Utility of computed tomography findings as a predictor of carotid artery invasion by metastatic lymph nodes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Carotid artery invasion by metastatic lymph nodes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the diagnostic criteria for unresectable tumors. However, to date, the diagnostic criteria for carotid artery invasion have not been well documented. This study investigated the utility of computed tomography (CT) findings as a predictor of carotid artery invasion by metastatic lymph nodes in HNSCC. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients who had metastatic lymph nodes of HNSCC attached to the carotid artery as seen on CT images before neck dissection from January 2011 to November 2017 were included. Five imaging parameters (angle of contact [AC], length of contact [LC], haziness of the carotid artery wall [HW], size of the lymph node, and involvement of the bifurcation of the carotid artery [IB]) were assessed using CT to predict carotid artery invasion. Furthermore, the utility of the combination of these five parameters was evaluated. RESULTS: There were significant differences in AC, LC, and IB between patients with and without carotid artery invasion. There were significant differences in all combinations of the two image findings between patients with and without carotid artery invasion. In particular, the combinations of LC and HW, and LC and IB could clearly predict carotid artery invasion. CONCLUSION: AC, LC, and IB were useful predictors of carotid artery invasion of metastatic lymph nodes in HNSCC. This study is the first to report that IB is a useful predictor of carotid artery invasion in HNSCC.

Early hearing improvement predicts the prognosis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

PURPOSE: To determine pre- and post-treatment factors that are useful for predicting the prognosis of hearing improvement in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL). METHODS: This retrospective study included 332 patients with ISSHL. Patients received intravenous steroid treatment (prednisolone sodium succinate; 120 mg/day followed by dose tapering). Complete recovery of hearing levels was defined as a final pure-tone audiometry of ≤ 20 dB HL or the same level as the contralateral ear. Patients' age; sex; side of hearing loss; initial hearing level; days from onset to treatment; presence of vertigo, diabetes, and hypertension; and hearing improvement on days 3-4 and 6-7 after treatment initiation were analyzed as potential prognostic factors. RESULTS: Overall, 109 patients (32%) had complete recovery. Results of the multivariate logistic regression model identified age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.974), initial hearing level (OR = 0.949), vertigo (OR = 0.409), and hearing improvement on days 6-7 after treatment initiation (OR = 1.11) as significant independent predictors of complete recovery. Age ≥ 60 years, initial hearing level ≥ 72.5 dB HL, and vertigo contributed to poor prognosis. Patients without these three factors and a hearing improvement of ≥ 10 dB HL on days 6-7 post-treatment had a complete recovery rate of 80%. Only 1.5% of the patients with 2-3 of these factors and a hearing improvement of < 10 dB HL on days 6-7 after treatment initiation achieved complete recovery. CONCLUSION: Age, initial hearing level, vertigo, and hearing improvement on days 6-7 after treatment initiation were independent predictors of hearing recovery in ISSHL.

Personality and Sleep Evaluation of Patients with Tinnitus in Japan.

In Japan, there have been no examinations of tinnitus with respect to personality traits, and only a few studies have investigated sleep disorders in tinnitus. Understanding the association between these can aid in selecting and developing effective treatment options for patients with tinnitus. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between tinnitus severity, personality, and sleep disorders, in patients with chronic tinnitus in Japan. We retrospectively evaluated the personality factors of 56 patients presenting with tinnitus using the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI), which examines five personality characteristics, including Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. We evaluated tinnitus severity, sleep disorders, depression, and anxiety using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Self-Rating Depression Scale, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, respectively. Neuroticism and tinnitus severity were positively correlated (r = 0.548, p < 0.001). Sleep disorders were observed in 73.2% of patients; however, there was no correlation between the PSQI score and tinnitus severity or between PSQI score and scores of the five NEO-FFI items. Sleep disorders are frequently experienced by patients with chronic tinnitus, regardless of tinnitus severity or personality. Understanding the relationship between personality and tinnitus severity could lead to better management of tinnitus.

The Molecular Identification and Antifungal Susceptibilities of Aspergillus Species Causing Otomycosis in Tochigi, Japan.

Aspergillus species are the most common pathogenic fungi involved in otomycosis, an infection of the outer ear canal. In this study, we examined the incidence of Aspergillus infections and the antifungal susceptibilities of 30 Aspergillus species isolates from patients with otomycosis who visited Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital between August 2013 and July 2016. Based on the morphological test results, the strains were identified as Aspergillus niger sensu lato (20 strains), A. terreus sensu lato (7 strains), and A. fumigatus sensu lato (3 strains). In contrast, the molecular identifications based on analyzing the isolates' partial ß-tubulin gene sequences revealed them to be A. niger sensu stricto (12 strains), A. tubingensis (8 strains), A. terreus sensu stricto (7 strains), and A. fumigatus sensu stricto (3 strains). The antifungal susceptibility test results indicated that strains of A. tubingensis and A. niger sensu stricto displayed lower susceptibilities to ravuconazole, compared with the other isolates. The Aspergillus strains from this study showed low minimum inhibitory concentrations toward the azole-based drugs efinaconazole, lanoconazole, and luliconazole. Therefore, these topical therapeutic agents may be effective for the treatment of otomycosis.

Effects of tinnitus treatments on sleep disorders in patients with tinnitus.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of tinnitus treatments on sleep disorders in patients with tinnitus. DESIGN: Subjects completed the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), and State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The questionnaire results and the patients' sex, age, time since the onset of tinnitus, and mean hearing level were examined, and differences between a sleep disorder group and a normal sleep group were examined. Patients completed the questionnaires again after initiating tinnitus treatments (counselling and use of sound generators), and the change in questionnaire scores at follow-up was evaluated. STUDY SAMPLE: Patients (N = 100) with tinnitus who visited Keio University Hospital and started treatment without medication between 2005 and 2008. RESULTS: Sixty-six percent of the patients had sleep disorders. Compared with patients without sleep disorders, patients with sleep disorders had significantly higher SDS and STAI scores at the first visit. The mean PSQI scores showed significant improvement at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep disorders in patients with tinnitus improved after tinnitus treatments. Complex interactions between depressive symptoms and anxiety may occur in these patients. The improvement in sleep disorders at follow-up was correlated with improvements in tinnitus severity and state anxiety.

[Usefulness and Limitation of Thyroglobulin Measurement in Fine Needle Aspirates (FNA-Tg) for Diagnosis of Neck Lymph Node Metastasis from Thyroid Carcinoma].

BACKGROUND: Preoperative diagnosis of lymph node metastasis from thyroid carcinoma is usually confirmed by using fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) when thyroid carcinoma is suspected based on the clinical findings. However, the result of FNAC sometimes leads to a false negative, especially in cases of hypocellular lesions such as metastases with cystic change. Thyroglobulin measurement in fine needle aspirates (FNA-Tg) has been shown to be a useful technique to detect the protein specifically secreted by thyroid follicular cells. Elevated FNA-Tg levels in an extra-thyroidal lesion means that the lesion comprises thyroid-originated tissue, most of which suggests the metastasis from thyroid carcinoma. Thus, FNA-Tg is expected to improve the sensitivity of FNAC for the aforementioned purpose. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2008 to 2012, 49 extra-thyroidal lesions from 43 patients with thyroid carcinoma were examined using both FNAC and FNA-Tg, followed by surgical resection with a histopathological diagnosis. The results were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Among 49 lesions, 47 were metastatic lymph nodes from thyroid carcinoma (46 papillary carcinoma and one follicular carcinoma), one was a metastatic lymph node from submandibular gland adenocarcinoma, and one was an ectopic thyroid gland. In the 47 cases of thyroid carcinoma, the sensitivity of FNAC was 57.4% (27/47), whereas that of FNA-Tg was 76.6% (36/47). When both methods were combined, the sensitivity increased to 93.6% (44/47). Metastasis from submandibular gland adenocarcinoma was considered to be an example of a false positive from FNAC, whereas an ectopic thyroid gland was an FNA-Tg false positive. Three lesions were negative for both FNAC and FNA-Tg, although metastases were suspected by imaging studies and confirmed by histopathological diagnosis, which were consistent with examples of a false negative from both FNAC and FNA-Tg findings. CONCLUSIONS: FNAC reflects whether the lesion has malignant cells, whereas FNA-Tg reflects whether the lesion has thyroid-originated tissue that specifically secrets thyroglobulin. Therefore, FNAC and FNA-Tg are considered to be complementary to each other for the preoperative diagnosis of lymph node metastasis from thyroid carcinoma. FNA-Tg was validated to improve the preoperative diagnostic sensitivity especially when combined with FNAC, however, it is attended with the possibility of a false positive or negative finding, which requires caution in interpretation of the findings.

[Long-term effects of tinnitus retraining therapy involving monaural noise generators].

We have previously reported on the effects of tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) involving monaural noise generators (NGs) up to 24 months after the start of treatment (Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2013 Feb; 270(2) : 443-8.) but very few reports exist about the long-term effects of TRT for periods of over 2 years. The aim of this study was to report the effects of TRT involving monaural NGs more than 24 months after the start of treatment. Thirty-three patients with chronic tinnitus were included in this study. All received directive counseling and monaural NGs without any other combination treatment. Effects were evaluated with the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) at their final visits to our clinic (average 31 months after the start of treatment). The average THI scores significantly improved from 55.3 +/- 19.7 at baseline to 33.5 +/- 23.3 at their final visits. Seventeen patients (52%) improved by more than 20 points from the baseline. Eleven patients who were treated with TRT for more than 3 years were individually observed in a detailed manner. Some of them experienced aggravation of their symptoms after 2 years' successful treatments. This study suggests that, although TRT seems effective more than 2 years after the start of treatment, the clinical course of each patient can vary and we need to follow them periodically depending on their situations and symptoms.

Sarcopenia accompanied by systemic inflammation can predict clinical outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing curative therapy.

Objectives: Evaluation of sarcopenia accompanied by systemic inflammation status is a more beneficial prognostic marker than sarcopenia alone in various cancers. However, few studies have focused on this combination in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC). In this study, we investigated how the combination of sarcopenia and systemic inflammation could affect survival in patients with HNSCC. Moreover, we explored which systemic inflammation markers could be better prognostic indicators when accompanied by sarcopenia. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with HNSCC treated between 2012 and 2016. Sarcopenia was defined by the skeletal muscle area measured on a computed tomography image slice at the level of the third cervical vertebra. The neutrophil/lymphocyte, platelet/lymphocyte, and lymphocyte/monocyte ratios (NLR, PLR, and LMR, respectively) were used as systemic inflammation markers that were combined with sarcopenia to evaluate prognosis. Results: A total of 100 patients were enrolled, and 71 patients were considered sarcopenia. Patients with sarcopenia had significantly lower LMR and higher NLR and PLR. They also showed worse overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). The comparative assessment of multiple combination patterns of sarcopenia and systemic inflammation indices proved that sarcopenia plus LMR considered as most reliable indicator for prognosis in HNSCC patients. Sarcopenia plus low LMR was a significantly poor prognostic factor both for OS and PFS with greater HR values than sarcopenia alone. Conclusions: The combination of sarcopenia and LMR was considered the most sensitive prognostic factor in patients with HNSCC, suggesting it might be beneficial for identifying poor outcome risks.

Prediction of Cochlear Implant Effectiveness With Surface-Based Morphometry.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether surface-based morphometry of preoperative whole-brain three-dimensional T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images can predict the clinical outcomes of cochlear implantation. STUDY DESIGN: This was an observational, multicenter study using preoperative MRI data. SETTING: The study was conducted at tertiary care referral centers. PATIENTS: Sixty-four patients with severe to profound hearing loss (≥70 dB bilaterally), who were scheduled for cochlear implant (CI) surgery, were enrolled. The patients included 19 with congenital hearing loss and 45 with acquired hearing loss. INTERVENTIONS: Participants underwent CI surgery. Before surgery, high-resolution three-dimensional T1-weighted brain MRI was performed, and the images were analyzed using FreeSurfer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was monosyllable audibility under quiet conditions 6 months after surgery. Cortical thickness residuals within 34 regions of interest (ROIs) as per the Desikan-Killiany cortical atlas were calculated based on age and healthy-hearing control regression lines. RESULTS: Rank logistic regression analysis detected significant associations between CI effectiveness and five right hemisphere ROIs and five left hemisphere ROIs. Predictive modeling using the cortical thickness of the right entorhinal cortex and left medial orbitofrontal cortex revealed a significant correlation with speech discrimination ability. This correlation was higher in patients with acquired hearing loss than in those with congenital hearing loss. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative surface-based morphometry could potentially predict CI outcomes and assist in patient selection and clinical decision making. However, further research with larger, more diverse samples is necessary to confirm these findings and determine their generalizability.

Effects of tinnitus retraining therapy involving monaural noise generators.

The aim of this study was to assess how tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) employing monaural noise generators (NGs) affects tinnitus patients. Ninety-five patients with chronic tinnitus were included in this study. All received directive counseling and monaural NGs without any other combination treatment. Effects were evaluated with the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) 6, 12, and 24 months after the start of treatment. Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate factors associated with improvement of THI scores. We observed a significant improvement in the average THI scores, which ranged from 59 at baseline to 36 after 6 months and were stable up to 24 months. Severely distressed (SD) patients experienced more benefits from the therapy than moderately distressed (MD) patients. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the presence of transient anxiety symptoms, measured by the state section of the State Trait Anxiety Inventory at the beginning of treatment, were associated the most to a decline in THI scores in SD patients. Pure-tone average at three mid frequencies was a negatively contributing factor. Analysis of MD patients did not provide a good model. In conclusion, TRT employing monaural NGs was an effective intervention especially for SD patients, although plateau of the effects after 6 months may be indicative of limitation of applying NGs monoaurally. Reducing the patients' hearing handicap may reinforce the effects of TRT in SD patients. Additional evaluation and interventions for both SD and MD patients might be needed.

Bilobed Flap for Reconstruction of Skin Defects after Excision of Parotid Carcinoma: A Case Report.

OBJECTIVES: Local flaps, pedicled flaps, and free flaps are used to reconstruct medium-sized skin defects after excision of parotid carcinoma. The bilobed flap is a local flap primarily used by plastic surgeons for small defects of nasal skin. We report a case of parotid carcinoma with skin infiltration successfully treated by skin reconstruction with a bilobed flap. METHODS: An 84-year-old man presented with a parotid mass he had noticed 2 months earlier. Parotid carcinoma with skin infiltration was diagnosed and he underwent radical surgery. The skin defect was round (diameter, 6 cm) and was resected and reconstructed with a bilobed flap designed to be caudal to the defect. RESULTS: Postoperative facial nerve palsy improved within 6 months. The postoperative course was otherwise uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 7. Pathological examination revealed a sarcomatoid salivary duct carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Bilobed flaps are useful for reconstructing skin defects with a diameter of 6 cm or less.

Effects of hearing aids in patients with unilateral tinnitus with acquired ipsilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of sound therapy using hearing aids in patients experiencing tinnitus with acquired unilateral sensorineural hearing loss. METHODS: A total of 97 patients with unilateral tinnitus with acquired ipsilateral sensorineural hearing loss were included. Evaluation involved self-report questionnaires administered at entry, 3 months after treatment, and 1 year after treatment. RESULTS: The mean Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score before treatment decreased significantly (p < 0.01) at 3 months (50.0 ± 24.5-12.7 ± 16.2), and 1 year (53.3 ± 25.5-8.79 ± 13.9), after treatment. Moreover, the visual analog scale score decreased significantly at 3 months (loudness, 69.6 ± 21.9-29.1 ± 27.2; annoyance, 71.1 ± 24.7-22.7 ± 25.5) and 1 year (loudness, 69.8 ± 22.0-21.1 ± 26.1; annoyance, 72.7 ± 25.6-19.4 ± 27.6). Approximately 80-90% of patients noticed improvements in tinnitus annoyance and loudness, as determined by their responses to the questionnaires of subjective symptom improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Hearing aids are remarkably effective for patients with unilateral tinnitus with acquired ipsilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

Association between atherosclerosis, hearing recovery, and hearing in the healthy ear in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a retrospective chart analysis.

Atherosclerosis is reported to be a risk factor for the severity of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). We evaluated the hypothesis that atherosclerosis affects the hearing thresholds of both the affected and healthy sides of ISSNHL patients. We conducted multivariate analyses on retrospectively collected data of patients with ISSNHL (N = 762) to evaluate the relationship between known factors linked to atherosclerosis and hearing thresholds on affected and healthy sides and whether these factors are prognostic for hearing recovery. Older ages, vertigo or dizziness, diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure were significantly related to higher hearing thresholds on the affected side. Older ages, male, and vascular disease were significantly related to higher hearing thresholds on the healthy side. Vertigo or dizziness, severe hearing loss and hearing loss at high frequencies on the affected side, higher hearing thresholds on the healthy side, regular anticoagulant medication, and delayed steroid treatment were significantly related to lack of recovery. Since several atherosclerosis-related factors are associated with higher hearing thresholds on both affected and healthy sides in ISSNHL and higher hearing thresholds on the healthy side predict poorer prognosis, diagnosis, and predicting prognosis of ISSNHL may benefit from rigorous evaluation of patients' cardiovascular comorbidities and hearing levels on both the healthy and affected sides.

Influence of depressive symptoms, state anxiety, and pure-tone thresholds on the tinnitus handicap inventory in Japan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess factors that contribute to Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores in Japan. DESIGN: Case series with chart review. STUDY SAMPLE: Two hundred and eighty-five tinnitus patients at tertiary referral center, who completed the Japanese version of the THI, the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). RESULTS: In multiple regression analysis, the SDS score contributed the most to the THI score. The state section of the STAI score and pure tone average (PTA) at four high frequencies also contributed significantly, but to lesser degrees. The other following factors were not statistically significant: age, gender, time from the onset of tinnitus to the first clinical visit, PTA at three mid frequencies, and trait section of the STAI score. This model may account for approximately 45% of THI score variability. CONCLUSIONS: The THI scores may be influenced by depressive symptoms, state anxiety, and pure tone thresholds in Japan.

[Thyroglobulin concentration measurement in fine-needle aspiration fluid from cystic cervical lymph node metastases of papillary thyroid carcinoma].

BACKGROUND: Combining ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) usually results in the best preoperative diagnosis of cervical masses, including neoplasms. This may not be true, however, especially in occult papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) associated with single cystic cervical lymph node metastasis. We assessed the role of thyroglobulin measurement in FNA fluid (FNATg) in differentially diagnosing cystic cervical mass lesions, including PTC cystic lymph node metastasis. METHODS: We reviewed the records of 17 subjects with cervical cystic masses undergoing both FNATg measurement and surgery. FNA was done under ultrasonographic guidance. We also measured FNATg concentrations from extrathyroid lesions, consisting of cystic cervical lymph node metastases and benign cystic lesions. RESULTS: Pathological diagnosis involved 5 PTC lymph node metastases, 3 lateral cervical cysts, 7 thyroglossal duct cysts, and 2 squamous cell carcinoma (lung and oropharynx) lymph node metastases. FNATg of PTC lymph node metastasis was much higher than the reference range of blood serum thyroglobulin, although much lower for the lateral cervical cyst detection threshold. FNAC and FNATg measurement are thought to be mutually complementary in the differential diagnosis of PTC cystic lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION: High concentrations of FNATg in a cystic cervical mass is considered specific to PTC lymph node metastasis, indicating its usefulness in distinguish PTC cystic metastasis from other cystic lesions. Including FNATg measurement with FNAC may thus improve preoperative diagnosis accuracy without additionally stressing subjects with PTC cystic lymph node metastasis.

Effectiveness of hearing aids in treating patients with chronic tinnitus with average hearing levels of <30 dBHL and no inconvenience due to hearing loss.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of hearing aids for tinnitus patients without hearing loss in conversation-comprehension range and inconvenience in daily communication is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate their therapeutic effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 91 patients with average hearing levels <30 dBHL. To determine the effects, self-reported questionnaires were used. Data were collected at the entry and 3 months (n = 91) and 1 year (n = 70) after treatment initiation. RESULTS: All scores (mean ± standard deviation) decreased significantly (p < 0.0001) from before treatment to 3 months and 1 year after treatment: tinnitus handicap inventory score: from 56 ± 21 to 17 ± 17 and 13 ± 15; visual analogue scale (VAS) score for tinnitus loudness: from 71 ± 20 to 31 ± 26 and 28 ± 29; VAS score for tinnitus annoyance: 79 ± 20 to 27 ± 25 and 26 ± 30, respectively. Approximately 90% of patients noticed improvements in tinnitus annoyance and loudness, as determined by the questionnaires regarding subjective symptom improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Hearing aids may be useful for tinnitus patients without hearing loss and inconvenience in daily communication. SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings provide a treatment option for tinnitus patients with an average hearing level of <30 dBHL.

Labyrinthine destruction caused by inflammatory pseudotumor of the temporal bone: A report of three cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory pseudotumors (IPTs) are rare, idiopathic, and inflammatory lesions that are histopathologically benign. Here, we present three cases of labyrinthine destruction caused by an IPT. METHODS: The first patient was a 74-year-old male with a mass lesion extending from the inner ear to the external ear canal. The second patient was a 62-year-old female with a foliated polycystic lesion in the petrous bone on the dorsal side of the left internal auditory canal. The third patient was a 68-year-old female with a mass extending from the inner ear to the middle ear, destroying the semicircular canal and cochlea. RESULTS: In two cases, we performed surgical resection successfully with no recurrence. In the other case, the lesion showed shrinkage after chemotherapy for colorectal cancer incidentally found during the examination process. CONCLUSION: Surgical technique and indication for IPT should be based on the location and function of the lesion. In addition, there is room to consider pharmacotherapy as a treatment option for IPT of the temporal bone. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

The Frequency Characteristic of Silicone Domes in Receiver in the Canal Hearing Aids.

BACKGROUND: There are several types of silicone domes in receiver in the canal hearing aids (RICs), which have different occlusion levels. However, the frequency characteristics of each type of silicone dome are unclear. PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the frequency characteristics of three types of silicone domes (open domes, double-type power domes, and tulip domes) in RICs. RESEARCH DESIGN: This is an interventional study. STUDY SAMPLE: In total, 11 participants with a normal sense of hearing were prospectively enrolled. INTERVENTION: Participants were fitted with hearing aids, which were adjusted to similar settings, and only the silicone domes were changed. The acoustic gain of hearing aids was adjusted to 20 dB in the range of 250 Hz to 4 kHz using the 2-cc coupler. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We measured the real-ear aided gain (REAG) for each type of silicone dome. In each frequency, we statistically compared the REAG of each type of dome. Acoustic gain using the Open Fit coupler of each type of dome was also measured. RESULTS: The REAG was obtained with no leakage with open domes only at 2 kHz, and with tulip domes and double-type power domes in the range of 1 to 2 kHz. Double-type power domes obtained significantly higher REAG than tulip domes at 250 and 500 Hz. Under the Open Fit coupler, all types obtained higher acoustic gain than the REAG. CONCLUSION: This study provides the analysis of the frequency characteristics of silicone domes in RICs. The highest degree of occlusion was observed in double-type power domes, followed by tulip domes, and the lowest was observed in open domes.

Effective sound therapy using a hearing aid and educational counseling in patients with chronic tinnitus.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of our sound therapy with appropriate hearing aid fitting and periodic hearing aid adjustment in patients with chronic tinnitus. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study. The study included 490 individuals who received treatment with hearing aids for chronic tinnitus at least for 3 months. To determine the effects of tinnitus on patients' quality of life, the participants completed a series of questionnaires, including the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for loudness and annoyance, and questionnaires of subjective symptom improvement. Data were collected at entry and 3 months and 1 year after treatment initiation. RESULTS: All 490 participants completed the questionnaires at 3 months; however, only 312 completed them at 1 year. The mean ± standard deviation THI score before treatment decreased significantly at 3 months (490 participants: 53 ± 25 to 11 ± 16 and 312 participants: 55 ± 24 to 12 ± 16) and 1 year (55 ± 24 to 9 ± 14) (P < 0.01). The mean VAS score for tinnitus loudness before treatment decreased significantly at 3 months (490 participants: 70 ± 22 to 25 ± 27 and 312 participants: 71 ± 22 to 27 ± 26) and 1 year (71 ± 22 to 21 ± 28) (P < 0.01). In addition, the mean VAS score for tinnitus annoyance before treatment decreased significantly at 3 months (490 participants: 75 ± 26 to 20 ± 26 and 312 participants: 75 ± 25 to 23 ± 27) and 1 year (75 ± 25 to 17 ± 26) (P < 0.01). Approximately 80% of patients noticed improvements in their tinnitus annoyance and loudness, as determined by their responses to the questionnaires of subjective symptom improvement. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that treatment with sound therapy may ameliorate the symptoms of chronic tinnitus associated with hearing loss.

Severe sudden sensorineural hearing loss related to risk of stroke and atherosclerosis.

The cause of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (idiopathic SSNHL)-diagnosed after excluding other causes of hearing loss, such as SSNHL associated with vestibular schwannoma (VS)-is unknown. The presumed pathogenesis of idiopathic SSNHL includes circulatory disorders (e.g., cochlear infarction). We tested the hypothesis that patients with SSNHL who are at high stroke risk will have a lower rate of VS compared to those with low stroke risk. The rationale is that the primary cause of SSNHL in patients with high stroke risk might be a circulatory disturbance. We conducted a retrospective study in six hospitals. Our sampling of SSNHL patients included those diagnosed with idiopathic SSNHL and VS-associated SSNHL. SSNHL patients who had a head MRI were stratified by severity of hearing loss and evaluated for differences in the detection rate of VS between the high-scoring CHADS2 (CHADS2-H-), an index of stroke risk, and low-scoring CHADS2 (CHADS2-L-) groups. We identified 916 patients who met the inclusion criteria. For severe hearing loss, the CHADS2-H group had a significantly lower rate of VS than the CHADS2-L group (OR 0 [95% CI 0.00-0.612]; P = 0.007). These results indirectly support the hypothesis that a primary cause of severe idiopathic SSNHL in those at high risk of stroke might be a circulatory disorder.