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This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory. This is page number 34.

Research on road traffic noise and human health in India: review of literature from 1991 to current.
This article reviews the literature on research conducted during the last two decades on traffic noise impacts in India. Road traffic noise studies in India are fewer and restricted only to the metropolitan areas. The studies over the years have also focused on the monitoring, recording, analysis, modeling, and to some extent mapping related themes. Negligible studies are observed in areas of physiological and sleep research exposure-effect context. Most impact studies have been associated with annoyance and attitudinal surveys only. Little scientific literature exists related to effects of traffic noise on human physiolog...
Source: Noise and Health - May 1, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: Banerjee D Tags: Noise Health Source Type: research

Prevalence of permanent hearing threshold shift among workers of Indian iron and steel small and medium enterprises: a study.
The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of permanent hearing threshold shift among the workers engaged in Indian iron and steel small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and compared with control group subjects. As a part of hearing protection intervention, audiometric tests were conducted at low (250-1000 Hz), medium (1500-3000 Hz), and high (4000-8000 Hz) frequencies. The occurrence of hearing loss was determined based on hearing threshold levels with a low fence of 25 dB. Comparisons were made for hearing threshold at different frequencies between the exposed and control groups using Student's t test. ANOVA...
Source: Noise and Health - May 1, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: Singh LP, Bhardwaj A, Kumar DK Tags: Noise Health Source Type: research

Effects of noise in primary schools on health facets in German teachers.
Abstract Empirical research indicates that children and teachers are exposed to mean sound levels between 65 and 87 dB (A) and peak sound levels of 100 dB (A) in schools, which may lead to hearing loss and mental health problems. A questionnaire containing 13 targeted questions about noise and sensitivity to noise was distributed to 43 teachers aged between 25 and 64 years at five different primary schools in the Cologne municipal area. The small number of interrogated teachers leads to a wide range of deviation and little significance in the results. Thus, several results are reported following tendencies. Signi...
Source: Noise and Health - May 1, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: Eysel-Gosepath K, Daut T, Pinger A, Lehmacher W, Erren T Tags: Noise Health Source Type: research

Questionable reliability of the speech-evoked auditory brainstem response (sABR) in typically-developing children.
PMID: 22446178 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Hearing Research - May 1, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: McFarland DJ, Cacace AT Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research

Low-frequency modulated quadratic and cubic distortion product otoacoustic emissions in humans.
Abstract Previous studies have used low-frequency tones to modulate distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). The cubic DPOAE (CDPOAE) is mostly chosen because amplitudes sufficient for modulation can be evoked with moderate sound pressure levels. Quadratic DPOAEs (QDPOAEs) however, are more sensitive to minute changes of the cochlear operating point (OP) and are better suited to assess changes of the cochlear OP. Here, we compare the properties of low-frequency (30 Hz, 80-120 dB SPL) modulated CDPOAE and QDPOAEs evoked with f(2) = 2 and 5 kHz in human subjects with normal hearing. The modulation depth was...
Source: Hearing Research - May 1, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: Drexl M, Gürkov R, Krause E Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research

Factors affecting predicted speech intelligibility with cochlear implants in an auditory model for electrical stimulation.
Abstract A model of the auditory response to stimulation with cochlear implants (CIs) was used to predict speech intelligibility in electric hearing. The model consists of an auditory nerve cell population that generates delta pulses as action potentials in response to temporal and spatial excitation with a simulated CI signal processing strategy. The auditory nerve cells are modeled with a leaky integrate-and-fire model with membrane noise. Refractory behavior is introduced by raising the threshold potential with an exponentially decreasing function. Furthermore, the action potentials are delayed to account for la...
Source: Hearing Research - May 1, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: Fredelake S, Hohmann V Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research

MicroRNAs in inner ear biology and pathogenesis.
This article reviews recent developments in miRNA research in the field of inner ear biology. A brief history of miRNA discovery is discussed, and their genomics and functional roles are described. Advances in the understanding of miRNA involvement in inner ear development in the zebrafish and the mouse are presented. Finally, this review highlights the potential roles of miRNAs in genetic hearing loss, hair cell regeneration, and inner ear pathogenesis resulting from various pathological insults. PMID: 22484222 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Hearing Research - May 1, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: Patel M, Hu BH Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research

Auditory outcomes following implantation and electrical stimulation of the semicircular canals.
Abstract We measured auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) in eight Rhesus monkeys after implantation of electrodes in the semicircular canals of one ear, using a multi-channel vestibular prosthesis based on cochlear implant technology. In five animals, click-evoked ABR thresholds in the implanted ear were within 10 dB of thresholds in the non-implanted control ear. Threshold differences in the remaining three animals varied from 18 to 69 dB, indicating mild to severe hearing losses. Click- and tone-evoked ABRs measured in a subset of animals before and after implantation revealed a comparable pattern of threshold ch...
Source: Hearing Research - May 1, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: Bierer SM, Ling L, Nie K, Fuchs AF, Kaneko CR, Oxford T, Nowack AL, Shepherd SJ, Rubinstein JT, Phillips JO Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research

Midbrain responses to micro-stimulation of the cochlea using high density thin-film arrays.
Abstract A broader activation of auditory nerve fibres than normal using a cochlear implant contributes to poor frequency discrimination. As cochlear implants also deliver a restricted dynamic range, this hinders the ability to segregate sound sources. Better frequency coding and control over amplitude may be achieved by limiting current spread during electrical stimulation of the cochlea and positioning electrodes closer to the modiolus. Thin-film high density microelectrode arrays and conventional platinum ring electrode arrays were used to stimulate the cochlea of urethane-anaesthetized rats and responses compar...
Source: Hearing Research - May 1, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: Allitt BJ, Morgan SJ, Bell S, Nayagam DA, Arhatari B, Clark GM, Paolini AG Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research

A long-term high-fat diet increases oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and apoptosis in the inner ear of D-galactose-induced aging rats.
Abstract In humans, chronic dyslipidemia associated with elevated triglycerides may reduce auditory function. However, there is little evidence available in the literature concerning the effects of a long-term high-fat diet (HFD) on the inner ears of animals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 month-HFD on the inner ear of Sprague-Dawley rats and on the D-galactose (D-gal)-induced aging process in the inner ear. We found that 12 month-HFD markedly elevated the auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold in the high-frequency region. The HFD significantly increased the generation of reacti...
Source: Hearing Research - May 1, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: Du Z, Yang Y, Hu Y, Sun Y, Zhang S, Peng W, Zhong Y, Huang X, Kong W Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research

A comparison of the effects of isoflurane and ketamine anesthesia on auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds in rats.
Abstract The auditory brainstem response (ABR) is an acoustically evoked potential commonly used to determine hearing sensitivity in laboratory animals. Both isoflurane and ketamine/xylazine anesthesia are commonly used to immobilize animals during ABR procedures. Hearing threshold determination is often the primary interest. Although a number of studies have examined the effect of different anesthetics on evoked potential waveforms and growth functions, none have directly compared their effect on ABR hearing threshold estimates. The present study used a within-subject comparison and typical threshold criteria, to ...
Source: Hearing Research - May 1, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: Ruebhausen MR, Brozoski TJ, Bauer CA Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research

Intrinsic modulators of auditory thalamocortical transmission.
Abstract Neurons in layer 4 of the primary auditory cortex receive convergent glutamatergic inputs from thalamic and cortical projections that activate different groups of postsynaptic glutamate receptors. Of particular interest in layer 4 neurons are the Group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), which hyperpolarize neurons postsynaptically via the downstream opening of GIRK channels. This pronounced effect on membrane conductance could influence the neuronal processing of synaptic inputs, such as those from the thalamus, essentially modulating information flow through the thalamocortical pathway. To exam...
Source: Hearing Research - May 1, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: Lee CC, Murray Sherman S Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research

Changes in projections to the inferior colliculus following early hearing loss in rats.
Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of early hearing loss on the anatomy of the central auditory system, specifically, the ascending projections to the inferior colliculus (IC). We compared normal animals with animals deafened during early development by administration of amikacin, an ototoxic antibiotic that is known to destroy the hair cells in the inner ear. The amikacin was injected subcutaneously every day from postnatal days P7 to P16. A retrograde tract tracer, Fluoro-Gold (FG), was then injected unilaterally directly into the IC at either 4 weeks of age or 12 weeks of age. Afte...
Source: Hearing Research - May 1, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: Hatano M, Ito M, Yoshizaki T, Kelly JB Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research

Auditory evoked responses in human auditory cortex to the variation of sound intensity in an ongoing tone.
We examined responses approximately 100 ms after an SPL change (the N1m'). Experiment 1 examined the effects of frequency on the N1m'. Experiment 2 examined the effects of initial SPL on the N1m'. The results revealed that N1m' amplitude increased with greater SPL changes. The increase in N1m' amplitude with increasing SPL was almost constant for low frequency sounds (250 and 1000 Hz); however, this increase was reduced for high frequency sounds (4000 Hz). The increase in N1m' amplitude was reduced with high initial SPL. The pattern of amplitude change may reflect a difference in activation in the auditory nerve and/or pri...
Source: Hearing Research - May 1, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: Soeta Y, Nakagawa S Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research

Electrophysiologic Monitoring for Placement of Laminectomy Leads for Spinal Cord Stimulation Under General Anesthesia
Conclusions: With electrophysiologic monitoring and fluoroscopy guidance, placement of SCS laminectomy leads in select patients under general anesthesia may result in appropriate stimulation coverage and pain relief in most.
Source: Neuromodulation - May 1, 2012 Category: Neurology Authors: Ellen L. Air, Greg R. Toczyl, George T. Mandybur Source Type: research

Belief attribution in deaf and hearing infants
In this study, we compared the performance of 17‐ to 26‐month‐olds on anticipatory looking in ToM tasks. The infants were either hearing or were deaf from hearing families and thus delayed in communicative experience gained from access to language and conversational input. Hearing infants significantly outperformed their deaf counterparts in anticipating the search actions of a cartoon character that held a false belief about a target‐object location. By contrast, the performance of the two groups in a true belief condition did not differ significantly. These findings suggest for the first time that access to langu...
Source: Developmental Science - May 1, 2012 Category: Child Development Authors: Marek Meristo, Gary Morgan, Alessandra Geraci, Laura Iozzi, Erland Hjelmquist, Luca Surian, Michael Siegal Tags: PAPER Source Type: research

Eosinophilic Otitis Media: CT and MRI Findings and Literature Review.
We report here the CT and MRI findings of two EOM cases and review the clinical and histopathologic findings of this recently described disease entity. PMID: 22563277 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Korean J Radiol - May 1, 2012 Category: Radiology Authors: Chung WJ, Lee JH, Lim HK, Yoon TH, Cho KJ, Baek JH Tags: Korean J Radiol Source Type: research

Permeation properties of the hair cell mechanotransducer channel provide insight into its molecular structure
Mechanoelectric transducer (MET) channels, located near stereocilia tips, are opened by deflecting the hair bundle of sensory hair cells. Defects in this process result in deafness. Despite this critical function, the molecular identity of MET channels remains a mystery. Inherent channel properties, particularly those associated with permeation, provide the backbone for the molecular identification of ion channels. Here, a novel channel rectification mechanism is identified, resulting in a reduced pore size at positive potentials. The apparent difference in pore dimensions results from Ca2+ binding within the pore, occludi...
Source: Journal of Neurophysiology - May 1, 2012 Category: Neurology Authors: Pan, B., Waguespack, J., Schnee, M. E., LeBlanc, C., Ricci, A. J. Tags: Articles Source Type: research

Cortical processing of musical sounds in children with Cochlear Implants.
CONCLUSIONS: The similarities of neurocognitive processing are surprising in the light of the limited auditory input provided by the CI, suggesting that many types of changes are adequately processed by the CI children. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results indicate that CI children's auditory cortical functioning may be enhanced, and difficulties in auditory perception and in attention switching towards sound events alleviated, by multisensory musical activities. PMID: 22554786 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Clinical Neurophysiology - May 1, 2012 Category: Neurology Authors: Torppa R, Salo E, Makkonen T, Loimo H, Pykäläinen J, Lipsanen J, Faulkner A, Huotilainen M Tags: Clin Neurophysiol Source Type: research

Differential susceptibility of Cx26 mutations associated with epidermal dysplasias to peptidoglycan derived from Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis
AbstractMutations in Connexin26 (Cx26), give rise to a spectrum of dominantly inherited hyperproliferating skin disorders, the severest being Keratitis‐Ichthyosis‐Deafness (KID) syndrome, an inflammatory skin disorder, with patients prone to opportunistic infections. We compared the effects of peptidoglycan (PGN) extracted from the skin commensal Staphylococcus epidermidis and the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus on interleukin‐6 and connexin expression in HaCaT cells (a keratinocyte cell line) and connexin‐ channel activity in HaCaT and HeLa (connexin deficient) cells transfected to express KID and non...
Source: Experimental Dermatology - May 1, 2012 Category: Dermatology Authors: Steven Donnelly, Grant English, Eugene Zwart‐Storm, Sue Lang, Maurice A. M. Steensel, Patricia E. Martin Tags: Regular Article Source Type: research

Activation of muscarinic receptors increases the activity of the granule neurones of the rat dorsal cochlear nucleus-a calcium imaging study.
In this study, the effects of cholinergic stimulation were studied on the cytoplasmic Ca(2+) concentration of granule neurones of the rat dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN). Ca(2+) transients were recorded in Oregon-Green-BAPTA 1-loaded brain slices using a calcium imaging technique. For the detection, identification and characterisation of the Ca(2+) transients, a wavelet analysis-based method was developed. Granule cells were identified on the basis of their size and localisation. The action potential-coupled character of the Ca(2+) transients of the granule cells was established by recording fluorescence changes and electric...
Source: Pflugers Archiv : European Journal of Physiology - May 1, 2012 Category: Physiology Authors: Kőszeghy A, Vincze J, Rusznák Z, Fu Y, Paxinos G, Csernoch L, Szücs G Tags: Pflugers Arch Source Type: research

A Genetic Basis for Mechanosensory Traits in Humans
by Henning Frenzel, Jörg Bohlender, Katrin Pinsker, Bärbel Wohlleben, Jens Tank, Stefan G. Lechner, Daniela Schiska, Teresa Jaijo, Franz Rüschendorf, Kathrin Saar, Jens Jordan, José M. Millán, Manfred Gross, Gary R. Lewin In all vertebrates hearing and touch represent two distinct sensory systems that both rely on the transformation of mechanical force into electrical signals. There is an extensive literature describing single gene mutations in humans that cause hearing impairment, but there are essentially none for touch. Here we first asked if touch sensitivity is a heritable trait and second whether there are ...
Source: PLoS Biology: Archived Table of Contents - May 1, 2012 Category: Biology Authors: Henning Frenzel et al. Source Type: research

Cochlear implantation in children with postlingual hearing loss
Conclusions:Children with well‐developed language abilities before CI showed substantial (and statistically significant) early improvements in open‐set speech perception abilities following implantation that continued beyond 2 years of follow‐up. These results suggest that postlingual children are excellent candidates for CI. Laryngoscope, 2012
Source: The Laryngoscope - May 1, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Faisal I. Ahmad, Christine E. DeMason, Holly F. B. Teagle, Lillian Henderson, Oliver F. Adunka, Craig A. Buchman Tags: Head and Neck Source Type: research

Deaf Timeline
Selected articles at About Deafness/HOH, organized in a timeline.
Source: About.com Eating Disorders - May 1, 2012 Category: Eating Disorders and Weight Management Authors: altmedicine.guide at about.com Tags: health Source Type: news

WFD President to Keynote the 2012 NAD Conference
The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is pleased to announce that Colin Allen, president of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) will be the keynote speaker during the Opening Ceremonies of the 51st Biennial NAD Conference, July 3-7, 2012 in Louisville, KY. read more
Source: National Association of the Deaf - April 30, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: NAD Conference Tags: NAD Conference Source Type: news

World Federation of the Deaf President Colin Allen
file: C2012 WFD Colin Allen photo low res.JPG
Source: National Association of the Deaf - April 30, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: admin Source Type: news

World Federation of the Deaf Board 2011-2015
file: C2012 WFD Board low res.jpg
Source: National Association of the Deaf - April 30, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: admin Source Type: news

sComm logo
file: sComm logo.jpg
Source: National Association of the Deaf - April 30, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: admin Source Type: news

DEAF Inc logo
file: Deaf logo.jpg
Source: National Association of the Deaf - April 30, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: admin Source Type: news

Call for Certified Deaf Interpreters
Due to the increasing number of Deaf-Blind registrants, the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and Access Interpreting (Access) are re-opening the Call for Deaf Interpreters and extending the deadline to May 30, 2012. Please join our team of interpreters at the 51st Biennial National Association of the Deaf Conference in Louisville, Kentucky and make this the best Conference yet! The Conference will take place in Louisville, Kentucky from July 3-7, 2012. read more
Source: National Association of the Deaf - April 30, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: NAD Conference Tags: NAD Conference Source Type: news

Restoring hearing with discrete device: A middle-ear microphone for more convenient cochlear implants
Cochlear implants have restored basic hearing to some 220,000 deaf people, yet a microphone and related electronics must be worn outside the head, raising reliability issues, preventing patients from swimming and creating social stigma. Now, engineers have developed a tiny prototype microphone that can be implanted in the middle ear to avoid such problems.
Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - April 30, 2012 Category: Science Source Type: news

Tox Tunes #58: Acid Queen (The Who)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbZj7hyqo2c I never really was a fan of The Who’s rock opera Tommy. Part of the problem was that the very term “rock opera” reeked of pretension. Another big impediment was the story, the beginning of which is summarized in Wikipedia as follows: British Army Captain Walker is reported missing, and is believed dead. His widow, Mrs. Walker, gives birth to their son, Tommy. Years later, Captain Walker returns home and discovers that his wife has found a new lover. Captain Walker confronts the two, and the lover is subsequently killed in the struggle. To cover up the incident, T...
Source: The Poison Review - April 29, 2012 Category: Toxicology Authors: Leon Tags: Medical acid queen rock opera the who tina turner tommy tox tunes Source Type: news

Pathogenesis of Paget Disease of Bone
Abstract Paget disease of bone (PDB) is a common disease characterized by focal areas of increased and disorganized bone turnover. Some patients are asymptomatic, whereas others develop complications such as pain, osteoarthritis, fracture, deformity, deafness, and nerve compression syndromes. PDB is primarily caused by dysregulation of osteoclast differentiation and function, and there is increasing evidence that this is due, in part, to genetic factors. One of the most important predisposing genes is SQSTM1, which harbors mutations that cause osteoclast activation in 5–20 % of PDB patients. Seven add...
Source: Calcified Tissue International - April 29, 2012 Category: Orthopaedics Tags: Calcified Tissue International Source Type: research

A middle-ear microphone
(University of Utah) Cochlear implants have restored basic hearing to some 220,000 deaf people, yet a microphone and related electronics must be worn outside the head, raising reliability issues, preventing patients from swimming and creating social stigma. Now, a University of Utah engineer and colleagues in Ohio have developed a tiny prototype microphone that can be implanted in the middle ear to avoid such problems.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - April 29, 2012 Category: Biology Source Type: news

Activation lateralization in human core, belt, and parabelt auditory fields with unilateral deafness compared to normal hearing.
The objective was to determine whether the side of deafness affected lateralization and magnitude of evoked blood oxygen level-dependent responses across different auditory cortical fields (ACFs). Regardless of ear of stimulation, NH showed larger contralateral responses in several ACFs. With right ear stimulation in UHL, ipsilateral responses were larger compared to NH in core and belt ACFs, indicating neuroplasticity in the right hemisphere. With left ear stimulation in UHL, only posterior core ACFs showed larger ipsilateral responses, suggesting that most ACFs in the left hemisphere had greater resilience against reduce...
Source: Brain Research - April 28, 2012 Category: Neurology Authors: Burton H, Firszt JB, Holden T, Agato A, Uchanski RM Tags: Brain Res Source Type: research

Experiments in comparative hearing: Georg von Békésy and beyond.
Abstract Georg von Békésy was one of the first comparative auditory researchers. He not only studied basilar membrane (BM) movements in a range of mammals of widely different sizes, he also worked on the chicken basilar papilla and the frog middle ear. We show that, in mammals, at least, his data do not differ from those that could be collected using modern techniques but with the same, very loud sounds. There is in all cases a major difference to frequency maps collected using low-level sounds. In contrast, the same cannot be said of his chicken data, perhaps due to the different roles played by the BM in mammal...
Source: Hearing Research - April 28, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: Manley GA, Narins PM, Fay RR Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research

Two-channel recording of auditory-evoked potentials to detect age-related deficits in temporal processing.
In this study, ABRs and EFRs were recorded simultaneously from two electrode configurations in young and old Fischer-344 rats, a common auditory aging model. Analysis shows that the two channels respond most sensitively to complementary AM frequencies. Channel 1, recorded from Fz to mastoid, responds better to faster AM frequencies in the 100-700 Hz range of frequencies, while Channel 2, recorded from the inter-aural line to the mastoid, responds better to slower AM frequencies in the 16-100 Hz range. Simultaneous recording of Channels 1 and 2 using AM stimuli with varying sound levels and modulation depths show that age...
Source: Hearing Research - April 28, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: Parthasarathy A, Bartlett E Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research

Stable release of BDNF from the fibroblast cell line NIH3T3 grown on silicone elastomers enhances survival of spiral ganglion cells in vitro and in vivo.
Abstract The treatment of choice for profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is direct electrical stimulation of spiral ganglion cells (SGC) via a cochlear implant (CI). The number and excitability of SGC seem to be critical for the success that can be achieved via CI treatment. However, SNHL is associated with degeneration of SGC. Long-term drug delivery to the inner ear for improving SGC survival may be achieved by functionalisation of CI electrodes with cells providing growth factors. Therefore, the capacity of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-secreting NIH3T3 cells grown on cylindrically shaped silic...
Source: Hearing Research - April 28, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: Warnecke A, Sasse S, Wenzel GI, Hoffmann A, Gross G, Paasche G, Scheper V, Reich U, Esser KH, Lenarz T, Stöver T, Wissel K Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research

Reversing the polarity of a cochlear implant magnet after magnetic resonance imaging
Abstract: The number of patients with cochlear implant (CI) has been rapidly increasing in recent years, and these patients show a growing need of examination by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, the use of MRI on patients with CI is restricted by the internal magnet of the CI. Many studies have investigated the safety of performing 1.5T MRI on patients with CI, which is now being practiced in a clinical setting. We experienced a case in which the polarity of the cochlear implant magnet was reversed after the patient was examined using 1.5T MRI. The external device was attached to the internal device oppositely. W...
Source: Auris, Nasus, Larynx - April 27, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Ju Hyun Jeon, Mi Ran Bae, Jae Won Chang, Jae Young Choi Tags: Case Reports Source Type: research

Otologic complications caused by hearing aid mold impression material
We report two extremely rare cases of otologic complications caused by hearing aid mold impression material. The symptoms of patients with retained impression material are characteristic of the length of time the impression material is retained. In case 1 had a chronic discharge and granulation tissue of the middle ear, while case 2 presented with acute pain and dizziness. The management for retained impression material may require surgical interventions, which can be safely accomplished by standard otologic techniques.
Source: Auris, Nasus, Larynx - April 27, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Dong Hoon Lee, Hyong-Ho Cho Tags: Case Reports Source Type: research

Does hyperandrogenism have an effect on hearing loss in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome?
Abstract: Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrinopathy characterized by chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism. Hormonal changes can affect hearing loss and inner ear functions. We evaluated hearing loss with audiometric tests in young patients with PCOS.Methods: Twenty-six women having PCOS and 25 normal individuals were enrolled in the study. Age ranges for PCOS and control groups were 20–35 years. Hormonal and biochemical values including LH, LH/FSH, E2, testosterone, fasting glucose and fasting insulin were calculated. Each subject was tested with low- (250–2000Hz) and high-frequency audiometr...
Source: Auris, Nasus, Larynx - April 27, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Fatih Oghan, Hakan Coksuer Tags: Otology/Neurotology Source Type: research

Speech Understanding Performance of Cochlear Implant Subjects Using Time–Frequency Masking-Based Noise Reduction
Cochlear implant (CI) recipients report severe degradation of speech understanding under noisy conditions. Most CI recipients typically can require about 10–25 dB higher signal-to-noise ratio than normal hearing (NH) listeners in order to achieve similar speech understanding performance. In recent years, significant emphasis has been put on binaural algorithms, which not only make use of the head shadow effect, but also have two or more microphone signals at their disposal to generate binaural inputs. Most of the CI recipients today are unilaterally implanted but they can still benefit from the binaural processing u...
Source: IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering - April 27, 2012 Category: Biomedical Engineering Source Type: research

Correlation between coping strategies and subjective assessment of the voice-related quality of life of patients after resection of T1 and T2 laryngeal tumours
Abstract When coming to terms with a diagnosis of laryngeal cancer, patients find different ways of coping with their illness. These may or may not be related to communication. Vocal aspects of quality of life are particularly important with cancer of the larynx. The correlation between coping and subjective assessment of the voice-related quality of life was assessed in a cross-sectional study of patients after resection of T1 and T2 laryngeal tumours. As part of follow-up care, 55 male cancer patients with partial laryngectomy were asked about their voice-related quality of life and their coping strategies...
Source: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - April 27, 2012 Category: ENT & OMF Tags: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Source Type: research

Monsanto and ArborGen set their sights on GM trees and grasses
Not satisfied to own or control our food crops, Monsanto and its spinoff ArborGen have also set their sights on genetically modified trees and grasses. Despite a groundswell of objections by scientists and activists, the USDA has turned a deaf ear to their concerns and...
Source: NaturalNews.com - April 27, 2012 Category: Consumer Health Advice Source Type: news

A case series of spotted fever rickettsiosis with neurological manifestations in Sri Lanka
Conclusion: We have documented for the first time the neurological features of SFG rickettsioses in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. These were predominantly extrapyramidal features in patients of older age.
Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases - April 27, 2012 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: S.A.M. Kularatne, K.G.A.D. Weerakoon, R.P.V.J. Rajapakse, S.C. Madagedara, D. Nanayakkara, R. Premaratna Tags: Original Reports Source Type: research

Association of a novel in-frame deletion mutation of the MYH9 gene with end-stage renal failure: case report and review of the literature.
We report this novel abnormality of the nucleotide sequence and compare it with previous cases and their associated phenotypes. PMID: 22541678 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Clinical Nephrology - April 27, 2012 Category: Urology & Nephrology Authors: Ishida M, Mori Y, Ota N, Inaba T, Kunishima S Tags: Clin Nephrol Source Type: research

Poor Sleep Heightens 'Ringing Ear' Disease Symptoms: Study
Title: Poor Sleep Heightens 'Ringing Ear' Disease Symptoms: StudyCategory: Health NewsCreated: 4/25/2012 2:05:00 PMLast Editorial Review: 4/26/2012 12:00:00 AM
Source: MedicineNet Hearing General - April 26, 2012 Category: Audiology Source Type: news

Etiology of unilateral hearing loss in a national hereditary deafness repository
Conclusions: Sequence variants in known deafness genes were detected in more than one-third of our study population, suggesting that gene/gene or gene/environmental interactions may indeed play a role in the etiology of some cases of unilateral deafness. Further prospective studies including congenital cytomegalovirus screening at birth and molecular screening of deafness genes in children with congenital unilateral HL will be required to establish the etiology of unilateral deafness with certainty.
Source: American Journal of Otolaryngology - April 26, 2012 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Kelley M. Dodson, Alexandros Georgolios, Noelle Barr, Bich Nguyen, Aristides Sismanis, Kathleen S. Arnos, Virginia W. Norris, Derek Chapman, Walter E. Nance, Arti Pandya Tags: Original Contributions Source Type: research

Contributions of von Békésy to psychoacoustics.
Abstract This paper reviews the contributions of von Békésy to psychoacoustics, comparing his findings and interpretations to those that have emerged since his work. The areas covered include the perception of pitch for pure tones and complex tones, the effect of frequency on the apparent location of pure tones, estimation of the velocity of the traveling wave on the basilar membrane using judgments of lateralization, and the relative loudness of monaural and diotic sounds. While subsequent research has failed to replicate some of his findings, other findings have stood the test of time. There is no doubt that vo...
Source: Hearing Research - April 26, 2012 Category: Audiology Authors: Moore BC Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research