Effects of the Kahramanmaras, Turkey 2023 earthquakes on balance perception, dizziness and post-traumatic stress: A relational screening model between subjective balance problems and post-traumatic stress.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the February 6, 2023, earthquakes in Turkey and recurrent aftershocks on balance and post-traumatic stress in surviving victims. METHODS: Our study included 1004 participants aged 18-65 years who were exposed to the February 6 earthquakes and aftershocks in Turkey. After obtaining online consent from all participants, the Vertigo Symptom Scale (VSS), the Dizziness Handicap Index (DHI), and the Posttraumatic Post-Traumatic Disorder Checklist Scale (PCL-5) were administered online, and the interactions between the variable sets were examined using a correlational screening model. RESULTS: As a result of the structural equation model established with the observed variables, it was found that VSS total scores had a statistically significant positive effect on PCL-5 (ß1 = 0.56; p = 0.001 < 0.05). In addition, statistically significant positive high-level correlations were found between VSS and DHI (covVSS-DHI = 0.71), and a positive low level correlation with the number of days with dizziness (covVSS-number of days with dizziness = 0.34), and a positive low level correlation with frequency of days with dizziness (covVSS-frequency of days with dizziness = 0.37). A statistically significant positive low-level relationship was found between DHI and the number of days with dizziness (covDHI-number of days with dizziness = 0.34) and a positive low-level correlation between DHI and the frequency of days with dizziness (covDHI-frequency of days with dizziness = 0.29). CONCLUSION: The structural equation modeling analysis showed that post-traumatic stress disorder had a significant effect on balance and dizziness.

An Evaluation of the Relationship Between Professional Self-Esteem and Job Satisfaction Levels of Audiologists According to Their Workplace Types.

BACKGROUND: The concept of occupational self-esteem is the value judgment developed towards the chosen profession, while job satisfaction includes positive emotional attitudes towards the job. Professional self-esteem and job satisfaction levels of audiologists are a matter of curiosity. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of the workplace types of audiologists in Turkey on their professional self-esteem and job satisfaction levels. STUDY SAMPLE: The study included 307 audiologists working in various types of workplace. Participation in the study was voluntary. DATA COLLECTION: A Personal Information Form, Aricak's Occupational Self-Esteem Scale, and the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Scale were administered in all individuals via Google forms and the scale scores were compared according to the workplace types. RESULTS: A statistically significant relationship was found between professional self-esteem and job satisfaction, age, satisfaction with workplace, satisfaction with working conditions, effect of workplace on professional development, and income satisfaction (p<0.05). However, no statistically significant relationship was found between professional self-esteem and professional tenure and tenure in the current organization (p>0.05). There was a strong positive statistically significant relationship between job satisfaction and professional self-esteem of audiologists working at state hospitals, hearing aid centers, university hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and cochlear implant centers and academics (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to the present results, although the professional self-esteem of audiologists in Turkey showed a small difference according to the type of workplace, their mean score was high. This shows that audiologists enjoy their profession. Job satisfaction levels were lower especially in rehabilitation centers and private hospitals. We think that improving the working conditions of audiologists in private institutions will be effective in improving the services provided to patients by leading to better job satisfaction.

Evaluation of vestibulo-ocular reflex with functional head impulse test in healthy individuals: normative values.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the normative values of the functional head impulse test (fHIT) test in healthy young adults. Materials and methods: The study included 100 individuals, 58 females and 42 males, aged 20-25 years. Beon Solution Zero Branco (TV) fHIT test was applied to all participants. FHIT results were analyzed in terms of lateral-posterior-anterior semicircular canals (SSCs), gender, and right-left ear. Results: In the fHIT test, for the lateral SSC the mean percent correct answer (%CA) values for 4,000-6,000°/s2 and 1,000-7,000°/s2 were 88.52 ± 9.04 and 89.91 ± 6.95, respectively; for the posterior SSC, the mean %CA values for SSC 3000-6,000°/s2 and 1,000-7,000°/s2 were 90.63 ± 8.69 and 91.16 ± 7.42, respectively; for the anterior SSC, the mean %CA values for 3,000-6,000°/s2 and 1,000-7,000°/s2 were 91.21 ± 7.96 and 91.49 ± 7.13, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the right and left ear in %CA values at all accelerations in all SSCs (p > 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between genders in the mean %CA values for 6,000-7,000°/s2, 4,000-6,000°/s2, and 1,000-7,000°/s2 in the lateral SSC and 3,000-6,000°/s2 in the anterior SSC (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The FHIT is a noninvasive test battery that functionally evaluates the VOR of the six semicircular canals. In clinical use, the determination of normative values at all accelerations (1,000-7,000 degrees/s2) constitutes an important database for future studies to distinguish pathologic results.

Role of the functional head impulse test in evaluating vestibulo-ocular reflex abnormalities in individuals with Parkinson's disease.

PURPOSE: To assess vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR) function in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) using a new method called functional head impulse test (fHIT). STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Tertiary medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty individuals with PD were recruited for PD group, and twenty healthy individuals for the control group. Ages of both groups ranged from 47 to 76 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: According to the modified Hoehn-Yahr score, PD group was classified as an early stage with a range of 1-2.5 and a mid-late stage with a range of 3-5. Percentage of correct answers (%CA) was calculated using fHIT for lateral, anterior and posterior semicircular canal (SCC) planes. RESULTS: PD group had statistically lower fHIT %CA in the right lateral, left lateral, and left posterior SCC planes compared to control group (p < .05). There was no statistical difference between two PD severity groups and functional VOR abnormality. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that the functional VOR in the right lateral and left lateral and left posterior SCC plane was affected in individuals with PD. Our results show that impaired VOR and reduced dynamic visual acuity should be considered in individuals with PD for vestibular rehabilitation exercises.

vHIT results with the synapsis system according to clinicians' dominant hand use.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: There exists limited information in the literature on dominant hand preference in relation with vHIT applications. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between the clinician's dominant use of right- or left-hand and vHIT results. METHODS: A Synapsys vHIT Ulmer device was used in the study. The tests were administered by 3 clinicians experienced in vHIT, 2 of whom were right-handed and 1 left-handed. The test was applied to the 94 participants three times, one week apart. RESULTS: In this study, the correlation between right-handed clinicians and left-handed clinicians was examined, and in all SCCs, namely RA, LA, RL, LL, RP and LP, a moderate positive significant correlation was found between right-handed1 and right-handed2, between right-handed1 and left-handed, and between right-handed2 and left-handed. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, these findings suggested that measures were reliable across test sessions regardless of hand dominancy (right or left). Based on the vHIT results we obtained with three different right- or left-handed clinicians, the clinician should evaluate the results according to the dominant side.

Evaluation of the efferent auditory system in COVID-19 adult patients.

BACKGROUND: The short- and long-term effects of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on the medial olivocochlear reflex and outer hair cells in the cochlea remain largely unclear. AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the efferent auditory system effects in adult patients with COVID-19. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 18-50 years old 44 volunteers: 26 individuals (52 ears) with COVID-19 in the study group and 18 healthy individuals (36 ears) in the control group. Otolaryngological examination, immitancemetric evaluation, distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), contralateral acoustic stimulation with DPOAE, audiometric evaluation, and high frequency audiometric evaluation were performed in all individuals participating in the study. RESULTS: In our study, patients with COVID-19 had significantly lower DPOAE results with or without broadband noise at only 6 kHz frequency and contralateral suppression results at all frequencies compared to healthy individuals. A statistically significant difference was found between the study and control groups according to whether the participants had a response in the high frequency audiometry at 12 and 16 kHz frequencies. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 affects many systems in the body. As a result of the findings obtained in the present study, it is shown that the auditory efferent system may also be affected.