Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation can modulate fronto-parietal brain networks.

Objective: Recent studies have shown that transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS) holds promise as a treatment for neurological or psychiatric disease through the ability to modulate neural activity in some brain regions without an invasive procedure. The objective of this study was to identify the neural correlates underlying the effects of tVNS. Methods: Twenty right-handed healthy subjects with normal hearing participated in this study. An auricle-applied tVNS device (Soricle, Neurive Co., Ltd., Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea) was used to administer tVNS stimulation. A session consisted of 14 blocks, including 7 blocks of tVNS stimulation or sham stimulation and 7 blocks of rest, and lasted approximately 7 min (1 block = 30 s). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was performed during the stimulation. Results: No activated regions were observed in the fMRI scans following both sham stimulation and tVNS after the first session. After the second session, tVNS activated two clusters of brain regions in the right frontal gyrus. A comparison of the activated regions after the second session of each stimulation revealed that the fMRI following tVNS exhibited four surviving clusters. Additionally, four clusters were activated in the overall stimulated area during both the first and second sessions. When comparing the fMRI results after each type of stimulation, the fMRI following tVNS showed four surviving clusters compared to the fMRI after sham stimulation. Conclusion: tVNS could stimulate some brain regions, including the fronto-parietal network. Stimulating these regions for treating neurological or psychiatric disease might require applying tVNS for at least 3.5 min.

Tinnitus reduction after active bone-conduction implantation in patients with single-sided deafness: a prospective multicenter study.

PURPOSE: Single-sided deafness (SSD) presents significant challenges for patients, including compromised sound localization, reduced speech recognition, and often, tinnitus. These issues are typically addressed using interventions such as cochlear implantation (CI) and bone conduction implant (BCI). However, evidence regarding the efficacy of BCI in reducing tinnitus in SSD patients remains limited. This study explored the ability of a novel active transcutaneous BCI (Bonebridge BCI602) to alleviate tinnitus in SSD patients. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort multicenter study. SETTING: Tertiary referral hospitals. METHODS: A prospective multicenter study of 30 SSD patients was conducted. The patients were divided into two groups: those with (n = 19) and without (n = 11) tinnitus. Audiometric assessments, subjective questionnaires including the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) and the Bern Benefit in Single-Sided Deafness (BBSS), and tinnitus evaluations with the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and tinnitogram were conducted before and after BCI surgery. RESULTS: THI scores after surgery were significantly reduced in SSD patients with tinnitus. Subjective satisfaction improved in both the tinnitus and non-tinnitus groups; however, the former group exhibited a significantly greater improvement in the APHAB questionnaire score. According to tinnitograms, the loudness of tinnitus decreased, particularly in patients with ipsilateral tinnitus. Patients with residual hearing had greater reductions in their THI scores. However, three patients without residual hearing had a relative worsening of tinnitus after surgery. CONCLUSION: The Bonebridge BCI602 effectively reduced tinnitus in SSD patients, particularly in those with residual hearing. Subjective satisfaction improved in both the tinnitus and non-tinnitus groups. These findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of BCI for managing SSD and associated tinnitus.

Functional Outcome of single-stage facial reanimation surgery with radical parotidectomy.

Background: Facial nerve sacrifice during radical parotidectomy impairs quality of life. This study assessed the effectiveness of simultaneous single-stage facial reanimation surgery with radical parotidectomy in restoring facial function. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent single-stage facial reanimation with radical parotidectomy. Techniques included selective reinnervation and orthodromic temporalis tendon transfer. Outcomes were measured using modified House-Brackmann and Terzis grades, Emotrics facial assessment, and the Facial Disability Index (FDI). Results.: Among thirteen patients (median age 54, 69% male), ten received selective reinnervation. Nine of these patients showed improved results of House-Brackmann grade III and Terzis grade 4-5. The remaining three underwent tendon transfer, achieving moderate functional outcomes. Emotrics analysis indicated balanced facial symmetry in the selective reinnervation group. FDI scores reflected satisfactory physical and social/well-being functions. Conclusion: Single-stage facial reanimation effectively restores facial function in patients undergoing radical parotidectomy. This approach offers significant benefits in early facial function recovery.

Associations between tinnitus and body composition: a cross-sectional study.

The relationship between tinnitus and body composition in specific regions has not been extensively investigated. This study aimed to identify associations between tinnitus and body composition. Individuals with data on physical and otological examination findings, and bioelectrical impedance analysis were included from the ninth Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey. They were divided into a tinnitus group and a non-tinnitus group. Participants with tinnitus were further classified into acute or chronic tinnitus group. The tinnitus group showed significantly higher body fat percentages in each region (arms: P = 0.014; legs: P = 0.029; trunk: P = 0.008; whole body: P = 0.010) and waist circumference (P = 0.007) than the non-tinnitus group, and exhibited lower leg muscle percentage (P = 0.038), total body fluid percentage (P = 0.010), and intracellular fluid percentage (P = 0.009) than the non-tinnitus group in men. Furthermore, men with chronic tinnitus showed a significantly higher trunk fat percentage (P = 0.015) and waist circumference (P = 0.043), and lower intracellular fluid percentage (P = 0.042) than their counterparts without tinnitus. No significant differences in body composition were observed among the groups in the female population. In men, body composition may be associated with tinnitus.

Nationwide Prevalence of Video Head Impulse Test Abnormality and its Risk Factors in South Korea.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence of and relevant information for video head impulse test (vHIT) abnormality in a large population. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional design. SETTING: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2021. METHODS: The sample was representative of the Korean population, with 2237 participants aged ≥40 years. A vHIT was performed to evaluate vestibular function. The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain and the presence of reproducible catch-up saccades was assessed in a vHIT. Participants also completed questionnaires for demographics, socioeconomic status, and basic information regarding systemic diseases and dizziness and underwent hearing tests with automated pure-tone audiometry. RESULTS: The prevalence of vHIT abnormality was 22.5%, with unilateral (14.3%) being more common than bilateral (8.2%). The prevalence of vHIT abnormality increased significantly with age, with the highest rate observed in individuals aged >70 years (42.5%). Both hearing and VOR gain deteriorated with age, but the patterns of age-related progression were different. While hearing loss (HL) deteriorated gradually and progressively throughout adulthood, VOR gain deterioration was markedly evident after 70 years of age. CONCLUSION: Considering the high prevalence of vHIT abnormality, appropriate social and medical policies are needed to prevent associated injuries and improve patients' quality of life. The distinct age-related changes in HL and objective findings of vestibular dysfunction indicate the need for different approaches to address these social problems in aging countries.

Higher exposure to 1,3-butadiene is associated with more severe hearing loss.

While volatile organic compounds (VOCs) impair various organs, their influence on hearing loss (HL) has not been extensively researched. We aimed to identify the association between VOCs and HL or high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL). We extracted data on age, sex, pure tone audiometry, hypertension, occupational noise exposure, and creatinine-corrected urine VOC metabolite concentrations from the eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey. Among the VOC metabolites, N-acetyl-S-(benzyl)-L-cysteine (BMA, P = 0.004), N-acetyl-S-(phenyl)-L-cysteine (SPMA, P = 0.027), and N-acetyl-S-(3,4-dihydroxybutyl)-L-cysteine (DHBMA, P < 0.001) showed associations with HL. Additionally, HFHL exhibited significant associations with BMA (P = 0.005), 3- and 4-methylhippuric acid (3, 4 MHA, P = 0.049), mandelic acid (MA, P = 0.015), SPMA (P < 0.001), N-acetyl-S-(3-hydroxypropyl)-L-cysteine (3-HPMA, P < 0.001), and DHBMA (P < 0.001). After controlling other factors, DHBMA were associated with HL (P = 0.021) and HFHL (P = 0.014) and exhibited a linear association with the mean hearing level (ß = 0.054, P = 0.024) and high-frequency hearing level (ß = 0.045, P = 0.037). Since 1,3-butadiene may act as an ototoxic material, early screening for workers exposed to 1,3-butadiene and reducing exposure to 1,3-butadiene in everyday life may be helpful to prevent further HL.

Effect of diesel exhaust particles on RANK/RANKL expression in in vivo and in vitro models of middle ear inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: Increasing evidence suggests a link between middle ear inflammation and the development of diesel exhaust particles (DEPs). Chronic middle ear inflammation can lead to bone damage and remodeling. This study aimed to explore the impact of DEPs on the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and RANKL under conditions of middle ear inflammation. METHODS: DEPs were collected by burning fuel in a diesel engine at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology. Human middle ear epithelial cells were cultured to 70-80% confluence in culture plates and then treated with DEPs at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 µg/mL for 24 h. Cell viability was assessed manually. B6.SJL mice, aged 9 weeks, were exposed to DEPs at a concentration of 200 µg/m3 for 1 h daily over a period of 28 days. The expression levels of IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α, RANKL, and RANK were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining and western blot analysis of the harvested middle ear samples. RESULTS: The viability of human middle ear epithelial cells was found to decrease in a dose-dependent manner after 24 h. The mRNA expression level of IL-6 exhibited the most significant increase at the 48-h mark. In contrast, the mRNA expression levels of RANKL and RANK showed a marked increase as early as 6 h post-exposure, with both genes subsequently displaying a time-dependent decrease. Histological analysis revealed that the middle ear mucosa was thicker in the group exposed to DEPs compared to the control group. Additionally, the protein expression levels of IL-6 and RANKL were elevated in the DEP-exposed group relative to the normal control group. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the expression of osteoclast-related proteins in the mouse middle ear. These results imply that air pollutants might affect RANKL/RANK signaling, which is associated with bone remodeling.

Insufficient nutrient intake in individuals with disabling hearing loss and the restoration of nutritional sufficiency in hearing aid users.

Hearing loss affects some nutrient intake. Disabling hearing loss may exacerbate these issues. We aimed to evaluate nutrient intake and assess deficiencies based on functional hearing status. The study included 6907 participants with information on demographic factors, nutrient intake, weight, height, disease status, and hearing level in the eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted from 2019 to 2021. We categorized the participants into 3 groups based on their functional hearing status: bilateral hearing, unilateral hearing, and disabling hearing loss. The disabling hearing loss group showed lower intake of most major nutrients (P < 0.05), dietary fiber (P < 0.001), and most minerals and vitamins (P < 0.05), with some insufficiencies. The unilateral hearing group showed lower intake only for potassium (P = 0.036) compared to the bilateral hearing group and significantly higher intake of hydration (P = 0.039), dietary fiber (P = 0.039), and calcium (P = 0.009) than the disabling hearing loss group. Nutrient insufficiency in the disabling hearing loss group was more prominent in women, and was partially resolved by using hearing aids. Clinicians and nutritionists should consider undernourishment in these patients, and appropriate interventions for nutrition and hearing aids should be recommended.

Biosafety and potency of high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid with intratympanic dexamethasone delivery for acute hearing loss.

Objective: This study evaluated the potential of high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HHA) as an intratympanic (IT) drug delivery vehicle for dexamethasone (D) in treating acute hearing loss. We compared the efficacy, safety, and residence time of HHA to the standard-of-care IT drug delivery method. Methods: Endoscopic examinations were used to track tympanic membrane (TM) healing post-IT injection. Micro-computed tomography (CT) was used to gauge drug/vehicle persistence in the bulla air space. Histological analyses covered the middle ear, TM, and hair cell counts. Auditory brainstem responses (ABR) were used to measure hearing thresholds, while high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to quantify cochlear perilymph dexamethasone concentrations. Results: The HHA + D group had a notably prolonged drug/vehicle residence time in the bulla (41 ± 27 days) compared to the saline + D group (1.1 ± 0.3 days). Complete TM healing occurred without adverse effects. Histology revealed no significant intergroup differences or adverse outcomes. Hearing recovery trends favored the HHA + D group, with 85.0% of ears showing clinically meaningful improvement. D concentrations in cochlear perilymph were roughly double in the HHA group. Conclusion: HHA is a promising vehicle for IT drug delivery in treating acute hearing loss. It ensures extended residence time, augmented drug concentrations in targeted tissues, and safety. These results highlight the potential for HHA + D to excel beyond existing standard-of-care treatments for acute hearing loss.

Efficacy of the Bonebridge BCI602 for Adult Patients with Single-sided Deafness: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of a novel active transcutaneous bone conduction implant (BCI) device for patients with single-sided deafness (SSD). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary referral hospitals. METHODS: This prospective multicenter study was conducted at 15 institutions nationwide. Thirty adult (aged ≥19 years) SSD patients were recruited. They underwent implantation of an active transcutaneous BCI device (Bonebridge BCI602). Objective outcomes included aided pure-tone thresholds, aided speech discrimination scores (SDSs), and the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) and sound localization test results. The Bern Benefit in Single-Sided Deafness (BBSS) questionnaire, the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaire, and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) were used to measure subjective benefits. RESULTS: The mean aided pure-tone threshold was 34.2 (11.3), mean (SD), dB HL at 500 to 4000 Hz. The mean total BBSS score was 27.5 (13.8). All APHAB questionnaire domain scores showed significant improvements: ease of communication, 33.6 (23.2) versus 22.6 (21.3), P = .025; reverberation, 44.8 (16.6) versus 32.8 (15.9), P = .002; background noise, 55.5 (23.6) versus 35.2 (18.1), P < .001; and aversiveness, 36.7 (22.8) versus 25.8 (21.4), P = .028. Moreover, the THI scores were significantly reduced [47.4 (30.1) versus 31.1 (27.0), P = .003]. Congenital SSD was a significant factor of subjective benefit (-11.643; 95% confidence interval: -21.946 to -1.340). CONCLUSION: The BCI602 active transcutaneous BCI device can provide functional hearing gain without any adverse effects and is a feasible option for acquired SSD patients with long-term deafness.

Novel autosomal dominant TMC1 variants linked to hearing loss: insight into protein-lipid interactions.

BACKGROUND: TMC1, which encodes transmembrane channel-like protein 1, forms the mechanoelectrical transduction (MET) channel in auditory hair cells, necessary for auditory function. TMC1 variants are known to cause autosomal dominant (DFNA36) and autosomal recessive (DFNB7/11) non-syndromic hearing loss, but only a handful of TMC1 variants underlying DFNA36 have been reported, hampering analysis of genotype-phenotype correlations. METHODS: In this study, we retrospectively reviewed 338 probands in an in-house database of genetic hearing loss, evaluating the clinical phenotypes and genotypes of novel TMC1 variants associated with DFNA36. To analyze the structural impact of these variants, we generated two structural models of human TMC1, utilizing the Cryo-EM structure of C. elegans TMC1 as a template and AlphaFold protein structure database. Specifically, the lipid bilayer-embedded protein database was used to construct membrane-embedded models of TMC1. We then examined the effect of TMC1 variants on intramolecular interactions and predicted their potential pathogenicity. RESULTS: We identified two novel TMC1 variants related to DFNA36 (c.1256T > C:p.Phe419Ser and c.1444T > C:p.Trp482Arg). The affected subjects had bilateral, moderate, late-onset, progressive sensorineural hearing loss with a down-sloping configuration. The Phe419 residue located in the transmembrane domain 4 of TMC1 faces outward towards the channel pore and is in close proximity to the hydrophobic tail of the lipid bilayer. The non-polar-to-polar variant (p.Phe419Ser) alters the hydrophobicity in the membrane, compromising protein-lipid interactions. On the other hand, the Trp482 residue located in the extracellular linker region between transmembrane domains 5 and 6 is anchored to the membrane interfaces via its aromatic rings, mediating several molecular interactions that stabilize the structure of TMC1. This type of aromatic ring-based anchoring is also observed in homologous transmembrane proteins such as OSCA1.2. Conversely, the substitution of Trp with Arg (Trp482Arg) disrupts the cation-π interaction with phospholipids located in the outer leaflet of the phospholipid bilayer, destabilizing protein-lipid interactions. Additionally, Trp482Arg collapses the CH-π interaction between Trp482 and Pro511, possibly reducing the overall stability of the protein. In parallel with the molecular modeling, the two mutants degraded significantly faster compared to the wild-type protein, compromising protein stability. CONCLUSIONS: This results expand the genetic spectrum of disease-causing TMC1 variants related to DFNA36 and provide insight into TMC1 transmembrane protein-lipid interactions.

Auditory Brainstem Response Data Preprocessing Method for the Automatic Classification of Hearing Loss Patients.

Auditory brainstem response (ABR) is the response of the brain stem through the auditory nerve. The ABR test is a method of testing for loss of hearing through electrical signals. Basically, the test is conducted on patients such as the elderly, the disabled, and infants who have difficulty in communication. This test has the advantage of being able to determine the presence or absence of objective hearing loss by brain stem reactions only, without any communication. This paper proposes the image preprocessing process required to construct an efficient graph image data set for deep learning models using auditory brainstem response data. To improve the performance of the deep learning model, we standardized the ABR image data measured on various devices with different forms. In addition, we applied the VGG16 model, a CNN-based deep learning network model developed by a research team at the University of Oxford, using preprocessed ABR data to classify the presence or absence of hearing loss and analyzed the accuracy of the proposed method. This experimental test was performed using 10,000 preprocessed data, and the model was tested with various weights to verify classification learning. Based on the learning results, we believe it is possible to help set the criteria for preprocessing and the learning process in medical graph data, including ABR graph data.

Feasibility of a Smartphone-Based Hearing Aid App for Mild-to-Moderate Hearing Loss: Prospective Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Hearing loss is a growing health concern worldwide. Hearing aids (HAs) are the treatment of choice for hearing rehabilitation in most cases of mild-to-moderate hearing loss. However, many patients with hearing loss do not use HAs due to their high cost, stigma, and inaccessibility. Since smartphones are widely used, many apps that mimic the amplification function of HAs have been introduced. Smartphone-based HA apps (SHAAs) are affordable and easy to access. However, the audiological benefit of SHAAs has not been determined. Objective: We compared the audiological performance between an SHAA and a conventional HA in a prospective, multicenter randomized controlled trial. Methods: Patients with mild-to-moderate hearing loss were prospectively enrolled from 2 tertiary hospitals and randomly assigned to either an SHAA (Petralex; IT4YOU Corp LLC) or a conventional HA (Siya 1 miniRITE; Oticon A/S). For the cross-over study design, participants used the alternate device and repeated the same 2-month trial. Audiological measurements were obtained using hearing tests, real-ear measurements, and the hearing-in-noise test (HINT). Subjective satisfaction was evaluated using the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) and International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA). Results: Overall, 63 participants were screened and 38 completed the study. In sound-field audiometry testing, the SHAA showed a 20- to 60-dB gain in the low-to-high frequencies of the hearing threshold level. The HA provided adequate gain in the middle-to-high frequencies (55, 65, and 75 dB in real-ear measurements), which is the sound level for most speaking volumes. However, the SHAA could not improve word recognition at 50 dB. The HA showed better audiological performance than the SHAA in both quiet and noisy conditions in the HINT. The IOI-HA scores were significantly improved by both the HA and SHAA versus unaided conditions. Among the SHAA users, 37% (14/38), 42% (16/38), 24% (9/38), and 32% (12/38) showed improvement in APHAB scores for ease of communication, reverberation, background noise, and aversiveness of sounds, respectively. There were no differences in adverse events between the 2 study groups. Conclusions: The HA showed better performance than the SHAA in word recognition and the HINT. However, the SHAA was significantly better than unaided hearing in terms of amplification. The SHAA may be a useful hearing assistance device for patients with mild-to-moderate hearing loss when listening to soft sounds in quiet conditions. The SHAA demonstrated poorer performance than the HA in the mid- to high-frequency sounds that are important for word recognition, sound quality, and hearing in noisy conditions. Further development of the signal technology of SHAAs is needed to improve the sound quality of mid- to high-frequency sounds and overcome noisy environments.

Phenotypic and molecular basis of SIX1 variants linked to non-syndromic deafness and atypical branchio-otic syndrome in South Korea.

Branchio-oto-renal (BOR)/branchio-otic (BO) syndrome is a rare disorder and exhibits clinically heterogenous phenotypes, marked by abnormalities in the ear, branchial arch, and renal system. Sporadic cases of atypical BOR/BO syndrome have been recently reported; however, evidence on genotype-phenotype correlations and molecular mechanisms of those cases is lacking. We herein identified five SIX1 heterozygous variants (c.307dupC:p.Leu103Profs*51, c.373G>A:p.Glu125Lys, c.386_391del:p.Tyr129_Cys130del, c.397_399del:p.Glu133del, and c.501G>C:p.Gln167His), including three novel variants, through whole-exome sequencing in five unrelated Korean families. All eight affected individuals with SIX1 variants displayed non-syndromic hearing loss (DFNA23) or atypical BO syndrome. The prevalence of major and minor criteria for BOR/BO syndrome was significantly reduced among individuals with SIX1 variants, compared to 15 BOR/BO syndrome families with EYA1 variants. All SIX1 variants interacted with the EYA1 wild-type; their complexes were localized in the nucleus except for the p.Leu103Profs*51 variant. All mutants also showed obvious but varying degrees of reduction in DNA binding affinity, leading to a significant decrease in transcriptional activity. This study presents the first report of SIX1 variants in South Korea, expanding the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of SIX1 variants, characterized by DFNA23 or atypical BO syndrome, and refines the diverse molecular aspects of SIX1 variants according to the EYA1-SIX1-DNA complex theory.

Molecular Genetic Etiology and Revisiting the Middle Ear Surgery Outcomes of Branchio-Oto-Renal Syndrome: Experience in a Tertiary Referral Center.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the phenotypes and genotypes of patients with branchio-oto-renal (BOR) and branchio-otic (BO) syndrome, and to analyze the middle ear surgery outcomes qualitatively and quantitatively, proposing a factor usefully prognostic of surgical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Eighteen patients with BOR/BO syndrome in 12 unrelated Korean families. INTERVENTION: Middle ear surgery, including either stapes surgery or ossicular reconstruction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Clinical phenotypes, genotypes, and middle ear surgery outcomes. RESULTS: Eight probands (66.7%) were confirmed genetically; the condition segregated as a dominant or de novo trait. Six EYA1 heterozygous variants were identified by exome sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. All variants were pathogenic or likely pathogenic based on the ACMG/AMP guidelines. Two novel EYA1 frameshift variants (p.His373Phefs*4 and p.Gln543Asnfs*90) truncating a highly conserved C-terminal Eya domain were identified, expanding the genotypic spectrum of EYA1 in BOR/BO syndrome. Remarkably, middle ear surgery was individualized to ensure optimal audiological outcomes and afforded significant audiological improvements, especially in BOR/BO patients without enlarged vestibular aqueducts (EVAs). A significant difference in air-bone gap closure after middle ear surgery was noted between the two groups even after adjusting for confounders: -20.5 dB in ears without EVAs (improvement) but 0.8 dB in ears with EVAs (no change or deterioration). Furthermore, the success rate was significantly associated with the absence of EVA. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study were against the notion that middle ear surgery is always contraindicated in patients with BOR/BO syndrome, and an EVA could be a negative prognostic indicator of middle ear surgery in BOR/BO patients. This may aid to determine the strategy of audiological rehabilitation in patients with BOR/BO syndrome.

The Impact of Lateral Relaxing Incision on Middle Ear Function in Cleft Palate Repair.

Children with cleft palate are susceptible to otitis media with effusion. This study aimed to investigate the effect of lateral relaxing incision (RI) on middle ear function in cleft palate patients who underwent palatoplasty using double-opposing Z-plasty (DOZ). This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent bilateral ventilation tube insertion concurrently with DOZ, wherein RI was selectively performed on the right side of the palate (Rt-RI group) or not (No-RI group). The frequency of VTI, duration of the first ventilation tube retention, and hearing outcomes at the last follow-up were reviewed. Outcomes were compared using the χ 2 test and t test. A total of 126 treated ears from 63 non-syndromic children (18 male, 45 female) with cleft palate were reviewed. The mean age at surgery was 15.8±6.17 months. There were no significant differences in the frequency of ventilation tube insertion between the right and left ears within the Rt-RI group or between the Rt-RI and no-RI groups in the right ear. Subgroup analysis for ventilation tube retention time, auditory brainstem response thresholds, and air-conduction pure tone averages showed no significant differences. In the DOZ, the use of RI had no significant effects on middle ear outcomes during 3 years of follow-up. Relaxing incision seems to be safe without concern for middle ear function in children with cleft palate.

Dual viscosity mixture vehicle for intratympanic steroid treatment modifies the ROS and inflammation related proteomes.

Until recently, the most standard treatment for sensorineural or sudden hearing loss, which is caused by inner ear damage or deterioration, has been systemic oral steroid administration. In recent, intratympanic steroid injections such as dexamethasone have been used for the treatment of sudden hearing loss as well. It is injected into the tympanic cavity through its membrane and is expected to diffuse over the round window located between the tympanic cavity and the inner ear. However, in clinical situations, the delivery time of steroids to the inner ear is shorter than 24 h, which does not allow for a sufficient therapeutic effect. Therefore, we applied a previously invented dual viscosity mixture vehicle (DVV) for intratympanic dexamethasone to a guinea pig model, which could reduce the side effects of systemic steroid administration with sufficient dwelling time for the treatment of hearing loss, and we investigated the physiological changes with a global proteomic approach. In this study, we extracted perilymph in three different conditions from guinea pigs treated with dexamethasone-embedded DVV, dexamethasone mixed in saline, and control groups to compare proteomic changes using tandem mass spectrometry analysis. After liquid chromatography coupled tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, we first identified 46 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) that were statistically significant after one-way ANOVA multiple-sample test. We also performed pairwise comparisons among each group to identify DEPs closely related to the treatment response of dexamethasone-embedded DVV. Gene ontology enrichment analysis showed that these DEPs were mostly related to inflammation, immune, actin remodeling, and antioxidant-related processes. As a result, the proteome changes in the DVV-treated groups revealed that most upregulated proteins activate the cell proliferation process, and downregulated proteins inhibit apoptosis and inflammatory reactions. Moreover, the reactive oxygen process was also regulated by DEPs after DVV treatment.

The Treatment Outcome of Smart Device-Based Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) is a standard treatment for tinnitus that consists of directive counseling and sound therapy. However, it is based on face-to-face education and a time-consuming protocol. Smart device-based TRT (smart-TRT) seems to have many advantages, but the efficacy of this new treatment has been questioned. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy between smart-TRT and conventional TRT (conv-TRT). METHODS: We recruited 84 patients with tinnitus. Results were compared between 42 patients who received smart-TRT and 42 control participants who received conv-TRT. An interactive smart pad application was used for directive counseling in the smart-TRT group. The smart pad application included detailed education on ear anatomy, the neurophysiological model of tinnitus, concept of habituation, and sound therapy. The smart-TRT was bidirectional: There were 17 multiple choice questions between each lesson as an interim check. The conv-TRT group underwent traditional person-to-person counseling. The primary outcome measure was the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), and the secondary outcome measure was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Both treatments had a significant treatment effect, which comparably improved during the first 2 months. The best improvements in THI were -23.3 (95% CI -33.1 to -13.4) points at 3 months and -16.8 (95% CI -30.8 to -2.8) points at 2 months in the smart-TRT group and conv-TRT group, respectively. The improvements on the VAS were also comparable: smart-TRT group: -1.2 to -3.3; conv-TRT: -0.7 to -1.7. CONCLUSIONS: TRT based on smart devices can be an effective alternative for tinnitus patients. Considering the amount of time needed for person-to-person counseling, smart-TRT can be a cost-effective solution with similar treatment outcomes as conv-TRT.

Endolymphatic hydrops asymmetry distinguishes patients with Meniere's disease from normal controls with high sensitivity and specificity.

Background: Many endolymphatic hydrops (EH) MRI studies in the literature do not include a normal control group. Consequently, it remains unclear which outcome measure in EH MRI can most effectively distinguish between MD patients and normal controls. Methods: Gadolinium-enhanced EH imaging was performed to quantitatively evaluate the extents of hydrops in MD patients and age-/sex-matched normal controls. Four hours after intravenous injection of contrast agent, MRI was performed using a 3-T MR platform fitted with a 32-channel phased-array coil receptor. MR images (10-15 slices) covering an inner ear were 3D-stacked. Analyses of all images that included the vestibule or the cochlea yielded the volumes (in µL) of the endolymphatic and perilymphatic spaces. Results: For the vestibule, they were significantly greater EH% in ipsilateral (52.4 ± 12.5) than in contralateral MD ears (40.4 ± 8.5, p = 0.001) and in ipsilateral MD ears than in control ears (42.4 ± 13.7, p = 0.025). For the cochlea, the values were slightly higher EH% in ipsilateral MD ears (49.7 ± 10.4, p = 0.061) but did not significantly differ from contralateral (41.3 ± 12.6) or control ears (39.6 ± 18.9, p = 0.858). In the MD group, the EH asymmetries were 12.0 ± 10.2% (vestibule) and 8.4 ± 8.6% (cochlea), significantly larger than those of controls. Conclusion: Compared to conventional semiquantitative grading or quantitative EH% analysis, EH asymmetry may better distinguish MD patients from normal controls. Quantitative hydrops volumetric analysis yields clinically relevant information on inner ear function.

Patterns of vestibular function in patients with dizziness after COVID-19 vaccination; dual tertiary referral center study.

BACKGROUND: Although dizziness is a common symptom after vaccination, the mechanism, and prognosis are not well understood. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate patients with dizziness after COVID-19 vaccination by analyzing objective information. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients who visited the outpatient clinics of two institutes with a complaint of dizziness occurring within 72 h after a COVID-19 vaccination. RESULTS: In most cases, patients experienced only a single event of dizziness, and the subjective symptom was relieved after a few weeks. All patients decreased gain of vestibular ocular reflex (VOR). The vestibular function test results showed signs of central vestibulopathy in some cases. We separated patients into two groups; the direction-fixed nystagmus (DFN) group and the direction-changing nystagmus (DCN) group. All patients showed decreased gain on the rotational chair test (RCT). The DFN group showed an 80% decrease in video head impulse test (vHIT) gain, whereas the DCN group only showed a decrease of 25%. In RCT, 66% of the DFN group showed asymmetry compared to 20% showing asymmetry in the DCN group. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: The patients who suffered from dizziness after the COVID-19 vaccination exhibited decreased VOR gain and in some cases signs of central vestibulopathy.