Calculated versus measured pure tone bone conduction 3 kHz thresholds in sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the measured bone conduction threshold at 3 kHz with the calculated threshold in newly diagnosed sudden sensorineural hearing loss. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of pure tone audiograms in confirmed sudden sensorineural hearing loss cases. RESULTS: Of 157 patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss, 144 had idiopathic hearing loss, 8 had vestibular schwannoma and 5 had Ménière's disease. The r value for the correlation between the two methods of 3 kHz assessment for all patients was 0.887 (p < 0.001). The mean difference between the measured and calculated 3 kHz thresholds was 0.76 ± 7.96 dB, 0.4 ± 8.08 dB and 1.5 ± 1.8 dB in the sudden sensorineural hearing loss, idiopathic and Ménière's disease groups, respectively. The mean difference between the measured and calculated 3 kHz thresholds was significantly greater in the vestibular schwannoma group (6.86 ± 4.38 dB) than in the idiopathic group (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: The 3 kHz frequency may encompass important audiometric information. A discrepancy between the measured and calculated bone conduction 3 kHz thresholds raises suspicion of an underlying vestibular schwannoma as an aetiology for sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and these thresholds should therefore be measured independently and routinely.

Audiologic Phenotype and Progression in Pediatric STRC-Related Autosomal Recessive Hearing Loss.

OBJECTIVES: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a common sensory deficit affecting pediatric populations. The majority of pediatric SNHL is genetic in etiology, with over 123 identified nonsyndromic causative genes. One such gene is STRC, which has been identified as the second most frequent autosomal recessive nonsyndromic gene associated with SNHL in multiple populations. The objective of this study was to investigate the phenotypic presentation and incidence of audiologic progression in pediatric patients with STRC-related hearing loss (HL). METHODS: Thirty-nine pediatric patients with confirmed HL and biallelic pathogenic STRC mutations were identified at two pediatric hospitals. A retrospective chart review was completed including demographics, medical history, genetic testing results, and audiologic data. HL progression was assessed using air conduction thresholds from pure-tone audiograms and auditory brain stem responses, and masked bone conduction thresholds from pure-tone audiograms. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients had homozygous STRC deletions. Three were compound heterozygotes. All patients had bilateral, symmetric SNHL. Baseline HL was mild in 39% of ears, moderate in 52%, and moderate-severe in 3%. Of the 31 patients for which sufficient data were available to evaluate progression, 18 (58%) had some degree of progressive HL. Among these 31 patients assessed for progression, the mean hearing threshold declined by 0.6 dB per year (95% confidence interval: 0.5, 0.8; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: These biallelic STRC patients displayed HL ranging from mild to moderate-severe at baseline and progressing in 58%. The variability of the STRC phenotype and the possibility of audiologic progression should be considered in the clinical management of pediatric STRC-related SNHL. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 131:E2897-E2903, 2021.

Association between kidney function and hearing impairment among middle-aged and elderly individuals: a cross-sectional population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: As age-related diseases, chronic kidney disease and hearing impairment (HI) cause a serious socioeconomic burden. Due to structural similarities, there is a certain connection between kidney function and hearing, but there has been no large-scale epidemiological study in China that further explored this connection. Thus, this study aimed to explore the association between indicator levels of kidney function and hearing impairment among middle-aged and elderly individuals in Tianjin, China. METHOD: In 2020, 1539 participants aged 45 years or older from Tianjin, China, were recruited into this study. All participants completed questionnaire surveys and underwent physical examinations, laboratory examinations, and hearing tests. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated from serum creatinine (Cre) levels. HI was measured using pure-tone audiometry, and audiologists determined the final diagnoses. RESULT: The prevalence of HI was 49.97%. With each 1-mL/min/1.73 m2 increase in eGFR, the overall odds of HI increased by 1.3%; the risk increased by 2.4% and 1.6% for men and people aged 45-65 years, respectively. In contrast, in women, the odds of HI increased as Cre levels increased. Moreover, with each 1-mL/min/1.73 m2 increase in eGFR, the overall odds of a one-degree increase in hearing loss increased by 1.7%; the odds increased by 2.3% and 1.5% for men and people aged 45-65 years, respectively. However, in women and people aged ≥65 years, the odds of a one-grade increase in hearing loss increased by 2.1% and 1.5%, respectively, with each 1-µmol/L increase in Cre. In addition, there were no significant relationships between blood urea nitrogen and hearing loss in multivariate analysis (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that eGFR and serum Cre are effective predictors of hearing loss. Thus, to decrease the burden of HI, hearing should be carefully monitored for people aged ≥45 years with elevated serum Cre and eGFR.

Cochlear Implant Outcomes in Prelingually Deafened Adults with and without Sound Deprivation: Are There Differences in Quality of Life?

BACKGROUND Indications for cochlear implantation (CI) are constantly being updated, and with them, the audiometric results achieved by patients. Patient satisfaction should always be considered, even in patients with lower audiological results. The aim of the present study was to compare quality of life (QoL), self-perceived hearing benefit, and audiometric results between prelingually and postlingually deafened patients, with and without sound deprivation, after CI. MATERIAL AND METHODS The sample included 46 patients with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss: 22 postlingually deafened and 24 prelingually deafened, further subdivided into sound-deprived (n=10) and non-sound-deprived (n=14). Auditory performance was evaluated with pure tone audiometry, speech recognition scores (SRS), and self-perceived hearing benefit, whereas QoL was evaluated with 2 self-reported questionnaires (Comprehensive Cochlear Implant Questionnaire and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF). RESULTS Audiometric results were worse in the prelingually deafened than in the postlingually deafened group, and worse in the prelingually deafened patients with sound deprivation. There was no marked difference in perceived CI benefit or QoL between the 2 groups or within the 2 prelingually deafened subgroups. No correlation was found between SRS and duration of CI use or between QoL and SRS in the prelingually and postlingually deafened groups. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate better auditory performance for the postlingually deafened group and no differences in perceived QoL or benefit of CI between the groups. The sound-deprived patients had equal scores on the perceived QoL questionnaire. These analyses suggest that sound-deprived, prelingually deafened patients may benefit from CI.

Carhart Notch-A Prognostic Factor in Surgery for Otosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Otosclerosis is an underlying disease of the bony labyrinth. This disorder, occurring only within the area of a person's temporal bone, is characterized by a progressive hearing loss and tinnitus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study looked for the answer to the question of whether the presence or absence of Carhart notch in the presurgical tonal audiogram affects the final outcome of the otosclerosis surgery. RESULTS: The analysis included 140 patients operated on for the first time due to otosclerosis between 2010 and 2016. The study group consisted of 107 women aged from 19 to 62 (average age: 40.33) and 33 men aged 27 to 59 (average age: 38.23). Analysis showed a statistically better result of stapedotomy in patients without the notch than in the same procedure in patients with the notch present. The opposite situation occurred in the case of stapedectomy. CONCLUSION: (1) The presence of a refraction of the bone conduction curve with a depth of 10 to 20 dB at a frequency of 2000 Hz (the so-called Carhart notch) in the presurgical tonal audiogram is an unfavorable prognostic factor in relation to closing the cochlear reserve and improving bone conduction after the stapedotomy. (2) Regardless of the presence or absence of Carhart notch in the presurgical tonal audiogram, stapedotomy is the procedure with the highest efficiency in the treatment of otosclerosis.

The validity of an isiZulu speech reception threshold test for use with adult isiZulu speakers.

BACKGROUND: This study continued the development of an isiZulu speech reception threshold (zSRT) test for use with first language, adult speakers of isiZulu. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the convergent and concurrent validity of the zSRT test. METHODS: One hundred adult isiZulu first-language speakers with normal hearing and 76 first-language, adult isiZulu speakers with conductive or sensorineural hearing losses ranging from mild to severe were assessed on pure tone audiometry and a newly developed isiZulu SRT test. Convergent validity was established through agreement of the zSRT scores with pure tone average (PTA) scores. Concurrent validity was assessed by examining the steepness of the psychometric curve for each word in the zSRT test for each type and degree of hearing loss. RESULTS: Intraclass correlation coefficient analyses showed zSRT scores were in substantial to very high agreement with PTA scores for the normal hearing and hearing loss groups (NH - right ear ICC consistency = 0.78, left ear ICC = 0.67; HL - right ear ICC consistency = 0.97, left ear ICC consistency = 0.95). The mean psychometric slope (%/dB) at 50% correct perception for all words in the zSRT test was 4.92%/dB for the mild conductive hearing loss group, 5.26%/dB for the moderate conductive hearing loss group, 2.85%/dB for the moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss group and 2.47%/dB for the severe sensorineural hearing loss group. These slopes were appropriate for the degree of hearing loss observed in each group. CONCLUSION: The zSRT test showed convergent and concurrent validity for assessing SRT in first language, adult speakers of isiZulu.

Occupational noise exposure and asymmetric hearing loss: Results from the HUNT population study in Norway.

BACKGROUND: A large population study with adequate data on confounders is required to determine whether asymmetric hearing loss (AHL) is associated with occupational noise exposure. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional population study in Norway (the Health Investigation in Nord-Trøndelag: HUNT) with 24 183 participants, using pure-tone audiometry and questionnaires. AHL was defined as a difference in hearing threshold between the right and left ears of greater than or equal to 15 dB for the pure-tone average of 0.5 to 2 or 3 to 6 kHz. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 53 years (range, 19-99); 53% were women. The prevalence of AHL in this general Norwegian population was 6% for the 0.5 to 2 kHz range and 15% for 3 to 6 kHz. In unadjusted regression models, subjects reporting prolonged occupational noise exposure to high-level noise sources (N = 1652) had a higher risk of AHL at 3 to 6 kHz than those reporting no prior exposure (odds ratio [OR], 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.75-2.25). After adjustment for age and sex, OR was 1.08; (95% CI, 0.95-1.24). After additional adjustment for head trauma, ear infections, blasting or shooting (all associated with AHL), smoking, and diabetes, OR was 1.00 (95% CI, 0.87-1.16). No association between occupational noise and right-ear hearing threshold advantage (left-right ear difference) was observed after adjustment for confounders. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that AHL is relatively common in the general population, especially at the high-frequency range in men and elderly subjects. Our study showed no relation between occupational noise exposure and AHL after confounder adjustment.

Hearing protective devices and its role in Noise induced hearing loss: An interventional study.

This Quasi experimental study was conducted with the objective to determine the effectiveness of preventive measures including awareness programme and use of hearing protective devices (HPDs) for the prevention and control of Noise Induced Hearing Loss among Oil and Gas field workers from January 2015 to March 2016. A total of 120 workers were selected by convenient sampling, and subjected to pure tone audiometry (PTA) to obtain hearing thresholds followed by intervention with HPDs and retesting a year later. The Mean pure tone thresholds on first visit was 21.19±11.60 dB in right and 24.66±13.26 dB in left ear, while means at second visit (after one year) were 20.65±10.44 dB and 21.45±11.74 dB for the right and left ears respectively with statistically significant difference (p=0.001) for the left ear on t-test. However the difference of frequency and percentage of the participants with normal and reduced hearing at both visits was significant (chi square P=0.001). Hearing protective devices (HPDs) are an effective means to prevent NIHL in workers of oil and gas fields.

Pure tone audiometry and cerebral pathology in healthy older adults.

BACKGROUND: Hearing impairment may be a modifiable risk factor for dementia. However, it is unclear how hearing associates with pathologies relevant to dementia in preclinical populations. METHODS: Data from 368 cognitively healthy individuals born during 1 week in 1946 (age range 69.2-71.9 years), who underwent structural MRI, 18F-florbetapir positron emission tomography, pure tone audiometry and cognitive testing as part of a neuroscience substudy the MRC National Survey of Health and Development were analysed. The aim of the analysis was to investigate whether pure tone audiometry performance predicted a range of cognitive and imaging outcomes relevant to dementia in older adults. RESULTS: There was some evidence that poorer pure tone audiometry performance was associated with lower primary auditory cortex thickness, but no evidence that it predicted in vivo ß-amyloid deposition, white matter hyperintensity volume, hippocampal volume or Alzheimer's disease-pattern cortical thickness. A negative association between pure tone audiometry and mini-mental state examination score was observed, but this was no longer evident after excluding a test item assessing repetition of a single phrase. CONCLUSION: Pure tone audiometry performance did not predict concurrent ß-amyloid deposition, small vessel disease or Alzheimer's disease-pattern neurodegeneration, and had limited impact on cognitive function, in healthy adults aged approximately 70 years.

A revised grading system for the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory based on a large clinical population.

Objective: Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) is one of the world's most commonly used tools to assess tinnitus severity. The aim of the current study was to establish a revised THI grading system using standard Z-scores and percentiles.Design: Cross-sectional observational study.Study sample: Adult patients (1042 participants - 518 (49.7%) female and 524 (50.3%) male) reporting tinnitus duration of a minimum of 6 months with complete documentation on patient's clinical status (age, gender, tinnitus duration and laterality, tinnitus handicap based on THI and hearing status based on pure-tone audiometry) were included in the study.Results: Multivariate analysis of variance was used to analyse the effects of gender and hearing loss on THI scores and revealed there was a significant effect of both. Consequently, separate grading systems for women and men, as well as for subjects with normal hearing and hearing loss, is proposed.Conclusions: Our findings are generally consistent with existing grading. Normative values proposed for THI scores, based on a large group of tinnitus patients, could be useful to guide decisions about appropriate intervention options or to evaluate treatment outcomes.

Equivalent hearing threshold levels for the RadioEar IP30 insert earphone and short-term stimuli: comparison of peak-equivalent and RMS-based measures.

Objective: To determine equivalent threshold sound pressure levels (ETSPL) for the RadioEar IP30 insert earphone for standardised short-term stimuli: IEC 60645-3 reference clicks and tonebursts in the frequency range from 250 Hz to 6 kHz, using the standardised peak-equivalent ETSPL procedure (peETSPL) and a new proposal based on the unweighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level LZeq. of the periodically repeated short-term stimuli (LZeqETSPL).Design: Determination of peETSPL and LZeqETSPL hearing threshold levels with otologically normal test subjects under the conditions given in ISO 389-9 using the standardised occluded-ear simulator according to IEC 60318-4.Study sample: The study was based on tests with 25 subjects.Results: The peETSPLs for the RadioEar IP30 insert earphone were compared with the respective reference threshold levels of the insert earphone ER-3A as standardised in the ISO 389 standards series. The LZeqETSPL approach was tested by estimating the LZeqETSPLs from the peRETSPLs and comparing the estimate with the direct results.Conclusions: Equivalent hearing threshold levels for standardised short-term stimuli for the RadioEar IP30 insert earphone were determined according to ISO 389-9 and given as both peETPSL and LZeqETSPL. The RMS-based LZeqETSPL approach turned out to be well applicable for the RadioEar IP30 insert earphone.

Noise Exposure and Hearing Impairment in Air Force Pilots.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to estimate noise exposure and hearing impairments in Swedish military pilots. It also aimed to analyze possible relations between noise exposure and hearing impairments.METHODS: The study group was an open cohort of 337 male pilots. They were longitudinally followed with pure tone audiograms every fifth year from the beginning of flight service until discharge. Outcome measures were prevalence of thresholds >20 dB HL and >40 dB HL at different ages, and incidence of impairments >20 dB HL, 30 dB HL, and 40 dB HL. Exposure variables were individual flight data and noise dose measurements. The ISO 1999 Database A was used for reference data.RESULTS: At 50 yr of age, 41% of the pilots were exposed to an equivalent noise dose exceeding the EU action level of Leq 80 dB(A). We observed significant elevated prevalence values of thresholds >20 dB HL in all age classes compared to the ISO 1999 Database A. These elevations were most pronounced at ages 30 and 40 yr and at 4 and 6 kHz in the left ear. Significantly elevated prevalence values of thresholds >40 dB HL compared to the ISO 1999 Database A were observed at age 40 and 50 yr at 4 and 6 kHz. In a Cox analysis we observed elevated hazard ratios of deteriorating thresholds with longer flight time/year in fast jet pilots.DISCUSSION: Military pilots had elevated prevalence values of hearing impairment. Of the subjects, 41% had been exposed to noise exceeding the EU risk limit. Increased flight time/year and flying fast jets were associated with elevated risk of hearing deterioration.Muhr P, Johnson A-C, Selander J, Svensson E, Rosenhall U. Noise exposure and hearing impairment in air force pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2019; 90(9):757-763.

Prevalence of Persistent Tinnitus and Dizziness in an Elderly Population in Southern Taiwan.

OBJECTIVES: Tinnitus and dizziness are common among the elderly. The conditions may increase depression, and patients may become susceptible to falls, thereby affecting the quality of life of the geriatric population. Investigating the prevalence of persistent tinnitus and chronic/recurrent dizziness in an elderly population and analyzing the association of certain comorbidities with tinnitus and dizziness in southern Taiwan were the main purposes of this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study performed in a metropolitan hospital. Hearing tests were conducted in a total of 597 volunteers aged ≥65 years involving 322 (53.9%) men and 275 (46.1%) women recruited in the study. The pure tone average (PTA) and hearing handicap (HH) score were calculated. Patients completed questionnaires regarding the history of hypertension and diabetes and symptoms of tinnitus and dizziness. The association of gender, age, PTA/HH, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) with tinnitus and dizziness were analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of persistent tinnitus and chronic/recurrent dizziness was 32.0% and 24.1%, respectively. Tinnitus or dizziness were not associated with age, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, and MetS but was associated with hearing impairment. Women and those with fasting glucose levels <100 mg/dL were more likely to experience dizziness. CONCLUSION: Persistent tinnitus and dizziness were common in an elderly population in southern Taiwan. These findings may help develop strategies to promote the quality of life in the elderly population.

Hearing impairment among Korean farmers, based on a 3-year audiometry examination.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Work noise exposure among farmers can cause hearing loss. Farmers are exposed to hazardous noise from equipment and domestic animals, and experience high rates of noise-induced hearing loss. The aim of our study was to evaluate the hearing thresholds of farmers in Korea. This study is the first to evaluate hearing impairment in Korean farmers nationwide. There have been few studies that have performed audiometric testing to measure hearing impairment at the national level in Korea. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Through the Farm Work Safety Model Project among the 40 villages in which inhabitants received health check-ups from 2006-2008, 2,027 people from 35 villages were targeted (957 people in 16 villages in 2006, 436 people in five villages in 2007, and 634 people in 14 villages in 2008) and underwent pure tone audiometry tests. 2,027 people from 35 villages underwent pure tone audiometry tests through the Farm Work Safety Model Project. The tests were conducted using a portable audiometer, and air conduction thresholds were determined. RESULTS: Hearing impairment at 3kHz and above was more prevalent in men than in women. The prevalence of moderate-to-profound hearing impairment was 19.6% in the total study population and increased with age. CONCLUSIONS: It is proposed that the high prevalence rate of farmers' hearing impairment may be due to excessive workplace noise. To manage farmers' hearing health, precise evaluations of farmers' hearing acuity and noise exposure on farms should be conducted. This study might be a stepping-stone to protect farmers' hearing health.

Audiologic profile of the jackson heart study cohort and comparison to other cohorts.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The objective of this study was to determine the audiological profile of an African American cohort, identify related factors, and compare them to other datasets. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional, longitudinal cohort study. METHODS: The Jackson Heart Study (JHS) is a longitudinal cohort study of 5,306 African Americans living in the metropolitan Jackson, Mississippi area, with a focus on cardiometabolic health. The JHS Hearing Study (n = 1,314) was implemented to measure the prevalence of hearing, tinnitus, and balance outcomes and relationship to predictor variables. Here we present prevalence and covariate relationships in comparison to the Epidemiology of Hearing Loss Study and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported hearing difficulty was 38.1% (n = 500). The prevalence of hearing loss based on audiometric pure tone threshold average (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 kHz) of the better ear was 19.8% (n = 260) and for the worse ear 29.8% (n = 392). The prevalence of tinnitus was 29.5% (n = 388) and balance dysfunction 24.1% (n = 317). Relationships of hearing loss to demographic, cardiometabolic, and audiologic variables are presented. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance dysfunction are common issues affecting adult African Americans, and that hearing loss is related to numerous modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors. Furthermore, our findings are consistent with lower prevalence of hearing loss in African Americans compared to the non-African American populations. However, despite the lower audiometric evidence of hearing loss, nearly 40% of participants reported hearing difficulty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b Laryngoscope, 129:2391-2397, 2019.

Wideband tympanometry and absorbance measurements in otosclerotic ears.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess absorbance using a thorough analysis of individual points of its plot in ears with intraoperatively confirmed otosclerosis. To the best of our knowledge, until recently no analyses have been performed that concerned the shape of an absorbance plot and a detailed analysis of its individual points. This study is the first to undertake such an issue. METHODS: A total of 77 otosclerotic ears were included in the study. Pure tone audiometry, low frequency tympanometry, and wide band tympanometry including absorbance were performed preoperatively. The average patients' age in the group was 43.49 years (standard deviation = 10.44). Individual points of absorbance plot were thoroughly analyzed. Parameters were analyzed, such as resonance frequency; number of peaks; maximum absorbance (Height); and plot Width at the following Heights: 1/3, 1/2, and 2/3 (Width1/3, Width1/2, Width2/3, respectively), as well as associated absorbance parameters and frequencies. RESULTS: Data analysis revealed five different types of absorbance plots. Numerous statistically significant differences regarding the parameters of individual points of the plots were found among the distinguished types. CONCLUSIONS: There are five types of absorbance plots in otosclerotic ears: type I, characterized by two distinct peaks, closely resembling normal ear absorbance plot; type II with a single distinct peak reaching high values of absorbance; type III with reduced absorbance for frequencies <2000 Hz; type IV with reduced absorbance for all frequencies; and type V with reduced absorbance for frequencies >2000 Hz. Absorbance measurements may play an important role in the diagnostics of otosclerosis; however, further research is necessary in this area. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 129:E365-E376, 2019.

Longitudinal Pure-Tone Threshold Changes in the Same Subjects: Analysis of Factors Affecting Hearing.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the change of hearing threshold over time and analyze factors that could affect hearing, this longitudinal study of pure-tone threshold changes in the same subjects at a 9-year interval was performed. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal study in a single center (n = 1,978). METHODS: A total of 1,978 subjects were included; they received pure-tone audiometry at a 9-year interval. The degree of the threshold changes was examined and compared between age groups. The subjects' data, such as the level of cholesterol, were analyzed to find risk factors on hearing. RESULTS: The average of the threshold changes was 3.35 dB in the 20s to 30s; 4.38 dB in the 30s to 40s; 5.75 dB in the 40s to 50s; 7.21 dB in the 50s to 60s; and 10.00 dB in the 60s to 70s (all P < 0.05). If the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was maintained below 100 mg/dl, the difference in the weighted four-frequency average was 5.45 dB, whereas it was 6.15 dB in the subjects whose LDL-C was over 100 mg/dl (P = 0.032, age-adjusted). In current smokers, the thresholds increased more than in never- or ex-smokers (P = 0.026 in the weighted four-frequency average and P = 0.011 at 8,000 Hz, age-adjusted). CONCLUSION: The degree of the threshold changes exhibited an exponential increase with age. Cessation of smoking is advisable to prevent increased aggravation of hearing. Strict management of the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol may have a positive effect on hearing. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 129:470-476, 2019.

Pure-Tone Frequency Discrimination in Preschoolers, Young School-Age Children, and Adults.

Purpose: Published data indicate nearly adultlike frequency discrimination in infants but large child-adult differences for school-age children. This study evaluated the role that differences in measurement procedures and stimuli may have played in the apparent nonmonotonicity. Frequency discrimination was assessed in preschoolers, young school-age children, and adults using stimuli and procedures that have previously been used to test infants. Method: Listeners were preschoolers (3-4 years), young school-age children (5-6 years), and adults (19-38 years). Performance was assessed using a single-interval, observer-based method and a continuous train of stimuli, similar to that previously used to evaluate infants. Testing was completed using 500- and 5000-Hz standard tones, fixed within a set of trials. Thresholds for frequency discrimination were obtained using an adaptive, two-down one-up procedure. Adults and most school-age children responded by raising their hands. An observer-based, conditioned-play response was used to test preschoolers and those school-age children for whom the hand-raise procedure was not effective for conditioning. Results: Results suggest an effect of age and frequency on thresholds but no interaction between these 2 factors. A lower proportion of preschoolers completed training compared with young school-age children. For those children who completed training, however, thresholds did not improve significantly with age; both groups of children performed more poorly than adults. Performance was better for the 500-Hz standard frequency compared with the 5000-Hz standard frequency. Conclusions: Thresholds for school-age children were broadly similar to those previously observed using a forced-choice procedure. Although there was a trend for improved performance with increasing age, no significant age effect was observed between preschoolers and school-age children. The practice of excluding participants based on failure to meet conditioning criteria in an observer-based task could contribute to the relatively good performance observed for preschoolers in this study and the adultlike performance previously observed in infants.

Positive Social Interaction and Hearing Loss in Older Adults Living in Rural and Urban Communities.

Purpose: This study explored the extent to which hearing loss affected positive social interactions in older adults living in rural and urban communities. Method: Pure-tone behavioral hearing assessments were administered to 80 adults 60 years of age or older. In addition, all participants completed 2 questionnaires, the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (Sherbourne & Stewart, 1991) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-Ninth Edition (Kroenke, Spitzer, & Williams, 2001). Results: The preliminary findings suggested that adults with hearing loss living in rural towns had poorer positive social interactions compared with their urban counterparts with hearing loss. Also, adults with hearing loss living in rural towns had more symptoms of depression than adults with normal hearing who lived in these same geographical regions. Conclusions: These preliminary findings could indicate that older adults with hearing loss living in rural communities will face more isolation than adults with hearing loss living in urban settings. Increasing our understanding of the extent of social isolation in adults with hearing loss living in rural and urban populations will be necessary.

Otosclerosis in a nonendemic population: Utility of CT scan and correlation with audiometry and surgical outcome.

The incidence of otosclerosis in nonendemic patients is low, and preoperative diagnosis can be challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate computed tomography (CT) findings in patients with otosclerosis and determine their correlation with audiometric findings and surgical outcome in a nonendemic population. We retrospectively reviewed 17 patients from August 2011 to August 2013 with surgically confirmed otosclerosis who underwent preoperative high-resolution CT scans and pre- and postoperative audiometry. Otosclerotic foci were identified on the scans. The density ratio of these foci was calculated and compared with pre- and postoperative audiometric parameters. One patient with Paget disease was excluded from the study. A total of 19 ears were operated on and included in the data analysis. CT scans were normal in 4 ears (21.1%). Hypodense lesions were detected in the remaining 15 (78.9%) ears and the region of interest mapped out. The density ratio was obtained between the hypodense area and adjacent normal labyrinthine bone. No statistically significant correlation was found between the density ratio and any of the audiometric parameters tested (p > 0.05). The diagnosis of otosclerosis in nonendemic areas is challenging. A preoperative CT scan can be useful when otosclerotic foci are present. However, the density ratio of the otosclerotic foci did not correlate with audiometric parameters or surgical outcome.