Randomised Controlled Trial for the Evaluation of the Efficacy of the IDA's "Living Well" Online Counselling Tool in First-Time Adult Users with Hearing Loss.

Effective management of hearing loss through the use of modern hearing aids significantly improves communication and the quality of life for individuals experiencing auditory impairment. Complementary counselling of patients with hearing loss who will be fitted with hearing aids for the first time should be evidence-based and adapted to their individual needs. To date, several counselling protocols and tools have been developed. The aim of this randomised controlled trial study was to investigate the efficacy of the application of the IDA's "Living Well" counselling tool in first-time hearing aid users in terms of the degree of their hearing related handicap (using the Hearing Handicap Inventory (HHI)), their communication coping strategies (using the Communication Profile for the Hearing Impaired (CPHI)) and their overall satisfaction of the hearing aids (using a Likert scale). Both groups (the IDA and the control group) were fitted with hearing aids and received counselling for their hearing aids by the same audiologist. The IDA group attended an additional counselling session about communication coping strategies with the use of the "Living Well" tool. Both groups' participants were seen for their hearing aid fittings 4-6 weeks, 3 and 6 months after their fitting when the HHI and the CPHI were measured. Although there was not a statistically significant difference between the two groups for the primary and secondary outcomes, the IDA group did show a more consistent improvement of their HHI score and less frequent use of maladaptive strategies. The "Living Well" counselling tool proved to be a favourably received and helpful counselling tool in first-time hearing aid users.

Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Content Validity of the Saudi Sign Language Version of the General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire.

Profoundly hearing-impaired individuals lack health-promotion education on healthy lifestyles, and this may be due to communication barriers and limited awareness of available resources. Therefore, providing understandable healthy eating knowledge and a proper education evaluation via a questionnaire is vital. The present study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and validate the content of a Saudi sign language version of the General Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (GNKQ). The study followed the World Health Organization guidelines for the translation and cultural adaptation of the GNKQ, using two-phase translation (from English into Arabic and then from Arabic into Saudi sign language), including forward-translation, back-translation, and pilot testing among profoundly hearing-impaired individuals. A total of 48 videos were recorded to present the GNKQ in Saudi sign language. The scale-level content validity index (S-CVI) value was equal to 0.96, and the item-level content validity index (I-CVI) value for all questions was between 1 and 0.9, except for question 6 in section 1, which was 0.6; this discrepancy was due to religious, social, and cultural traditions. The translation, cultural adaptation, and content validity of the Saudi sign language version of the GNKQ were satisfactory. Further studies are needed to validate other measurement properties of the present translated version of this questionnaire.

E-Learning Strategies Implemented by Instructors for Individuals with Hearing Impairment.

The current study aims at exploring the strategies used by instructors to deal with e-learning of individuals with hearing impairment and identifying barriers encountered by instructors of individuals with hearing impairment through a telephonic interview. A set of validated probes was created, and a semi structured interview was conducted with 12 instructors who teach individuals with hearing impairment. The obtained data was subjected to inductive content analysis. Two major themes emerged from the data; challenges encountered by instructors and strategies adopted by instructors. Several subthemes and codes were grouped under each theme. Overall, the study indicated the need for extensive research concerning e-learning for individuals with hearing impairment.

The Impact of Executive Dysfunction on Anxiety in Hearing-Impaired College Students: Smartphone Addiction as a Mediator and Academic Procrastination as a Moderator.

Purpose: Hearing-impaired college students often rely on smartphones for information exchange and social interaction due to their hearing limitations, which may increase their risk of smartphone addiction. This study aims to explore the impact of executive dysfunction on anxiety levels in hearing-impaired college students, investigating smartphone addiction as a mediator and academic procrastination as a moderator. Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey using the Executive Function Scale, the Anxiety Scale, the Smartphone Addiction Scale, and the Academic Procrastination Scale. The survey included 609 hearing-impaired college students from three universities in Jiangsu, Hunan, and Heilongjiang Provinces, China. Results: After controlling for age, executive dysfunction was found to significantly predict higher anxiety levels in hearing-impaired college students. Additionally, smartphone addiction partially mediated the relationship between executive dysfunction and anxiety. Academic procrastination further moderated the relationship between smartphone addiction and anxiety. Conclusion: This study enhances the understanding of the complex interactions between executive dysfunction, smartphone addiction, and academic procrastination in contributing to anxiety among hearing-impaired college students. The findings offer valuable insights for developing strategies to promote the mental health of this population.

Oral health status, behavior, and practices among hearing impaired children attending a specialized school in Jordan.

AIMS: To assess the oral health status and related factors among hearing impaired schoolchildren. METHODS: A cross-sectional study among 115 hearing impaired schoolchildren enrolled at the School of the Deaf in Jordan. The World Health Organization (WHO) methodology and criteria were applied to collect data on caries, gingival bleeding. The WHO classification modified by Andreasen et al. was used to record traumatic dental injuries (TDIs). Sociodemographic data, oral health practices, and oral health related quality of life information were collected using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of caries among the study sample was 84.3%, the dominating component was untreated dental caries. Mean decayed, missing, filled primary teeth (dmft) was 8 in the primary dentition and 3.62 in the mixed dentition, mean Decayed, Missing, Filled permanent Teeth (DMFT) was 1.38 in the mixed dentition and 2.87 in the permanent. The overall mean of gingival bleeding percentage among the whole study sample was 70.38%. the prevalence of TDIs was of 11.3% and mostly caused by falls. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dental caries and caries experience, rate of gingival bleeding and dental trauma in children with hearing impaired individuals are high compared to figures observed in studies conducted among Jordanian schoolchildren with normal hearing. Dental diseases impact the quality of life of these individuals.

A cross-cultural study of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment for people with hearing impairment.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive screening tools enable the detection of cognitive impairment, facilitate timely intervention, inform clinical care, and allow long-term planning. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment for people with hearing impairment (MoCA-H) was developed as a reliable cognitive screening tool for people with hearing loss. Using the same methodology across four languages, this study examined whether cultural or linguistic factors affect the performance of the MoCA-H. METHODS: The current study investigated the performance of the MoCA-H across English, German, French, and Greek language groups (n = 385) controlling for demographic factors known to affect the performance of the MoCA-H. RESULTS: In a multiple regression model accounting for age, sex, and education, cultural-linguistic group accounted for 6.89% of variance in the total MoCA-H score. Differences between languages in mean score of up to 2.6 points were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Cultural or linguistic factors have a clinically significant impact on the performance of the MoCA-H such that optimal performance cut points for identification of cognitive impairment derived in English-speaking populations are likely inappropriate for use in non-English speaking populations. To ensure reliable identification of cognitive impairment, it is essential that locally appropriate performance cut points are established for each translation of the MoCA-H.

Assessment of refractive errors, amblyopia, strabismus, and low vision among hearing-impaired and deaf students in Kermanshah.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Refractive errors, amblyopia, strabismus, and low vision are more common among children with hearing impairments in comparison with their hearing peers. Neglecting visual disorders can pose educational and social problems for these children. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of refractive errors, amblyopia, strabismus, and low vision among hearing-impaired and deaf students in Kermanshah. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 79 deaf and hearing impaired students within the age range of 7-20 years (mean age of 15.01 ± 2.72) underwent optometric examinations, including autorefractometry, retinoscopy, ophthalmoscopy, slit lamp, visual acuity measurement, and cover-uncover test. Those who needed further evaluation were referred to the Ophthalmology Clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital. RESULTS: Regarding the prevalence of refractive errors, 32 (40.5%) subjects had one or a combination of refractive errors, the most common of which was astigmatism (36.7%), followed by amblyopia (15.1%). The most common type of strabismus was latent strabismus (heterophoria) (88.6%), followed by exophoria (81%). Moreover, 3 (3.7%) cases had nystagmus. A significant difference was observed between the prevalence of amblyopia and the degree of hearing loss (P = 0.026), and no significant difference was detected in other cases. CONCLUSION: As evidenced by the obtained results, refractive errors, amblyopia, strabismus, and low vision are more prevalent among deaf and hearing-impaired children compared to normal children because deaf and hearing-impaired children are not able to convey their vision problems and need to compensate for their poor hearing with an enhanced sense of sight, inattention to these disorders can present these children with serious educational and social problems. Therefore, eye screening examinations are of paramount importance in deaf and hearing-impaired children.

The Impact of Gamified Auditory-Verbal Training for Hearing-Challenged Children at Intermediate and Advanced Rehabilitation Stages.

Background: Auditory-verbal training is essential for children with hearing challenges, and the gamification approach has become a promising direction for improving the rehabilitation experience and effect. However, the specific influence of the gamified training approach on participants at different rehabilitation stages has not been empirically studied, especially in the practical training effect caused by gamified interventions and the varying influence on children with different rehabilitation status. Objective: This article is thus intended to investigate the following research questions: (1) do the training performances of children at advanced rehabilitation stage differ before and after using the gamified training system? (2) Do the training performances of children at intermediate rehabilitation stage differ before and after using the gamified training system? (3) Do children enjoy the gamified training approach? Methods: For the purpose, a digital gamified auditory-verbal training system was originally developed, and a series of user experiments were organized. The training performance of 31 hearing-challenged children was assessed, and interviews with six professional therapists were conducted.  Results: It can be found that generally the gamified training approach can effectively facilitate the training experience and help with the basic auditory memory and expression capabilities. Moreover, it is feasible to be applied in practical training due to the high customization of digital training contents, multimodal interactive training means, and highly enjoyable training experience. Conclusions: Regarding the specific influence, the gamified way can better improve the basic auditory-verbal performance of children at the intermediate stage since the focus is more on the ease of learning and adaption to the training system. While for children at the advanced rehabilitation stage, the precise training and professional training contents are more in demand, it is not easy to achieve quick improvements. These findings and conclusions can provide insights for further explorations and applications of the gamification approach in children's auditory-verbal rehabilitation. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Shanghai Jiao Tong University with the approval number H2022213P.

[Application of speech induced ABR in rehabilitation intervention for hearing impaired children].

Objective:Exploring the electrophysiological changes of auditory rehabilitation in young children with hearing impairment, providing more methods for early assessment and intervention. Methods:Twenty children aged 2-4 were enrolled, with moderate hearing loss and no other abnormalities in the ears. Divide them into group 1 with normal hearing, group 2 with abnormal hearing, group 3 with abnormal hearing receiving hearing aid intervention for one year, and group 4 with abnormal hearing receiving hearing aid and language training rehabilitation for one year. The SmartEP auditory evoked potential instrument was used to detect speech induced ABR and conduct screening for 'Standards and Evaluating Hearing and Language Abilities of Children with Hearing Impairment in 80 enrolled children after rehabilitation training, and the latency、amplitude of speech induced ABR waveform and evaluation scale scores for each group after rehabilitation intervention were compared. Results:Compared with the normal group, the latency of each wave in the other three groups was prolonged. The differences in each wave between Group 2 and Group 3 were statistically significant, while the differences in D and F waves between Group 3 and Group 4 were statistically significant. Compared with the normal group, the maximum amplitude at F0 decreased in the other three groups, and the differences in maximum amplitude between Group 2 and Group 3, Group 2 and Group 4, and Group 3 and Group 4 were statistically significant. Compared with the normal group, the scores of the auditory language assessment scale in the hearing intervention group and the hearing aid plus language training group were significantly higher than those in the abnormal group in terms of recognition rate. The recognition rates of hearing impaired children with language training foundation are similar to those of the normal group of children. Conclusion:Auditory rehabilitation can alter the electrophysiological aspects of hearing and serve as a basis for early assessment and intervention in young children.

Development of Phonemically Balanced Word List in Tamil for Speech Audiometry and Evaluation of Its Effectiveness in Adults.

Speech audiometry has become an essential component of the audiological test battery. Various speech audiometry materials have been developed in different languages and also revised later to meet criteria such as familiarity of the words, phonetic/phonemic balance, number of test items, and dialectal variations. The current study focused on developing a PB word list in Tamil for adults. The study was carried out in two phases. Phase I involved the development of a PB word list in Tamil. Phase II included evaluating the effectiveness of the developed word lists on adults with normal hearing sensitivity and hearing impairment. A total of 500 bisyllabic words were used in creating a master list. The collected words were subjected to familiarity testing with 40 native Tamil speakers. From the master list of 500 words, 90% of the participants rated 320 words as most familiar, and those words were included in the study. The 320 words were validated by eight experts working in the fields of audiology, speech-language pathology, linguistics, and psychology. The disagreed-with words were excluded from the list, and only 270 words that were agreed upon by all the experts were included in the final list. The final lists comprised four-word lists with 25 phonetically balanced (PB) words per list. The final word lists were recorded and tested for goodness. These final words were then administered to find SIS scores for two groups. Group I consisted of adults with 120 normal hearing sensitivity, and Group II consisted of 130 adults with hearing impairment. The results were analysed using SPSS software. The mean SIS in adults with normal hearing sensitivity ranged from 99.4 to 99.8%. The SIS of adults with normal hearing sensitivity revealed no significant difference (p > .05) with respect to gender, ears, or across the four-word lists. All four-word lists provided similar scores, establishing the equivalency of word lists in individuals with normal hearing sensitivity as well as hearing impairment. A psychometric curve of performance intensity function in adults with normal hearing sensitivity revealed that the SIS score increased as the sensation level increased from 10 to 40 dB SL. There is a linear increase in SIS scores from 10 to 20 dB SL. A plateau was attained at 40 dB SL with 100% SIS scores. Thus, the present study recommends the use of 40 dB SL for SIS testing. Mean SIS scores for adults with mild, moderate, and severe hearing loss were found to be 90.1%, 65.4%, and 41.8%, respectively. A significant decrease in SIS was observed as the degree of hearing loss increased.

The reliability and validity of the balance tests in hearing-impaired athletes.

BACKGROUND: It is known that balance is affected in hearing-impaired athletes and its effects on performance. However, studies on the reliability and validity of scales evaluating balance are insufficient. AIM: To analyze and demonstrate the effectiveness of various clinical tests using assessment balance for hearing-impaired athletes. METHOD: The study included 60 elite athletes (aged between 18 and 25) with (n = 30) and without (n = 30) hearing impairment. The static balance was evaluated with the Flamingo Test (FT) and the dynamic balance with the Functional Reach Test (FRT), Four-Step Square Test (FSST), Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT), and Y Balance Test (YBT). All balance tests were repeated at 1-week intervals. Test-retest reliability, known-group validity, and predictive validity of the scales were investigated. RESULT: All balancing tests demonstrated strong test-retest reliability. FT and FSST had known-group and predictive validity. While FRT and the components of both YBT and SEBT involving anterior reaching were not valid tests for hearing-impaired individuals, YBT and SEBT had validity considering the composite score and other components. CONCLUSION: It was revealed that the balance of hearing-impaired athletes was comparable to the balance of healthy athletes in test conditions in which visual information could be used effectively. For this reason, it is important to consider the visual information factor when evaluating the balance of hearing-impaired athletes. Additionally, taking into account time and tiredness, FT for static balance and FSST for dynamic balance may be helpful to evaluate hearing-impaired athletes.

Modeling alarm detection in noise for normal and hearing-impaired listeners: the effect of elevated thresholds and enlarged auditory filters.

A model was developed to assess how elevated absolute thresholds and enlarged auditory filters can impede the ability to detect alarms in a noisy background, such alarms being of paramount importance to ensure the safety of workers. Based on previously measured masked thresholds of 80 listeners in five groups (normal hearing to strongly impaired), the model was derived from signal detection theory (SDT) applied to Glasberg and Moore's excitation pattern model. The model can describe the influence of absolute thresholds and enlarged auditory filters together or separately on the detection ability for normal hearing and hearing-impaired listeners with various hearing profiles. Furthermore, it suggests that enlarged auditory filters alone can explain all of the impairment in this specific alarm detection task. Finally, the possibility of further development of the model into an alarm detection model is discussed.

Acolhimento de pessoas com deficiência auditiva na Atenção Primária à Saúde no município de Criciúma, Santa Catarina / Reception of the hearing impaired in Primary Health Care in the municipality of Criciúma, Santa Catarina

As pessoas com deficiência auditiva (DA) possuem barreiras a serem descontruídas quando o assunto é acesso aos serviços de saúde. Estas se dão devido à dificuldade na comunicação, falta de profissionais qualificados, ausência de intérprete da Língua Brasileira de Sinais (LIBRAS) dentre outros aspectos. O objetivo deste trabalho é analisar o acolhimento dos indivíduos com surdez na Atenção Primária em Saúde (APS). Trata-se de um estudo de métodos mistos com triangulação concomitante por meio de um estudo descritivo e quantitativo. O estudo foi realizado nas Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) do município de Criciúma ­ Santa Catarina, participaram os gerentes das unidades de saúde, cirurgiões dentistas, enfermeiros e médicos. Foram entrevistados 43 profissionais de saúde de 44 UBS diferentes do município, dos quais os resultados apontaram frágeis condições de acolhimento e atendimento humanizado das pessoas com DA que procuram as unidades básicas de saúde. A comunicação predominante é de forma verbal e na maioria das vezes, conta com a presença de um familiar durante as consultas para facilitar essa comunicação. Alguns profissionais afirmaram que o DA não possui atendimento humanizado, inclusivo e resolutivo, e que os programas de capacitação deixariam os atendimentos mais humanizados. Em suma, existem inúmeras barreiras no acolhimento dos pacientes com DA na APS, sendo necessária a aprimoração das práticas para que seja desenvolvido um atendimento inclusivo, humanizado, acolhedor e integral.

The person with hearing loss (AD) has barriers to be deconstructed regarding access to health services. These are due to the difficulty in communication, lack of qualified professionals, and absence of interpreters of Brazilian Sign Language, among other aspects. This study aims to analyze the reception of individuals with deafness in Primary Health Care (PHC). This is a mixed methods study with concomitant triangulation through descriptive and quantitative analysis. The study was conducted in the Basic Health Units (BHU) of the municipality of Criciúma - Santa Catarina, with the participation of managers of health units, dental surgeons, nurses, and physicians. Participants were 43 health professionals from 44 different BHUs in the city, of which the results showed fragile conditions of reception and humanized care of people with AD who seek basic health units. The predominant communication is verbal and, in most cases, relies on the presence of a family member during the consultations to facilitate this communication. Some professionals stated that the DA lacks humanized, inclusive and resolutive care and that the training programs would make the care more humanized. In short, there are numerous barriers in the reception of patients with AD in PHC, and it is necessary to improve practices so that inclusive, humanized, welcoming, and integral care is developed.

Effects of Cha-Cha Dance Training on Physical-Fitness-Related Indicators of Hearing-Impaired Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

(1) Background: The physical fitness (PF) of hearing-impaired students has always been an international research hotspot since hearing-impaired students have difficulty in social interactions such as exercise or fitness programs. Sports interventions are proven to improve the fitness levels of hearing-impaired students; however, few studies evaluating the influence of Cha-cha (a type of Dance sport) training on the PF levels of hearing-impaired students have been conducted. (2) Purpose: This study aimed to intervene in hearing-impaired children through 12 weeks of Cha-cha dance training, evaluating its effects on their PF-related indicators, thus providing a scientific experimental basis for hearing-impaired children to participate in dance exercises effectively. (3) Methods: Thirty students with hearing impairment were randomly divided into two groups, and there was no difference in PF indicators between the two groups. The Cha-cha dance training group (CTG, n = 15) regularly participated in 90-min Cha-cha dance classes five times a week and the intervention lasted a total of 12 weeks, while the control group (CONG, n = 15) lived a normal life (including school physical education classes). Related indicators of PF were measured before and after the intervention, and a two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed. (4) Results: After training, the standing long jump (CONG: 1.556 ± 0.256 vs. CTG: 1.784 ± 0.328, p = 0.0136, ES = 0.8081), sit-and-reach (CONG: 21.467 ± 4.539 vs. CTG: 25.416 ± 5.048, p = 0.0328, ES = 0.8528), sit-ups (CONG: 13.867 ± 4.912 vs. CTG: 27.867 ± 6.833, p < 0.0001, ES = 2.4677) and jump rope (CONG: 52.467 ± 29.691 vs. CTG: 68.600 ± 21.320, p = 0.0067, ES = 0.6547) scores showed significant differences. (5) Conclusions: After 12 weeks of Cha-cha dance training for hearing-impaired students, the PF level of hearing-impaired students in lower-body strength, flexibility, core strength, and cardiorespiratory endurance were effectively improved; however, there was no significant change in body shape, upper-body strength, vital capacity, and speed ability.

Visual Perception and Attentional Skills in School-age Children: A Cross-Sectional Study of Reading Proficiency in the Hearing Impaired.

Background: Auditory impairment is one of the common sensory deficits that occur in humans. Hearing loss affects students' ability to communicate and read, which eventually causes social and scholastic stigma. Reading relies heavily on phonics as well as visual attention. Students with normal hearing read by transforming phonic sounds into words. Hearing impaired has little to no phonic ability, making them visual readers who rely on visual cues while reading. Present study sought to investigate factors that affect reading skills in hearing-impaired children. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in hearing- and hearing-impaired schools of Ludhiana, Punjab, India. After vision screening among all students, sixty students were enrolled via convenient sampling. Higher order of visual perception, attention, and reading ability was investigated. Results: A total of 60 students were evaluated (30 hearing impaired and 30 age-matched hearing). The hearing group was statistically better than the hearing impaired (p = 0.001), Hearing impaired were better in visual attention (p = 0.001), whereas a correlation was found between reading ability and visual perception, attention skill of hearing- and hearing-impaired students (r = 0.80, P = 0.001). Conclusion: Present study concludes that hearing-impaired students exhibit issues with visual-motor integration, visual-spatial relationships, and visual sequential memory. Higher visual attention was demonstrated by hearing-impaired students. The results of the current investigation revealed a correlation between visual perception and attention skills and reading competency. Thus, the present study demands that the newly enrolled hearing-impaired students must undergo a thorough ocular evaluation.

Vocal health of parents of children with hearing assistive devices.

Background & Objectives: VH (Vocal health) is the need of the hour. VH of parents of children with hearing assistive devices (HAD) reveals a literature gap, during the habilitation process of their children. To explore the vocal health of parents of children with hearing assistive devices. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Riphah International University from September to December 2021. Study recruited N=384 parents of Hearing Impaired children (HIC) using HAD for at least two years, of both genders and aged 2-9 years using convenience sampling. Voice-related quality of life (V-RQOL), and vocal health Index (VHI) -10 were used for data collection. Data was analyzed on SPSS Version 25. Descriptive statistics, Anova and t-test were utilized to see difference between means of groups. P<0.05 shows significant-results. Results: Parents of children using hearing assistive devices had excellent V-RQOL score in 350(91.14%) parents. There was no significant difference in V=RQOL as regards type of hearing assistive device use (p=0.102), laterality of device use (p=0.918) and degree of hearing loss (p=0.143). However, type of hearing loss revealed significant difference (p=0.021). Also VHI score revealed significantly (p=0.008) lower means in parents of children with cochlear implants. Conclusion: Current study concludes that the parents raising hearing impaired children with hearing assistive devices, possess good vocal health as determined by VHI and V-RQOL scores with only a very small number of parents reporting vocal symptoms.

Image-Evoked Emotion Recognition for Hearing-Impaired Subjects with EEG Signals.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the study of emotion recognition through electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. One particular group of interest are individuals with hearing impairments, who may have a bias towards certain types of information when communicating with those in their environment. To address this, our study collected EEG signals from both hearing-impaired and non-hearing-impaired subjects while they viewed pictures of emotional faces for emotion recognition. Four kinds of feature matrices, symmetry difference, and symmetry quotient based on original signal and differential entropy (DE) were constructed, respectively, to extract the spatial domain information. The multi-axis self-attention classification model was proposed, which consists of local attention and global attention, combining the attention model with convolution through a novel architectural element for feature classification. Three-classification (positive, neutral, negative) and five-classification (happy, neutral, sad, angry, fearful) tasks of emotion recognition were carried out. The experimental results show that the proposed method is superior to the original feature method, and the multi-feature fusion achieved a good effect in both hearing-impaired and non-hearing-impaired subjects. The average classification accuracy for hearing-impaired subjects and non-hearing-impaired subjects was 70.2% (three-classification) and 50.15% (five-classification), and 72.05% (three-classification) and 51.53% (five-classification), respectively. In addition, by exploring the brain topography of different emotions, we found that the discriminative brain regions of the hearing-impaired subjects were also distributed in the parietal lobe, unlike those of the non-hearing-impaired subjects.

[Investigating the Usefulness of Breath-holding Instructions by Change in the Room Light for the Hearing Impaired].

PURPOSE: In imaging examinations of patients with hearing impairment, poor image quality due to poor respiratory arrest is a problem directly related to diagnostic imaging. Although there have been studies of non-sound instructions, there have been few quantitative studies using changes in brightness. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether changes in room brightness can be used as a respiratory cessation indicator. METHODS: Fourteen patients were imaged using the 2D FIESTA and LAVA-Flex methods on an MRI system under free respiration, voice-guided cessation of respiration (voice instruction), and room brightness change (light/dark instruction), and compared. RESULTS: The positional fluctuation of the top of the liver by the 2D FIESTA method showed a large positional fluctuation under free breathing, while the positional fluctuation was small under voice instruction and light/dark instruction. The images obtained by the LAVA-Flex method was significantly degraded by motion artifacts under free breathing, whereas there were fewer motion artifacts under voice instruction and light/dark instruction, and the two were the same with no significant difference in visual evaluation. CONCLUSION: The visual cessation of respiration instruction by changing the brightness of the room is as effective as the audible cessation of respiration instruction, suggesting that it can be applied clinically.

Health education interventions for individuals with hearing impairment: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to systematically review health education interventions targeting individuals with hearing impairment. METHODS: A total of 18 studies were selected based on search results from five databases, and quality appraisal was conducted using an appropriate tool based on the study design. The extracted results were described using qualitative analysis. RESULTS: Among the selected studies, most interventions focused on specific cancers, and video materials were the most common delivery method. Various strategies were applied depending on the type of materials provided, in addition to sign language interpretation and the involvement of hearing-impaired related personnel. The interventions primarily resulted in a significant increase in knowledge. CONCLUSION: This study suggests several recommendations, including expanding the scope of interventions to cover various chronic diseases, actively utilizing the features of video materials, considering health literacy, using peer support groups, and measuring behavior-related factors alongside knowledge levels. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: This study makes a significant contribution to understanding the unique characteristics of the population with hearing impairment. Furthermore, it has the potential to facilitate the development of high-quality health education interventions for individuals with hearing impairment by providing insights into future research directions based on existing health education interventions.