A process evaluation of implementing a vocational enablement protocol for employees with hearing difficulties in clinical practice

Objective: A multidisciplinary vocational rehabilitation programme, the Vocational Enablement Protocol (VEP) was developed to address the specific needs of employees with hearing difficulties. In the current study we evaluated the process of implementing the VEP in audiologic care among employees with hearing impairment. Design: In conjunction with a randomized controlled trial, we collected and analysed data on seven process parameters: recruitment, reach, fidelity, dose delivered, dose received and implemented, satisfaction, and perceived benefit. Study sample: Sixty-six employees with hearing impairment participated in the VEP. The multidisciplinary team providing the VEP comprised six professionals. Results: The professionals performed the VEP according to the protocol. Of the recommendations delivered by the professionals, 31% were perceived as implemented by the employees. Compliance rate was highest for hearing-aid uptake (51%). Both employees and professionals were highly satisfied with the VEP. Participants rated good perceived benefit from it. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the VEP could be a useful treatment for employees with hearing difficulties from a process evaluation perspective. Implementation research in the audiological setting should be encouraged in order to further provide insight into parameters facilitating or hindering successful implementation of an intervention and to improve its quality and efficacy.     

Auditory findings associated with Zika virus infection: an integrative review

IntroductionPossible associations between Zika virus infection and hearing loss were observed during the epidemic in the Americas.ObjectiveTo describe the auditory alterations, pathogenesis and recommendations for follow-up in individuals with prenatal or acquired Zika virus infection.MethodsBibliographic research conducted in March/2018–April/2019 at the main available databases. Article selection, data extraction and quality evaluation were carried out by two independent reviewers. Studies containing auditory evaluation of patients with congenital or acquired Zika virus infection; and/or hypotheses or evidences on the pathophysiology of auditory impairment associated with Zika virus; and/or recommendations on screening and follow-up of patients with auditory impairment by Zika virus were included.ResultsA total of 27 articles were selected. Sensorineural and transient hearing loss were reported in six adults with acquired Zika virus infection. Of the 962 studied children, 482 had microcephaly and 145 had diagnostic confirmation of Zika virus; 515 of the 624 children with auditory evaluation performed only screening tests with otoacoustic emissions testing and/or automated click-stimuli auditory brainstem response testing. Studies in prenatally exposed children were very heterogeneous and great variations in the frequency of altered otoacoustic emissions and automated click-stimuli auditory brainstem response occurred across the studies. Altered otoacoustic emissions varied from 0% to 75%, while altered automated click-stimuli auditory brainstem response varied from 0% to 29.2%. Sensorineural, retrocochlear or central origin impairment could not be ruled out. One study with infected mice found no microscopic damage to cochlear hair cells. Studies on the pathogenesis of auditory changes in humans are limited to hypotheses and recommendations still include points of controversy.ConclusionThe available data are still insufficient to understand the full spectrum of the involvement of the auditory organs by Zika virus, the pathogenesis of this involvement or even to confirm the causal association between auditory involvement and virus infection. The screening and follow-up recommendations still present points of controversy.     

Genetic testing has the potential to impact hearing preservation following cochlear implantation

Abstract

Background: Recent advances in less-invasive surgery and electrode design allow for a high degree of hearing preservation (HP) after cochlear implantation (CI), although residual hearing still deteriorates in some patients. To date, the factors predictive of preserving residual hearing remain a controversial topic.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive factors, including the etiology of hearing loss (HL) as a patient-related factor, influencing residual HP after CI.

Methods: Forty-four patients (50 ears, 41 families) with residual acoustic hearing who underwent CI were included. Auditory thresholds before and at 6 months after initial activation were measured. Genetic testing was performed to identify the responsible genes for HL.

Results: We identified the cause of HL in 21 families (51.2%). HP was marginally correlated with age at implantation, while it was independent of pre-operative low-frequency hearing thresholds, cochlear duct length, and electrode length. We found that patients who had pathogenic variants in the CDH23, MYO7A, or MYO15A gene showed statistically better HP scores compared with patients with HL due to other causes (p?=?.002).

Conclusions: Identification of the etiology of HL using genetic testing is likely to facilitate the prediction of HP after implant surgery.     

持续性特发性耳鸣严重程度的相关因素分析

目的 探讨导致持续性特发性耳鸣严重程度的相关因素。 方法 分析870例持续性特发性主观性耳鸣患者的一般资料、病史、听力学结果、耳鸣匹配实验、耳鸣残疾量表、匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表和焦虑自评量表,应用多因素Logistic回归分析研究与患者耳鸣严重程度相关的因素。 结果 (1)性别(P<0.001)、年龄(P=0.010)、耳鸣主调声频率(P=0.005)、听力损失(P=0.037)、焦虑程度(P<0.001)、睡眠状况(P<0.001)在THI分级上差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);(2)病程(P=0.053)、侧别(P=0.437)、主调声响度(P=0.120)在THI分级上差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。 结论 女性患者特发性耳鸣的程度较男性更为严重;低频较高频更扰人;焦虑程度和睡眠状况是影响耳鸣严重程度的因素,而病程、侧别、耳鸣主调声响度不是影响患者特发性耳鸣严重程度的因素。     

Hearing in Noise Test Brazil: standardization for young adults with normal hearing

IntroductionIndividuals with the same ability of speech recognition in quiet can have extremely different results in noisy environments.ObjectiveTo standardize speech perception in adults with normal hearing in the free field using the Brazilian Hearing in Noise Test.MethodsContemporary, cross-sectional cohort study. 79 adults with normal hearing and without cognitive impairment participated in the study. Lists of Hearing in Noise Test sentences were randomly in quiet, noise front, noise right, and noise left.ResultsThere were no significant differences between right and left ears at all frequencies tested (paired t − 1 test). Nor were significant differences observed when comparing gender and interaction between these conditions. A difference was observed among the free field positions tested, except in the situations of noise right and noise left.ConclusionResults of speech perception in adults with normal hearing in the free field during different listening situations in noise indicated poorer performance during the condition with noise and speech in front, i.e., 0°/0°. The values found in the standardization of the Hearing in Noise Test free field can be used as a reference in the development of protocols for tests of speech perception in noise, and for monitoring individuals with hearing impairment.