vestibular function is timely. In this educational article, diagnostic pathways for a sufficient patient consultation will be compiled. Ultimately, functional examination techniques from follow-up and progression diagnostics will also be included.

The Impact of Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss on Quality of Life of Sub-Himalayan Population.

Introduction Unilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss (USNHL) is an age-old known entity. Patients with USNHL lack the merits of binaural hearing, i.e., temporal summation, sound localization, and speech recognition in a noisy environment. The lack of binaural hearing affects such individuals' quality of life (QOL). The present study is the most extensive Indian series related to QOL in USNHL patients. Objectives This study aims to assess the impact of USNHL on the QOL of patients in the state of Uttarakhand. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out at a tertiary care center in Uttarakhand over a period of 18 months, from January 2018 to July 2019. A total of 115 patients with pure USNHL were evaluated using a validated questionnaire—Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults-Hindi (HHIA-H). Results In our study, patients with higher HHIA-H scores were male, young adults (age group 18–30 years), students, and laborers. Most of our patients (64%) had significant handicaps, followed by moderate handicaps in 25%. However, no significant correlation of degree of handicap was seen with age, duration, and degree of hearing loss. Conclusion USNHL can lead to a significant handicap that can severely affect the emotional and social aspects of life. Thus, early diagnosis and rehabilitation are essential to prevent handicap and uplift QOL in patients with USNHL. This trial is registered with Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI reg. no. CTRI/2018/06/014396).

Asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss in children: progression and involvement of the contralateral ear

Background Sensorineural hearing loss in child has a profound impact on their neurodevelopment and on language acquisition. Thus, the diagnosis and early intervention are critical, namely in unilateral or bilateral asymmetric hearing losses, which are diagnosed later than symmetric bilateral hearing losses. Objectives This study aims to examine the progression of asymmetric SNHL in children, and the link between hearing thresholds and the technological level of the hearing aid fitted. Material and methods Eighteen children with asymmetric SNHL were submitted to a pure tone audiogram at the age of 5 years (T0) and reassessed at the age of 10 years (T1). Children were divided according to the technological level of the hearing aid fitted: basic, medium, and advanced. Results A positive correlation was established between the hearing thresholds at T0 and T1, revealing an accelerated progression of hearing thresholds in the better ear after a 5-year period. Conclusions Hearing thresholds in the worse ear influence the progression of the SNHL. Moreover, technologically advanced hearing aids led to a slower progression of the hearing thresholds over time.

Two Cases of Cochlear Implantation in Patients With Unilateral Profound Hearing Loss Due to Intralabyrinthine Schwannoma

When vestibular schwannoma originates from the segment within the labyrinth of the vestibulocochlear nerve, it is termed intralabyrinthine schwannoma (ILS). As most of the cases are presented with profound sensorineural hearing loss on the affected side, for auditory rehabilitation, cochlear implantation can be considered simultaneously as the tumor removal. Successful results of cochlear implantation were reported in patients with ILS even after partial resection of the mass. In this study, we report the cases of two patients with ILS with unilateral deafness. In one patient, a mass found in the basal turn of cochlea was removed totally and a cochlear implantation electrode was fully inserted. In the other patient, a mass found in the basal turn and vestibule was partially removed and an electrode was inserted. Postoperatively, hearing was improved and tinnitus was reduced.

Prediction of hearing recovery in unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss using artificial intelligence

Despite the significance of predicting the prognosis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL), no predictive models have been established. This study used artificial intelligence to develop prognosis models to predict recovery from ISSNHL. We retrospectively reviewed the medical data of 453 patients with ISSNHL (men, 220; women, 233; mean age, 50.3 years) who underwent treatment at a tertiary hospital between January 2021 and December 2019 and were followed up after 1 month. According to Siegel’s criteria, 203 patients recovered in 1 month. Demographic characteristics, clinical and laboratory data, and pure-tone audiometry were analyzed. Logistic regression (baseline), a support vector machine, extreme gradient boosting, a light gradient boosting machine, and multilayer perceptron were used. The outcomes were the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) primarily, area under the precision-recall curve, Brier score, balanced accuracy, and F1 score. The light gradient boosting machine model had the best AUROC and balanced accuracy. Together with multilayer perceptron, it was also significantly superior to logistic regression in terms of AUROC. Using the SHapley Additive exPlanation method, we found that the initial audiogram shape is the most important prognostic factor. Machine/deep learning methods were successfully established to predict the prognosis of ISSNHL.

Refractory otitis media with effusion due to eustachian tube sialolipoma inform consistent with eustachian tube inflammatory polyp: rare case presentation and literature review

BackgroundUnilateral otitis media with effusion in adult patient is considered alarming finding needing a detailed examination of the nasopharynx. The lesions in this area ranged from benign to more destructive malignant pathologies. Lipoma as a cause of obstruction is an extremely rare entity. We are reporting a case of eustachian tube lipoma presented with refractory otitis media with effusion. This is an extremely rare location of such entity and to the best of our knowledge, this is the third case reported in the world literature of eustachian tube lipoma after 2 cases published in 2011 and 2016 respectively. However, this is the first case reported in the literature of eustachian tube sialolipoma.Case presentationWe are reporting a 27-year-old male who presented to our outpatient department with a complain of unilateral ear block, hearing loss, and intermittent tinnitus. Clinical evaluation revealed unilateral otitis media with effusion that was confirmed by pure tone audiogram and tympanometry. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were obtained showed a lesion originating in the eustachian tube area protruding in the nasopharynx. Surgical removal was successful with complete recovery.ConclusionsUnilateral otitis media with effusion necessitate nasal endoscopic examination to rule-out lesions at the nasopharynx. This is the first case of sialolipoma in eustachian tube in the literature. Endoscopic removal is usually successful with uneventful short recovery period.

An unusual presentation of scrub typhus in a child: a case report

BackgroundScrub Typhus (ST) is an acute, febrile zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi which is endemic to the Asia-Pacific region. Infected adults rarely present with sensorineural hearing loss and otalgia. Though few cases of pediatric cases are known to present with otalgia, no pediatric cases of sensorineural deafness complicating ST have been reported to date.Case presentationA 5-year-old, previously healthy girl presented with a one-week history of high-grade intermittent fever, Headache and right ear pain with a recent onset of reduced hearing. She had a fever up to 39 °C, cervical lymphadenopathy, bilateral pleural effusion with diffuse infiltrations, and mild hepatosplenomegaly with no evidence of rash. Her initial examination was normal except for mildly enlarged tonsils. Unilateral right ear hearing loss was noted using Weber’s test. Evidence of progressive, mild anemia, and raised inflammatory markers was noted. Diagnosis of scrub typhus was confirmed by positive detection of Orentia tsutsugamushi IgM antibodies on rapid diagnostic test and the presence of chigger mite in the right external auditory canal on repeat examination. She responded dramatically to the empirical treatment of ceftriaxone and doxycycline. On follow-up, she did not have any residual hearing loss and her ear pain had resolved completely.ConclusionAcute onset hearing loss or severe otalgia with or without findings should be an important diagnostic clue for suspecting scrub typhus in patients who present with a history of fever especially in endemic areas.

The impairment of speech perception in noise following pure tone hearing recovery in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss

To explore whether patients with unilateral idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (uISSNHL) have normal speech in noise (SIN) perception under different masking conditions after complete recovery of pure tone audiometry. Eight completely recovered uISSNHL patients were enrolled in ISSNHL group, while 8 normal-hearing adults matched with age, gender, and education experience were selected as the control group. Each group was tested SIN under four masking conditions, including noise and speech maskings with and without spatial separation cues. For both ISSNHL and control groups a two-way ANOVA showed a statistically significant effect of masking type (p = 0.007 vs p = 0.012). A significant effect of perceived spatial separation (p < 0.001 vs p < 0.001). A significant interaction between masking type and perceived spatial separation was found (p < 0.001 vs p < 0.001). A paired sample T-test showed that the SIN perception of the control group was statistically significant lower than that of ISSNHL patients only under speech masking without spatial separation cues (p = 0.011). There were still abnormalities in the auditory center shortly after complete recovery in the ISSNHL group (within 2 weeks). However, the auditory periphery and higher-level ability to use spatial cues was normal.

EFFECTS OF BALANCE TRAINING EXERCISES FOR IMPROVING STATIC AND DYNAMIC BALANCE IN DEAF POPULATION: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

BACKGROUND AND AIM Physical therapy exercises can play a vital role in improving static and dynamic balance. Our current research aims to determine balance training exercises’ effects on improving static and dynamic balance in the deaf population. METHODOLOGY A randomized controlled trial (IRCT20200625047922N1) with a sample size of 28 deaf children was conducted. Congenitally deaf children aged 6 to 11 years without cochlear implantation and could walk independently were chosen from Special Education School, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Exclusion criteria were those with mental illness, unilateral hearing, Visual, Cognitive, and Physical impairment. After taking the informed consent from parents and students, the participants were divided into a control and a balance training exercises group. Data was collected through the Berg Balance scale (BBS), including static and dynamic balance tests. Statistical analysis was directed by utilizing SPSS version 20. RESULTS The mean value for Pre-treatment BBS in the experimental group is 32.71±4.58, and in the control group is 34.50±3.93. The P-value of Pre-treatment BBS is 0.28 and in post-treatment is 0.00, which shows statistically significant variance among the treatment and control groups. CONCLUSION Our study has shown that static and dynamic balance training exercises effectively improve the balance of the deaf population. KEYWORDS Deafness, Postural Balance, Hearing Loss, Vestibular Diseases, Persons with Hearing Impairments, Exercise Therapy, Bilateral Vestibulopathy.

Management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss among primary care physicians in Canada: a survey study

BackgroundSudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention as delayed treatment can lead to permanent and devastating consequences. Primary care physicians are likely the first to be presented with SSNHL and therefore have the crucial role of recognizing it and initiating timely and appropriate management. The aim of this study was to gain insight into the current knowledge and practice trends pertaining to the diagnosis and management of SSNHL among family physicians in Canada.MethodsAn 18-question survey targeting Canadian family physicians was marketed through two, physician-only discussion groups on the social media platform Facebook. Responses were collected between August 1st and December 22nd 2019 then aggregated and quantified.Results52 family physicians submitted responses. 94.2% (n = 49) reported that in their practice, unilateral SSNHL warrants urgent referral to otolaryngology and 84.6% (n = 44) reported that unilateral sudden-onset hearing loss warrants urgent referral for audiological testing. 73.1% of participants (n = 38) reported that they would attempt to differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss if presented with unilateral, acute or sudden-onset hearing loss. 61.5% (n = 32) would rely on tuning fork tests to inform management decisions, as compared to 94.2% (n = 49) relying on case history and 88.5% (n = 46) on otoscopy. 76.9% (n = 40) would prescribe corticosteroids if presented with confirmed, unilateral SSNHL.ConclusionThe majority of family physicians in the study would make appropriate referral and treatment decisions in the management of SSNHL, understanding it is a medical emergency. Tuning fork tests are under-utilized for informing management decisions compared to other means of differentiating conductive and sensorineural hearing loss. Further research is needed to understand why some family physicians do not prescribe corticosteroids for treatment of SSNHL, which may then identify any gaps in knowledge or inform improvements in clinical protocol.Graphical abstract

Dynamic Alterations of Functional Connectivity and Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuations in Patients with Unilateral Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Dynamic Alterations of Functional Connectivity and Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuations in Patients with Unilateral Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Audiological implications of COVID-19: an integrative literature review

ABSTRACT Purpose: to survey the national and international literature on the impacts of the coronavirus infection on the auditory system. Methods: an integrative review with search in the BIREME, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences databases. Inclusion criteria: articles in Portuguese and English whose subject was the coronavirus infection and its effects on the auditory system. Exclusion criteria: information from books and/or chapters, letters to editors, review articles, experience reports. The search strategy was based on the following combined descriptors, respectively in Portuguese and English: “Infecções por coronavírus”, “Audição”, “Perda auditiva”, “Coronavirus infections”, “Hearing”, “Hearing Loss”. Results: out of 43 articles found, two approached the issue. The first study assessed 20 patients that tested positive for COVID-19, though asymptomatic, who underwent pure-tone threshold audiometry and otoacoustic emissions. A significant increase in the auditory thresholds at high frequencies and a smaller response amplitude in the transient evoked otoacoustic emissions of those who tested positive for COVID-19 were observed when compared to that of controls. The second study reported the case of an asymptomatic 35-year-old COVID-19 female patient, who complained of otalgia and tinnitus, after being contaminated. The pure-tone threshold audiometry and tympanometry indicated mild unilateral (right ear) conductive hearing loss, with a type B tympanometric curve on that side. Conclusion: the studies included in this review showed different consequences of COVID-19 on hearing, with possible impairments on the sensory and mechanical structures of the auditory system. The knowledge of COVID-19 is limited, and further studies on its real impact on the auditory system are necessary.

Consistent and chronic cochlear implant use partially reverses cortical effects of single sided deafness in children

Potentially neuroprotective effects of CI use were studied in 22 children with single sided deafness (SSD). Auditory-evoked EEG confirmed strengthened representation of the intact ear in the ipsilateral auditory cortex at initial CI activation in children with early-onset SSD (n = 15) and late-onset SSD occurring suddenly in later childhood/adolescence (n = 7). In early-onset SSD, representation of the hearing ear decreased with chronic CI experience and expected lateralization to the contralateral auditory cortex from the CI increased with longer daily CI use. In late-onset SSD, abnormally high activity from the intact ear in the ipsilateral cortex reduced, but responses from the deaf ear weakened despite CI use. Results suggest that: (1) cortical reorganization driven by unilateral hearing can occur throughout childhood; (2) chronic and consistent CI use can partially reverse these effects; and (3) CI use may not protect children with late-onset SSD from ongoing deterioration of pathways from the deaf ear.

A case report of unilateral conductive hearing loss as a consequence of malignant sinonasal melanoma: the importance of completing a full clinical history and examination

BackgroundSinonasal melanoma is a rare head and neck tumour. It is associated with a poor prognosis, high rates of loco-regional recurrence and distant metastasis. Treatment of the disease is therefore complicated, and because of limited data regarding the cancer, management is frequently tailored to the individual patient. We describe an unusual presentation of sinonasal melanoma with relevant histology, radiology and clinical photography.Case presentationThe case report describes the presentation of a 64-year-old man to the Ear, Nose and Throat department with progressive right-sided hearing loss. A thorough history highlighted other clinical symptoms including unilateral nasal obstruction and epistaxis. Clinical examination showed a right middle ear effusion with a polypoidal lesion in the right nasal cavity. Relevant imaging demonstrated a destructive process that required further assessment. An endoscopic sinus procedure was performed to obtain histological diagnosis as well as providing symptomatic relief. Histology confirmed malignant mucosal melanoma. The patient underwent maxillectomy and orbital exenteration (due to further progression of disease) at a tertiary centre with a plan for subsequent immunotherapy. This however has been delayed due to further surgery to excise a metastatic lesion to the right femur.ConclusionsThis case report highlights the importance of a thorough clinical history and examination. An unusual presentation of a sinonasal tumour can easily be missed leading to a significant delay in treatment. The case report also describes the use of functional endoscopic sinus surgery in order to obtain histological diagnosis and to debulk the tumour, providing symptomatic relief. The current literature regarding management will be discussed as well as current developments guiding future treatment.

Comparative study of unilateral conductive hearing loss in patients with an intact tympanic membrane

Background The ossicular chain status is directly associated with the severity of conductive hearing loss (CHL) when the tympanic membrane (TM) is intact. Aims/objectives To analyze the relationship between intraoperative findings and audiological data in patients with unilateral CHL and an intact TM. Material and methods Forty-three patients who underwent surgery at Xinhua hospital from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2019, were included and categorized based on their intraoperative findings. Demographic data, intraoperative findings, and preoperative and postoperative audiological results of these patients were analyzed. Results Patients with ossicular chain disruption had significantly better outcomes than those with ossicular chain fixation (air conduction threshold [ACT]: 26.51 ± 8.82 vs. 44.08 ± 14.41 dB, p < .01; air-bone gap [ABG]: 10.66 ± 6.47 vs. 18.91 ± 9.32 dB, p = .04). Patients with ossicular chain deformities had a higher ACT (56.95 ± 13.81 vs. 44.56 ± 15.44 dB, p = .048) and a larger ABG (43.17 ± 9.94 vs. 33.02 ± 13.41 dB, p = .047) preoperatively than those with cholesteatoma; however, the postoperative outcomes between both patient groups were similar. Conclusions Congenital ossicular chain anomalies had similar surgical outcome regardless of the pathology. In acquired cases, ossicular chain disruption had better audiological outcomes than ossicular chain fixation. Significance Ossicular chain reconstruction can significantly improve the hearing in patients with UCHL with intact TM.

Does sealing the oval window in addition to the round window bring an advantage in reserve therapy of acute idiopathic deafness?

HintergrundBei plötzlich aufgetretener einseitiger hochgradiger sensorineuraler Hörstörung bzw. Ertaubung können Patienten nach frustraner intravenöser Glukokortikoidtherapie einer explorativen Tympanotomie mit Abdeckung des runden und/oder ovalen Fensters (RF und/oder OF) wegen des Verdachts einer Rundfenstermembranruptur mit Perilymphfistel (PLF) oder einer Fissula ante fenestram (FAF) behandelt werden. Die Studie untersucht, ob die zusätzliche Abdeckung des ovalen Fensters im Vergleich zur alleinigen Abdeckung des runden Fensters einen zusätzlichen Hörgewinn bringt.MethodikDie retrospektive Studie untersucht 54 Patienten mit akuter Ertaubung und durchgeführter Tympanoskopie, bei denen Audiogramme von 3 Zeitpunkten (präoperativ, nach Detamponade sowie mindestens 3–6 Monate postoperativ) vorlagen. Bei 28 Patienten erfolgte neben der Rundfensterabdeckung die zusätzliche Abdeckung des ovalen Fensters.ErgebnisEine intraoperativ sichtbare PFL bzw. FAF wurde in keinem Operationsbericht beschrieben. Die Hörschwellen waren im frühen postoperativen Zeitraum bereits hoch signifikant geringer und verbesserten sich im weiteren Verlauf. Zwischen den Subgruppen RF und RF + OF zeigte sich in beiden postoperativen Zeiträumen kein signifikanter Unterschied. Bei 65 % (Kriterien nach Kanzaki) und 74 % (Kriterien nach Siegel) der Patienten konnte postoperativ eine partielle bzw. komplette Hörverbesserung nachgewiesen werden. Beim Vergleich der Patientengruppen mit bzw. ohne postoperative Hörverbesserung zeigten sich keine statistischen Unterschiede bezüglich Geschlecht, Alter, Nebendiagnosen oder Latenz der Operation bis zum Symptombeginn.SchlussfolgerungIn dieser Studie zeigte die zusätzliche Abdeckung des OF keine signifikante Hörverbesserung. Die postoperative Hörverbesserung entspricht den publizierten Spontanremissionsraten. Nur eine prospektive multizentrische Studie mit Kontrollgruppe kann den Stellenwert der Tympanoskopie und mit Rund- bzw. ovaler Fensterabdeckung bei einer akuten hochgradigen sensorineuralen Schwerhörigkeit vor dem Hintergrund der Spontanremissionen klären.

Bilateral semptomatik oklüzif sörfçü kulağı (eksternal kulak kanalı ekzositozu)

Surfer’s ear is a disease characterized by a benign exostosis of the external ear canal. It is recognized by an otoscopic evaluation and manifests itself with one or several outgrowth lesions in the external ear canal. Although the characteristics of the disease are not known exactly, it is assumed that it may be due to the long-term exposure to cold water. Our case is about a 39 years old man admitted to the hospital with a difficulty in unilateral hearing. The complaints persisted for two months. Temporal computed tomography revealed narrowing of 40% on the left and 70% on the right. Other radiological findings were a loss of mastoid cells and sclerosis. The patient had also hypoplasia in the ethmoid sinuses. The patient doesn’t have frequent contact with water but he was living in a windy city that is famous for paragliding.

Post-traumatic pneumolabyrinth: a rare cause of hearing loss

Pneumolabyrinth (PL) is the presence of air within the vestibule, semicircular canals, or cochlea. It represents an abnormal connection between the inner ear and middle ear spaces. PL most commonly occurs after blunt head trauma, followed by penetrating injuries. Temporal fractures may or may not accompany. Prognosis of hearing loss is poor, while prognosis of vestibular symptoms is good. Herein we present a 45-year-old female with unilateral pneumolabyrinth, who presented with significant dizziness and unilateral total hearing loss after a car accident.