Annual rate of hearing loss falls after fractionated stereotactic irradiation for vestibular schwannoma.

PURPOSE: The rate of hearing loss in a population before and after irradiation was investigated to determine the effect of irradiation on hearing impairment. METHODS AND MATERIALS: In 72 patients with vestibular schwannoma who received fractionated stereotactic irradiation from 1992 to 1999, 21 had had their hearing levels examined 3 months or more before the treatment. The mean time between the initial examination and treatment was 18.6 months (range: 3-89 months), and the mean time between treatment and the last follow-up was 24.2 months (12-69 months). Thirty-six to 50 Gy in 20-25 fractions over 5 to 6 weeks was given using an X-ray beam from a linear accelerator. Pure tone average (PTA) was measured using the mean hearing level at five frequencies, and the annual rate of hearing loss was defined as [(hearing loss in PTA(dB))/(follow-up period (months)x12)]. RESULTS: The actual cumulative curve of decrease in tumor size of 2 mm or more was 38.3% at 2 years and 80.0% at 3 years. The mean of hearing loss in PTA was 11.6+/-10.3 dB (-1 to 35 dB) from the initial examination to the start of irradiation and 11.9+/-14.4 dB (-14 to 37 dB) from the start of irradiation to the last follow-up. The mean annual rates of hearing loss before irradiation and in the 1st,2nd,3rd and 4th years after irradiation were, respectively, 18.6, 11.2, 6.2, 5.1, and 5.0 dB/year. The annual rates of hearing loss in the 2nd year (P=0.025) and 3rd year (P=0.018) were significantly slower than the rate before irradiation. CONCLUSIONS: The mean annual rate of hearing loss was higher before irradiation than after irradiation, and hearing loss slowed rather than accelerated after irradiation. Although hearing loss after the treatment was usually permanent, fractionated stereotactic irradiation was suggested to be effective to lower the rate of hearing loss.     

Outcomes of Newborn Hearing Screening Program: A Hospital Based Study

Hearing loss is hidden disability and second most common congenital pathology. Prevention, early identification and early intervention of hearing loss can prevent further disability in development of speech, language, cognition and other developmental domains. The prevalence of congenital hearing loss has been estimated to be 1.2–5.7 per thousand in neonates. In these contexts, the aim of study was to determine outcomes of neonates hearing screening program in Hospital. It is a clinical cross-sectional study which was conducted in tertiary care centre from 8th July, 2015 to 31th May, 2016. Total no of 2254 cases were screened. Details case history including high risk register, Pediatric Audiometry, Otoacoustic Emission tests were performed followed brainstem evoked response audiometry. The Prevalence of hearing loss among high risk babies confirmation by BERA was 8.8% per 1000 babies and 16 cases were recommended for Cochlear Implant. The screening protocol with objective test i.e. Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission and confirmation by Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry is very useful tool in early identification of congenital hearing loss in neonates. Hence, the results of this study will be used to initiate universal newborn hearing screening in other hospitals. Moreover, this study highlights the relevance of neonatal hearing screening in other states of India and country where this screening is not performed routinely in all hospitals and creating awareness to identify neonatal risk factors associated with hearing loss and understand the importance of early identification and early intervention and among health care professionals.     

Factors Affecting the Outcome of Stapes Surgery

To study the outcome of stapes surgery based on the Clinical, Audiometry, and Surgical pre- and postoperative factors. This study is a prospective study of factors affecting the outcome of stapes surgery in otosclerosis patients. From February 2010 to June 2011, 57 patients of confirmed clinical otosclerosis were analysed. Out of them, 31 patients were included in our study as were available for follow-up. Clinical, audiometry and surgery-related parameters were included to assess the surgery outcome. Results were reported as suggested by AAO-HNS (American Association of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery) guidelines for stapes surgery, 1995. The paired t-test and analysis of variables test (ANOVA) were used to evaluate the results. A p value of <0.05 was considered significant. There was statistically significant improvement in ABG (air bone gap) closure at 3 months of surgery (p value <0.001). Among all cases, PTA BC (pure tone average bone conduction) at 3 months of surgery was found in the range of 7.5 dB to 43.75 dB. ABG closure was achieved in the range of 0 dB to 27.5 dB among all cases. Variables like gender, degree of hearing loss, type of footplate, sealing material, and piston diameter were definitely predicting the outcome of stapes surgery. Pure tone audiometry plays an important role to diagnose the otosclerosis, to evaluate degree and type of hearing loss and to assess hearing outcome after surgery. Our results may improve knowledge of predictive factors, providing the surgeon with useful information to plan surgery with a better case selection as well as to counsel the patient on the likelihood of success of the procedure.     

Risk factors for neurological complications after acoustic neurinoma radiosurgery: refinement from further experiences

Purpose: Further actuarial analyses of neurological complications were performed on a larger population treated by stereotactic radiosurgery at our institution, to establish the optimal treatment parameters. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between June 1990 and September 1998, 138 patients with acoustic neurinomas underwent stereotactic radiosurgery at Tokyo University Hospital. Of these, 125 patients who received medical follow-up for 6 months or more entered the present study. Patient ages ranged from 13 to 77 years (median, 53 years). Average tumor diameter ranged from 6.7 to 25.4 mm (mean, 13. 9 mm). Maximum tumor doses ranged from 20 to 40 Gy (mean, 29.8 Gy) and peripheral doses from 12 to 25 Gy (mean, 15.4 Gy). One to 12 isocenters were used (median, 4). Follow-up period ranged from 6 to 104 months (median, 37 months). The potential risk factors for neurological complications were analyzed by two univariate and one multivariate actuarial analyses. Neurological complications examined include hearing loss, facial palsy, and trigeminal nerve dysfunction. Variables included in the analyses were four demographic variables, two variables concerning tumor dimensions, and four variables concerning treatment parameters. A variable with significant p values (p < 0.05) on all three actuarial analyses was considered a risk factor. RESULTS: The variables that had significant correlation to increasing the risk for each neurological complication were: Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) for both total hearing loss and pure tone threshold (PTA) elevation; history of prior surgical resection, tumor size, and the peripheral tumor dose for facial palsy; and the peripheral tumor dose and gender (being female) for trigeminal neuropathy. In facial palsies caused by radiosurgery, discrepancy between the course of palsy and electrophysiological responses was noted. CONCLUSION: Risk factors for neurological complications seem to have been almost established, without large differences between institutions treating a large number of patients by radiosurgery. Radiosurgical doses and tumor dimensions were considered the two important risk factors for the 7th and 5th nerve injuries. Neurofibromatosis Type 2 was an important factor for hearing loss.     

Malnutrition and deafness with low protein diet in Guinea Pigs

Effects of malnutrition on hearing is studied in Guinea pigs provided with a low protein diet and compared with a control group provided with the standard ICMR diet. The experimental group was given low protein diet for 16 weeks, whereas the control group was given the standard ICMR diet throughout the period. Once in a week these groups were subjected to assessment of body weight, serum total protein level and hearing level. In the experimental group there was loss of body weight, lowering of serum, total protein level and progressive loss of hearing throughout the period, more marked after 14–16 weeks. There was 50% mortality rate in the experimental group during the 12th to 16th week. After the 16th week the experimental group were provided with standard ICMR diet for the next 4 weeks. There was gradual improvement in body weight, serum total protein level and hearing level.     

鼻咽癌放疗后听觉功能损伤与修复的研究

目的 研究鼻咽癌(NPC)患者放疗后听觉功能的损伤与修复。方法 利用电测听和脑干听觉诱发电位(BAEP)对48例初次接受放疗的NPC患者的听觉通路功能进行检测。结果 电测听结果显示听力以高频受损为主,放疗后6个月内以传导性耳聋为主,放疗后12个月以混合性耳聋为主。与放疗前相比,放疗中BAEP之V波的PL显著延长(P<0.05),放疗结束6个月BAEP之Ⅰ、Ⅲ、Ⅴ波的PL和Ⅰ～Ⅲ、Ⅲ～Ⅴ、Ⅰ～Ⅴ之IPL显著延长(P<0.01)。BAEP在放疗中出现8例异常,至放疗后12个月增加至23例。在追踪检测中发现一些电测听和BAEP异常病例好转,放疗后3～6个月好转率最高。结论 鼻咽癌放疗后听觉通路损伤可能包括整个听通路。放疗后6个月内是损伤与修复并存的最活跃时期,应是治疗听觉损伤的最佳时期。     

Investigative profile of patients with a profound sensorineural hearing loss

Two hundred and eighty five patients presenting with profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss from 1987 to 1989, were subjected to a detailed history, pure tone audiogram, aided audiogram, Brain Stem Evoked Response Audiometry, Electrocochleography, Cochlear Nerve Test, and Tomograms of the temporal bones. All the data collected was subsequently analysed.     

Therapeutic Effect on Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss with Duration of Onset More Than 3 Months

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and stability upon idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) patients with duration of onset more than 3 months. Twenty-eight patients diagnosed as ISSNHL were treated by intravenous injection and another 26 by oral medication. Pure tone tests were undertaken at pre-therapy, the 3rd, 7th, 10th, 14th day of post-treatment, and 1 and 2 months of follow-up respectively. A total of 54 ISSNHL patients with duration of onset ranged from 3 months to 19 years were concerned. In the group administrated by intravenous injection, the total effective rate was 64.29 % including 2 cases total recovery, 3 excellent and 13 partial recovery. In the oral administration group, there was no recovery or excellence case, and 8 (30.77 %) showed partial recovery. There was significant difference between the two groups in total effective rates (P < 0.05). The treatment efficacy were stable in both two groups, and the difference in stability was no statistical significance (P = 0.397). There was therapeutic value for ISSNHL duration of onset more than 3 months, especially for patients with mild and moderate hearing loss. The administration by intravenous injection should be the optimization.     

Hearing Results Post Tympanoplasty: Our Experience with Adults at the KKR ENT Hospital,India

Chronic suppurative otitis media is often associated with some degree of hearing loss. Tympanomastoid surgery is considered effective in controlling infection and preventing recurrence. However, opinions differ with regards the post-operative hearing results. This study aims to assess the hearing results, and also ascertain the effects of some variables on hearing in adult patients with chronic suppurative otitis media after primary tympanoplasty. This was a retrospective review of the clinical records of adult patients with chronic suppurative otitis media, who had primary tympanoplasty at the KKR ENT Hospital and Research Institute in Chennai (India), between 1st June and 30th September, 2011. A total of 26 adult patients with a mean age of 35.85 years (SD 14.775) were studied. There were 16 males (61.54 %) and 10 females (38.46 %). The commonest presenting symptoms were ear discharge (80.8 %) and hearing loss (76.9 %); and the mean duration of symptom was 8.52 years (SD 8.599). The overall mean pre-operative pure tone average was 49.58 dB (SD 18.608), while the overall mean post-operative pure tone average was 37.38 dB (SD 17.837). The difference between the overall mean pre- and post-operative pure tone average (hearing gain) was 12.192 dB (SD 12.924); and this was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression model showed that only increasing age was significantly associated with increasing mean post-operative pure tone average. This study found primary tympanoplasty effective in improving hearing results in adults with chronic suppurative otitis media even in those with advanced ossicular lesions.     

Phase II trial of lapatinib in adult and pediatric patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 and progressive vestibular schwannomas

This single-institution phase II study was performed to estimate the response rate to lapatinib in neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) patients with progressive vestibular schwannoma (VS). Twenty-one eligible patients were enrolled. Brain and spine MRIs, including 3-dimensional volumetric tumor analysis, and audiograms were performed once at baseline and again every 12 weeks. The primary response end point was evaluable in 17 patients and defined as ≥15% decrease in VS volume. Hearing was evaluable as a secondary end point in 13 patients, with responses defined as an improvement in the pure tone average of at least 10 dB or a statistically significant increase in word recognition scores. Four of 17 evaluable patients experienced an objective volumetric response (23.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10%-47%), with median time to response of 4.5 months (range, 3-12). In responders, reduction in VS volumes ranged from -15.7% to -23.9%. Four of 13 patients evaluable for hearing met hearing criteria for response (30.8%; 95% CI, 13%-58%). One sustained response exceeded 9 months in duration. Median time to overall progression (ie, volumetric progression or hearing loss) was 14 months. The estimated overall progression-free survival and volumetric progression-free survival at 12 months were 64.2% (95% CI, 36.9%-82.1%) and 70.6% (95% CI, 43.1%-86.6%), respectively. Toxicity was generally minor, and no permanent dose modifications were required. Lapatinib carries minor toxicity and has objective activity in NF2 patients with progressive VS, including volumetric and hearing responses. Future studies could explore combination therapy with other molecular targeted agents such as bevacizumab.     

Audiological assessment before and after fractionated stereotactic irradiation for vestibular schwannoma.

PURPOSE: To find the audiological outcome after LINAC-based fractionated stereotactic irradiation (STI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients with vestibular schwannoma treated by fractionated STI between 1991 and 1997 had measurable hearing before STI and were followed audiologically for more than 6 months. The pure tone average (PTA) was measured by averaging the air-conduction threshold for five main frequencies (250-4000 Hz) before and periodically after STI in the 24 patients. Several possible prognostic factors for hearing preservation (defined as a PTA change at the last follow-up of less than 10 dB) were investigated. The median follow-up time was 22 months, ranging from 5 to 69 months. The irradiation schedule was 36 Gy in 20 fractions in 5 weeks to 44 Gy in 22 fractions in 6 weeks followed by 4 Gy/1 fraction boost. RESULTS: The pure tone average before STI was distributed from 7 to 73 dB. Fifty percent of patients showed a change in PTA of less than 10 dB, 79.2% of patients showed a change in PTA of less than 20 dB and 20.8% of patients showed a change in PTA of more than 21 dB at the last follow-up. Only one patient (4%) became deaf. Cases with a sudden loss of hearing were more likely to experience hearing preservation than those with gradual loss of hearing (P<0.05). The mean age was younger in patients whose hearing was preserved (P<0.05). Poor pretreatment PTA appeared to linearly correspond to the changes in PTA (regression coefficient 0.78). The size of the tumor was not related to the change in PTA. No relationship was observed between the maximum or peripheral dose and the PTA change. The real benefit of stereotactic boost after small-field fractionated irradiation was not certain. CONCLUSION: Fractionated STI produced a hearing preservation rate compatible with meticulously collimated multi-spots single fraction irradiation. Further follow-up is required to confirm the long-term benefits of fractionation.     

Is sensorineural hearing loss a possible side effect of nasopharyngeal and parotid irradiation? A systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Little has been published about permanent hearing loss due to radiotherapy, thus making it a rather unknown phenomenon. Therefore, we performed a study of the literature over the last 20 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen relevant clinical studies were found, reporting mostly on nasopharyngeal or parotid gland treatments. Hearing loss was measured using a pure tone audiogram. Studies were assessed using a simple scoring list. Nine studies were used for further analysis. Data on the pure tone audiogram were pooled. RESULTS: Results showed that, especially in the higher frequencies (> or =4 kHz), loss can be measured. When data were pooled, in 42 +/- 3% of the patients a hearing loss was found of 10 dB or more at 4 kHz. Averaged over all measured frequencies the effect is less prominent but still statistically significant (18 +/- 2%). No significant difference between nasopharyngeal and parotid gland treatment was found (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Only a few studies, mostly concerning small patient numbers, have investigated hearing damage due to radiotherapy. So far there has been no consensus on the subject. However, in this systematic review we found a significant effect. Dose to the inner ear therefore deserves more attention, especially in dose escalation studies and inverse planning.     

Sensori-neural hearing loss in patients treated with irradiation for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The present investigation has been carried out to evaluate the sensitivity of the inner ear to irradiation. Cochlear function was tested in a cohort of 22 patients before and 7-84 months after receiving external irradiation for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The pre-irradiation sensori-neural hearing threshold at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz was used as a baseline for the individual patient, and the observed sensori-neural hearing loss (SNHL) was calculated as the difference between pre- and post-irradiation values. The pre-irradiation hearing level or patient age was not correlated with the actual SNHL. In contrast, there was a significant correlation between the total radiation dose to the inner ear and the observed hearing impairment. SNHL was most pronounced in the high frequencies, with values up to 35 dB (4000 Hz) and 25 dB (2000 Hz) in some patients. The latent period for the complication appeared to be 12 months or more. The deleterious effect of irradiation on the hearing should be kept in mind both in treatment planning and in the follow-up after radiotherapy.     

Visual analog scale in hearing loss

Objective

To determine if visual analog scale (VAS) that has been used to measure magnitude of internal states such as pain, mood and various functional capabilities can be applied for patients with hearing loss.

Materials and methods

One hundred and sixty patients, aged 12–80 years with unilateral hearing loss were studied using a VAS (1–10) and pure tone audiometry (PTA) of responses to 500, 1,000 and 2,000 Hz to determine degree and type of hearing loss. The results of both were compared to determine if VAS can be used in measuring hearing loss.

Results

Patients with mild, moderate hearing loss correlate well with corresponding VAS but other degrees of hearing loss (severe and profound) have poor correlation. The best correlation between PTA and VAS were found in conductive type of hearing loss.

Conclusion

This study suggest that there may be a role for VAS in mild and moderate hearing loss. This may be more applicable in rural setting as a screening procedure when audiometry is not available and can enhance clinical hearing assessment especially in mild-to-moderate conductive hearing loss.     

Clinical and Audio Vestibular Profile of Meniere’s Disease in a Tertiary Care Centre in India

The aims of this study are to determine the frequency of patients presenting with Meniere’s Disease(MD) in an Indian setting, using the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO) diagnostic criteria, and to describe the clinical and audio vestibular profiles of these patients. The study was based on prospective case series design in the settings of a tertiary referral hospital. The study included all consecutive patients aged between 5 and 75 years presenting with the history of hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus and or aural fullness as participants, satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria for MD (AAO 1995) recruited over a 12 month period. Main outcome measures comprised the evaluation of epidemiological profile, clinical features, and results of audio vestibular investigations like Pure Tone Audiometry with and without glycerol, Impedance Audiometry, Electrocochleography (ECohG), Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission and Electronystagmography (ENG). The results of the study are as follows: The frequency of MD was 15.6%, being commoner in males than females (2.6:1) and occurring more in the age group 40–49  years among males and 30–39 years among females. High frequency tinnitus was commoner than low frequency tinnitus. Extra tympanic ECohG had a positive predictive value of 76% for endolymphatic hydrops. ENG was useful for demonstrating canal paresis pattern of nystagmus in 61%. Indian patients with MD commonly present to tertiary care at the functional level scale of 3. The results of this study revealed that the frequency of MD is not as low in the Indian ENT setting as earlier believed. There is a high chance of missing cases in the routine ENT outpatient clinic setting unless a structured proforma incorporating the AAO 1995 diagnostic criteria is used.     

Head and Neck Leiomyosarcoma

To study hearing loss in healthy pregnant women. Tertiary care hospital. Prospective study. We screened fifty healthy, non-complicated pregnant women (study group) in the third trimester for hearing loss who had no previous history for the same. Fifty healthy, non-pregnant women (control group) were also screened for hearing loss with a normal pure tone audiogram (PTA) for evidence of hearing loss. Thirteen women in the study group had evidence of hearing loss, in the form of absence of distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), though the PTA was within normal limits. In the control group, two women had evidence of hearing loss, in the form of absence of DPOAE with normal PTA. This study proves that pregnancy exacerbates hearing loss, if the patient has any risk factors for the same.     

Prospective study of inner ear radiation dose and hearing loss in head-and-neck cancer patients

PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between the radiation dose to the inner ear and long-term hearing loss. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Eligible patients included those receiving curative radiotherapy (RT) for head-and-neck cancer. After enrollment, patients underwent three-dimensional conformal RT planning and delivery (180-200 cGy/fraction) appropriate for their disease site and stage. The inner ear was contoured on axial CT planning images. Dose-volume histograms, as well as the mean and maximal dose for each structure, were calculated. Patients underwent pure tone audiometry at baseline (before treatment) and 1, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after RT. The threshold level (the greater the value, the more hearing loss) in decibels was recorded for 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000 Hz. For patients receiving predominantly unilateral RT, the contralateral ear served as the de facto control. The differences in threshold level between the ipsilateral and contralateral ears were calculated, and the temporal pattern and dose-response relation of hearing loss were analyzed using statistical methods that take into account the correlation between two ears in the same subject and repeated, sequential measurements of each subject. RESULTS: Of the 40 patients enrolled in this study, 35 qualified for analysis. Four patients who received concurrent chemotherapy and RT were analyzed separately. The 31 unilaterally treated patients received a median dose of 47.4 Gy (range, 14.1-68.8 Gy) to the ipsilateral inner ear and 4.2 Gy (range, 0.5-31.3 Gy) to the contralateral inner ear. Hearing loss was associated with the radiation dose received by the inner ear (loss of 210dB was observed in ears receiving >/=45 Gy) and was most appreciable in the higher frequencies (>/=2000 Hz). For a 60-year-old patient with no previous hearing loss in either ear, after receiving 45 Gy, the ipsilateral ear, according to our clinical model, would have a 19.3-dB (95% confidence interval [CI], 15.5-23.0) and 5.4-dB (95% CI, 3.5-7.5) hearing decrement compared with the contralateral ear for 8000 Hz and 1000 Hz, respectively. Age and an initial hearing difference within an ear pair also affected hearing loss. The baseline hearing threshold was inversely related to radiation-induced hearing loss. The degree of hearing loss was dependent on the frequency tested, age, baseline hearing, and baseline difference in hearing between a patient's two ears. CONCLUSION: High-frequency (>/=2000 Hz) hearing acuity worsens significantly after RT in a dose-dependent fashion. A larger number of patients needs to be studied to validate these results. This knowledge can be applied to create guidelines regarding future dose limits to the auditory apparatus for patients undergoing head-and-neck RT.     

Comparison of Partial Thickness and Full Thickness Tragal Cartilage Graft During Modified Cartilage Shield Tympanoplasty for Type I Procedures

To compare the results, in terms of graft uptake and hearing improvement, of modified cartilage shield technique of tympanoplasty using either partial thickness tragal cartilage or full thickness tragal cartilage for type I procedures. 35 patients were included in group A where a partial thickness tragal cartilage was used and 27 patients included in group B where a full thickness tragal cartilage was used for modified cartilage shield tympanoplasty. Audiometry done at 4 months after surgery and the results compared. The graft take up rate for both these techniques is excellent. There had been no statistically significant difference in hearing gain between these two groups, except at 4,000 Hz, where hearing gain had been more in group A than group B with P value being 0.027. The modified cartilage shield tympanoplasty is a good technique for closure of tympanic membrane perforations. Hearing gain is very much similar between thin and thick cartilage groups, except at 4,000 Hz.     

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: An Otologic Emergency

The study purpose was to determine the efficacy of steroids, volume expanders and antivirals in the management of idiopathic sudden sensory neural hearing loss and to establish importance of early medical intervention. In this prospective study, thirty-four patients presenting with idiopathic sudden hearing loss of 30 db or more were enrolled in study group between 2005 and 2009. Patient variables as they related to recovery were studied and include patient age, time to onset of therapy, status of contralateral ear, presence of diabetes, severity of hearing loss, pattern of hearing loss in audiogram and presence of associated symptoms, (tinnitus, vertigo). Treatment protocol with intravenous hydrocortisone, intravenous dextran and oral anti-viral agent was followed. Pre-treatment and post-treatment pure tone average was analyzed. With combination therapy the overall improvement in pure tone threshold was seen in 27 patients (79.4%). A statistically significant association was found between the time at which medical intervention was started and hearing improvement. Early intervention in patients presenting before 3 days has given 77.8% complete type 1 recovery Idiopathic sudden sensory neural hearing loss is a medical emergency. It should not be misdiagnosed. Early detection and management with volume expanders, steroids and antivirals will improve the chances of complete recovery.     

Rheumatoid Factor and Hearing Loss

To find out the association between rheumatoid factor and hearing loss, a prospective study was conducted at Tertiary care/Medical college hospital. We screened 85 patients with positive rheumatoid factor for evidence of hearing loss. These patients were collected from the Departments of Medicine and Orthopedics. Out of 85 patients, who were positive for rheumatoid factor, underwent screening for hearing loss. These patients had a normal pure tone audiogram but Distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) was absent in twenty three patients. DPOAE was absent in 27% of cases, in whom there was positive rheumatoid factor. It was extremely statistically significant.