The role of hope in adjustment to acquired hearing loss

This study investigated the relationship between individual and disability characteristics and adjustment to acquired hearing loss, and the role hope has in that relationship. A sample of 114 adults with sensorineural hearing loss who had accessed hearing therapy services participated in the study. The mean age of the participants was 67 years. A survey of individual and disability characteristics, hope and adjustment was conducted. Multiple regression analyses were applied to examine possible moderating and mediating models. The results indicate that the degree of loss was the only statistically significant individual and disability characteristic related to adjustment. The trait of hope was found to serve as a mechanism by which the degree of loss affects adjustment. Hearing loss affects hope which in turn affects adjustment. Hope was found to account for 45% of the relationship between the degree of loss and adjustment. Additionally, the study found that self-efficacy and personal meaning may influence hope and despair dimensions in different ways. Discussion centres on the implication of these findings for intervention strategies used in rehabilitation programmes for those with a significant hearing loss.     

Hearing loss and work participation: a cross-sectional study in Norway

Abstract

Objective: To study work participation of persons with hearing loss, and associations with hearing disabilities, self-reported workability, fatigue and work accommodation.

Design: Cross-sectional internet-based survey.

Study sample: A total of 10,679 persons with hearing loss within working-age were invited to answer the survey, where 3330 answered (35.6%).

Results: Degree of hearing loss was associated with low workability, fatigue and work place accommodation, while sick leave was associated with fatigue. Degree of hearing loss was positively associated with being unemployed (p?<?.001) and having part-time work (p?<?.01) (often combined with disability benefits) for women. Work place accommodation was more frequently provided among respondents working with sedentary postures, high seniority, long-term sick leave or low workability. Additional unfavourable sensory conditions were associated with decreased employment (p?<?.001) and workability, and an increase in sick leave (p?<?.01) and fatigue (p?<?.001).

Conclusions: Hearing loss seemed to influence work participation factors negatively; particularly, for moderate hearing loss and for women, even though the degree of employment was high. A lack of work place accommodation when there was a need for such was found. This implies increased attentiveness towards individual needs concerning the experienced disability a hearing loss may produce. A more frequent use of hearing disability assessment is suggested.     

Hearing loss in relation to educational attainment and cognitive abilities: A population study

Severe hearing loss among children has often been found to be associated with educational disadvantage and lower-than-average performance on cognitive tests, but less is known about the much more widespread milder levels of hearing loss. In a cohort of 22 162 young Danish men appearing before the draft board, about 75% had normal hearing at 20 dB, and about 20% had mild hearing loss not worse than 25 dB in both ears for all tones less than 3000 Hz, and not worse than an average of 45 dB in both ears for all tones above 2000 Hz. The remaining 5% had more severe hearing loss. The proportions who had continued school education after age 16 years among the three groups were 51%, 42% and 34% respectively and their mean IQs were 101, 98 and 94. The evidence suggests that even mild hearing loss is associated with distinct educational and cognitive disadvantage which itself may result from difficulties in following classroom teaching.     

Hearing devices for children with unilateral hearing loss: Patient- and parent-reported perspectives

ObjectiveManagement of children with unilateral hearing loss is not standardized. The primary goal of this study was to elicit patient- and parent-reported perspectives regarding usage of hearing devices in pediatric UHL and to suggest a basic algorithmic approach to management.MethodsOur tertiary care center recruited families of youth ages 5–19 years with unilateral hearing loss from January 2014 through October 2015. Parents of all youths completed a 36-item survey, and some youth ages 11–19 years participated in hour-long interviews. We assessed patterns of hearing device usage among participants, and performed qualitative data analysis to understand factors considered by youths when deciding whether or not to use a hearing device.ResultsSurvey information was collected for 50 patients. Distribution of hearing loss severity in affected ear was mild 14%, moderate 26%, severe 22%, and profound 38%. The majority of children had sensorineural hearing loss (57%), followed by mixed (32%), and then conductive (11%). 34 children (68%) had tried a hearing device; 20 continued to use the device. Retention rates were similar among children with different degrees of hearing loss: mild 66%, moderate 50%, severe 60%, profound 64%. Sixteen children tried a wireless contralateral routing of signal (CROS) device, and 15 tried a behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid. Retention rates for CROS and BTE devices were 69% and 47%, respectively. The most common reason for cessation of use was discomfort, followed by lack of benefit.ConclusionA majority of children with unilateral hearing loss who tried a hearing device continued to use it, and retention rates were similar across all degrees of hearing loss. These findings suggest that personal hearing devices should be included in management protocols.     

Hearing results of stapedotomy and malleo-vestibulopexy in congenital hearing loss

Aims

To analyze hearing results of surgical treatment of hearing loss associated with the congenital stapes ankylosis with or without malformations of ossicular chain.

Study design

Retrospective chart review.

Methods

The charts of 1369 stapedotomies performed by senior author (JH) from 1991 to 2006 were reviewed. In 40 cases operative findings were consistent with isolated congenital stapes fixation or associated with middle ear malformations. The modified stapedotomy technique was employed in 33 cases and malleo-vestibulopexy was used in 7 cases. Operative findings were standardized according to Cremers’ classification. The outcomes of 40 surgeries were analyzed according to the 1995 AAO-HNS Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium guidelines. High frequency hearing results on 4, 8 and 12 kHz were reported in addition to standard frequencies. Results of stapedotomies and malleo-vestibulopexies were calculated separately. Surgical complications were described.

Results

The mean post-operative air conduction (AC) was 33 dB, bone conduction (BC) 22 dB and speech reception thresholds (SRT) 31 dB. Closure of the air-bone gap (ABG) to within 10 dB was achieved in 24/40 (60%) of cases. Lack of improvement was observed in 3/40 (8%) patients. In 26/32 (81%) of cases with potential for bilaterally serviceable hearing it was achieved. In 24/40 (60%) of cases symmetrical hearing with interaural difference of less than 10 dB was demonstrated.

Conclusion

Significant hearing gain in patients with congenital stapes ankylosis makes surgical treatment a valuable adjunct or an alternative to hearing aids in selected cases.     

Hearing loss prevalence and risk factors among older adults in China

Objective: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of hearing loss, and to analyse the major demographics and risk factors that influence the prevalence in older adults of China. Design: Cross-sectional investigation. Study sample: Probability proportionate to size sampling (PPS) was adopted for this survey. Among 45,052 individuals, 6984 older adults (≥60?years) were selected as subjects for this study. Results: The prevalence of hearing loss defined as a speech frequency pure tone average of more than 25?dB HL in the better ear was 58.85%. Age and gender were the factors most strongly associated with hearing loss after multivariate adjustment. Ear disease, diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, noise exposure, and ototoxic drugs were significantly correlated with hearing loss. The largest effects were found for ear disease and noise exposure (OR?=?2.83 [95% CI: 2.43–3.29]; OR?=?2.59 [95% CI: 1.80–3.72]). Conclusions: Hearing loss is prevalent in nearly two thirds of adults aged 60?years and older in China population. Chronic diseases, ear disease, and noise are important factors in adults aged 60?years and older.     

坑道噪声及MP3对某部队官兵听力影响的调查研究

目的为研究坑道混合型噪声及随身听设备对人体听觉系统的影响规律,进一步加强对坑道作业人员的听力防护,调查坑道作业噪声及随身听对部队官兵听觉系统的危害。方法对总参某部从事坑道作业人员73人和长时间使用MP3的人员53人进行问卷调查,除外耳鼻咽喉科其他疾病,进行纯音测听和声导抗检查。听力检查前脱离噪声20小时以上,在隔音室内进行纯音和声导抗检查。用Stata软件对听力检查结果进行统计分析。结果听力检查发现坑道作业组出现语频听力下降3人(4.11%,3/73),平均听阈50dBHL;出现高频听力损伤30人(41.10%,30/73),频率主要为3.0kHz、4.0kHz、6.0kHz、8.0kHz高频区,平均听阈46dBHL。使用MP3的人员中无语频听力下降,高频听力损伤人数为17人(32.08%,17/53),平均听阈45dBHL。坑道作业组语频听力损失比例与长期使用MP3组无统计学差异(P>0.05),高频听力损失两组发生比例差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论坑道噪声可能引起坑道作业人员的听力下降,需进一步加强噪声防护。长期使用MP3也可引起听力损伤。     

Hearing loss and inner ear changes in a patient suffering from severe gentamicin ototoxicity

Summary The long-term histological effects of gentamicin ototoxicity could be studied in a human being in relation to the audiometric impairment. The possible sequence of degeneration of hair cells, supporting cells, nerve fibers, stria vascularis, spiral ganglion cells, and vascular supply is discussed.     

Hearing loss due to urate deposition in the middle ear: A case report and literature review

Gout is the most common cause of monoarthritis in men occurring classically in the great toe and the knee.Extra-articular gout manifestations are rare.Only a few cases of head and neck urate crystals deposits have been described in the literature.Precipitations in the middle ear cause conductive hearing loss with common otoscopic anomalies and difficult imaging diagnosis.We report a case of a healthy 58-years-old man with a middle ear urate deposit causing a progressive hearing loss as the very first symptom of gout.The nature of the deposit was unsure on computer tomography(CT)due to atypical density.The final diagnosis was revealed after surgical procedure and histologic examination.A review of the literature is also presented.Seven cases of middle ear urate deposit as the first symptom of gout were found and compared.Progressive conductive hearing loss in middle-aged patients with abnormal otoscopy and middle ear atypical density mass on CT scan must lead to a minimal surgical procedure with a histologic examination to exclude urate crystals deposits.     

Hearing loss in enlarged vestibular aqueduct and incomplete partition type II

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to identify the role of incomplete partition type II on hearing loss among patients with enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA).

Organic solvents and hearing loss: The challenge for audiology

Organic solvents have been reported to adversely affect human health, including hearing health. Animal models have demonstrated that solvents may induce auditory damage, especially to the outer hair cells. Research on workers exposed to solvents has suggested that these chemicals may also induce auditory damage through effects on the central auditory pathways. Studies conducted with both animals and humans demonstrate that the hearing frequencies affected by solvent exposure are different to those affected by noise, and that solvents may interact synergistically with noise. The present article aims to review the contemporary literature of solvent-induced hearing loss, and consider the implications of solvent-induced auditory damage for clinical audiologists. Possible audiological tests that may be used when auditory damage due to solvent exposure is suspected are discussed.

Sumario

Se ha reportado que los solventes orgánicos afectan adversamente la salud humana, incluyen la salud auditiva. Los modelos animales han demostrado que los solventes pueden inducir daño auditivo, especialmente en las células ciliadas externas. La investigación en trabajadores expuestos a solventes sugiere que estos productos químicos pueden también inducir daño auditivo afectando las vías auditivas centrales. Los estudios conducidos en animales y en humanos demuestran que las frecuencias auditivas afectadas por la exposición a solventes son diferentes de las afectadas por el ruido, y que los solventes pueden actuar en sinergia con el ruido. El presente artículo pretende revisar la literatura contemporánea sobre hipoacusia inducida por solventes, y hacer consideraciones clínicas para el audiólogo sobre el daño auditivo inducido por solventes. Se discuten posibles pruebas auditivas que pueden ser utilizadas cuando se sospecha daño auditivo debido a la exposición a solventes.     

Hearing loss among patients with Turner's syndrome: literature review

IntroductionTurner's syndrome (TS) is caused by a partial or total deletion of an X chromosome, occurring in 1:2,000 to 1:5,000 live born females. Hearing loss is one of its major clinical manifestations. However, there are few studies investigating this problem.ObjectivesTo review the current knowledge regarding the epidemiology, etiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis of hearing impairment in patients with TS.MethodsA bibliographic search was performed in the Medline and Lilacs databanks (1980-2012) to identify the main papers associating Turner's syndrome, hearing impairment and its clinical outcomes.ConclusionsRecurrent otitis media, dysfunction of the Eustachian tube, conductive hearing loss during infancy and sensorineural hearing loss in adolescence are the audiologic disorders more common in ST. The karyotype appears to be important in the hearing loss, with studies demonstrating an increased prevalence in patients with monosomy 45,X or isochromosome 46,i(Xq). Morphologic studies of the cochlea are necessary to help out in the clarifying the etiology of the sensorineural hearing loss.     

Hearing loss and middle ear involvement in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the hearing status and middle ear function of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. METHODS: The study group was comprised of 38 ears of 19 patients (6 males, 13 females) aged between 5 and 23 years. The control group was comprised of 30 ears of 15 healthy subjects (5 males, 10 females) aged between 5 and 22 years. All subjects were examined audiologically using tympanometry, stapedial reflex, acoustic reflex decay, pure-tone audiometry, high frequency audiometry and transient evoked otoacoustic emission tests. RESULTS: There were statistically significant (p<0.05) number of ears (32%) with abnormal tympanograms in the patient population while all tympanograms were normal, type A in the control group. Seven type As, 2 type Ad, and 3 type C tympanograms were seen in the patient population. In pure tone audiometry tests there was no subject having neither a conductive nor sensorineural hearing loss individually in both groups. But as a group, patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis showed statistically significant elevation of air conduction thresholds at frequencies of 250, 500, 6000, 14,000 and 16,000 Hz for right ears; and at 500, 2000, 12,500 and 16,000 Hz for left ears; and larger air-bone gaps at 500 and 2000 Hz for right ears; and at 500 Hz for left ears (p<0.05). Comparison of bone conduction thresholds and otoacoustic emission tests between both groups did not reveal any statistically significant difference (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests a dual effect of disease on both the middle and inner ear of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Presence of abnormal tympanograms together with worse air conduction thresholds at lower frequencies as well as larger air bone gaps at frequencies of 500 and 2000 Hz suggest subclinical middle ear involvement; while hearing losses at 6000 Hz and very high frequencies of 12,500, 14,000 and 16,000 Hz suggest inner involvement at an early stage.     

Hearing loss assessment in primary and secondary acquired cholesteatoma

IntroductionAcquired middle ear cholesteatoma can be classified as primary or secondary. Although both can result in hearing loss, it is still controversial whether there is an association between the type of cholesteatoma and the degree of hearing loss.ObjectiveTo analyze the association between hearing loss and the type of acquired cholesteatoma, and the status of the ossicular chain.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional historical cohort study involving patients diagnosed with acquired cholesteatoma who were surgically treated. Air and bone conduction thresholds, air–bone gaps and the status of the ossicular chain were analyzed for both types of cholesteatoma.ResultsEighty patients aged 5–57 were included in the study. Fifty-one patients had primary cholesteatoma and 29 had secondary cholesteatoma. Both types of cholesteatoma determined greater air–bone gaps at 0.5 kHz. Secondary cholesteatoma determined greater hearing loss in all analyzed frequencies and higher air conduction and air–bone gap means.ConclusionThere was association between hearing loss and the type of cholesteatoma. Secondary cholesteatoma resulted in greater hearing impairment.