Objective measurement of nasal airway dimensions and resistance using acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry in habitual snorers compared with non-snorers.

Snorers represent a heterogeneous group that requires adequate assessment before recommending surgical treatment. Most studies of the pathophysiology of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea have emphasized anatomical abnormalities in the oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal airways. It is still unclear if nasal airway restriction plays an important role in sleep-disordered breathing and there is no general consensus if treatment of nasal pathology should be included in the management of patients with snoring or sleep apnea. The aim of this study was to compare nasal dimensions and airflow resistance of habitual snorers with non-snoring individuals by means of acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry. Sixty individuals were enrolled in this analytical cross-sectional study. They were divided in two groups: group A (case) consisted of 30 patients with a main complaint of chronic snoring referred to ear, nose, and throat (ENT) clinic of Hazrat-e-Rasoul University Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Group B (control) consisted of 30 individuals without any complaint of snoring. The subjects were assessed objectively with acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry. Nasal dimensions and airflow resistance were recorded for all individuals. The most common site of minimum cross-sectional area (MCA) was at the left concha-notch in both snoring and non-snoring individuals. Significant reduction of cross-sectional area of both isthmus and concha notches was seen in habitual snorers (P < 0.05). The mean total airflow resistances in both pressures of 75 and 150 Pa was higher in habitual snorers. Whereas, these differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The results of our study illustrate that acoustic rhinometry, rhinomanometry may be helpful methods for quantitative assessments of nasal airway respiratory function, and configuration in snorers; especially to evaluate site of MCA, decreased nasal cross-sectional area and increased nasal airflow resistance in habitual snorers which may lead to OSA.

Application and usage of tactile aid in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Most deaf and severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss patients are incapable to communicate well because of a lack of receiving sound signals. Cochlear implant is one of the effective measures, which has been of great help to the deaf. Up to now, more than 1000 cochlear implants have been accomplished successfully in Iran. Since cochlear implantation is faced with numerous problems and difficulties, we should establish other methods for sound communication. Tactile aids can be a very effective help regarding this issue. METHODS: We designed and accomplished a study on the use of tactile aid, along with rehabilitation and training of these patients in our department. We designed four educational stages to check the improvement of subjects who used one-, two-, and seven-channel tactile aids. RESULTS: Hundred percent of the cases passed the first stage (detection) successfully. In the second stage (beginning pattern perception) all the cases with two and seven channel tactile aids were able to distinguish all kinds of sounds. They could differentiate between speech and non-speech sounds. In the third stage (recognition of speech), all the cases were able to recognize environmental and "sound maker" sounds, but only 43% of the individuals were able to recognize speech sounds and repeat correctly with two-channel tactile aids. In the fourth stage (comprehension of words), identification and repetition of the words were only possible with seven-channel tactile aids. CONCLUSION: The results of our study show that tactile aids are well accepted by the patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who do not benefit from usual hearing aids.