Screening and management of adult hearing loss in primary care: scientific review

CONTEXT: Hearing loss is the third most prevalent chronic condition in older adults and has important effects on their physical and mental health. Despite these effects, most older patients are not assessed or treated for hearing loss. OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence on screening and management of hearing loss of older adults in the primary care setting. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION: We performed a search from 1985 to 2001 using MEDLINE, HealthSTAR, EMBASE, Ageline, and the National Guideline Clearinghouse for articles and practice guidelines about screening and management of hearing loss in older adults, as well as reviewed references in these articles and those suggested by experts in hearing impairment. DATA EXTRACTION: We reviewed articles for the most clinically important information, emphasizing randomized clinical trials, where available, and identified 1595 articles. DATA SYNTHESIS: Screening tests that reliably detect hearing loss are use of an audioscope, a hand-held combination otoscope and audiometer, and a self-administered questionnaire, the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly-Screening version. The value of routine screening for improving patient outcomes has not been evaluated in a randomized clinical trial. Screening is endorsed by most professional organizations, including the US Preventive Services Task Force. While most hearing loss in older adults is sensorineural and due to presbycusis, cerumen impaction and chronic otitis media may be present in up to 30% of elderly patients with hearing loss and can be treated by the primary care clinician. In randomized trials, hearing aids have been demonstrated to improve outcomes for patients with sensorineural hearing loss. Nonadherence to use of hearing aids is high. Prompt recognition of potentially reversible causes of hearing loss, such as sudden sensorineural hearing loss, is important to maximize the possibility of functional recovery. CONCLUSION: While untested in a clinical trial, older adults can be screened for hearing loss using simple methods, and effective treatments exist and are available for many forms of hearing loss.     

The Family Physician and the Preschool Hearing-Handicapped Child

There are many clues which should lead a family physician to suspect deafness in young children brought to his office. When this suspicion is aroused, he can refer these children to the nearest diagnostic centre where new techniques are available to confirm this diagnosis. Engineering research has made powerful hearing aids available which can be worn by young children and which assist to a significant degree their acquisition of language skills.     

A predictive model of the association between gene polymorphism and the risk of noise-induced hearing loss caused by gunfire noise

BackgroundNoise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is one of the common diseases in otology. In general, we assume that most people who are exposed to loud noise constantly, e.g., soldiers, will suffer from hearing loss. Hearing loss is related to the gene polymorphisms, with the Wolfram syndrome type 1 gene (T2500C), interleukin-4 receptor α chain (Q576R) and chloride channel-Kb (T481S) polymorphisms being most related to NIHL.MethodsWe analyzed the association between the polymorphisms and the risk of NIHL in 119 subjects who were exposed to the same loud gunfire. In the current study, 39 persons with hearing loss and 80 with normal hearing were recruited from military officers and soldiers that were exposed to gunfire.ResultsThe results showed that the genetic variation of Wolfram syndrome type 1 gene was a more crucial factor than other genes in causing hearing loss. There was a significant difference (p = 0.027) in WFS1 (T2500C) polymorphism between NIHL subjects and controls.ConclusionIn this study, we found that although loud noise could usually result in hearing damage, the clinical characteristics of hearing loss were irrelevant to gunfire noise. The gene polymorphisms provide predictors for us to evaluate the risk of NIHL prior to gunshot training.     

Hearing impairment and the elderly patient

Hearing impairment is one of the most common causes of disability in the elderly. In addition to its obvious adverse effects on communication, hearing impairment has been associated with impaired mobility, cognitive impairment, and depression. Treatment of hearing impairment can reduce symptoms of depression and improve quality of life in hearing impaired patients. Yet in the Framingham cohort, although 41% of those 65 years of age and older admitted to hearing difficulty, only 10% had ever used a hearing aid. This article discusses the epidemiology of hearing problems in the elderly, types of hearing loss, the adverse effects of hearing loss, the benefits and drawbacks of hearing aids, and the role of the primary care physician in helping hearing impaired.     

Hearing loss in elderly patients in a family practice.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate hearing loss in elderly patients. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: Family practice. PATIENTS: All ambulatory patients 65 years of age or older who attended the practice from June to August 1989. OUTCOME MEASURES: The Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly--Screening Version (HHIE-S) and the Welch-Allyn Audioscope. Patients who failed one or both of the screening tests were referred to a speech and hearing clinic for audiologic assessment and treatment recommendations. Those with hearing aids were excluded from the main study but were given the opportunity to have them assessed at the clinic. MAIN RESULTS: Of 157 eligible patients 42 were excluded: 16 refused to participate, 13 already had hearing aids, and 13 could not be contacted. Of the remaining 115, 34 failed one or both of the tests (14 failed the HHIE-S, 9 failed the audioscope test, and 11 failed both). Of the 34, 25 completed the audiologic assessment at the clinic. Fifteen were found to have severe hearing impairment; the recommendation was hearing aids for 12, further assessment for 2 and no treatment for 1. Of the remaining 10 patients it was thought that 6 would benefit from hearing aids. Ten of the 11 patients with hearing aids who agreed to undergo testing at the clinic were found to need an adjustment or replacement of their devices. CONCLUSIONS: Hearing loss is a significant problem in elderly patients in primary practice. Further study is required to determine which of the two screening tools is most effective. Most elderly patients with hearing aids may require modification or replacement of their devices.     

突发性聋伴眩晕患者血管损伤因素相关检查结果的分析

目的 总结突发性聋伴眩晕四种听力类型患者的临床特点,分析与血管损伤因素相关检查的临床价值及意义,了解血管因素在突发性聋伴眩晕发病机制中的作用.方法 收集我院2015年10月至2017年4月住院治疗的突发性聋伴眩晕病例,按听力曲线类型分成低频下降型、高频下降型、全频下降型、全聋型4组,分析其颅多普勒(TCD)、颈部血管彩色多普勒超声、MRI检查结果异常的分布情况和血浆同型半胱氨酸(HCY)水平.结果 突发性聋伴眩晕病例中全聋型占35.7％、高频听力下降型24.5％,低频听力下降型20.4％,平坦下降型19.4％.血管相关检查结果显示,血浆同型半胱氨酸异常检出率为83.7％,MRI为67.3％,颈部彩超为52.0％,TCD为17.3％.低频下降型患者血管相关检查异常率明显低于其他类型患者,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 突发性聋伴眩晕病人中,低频下降型血管因素影响较小.同型半胱氨酸和MRI检查是突发性聋伴眩晕病人血管损伤性因素的敏感指标.     

Prevalence and nature of connexin 26 mutations in children with non-syndromic deafness

OBJECTIVE: To determine (1) the prevalence and nature of connexin 26 mutations in a cohort of Australian children with non-syndromic hearing loss, and (2) the carrier frequency of the common connexin 26 mutation (35delG) in the general population. DESIGN: A cohort, case-finding study. Mutation analysis was performed on DNA extracted from white blood cells, buccal cells, or Guthrie blood spots. SETTING: A hearing loss investigation clinic and a deafness centre in two Australian capital cities, 1 January 1998 to 31 October 2000. PARTICIPANTS: (1) 243 children (age range, 4 weeks to 16 years; median, 4 years), attending hearing loss clinics in Sydney and Melbourne; (2) 1000 blood samples obtained from anonymous Guthrie card blood spots collected in 1984 [corrected] by the Victorian Clinical Genetics Service as part of the newborn screening program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) The prevalence and types of connexin 26 mutations in a cohort of children with prelingual deafness; (2) the carrier frequency of the common connexin 26 mutation, 35delG, in the general population. RESULTS: Connexin 26 mutations were identified and characterised in 52 (21%) of the 243 children; 14 different mutations, including four previously unreported mutations (135S, C53R, T123N and R127C), were identified. The common 35delG mutation was found in 56 of the 104 alleles (ie, 86 of the connexin 26 alleles in which a mutation was positively identified). The mutations V371 and M34T were also relatively common. The carrier frequency of connexin 26 mutations and of the common 35delG connexin 26 mutation in the Victorian population was estimated to be 1 in 54 and 1 in 100, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in the connexin 26 gene (especially the 35delG mutation) are a common cause of prelingual hearing loss in Australia.     

Hearing deficits in the older patient: "I didn't notice anything"

Hearing loss is common in older adults. Patients, clinicians, and health care staff often do not recognize hearing loss, particularly in its early stages, and it is undertreated. Age-related hearing loss or presbycusis, the most common type of hearing loss in older adults, is a multifactorial sensorineural loss that frequently includes a component of impaired speech discrimination. Simple office-based screening and evaluation procedures can identify potential hearing disorders, which should prompt audiologic referral to confirm the diagnosis with audiometric testing. The mainstay of treatment is amplification. For many older adults, accepting the need for amplification, selecting and purchasing a hearing aid, and getting accustomed to its use is a daunting and often frustrating process. There are numerous barriers to hearing aid use, the most common of which is dissatisfaction with its performance across a range of sonic environments. Newer digital hearing aids have many features that improve performance, making them potentially more acceptable to users, but they are expensive and are not covered by Medicare. Hearing aids have been demonstrated to improve hearing function and hearing-related quality of life (QOL), but evidence is less robust for improving overall QOL. Depending upon the etiology of the hearing loss, other medical and surgical procedures, including cochlear implantation, may benefit older adults. Older adults with multiple morbidities and who are frail pose specific challenges for the management of hearing loss. These patients may require integration of hearing assessment and treatment as part of functional assessment in an interdisciplinary, team-based approach to care.     

术中脑干听觉诱发电位监测听神经瘤的听力保护

目的评价术中BAEP监测对提高听力保留率的价值。方法采用乙状窦后入路,在脑干听觉诱发电位(BAEP)监测下完成的听神经瘤切除术7例。将术前、术中、术后ABR结果,及术前、术后听力结果进行分析,并与没有应用BAEP术中监护的11例进行比较分析。结果甲组11例术后无有效听力。甲组手术前后电测听值变化具有统计学意义(P<0.05);乙组术后平均电测听值39.1 dB,均为有效听力,手术前后电测听值比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论应用BEAP术中监测,对提高听力保护有积极意义,能及时反映术中与保留听力相关的敏感手术步骤。然而,外科医师的熟练的解剖和精确的手术技巧,也是手术成功的最基本因素。     

Screening and management of adult hearing loss in primary care: clinical applications

Hearing loss is one of the most common chronic health conditions and has important implications for patient quality of life. However, hearing loss is substantially underdetected and undertreated. We present clinical cases to illustrate common situations in which primary care physicians may be called on to identify or to manage hearing loss. With the data reported in the companion scientific review as a guide, we present potential answers to important questions pertaining to hearing loss and suggest ways in which primary care physicians can improve the detection, evaluation, and treatment of hearing loss. The cases focus on screening for chronic hearing loss, evaluation of hearing loss, and treatment of patients with presbycusis.     

听力损失与突发性聋预后的关系

目的:探索听力损失对突发性聋预后的影响。方法:对146例(167耳)突聋患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,应用SAS统计软件对纯音听阈情况与预后的关系进行统计学处理。结果:单因素分析显示,初诊时听力损失曲线为全聋型,纯音高频听阈(4 000 Hz及8 000 Hz)损失较重,高频听阈(4 000 Hz+8 000 Hz)大于低频(250 Hz+500 Hz)听阈的患者预后不佳;多因素分析显示,8 000 Hz的听阈水平与预后关系最为密切,其次为4 000 Hz听阈及听力损失类型。结论:从单、多因素分析的结果可以看出,对突聋应采用多因素逐步分析的方法进行研究,以使预后和疗效评估更具准确性和客观性;高频听力损失程度是突发性聋预后的一个可靠评估因素。     

Ethical issues in screening for hearing impairment in newborns in developing countries

Screening of newborns for permanent congenital or early-onset hearing impairment has emerged as an essential component of neonatal care in developed countries, following favourable outcomes from early intervention in the critical period for optimal speech and language development. Progress towards a similar programme in developing countries, where most of the world's children with hearing impairment reside, may be impeded by reservations about the available level of support services and the possible effect of the prevailing healthcare challenges. Ethical justification for the systematic introduction of screening programmes for hearing in newborns based on the limitations in current primary prevention strategies, lack of credible alternative early-detection strategies and the incentives for capacity-building for the requisite support services is examined.     

感音性聋者助听器长期使用的效果讨论

目的：对１００例感音性聋者助听器长期使用效果进行讨论。方法：依据１００例助听器单耳使用的双感音性耳聋者一年以上的助听器声输出特性、听力随访资料,了解助听器使用效果与残留听力变化情况。结果：１００例感音性耳聋者配戴助听器的方语识别率为５６％,１３例助听器使用耳的残留听力有变化。结论：助听器对各年龄组重度以下感音性聋的言语识别率均有提高,助听器的选配应遵循一长期随访优化的临床过程,及时了解配戴过程中的     

231例氨基甙类抗生素致聋患者脑干听觉诱发电位分析

目的 了解氨基甙类抗生素致聋的临床情况。方法 回顾自1980年～2001年收治的231例氨基甙类抗生素致聋患者的临床资料和脑干听觉诱发电位变化。结果 6岁以下患儿112例（48.05%),～14岁87例（38.09%)，15岁以上者仅32例（13.86%)；全部患者的脑干听觉诱发电位均有不同程度的异常，多数小儿脑干听觉诱发电位明显异常。结论 部分聋儿有明显的残余听力，为言语康复提供依据。     

高原地区伴良性阵发性位置性眩晕的突发性耳聋的临床特点

目的 分析高原地区突发性耳聋伴良性阵发性位置性眩晕(BPPV)的临床特点.方法 选取2013年1月至2015年12月兰州军区兰州总医院耳鼻咽喉科收治的148例居住海拔>3000米突发性耳聋患者为观察对象,所有患者均进行变位试验及眼震电图检查,根据检查结果 分为突发性耳聋伴BPPV组45例(BPPV组)和突发性耳聋不伴BPPV组103例(不伴BPPV组);根据听力曲线再将2组分为4型:低中频下降型(Ⅰ型)、中高频下降型(Ⅱ型)、平坦型(Ⅲ型)、全聋型(Ⅳ型).全部患者均进行常规治疗+高压氧治疗,伴BPPV患者按照BPPV类型进行了相应的手法复位治疗,并随访3~12个月.结果BPPV组中高频下降型患者较多(48.89%),不伴BPPV组中平坦型患者较多(43.69%),BPPV组治疗后听力的听阈降低值[(16.74±3.72)dB]低于不伴BPPV组[(25.59±3.46)dB],BPPV组总有效率(35.56%)低于不伴BPPV组(54.37%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).BPPV经手法复位后均治愈.结论 高原地区突发性耳聋伴BPPV治疗后听力改善不明显,疗效较差,耳石复位是治疗BPPV的有效方法.     

突发性聋患者的耳鸣心理声学特征研究

摘要:目的:探讨突发性聋伴耳鸣患者的耳鸣心理声学检测意义,分析突发性聋伴耳鸣患者的主观分级与 听力损失之间的关系.方法:所有42例突聋并伴耳鸣患者行纯音听阈测试及耳鸣心理声学测试(耳鸣频率、响度、最低掩蔽级和后效抑制试验),并行耳鸣主观分级评估,对所得结果进行统计分析.结果:①耳鸣音调匹配类型以纯音及窄带噪声为主;耳...     

年轻人听力损失影响因素研究

背景　听力损失是世界范围内广泛流行的感觉器官残疾,其负面影响居全球疾病负担排行榜的前列。因此预防聋和听力减退已成为世界各国共同关注的公共卫生项目。目的　了解年轻人听力损失的影响因素。方法　于2017年6-9月,采用方便抽样法抽取在杭州市职业病防治院健康体检的1 100例18~28岁年轻人作为研究对象。对其进行问卷调查和纯音听力测试,调查问卷内容包括一般人口学特征、听力损失家族史、耳部症状、手机和耳机使用状况、每月出入娱乐场所的频率、对待听力保护的态度、自我感觉听力状况等。纯音听力测试采用临床听力学诊断标准。听力损失影响因素采用χ2检验与多因素Logistic回归进行统计学分析。结果　共发放1 100份调查问卷,回收有效问卷1 049份,问卷有效回收率95.4%。左耳低频听力损失71例（6.8%）,中频听力损失47例（4.4%）,高频听力损失127例（12.2%）;右耳低频听力损失40例（3.8%）,中频听力损失32例（3.1%）,高频听力损失116例（11.1%）。不同性别、文化程度、耳鸣、耳痛、耳闷、音乐外放最大音量、接听电话方式、对待听力保护的态度、自我感觉听力状况年轻人听力损失情况比较,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,中等音量〔OR（95%CI）=0.361（0.160,0.816）〕、低音量〔OR（95%CI）=0.418（0.219,0.797）〕、大学及以上〔OR（95%CI）=0.466（0.235,0.924）或0.323（0.140,0.747）〕、女性〔OR（95%CI）=0.478（0.277,0.827）〕、用耳机接听电话〔OR（95%CI）=0.448（0.236,0.852）〕是听力损失的保护因素,自我感觉听力状况不好〔OR（95%CI）=2.050（1.067,3.940）〕、对待听力保护的态度消极〔OR（95%CI）=3.350（1.782,6.300）〕、耳痛〔OR（95%CI）=3.347（1.185,9.449）〕是听力损失的危险因素（P<0.05）。结论　杭州市年轻人听力损失患病率较高,音乐外放音量、学历、性别、接电话方式、自我感觉听力状况、对待听力保护的态度是听力损失的影响因素。应针对听力损失的影响因素进行综合防治。     

Genetic Effects on Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Evidence-based Treatment for Sensorineural Hearing Loss

In this article, the mechanism of inheritance behind inherited hearing loss and genetic susceptibility in noise-induced hearing loss are reviewed. Conventional treatments for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), i.e. hearing aid and cochlear implant, are effective for some cases, but not without limitations. For example, they provide little benefit for patients of profound SNHL or neural hearing loss, especially when the hearing loss is in poor dynamic range and with low frequency resolution. We emphasize the most recent evidence-based treatment in this field, which includes gene therapy and allotransplantation of stem cells. Their promising results have shown that they might be options of treatment for profound SNHL and neural hearing loss. Although some treatments are still at the experimental stage, it is helpful to be aware of the novel therapies and endeavour to explore the feasibility of their clinical application.     

Prevalence and Parental Awareness of Hearing Loss in Children with Down Syndrome

Background:

To establish the prevalence of hearing deficit in children with Down syndrome (DS) in Hong Kong as measured by brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP). The secondary objective is to examine the agreement between BAEP and clinical questioning in detecting hearing deficit in DS.

Methods:

Consecutive DS patients attending the Down''s Clinic in a regional pediatric referral center were recruited into this cross-sectional study. BAEP data performed within 12 months were retrieved. The care-taker was interviewed with a structured questionnaire to detect any symptom of hearing impairment. BAEP findings and clinical questionings were compared in an agreement analysis using quadratic weighted kappa statistics.

Results:

Fifty DS patients (35 male, 15 female, mean age 11.70 years ± 5.74 standard deviation) were recruited. Eighteen patients (36.0%) were identified having hearing deficit by BAEP. Among patients with hearing impairment, 13 patients (72.2%) had a conductive deficit, and most have mild to moderate hearing loss. Five patients (27.8%) had sensorineural deficit and most have moderate to severe degree. Eight (44.4%) had bilateral hearing deficit. Care-takers of 13 patients (26.0%) reported symptoms of hearing impairment, with 9 (69.2%) having mild symptoms, 3 (23.1%) had moderate symptoms and 1 (7.7%) had severe symptoms. The weighted kappa was 0.045 (95.0% confidence interval − 0.138–0.229), indicating very poor strength of agreement between BAEP and clinical questioning. For patients with conductive hearing impairment, only 1 patients (7.7%) recalled history of otitis media.

Conclusions:

The estimated point prevalence of hearing impairment in Chinese DS children in Hong Kong is 36%. Our finding of poor strength of agreement between objective testing and symptom questioning reflects significant underestimation of hearing impairment by history taking alone. In view of the high prevalence and low parental awareness, continuous surveillance of hearing is mandatory for DS patients throughout childhood and adolescence.