Investigation of the relationship between hyperacusis and auditory processing difficulties in individuals with normal hearing.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hyperacusis and auditory processing (listening) difficulties (APDiff) in normal-hearing young adults and to explore the relationship between these two conditions. METHODS: A total of 333 participants aged 18-24 underwent pure-tone audiometry tests and completed the Khalfa Hyperacusis Questionnaire (KHQ) and the University of Cincinnati Auditory Processing Inventory (UCAPI) online. RESULTS: Hyperacusis was identified in 26.43% of participants, and APDiff in 36.04%. A strong, positive correlation was found between KHQ and UCAPI scores (r = 0.603, p < 0.001). Logistic regression models indicated that hyperacusis significantly increased the likelihood of having APDiff (OR 7.688, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Despite the high prevalence of hyperacusis and APDiff in young adults, few seek help from audiology clinics. Our findings highlight a significant link between hyperacusis and APDiff, emphasizing the need for screening protocols for auditory processing skills in young adults due to these conditions' potential social and academic impacts.

Evaluation of patients' post-operative results operated for hip fracture with computerized dynamic posturography: Proximal femoral nailing versus hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Proximal femoral nailing (PFN) and hip arthroplasty (HA) are the two most often utilized surgical procedures for treating hip fractures in older patients. The post-operative postural balance and functional outcomes of patients may be significantly influenced by the technical distinctions between PFN and HA. This will influence the surgeon's preferred course of therapy. To examine the functional outcomes of patients treated with PFN and HA following a hip fracture, this study used computerized dynamic posturography (CDP). The aim of that study was to evaluate how the two treatment modalities affected patients' post-operative balance, postural stability, and functional rehabilitation. METHODS: A total of 26 patients who underwent proximal femoral surgery (15 patients PFN [58%] and 11 patients HA [42%]) due to hip fractures were evaluated at least 12 months postoperatively. They were tested by direct radiographs, hip joint examinations, Harris hip score (HHS), and CDP. RESULTS: Twelve (46%) of 26 patients were male and 14 (54%) were female. The mean age of the participants in the study was 67.9±14.2 years. The mean follow-up period was 24 (12-44) months. The average Harris score of PFN group was 79.3 (46.8-100) points and HA group was 83.7 (61.9-99.9) points. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of Harris Score (P=0.54). The average of the mixed value of the balance results obtained with CDP (the Composite score) for PFN group was 70.5 (56-79) points, and for HA group was 71.9 (56-83) points. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the Composite Score (P=0.47). Accordingly, 12 (80%) of the patients who underwent PFN had good results and 3 (20%) of them had bad results. Eight (72.7%) of those who underwent HA had good results and 3 (27.3%) had bad results. There was no statistically significant difference (P=0.66). CONCLUSION: Comparing the composite score for balance results and HHS results for rehabilitation with the data of the patients who underwent PFN and HA, there was no statistically significant difference between these two techniques in terms of postural stabil-ity and balance as a result of CDP examination.

Does posterior cruciate ligament sacrifice influence dynamic balance after total knee arthroplasty? Comparison of cruciate-retaining and cruciate-substituting designs in bilaterally operated patients.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate whether the posterior cruciate ligament sacrifice during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has any effect on postoperative standing balance or not. METHODS: The patients who underwent bilateral TKA with either CR or PS design were analyzed. 30 patients (10 PS, 20 CR) were included for the final analysis. TKA designs were compared in terms of Lysholm score, range of motion, and balance characteristics including somatosensorial, vestibular, and visual balance scales, adaptation, limits of stability, and weight-bearing/squat tests by computerized dynamic posturography. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 59 months for CR, 49 months for PS group. The average Lysholm score values were 94 for CR and 95 for PS group, indicating functionally similar patient groups. The average knee flexion was found significantly higher in PS group (114°) compared to CR group (102°) (p = 0.009). In the CR group, motor adaptation tests (toes up/toes down) were found to be better (p = 0.034). In the on-axis velocity parameter (linear goal orientation) of limits of stability test, PS group patients were found to be more successful (p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: The use of CR implants can be recommended in patients with a high risk of falling since they provide better motor adaptation providing rapid reactions to rapid surface changes. Better linear goal orientation in PS group, providing a faster movement in an intended direction, should be considered when planning the ideal implant for the patients with relevant activities.

Protective role of intratympanic nigella sativa oil against gentamicin induced hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE: Aminoglycosides, used to combat with life-threatening infections, have a substantial risk of hearing loss. Nigella sativa is an annual herbaceous plant and used for treatment of many diseases for ages. We aimed to investigate the protective role of intratympanic nigella sativa oil against gentamicin induced hearing loss in an animal model. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty eight guinea pigs were randomly divided into four groups: i-control, ii- Intratympanic nigella sativa oil (IT-NSO), iii- Intraperitoneal gentamicin (IP-G) and iv- Intraperitoneal gentamicin and intratympanic nigella sativa oil (IP-G + IT-NSO). Preoperative and postoperative hearing thresholds were determined with auditory brainstem response with click and 8 kHz tone-burst stimuli. Histological analysis of the cochlea specimens were performed under light microscope. Semiquantitative grading of the histological findings was carried out and compared between the groups. RESULTS: Highest posttreatment hearing thresholds were detected in IP-G group. Posttreatment mean hearing threshold of the IP-G group with click stimulus was significantly higher than the IP-G + IT-NSO group (p = 0.004). whereas the difference was not significant with 8 kHz tone-burst stimulus (p = 0.137). Both IP-G and IP-G + IT-NSO groups had significantly higher hearing thresholds compared to control and IT-NSO groups (p > 0.05). Histological examination of the control and IT-NSO groups demonstrated normal appearance of cochlear nerve, stria vascularis and organ of Corti. IP-G group showed the most severe histological alterations including hydropic and vacuolar degenerations, hair cell damage and deformation of the basilar mambrane. Histological evidence of damage was significantly reduced in IP-G + IT-NSO group compared to IP-G group. CONCLUSION: Addition of intratympanic NSO to systemic gentamicin was demonstrated to have beneficial effects in hearing thresholds which was supported by histological findings.