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Expert Rev Med Devices 2019 Mar 18. Epub 2019 Mar 18.

b 5th Military Hospital with Polyclinic , Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery , Krakow 30-901 , Poland.

Objective: Otitis media is one of the most common illnesses which may cause ossicles destruction and conductive hearing loss. However, nowadays the damaged middle ear bones may be replaced by a partial or total ossicular replacement prosthesis. The main aim of this article was to confirm the proper functioning of the new middle ear prosthesis. Read More

Clin Interv Aging 2019 26;14:485-492. Epub 2019 Feb 26.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China,

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the satisfaction of age-related hearing loss (ARHL) or presbycusis patients with individual, accurate, and precise fitting progress, which is a priority for bilateral hearing aids, and to explore the related influencing factors and their role in predicting the efficiency of hearing aids.

Methods: A total of 73 cases of presbycusis patients aged 60-95 years old underwent pure tone audiometry and speech recognition ability examination to obtain the pure tone audiometry of the better ear (BPTA) and maximum speech recognition rate of the better ear (BSRR) in quiet environment before hearing aid fitting. Audiologists evaluated the efficiency and satisfaction of participants according to the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) questionnaire scores by face-to-face or telephone investigations after using the hearing aids for at least 3 months. Read More

Trends Hear 2019 Jan-Dec;23:2331216519836624

1 National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, UK.

Clinical observations suggest that tinnitus may interfere with programming cochlear implants (CIs), the process of optimizing the transmission of acoustic information to support speech perception with a CI. Despite tinnitus being highly prevalent among CI users, its effects and impact on CI programming are obscure. This study characterized the nature, time-course, and impact of tinnitus effects encountered by audiologists and patients during programming appointments. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Mar 11;121:81-87. Epub 2019 Mar 11.

Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8522, Japan.

Objectives: Hearing loss is a serious problem in infants and children because it may interfere with the development of typical speech, verbal language, and auditory and communication skills. By measuring hearing ability (thresholds) as early as possible, even as early as during infancy, effective treatment can be administered. These treatments may significantly reduce the handicap associated with hearing loss. Read More

HNO 2019 Mar 14. Epub 2019 Mar 14.

Tinnitus-Klinik und Ohr- und Hörinstitut, Große Allee 50, 34454, Bad Arolsen, Deutschland.

Background: New research in animal models indicates that even at lower intensities, noise exposure can induce defects in the synapses of the auditory pathway. However, only very high levels of noise exposure lead to mechanical hair cell damage with lesions of the inner ear and measurable hearing loss (audiogram; distortion product otoacoustic emissions, DPOAE). This paper revises the literature, starting with a case study. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019 Mar 5:194599819835541. Epub 2019 Mar 5.

1 Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.

There is underutilization of cochlear implants with delays in implantation linked to distance from implant centers. Telemedicine could connect cochlear implant specialists with patients in rural locations. We piloted telemedicine cochlear implant testing in a small study, largely composed of normal-hearing volunteers to trial this new application of teleaudiology technology. Read More

Int J Epidemiol 2019 Feb 27. Epub 2019 Feb 27.

Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.

Background: Lifelong inflammation - known to be associated with many non-communicable diseases - has not been thoroughly investigated in hearing. We aimed to determine if glycoprotein A (GlycA), a novel biomarker of chronic inflammation, is associated with hearing acuity in mid-childhood and mid-life.

Methods: Population-based cross-sectional study within the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children with plasma GlycA and audiometry data (1169 children and 1316 parents). Read More

Med J Islam Repub Iran 2018 10;32:123. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Health in Emergency and Disaster Research Center, University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Disability can involve many by diseases, injuries, or aging, and thus access to rehabilitation services has a key role in improving these patients' social life. Since 2008, Iran has improved the access to rehabilitation facilities along with the global convention. Yet, nationwide studies are required to evaluate the fair distribution of centres in each province. Read More

Adv Clin Exp Med 2019 Feb 19. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Department of Otolaryngology, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.

Background: Postoperative hearing loss after vestibular schwannoma (VS) removal still remains a lifelong problem for the patients. The present study analyzes the problem of hearing preservation after VS removal from a different angle than available professional literature on this topic.

Objectives: To identify audiologic factors which determine the extent of hearing loss in patients operated on for VS. Read More

Iran J Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Jan;31(102):11-17

Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, University Malaya Medical Center, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Introduction: There are a few studies that compare the outcomes between primary and revision tympanoplasties. The purpose of the present study was to compare the results of type I tympanoplasty (i.e. Read More

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019 Feb 19:194599819832510. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

4 Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Objective: To determine the role of cognitive testing in predicting age-appropriate audiometric responses among children aged 30 to 42 months.

Study Design: Prospective.

Setting: Tertiary care audiology clinic. Read More

Otol Neurotol 2019 Mar;40(3):e252-e259

Cochlear Implant Clinic, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of making cochlear implant recommendations based on diagnostic ABR and ASSR results. The goal was to challenge the need for behavioral audiometry as part of the standard cochlear implant assessment battery for infants with profound hearing loss and to reduce the age at which cochlear implant recommendation was made.

Study Design: A retrospective review of 123 patient files for children referred to the pediatric cochlear implant service before 3 years of age over a 3-year period was undertaken. Read More

Audiol Neurootol 2018 8;23(6):345-355. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Department of Otolaryngology, La Paz University Hospital, IdiPAZ Research Institute, Madrid,

Background: The otosclerotic process may influence the performance of the cochlear implant (CI). Difficulty in inserting the electrode array due to potential ossification of the cochlea, facial nerve stimulation, and instability of the results are potential challenges for the CI team.

Objectives: To evaluate hearing results and subjective outcomes of CI users with otosclerosis and to compare them with those of CI users without otosclerosis. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Apr 31;119:177-182. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Department of Biochemistry, Harran University School of Medicine, Osmanbey Campus, Haliliye, Sanliurfa, 63300, Turkey. Electronic address:

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate oxidative stress conditions in patients with prelingual profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and the effects of cochlear implant application on oxidative stress. In addition, we also aimed to evaluate the correlation between pre- and post-surgery oxidative stress markers and Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS), Meaningful Use of Speech Scale (MUSS) and Free-Field Audiometry (FFA).

Methods: This is a prospective controlled study of the Ear-Nose-Throat Department of the Harran University Faculty of Medicine between April 2017 and January 2018. Read More

SAGE Open Med Case Rep 2019 12;7:2050313X18823461. Epub 2019 Jan 12.

The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Vast literature exists detailing the identification and management of central auditory processing disorder in children: however, less information is available regarding central auditory processing disorder in the adult population. This study aimed to document the diagnostic and management procedure for adults presenting at a multidisciplinary clinic due to concerns regarding their listening and central auditory processing skills. This retrospective study was a case file audit of two adults (a male, aged 37 years and a female, aged 44 years) who presented at a multidisciplinary (audiology and speech pathology) clinic for a hearing and central auditory processing evaluation. Read More

Hear Res 2019 Mar 24;374:35-48. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain; Departamento de Cirugía, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007, Salamanca, Spain. Electronic address:

Cochlear synaptopathy (or the loss of primary auditory synapses) remains a subclinical condition of uncertain prevalence. Here, we investigate whether it affects humans and whether it contributes to suprathreshold speech-in-noise intelligibility deficits. For 94 human listeners with normal audiometry (aged 12-68 years; 64 women), we measured click-evoked auditory brainstem responses (ABRs), self-reported lifetime noise exposure, and speech reception thresholds for sentences (at 65 dB SPL) and words (at 50, 65 and 80 dB SPL) in steady-state and fluctuating maskers. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Apr 5;119:89-95. Epub 2019 Jan 5.

Departments of a Otolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Xinhua College, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China; Institute of Hearing and Speech-Language Science, Xinhua College, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Hearing and Speech Science, Xinhua College, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address:

Objective: To determine the efficacy of the application of the Implantable Hearing Aids and Bone Conduction Implant System in patients with bilateral congenital deformation of the external and middle ear.

Methods: twenty patients with bilateral congenital malformation of the external and middle ear were included in the study. Implantable Hearing Aids implantation was performed in ten patients, and Bone Conduction Implant System implantation was performed in ten patients. Read More

Public Health 2019 Mar 22;168:26-35. Epub 2019 Jan 22.

Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Department of Paediatrics & the Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland, Grafton, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. Electronic address:

Objectives: Although presbycusis typically becomes symptomatic only in older age, slight and mild hearing loss may be detectable well before this. We studied current prevalence and characteristics of hearing loss in Australian mid-life adults.

Study Design: This was a population-derived national cross-sectional study nested within the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Apr 14;119:54-58. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Sanatorio Allende, Cordoba, Argentina.

Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the transcutaneous Bone Conduction Implant, the Bonebridge, in patients with congenital aural atresia.

Methods: Audiometry, speech recognition test and free field audiometry were performed. Word recognition scores and speech perception was evaluated using Spanish phonetically-balanced disyllables word list. Read More

Osteoporos Int 2019 Jan 16. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Manasagangothri, Mysore, Karnataka, 570006, India.

Alteration in the process of bone remodelling results in conditions like osteopenia and osteoporosis in which the bones become susceptible to fracture. The functioning of middle ear bones in such individuals were assessed in this study and it was found that the middle ear bones are equally susceptible to micro-fractures and can cause reduction in the transmission of sound energy.

Introduction: Alteration in the process of bone remodelling or increase in the number of osteoclasts cells as it occurs in osteoporosis and osteopenia are likely to affect the middle ear bones in the same way it affects the skeletal bones. Read More

Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Jan 11;23(1):12-17. Epub 2018 Oct 11.

Secretaria de Saúde do Distrito Federal, Brasília, DF, Brazil.

 The bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) is a bone conduction system that transmits the sound directly to the inner ear by surpassing the skin impedance and the subcutaneous tissue. It is indicated for patients with mixed, conductive and unilateral sensorineural hearing loss who did not benefit from conventional hearing aids (HAs). Although the benefits from BAHA are well demonstrated internationally, this field still lacks studies in Brazil. Read More

Otolaryngol Pol 2018 Sep;72(6):31-36

Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing in Warsaw, Poland.

Introduction: Distorted processing of auditory information has a negative impact on the child's cognitive development. There are only a few studies conducted by Polish researchers determining normative values of psychoacoustic tests in auditory processing disorders. They are inconsistent due to different methodologies and research protocols. Read More

HNO 2019 Mar;67(3):199-206

Hals‑, Nasen‑, Ohrenklinik, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Waldstr. 1, 91054, Erlangen, Deutschland.

Objective: This study investigated the speech perception of cochlear implant (CI) recipients with measurable preoperative ipsilateral speech perception. These data should support improved individual counselling of CI candidates.

Materials And Methods: Pre- and postoperative speech audiometric parameters were analyzed, including maximum score for phonemically balanced words (PB) and monosyllabic score at a normal conversational level of 65 dB, with hearing aids one hand and CI on the other. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Mar 19;118:147-151. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospitals, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital and Case Western Reserve University, and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, USA. Electronic address:

Objective: To investigate any meaningful differences in hearing between patients with unilateral and bilateral enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA). EVA is a common radiological finding in children presenting with hearing loss. We hope to provide insight into the pathogenesis of EVA and provide further guidelines for unilateral EVA management. Read More

Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) 2018 ;78(4):305-314

Center for the Study of the Autonomic Nervous System (CESNA), Department of Speech-Language Pathology, UNESP, Marília, Brazil;

Numerous studies have investigated the connection between autonomic control of heart rate (HR) and auditory stimulus. Yet, the literature lacks evidence of a close association between auditory brainstem processing and HR autonomic control. We aimed to evaluate and verify the relationship between auditory brainstem response (ABR) and HR variability (HRV) in healthy women. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Mar 2;118:128-133. Epub 2019 Jan 2.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.

Objective: To evaluate outcomes in pediatric and adolescent patients with single-sided deafness (SSD) undergoing cochlear implantation.

Methods: A retrospective cohort design at two tertiary level academic cochlear implant centers. The subjects included nine children ages 1. Read More

Int J Audiol 2019 Feb 8;58(sup1):S40-S48. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

b Audiology and Speech-Language Sciences , University of Northern Colorado , Greeley , Colorado , United States.

To determine if conventional audiometry, EHFA, and pDPOAEs are useful as early indicators of cochlear damage from recreational firearm impulse noise exposure in youth firearm users. Quantitative cross-sectional descriptive pilot study. Descriptive statistics and MANOVA with post hoc Tukey Honestly Significant Difference test were used to compare pDPOAEs (1-10 kHz), conventional audiometry (0. Read More

BMC Health Serv Res 2019 Jan 3;19(1). Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Department of Audiology, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, USA.

Background: In an attempt to reach remote rural areas, this study explores a community-based, pediatric hearing screening program in villages, integrating two models of diagnostic ABR testing; one using a tele-medicine approach and the other a traditional in-person testing at a tertiary care hospital.

Methods: Village health workers (VHWs) underwent a five day training program on conducting Distortion Product Oto Acoustic Emissions (DPOAE) screening and assisting in tele-ABR. VHWs conducted DPOAE screening in 91 villages and hamlets in two administrative units (blocks) of a district in South India. Read More

Afr Health Sci 2018 Jun;18(2):313-320

Department of Family Medicine, University of Pretoria, Pretoria , South Africa.

Background: Hearing loss prevalence data in South Africa is scarce, especially within primary health care settings.

Objectives: To determine; (i) the prevalence of hearing disorders in patients ≥3 years of age attending two primary health care clinics, and (ii) the nature and characteristics of hearing disorders at these primary health care clinics.

Method: A cross-sectional design was used at two primary health care clinics. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Mar 21;118:97-102. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, World Hearing Center, Otorhinolaryngology Surgery Clinic, Mokra 17 Str., 05-830, Kajetany, Poland.

Introduction: For children with conductive or mixed hearing loss, in whom use of conventional hearing aids is impossible or limited, use of bone conduction devices is recommended. The choice between the available types of devices depends mostly on the degree of hearing loss, age, and anatomical conditions. One device application in children older than 5 years is the Bonebridge implant. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Mar 7;118:1-5. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Canselor Tuanku Mukhriz, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Objective: There is a dearth of studies on long term hearing status and behavioural patterns among cleft lip and/or palate children after their primary lip and palate closure in Malaysia. This study describes the audiology status and behavioural patterns in a group of school aged children with cleft lip and/or palate.

Method: A cross sectional study was carried out where caretakers of cleft lip and/or palate were asked to complete the translated Malay language version of Strength Difficulties Questionnaire. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(51):e13742

Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Dermatology of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong.

Rationale: The rate of spontaneous recovery of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) has been reported to be as high as 32% to 65%. Although the majority of spontaneous recoveries occur within 2 weeks, treatment of refractory SSNHL failing conventional therapy is difficult. In particular, it is more difficult to treat children-who have a worse prognosis than adults-with SSNHL refractory to conventional therapy. Read More

Otol Neurotol 2019 Feb;40(2):171-176

World Hearing Center, Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Warsaw/Kajetany.

Objective: To report the improvement in hearing preservation and speech understanding of five pediatric patients who received cochlear implantation via Electro-natural Stimulation Partial Deafness Treatment, the largest group so far treated.

Study Design: Retrospective case review.

Setting: Tertiary referral center. Read More

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Jan 2;116:186-191. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Bahiana School of Medicine and Public Health, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

Objective: To evaluate the auditory system for hidden hearing loss (HHL) and its association with clinical variables and endothelial dysfunction (ED) in children and adolescents with sickle cell anemia (SCA).

Methods: Participants included 37 patients with stable SCA and 44 healthy controls (HC group) (aged 6-18 years) with hearing thresholds ≤ 20 dB (dB) were evaluated for pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, acoustic reflex, otoacoustic emission, and auditory evoked potentials. Laboratory analysis of the lipid profile, and C-reactive protein levels and endothelial function using ultrasonographic imaging of the brachial artery to assess flow-mediated dilation were performed. Read More

Acta Neurol Belg 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Uniwersytet Medyczny im Piastow Slaskich we Wroclawiu, Wrocław, Dolnośląskie, Poland.

Stenosis of arteries that supplies blood to the brain is one of the main causes of ischemic stroke which is the third most common cause of deaths in Europe. Atherosclerosis of carotid and vertebral arteries is responsible for 20% of the ischemic stroke cases. Stenosis may be either asymptomatic or manifested with typical neurological symptoms including motor and sensory disturbances as well as disturbances in vision and speech. Read More

Am J Audiol 2018 Dec 10:1-11. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Communicative Sciences & Disorders, Michigan State University, East Lansing.

Purpose: This project was aimed at evaluating the reliability, validity, and clinical utility of a protocol for integrated measurements of the most comfortable level (MCL) and uncomfortable level (UCL) for speech, in combination with the speech recognition threshold (SRT). We also evaluated the validity of using spondee words when measuring speech MCL and UCL.

Method: In a randomized block design, equal numbers of women and men with normal hearing, aged 18-29 years, were assigned to each of 3 experimental stimulus conditions: spondee singlets, spondee triplets, or connected discourse (n = 12 per group). Read More

HNO 2019 Feb;67(2):118-125

Campus Lübeck, Klinik für HNO-Heilkunde, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Deutschland.

Background: Whereas sentence tests are commonly performed using an adaptive procedure, this method has not yet been transferred to the Freiburg monosyllabic speech test, the most important word test. When using different procedures, a comparison of results between sentence and word tests is not possible. Therefore, an adaptive procedure which has proven itself in sentence tests was transferred to the Freiburg monosyllabic test in noise. Read More

Noise Health 2018 Sep-Oct;20(96):178-189

Department of Physical Hazards, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland.

Introduction: The overall objective of the study was to assess noise exposure and audiometric hearing threshold levels (HTLs) in call center operators.

Materials And Methods: Standard pure-tone audiometry and extended high-frequency audiometry were performed in 78 participants, aged 19 to 44 years (mean ± standard deviation: 28.1 ± 6. Read More

Oxid Med Cell Longev 2018 28;2018:1439575. Epub 2018 Oct 28.

Institute of Physical Education, Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Background: Tinnitus is defined as a phantom auditory perception, i.e., sound experience despite the lack of acoustic stimuli in the environment. Read More

Laryngoscope 2018 Nov 28. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, and Institute of Hearing and Speech-Language Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.

Objectives/hypothesis: To investigate the simultaneous application of cartilage tympanoplasty combined with eustachian tube (ET) balloon dilatation in the treatment of adhesive otitis media (AdOM).

Study Design: Multicenter, prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Methods: Patients with AdOM were randomly divided into four groups: control group (conservative treatment), ET balloon dilatation (ETBD) group, cartilage tympanoplasty (CT) group, and cartilage tympanoplasty combined with ET balloon dilatation (ETBD+CT) group. Read More

J Cell Biochem 2019 Apr 26;120(4):5505-5509. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Department of Nephrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of TCM, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Chinese herb Cistanche Yishen granules (CYG) in the treatment of tinnitus for patients with chronic nephritis.

Methods: A total of 89 adult patients were diagnosed with chronic glomerulonephritis from January 2016 to December 2017. All the patients were randomly divided into two groups, such as the control group and the CYG group. Read More

J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2018 Dec 9;79(Suppl 5):S385-S386. Epub 2018 Oct 9.

Department of Neurological Surgery, Eberhard-Karls University, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.

We present a case of a mid-sized vestibular schwannoma (T3b according to the Hannover classification) that was resected through a retrosigmoid transmeatal approach in semi-sitting position under endoscopic assistance. The patient is a 52-year-old male with acute loss of functional hearing on the right side. Audiometry confirmed a loss of up to 60 dB and lost speech discrimination, there were no associated symptoms such as tinnitus or vertigo. Read More

Clin Interv Aging 2018 1;13:2225-2235. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Laboratory of Hearing and Technology, Division of Speech Pathology and Audiology, College of Natural Science, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea,

Purpose: While evaluating the speech recognition ability of older adults, the present study aimed to analyze their error types in parts of speech and find error patterns under various conditions of background noise level and speed of speech.

Methods: Twenty older adults with normal hearing for their age (NHiA) and 20 older adults with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) participated. Their cognitive function was screened as within the normal range (mini-mental state examination scores >25). Read More

Ear Hear 2018 Nov 19. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Audiology and Speech Pathology Programme, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia.

Objectives: Post-auricular muscle response (PAMR) is a large myogenic potential that can be useful in estimating behavioral hearing thresholds when the recording protocol is optimal. The main aim of the present study was to determine the influence of stimulus repetition rate on PAMR threshold.

Design: In this repeated-measures study, 20 normally hearing adults aged between 18 and 30 years were recruited. Read More

J Am Acad Audiol 2018 Jan 18. Epub 2018 Jan 18.

Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.

Background: Extended high-frequency (EHF) audiometry (8-16 kHz) has an important role in audiological assessments such as ototoxicity monitoring, and for speech recognition and localization. Accurate and reliable EHF testing with smartphone technologies has the potential to provide more affordable and accessible hearing-care services, especially in underserved contexts.

Purpose: To determine the accuracy and test-retest reliability of EHF audiometry with a smartphone application, using calibrated headphones. Read More

J Am Acad Audiol 2018 Sep 25. Epub 2018 Sep 25.

Department of Infectious Diseases, Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa.

Background: Decentralized detection and monitoring of hearing loss can be supported by new mobile health technologies using automated testing that can be facilitated by minimally trained persons. These may prove particularly useful in an infectious disease (ID) clinic setting where the risk of hearing loss is high.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical utility of mobile and automated audiometry hearing health technology in an ID clinic setting. Read More

J Am Acad Audiol 2018 Jan 15. Epub 2018 Jan 15.

Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.

Background: The projected increase in the aging population raises concerns about how to manage the health-care needs in a cost-effective way. Within hearing health care, there are presently too few audiologists to meet the expected demand, and training more professionals may not be a feasible way of addressing this problem. For this reason, there is a need to develop different ways of assessing hearing sensitivity that can be conducted accurately and inexpensively when a certified audiologist and/or sound-attenuated booth is unavailable. Read More

Am J Audiol 2018 Nov;27(3S):455-461

Department of Speech, Language & Hearing Science, Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute (Deemed to be University), Chennai, India.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to devise a grassroots-level strategy for identification and management of middle ear disorders in a community-based program for individuals with cleft lip and palate in 2 rural districts in the state of Tamil Nadu in South India.

Method: Community workers underwent training to conduct video otoscopy using the ENTraview device. Community workers conducted video otoscopy on 160 individuals with cleft lip and palate between 3 and 35 years old in the community. Read More

Am J Audiol 2018 Nov;27(3S):448-454

Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery, Section Ear & Hearing, and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, VU University Medical Center, the Netherlands.

Purpose: The smartphone digits-in-noise hearing test, called hearZA, was made available as a self-test in South Africa in March 2016. This study determined characteristics and test performance of the listeners who took the test.

Method: A retrospective analysis of 24,072 persons who completed a test between March 2016 and August 2017 was conducted. Read More