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.     

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.     

听神经瘤术中耳蜗电图监测与听力保护

目的：评价耳蜗神经电位活动直接监护在听神经瘤手术中对保护听力的作用。方法：听神经瘤手术中施行耳蜗电图监护。结果：１６例听神经瘤手术中施行耳蜗电图监护者，术后听力保留５例（３１％），其中４例为有效听力保留。肿瘤在２厘米以下者听力保留为３８％（５／１３）。结论：听神经瘤手术过程中采用耳蜗电图监护，能敏感地反应即时的听神经功能状况，给术者及时的反馈信息，有助于听力保护     

90岁以上长寿老人听力与发中微量元素的观察

作者对30名90岁以上老人作纯音测听、高频测听和发中微量元素检测,与<60岁组人进行比较。结果:老年组纯音全频率听阈与对照组相比差异非常显著(P<0.01),高频测听,90岁组随着频率提高,听到耳数越来越少。并观察到90岁组发中锌、镁微量元素均低于<60岁组,两组间有显著差异(P<0.01)。对90岁组老人听力的特点,发中锌、镁微量元素含量减少对老年性耳聋的影响进行探讨。     

The range of minimum provoking doses in hazelnut-allergic patients as determined by double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges

BACKGROUND: The risk for allergic reactions depends on the sensitivity of individuals and the quantities of offending food ingested. The sensitivity varies among allergic individuals, as does the threshold dose of a food allergen capable of inducing an allergic reaction. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at determining the distribution of minimum provoking doses of hazelnut in a hazelnut-allergic population. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with a history of hazelnut-related allergic symptoms, a positive skin prick test to hazelnut and/or an elevated specific IgE level, were included. Double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges (DBPCFC) were performed with seven increasing doses of dried hazelnut (1 mg to 1 g hazelnut protein) randomly interspersed with seven placebo doses. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients had a positive challenge. Itching of the oral cavity and/or lips was the first symptom in all cases. Additional gastrointestinal symptoms were reported in five patients and difficulty in swallowing in one patient. Lip swelling was observed in two patients, followed by generalized urticaria in one of these. Threshold doses for eliciting subjective reactions varied from a dose of 1 mg up to 100 mg hazelnut protein (equivalent to 6.4-640 mg hazelnut meal). Extrapolation of the dose-response curve showed that 50% of our hazelnut-allergic population will suffer from an allergic reaction after ingestion of 6 mg (95% CI, 2-11 mg) of hazelnut protein. Objective symptoms were observed in two patients after 1 and 1,000 mg, respectively. CONCLUSION: DBPCFCs demonstrated threshold doses in half of the hazelnut-allergic patients similar to doses previously described to be hidden in consumer products. This stresses the need for careful labelling and strategies to prevent and detect contamination of food products with hazelnut residues.     

Cytoskeletal and muscle-like elements in cochlear hair cells

Summary Monospecific antibodies to actin and to tubulin were used as immunofluorescent probes to evaluate the distribution of microtubules and actin filaments in the organ of Corti in mouse and guinea pig. The results indicate that in cochlear receptor cells actin and actin filaments as well as tubulin and microtubules are integral cytoskeletal elements. The presence of actin suggests a possible contractile mechanism within the sensory cilia whereas tubulin is thought to play an important role in the stability of sensory cells. Both proteins are discussed to form structural elements required for the mechano-chemical coupling in hearing.

---

Abbreviations ATP adenosin-tri-phosphate - SDS sodium-dodecyl-sulphate - PBS phosphate-buffered saline Dedicated to Professor Dr. A. Herrmann on the occasion of his 80th birthday     

高危患者降压治疗:重视控制血压底线

高血压高危患者的降压治疗既需降低血压，又需保持足够血流以保障器官灌注。血压降低过度无疑也有一定风险，因此控制皿压需要底线。高危高血压患者的个体差异大，在降压治疗过程中，临床医生既要以循证医学为鉴，叉须遵循个体化治疗原则，把握好降压幅度和速度，坚持高质量平稳降压，才能更好地保护靶器官，减少心脑血管意外的发生。     

CT scan and threshold vibrometry in the diagnosis of spinocerebellar degenerations

45 patients with spinocerebellar degeneration (SCD) underwent through quantitative investigation of the ventricular and cisternal systems by CT scanning and threshold vibrometry in the limbs to find out whether these parameters could be used for distinguishing mainly spinal from cerebellar forms or from olivopontoce-rebellar atrophy. The increase in the vibration sense threshold and the mild atrophy in the posterior cranial fossa proved typical of spinal forms and the reverse for cerebellar forms. In olivopontocerebellar atrophy enlargement of the cisterns and dilatation of the ventricles always exceeded 85% of normal values.

---

Sommario 45 pazienti affetti da degenerazione spinocerebellare (SCD) sono stati sottoposti ad uno studio approfondito di esplorazione quantitativa del sistema ventricolare e cisternale alla TAC e della soglia di percezione vibratoria agli arti per valutare la possibilità di distinguere con questi parametri le forme prevalentemente spinali da quelle cerebellari o delle atrofie olivopontocerebellari. L'aumento della soglia vibratoria e la modesta atrofia in fossa posteriore è risultata tipica delle forme spinali, mentre l'inverso si verifica per le forme cerebellari. Nelle atrofie olivopontocerebellari l'allargamento delle cisterne e la dilatazione dei ventricoli supera quasi sempre l'85% rispetto ai casi normali.