Diagnostic accuracy of the video otoscope in tympanic membrane perforation.

OBJECTIVE: The video otoscope has already proven to be useful for the diagnosis of several pathologies, so the objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the video otoscope in cases of tympanic membrane perforation. METHODS: This is a diagnostic accuracy study performed at the hearing health division of a tertiary-level referral hospital. Patients older than 8 years of age who had any symptom that could be related to perforation (otalgia, otorrhea, tinnitus, and/or hypoacusis) were invited to participate in the study. Participants were evaluated by three different diagnostic methods (otomicroscope, conventional otoscope, and video otoscope) performed by three different evaluators in a blind fashion. The microscope was considered the reference standard. RESULTS: 176 patients were evaluated, totaling 352 tympanic membranes. Twenty-seven tympanic membrane perforations were diagnosed by the microscope, a prevalence of 7.7%. The video otoscope showed a sensitivity of 85.2% (95% CI 81.5%‒88.9%), specificity of 98.1% (95% CI 96.7%‒99.5%) and accuracy of 97.1% (95% CI 95.4 %-98.8 %). The conventional otoscope showed a sensitivity of 96.3% (95% CI 94.3-98.3), specificity of 98.8% (95% CI 97.7-99.9) and accuracy of 98.6% (95% CI 97.4-99.8). The Kappa value between the microscope and the video otoscope was 0.8 and between the microscope and the conventional otoscope was 0.9. Regarding the participants' perception, 53.4% (p< 0.001) considered the video otoscope as the best method for understanding the tympanic membrane condition presented by them. CONCLUSIONS: The video otoscope showed relevant sensitivity and specificity for clinical practice in the diagnosis of tympanic membrane perforation. Moreover, this is an equipment that can facilitate the patient's understanding of the otologic pathology presented by him/her. In this regard, this method may be important for better patient compliance, requiring further studies to evaluate this hypothesis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Is this diagnostic or monitoring test accurate? (Diagnosis)-Level 2 (Individual cross-sectional studies with consistently applied reference standard and blinding).

Complications and audiological results of percutaneous bone-anchored hearing devices.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the post-operative complications and audiological results related to percutaneous bone-anchored hearing devices. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 44 patients with bilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss who were implanted with unilateral Baha Connect or Ponto devices. A generalised linear model for repeated measurements was used. RESULTS: Twenty patients were Baha Connect users, and 24 were implanted with Ponto devices. Twenty-seven patients experienced complications. No fewer complications were found in the group of patients using longer abutments. When we compared the frequency of complications between Ponto and Baha Connect users, there was no statistically significant difference (p = 0.90). Free-field hearing thresholds were statistically significantly improved when we compared pre- and post-operative results (p < 0.001). Average speech perception also improved (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Despite percutaneous bone-anchored hearing devices having a high rate of complications, they provide significant audiological benefits.

Diagnostic accuracy of the video otoscope in tympanic membrane perforation

Abstract Objective The video otoscope has already proven to be useful for the diagnosis of several pathologies, so the objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the video otoscope in cases of tympanic membrane perforation. Methods This is a diagnostic accuracy study performed at the hearing health division of a tertiary-level referral hospital. Patients older than 8 years of age who had any symptom that could be related to perforation (otalgia, otorrhea, tinnitus, and/or hypoacusis) were invited to participate in the study. Participants were evaluated by three different diagnostic methods (otomicroscope, conventional otoscope, and video otoscope) performed by three different evaluators in a blind fashion. The microscope was considered the reference standard. Results 176 patients were evaluated, totaling 352 tympanic membranes. Twenty-seven tympanic membrane perforations were diagnosed by the microscope, a prevalence of 7.7%. The video otoscope showed a sensitivity of 85.2% (95% CI 81.5%‒88.9%), specificity of 98.1% (95% CI 96.7%‒99.5%) and accuracy of 97.1% (95% CI 95.4 %-98.8 %). The conventional otoscope showed a sensitivity of 96.3% (95% CI 94.3-98.3), specificity of 98.8% (95% CI 97.7-99.9) and accuracy of 98.6% (95% CI 97.4-99.8). The Kappa value between the microscope and the video otoscope was 0.8 and between the microscope and the conventional otoscope was 0.9. Regarding the participants' perception, 53.4% (p < 0.001) considered the video otoscope as the best method for understanding the tympanic membrane condition presented by them. Conclusions The video otoscope showed relevant sensitivity and specificity for clinical practice in the diagnosis of tympanic membrane perforation. Moreover, this is an equipment that can facilitate the patient's understanding of the otologic pathology presented by him/her. In this regard, this method may be important for better patient compliance, requiring further studies to evaluate this hypothesis. Level of evidence Is this diagnostic or monitoring test accurate? (Diagnosis)—Level 2 (Individual cross-sectional studies with consistently applied reference standard and blinding).

High-Frequency Gain and Maximum Output Effects on Speech Recognition in Bone-Conduction Hearing Devices: Blinded Study.

INTRODUCTION: Bone-conduction hearing device (BCHD) uses natural sound transmission through bone and soft tissue, directly to the cochlea, via an external processor that captures and processes sound, which is converted into mechanical vibrations. Key parameters, as maximum power output (MPO) and broader frequency range (FR), must be considered when indicating a BCHD because they can be decisive for speech recognition, especially under listening challenge conditions. OBJECTIVES: Compare hearing performance and speech recognition in noise of two sound processors (SPs), with different features of MPO and FR, among BCHD users. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-blinded, comparative, observational study evaluated 21 individuals Baha 4 system users with conductive or mixed hearing impairment. The free-field audiometry and speech recognition results were blindly collected under the following conditions: unaided, with Baha 5, and with Baha 6 Max SP. RESULTS: In free-field audiometry, significant differences were observed between the SP at 0.25, 3, 4, 6, and 8 kHz, with Baha 6 Max outperforming Baha 5. The Baha 6 Max provided significantly better speech recognition than Baha 5 under all the speech in noise conditions evaluated. Separating the transcutaneous from the percutaneous users, Baha 6 Max Attract SP provided the best results and significantly lowered the free-field thresholds than Baha 5 Attract. The Baha 6 Max also significantly improved speech recognition in noise, among both Attract and Connect users. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed that the greater MPO and broader FR of the Baha 6 Max device helped increase high-frequency gain and improved speech recognition in BCHD-experimented users.

Contralateral Masking in the Measurement of Auditory Brainstem Responses with Air-Conducted Tone Burst Stimuli in Individuals with Unilateral Hearing Loss.

BACKGROUND: Contralateral noise masking is an important aspect of auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurements. PURPOSE: The primary aim of this study is to determine how contralateral white noise (WN) masking influences the amplitude and the latency of V wave generated during ABR measurements, using tone burst (TB), in adult ears with normal hearing (NH). The secondary aim of this study is to ascertain the need of contralateral masking in ABR measurements with the TB stimuli using a 3A insertion earphone, and to propose the applicability of WN masking in unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (USNHL). RESEARCH DESIGN: It is a cross-sectional observational and descriptive study. STUDY SAMPLE: Experiment 1: Thirty individuals, without any otologic, psychological, or neurological dysfunction, were selected. Experiment 2: Fifteen individuals with previous audiological diagnoses of severe and profound USNHL were considered. INTERVENTION: The study involves ABR TB at specific frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Experiment 1: The evaluation was performed at the fixed intensity of 80 dB nHL (decibel normalized hearing level) on the tested ear, followed by the application of simultaneous masking to the nontested ear, intensity ranged from 0 to 80 dB. Experiment 2: ABR threshold measurements were first performed on the ear with hearing loss (HL) at the frequencies of 1, 2, and 4 kHz. The results were subsequently confirmed using contralateral masking. RESULTS: Experiment 1: At any given frequency, there were no statistically significant differences in the amplitude and latency of V wave with increase in the intensities of WN masking. Experiment 2: Cross-hearing was observed at least once in all frequencies analyzed through the occurrence of V wave. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the contralateral WN masking at the maximum intensity of 80 dB does not affect the amplitude and latency of V wave of the ABR TB at 1, 2, and 4 kHz. Contralateral masking for the ABR TB presented using 3A insertion earphones is necessary at 1, 2, and 4 kHz in individuals with severe or profound degrees of USNHL and at intensities of 15, 20, and 10 dB above the ABR threshold of the nontested ear.

Padronização dos parâmetros latência e amplitude no registro dos potenciais evocados auditivos de tronco encefálico com o estímulo Ichirp de banda estreita em adultos audiologicamente normais / Standardization of latency and amplitude parameters on brainstem auditory evoked potential recording with narrow band Ichirp stimulus in normal hearing adults

RESUMO Objetivo Padronizar os parâmetros de latência e amplitude obtidos com o estímulo Ichirp de banda estreita, na pesquisa dos potenciais evocados auditivos de tronco encefálico nas frequências de 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz e 4 kHz. Métodos O estudo foi realizado na Divisão de Saúde Auditiva do Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais, da Universidade de São Paulo. Participaram 20 adultos ouvintes normais, na faixa etária de 18 a 35 anos. Todos os participantes foram submetidos à audiometria tonal limiar, logoaudiometria, imitanciometria e aos potenciais evocados auditivos de tronco encefálico, pesquisados com o estímulo Ichirp de banda estreita, nas frequências de 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz e 4 kHz. Resultados Em todas as frequências avaliadas foi observada a função latência-intensidade, ou seja, o aumento na latência da onda V, na medida em que a intensidade do estímulo foi diminuída, bem como a diminuição na latência da onda V com o aumento da frequência avaliada. Além disso, verificou-se a redução na amplitude da onda V com a diminuição da intensidade do estímulo. Constatou-se o nível mínimo de resposta, em todas as frequências, em níveis inferiores aos valores sugeridos pela literatura como critério de normalidade no registro dos potenciais evocados auditivos de tronco encefálico de frequência específica, sendo os maiores valores nas frequências de 500 Hz e 1 kHz. Conclusão Foram obtidos os valores de referência de normalidade para os potenciais evocados auditivos de tronco encefálico em adultos ouvintes normais com o estímulo Ichirp, valores estes que podem contribuir para o aprimoramento do exame, na prática clínica.

ABSTRACT Purpose Standardize the latency and amplitude parameters using the narrow band Ichirp stimulus on Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential (BAEP) at frequencies of 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz and 4 kHz. Methods The study was performed at the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies (HRAC), Auditory Health Division, University of São Paulo (USP). Twenty normal hearing adults, aged between 18 and 35 years, were submitted to pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, immittance and to BAEP with narrow band Ichirp stimulus at 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz and 4 kHz frequencies. Results In all frequencies evaluated, the latency-intensity function was observed, that is, the increase in the latency of the V wave as the stimulus intensity was decreased, as well as the decrease in the latency of the V wave with the increase of the frequency. In addition, the reduction in the amplitude of the wave V was verified with the decrease of the intensity of the stimulus. The minimum response level, in all frequencies, was found to be lower than the values suggested in the literature as a criterion of normality in frequency - specific BAEP, with the highest values at frequencies of 500 Hz and 1 kHz. Conclusion Normal reference values to BAEP were obtained in normal hearing adults with the narrow band Ichirp stimulus, which may contribute to its improvement in clinical practice.