The effect of photobiomodulation on hearing loss: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To assess outcomes associated with photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for hearing loss in human and animal studies. DESIGN: Systematic review and narrative synthesis in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. SETTING: Data bases searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov and Web of Science. No limits were placed on language or year of publication. Review conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement. PARTICIPANTS: All human and animal subjects treated with PBMT for hearing loss. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pre- and post-PBMT audio metric outcomes. RESULTS: Searches identified 122 abstracts and 49 full text articles. Of these, 17 studies met the inclusion criteria, reporting outcomes in 327 animals (11 studies), 30 humans (1 study), and 40 animal specimens (5 studies). PBMT parameters included 6 different wavelengths: 908 nm (1 study), 810 nm (1 study), 532 & 635 nm (1 study), 830 nm (3 studies), 808 nm (11 studies). The duration ranged from 4 to 60 minutes in a session, and the follow-up ranged from 5-28 days. Outcomes improved significantly when wavelengths within the range of 800-830 nm were used, and with greater duration of PBMT exposure. Included studies predominantly consisted of non-randomized controlled trials (10 studies). CONCLUSIONS: Hearing outcomes following PBMT appear to be superior to no PBMT for subjects with hearing loss, although higher level evidence is required to verify this. PBMT enables concentrated, focused delivery of light therapy to the inner ear through a non-invasive manner with minimal side effects. As a result of heterogeneity in reporting PBMT parameters and outcomes across the included studies, direct comparison is challenging.

Babbling and consonant production in children with hearing impairment who use hearing aids or cochlear implants - a pilot study.

Objective: To investigate early auditory prerequisites in relation to the use of canonical babbling (CB) and early consonant production in a heterogeneous group of children with hearing impairment (HI) and in comparison to controls with normal hearing (NH).Methods: Five children with unilateral or bilateral HI who used hearing aids (HA) (0;9-1;7 years) and six children with cochlear implants (CI) (0;10-2;0 years) were compared to data from 22 children with NH (0;10-1;6 years). Hearing age, type of HI and daily use of hearing technology (hours) was investigated in relation to CB ratio and consonant production. Analysis of babbling from video recordings during verbal interaction between a parent and child was independently performed by two observers. Intra- and inter-agreement were calculated.Results: Children with HI used less CB compared to children with NH. Less CB utterances and occurrences of dental/alveolar stops were found in children with HA who had a hearing age of 5 months and who used their hearing technology 5 h per day. The children with CI reached an expected CB ratio and consonant production after 8.5 months with daily fulltime use of CI.Conclusions: Even a mild hearing loss in early childhood may affect and delay the onset of important linguistic milestones like canonical babbling and consonant production. It was indicated that children with CI or HA might receive different attention and intervention services. Longer hearing age and full-time use of hearing technology may influence positively on CB ratio and consonant production in children with HI.

LINAC radiosurgery treatment for vestibular schwannoma / Tratamiento con radiocirugía micromultiláminas de schwannomas vestibulares

Objective: The aims of our study were to evaluate tumour response in a series of patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS) treated with linear accelerator stereotactic radiosurgery (LINAC-RS), to describe the complications and to analyze the variables associated with the response to treatment. Material and methods: This retrospective descriptive study included 64 patients treated from 2010 to 2016 with a minimum follow-up of one year, excluding patients with neurofibromatosis. Clinical-radiological parameters were evaluated. The treatment was performed using LINAC-RS. The prescribed dose was 12Gy at 90% isodose. Results: The mean age at treatment was 53 years, 56% were women. Ninety-eight percent of the patients had hearing loss, 71% with grade III according to the Gardner-Robertson Classification. The mean volume at treatment was 2.92cc and the mean follow-up, 40.95 months. The overall therapeutic success was 90%, reaching 100% at 12 and 24 months, and 86% after 36 months of follow-up. The radiological result was significantly related to the initial tumour volume (p<0.037). In 20 patients there was evidence of transient tumour growth compatible with pseudoprogression. Acute complications were present in 37.5%, and transitory complications in 50%. Chronic complications were found in 20%, with 84% being permanent. The rate of acute complications was lower in patients with regression (p<0.016). Chronic complications were more frequent in the 41-60 year old age group (p<0.040). Conclusions: In our study, the overall tumour control was in accordance with other published series. The radiological result significantly related to the tumour volume at the commencement of treatment. The rate of acute complications was lower in patients with regression

Objetivo: Los objetivos del estudio fueron evaluar la respuesta tumoral en una serie de pacientes con schwannoma vestibular (SV) tratados con radiocirugía (RC) mediante acelerador lineal de electrones (LINAC), describir las complicaciones y analizar las variables relacionadas con la respuesta al tratamiento. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de 64 pacientes tratados entre 2010-2016 con seguimiento mínimo de un año, excluyendo pacientes con neurofibromatosis. Se evaluaron parámetros clínico-radiológicos. El tratamiento se realizó mediante RC-LINAC. La dosis prescrita fue de 12Gy al 90% de isodosis. Resultados: La edad media al tratamiento fue de 53 años, 56% mujeres. El 98% de los pacientes presentaban hipoacusia, el 71% grado iii según la clasificación Gardner-Robertson. El volumen medio al tratamiento fue de 2,92cc, y la media de seguimiento 40,95 meses. El éxito terapéutico global fue del 90% siendo del 100% a los 12 y 24 meses y del 86% a partir de los 36 meses de seguimiento. El resultado radiológico se relacionaba con el volumen tumoral inicial (p<0,037). En 20 pacientes se evidenció un crecimiento tumoral transitorio compatible con seudoprogresión. El 37,5% tuvieron complicaciones agudas siendo transitorias el 50%. Se recogieron complicaciones crónicas en el 20%, siendo permanentes en el 84%. La tasa de complicaciones agudas era menor en pacientes con regresión (p<0,016). Las complicaciones crónicas fueron más frecuentes en el grupo de 41-60 años (p<0,040). Conclusiones: En nuestra serie, el control tumoral global obtenido es acorde con otras series publicadas. El resultado radiológico estaba relacionado con el volumen tumoral inicial al tratamiento. La tasa de complicaciones agudas fue menor en pacientes con regresión

Jugulotympanic paraganglioma (glomus tumour) presenting with recurrent epistaxis.

A case is presented where a left jugulotympanic paraganglioma (JTP) extended to the nasopharynx and the patient presented with recurrent epistaxis. Although initial biopsy of an aural polyp had been suggestive of the diagnosis several years previously, the diagnosis was not confirmed until the patient presented with recurrent epistaxis and severe anaemia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported of such a presentation of JTP.