Peripheral and brainstem auditory evaluation in post-COVID-19 individuals.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the peripheral and central auditory pathways in adult individuals after COVID-19 infection. METHOD: A total of 44 individuals aged between 19 and 58 years, of both genders, post-COVID-19 infection, confirmed by serological tests, with no previous hearing complaints and no risk factors for hearing loss, were assessed. All the participants underwent the following procedures: pure tone audiometry, logoaudiometry, immitanciometry, and Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEP), in addition to answering a questionnaire about auditory symptoms. RESULTS: Thirteen individuals (29.5 %) had some hearing threshold impairment, mainly sensorineural hearing loss. In the BAEP, 18 individuals (40.9 %) presented longer latencies, mainly in waves III and V. According to the questionnaire answers, 3 individuals (9.1 %) reported worsened hearing and 7 (15.9 %) tinnitus that emerged after the infection. As for the use of ototoxic drugs during treatment, 7 individuals (15.9 %) reported their use, of which 5 showed abnormalities in peripheral and/or central auditory assessments. CONCLUSION: Considering the self-reported hearing complaints after COVID-19 infection and the high rate of abnormalities found in both peripheral and central audiological assessments, it is suggested that the new COVID-19 may compromise the auditory system. Due to the many variables involved in this study, the results should be considered with caution. However, it is essential that audiological evaluations are carried out on post-COVID-19 patients in order to assess the effects of the infection in the short, medium, and long term. Future longitudinal investigations are important for a better understanding of the auditory consequences of COVID-19.

Postural Sway Velocity of Deaf Children with and without Vestibular Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Sensory information obtained from the visual, somatosensory, and vestibular systems is responsible for regulating postural control, and if damage occurs in one or more of these sensory systems, postural control may be altered. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the postural sway velocity between children with normal hearing and with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), matched by sex and age group, and to compare the postural sway velocity between children with normal hearing and with SNHL, with and without vestibular dysfunction. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that evaluated 130 children (65 with normal hearing and 65 with SNHL), of both sexes and aged between 7 and 11 years, from public schools of the city of Caruaru, Pernambuco state, Brazil. The postural sway velocity of the center of pressure (COP) was assessed by a force platform, in two directions, anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML)), in three positions, namely bipedal support with feet together and parallel (parallel feet (PF)), bipedal support with one foot in front of the other (tandem foot (TF)), and single-leg support (one foot (OF)), evaluated with the eyes open and closed. RESULTS: Children with SNHL demonstrated greater postural sway velocity compared to children with normal hearing in all the positions evaluated, with significant differences in the AP direction, with the eyes open (PF: p = 0.001; TF: p = 0.000; OF: p = 0.003) and closed (PF: p = 0.050; TF: p = 0.005). The same occurred in the ML direction, with the eyes open (PF: p = 0.001; TF: p = 0.000; OF: p = 0.001) and closed (PF: p = 0.002; TF: p = 0.000). The same occurred in relation to vestibular function, where the children with SNHL with an associated vestibular dysfunction demonstrated greater postural sway velocity compared to children with normal hearing in all the positions evaluated, demonstrating significant differences in the AP direction, with the eyes open (TF: p = 0.001; OF: p = 0.029) and eyes closed (PF: p = 0.036; TF: p = 0.033). The same occurred in the ML direction, with the eyes open (TF: p = 0.000) and with the eyes closed (PF: p = 0.008; TF: p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Children with SNHL demonstrated greater instability of postural control than children with normal hearing in all the directions assessed. Children with SNHL and an associated vestibular dysfunction demonstrated the greatest instability of postural control in this study.

Vestibular evaluation with video head impulse test in pediatric cochlear implant patients.

BACKGROUND: The cochlear implant (CI) is effective for rehabilitating patients with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. However, its placement and use have been associated with various complications, such as those affecting the vestibular system. The objective of this study was to compare vestibular function using the video head impulse test (vHIT) in pediatric patients before and after CI placement. METHODS: A descriptive and retrospective study was conducted. The outcomes of 11 pediatric patients of both sexes with a history of profound hearing loss were evaluated. The results of vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR) gain, saccades, asymmetry, Pérez Rey (PR) index, and VOR/saccade ratio for both ears obtained by the vHIT test before and after CI placement were compared. RESULTS: Of the 11 patients evaluated, the VOR gain showed that 81.8% had normal function, 18.2% had hypofunction, and no patients had hyperfunction before implantation. No statistically significant differences were found when compared with post-implant off and post-implant on conditions (p > 0.05). The extracted variables, asymmetry, PR index, and the VOR/saccades ratio also showed no statistically significant differences between the pre- and post-implant conditions, whether off or on. CONCLUSIONS: The vestibular function of pediatric patients did not show significant changes before and after CI placement. The vHIT test is a valuable tool for assessing vestibular function and could be considered a criterion for surgical and rehabilitation decisions in patients undergoing CI placement.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El implante coclear es un dispositivo eficaz para la rehabilitación de pacientes con hipoacusia neurosensorial severa a profunda. Sin embargo, su colocación y uso se ha asociado a diversas complicaciones, entre ellas a nivel del sistema vestibular. El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar la función vestibular mediante la prueba de videoimpulso cefálico (vHIT) de pacientes pediátricos antes y después de la colocación del implante coclear. MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo. Se evaluaron los resultados de 11 pacientes pediátricos de ambos sexos con antecedente de hipoacusia profunda. Se compararon los resultados de ganancia del VOR, sacadas, asimetría, índice PR así como la relación VOR/sacadas para ambos oídos obtenidos mediante la prueba vHIT antes y después de la colocación del implante coclear. RESULTADOS: De los 11 pacientes evaluados, la ganancia del VOR mostró que el 81.8% tenía normofunción, 18.2% hipofunción y ningún paciente hiperfunción antes del implante. Al compararlo con la ganancia post implante apagado y post implante encendido no se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p > 0.05). Las variables sacadas, asimetría, índice PR así como la relación VOR/sacadas tampoco mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre las condiciones pre y pos implante ya sea apagado o encendido. CONCLUSIONES: La función vestibular de pacientes pediátricos no mostró cambios significativos previo y posterior a la colocación del implante coclear. La prueba vHIT es una herramienta útil que permite evaluar la función vestibular y que podría considerarse como criterio para tomar decisiones quirúrgicas en pacientes que se encuentran en protocolo para implante coclear.

Elderly people with hearing loss and cognitive decline: speech perception performance in noise. / Idosos com perda auditiva e declínio cognitivo: desempenho da percepção de fala no ruído.

PURPOSE: To verify the influence of verbal intellectual-cognitive skills on speech perception in noise, in elderly with sensorineural hearing loss, considering education, age, and degree of hearing loss. METHODS: 36 elderly between 60 and 89 years old with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss participated in the study. After psychological assessment using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adults (WAIS-III), they were grouped into (GI) 24 elderly without cognitive alteration and (GII) 12 elderly with risk of cognitive alteration. They underwent otorhinolaryngological assessment, audiological interview, pure tone audiometry, and assessment of speech perception in noise using the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT-Brazil). The Mann-Whitney U statistical test compared the results between the groups, and the Spearman correlation verified the variable's age, degree of hearing loss, and level of education. RESULTS: There was no difference between the groups in the ability to perceive speech in noise, except in the noise on the left condition, in which GII showed better performance in HINT-Brazil. The degree of hearing loss and level of education influenced the perception of speech in noise. The level of education was correlated with the WAIS-III results. CONCLUSION: The decline in verbal intellectual-cognitive skills did not affect speech perception of noise in the elderly with hearing loss. The degree of hearing loss and level of education influenced the performance of the elderly in the speech perception test in noise. Performance in verbal cognitive skills varied according to the level of education.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a influência das habilidades intelectuais-cognitivas verbais na percepção de fala no ruído, em idosos com perda auditiva sensorioneural, considerando a escolaridade, a idade e o grau da perda auditiva. MÉTODO: Participaram 36 idosos entre 60 e 89 anos com perda auditiva sensorioneural bilateral, que após avaliação psicológica por meio do Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adults (WAIS III), foram divididos em (GI) 24 idosos sem alteração cognitiva e (GII) 12 idosos com risco de alteração cognitiva. Foram submetidos à avaliação otorrinolaringológica, entrevista audiológica, audiometria tonal liminar e a avaliação da percepção de fala no ruído por meio do Hearing in Noise Test (HINT-Brasil). O teste estatístico U de Mann-Whitney comparou os resultados entre os grupos, e a correlação de Spearman verificou as variáveis idade, grau da perda auditiva e nível de escolaridade. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença entre os grupos na habilidade de percepção de fala no ruído, exceto na condição ruído à esquerda, no qual o GII apresentou melhor desempenho no HINT-Brasil. O grau da perda auditiva e o nível de escolaridade influenciaram na percepção de fala no ruído. O nível de escolaridade teve correlação com os resultados do WAIS III. CONCLUSÃO: O declínio das habilidades intelectuais-cognitivas verbais não interferiu na percepção de fala no ruído nos idosos com perda auditiva. O grau da perda auditiva e o nível de escolaridade influenciaram no desempenho dos idosos no teste de percepção de fala no ruído. O desempenho nas habilidades cognitivas verbais variou com o nível de escolaridade.

Auditory Electrophysiological Thresholds With Different Chirps and Their Correlation With Behavioral Thresholds in Hearing-Impaired Children.

OBJECTIVES: Research focusing on changes in the clinical practice of audiological diagnosis has become increasingly necessary, particularly in pediatric audiology. The pursuit of accurate and reliable examinations has intensified given the importance of early detection and intervention in cases of childhood hearing loss. Thus, this study aims to investigate the correlation between electrophysiological auditory thresholds, as obtained through frequency-specific auditory brainstem responses with two distinct chirp stimuli (narrow-band CE-Chirp Level Specific and narrow-band iChirp), in children with hearing impairments. In addition, this research set out to correlate these thresholds with behavioral responses while simultaneously comparing the examination durations relative to the type of stimuli and the degree of hearing loss. DESIGN: A cohort of 20 children (aged 6 months to 12 years) with varying degrees of hearing impairment (ranging from mild to profound) were recruited. The participants underwent bilateral measurement of their electrophysiological thresholds via auditory brainstem responses across different frequencies (500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz), and the timeframe for determining these thresholds was carefully recorded. Subsequently, behavioral thresholds were ascertained using pure-tone audiometry or visual reinforcement audiometry based on the child's age. The data collected was subsequently analyzed using Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients. To compare examination times, the Student t test and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used. RESULTS: There was a pronounced correlation between the thresholds obtained through both narrow-band chirp stimuli. Moreover, a substantial correlation was found between electrophysiological and behavioral thresholds at 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz, especially when compared with pure-tone audiometry. The mean differences between the electrophysiological and behavioral thresholds were below 6 dB nHL, and the exam duration was relatively consistent across both devices, averaging 47.63 (±19.41) min for the narrow-band CE-Chirp Level Specific and 52.42 (±26) min for the narrow-band iChirp. Notably, variations in exam duration did not relate to varying degrees of hearing loss when using the narrow-band CE-Chirp Level Specific. Nevertheless, the narrow-band iChirp indicated significantly shorter durations in instances of profound degree measurements, demonstrating a statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: The narrow-band CE-Chirp Level Specific and narrow-band iChirp stimuli provided similar estimates of electrophysiological auditory thresholds in children with hearing impairments, giving accurate estimations of behavioral thresholds. The time it took to complete the assessment is comparable between both stimuli. For the narrow-band iChirp, the degree of hearing loss was shown to impact the testing time, and children with profound hearing loss underwent faster exams. Ultimately, this study exhibits significant clinical implications as it reveals that the narrow-band CE-Chirp Level Specific and narrow-band iChirp stimuli could be remarkably promising for clinically exploring electrophysiological thresholds in children with hearing impairments.

Standard and Extend High-Frequency Audiometry in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Impacts on Tinnitus and Mental Health.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of auditory assessment in standard (SA) and extended high-frequency (EHF) audiometry, associating the findings with sudden tinnitus and mental health of patients with unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, cohort study. SETTING: Outpatient otology clinic in a tertiary care hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients experiencing unilateral SSNHL were evaluated with pure-tone audiometry performed at frequencies of 250 to16,000 Hz, tinnitus pitch and loudness matching tests, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Analog and Visual Scale (AVS) for bothersome tinnitus, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS: Eighteen patients with unilateral SSNHL were assessed. After starting treatment, there was a significant improvement in the SA (71.1 dB to 50 dB; p < 0.001*) and EHF audiometry (64.5 dB to 54.4 dB; p < 0.001*) thresholds at 15 days, and this persisted at 30 days of follow-up. Significant improvements were seen for tinnitus in loudness, VAS, and THI and for mental health in the realms of anxiety and depression by HADS. Despite improvements in SA, persistent EHF hearing loss was accompanied by persistent tinnitus, but it was of diminished loudness. CONCLUSION: Despite improvement in pure-tone thresholds by SA, a subset of unilateral SSNHL patients did not experience hearing recovery in EHF thresholds and reported persistent tinnitus. We postulate that their diminished anxiety and better mental health may be related to both hearing improvement in standard audiometry and reduction in tinnitus loudness. This pilot prospective study investigates the utility of performing EHF audiometry to better understand outcomes in patients with SSNHL.

Clinical Profile of Patients With Unilateral Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Correlation With Hearing Prognosis.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize, with a standard systematic protocol, the clinical and audiometric profile of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) and to correlate the findings with hearing recovery prognosis. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort of patients with ISSNHL. SETTING: Outpatients of a tertiary referral center followed for 20 years. METHODS: We collected clinical information, including the presence of tinnitus, vertigo, and comorbidities, as well as initial pure tone averages, degree of hearing loss, audiogram curves, and time between hearing loss onset and treatment. These variables were statistically analyzed for their impact on hearing recovery prognosis. All patients were treated with oral corticosteroids, following a standard treatment protocol. Hearing recovery was defined according to the criteria of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, and hearing outcomes were reported via a standardized method (scattergrams). RESULTS: Our final study group comprised 186 patients. Most patients were between 41 and 60 years of age. Univariate analysis revealed that vertigo; presence of severe or profound initial hearing loss; flat, U-shaped, and descending audiogram curves; and initiating treatment ≥15 days were correlated with worse hearing recovery. However, the multivariate logistic model revealed that only the presence of severe or profound hearing loss (odds ratio, 6.634; 95% CI, 2.714-16.216; P < .001) and initiating treatment ≥15 days (odds ratio, 0.250; 95% CI, 0.102-0.610; P = .008) were independent risk factors for worse hearing recovery prognosis. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the presence of severe or profound hearing loss at the first audiogram and initiating treatment after 14 days from ISSNHL onset were independent risk factors associated with a worse hearing recovery prognosis.

Auditory impairment in H-ABC tubulinopathy.

Hypomyelination with atrophy of the basal ganglia and cerebellum (H-ABC) is a neurodegenerative disease due to mutations in TUBB4A. Patients suffer from extrapyramidal movements, spasticity, ataxia, and cognitive deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging features are hypomyelination and atrophy of the striatum and cerebellum. A correlation between the mutations and their cellular, tissue and organic effects is largely missing. The effects of these mutations on sensory functions have not been described so far. We have previously reported a rat carrying a TUBB4A (A302T) mutation and sharing most of the clinical and radiological signs with H-ABC patients. Here, for the first time, we did a comparative study of the hearing function in an H-ABC patient and in this mutant model. By analyzing hearing function, we found that there are no significant differences in the auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds between mutant rats and WT controls. Nevertheless, ABRs show longer latencies in central waves (II-IV) that in some cases disappear when compared to WT. The patient also shows abnormal AEPs presenting only Waves I and II. Distortion product of otoacoustic emissions and immunohistochemistry in the rat show that the peripheral hearing function and morphology of the organ of Corti are normal. We conclude that the tubulin mutation severely impairs the central hearing pathway most probably by progressive central white matter degeneration. Hearing function might be affected in a significant fraction of patients with H-ABC; therefore, screening for auditory function should be done on patients with tubulinopathies to evaluate hearing support therapies.

Application of Cervical Vestibular-Evoked Myogenic Potentials in Adults with Moderate to Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Preliminary Study

Abstract Introduction The cochlea and the vestibular receptors are closely related in terms of anatomy and phylogeny. Patients with moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss (MPSHL) should have their vestibular organ functions tested. Objective To evaluate the incidence of vestibular abnormalities in patients with MPSHL and to study the correlation between the etiology of hearing loss (HL) and a possible damage to the labyrinth. Methods A case-control retrospective study was performed. In the case group, 20 adults with MPSHL of known etiology were included. The control group was composed of 15 adults with normal hearing. The case group was divided into 4 subgroups based on the etiology (bacterial meningitis, virus, vascular disease, congenital). Cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) were used to rate the saccular function and lower vestibular nerve. Results The study was performed in 70 ears, and it highlighted the presence of early biphasic P1-N1 complex in 29 (71.5%) out of 40 ears in the study group, and in all of the 30 ears in the control group (p = 0.001). Regarding the presence or absence of cVEMPs among the four subgroups of patients with MPSHL, the data were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The comparison between the latencies and amplitude of P1-N1 in case and control groups from other studies and in the four subgroups of cases in the present study did not detect statistically significant differences. Conclusion The present study demonstrates that patients with MPSHL have a high incidence of damage to the labyrinthine organs, and it increases the current knowledge about the etiopathogenesis of sensorineural HL, which is often of unknown nature.

The Effect of Digital Noise Reduction on Annoyance and Speech Perception in Low and High Acceptable Noise Level Groups

Introduction: Studies have reported that although speech perception in noise was unaltered with and without digital noise reduction (DNR), the annoyance toward noise measured by acceptable noise level (ANL) was significantly improved by DNR with the range between 2.5 and 4.5 dB. It is unclear whether a similar improvement would be observed in those individuals who have an ANL ≥ 14 dB (predictive of poor hearing aid user) often rejects their aid because of annoyance toward noise. Objectives: (a) To determine the effect of activation of DNR on the improvement in the aided ANL from low- and high-ANL groups; and (b) to predict the change in ANL when DNR was activated. Method: Ten bilateral mild to severe sloping sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) participants in each of the low- and high-ANL groups were involved. These participants were bilaterally fitted with receiver in canal (RIC) hearing aids (Oticon, Smorum, Egedal, Denmark) with a DNR processor. Both SNR-50% (Signal to noise ratio (in dB) required to achieve 50 % speech recognition) and ANL were assessed in DNR-on and DNR-off listening conditions. Results: Digital noise reduction has no effect on SNR-50 in each group. The annoyance level was significantly reduced in the DNR-on than DNR-off condition in the low-ANL group. In the high-ANL group, a strong negative correlation was observed between the ANL in DNR off and a change in ANL after DNR was employed in the hearing aid (benefit). The benefit of DNR on annoyance can be effectively predicted by baseline-aided ANL by linear regression. Conclusion: Digital noise reduction reduced the annoyance level in the high-ANL group, and the amount of improvement was related to the baseline-aided ANL value (AU)

Influencia de las zonas cocleares muertas sobre la autopercepción de las habilidades auditivas en adultos con hipoacusia sensorioneural bilateral / Influence of cochlear dead regions on self-perception hearing abilities in adults with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss

RESUMEN Introducción: Las zonas cocleares muertas son áreas de la membrana basilar donde las células ciliadas y/o fibras del nervio auditivo no son funcionales, lo que puede alterar el análisis temporal de una señal acústica. Los efectos funcionales que podrían generar aún no son claros, y establecerlos a través del uso de cuestionarios de autopercepción, proporcionaría información de utilidad para el manejo audiológico de los pacientes. Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre la presencia de zonas cocleares muertas y la autopercepción de las habilidades auditivas en adultos con hipoacusia sensorioneural bilateral. Material y método: Se evaluaron 20 sujetos con hipoacusia bilateral simétrica, entre 51 y 75 años, sin antecedentes de uso de audífonos. Las zonas cocleares muertas fueron evaluadas mediante la prueba TEN en 1, 2, 3 y 4 kHz; y la autopercepción de habilidades auditivas fue medida en los participantes a través del cuestionario de doce preguntas, IROS12. Resultados: La presencia de zonas cocleares muertas se observó en 10 pacientes. No existiendo una diferencia significativa entre grupos, sin embargo, se observaron puntuaciones más bajas de IROS12 en sujetos con zonas cocleares muertas. Conclusiones: La percepción de dificultades auditivas de individuos que presentan una hipoacusia sensorioneural bilateral simétrica moderada, con presencia de zonas cocleares muertas, no difiere significativamente de aquellos individuos que no presentan zonas cocleares muertas.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cochlear dead regions are areas of the basilar membrane where the hair cells and/or auditory nerve fibers are not functional, which can alter the temporal analysis of an acoustic signal. The functional effects that could generate still are not entirely clear, and set through the use of self-perception questionnaires, provide useful information for audiological management of patients. Aim: To investigate the relationship between the presence of cochlear dead regions and the self-reported of listening difficulties of adults with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Material and Method: Twenty adults with symmetric bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, aged 51 to 75 years were tested, without previous story of use of hearing aids. Cochlear dead regions were tested using the TEN test at 1, 2, 3 and 4 kHz. The questionnaire of twelve questions, IROS12, was applied to the participants. Results: Cochlear dead regions were present in 10 participants. No significant differences were observed between groups, however lower IROS12 scores were observed in those who had present of dead regions. Conclusion: The perception of hearing difficulties in individuals with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss with cochlear dead regions did not differ significantly from those individuals without cochlear dead regions.

Musical and temporal auditory skills in cochlear implant users after music therapy. / Habilidades auditivas musicais e temporais em usuários de implante coclear após musicoterapia.

PURPOSE: Verify the performance of musical perception and temporal auditory resolution and ordering skills in pre- and post-music therapy patients with cochlear implants (CI). METHODS: Study participants were 11 postlingual CI users with mean age of 47.64 years. All individuals underwent 10 weekly music therapy sessions. Auditory assessment was conducted using the Montreal Battery of Evaluation of Amusia (MBEA) and the Frequency Pattern Test (FPT). All participants were submitted to a placebo condition prior to music therapy and were evaluated at three different times. RESULTS: Significant improvement was observed in the subtests of contour and melody memory after music therapy. No placebo effect or difference in the FPT was observed after music therapy. CONCLUSION: Music therapy is a useful tool to improve musical skills in adult postlingual users of CI.

OBJETIVO: Verificar o desempenho das habilidades de percepção musical e das habilidades auditivas temporais de resolução e ordenação pré e pós-musicoterapia em pacientes pós-linguais usuários de implante coclear. MÉTODO: Participaram do estudo 11 indivíduos (média de idade: 47,64 anos) pós-linguais implantados, que foram submetidos a 10 sessões de musicoterapia, sendo uma por semana. Para a avaliação auditiva, foram utilizados o teste Montreal Battery Evaluation of Amusia e o teste de padrão de frequência (TPF). Todos os participantes passaram por um momento placebo antes da musicoterapia e foram avaliados em três momentos distintos. RESULTADOS: Foi observada melhora significativa nos subtestes das habilidades musicais de contorno e melodia após musicoterapia. Não foi observado efeito placebo e nem diferença do TPF após a musicoterapia. CONCLUSÃO: A musicoterapia foi uma ferramenta útil para melhorar as habilidades auditivas musicais em indivíduos adultos pós-linguais usuários de IC.

Comparative analysis of cognitive-linguistic evaluation in normal hearing schoolchildren and users of cochlear implants. / Análise comparativa da avaliação cognitivo-linguística em escolares ouvintes e usuário de implante coclear.

PURPOSE: When children becom cochlear implant users, they have already had the opportunity to develop phonological skills; however, it is possible that they miss sound information during speech and, consequently, present difficulties in competences associated with the learning of reading and writing. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 11 normal hearing children aged 7-10 years and a right-ear cochlear implant user enrolled in the 3rd grade of Elementary School. The Cognitive-Linguistic Assessment protocol was used to evaluate the study participants. Data were transcribed and analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The following sub-tests presented the highest percentage of children with superior performance: alphabet in sequence (82%), reading of pseudo-words (82%), syllable segmentation (73%), word repetition (82%), copying of shapes (72%), and rapid naming (100%).The cochlear implant user presented superior performance in all the sub-tests except for word repetition, in which average performance was observed. In the rhythm sub-test, none of the normal hearing children presented superior performance, and the cochlear implant user performed poorly. DISCUSSION: It was possible to observe that the condition of being a cochlear implant user is not the only determinant for a child's school failure. There are issues that go beyond auditory integrity, because some normal hearing children performed poorly in sub-tests such as repetition of pseudo-words, rhythm, and alliteration. CONCLUSION: The cochlear implant user presented a cognitive-linguistic profile very similar to those of his hearing peers.

OBJETIVO: Analisar e comparar o desempenho cognitivo-linguístico de uma criança usuária de implante coclear em relação aos seus pares ouvintes em processo de aprendizagem da leitura e da escrita. MÉTODO: A amostra foi constituída por 11 crianças (na faixa etária de 7 a 10 anos de idade) ouvintes e uma usuária de implante coclear na orelha direita, matriculadas no 3º ano do ensino fundamental. O instrumento de avaliação utilizado foi o Protocolo de Avaliação das Habilidades Cognitivo-linguísticas. Os dados referentes às crianças foram transcritos e analisados utilizando-se a estatística descritiva. RESULTADOS: Os subtestes que apresentaram o maior percentual de crianças com desempenho superior foram: alfabeto em sequência (82%); leitura de pseudopalavras (82%); segmentação silábica (73%); repetição de palavras (82%); cópia de formas (72%); nomeação rápida (100%). Desses subtestes, a criança usuária de implante coclear apresentou desempenho superior em todos, exceto o de repetição de palavras, em que obteve desempenho médio. No subteste de ritmo, nenhuma criança obteve desempenho superior e a usuária de implante coclear obteve desempenho inferior. CONCLUSÃO: A criança usuária de implante coclear apresentou um perfil cognitivo-linguístico bastante semelhante ao dos seus pares ouvintes. Ao que parece, as dificuldades de realização de algumas tarefas cognitivo-linguísticas estão relacionadas a fatores que vão além da integridade auditiva, haja vista que, em alguns subtestes, crianças ouvintes, obtiveram desempenho abaixo do esperado.

Balance performance of children and adolescents with sensorineural hearing loss: Repercussions of hearing loss degrees and etiological factors.

INTRODUCTION: Some studies have demonstrated a parallelism between the extent of hearing loss and the frequency of vestibular dysfunction in children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Despite this, little is known about the repercussion of degrees of hearing loss and etiological factors on the balance performance in this children. OBJECTIVE: Compare the balance performance between normal hearing (NH) children and those with SNHL, considering the sex and age range of the sample, and analyze balance performance according to the degrees of hearing loss and etiological factors in the latter group. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that assessed 96 children (48 NH and 48 with SNHL), aged between 7 and 18 years old. The balance performance was assessed by the Brazilian version of the Pediatric Balance Scale, validated for Brazilian child population and the Mann-Whitney test used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The group with SNHL showed lower average balance performance compared to NH (p = 0.000). This was also observed when the children were grouped by sex: female and male (p = 0.001). The same difference occurred when the children were stratified by age group: 7-14 years old (p = 0.000). There were no differences between the balance performance of the groups according to the degrees of hearing loss (p = 0.236) and the children with prematurity or post-natal meningitis as an etiological factor demonstrated the worst balance performance. CONCLUSION: The children with SNHL showed worse balance performance compared to NH of the same sex and age range between seven to fourteen years. There were no differences between balance performance and hearing loss degrees, and those children with prematurity or post-natal meningitis as an etiological factor demonstrated the worst balance performances.

Effect of antioxidant supplementation on the auditory threshold in sensorineural hearing loss: a meta-analysis / Efeito da suplementação de antioxidantes sobre o limiar auditivo na perda auditiva neurosensorial: uma metanálise

Abstract Introduction: Hearing loss is conceptualized as any impairment of the ability to hear and/or detect speech or environment sounds, regardless of cause, type, or degree. It may occur at different stages of life; during pregnancy or childbirth, in childhood, adulthood or old age. It should be noted that aging is the most common cause of sensorineural hearing loss followed by noise-induced hearing loss, and both are closely related to the formation of reactive oxygen species. Dietary antioxidant supplementation has been employed as a therapeutic strategy to prevent and/or delay the risks of major human diseases. Objective: To assess randomized clinical trials to determine the effect of antioxidant supplementation on the auditory thresholds in patients of different age groups with sensorineural hearing loss. Methods: This systematic review consisted of a search in the following databases: MEDLINE, CENTRAL, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, SciELO and ClinicalTrials.gov. Additionally, the gray literature was also searched. The search strategy included terms related to the intervention (antioxidant supplementation), primary outcome (sensorineural hearing loss), as well as terms related to randomized clinical trials to improve search sensitivity. Results: Based on 977 potentially relevant records identified through the search in the databases, ten full-text publications were retrieved for further evaluation. The increase in threshold at the 4 kHz frequency was statistically higher in the control group (1.89 [1.01-2.78], p < 0.0001) when compared to the NAC group and the ginseng group, whereas at 6 kHz, the threshold increase was higher in the control group (1.42 [−1.14-3.97], p = 0.28), but no statistically significant differences were found between groups. Conclusion: Ginseng was the antioxidant agent that showed the best effect in preventing auditory threshold worsening at the frequency of 4 kHz, but not at 6 kHz in patients with sensorineural hearing loss caused by exposure to high sound pressure levels. There was no improvement in the thresholds with vitamin E supplementation.

Resumo Introdução: A perda auditiva é conceituada como qualquer diminuição da capacidade de ouvir e/ou detectar sons da fala ou do ambiente, independentemente da causa, tipo ou grau e pode ocorrer em diversos estágios da vida, durante a gestação ou parto, na infância, vida adulta ou na terceira idade. Convém destacar que o envelhecimento é a primeira causa de perda auditiva do tipo sensorioneural e em segundo lugar a perda auditiva induzida pelo ruído, ambas estão intimamente relacionadas com a formação de espécies reativas de oxigênio. Evidências têm sido acumuladas indicando que a suplementação com antioxidantes via alimentação tornou-se estratégia terapêutica para prevenir e/ou retardar os riscos das principais doenças humanas. Objetivo: Avaliar ensaios clínicos aleatórios para determinar qual o efeito da suplementação com antioxidantes sobre o limiar auditivo na perda auditiva sensorioneural em pacientes de diversas faixas etárias. Método: A formulação desta revisão sistemática consistiu na busca dos estudos nas seguintes bases de dados: MEDLINE, CENTRAL, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, SciELO e ClinicalTrials.gov. Adicionalmente, a literatura cinzenta também foi pesquisada. A estratégia de busca incluiu termos relacionados à intervenção (suplementação de antioxidantes), o desfecho primário (perda auditiva sensorioneural), bem como termos relacionados aos ensaios clínicos randomizados para melhorar e a sensibilidade da busca. Resultados: A partir de 977 registros potencialmente relevantes identificados através da busca nas bases de dados, dez publicações em texto completo foram recuperadas para avaliação mais aprofundada. O aumento no limiar na frequência de 4 kHz foi estatisticamente maior no Grupo Controle (1,89 [1,01-2,78], p < 0,0001) quando comparados com o Grupo NAC e o Grupo Ginseng, já na frequência de 6 kHz o aumento no limiar foi maior no Grupo Controle (1,42 [-1,14-3,97], p = 0,28), porém, não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre grupos. Conclusão: O Ginseng foi o antioxidante que evitou a piora do limiar auditivo na frequência de 4 kHz, mas não em 6 kHz, em pacientes com perda auditiva sensorioneural causada por exposição a elevados níveis de pressão sonora. Não foi observada melhora nos limiares com a suplementação com Vitamina E.

Monitoring auditory cortical plasticity in hearing aid users with long latency auditory evoked potentials: a longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare long-latency auditory evoked potentials before and after hearing aid fittings in children with sensorineural hearing loss compared with age-matched children with normal hearing. METHODS: Thirty-two subjects of both genders aged 7 to 12 years participated in this study and were divided into two groups as follows: 14 children with normal hearing were assigned to the control group (mean age 9 years and 8 months), and 18 children with mild to moderate symmetrical bilateral sensorineural hearing loss were assigned to the study group (mean age 9 years and 2 months). The children underwent tympanometry, pure tone and speech audiometry and long-latency auditory evoked potential testing with speech and tone burst stimuli. The groups were assessed at three time points. RESULTS: The study group had a lower percentage of positive responses, lower P1-N1 and P2-N2 amplitudes (speech and tone burst), and increased latencies for the P1 and P300 components following the tone burst stimuli. They also showed improvements in long-latency auditory evoked potentials (with regard to both the amplitude and presence of responses) after hearing aid use. CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in the central auditory pathways can be identified using P1-N1 and P2-N2 amplitude components, and the presence of these components increases after a short period of auditory stimulation (hearing aid use). These findings emphasize the importance of using these amplitude components to monitor the neuroplasticity of the central auditory nervous system in hearing aid users.

Challenges and opportunities in developing targeted molecular imaging to determine inner ear defects of sensorineural hearing loss.

The development of inner ear gene carriers and delivery systems has enabled genetic defects to be repaired and hearing to be restored in mouse models. Today, promising advances in translational therapies provide confidence that targeted molecular therapy for inner ear diseases will be developed. Unfortunately, the currently available non-invasive modalities, such as Computerized Tomography scan or Magnetic Resonance Imaging provide insufficient resolution to identify most pathologies of the human inner ear, even when the current generation of contrast agents is utilized. The development of targeted contrast agents may play a critical role in determining the cause of, and treatment for, sensorineural hearing loss. Such agents should be able to pass through the cochlea barriers, possess minimal cytotoxicity, and easily conjugate to a targeting agent, without distorting the anatomic details. This review focuses on a series of contrast agents which may fit these criteria for potential clinical application.

Effect of antioxidant supplementation on the auditory threshold in sensorineural hearing loss: a meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Hearing loss is conceptualized as any impairment of the ability to hear and/or detect speech or environment sounds, regardless of cause, type, or degree. It may occur at different stages of life; during pregnancy or childbirth, in childhood, adulthood or old age. It should be noted that aging is the most common cause of sensorineural hearing loss followed by noise-induced hearing loss, and both are closely related to the formation of reactive oxygen species. Dietary antioxidant supplementation has been employed as a therapeutic strategy to prevent and/or delay the risks of major human diseases. OBJECTIVE: To assess randomized clinical trials to determine the effect of antioxidant supplementation on the auditory thresholds in patients of different age groups with sensorineural hearing loss. METHODS: This systematic review consisted of a search in the following databases: MEDLINE, CENTRAL, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, SciELO and ClinicalTrials.gov. Additionally, the gray literature was also searched. The search strategy included terms related to the intervention (antioxidant supplementation), primary outcome (sensorineural hearing loss), as well as terms related to randomized clinical trials to improve search sensitivity. RESULTS: Based on 977 potentially relevant records identified through the search in the databases, ten full-text publications were retrieved for further evaluation. The increase in threshold at the 4kHz frequency was statistically higher in the control group (1.89 [1.01-2.78], p<0.0001) when compared to the NAC group and the ginseng group, whereas at 6kHz, the threshold increase was higher in the control group (1.42 [-1.14-3.97], p=0.28), but no statistically significant differences were found between groups. CONCLUSION: Ginseng was the antioxidant agent that showed the best effect in preventing auditory threshold worsening at the frequency of 4kHz, but not at 6kHz in patients with sensorineural hearing loss caused by exposure to high sound pressure levels. There was no improvement in the thresholds with vitamin E supplementation.

Monitoring auditory cortical plasticity in hearing aid users with long latency auditory evoked potentials: a longitudinal study

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare long-latency auditory evoked potentials before and after hearing aid fittings in children with sensorineural hearing loss compared with age-matched children with normal hearing. METHODS: Thirty-two subjects of both genders aged 7 to 12 years participated in this study and were divided into two groups as follows: 14 children with normal hearing were assigned to the control group (mean age 9 years and 8 months), and 18 children with mild to moderate symmetrical bilateral sensorineural hearing loss were assigned to the study group (mean age 9 years and 2 months). The children underwent tympanometry, pure tone and speech audiometry and long-latency auditory evoked potential testing with speech and tone burst stimuli. The groups were assessed at three time points. RESULTS: The study group had a lower percentage of positive responses, lower P1-N1 and P2-N2 amplitudes (speech and tone burst), and increased latencies for the P1 and P300 components following the tone burst stimuli. They also showed improvements in long-latency auditory evoked potentials (with regard to both the amplitude and presence of responses) after hearing aid use. CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in the central auditory pathways can be identified using P1-N1 and P2-N2 amplitude components, and the presence of these components increases after a short period of auditory stimulation (hearing aid use). These findings emphasize the importance of using these amplitude components to monitor the neuroplasticity of the central auditory nervous system in hearing aid users.

Análise comparativa da avaliação cognitivo-linguística em escolares ouvintes e usuário de implante coclear / Comparative analysis of cognitive-linguistic evaluation in normal hearing schoolchildren and users of cochlear implants

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar e comparar o desempenho cognitivo-linguístico de uma criança usuária de implante coclear em relação aos seus pares ouvintes em processo de aprendizagem da leitura e da escrita. Método A amostra foi constituída por 11 crianças (na faixa etária de 7 a 10 anos de idade) ouvintes e uma usuária de implante coclear na orelha direita, matriculadas no 3º ano do ensino fundamental. O instrumento de avaliação utilizado foi o Protocolo de Avaliação das Habilidades Cognitivo-linguísticas. Os dados referentes às crianças foram transcritos e analisados utilizando-se a estatística descritiva. Resultados Os subtestes que apresentaram o maior percentual de crianças com desempenho superior foram: alfabeto em sequência (82%); leitura de pseudopalavras (82%); segmentação silábica (73%); repetição de palavras (82%); cópia de formas (72%); nomeação rápida (100%). Desses subtestes, a criança usuária de implante coclear apresentou desempenho superior em todos, exceto o de repetição de palavras, em que obteve desempenho médio. No subteste de ritmo, nenhuma criança obteve desempenho superior e a usuária de implante coclear obteve desempenho inferior. Conclusão A criança usuária de implante coclear apresentou um perfil cognitivo-linguístico bastante semelhante ao dos seus pares ouvintes. Ao que parece, as dificuldades de realização de algumas tarefas cognitivo-linguísticas estão relacionadas a fatores que vão além da integridade auditiva, haja vista que, em alguns subtestes, crianças ouvintes, obtiveram desempenho abaixo do esperado.

ABSTRACT Purpose When children becom cochlear implant users, they have already had the opportunity to develop phonological skills; however, it is possible that they miss sound information during speech and, consequently, present difficulties in competences associated with the learning of reading and writing. Methods The study sample consisted of 11 normal hearing children aged 7-10 years and a right-ear cochlear implant user enrolled in the 3rd grade of Elementary School. The Cognitive-Linguistic Assessment protocol was used to evaluate the study participants. Data were transcribed and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results The following sub-tests presented the highest percentage of children with superior performance: alphabet in sequence (82%), reading of pseudo-words (82%), syllable segmentation (73%), word repetition (82%), copying of shapes (72%), and rapid naming (100%).The cochlear implant user presented superior performance in all the sub-tests except for word repetition, in which average performance was observed. In the rhythm sub-test, none of the normal hearing children presented superior performance, and the cochlear implant user performed poorly. Discussion It was possible to observe that the condition of being a cochlear implant user is not the only determinant for a child's school failure. There are issues that go beyond auditory integrity, because some normal hearing children performed poorly in sub-tests such as repetition of pseudo-words, rhythm, and alliteration. Conclusion The cochlear implant user presented a cognitive-linguistic profile very similar to those of his hearing peers.