Audiology Research最新文献

Background: Listening difficulties may frequently occur in school settings, but so far there were no tools to identify them for both hearing and hearing-impaired Italian students. This study performed cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Listening Inventory for Education-Revised for Italian students (LIFE-R-ITA).

Methods: The study procedure followed the stages suggested by the Guidelines for the Process of Cross-cultural Adaptation of Self-Report Measures. For the content validation, six cochlear implanted students (8-18 years old) pre-tested the initial version. Whenever any situation did not occur in Italy, the item was adapted to more typical listening situations in Italy. The final version of LIFE-R-ITA was administered to a sample of 223 hearing students from different school settings and educational degrees in order to collect normative data.

Results: For the LIFE-R-ITA, hearing students showed an average score of 72.26% (SD = 11.93), reflecting some listening difficulties. The subscales (LIFE total, LIFE class, and LIFE social) indicated good internal consistency. All items were shown to be relevant. Most challenging situations happened when listening in large rooms, especially when other students made noise. LIFE social scores were significantly worse than those of LIFE class (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: The present study provides cross-cultural adaptation and validation for the LIFE-R-ITA along with the normative data useful to interpret the results of students with hearing loss. The LIFE-R-ITA may support teachers and clinicians in assessing students' self-perception of listening at school. Such understanding may help students overcome their listening difficulties, by planning and selecting the most effective strategies among classroom interventions.

Background: This study aimed to investigate whether Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy intervention (ICBT) for individuals with tinnitus had an indirect effect on the third-party disability noticed by significant others (SOs).

Methods: Significant Others Questionnaire (CTSOQ). Individuals with tinnitus completed standardized self-reported outcome measures for tinnitus severity, anxiety, depression, insomnia, hearing-related quality of life, tinnitus cognitions, hearing disability, and hyperacusis.

Results: In total, 194 pairs of individuals with tinnitus and their SOs participated. The impact of third-party disability experienced by SOs was significantly reduced after individuals with tinnitus undertook the ICBT intervention (d = 0.41). This reduced SOs with severe difficulties from 52% to 35%. The remaining impact was mild for 30% and moderate for 35%. SOs with higher baseline difficulties and SOs who were partners (e.g., spouses) were less likely to notice indirect benefits from intervention undertaken by their family members. There was a moderate positive correlation between the post-intervention CTSOQs and the clinical variables of tinnitus severity and depression.

Conclusions: Third-party disability may be reduced as an indirect effect of individuals with tinnitus undertaking ICBT. Including SOs of individuals with tinnitus within the rehabilitation process may add additional benefits, and such involvement should be encouraged.

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most prevalent autoimmune neurological condition in the world, leading to a wide variety of symptoms, including balance disorders.

Objective: To evaluate the angular vestibulo-ocular reflex (aVOR) of all six semicircular canals (SCCs) through Head Impulse (HIMP) and Suppression HIMP (SHIMP) paradigms and any correlations with clinical balance scales.

Methods: All participants were assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Mini-BESTest (MBT). Vestibular function was measured by video Head Impulse Test (vHIT), obtaining aVOR gain for each SSC.

Results: Twenty-seven PwMS (mean age 47.93 ± 8.51 years old, 18 females) were recruited. Most of the patients (81.48%) presented abnormal aVOR gains for at least one SSC. A moderate to strong correlation between aVOR gains of the left anterior SSC and, respectively, the MBT and the BBS was found. The subgroup analysis, based on the EDSS class, confirmed the correlation with the BBS in the patients with the most significant disability.

Conclusions: People with MS may present impairments of the aVOR in one or more semicircular canals. The aVOR gain impairment of the vertical semicircular canals correlates with balance and gait disorders identified through clinical scales in PwMS.

Conductive hearing loss caused by external or middle ear problems prevents the transmission of sound waves from the external auditory canal to the cochlea, and it is a common condition, especially in pediatric patients aged 1-5 years. The most common etiological factors are otitis media and cerumen during childhood. In some patients, external and middle ear functions and structures may be normal bilaterally despite the air-bone gap on the audiogram. This condition, which is often a missed diagnosis in children, is defined as a pseudo-conductive hearing loss (PCHL) caused by third window syndromes (TWSs) such as semicircular canal dehiscence, inner ear malformations with third window effect, and perilymphatic fistula. In this review of the literature, the authors emphasize the pitfalls of pediatric audio-vestibular evaluation on TWSs as well as the key aspects of this evaluation for the differential diagnosis of PCHL brought on by TWSs. This literature review will provide audiologists and otologists with early diagnostic guidance for TWSs in pediatric patients.

Background Clinical studies suggest that vestibular migraine patients have psychiatric comorbidities and low life quality. However, the absence of a multidisciplinary approach to vestibular migraine patients, including otorhinolaryngologists and psychiatrists, is concerning. We aimed to investigate these patients comprehensively and to compare the results of three questionnaires-the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)-between patients with definite vestibular migraine (dVM), migraine without vertigo (MO), and healthy controls (HCs).

Methods: A total of 104 participants were divided into 3 groups: dVM patients (19 participants), MO patients (22 participants), and HCs (63 participants). The scores of the three questionnaires across the three groups were compared using analysis of variance, and linear regression was used to examine the associations between the questionnaire scores within each group.

Results: Compared to MO patients and HCs, dVM patients had significantly higher total scores on the HADS (p < 0.0001) and DHI (p < 0.0001) scales, and lower scores for all nine components of the SF-36, indicating poorer health. In the vestibular migraine group, the DHI score was strongly negatively correlated with the Physical Functioning subscale of the SF-36.

Conclusions: Anxiety and depression are more prevalent in patients with definite vestibular migraine compared to patients with migraine without vertigo and healthy controls. The physical functioning of patients with definite vestibular migraine is highly affected by their dizziness, resulting in a lower quality of life. Timely screening for psychiatric comorbidity in vestibular migraine patients is essential to prevent psychiatric consequences.

Tinnitus affects millions of people around the world and causes significant negative impacts on their quality of life (QoL). Tinnitus is rarely examined in Saudi Arabia. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of tinnitus among adults, explore their experience with tinnitus, investigate the impact of tinnitus on their QoL, and discover their tinnitus management methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was performed utilizing a non-probability purposive sampling technique and a face-to-face in-person administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and a chi-square test were used to assess the data and find any correlation between the variables. Out of 4860 adults, 320 (males: n = 172; females: n = 148; age range = 18-90 years) had tinnitus, mainly described as a daily, gradual, continuous, whistling, and ringing tinnitus in both ears. Tinnitus prevalence was estimated at 6.54% with a slight predominance in males (6.9%) compared with females (6.2%). Most of the participants were unaware of the cause of their tinnitus. The modal value of the severity of tinnitus signals was severe for both genders. The modal value of the impact of tinnitus on the QoL was moderate for males and severe for females. Sleep, social activities, quiet settings, and concentration were largely affected by tinnitus. Significant associations (p < 0.05) between the impact of tinnitus on the QoL and risk factors, such as gender, age, hearing loss, and hyperacusis were determined. Also, the impact of tinnitus on the QoL was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the duration of complaints and the severity of tinnitus signals. Approximately, 61% of the participants did not use any tinnitus treatment, while the remaining participants usually used hearing aids, medications, and counseling to manage their tinnitus. By increasing awareness, establishing standard practice, developing guidelines for managing tinnitus, expanding access to suitable interventions, and carrying out additional research, adults living with tinnitus in Saudi Arabia will have better support and, ultimately, an enhancement of their overall well-being.

The aim of this study is to calculate the gains of the quantified visually enhanced vestibulo-ocular reflex (qVVOR) and the quantified vestibulo-ocular reflex suppression (qVORS), using a specific system to generate a visual suppression index (SI) in healthy subjects obtained through the gains of qVVOR and qVORS, and to determine the normal values of the index, as well as the influence of age and sex variables on the SI.

Methods: This prospective observational clinical study includes 83 healthy subjects who underwent the head impulse and suppression tests (HIMP and SHIMP, respectively), qVVOR, and qVORS tests, all of the vHIT. The sinusoidal tests (qVVOR and qVORS) were conducted at an intended frequency of 0.75 Hz. The gains of these tests were calculated using a system specifically designed for this purpose. A formula for the SI was established using a ratio of the gains from these tests. Two SI values are presented: unilateral, distinct for each direction of head movement, and bilateral, representing the suppression of both sides simultaneously.

Results: Mean gains for the qVVORs were 0.981 ± 0.070 and 0.978 ± 0.077 for the rightwards and leftwards qVVORs, respectively. The gains for the suppressed tests were 0.334 ± 0.112 and 0.353 ± 0.110 for the rightwards and leftwards qVORSs, respectively. A difference of 0.05 Hz was observed between the expected (0.75 Hz) and the obtained frequency of head movement, which is statistically significant (p < 0.001). The SI was 0.342 ± 0.118 for the right side (right SI) and 0.363 ± 0.117 for the left side (left SI). The bilateral SI had a mean value of 0.295 ± 0.104. No significant differences in the SI were noted according to the subject's age. The SI for women was lower than in the case of males.

Conclusions: The VVOR/VORS quantification algorithm allows for the reliable calculation of the numerical gain of qVVOR and qVORS with mathematical soundness and consistency of results. Our data support the use of a single or specific measure for direction of head movement; although significant differences exist, these differences are not clinically relevant.

Background: Middle ear active implants, such as the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB), offer an alternative to reconstructive surgery and other implantable hearing aid systems for patients with conductive, mixed, or sensorineural hearing loss. The primary objective of this work is to describe the auditory results obtained with VSB in our patient cohort, measuring the auditory gain in terms of average tonal thresholds and spoken word discrimination at 65 dB. Secondly, auditory gain differences between different types of hearing loss, coupling to the ossicular chain compared to round and oval windows, and the impact of open versus more conservative surgical approaches, were analyzed.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study, with retrospective data collection, was conducted at a tertiary care center. Clinical and audiometric data pre- and post-implantation were included, from patients who underwent VSB device placement surgery between 2001 and 2024.

Results: 55 patients with an average age of 62.58 ± 17.83 years and a slight preference in terms of the female gender (52.72%) were included in the study. The average gain in the PTA for all types of hearing loss was 41.56 ± 22.63 dB, while for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) the gain was 31.04 ± 8.80 dB. For mixed-conductive hearing loss (C-MHL) a gain of 42.96 ± 17.70 was achieved, notably, in terms of absolute values, at frequencies of 4000 and 6000 Hz, with gains reaching 49.25 ± 20.26 dB at 4 K and 51.16 ± 17.48 dB at 6 K. In terms of spoken word discrimination, for all types of hearing loss, an improvement of 75.20 ± 10.11% was achieved. However, patients with C-MHL exhibited an approximately 13% higher gain compared to those with SNHL (69.32 ± 24.58% vs. 57.79 ± 15.28%). No significant differences in auditory gain were found between open and closed surgical techniques, nor in the proportion of adverse effects, when comparing one technique with the other.

Conclusions: The VSB is effective in improving hearing in patients with mixed, conductive, and sensorineural hearing loss, with significant gains at high frequencies, especially through the round window membrane approach. The choice of surgical technique should consider the patient's anatomical characteristics and specific needs in order to optimize auditory outcomes and minimize postoperative complications.

APD (auditory processing disorders) is defined as difficulties in processing auditory stimuli within the central nervous system, with normative physical hearing and intellectual disabilities excluded. The scale of this phenomenon among children and adolescents and the need to raise awareness of its occurrence prompted the authors to review currently available diagnostic and therapeutic methods, as well as outline future directions for addressing children affected by APD.

Background/objectives: Otosclerosis is a relatively uncommon condition that causes conductive hearing loss in children. The preferred treatment for adults is stapedotomy, while for individuals under 18 years old, there is an ongoing discussion about the best treatment approach. Thus, the surgical procedure for the stapes in pediatric patients continues to be a subject of debate. This study aimed to evaluate the results of stapes surgery in children, trying to understand, based on our results, whether this is actually the most suitable option.

Methods: The study included 18 patients who underwent surgery between January 2013 and December 2023. The patients' ages ranged from 11 to 18 years, with an average age of 14.7. Out of the total 21 surgeries, three patients opted for bilateral surgery. Pre- and post-operative data were compared, focusing on the mean air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC) thresholds at frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz. Additionally, pre-operative thresholds and the post-operative air-bone gap (ABG) were examined.

Results: After a year, the air-bone gap was effectively reduced to 10 dB or less in 94% of the 21 cases, and to 20 dB or less in 98% of all cases.

Conclusions: Our results and research in the field have consistently shown that stapedotomy, when conducted by skilled otosurgeons, is a reliable and successful procedure for a considerable number of patients. The outcomes it generates are similar to those achieved through the procedure conducted during adulthood.