Journal of Audiology and Otology最新文献

Background and objectives: Virtual reality (VR) applications change the perception of reality, resulting in a feeling of being in a natural environment. The occurrence of cybersickness (CS) when using VR applications is a well-documented side effect, and the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) has been used to assess CS. Considering the speed of VR technology development, CS will likely become a frequently researched and discussed topics in the near future. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a Turkish validity and reliability study and introduce the SSQ to Turkish medical literature. Materials and.

Methods: A total of 160 healthy individuals (80 females and 80 males) aged >18 years (28.4±7.2 years) were included in our study. The SSQ was provided to the participants through Google Forms before and after the VR provocation experience and within the scope of the test and retest protocol.

Results: The reliability and internal consistency of the questionnaire were observed at a high level (Cronbach's alpha=0.854, Spearman-Brown coefficient r=0.871). Factor analysis was performed and the questionnaire was divided into three subfactors, consistent with the original questionnaire. In the responses obtained from the participants before and after VR provocation, statistically significant differences were observed in 13 of the 16 items in the questionnaire that are related to VR provocation (p<0.05). Statistically, the differences in fatigue, dizziness, and vertigo were greater in females than in males (p<0.05).

Conclusions: The Turkish version of the SSQ is an effective tool for measuring the side effects in VR environments. The inclusion of the SSQ in the Turkish literature enables the inclusion of non-English-speaking participants in research, especially for disciplines that consider peripheral and central vestibular disorders.

Background and objectives: Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) is prevalent among patients with ENT disorders, necessitating history-taking, clinical examination, and appropriate investigation for diagnosis. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Patient Questionnaire (ETDQ-7) is a valuable tool for subjectively assessing symptom severity related to this condition. This study aims to adapt and validate the ETDQ-7 in Greece, ensuring its accuracy and efficacy in outpatient settings. Subjects and.

Methods: The ETDQ-7 was translated into Greek following established methodology. Data were collected from 75 Greek patients diagnosed with ETD and 25 control patients without ETD. Participants completed the adapted ETDQ-7 and underwent a clinical examination, with statistical analysis correlating with their ETDQ-7 responses. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the questionnaire's reliability and validity.

Results: Internal consistency and item analyses were performed to validate the questionnaire. Face and content validity were confirmed, and patients found the questionnaire easy to administer and complete. Test-retest reliability demonstrated similar internal consistency and a strong correlation between individual items and the total score. Discriminative validity revealed a statistically significant difference between the two patient groups, supporting the usefulness of the Greek version of ETDQ-7 in confirming the diagnosis of ETD.

Conclusions: The Greek version of ETDQ-7 proves to be safe and effective for diagnosing ETD in Greek-speaking populations, complementing various investigative methods.

Background and objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of hearing aids (HAs) on reducing symptoms of dizziness in patients with hearing loss (HL) and dizziness. Subjects and.

Methods: A pre- and post-intervention study was conducted between February 2022 and July 2022 at the outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in Seoul, South Korea. Ten participants (four males and six females) with HL and dizziness were recruited. Participants were screened using pure-tone audiometry and visual analog scale scores at baseline. Selected participants underwent the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance (mCTSIB) and Korean Dizziness Handicap Inventory (K-DHI) in the unaided state. Thereafter, participants were provided HAs and instructed to use them for at least 6 hours every day. At the 1-month follow-up, all participants were assessed in the aided state using the same tests as at baseline. All tests were performed bilaterally.

Results: In the mCTSIB, a significant difference was observed in the foam surface-eyes closed score before (median=2.35) and after (median=2.2) HA use (p=0.049). No significant differences were observed in the K-DHI scores before and after HA use.

Conclusions: HA use may improve the static and subjective perception of balance in patients with HL and dizziness. Future research should explore the benefits of HAs under various balance conditions such as dynamic balance and gait.

A 19-year-old male patient with a history of congenital left oval window defect has had recurrent admissions to a children's hospital for bacterial meningitis since the age of 7. Investigations revealed a left-sided type 1 incomplete partition deformity of the left ear with a congenital oval window defect, leading to communication between the cranium and the middle ear. The patient underwent a left canal wall down mastoidectomy and oval window defect repair, remaining well for 3 years. He experienced two more episodes of bacterial meningitis as he got older, prompting repeated exploratory tympanotomy and repair of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak after each episode. Recently, he was referred again for recurrent meningitis. Investigations showed a recurrent oval window defect. After undergoing left external ear canal transection, mastoid and middle ear obliteration, and left Eustachian tube obliteration, he remained well without further leaks or meningitis. Congenital oval window defect is rare and may present with recurrent bacterial meningitis secondary to spontaneous CSF leak via the oval window. Radiology plays a crucial role in identifying the source of the CSF leak, facilitating more precise preoperative counseling and surgical intervention.

Background and objectives: Hereditary hearing loss is the most common genetic disorder in children. Nearly 120 genes associated with auditory impairment have been identified. Although the disease is clinically and genetically complex, the chances of identifying deafness-causing loci increase when studying consanguineous families. Materials and.

Methods: Whole-exome sequencing was performed to identify genetic variants underlying sensorineural hearing loss in affected individuals from a family with third-degree consanguineous practices.

Results: A homozygous deletion of 250.285 kb was identified in the 16p12.2 region encompassing three genes, METTL9, IGSF6, and OTOA, and a partial deletion of the NPIPB4 gene co-segregated within the family.

Conclusions: This study highlighted the genetic heterogeneity of hearing loss in consanguineous families. Future research should focus on the OTOA mutational spectrum in South Indian populations with hearing loss.

Wernicke encephalopathy, also known as thiamine deficiency, is characterized by a triad of symptoms: ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and confusion. However, additional symptoms may manifest depending on the area affected by the lesion. Although multiple cranial neuropathies are possible, sudden onset bilateral hearing loss has been described in rare situations as the first manifestation of Wernicke encephalopathy. Here, we present a case report detailing the clinical experience of a patient diagnosed with Wernicke encephalopathy, whose initial presentation included sudden bilateral deafness. The patient was a 57-year-old man with alcoholism who was successfully diagnosed with Wernicke encephalopathy, and his hearing improved after high-dose intravenous thiamine therapy. Our case study results and a literature review indicate that video findings and suppression head impulse tests can be used to evaluate Wernicke encephalopathy.

Acute facial nerve palsy, particularly Bell's palsy, is a common neurological disorder with an annual incidence of 20-30 cases per 100,000 individuals. It is characterized by sudden or gradual facial muscle palsy and is caused by viral reactivation, inflammation, or ischemia of the facial nerve. Prognosis varies widely, depending on the severity of nerve damage and timeliness of the intervention. Steroid therapy remains the cornerstone of Bell's palsy treatment because it reduces inflammation and facilitates recovery. Early administration, preferably within 72 hours of symptom onset, considerably improves outcomes. However, the efficacy of combination therapy remains controversial. Current guidelines recommend oral steroids as the primary treatment for Bell's palsy and suggest the selective use of antiviral agents in severe cases or when viral involvement is strongly suspected. For severe facial palsy, such as Ramsay Hunt syndrome or varicella-zoster virus-induced cases, combination therapy may improve outcomes and reduce sequelae; however, high-quality evidence is limited. Steroid therapy is the main treatment of Bell's palsy and antiviral therapy can be added in severe cases to improve prognosis. Additional research is required to develop standardized guidelines, concerning the use of antiviral therapies in conjunction with steroids.

Background and objectives: Wireless streaming technology (WT), designed to transmit sounds directly from a mobile phone to hearing aids, was developed to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio. However, the advantages of WT during phone use and the specific demographic that can fully benefit from this technology has not been thoroughly evaluated. We aimed to investigate the benefits and identify predictive factors associated with bilateral wireless streaming among hearing aid users.

Subjects and methods: Eighteen adults with symmetrical, bilateral hearing loss participated in the study. To assess the benefits of wireless streaming during phone use, researchers assessed sentence/word recognition and listening effort in two scenarios: a noisy background with WT turned "OFF" or "ON." Listening effort was evaluated through self-reported measurements. Cognitive function was also assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score.

Results: Participant mean age was 57.3 years (range 27-70), and the mean MoCA score was 27.0 (23-30). The activation of WT demonstrated a significant improvement in the sentence/word recognition test and reduced listening effort. The MoCA score showed a significant correlation with WT (ρ=0.59, p=0.01), suggesting a positive association between cognitive function and the benefits of WT.

Conclusions: Bilateral wireless streaming may enhance sentence/word recognition and reduce listening effort during phone use in hearing aid users, with these benefits potentially linked to cognitive function.

Background and objectives: Cochlear schwannomas, which are categorized into intracochlear and intravestibulocochlear schwannomas (ICs and IVCs, respectively) are rare and may cause hearing loss (HL). The affected region is invariably correlated with tumor location, which can be detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We describe the cochleovestibular manifestations of ICs and IVCs.

Subjects and methods: The study included 31 patients with ICs or IVCs. Tumor extent and exact locations were delineated using MRI. Types of HL were subcategorized into the low-to-mid frequency (250 Hz to 1 kHz), mid-to-high frequency (>1 kHz), and all-frequency (universal) HL groups.

Results: The tumors involved the entire cochlear turn (two ICs) or extended beyond the cochleae (nine IVCs) in 11 patients, and 20 ICs were located in specific locations as follows: 14 in the basal, 3 in the middle, and 3 in the middle and apical turns. No patient showed tumor invasion of the internal auditory canal or middle ear. The pattern of HL usually reflects the location or extent of a tumor. We observed HL at all frequencies, at low-to-mid frequencies, and at mid-to-high frequencies in 13, 4, and 14 patients, respectively. Dizziness or tinnitus was observed in >50% of patients. Surgical tumor removal was performed in 10 patients, and the remaining patients are undergoing annual monitoring.

Conclusions: Cochlear schwannomas may be associated with HL, which may worsen over time and reflect tumor location. Therefore, these lesions should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients who present with idiopathic, fluctuating, progressive or sudden HL.

Background and objectives: Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a sensorineural disease that is associated with a number of factors. In addition to age, sex, environment, lifestyle, and comorbidities are all known to be related to ARHL as well. The prevalence of ARHL can be reduced by controlling the adjustable factors that cause it. Vitamin D levels are strongly related to calcium metabolism, which can affect ARHL. This study aimed to investigate the association between vitamin D and ARHL.

Subjects and methods: A total of 1,104 subjects aged >65 years were enrolled from the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which was conducted from 2010-2012. Every participant received both an audiological assessment and a nutritional survey. The association between ARHL and serum vitamin D concentration was analyzed using logistic regression analyses with complex sampling adjusted for confounding factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking status, mobility, and bone mineral density.

Results: Our multivariable analysis revealed that males in the group with lower serum levels of vitamin D (< 20 ng/mL) had a higher prevalence of ARHL (odds ratio, 1.638, 95% confidence interval, 1.058-2.538, p=0.027).

Conclusions: This finding suggests that lower serum levels of vitamin D are associated with ARHL in the older male population.