MedWorm: Tinnitus

The 28th European Course on The Management of Tinnitus and Hyperacusis

NLH - ENT and Audiology - Events — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:16:03 +0100

(Source: NLH - ENT and Audiology - Events)

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Auditory test result characteristics of subjects with and without tinnitus.

J Rehabil Res Dev — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:34:03 +0100

This study examined the potential to observe differences in loudness and pitch matches between individuals who experience tinnitus versus those who do not. This study follows a previous pilot study we completed that included 12 subjects with and 12 subjects without tinnitus. The current study included 36 subjects with and 36 without tinnitus. Results of this study revealed no significant differences between groups with regard to decibel sensation level (SL) loudness matches and within-session loudness-match reliability. Between-group differences revealed that the tinnitus subjects had (1) greater decibel sound pressure level loudness matches, (2) better between-session loudness-match reliability, (3) better pitch-match reliability, and (4) higher frequency pitch matches. These findings sup...

Tinnitus and Hyperacusis: Developing Evidence Based Practice

NLH - ENT and Audiology - Events — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:20:17 +0100

(Source: NLH - ENT and Audiology - Events)

More Action Is Needed To Support Millions Of Tinnitus Sufferers Worldwide

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0100

As many as one in seven people will experience tinnitus, or ringing in their ears, at some time of their life, but not enough is being done to support patients who experience this distressing condition, according to an extensive research review in the November issue of the Journal of Clinical Nursing. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Plea for more research into tinnitus

Scotsman.com News - Health — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

AS MANY as one in seven people will experience tinnitus at some time of their life, but not enough is being done to support patients with the condition, research claims. (Source: Scotsman.com News - Health)

Action Needed for Millions of Tinnitus Sufferers

Disabled World — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:39:28 +0100

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More action is needed to support millions of tinnitus sufferers worldwide

EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:00:00 +0100

(Wiley-Blackwell) One in seven people worldwide will suffer from tinnitus (ringing in the ears) at some point. It is the most common injury arising from the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq and 75 pecent of 18 to 30 year-olds who go to nightclubs and concerts may experience temporary tinnitus. A research review (150 papers over 25 years) suggests that 94 percent of people are told nothing can be done. But help is at hand. (Source: EurekAlert! - Social and Behavioral Science)

Tinnitus drives some sufferers to distraction

CTV Health — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:51:30 +0100

For the last two years, Nancy Bierlmeier has been living with a constant companion she wishes would go away and leave her in peace. Whether working, eating, conversing or trying to sleep, Bierlmeier is nearly driven to distraction by a loud, high-pitched hum in her ears that never goes away. (Source: CTV Health)

Endolymphatic hydrops and therapeutic effects are visualized in 'atypical' Meniere's disease.

Acta Oto-Laryngologica — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:22:09 +0100

Authors: Miyagawa M, Fukuoka H, Tsukada K, Oguchi T, Takumi Y, Sugiura M, Ueda H, Kadoya M, Usami S A 53-year-old male with fluctuating low frequency sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus, but without vertigo, was evaluated by MRI obtained by intratympanic injection of a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) before and after the administration of isosorbide. The endolymphatic hydrops was semi-quantitatively evaluated by a 3.0-T MR scanner. For quantification, the affected side/contralateral side ratios were calculated. A gadodiamide (a kind of GBCA)-enhanced space surrounding the endolymph in the affected side with a 0.50 ratio (which may have represented endolymphatic hydrops) improved after isosorbide therapy to a 0.98 ratio. Thus, endolymphatic hydrops was demonstrated in a patie...

Ear symptoms in children with Fabry disease: data from the Fabry Outcome Survey

Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:37:28 +0100

Conclusions: Hearing loss is a well-known clinical manifestation in patients with Fabry disease. It was reported in significant numbers of children in the FOS signs and symptoms questionnaire, but confirmed in only 19% by formal audiometry. The subjective hearing impairment may have been due to middle-ear effusions in many cases. Tinnitus is a well-recognized symptom in Fabry disease and can present in childhood. The presence of tinnitus correlated with overall disease severity. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory ORIGINAL ARTICLEDOI 10.1007/s10545-009-1290-xAuthors A. Keilmann, University Hospital Department for ENT and Communication Disorders Langenbeckstr. 1 55101 Mainz GermanyD. Hajioff, Southmead Hospital Department of Otolaryngology Bristol UKU. Ramaswami, Addenbrooke’s Un...

Drug usage evaluation of dapsone

Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:05:17 +0100

Kannan G, Vasantha J, Rani N Vanitha, Thennarasu P, Kousalya K, Anuradha P, Reddy C UmaMaheswaraIndian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2009 71(4):456-460Dapsone has been the principal drug in a multidrug regimen recommended by the World Health Organization for the treatment of leprosy. It is also widely used by dermatologists in varied skin conditions like dermatitis herpetiformis, bullous pemphigoid, Behcet's disease, lupus erythematous and a host of other skin diseases. Hence an attempt has been made to review the utilization and qualitative evaluation of dapsone over a period of 6 months in a tertiary care teaching hospital. The study consisted of 80 patients (54 leprosy and 26 non-leprosy patients), prescribed with dapsone 100 mg oral once daily. The prescribing patterns of d...

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Occurrence of signs and symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction in musicians

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Fonoaudiologia — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:40:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: The sum of factors presented puts players of certain musical instruments as a group susceptible to present signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorder, including auditory symptoms. Therefore, the practice of these instruments may be considered a trigger, as well as an aggravating or perpetuating factor of a previously existing problem. (Source: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Fonoaudiologia)

British Society of Otology Tinnitus Course

NLH - ENT and Audiology - Events — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:09:13 +0100

(Source: NLH - ENT and Audiology - Events)

Effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor on Treating Tinnitus in Patients Stratified for Presence of Depression or Anxiety

Karger Publishers — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Audiol Neurotol 2010;15:187-193 (DOI:10.1159/000251916) (Source: Karger Publishers)

Tinnitus in postherpetic neuralgia

The Journal of Headache and Pain — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:53:59 +0100

We describe a woman who developed postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) located on the skin areas of the left ophthalmic division of the fifth cranial nerve without ocular involvement. PHN was associated with tinnitus, which was located ipsilaterally to the painful side and increased in proportion to the intensity of pain. Tinnitus was responsive to treatment with duloxetine, 60 mg daily, and subsided when the PHN resolved. This is the first description of tinnitus in PHN. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Brief ReportDOI 10.1007/s10194-009-0167-6Authors Milena De Marinis, Sapienza University of Rome Department of Neurological Sciences Viale dell’ Università 30 00185 Rome ItalyValter Santilli, “Sapienza” University Department of Locomotor Apparatus Sciences Rome Italy ...

BSA Clinical Update Day: Management of Tinnitus and Hyperacusis in Children

NLH - ENT and Audiology - Events — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:12:12 +0100

(Source: NLH - ENT and Audiology - Events)

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The British Tinnitus Association Advises On Latest Research

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:00:00 +0100

New scientific research, which claims to have identified the area of the brain that is activated when a person suffers from tinnitus, may raise false hope among sufferers, according to the British Tinnitus Association (BTA), the only charity in the UK solely dedicated to supporting those with tinnitus. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Effects of extracochlear gacyclidine perfusion on tinnitus in humans: a case series

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:27:36 +0100

Abstract Gacyclidine, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, is a phencyclidine derivative with neuroprotective properties. It has been previously safely administered intravenously to acute traumatic brain-injured patients. Experiments in guinea pigs have shown that local administration of gacyclidine to the cochlea can suppress salicylate-induced tinnitus. Thus, we thought that patients with therapy-resistant sensorineural tinnitus might benefit from a local therapy with gacyclidine. As a compassionate treatment, we administered aqueous gacyclidine solution via a Durect RWμCathTM into the round window niche in six patients with unilateral deafness associated with tinnitus. The response of each patient to the drug treatment was given a numerical value by the use of a ...

RNID Chief Scientific Advisor

Society for Endocrinology — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0100

The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) are seeking a Chief Scientific Advisor to work 15 hours per week reporting to the Chief Executive. The purpose of the role is to: Provide leadership to RNID’s biomedical research programme internally and externally, to drive new treatments and interventions for hearing loss and tinnitus, ultimately aiming to find a cure for deafness; Deliver RNID’s strategic objectives for biomedical research; Ensure that within the Executive Leadership Team science and medical research in particular, are appropriately represented; Brief and advise the Board of Trustees on RNID’s biomedical research programmes; Represent RNID at national and international science based events; Line manage the Director of Biomedical Research. To ap...

[Palate veil and hammer tensors: Anatomical, functional and symptomatic links.]

Acta Otorrinolaringologica Espanola — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: There is a need for an interdisciplinary management between physician and specialized dentist in cases of craniofacial pain. PMID: 19850273 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Otorrinolaringologica Espanola)

Med Sci Monit 2009; 15(11):PI55-60 "The effects of alprazolam on tinnitus: A cross-over randomized clinical trial"

Medical Science Monitor — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:44:00 +0100

Conclusions: These results suggest that although alprazolam did not improve the THI score or sensation level of loudness significantly, it has a desirable effect on VAS. Further work is needed to determine the beneficial effects of alprazolam in distressed or depressed patients. (Source: Medical Science Monitor)

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Evaluation of tinnitus patients with normal hearing sensitivity using TEOAEs and TEN test

Auris, Nasus, Larynx — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 13:07:29 +0100

Conclusion: This work has shown a higher prevalence of OAE abnormalities in tinnitus patients with normal hearing in contrast to TEN test denoting the more vulnerability of OHCs to damage. (Source: Auris, Nasus, Larynx)

Vasodilators and vasoactive substances for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Neurological Conditions Specialist Library — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:22:33 +0100

Cochrane systematic review. Summary: Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) is sudden hearing loss where clinical assessment fails to reveal a cause. Hearing loss may vary from partial to total loss, and is usually accompanied by tinnitus. It has been frequently considered that ISSHL may have a vascular origin (i.e. is related to the blood circulatory system) and vasodilators and rheological substances are widely used as treatments. Vasodilators are drugs which widen blood vessels and thus improve blood flow. Vasoactive/rheological substances increase flow through blood vessels in other ways (such as by altering the viscosity of fluid). We found three trials, involving 189 participants, which showed improvement in hearing thresholds in those treated with vasodilators compared...

MEG imaging finds where tinnitus rings in the brain

AuntMinnie.com Headlines — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0100

SAN DIEGO - Researchers from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit have found that magnetoencephalography (MEG) imaging can help doctors locate -- and possibly treat -- the part of the brain repsonsible for the mysterious ringing in the ears known as tinnitus. (Source: AuntMinnie.com Headlines)

Non-invasive Imaging Technique Can Help Diagnose Tinnitus

ScienceDaily Headlines — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:00:00 +0100

A new study finds that a non-invasive imaging technique can aid in the diagnosis of tinnitus and may detect a reduction in symptoms after different treatments, offering hope to the more than 50 million patients with tinnitus. (Source: ScienceDaily Headlines)

The New Buzz On Detecting Tinnitus

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:00:00 +0100

It's a ringing, a buzzing, a hissing or a clicking - and the patient is the only one who can hear it. Complicating matters, physicians can rarely pinpoint the source of tinnitus, a chronic ringing of the head or ears that can be as quiet as a whisper or as loud as a jackhammer. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Detecting Tinnitus Sound

Disabled World — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:37:34 +0100

Henry Ford Hospital study finds that a non-invasive imaging technique can actually aid in the diagnosis of tinnitus and may detect a reduction in symptoms after different treatments, offering hope to the more than 50 million patients with tinnitus. (Source: Disabled World)

Technique can pinpoint tinnitus

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 23:02:43 +0100

It is possible to pinpoint the area of the brain that is activated when a person suffers from tinnitus, US doctors say. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

Study: The new buzz on detecting tinnitus

EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0100

(Henry Ford Health System) A Henry Ford Hospital study finds that a non-invasive imaging technique can aid in the diagnosis of tinnitus and may detect a reduction in symptoms after different treatments, offering hope to the more than 50 million patients with tinnitus. (Source: EurekAlert! - Medicine and Health)

Changing trends in otorhinolaryngological diseases at a non-government clinic in Jaipur

Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:55:45 +0100

Conclusion This study from an Indian urban ENT center shows a significantly increasing trend in chronic and degenerative ear diseases and decline in infection related diseases. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Main ArticleDOI 10.1007/s12070-009-0061-1Authors Kiran Gaur, Banasthali Vidyapeeth Deemed University Department of Statistics Jaipur IndiaNeeraj Kasliwal, Dr. K. C. Kasliwal’s ENT Centre Jaipur IndiaAmit Bhandari, Dr. K. C. Kasliwal’s ENT Centre Jaipur IndiaB. Amisha, Dr. K. C. Kasliwal’s ENT Centre Jaipur IndiaV. P. Gupta, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur & School of Management Studies, Institute of Management Studies Department of Statistics Ghaziabad IndiaRajeev Gupta, Fortis Escorts Hospital Department of Medicine Jaipur India Journal Indian J...

Teen Inventors Fight Tinnitus

Scientific American - Official RSS Feed — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:03:08 +0100

[ The following is an exact transcript of this podcast. ]Ever get a ringing in your ears after a loud blast of music on your iPod? That’s one example of the usually temporary condition called tinnitus, the sensation of sound even when no sound is being produced. But a new invention--created by high school students--may help. [More] (Source: Scientific American - Official RSS Feed)

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Teen Inventors Fight Tinnitus

Scientific American Topic - Medical Technology — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:03:08 +0100

cDNA microarray expression profile in vestibular schwannoma: correlation with clinical and radiological features

Cancer Genetics and Cytogenetics — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:36:30 +0100

Vestibular schwannomas are benign tumors of the vestibular nerves accounting for 10% of intracranial tumors. Hearing loss, tinnitus, and disequilibrium are the most frequently encountered symptoms, but large tumors may lead to brain compression and severe complications. It is known that inactivation of merlin, the product of the NF2 tumor suppressor gene, is responsible for development of vestibular schwannoma, both in sporadic and in bilateral, syndromic, and familial cases. In a recent meta-analysis of constitutional and somatic NF2 alterations, Ahronowitz et al. identified 1,070 small genetic changes detected primarily by exon scanning, 42 intragenic changes of one whole exon or larger, and 29 gross chromosomal rearrangements and whole-gene deletions. Genomic regions other than chromos...

Cortical Activation during a Pitch Discrimination Task in Tinnitus Patients and Controls -- An fMRI Study

Karger Publishers — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Audiol Neurotol 2010;15:137-148 (DOI:10.1159/000241094) (Source: Karger Publishers)

Jefferson First Hospital In City To Offer New, Non-Invasive Tinnitus Treatment

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 09:00:00 +0100

The Jefferson Balance and Hearing Center of the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is the first hospital in Philadelphia to offer the FDA-cleared Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment. This therapy is proven to interact, interrupt and desensitize tinnitus by delivering a customized neural stimulus, embedded in clinically modified music. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Teenagers and music induced hearing loss

The Journal of Pediatrics — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:01:49 +0100

A 2002 survey of knowledge about music-induced hearing loss (via www.mtv.com) revealed that, although nearly half of the respondents admitted symptoms such as tinnitus or hearing loss after loud music exposure, only a minority were aware of the risk to their hearing. A follow-up study was performed by the same group in 2007, and, although most respondents indicated that they would adopt protective precautions if made aware of the risk, most were still unaware of the risks of hearing loss following loud music exposure. (Source: The Journal of Pediatrics)

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What Is Meniere's Disease? What Causes Meniere's Disease?

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:00:00 +0100

Meniere's disease (MÃ©niÃ¨re's disease) is a condition with vertigo, tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, noises in the ears) and progressive deafness. Meniere's disease is caused by a dysfunction of the endolymphatic sac (semi-circular canals) in the inner ear - also known as the labyrinth. The labyrinth is a system of small fluid-filled channels that send signals of sound and balance to the brain. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Vestibulocochlear toxicity in a pair of siblings 15 years apart secondary to aspartame: two case reports

Cases Journal — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Aspartame had a vestibulocochlear toxicity in a pair of siblings, suggesting a genetic susceptibility to aspartame toxicity. Even though the yield may be low, asking patients with dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, or high-frequency hearing loss about their aspartame consumption and suggesting cessation of its use, may prove helpful for some. (Source: Cases Journal)

Quality of life in postoperative vestibular schwannoma patients

The Laryngoscope — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

To quantify the postoperative quality of life (QOL) in patients following vestibular schwannoma surgery in a new multidisciplinary skull base unit.Cross-sectional study.The Australian Short Form 36 (SF-36) quality of life health questionnaire was administered to 121 consecutive patients surgically treated for vestibular schwannoma between 1999 and 2007 at Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia. QOL scores were calculated using a standardized process across the eight SF-36 health domains and compared to sex- and age- matched healthy Australian population.An 81% response rate (98 patients) was obtained. The postoperative QOL in vestibular schwannoma patients was significantly less than the appropriate matched healthy Australian population in one health domain of role physical limitati...

Middle Ear Adenoma: A Challenging Diagnosis [HEAD AND NECK]

American Journal of Neuroradiology — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

We report the case of a 48-year-old man with a history of decreased left-sided hearing and intermittent pulsatile tinnitus. High-resolution CT of the temporal bones revealed a well-defined left middle ear soft-tissue attenuation abutting the head of the malleus. Surgical excision revealed a middle ear adenoma. (Source: American Journal of Neuroradiology)

Venlafaxine-associated tinnitus.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 01:58:38 +0100

Authors: Pondrom MF, Brahm NC PMID: 19729562 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

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Physicians appeals on the dangers of mobile communication - what is the evidence? Assessment of public health data.

International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental health — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Zur Nieden A, Dietz C, Eikmann T, Kiefer J, Herr CE In October 2002 German physicians appealed to persons in the field of health care, politicians and the public with "great concern" ("Freiburger Appell", "Appeal of Freiburg") claiming "soaring incidences of symptoms and diseases in the general population" to be causally related to the "commence of radio (wave) burden", i.e. due to mobile radio technology. This first example was followed by several further appeals published nationally and Europe-wide up until today. The aim of the present paper is an evaluation of the scientific literature and databases to check incidence and prevalence of symptoms and diseases stated in the appeals to have "dramatically increased" or to have appeared in "greater frequency" in adults. If the a...

Review paper: more than ringing in the ears: a review of tinnitus and its psychosocial impact

Journal of Clinical Nursing — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. Tinnitus, a widespread, often intractable condition, affects millions of people; there is considerable debate about its causes. Tinnitus is distressing and may be severe enough to affect lifestyle and quality of life. Affected patients need considerable support and advice on healthcare options, encouragement to try different treatments and recognition that help and hope are available. Though patients may have to learn to live with tinnitus, the most important thing is that they recognise that help is available. (Source: Journal of Clinical Nursing)

Differences at brain SPECT between depressed females with and without adult ADHD and healthy controls: etiological considerations

BioMed Central — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The findings confirm the previous observation of a cerebellar involvement in ADHD. Higher bilateral frontal 99mTc-HMPAO uptake in "Depression + ADHD" compared to in "Depression" indicate a difference between these subgroups. 99mTc-HMPAO uptake mechanisms are discussed. (Source: BioMed Central)

18. Real-time fMRI biofeedback may improve chronic tinnitus: Proof of principle

Clinical Neurophysiology — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Purpose: Tinnitus is accompanied by excess auditory activations. Transient reduction of this activation via transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may reduce tinnitus. We tested the hypothesis that participants with chronic tinnitus can learn to voluntarily reduce the auditory activation by means of real-time fMRI biofeedback. (Source: Clinical Neurophysiology)

[A case of sudden-onset hearing loss in a patient treated with peginterferon alpha-2b and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C.]

Korean J Hepatol — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

We report a 60-year-old male patient who developed sudden-onset hearing loss during combination therapy with pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C. This patient had been diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C (genotype Ib) and early-stage liver cirrhosis 3 years previously, and had been treated with conventional interferon-alpha and ribavirin for 12 months. However, 6 months from the end of the treatment course the patient relapsed and received combination retreatment with pegylated interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin. He developed sudden-onset right-side hearing loss and tinnitus 42 weeks after the start of this retreatment. Pure-tone audiometry revealed a right-side hearing loss of 60~90dB. The patient consequently immediately discontinued the pegylated interferon th...

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[Detection of ototoxic effect of cisplatin with otoacoustic emission in testicular cancer patients.]

Magyar Onkologia — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Biró K The aim of the research was to detect the acute and long-term ototoxic effect of cisplatin in testicular cancer patients, using OAE (otoacoustic emission), a highly sensitive new objective method, for detecting medication-related hearing loss. Secondary objective was to evaluate the risk factors that contribute to hearing loss. In the study for acute hearing loss ten males with different histological types of testicular germ cell tumor were examined with TOAE (transiently evoked otoacoustic emission), before the 1st and after the 5th day of their 1st cycle of cytostatic therapy. Patients received 100 mg/m 2 cisplatin per cycle (20 mg/m 2 for five days). Ten age-matched healthy volunteers of good hearing and without treatment were also examined with the same method....

Chronic Physical Effects and Health Care Utilization in Long-Term Ovarian Germ Cell Tumor Survivors: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study [Gynecologic Cancer]

Journal of Clinical Oncology — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Although a few sequelae of treatment persist, in general, OGCT survivors enjoy a healthy life comparable to that of controls. (Source: Journal of Clinical Oncology)

Emerging pharmacotherapy of tinnitus

Expert Opinion: Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs: Table of Contents — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:14:45 +0100

Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs , Early Online. (Source: Expert Opinion: Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs: Table of Contents)

17th Annual Conference on Management of the Tinnitus Patient

NLH - ENT and Audiology - Events — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:06:38 +0100

(Source: NLH - ENT and Audiology - Events)

British Tinnitus Association Annual Conference

NLH - ENT and Audiology - Events — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:07:04 +0100

(Source: NLH - ENT and Audiology - Events)

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Association between tinnitus retraining therapy and a tinnitus control instrument

Auris, Nasus, Larynx — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:23:14 +0100

Conclusion: : Significant improvement in THI and VAS scores was found as early as 1 month of treatment and later compared with those on initial examination, suggesting that TRT with a TCI may be an effective treatment for tinnitus. It resulted that many patients chose the speech noise or the white noise. And also it was indicated that noise generators set at just below mixing point with tinnitus are more effective. In this study, however, speech noise was often selected probably because of the reduced output at high frequencies and the level of comfort. As white noise produces greater sound volume, patients tended to switch from other therapeutic sound to white noise at the second adjustment. These findings may help administer acoustic therapy in the future. (Source: Auris, Nasus, Larynx)

Efficacy and safety of bilateral continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) for the treatment of chronic tinnitus: design of a three-armed randomized controlled trial

Trials — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Background: Tinnitus, the perception of sound and noise in absence of an auditory stimulus, has been shown to be associated with maladaptive neuronal reorganization and increased activity of the temporoparietal cortex. Transient modulation of tinnitus by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) indicated that this area is critically involved in the pathophysiology of tinnitus and suggested new treatment strategies. However, the therapeutic efficacy of rTMS in tinnitus is still unclear, individual response is variable, and the optimal stimulation area disputable. Recently, continuous Theta burst stimulation (cTBS) has been put forward as an effective rTMS protocol for the reduction of pathologically enhanced cortical excitability. Methods: 48 patients with chronic subjective tinn...

The Auditory Midbrain of P0065ople with Tinnitus: Abnormal Sound-Evoked Activity Revisited.

Hearing Research — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Melcher JR, Levine RA, Bergevin C, Norris B Sound-evoked fMRI activation of the inferior colliculi (IC) was compared between tinnitus and non-tinnitus subjects matched in threshold (normal), age, depression, and anxiety. Subjects were stimulated with broadband sound in an "on/off" fMRI paradigm with and without on-going sound from the scanner coolant pump. (1) With pump sounds off, the tinnitus group showed greater stimulus-evoked activation of the IC than the non-tinnitus group, suggesting abnormal gain within the auditory pathway of tinnitus subjects. (2) Having pump sounds on reduced activation in the tinnitus, but not the non-tinnitus group. This result suggests response saturation in tinnitus subjects, possibly occurring because abnormal gain increased response amplitude ...

The British Tinnitus Association Warns Soldiers Of Dangers Of Excessive Noise

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:00:00 +0100

The British Tinnitus Association (BTA) is advising members of the Armed Forces to be aware of the dangers of excessive noise while they are undergoing training and intense combat. The warning comes as a soldier who had suffered permanent hearing loss and tinnitus in one ear as a result of exposure to excessive noise, during basic training, was highlighted in the media this week. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

A Cluster Randomised Trial of an Internet-Based Intervention Program for Tinnitus Distress in an Industrial Setting.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Abbott JA, Kaldo V, Klein B, Austin D, Hamilton C, Piterman L, Williams B, Andersson G The effectiveness of a therapist-supported Internet intervention program for tinnitus distress in an industrial setting was evaluated using a cluster randomised design. Fifty-six Australian employees of two industrial organisations were randomly assigned, based on their work site (18 work sites from BP Australia and five from BHP Billiton), to either a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program or an information-only control program. Participants were assessed at pre- and postprogram, measuring tinnitus distress, depression, anxiety, stress, quality of life, and occupational health. The CBT program was not found to be superior to the information program for treating tinnitus distress. A hig...

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Protective Effect of Ursolic Acid from Cornus officinalis on the Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Damage of HEI-OC1 Auditory Cells.

The American Journal of Chinese Medicine — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:30:05 +0100

Authors: Yu HH, Hur JM, Seo SJ, Moon HD, Kim HJ, Park RK, You YO The fruits of Cornus officinalis have been used in traditional oriental medicine for treatment of inner ear diseases, such as tinnitus and hearing loss. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of C. officinalis on hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity in HEI-OC1 auditory cells. The results from bioassay-guided fractionation of methanol extract of C. officinalis fruits showed that ursolic acid is a major active component. Ursolic acid (0.05-2 mug/ml) had protective effect against the HEI-OC1 cell damage and reduced lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, pre-treatment with ursolic acid significantly attenuated the decrease of activities of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (...

Are wind farms a health risk?

NHS News Feed — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:20:00 +0100

This study provides no conclusive evidence that wind turbines have an effect on health or are causing the set of symptoms described here as "wind turbine syndrome". The study design was weak, the study was small and there was no comparison group. Asking this particular group about their symptoms prior to their exposure to wind turbines was not a sufficient control measure. Many of the participants were reportedly already convinced that wind turbines were to blame for their symptoms and were actively trying to move out of their homes or had already moved. It is also impossible to know how frequent these symptoms are in people who live near wind turbines compared to those who don’t. There is also no information on how the group was selected in the first place and some uncertainty...

Preface

Otolaryngologic clinics of North America — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Benign tumors of the base of the skull, such as vestibular schwannoma, glomus jugulare, and meningiomas commonly cause symptoms referable to the realm of an otolaryngologist. Specifically, the symptoms of these types of tumors may include hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus, facial numbness, facial paralysis, or difficulty swallowing. For this reason, otolaryngologists are the physicians most frequently involved in the care of these patients. (Source: Otolaryngologic clinics of North America)

Molecular aspects of tinnitus.

Hearing Research — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Knipper M, Zimmermann U, Müller M Molecular changes caused by sensory trauma and subsequent structural alterations of the central nervous system are only beginning to be identified. In most cases, the generation of tinnitus can be linked to damage of the peripheral auditory system, probably even in cases where hearing impairment cannot be assessed by audiometry. Within a common view, acoustic trauma and salicylate induce abnormal excitability at the level of the brainstem, subcortical and cortical level that may be related to tinnitus.The present review summarizes studies emphasizing a crucial role of molecular events that occur in the cochlea exhibiting the potential to alter the network activity in distinct areas of the brain, including the limbic system. We proceed fro...

Intratympanic injection of autologous blood for traumatic perilymphatic fistulas

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:00:42 +0100

A perilymphatic fistula (PLF) is any abnormal communication between the middle ear or mastoid and the inner ear. Trauma, prior stapes surgery, and barotrauma are accepted etiologies; however, controversy exists over the existence of spontaneous PLF. Typical symptoms include fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, aural fullness, vertigo, and disequilibrium. PLF diagnosis is based on history, complete examination, and a positive fistula test. A positive fistula test is confirmed by the elicitation of nystagmus or a sense of motion. (Source: Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery)

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Deep brain stimulation effects in patients with tinnitus

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:00:40 +0100

Conclusion: These results suggest that DBS of nonauditory thalamus structures may provide tinnitus relief for some patients. (Source: Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery)

Measuring tinnitus loudness using constrained psychophysical scaling.

American Journal of Audiology — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Our 14 trained subjects judged loudness similarly to normal-hearing subjects for pure tones at normal-hearing, non-tinnitus frequencies, implying that their judgments of tinnitus loudness were valid. Constrained scaling of tinnitus loudness yielded measurements that were substantially greater than the SL of sounds matched to tinnitus loudness. Our total of 16 subjects fell into two groups based on hearing loss and/or extent of abnormal loudness growth at the tinnitus frequency, and several aspects of tinnitus experience. Finally, as previously found, there was little correlation between tinnitus loudness, no matter how measured, and the impact of tinnitus on daily life as measured by the THI. PMID: 19638478 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: American Journal of Au...

Postpartum vertigo and superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome.

Obstetrics and Gynecology — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 05:46:25 +0100

CONCLUSION:: Superior semicircular canal dehiscence is recognized increasingly as a cause of multiple otologic symptoms. Obstetricians and gynecologists with patients complaining about postpartum vertigo should inquire about symptom onset and focus their questions around events during the second stage of labor. Patients with symptoms of dehiscence should be referred to a neurootologist for treatment, including possible surgical repair. PMID: 19622951 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Obstetrics and Gynecology)

Psychometric properties of the Chinese (Cantonese) Tinnitus Handicap Inventory

Clinical Otolaryngology — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The results suggest that the Chinese (Cantonese) version of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory is a reliable and valid measure of general tinnitus-related distress that can be used in clinical settings to quantify the impact of tinnitus on daily life. (Source: Clinical Otolaryngology)

People Still Pumping Up the Volume

MedlinePlus Health News — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:00:00 +0100

Most would turn music down if doctor told them to, survey finds Source: HealthDay Related MedlinePlus Topics: Hearing Disorders and Deafness, Noise, Tinnitus (Source: MedlinePlus Health News)

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On This Day in Science History - July 21

About.com Chemistry — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100

July 21st marks the passing of Alan Shepard. Shepard was one of the original seven Mercury astronauts and the first American to enter space. He was supposed to command the first Gemini mission for NASA but was removed from flight status when it was discovered his suffered from Ménière's disease. Ménière's disease is a condition that affects the inner ear and can disrupt balance and hearing. It can also cause extreme vertigo in some cases and tinnitus. That's not the best condition to have as a test pilot, let alone an astronaut where disorientation is common to the job. NASA kept him on as the Chief of the Astronaut Office where he coordinated astronaut activities and training programs. Fortunately for him, by May of 1969, a corrective surgery was developed to correct Ménière's disea...

The root and development of otorhinolaryngology in traditional Chinese medicine

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:56:51 +0100

In conclusion, from its primitive roots, TCM has developed into a distinct branch of health care system in China today that works alongside Western medicine. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Review ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00405-009-1041-5Authors L. Yap, Royal Albert Edward Infirmary Wigan UKV. B. Pothula, Royal Albert Edward Infirmary Wigan UKJ. Warner, The East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust East Lancashire UKS. Akhtar, The East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust East Lancashire UKE. Yates, The East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust East Lancashire UK Journal European Archives of Oto-Rhino-LaryngologyOnline ISSN 1434-4726Print ISSN 0937-4477 (Source: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology)

Fluvoxamine: First report of hearing loss and tinnitus: case report

Reactions — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:50:06 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Intentional Exposure to Loud Music: The Second MTV.com Survey Reveals an Opportunity to Educate

The Journal of Pediatrics — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: Most respondents still could not recall learning about prevention of potential hearing loss, although the media has become the most informative source. Most respondents indicated that they would adopt protective ear behavior if made aware of hearing loss risk, especially if informed by health care professionals, revealing an educational opportunity. (Source: The Journal of Pediatrics)

Fluvoxamine: First report of hearing loss and tinnitus: case report.

Reactions Weekly — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 10:50:03 +0100

Page: 17 (Source: Reactions Weekly)

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Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation improve tinnitus in normal hearing patients: a double-blind controlled, clinical and neuroimaging outcome study

European Journal of Neurology — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: These results support the potential of rTMS as a new therapeutic tool for the treatment of chronic tinnitus, by demonstrating a significant reduction of tinnitus complaints over a period of at least 6 months and significant reduction of neural activity in the inferior temporal cortex, despite the stimulation applied on the superior temporal cortex. (Source: European Journal of Neurology)

Serial retinal fluorescein angiography and immune therapy in Susac's Syndrome

Journal of the Neurological Sciences — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100

We report a patient with Susac's disease presenting classically in a young female with an encephalopathy and visual disturbance with later deafness and tinnitus. Her encephalopathy settled, but subsequent serial fluorescein angiograms allowed sensitive monitoring of continuing sub-clinical disease activity, and provide evidence of a clear therapeutic response to immune suppression with tacrolimus (but not steroids alone) — and of a lack of efficacy of nimodipine and aspirin. We believe this single case study has both pathogenetic and useful practical implications: the apparently favourable response to immunosuppression lends support to the hypothesis that Susac's Syndrome is an immune-mediated disease; while the presence during symptomatic clinical remission of sporadic, multi-focal epis...

Medical Mysteries: That Noise Was Not Tinnitus

Wash Post Health — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:00:00 +0100

The noise, an incessant loud whooshing in his left ear, was driving Roger Luchs crazy -- literally. (Source: Wash Post Health)

Salicylate, an aspirin metabolite, specifically inhibits the current mediated by glycine receptors containing α1-subunits

British Journal of Pharmacology — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions and implications: Salicylate is a non-competitive antagonist specifically on glycine receptors containing [alpha]1-subunits. This action critically involves the isoleucine-240 in the first transmembrane segment of the [alpha]1-subunit. Our findings may increase our understanding of the receptors involved in the side effects of salicylate on the central nervous system, such as seizures and tinnitus. (Source: British Journal of Pharmacology)

What Is Tinnitus? What Causes Tinnitus?

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:00:00 +0100

Tinnitus (from the Latin tinnitus or "ringing") is a condition characterized by ringing, swishing, or other noises that appear to be originating in the ear or head. Not normally a dangerous or serious problem, tinnitus is usually a symptom of some other underlying condition and most often considered a nuisance. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Could an underlying hearing loss be a significant factor in the handicap caused by tinnitus?

Noise and Health — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ratnayake SA, Jayarajan V, Bartlett J There have been several studies that have demonstrated a link between the hearing loss of subjects and tinnitus. However, there has been no systematic evaluation of the link between perceived tinnitus distress and an underlying hearing loss. The purpose of the current study is to explore this association, and ascertain whether a subject's hearing loss contributes to the handicap caused by tinnitus. A group of 96 adults were evaluated with Pure Tone Audiometry and a questionnaire that included the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). In 58% of the subjects, the side of the unilateral or worse tinnitus corresponded with the ear with poorer hearing thresholds. A subset of the THI, the Two Question Mean (TQM) that was related to questions with r...

A comparison of CO2 laser versus traditional stapedectomy outcomes.

Ir Med J — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ryan S, Thornton MA, Kieran S, Charles D The aim of this study was to audit the introduction of the use of the CO2 laser into our department and to compare hearing outcomes and complication rates in patients who underwent either laser or mechanical stapedectomy. We found that the use of laser is at least as safe as the traditional approach with regards the rate of post-operative complications. One patient in the laser group suffered prolonged post-operative tinnitus, whilst one patient in the traditional group suffered prolonged post-operative vertigo. There was no evidence, however, of improved Air-Bone Gap closure compared to the traditional approach (Pre- and Post-Op Air Bone Gaps of 34 +/- 3 and 9 +/- 2 for laser stapedectomy versus 35 +/- 4 and 13 +/- 2 for traditional st...

[Peripheral and central audiologic findings in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome.]

Acta Otorrinolaringologica Espanola — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patients with Vogt Koyanagi Harada syndrome had objective peripheral audiological abnormalities, although few revealed any symptoms. PMID: 19814971 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Acta Otorrinolaringologica Espanola)

Subjective tinnitus and hearing problems in adolescents

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:17:26 +0100

Conclusion: Tinnitus may be seen in adolescents at primary and high schools. Listening loud and noisy music and Walkman usage may cause an increase in the frequency of tinnitus manifestation. Adolescents should be educated about the hazardous effects of loud music. Education should include families, teachers, students, and whole community. These issues should be taken into public health policy of the countries. (Source: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology)

The mechanisms of tinnitus: perspectives from human functional neuroimaging.

Hearing Research — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:43:57 +0100

Authors: Adjamian P, Sereda M, Hall DA In this review, we highlight the contribution of advances in human neuroimaging to the current understanding of central mechanisms underpinning tinnitus and explain how interpretations of neuroimaging data have been guided by animal models. The primary motivation for studying the neural substrates of tinnitus in humans has been to demonstrate objectively its representation in the central auditory system and to develop a better understanding of its diverse pathophysiology and of the functional interplay between sensory, cognitive and affective systems. The ultimate goal of neuroimaging is to identify subtypes of tinnitus in order to better inform treatment strategies. The three neural mechanisms considered in this review may provide a basis for TI ...

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Effectiveness of a tinnitus management programme: a 2-year follow-up study

BMC Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Background: Tinnitus impairs the possibility of leading a normal life in 0.5-1% of the population. While neither medical nor surgical treatment appears effective, counselling may offer some relief. An intervention combining counselling and hearing devices is offered to clients referred to the Centre for Help Aids and Communication (CHC) in southern Denmark. The aims of this exploratory study were to examine i) the characteristics of CHC's clients and their tinnitus, ii) the effectiveness of the treatment, and iii) whether particular client groups benefit more than others. Methods: One hundred new clients presenting with tinnitus completed the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) three times - before their first consultation, after one month and after 1-2 years. The scores were tested for sign...

Prevalence of depression and antidepressant use in an otolaryngology patient population

Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:01:42 +0100

Conclusion: Otolaryngology patients may exhibit greater prevalence of depression than is observed in the general population (7.3%). Highest prevalence was found in patients with inner ear disease and sleep apnea. Depression may be a cause of significant comorbidity in patients with chronic otolaryngic conditions. (Source: Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery)

Unified National Health System users' knowledge about hearing

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Fonoaudiologia — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:03:15 +0100

OBJETIVO: Analisar a percepção, hábitos e conhecimentos auditivos da população usuária do Sistema Único de Saúde das cidades do Vale do Aço. MÉTODOS: Participaram deste estudo, 255 indivíduos distribuídos por Unidades Básicas de Saúde, na faixa etária de 20 a 60 anos. Foram aplicados questionários com 14 perguntas sobre percepção, hábitos e conhecimentos auditivos. RESULTADOS: Em relação às questões de percepção auditiva, foram obtidos os seguintes resultados: 74,9% escutam bem; 63,1% têm dificuldade em acompanhar conversa; dor de ouvido (54,5%); zumbido (46,7%); plenitude auricular (41,2%). Com relação a hábitos dos entrevistados, constatou-se: utilizar objetos para limpar o ouvido (80,4%); ouvir som alto (31,4%); usar fones de ouvido (7,1%), julgar prejudicia...

Emerging Pharmacologic Treatments for Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

The ASHA Leader Online — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:42:21 +0100

In the next decade—perhaps sooner—new pharmacologic therapies will be developed that will allow audiologists to work with physicians and patients in selecting pharmacologic agents that can be used to prevent or ameliorate hearing loss and tinnitus. (Source: The ASHA Leader Online)

Vestibular findings in hearing aid users

Revista CEFAC — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:42:19 +0100

CONCLUSION: the importance and sensibility of the functional study regarding the balance system in this type of population must be emphasized because same disorders may occur in the vestibular exam in spite of symptom presence. (Source: Revista CEFAC)

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Enhancement pattern of the normal facial nerve at 3.0 T temporal MRI.

The British Journal of Radiology — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hong HS, Yi BH, Cha JG, Park SJ, Kim DH, Lee HK, Lee JD The purpose of this study was to evaluate the enhancement pattern of the normal facial nerve with 3.0 T temporal MRI. We reviewed the medical records of 20 patients and evaluated 40 clinically normal facial nerves demonstrated by 3.0 T temporal MRI. The grade of enhancement of the facial nerve was visually scaled from 0-3. Patients comprised 11 men and 9 women, and the mean age was 39.7 years. The reasons for the MRI were sudden hearing loss (11 patients), Meniere's disease (6) and tinnitus (7). Temporal MR scans were obtained by fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery (FLAIR) and diffusion-weighted imaging of the brain; three-dimensional (3D) FIESTA images of the temporal bone with a 0.77 mm thickness, and pre-contrast and c...

Personal experience with tinnitus retraining therapy

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:42:15 +0100

We present the results of tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) in a group of patients suffering from tinnitus and/or hyperacusia. Based on the scores from a specific questionnaire and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), the patients were classified into five categories and began therapy according to Jastreboff’s criteria. Depending on the individual case, therapy envisaged counselling sessions, ambient sound enrichment, sound generators and hearing aids. At the end of the 18-month period, therapeutic success was observed in 79% of the patients. The initial numerical values of the scale of the symptoms and the THI seem predictive of treatment outcome. The use of instruments (sound generators) increases the success rate, but the study also demonstrates the effectiveness of counsellin...

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2): A clinical and molecular review

Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a tumour-prone disorder characterised by the development of multiple schwannomas and meningiomas. Prevalence (initially estimated at 1: 200,000) is around 1 in 60,000. Affected individuals inevitably develop schwannomas, typically affecting both vestibular nerves and leading to hearing loss and deafness. The majority of patients present with hearing loss, which is usually unilateral at onset and may be accompanied or preceded by tinnitus. Vestibular schwannomas may also cause dizziness or imbalance as a first symptom. Nausea, vomiting or true vertigo are rare symptoms, except in late-stage disease. The other main tumours are schwannomas of the other cranial, spinal and peripheral nerves; meningiomas both intracranial (including optic nerve meningiomas) and...

Neural activity underlying tinnitus generation: results from PET and fMRI.

Hearing Research — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lanting CP, de Kleine E, van Dijk P Tinnitus is the percept of sound that is not related to an acoustic source outside the body. For many forms of tinnitus, mechanisms in the central nervous system are believed to play an important role in the pathology. Specifically, three mechanisms have been proposed to underlie tinnitus: (1) changes in the level of spontaneous neural activity in the central auditory system, (2) changes in the temporal pattern of neural activity, and (3) reorganization of tonotopic maps. The neuroimaging methods fMRI and PET measure signals that presumably reflect the firing rates of multiple neurons and are assumed to be sensitive to changes in the level of neural activity. There are two basic paradigms that have been applied in functional neuroimaging of ...

Parallel transverse-sigmoid sinus harboring dural arteriovenous malformation. How to differentiate the pathological and normal sinus in order to treat and preserve patency and function

Acta Neurochirurgica — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:54:01 +0100

Abstract An unusual case of dural arteriovenous malformation (DAVM) harboring a parallel transverse-sigmoid sinus (TSS) is presented. The patient had a 2-year history of left-sided pulsatile tinnitus in the left ear refractory to medical management. Angiography demonstrated a DAVM involving the left TSS. Super-selective transvenous dural sinus occlusion of the DAVM situated at the pathological compartment of the TSS provided cure. We were able to spare the normal compartment providing anatomical venous drainage from this system. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Case ReportDOI 10.1007/s00701-009-0423-1Authors César de Paula Lucas, Department of Neurosurgery of the Federal University of São Paulo São Paulo BrazilMirto Nelso Prandini, Department of Neurosurgery of t...

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Blockade of Cochlear NMDA Receptors Prevents Long-Term Tinnitus during a Brief Consolidation Window after Acoustic Trauma

Neural Plasticity — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:02:40 +0100

Tinnitus, the perception of sound in the absence of external acoustic stimulation, is a common and devastating pathology. It is often a consequence of acoustic trauma or drug toxicity. The neuronal mechanisms of tinnitus are neither yet fully understood nor are effective treatments available. Using a novel behavioral paradigm for measuring tinnitus in the rat based on tone-guided navigation, we show here that the development of long-term noise-induced tinnitus, the most prevalent and clinically important form of human tinnitus, can be abated by local administration of the NMDA antagonist “ifenprodil” into the cochlea in the first 4 days following the noise insult but not afterwards. This suggests that long-term tinnitus undergoes a consolidation-like process, resembling the ont...

Pontine Hemorrhage Following a Recently Implanted Intrathecal Drug Delivery System

Pain Practice — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: This case emphasizes several important points. First, changes in neurologic and mental status after initiating intrathecal drug therapy may be related to new or pre-existing pathology and not due to intrathecal medications. Second, consideration should be given to central nervous system imaging before intrathecal pump insertion in patients with widely metastatic malignancies. Finally, cerebral spinal fluid hypotension from dural puncture may have contributed to the timing of the hemorrhage in this patient. (Source: Pain Practice)

Vertebral artery stent graft for a chronic symptomatic vertebrojugular arteriovenous fistula

Journal of Vascular Surgery — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:00:00 +0100

A patient with a chronic, symptomatic V2 segment vertebrojugular fistula was successfully treated with a vertebral artery stent graft, with immediate tinnitus resolution. No early or late complications were observed, and at 45 months of follow-up, the patient remains asymptomatic with a patent stent graft. The existing literature on stent graft treatment of vertebrojugular fistula is reviewed. (Source: Journal of Vascular Surgery)

Patient-centered tinnitus management tool: a clinical audit.

American Journal of Audiology — Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The PCTMT reduced the number of patients who would otherwise have been referred for tinnitus counseling by 58%. This reduced the length of the waiting list and increased the time available for counseling of those patients who wanted it. PMID: 19380508 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Audiology)

Ménière's disease.

Practical Neurology — Sun, 31 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Ménière's disease. Pract Neurol. 2009 Jun;9(3):157-62 Authors: Hamid MA Ménière's disease affects about 1% of the population. Typically it presents as episodic vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss, tinnitus and aural fullness. The history and physical examination are critical in making the diagnosis. Laboratory tests are useful in tailoring and following up patients. Treatment options are limited and usually targeted towards reducing endolymphatic hydrops to stabilise the hearing loss and reduce the vertiginous episodes. PMID: 19448058 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Practical Neurology)

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Med Sci Monit 2009; 15(6):PI35-39 "Treatment of subjective tinnitus: A comparative clinical study of intratympanic steroid injection vs. oral carbamazepine"

Medical Science Monitor — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:45:00 +0100

Conclusions: Intratympanic steroid injection has positive effects similar to those of oral carbamazepine in subjective tinnitus. Intratympanic steroid injection may be considered an alternative treatment for subjective tinnitus. (Source: Medical Science Monitor)

Does a single session of theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation of inferior temporal cortex affect tinnitus perception?

BMC Neuroscience - Latest articles — Fri, 29 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: TBS does not offer a promising outcome for patients with tinnitus in the presented study. (Source: BMC Neuroscience - Latest articles)

The tinnitus intensive therapy habituation program: A 2-year follow-up pilot study on subjective tinnitus.

Rehabilitation Psychology — Thu, 28 May 2009 07:53:06 +0100

Conclusion: The TIT program showed a significant clinical treatment effect and should be tested further in a multicenter treatment project. The findings support the Jastreboff habituation model of tinnitus, but social cognitive factors should also be taken into account. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: Rehabilitation Psychology)

Predicting Tinnitus Pitch From Patients' Audiograms With a Computational Model for the Development of Neuronal Hyperactivity

Journal of Neurophysiology — Tue, 26 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Tinnitus is often related to hearing loss, but how hearing loss could lead to tinnitus has remained unclear. Animal studies show that the occurrence of tinnitus is correlated to increased spontaneous firing rates of central auditory neurons, but mechanisms that give rise to such hyperactivity have not been identified yet. Here we present a computational model that reproduces tinnitus-related hyperactivity and predicts tinnitus pitch from the audiograms of tinnitus patients with noise-induced hearing loss and tone-like tinnitus. Our key assumption is that the mean firing rates of central auditory neurons are controlled by homeostatic plasticity. Decreased auditory nerve activity after hearing loss is counteracted through an increase of the neuronal response gain, which restores the mean rat...

IMAGES IN CLINICAL MEDICINE: Patulous Eustachian Tube and Eustachian-Tube Dysfunction

New England Journal of Medicine — Wed, 20 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100

A 36-year-old woman presented with a 4-year history of intermittent bilateral aural fullness, subjective hearing loss, and popping and crackling tinnitus with autophony of the left ear. Aural symptoms were ... (Source: New England Journal of Medicine)

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Clinical and Carotid Ultrasonographic Features of Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas in Patients with and without Pulsatile Tinnitus

Journal of Neuroimaging — Mon, 18 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100

This study aims to characterize the clinical and ultrasonographic features of DAVF in patients with pulsatile tinnitus. We compared the characteristics of DAVF and carotid duplex sonography (CDS) results between 67 DAVF patients with and without pulsatile tinnitus. We also investigated the relationship between changes in tinnitus status and serial CDS changes in 25 DAVF patients with pulsatile tinnitus. Pulsatile tinnitus was highly associated with the location and feeding arteries of DAVF (P < .001). The sensitivity of resistive index (RI; Norm, >.72) and end diastolic velocity (EDV; Norm, (Source: Journal of Neuroimaging)

An observational cohort study of the meniscus test to detect intravascular epidural catheters in pregnant women

International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia — Sun, 17 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: For obstetric patients in the sitting position, the meniscus test does not improve diagnostic accuracy of aspiration for detecting intravascular multiorifice epidural catheter placement. (Source: International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia)

Bilateral carotid endarterectomy as treatment of vascular pulsatile tinnitus

Journal of Vascular Surgery — Sun, 17 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Atherosclerotic carotid artery disease (ACAD) is a rare but recognized cause of pulsatile tinnitus. Existing literature of reported cure for pulsatile tinnitus is reviewed. We found: (1) a male preponderance exists; (2) ipsilateral carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for tinnitus is 92% (12 of 13) effective; (3) proximal lesions lend themselves to CEA whereas distal lesions have been treated by stenting; (4) overall 68% (15 of 22) are cured by intervention; and (5) 89% (17 of 19) can expect immediate relief. We now present a case of bilateral pulsatile tinnitus relieved by bilateral carotid endarterectomy. (Source: Journal of Vascular Surgery)

Tinnitus as a warning for preventing vasovagal syncope

Medical Hypotheses — Sun, 17 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Summary: It has been widely outlined by our group the possibility that a sufferance of the inner ear can take place as a consequence of hemodynamic imbalance which could affect young and healthy people and recognize a merely functional origin. As reported in previous papers, an altered reaction of the autonomic nervous system could actually jeopardize the labyrinthine perfusion even in absence of other damages. From this standpoint, the hypothesis that a hyperactivity of the vagal response to an acute sympathetic drive may result in an inner ear sufferance deserves to be explored. A mechanism which appears to fit to this model is represented by the Bezold–Jarisch reflex (BJR), which is considered to be responsible for vasovagal syncope and is characterized by a dynamic reasonably compati...

Systematic assessment of the impact of oral appliance therapy on the temporomandibular joint during treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: long-term evaluation

Sleep and Breathing — Wed, 13 May 2009 06:10:25 +0100

Conclusions We conclude that long-term usage of an OA does not cause impairment to the temporomandibular joint. The Helkimo and otologic indexes are simple and useful in long-term patient follow-up. There was a long-term improvement in the ESS values over the years analyzed. A follow-up program could increase compliance by motivating patients to use the device regularly. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s11325-009-0257-3Authors Lílian C. Giannasi, University of Vale do Paraíba Institute of Research and Development IP&D São Paulo BrazilFernanda R. Almeida, University of Vancouver Vancouver CanadaMárcio Magini, University of Vale do Paraíba Institute of Research and Development IP&D São Paulo BrazilMaricília S. Costa, University of...

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[HEAD & NECK] Pulsatile Tinnitus from Reversal of Flow in an Aberrant Occipital Artery: Resolved after Carotid Artery Stenting

American Journal of Neuroradiology — Tue, 12 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100

SUMMARY: Carotid artery stent placement, performed for correction of an asymptomatic severe stenosis, leads to the resolution of persistent and troublesome pulsatile tinnitus. Tinnitus has been reported as a consequence of severe carotid stenoses on previous occasions. This case highlights how an aberrant occipital artery originating above a carotid artery stenosis can result in flow reversal and be a mechanism by which tinnitus may develop. (Source: American Journal of Neuroradiology)

Tinnitus as a prognostic factor of sudden deafness.

Acta Oto-Laryngologica — Mon, 11 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions. The 'tinnitus-rare' group had a poorer prognosis for hearing than the 'tinnitus-often' group in all sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), although the 'shorter duration' group had better prognosis than the 'longer duration' when restricted to SSNHL accompanied by tinnitus. This indicates that tinnitus itself may not be a sign for poor hearing prognosis but might be an essential sound for the initiation of repair of a damaged auditory system. Objectives. We examined the hearing improvement rate (HIR) and tinnitus at the onset of SSNHL to elucidate the prognostic value of tinnitus accompanying SSNHL. Patients and methods. Fifty patients with SSNHL were treated with systemic administration of steroids. Hearing recovery was determined by comparing the hearing levels before an...

Central auditory plasticity after carboplatin-induced unilateral inner ear damage in the chinchilla: Up-regulation of GAP-43 in the ventral cochlear nucleus.

Hearing Research — Sat, 09 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100

In this study, we documented the relationship between carboplatin-induced hair cell degeneration and VCN plasticity in the chinchilla. Unilateral application of carboplatin (5mg/ml) on the round window membrane resulted in massive hair cell loss. Outer hair cell degeneration showed a pronounced basal-to-apical gradient while inner hair cell loss was more equally distributed throughout the cochlea. Expression of the growth associated protein GAP-43, a well-established marker for synaptic plasticity, was up-regulated in the ipsilateral VCN at 15 and 31 days post-carboplatin, but not at 3 and 7 days. In contrast, the dorsal cochlear nucleus showed only little change. In VCN, the high-frequency area dorsally showed slightly yet significantly stronger GAP-43 up-regulation than the low-frequency...

LifeCoach: the torture of tinnitus

The Telegraph : Health Advice — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:46:37 +0100

Our panel of experts answers your questions and hands out advice. (Source: The Telegraph : Health Advice)

Effects of hearing aid fitting on the perceptual characteristics of tinnitus.

Hearing Research — Sat, 02 May 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This study drew on deafferentation models to investigate the effect of hearing aids on the psychoacoustic properties of the tinnitus sensation, using both conventional amplification and high-bandwidth amplification regimes. The tinnitus percept was affected only weakly in the conventional amplification group, and was not at all affected in the high-bandwidth group. The changes observed under conventional, low-to-medium frequency amplification may indicate that the perceptual characteristics of tinnitus depend on the pattern of sensory inputs - notably a contrast in activity between adjacent central auditory regions of more and less afferent activity - while the absence of modifications in the high-bandwidth amplification group suggests limit on the tractability of the tinnitus percept. Thi...

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Systematic assessment of the impact of oral appliance therapy on the temporomandibular joint during treatment of obstructive sleep apnea: long-term evaluation.

Sleep and Breathing — Fri, 01 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that long-term usage of an OA does not cause impairment to the temporomandibular joint. The Helkimo and otologic indexes are simple and useful in long-term patient follow-up. There was a long-term improvement in the ESS values over the years analyzed. A follow-up program could increase compliance by motivating patients to use the device regularly. PMID: 19437057 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Sleep and Breathing)

Cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas: modification of angiographic classification scales based on new natural history data.

Neurosurgical Focus — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100

This article presents a modification to the existing classification scales of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas based on newly published research regarding the relationship of clinical symptoms and outcome. The 2 commonly used scales, the Borden-Shucart and Cognard scales, rely entirely on angiographic features for categorization. The most critical anatomical feature is the identification of cortical venous drainage (CVD; Borden-Shucart Types II and III and Cognard Types IIb, IIa + b, III, IV, and V), as this feature identifies lesions at high risk for future hemorrhage or ischemic neurological injury. Yet recent data has emerged indicating that within these high-risk groups, most of the risk for future injury is in the subgroup presenting with intracerebral hemorrhage or nonhemorr...

The personality trait of neuroticism is strongly associated with long-term morbidity in testicular cancer survivors.

Acta Oncologica — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Discussion. Neuroticism in TCSs at long-term follow-up is significantly associated with somatic and mental morbidities, and several aspects of unhealthy lifestyle. High levels of neuroticism should be considered in TCSs expressing multiple complaints and concerns at follow-up consultations. Assessment of neuroticism may be clinically important in order to offer appropriate interventions to prevent and manage morbidity in TCSs. PMID: 19412812 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Oncologica)

Audiometric and vestibular features in a second Dutch DFNA20/26 family with a novel mutation in ACTG1.

The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS: The audiometric phenotype of the Dutch DFNA20/26 family with a novel mutation in ACTG1 was largely consistent with previous reports on DFNA20/26. Considerable variations were found in audiogram configurations within the family. This is the first known DFNA20/26 family that has experienced tinnitus. PMID: 19548389 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology)

Migraine with transient unilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

Headache — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Evans RW, Ishiyama G PMID: 19472451 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Headache)

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[Otic miasis. Case report.]

Acta Otorrinolaringologica Espanola — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:00:00 +0100

We present the case of a 65-year-old woman with pain and tinnitus in the left ear lasting for one week. Physical examination in the emergency room showed numerous dipteran larvae totally occupying the external auditory canal. After the diagnosis of otic myiasis, the larvae were removed and the patient was discharged after 24 hours of medical observation. The diagnosis of otic myiasis is by means of direct visualization of the larvae in the ear cavities and treatment includes the removal of larvae from the ear. Prognosis is generally good. PMID: 19558911 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Acta Otorrinolaringologica Espanola)

Hearing Impairment and Traumatic Brain Injury among Soldiers: Special Considerations for the Audiologist

Seminars in Hearing — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:06:14 +0100

This article provides information about the mechanisms of blast injury with emphasis on auditory dysfunction and TBI. Audiologists must be prepared to identify those at risk for TBI or mental health problems and adapt audiologic clinical practices to this population. An interdisciplinary comprehensive evaluation of peripheral, central, and vestibular components of the auditory system should be employed in patients with TBI to ensure that auditory dysfunction is accurately diagnosed and that appropriate rehabilitation can be performed.[...]Published in 2009 by Thieme Medical PublishersGet connected:Table of contents | Abstract | Full text (Source: Seminars in Hearing)

Psychological implications in ENT diseases

Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 05:51:42 +0100

Abstract We are sometimes faced with psychic derangement or overlay in some of the ENT diseases and the link between patient’s psyche and any ENT disease at times becomes significant and troublesome. The conditions in the field between otorhinolaryngology and psychiatry can be classified as psychiatric symptoms resulting from ENT diseases or interventions and those expressing themselves as ENT symptoms due to mental ailment. The former include hearing impairment, dizziness, tinnitus, choked airway, bad oral breath, stuffy nose, traumatic interventions and external nasal deformities. The later include exaggerated and diminished pharyngeal reflex, globus hystericus, speech disorders, vasomotor rhinitis, nose picking, choked feeling, dizziness and headache. At times disease...

Tinnitus is prevalent in children with cochlear implants

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:34:21 +0100

Conclusions: To our knowledge this is the first study to report the widespread prevalence of tinnitus in implanted children. Further work, particularly examining the effect of inter-implant delay on tinnitus in bilateral implantees, may contribute to our understanding of the neuronal plasticity after implantation. (Source: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology)

Extract of Ginkgo biloba induces glutathione-S-transferase subunit-P1 in vitro

Phytomedicine — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:23:35 +0100

Abstract: The extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb), containing 24% flavone glycosides and 6% terpenoids, is widely used to treat early-stage Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, peripheral claudication and vascular tinnitus. Its remarkable antioxidant activity has recently been demonstrated in both cell lines and animals. Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) are a class of important detoxification enzymes in the antioxidant system and GST-P1 is the major GST isoform highly expressed in human tissues. Over expression of GST-P1 protected prostate cells from cytotoxicity and DNA damage by the heterocyclic amine carcinogen, while inhibition of expression of GST-P1 by transfecting GST-P1 antisense cDNA or targeted deletion of GST-P1 has been found to sensitize cells to cytotoxic chemicals. It is obvi...

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Vertigo and Tinnitus Caused by Vascular Compression of the Vestibulocochlear Nerve, Not Intracanalicular Vestibular Schwannoma: Review and Case Presentation

Skull Base — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 03:57:12 +0100

Skull BaseDOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1220209ABSTRACTMicrovascular compression of the vestibulocochlear nerve is known to cause disabling tinnitus and vertigo. A review of the literature shows that the compression is usually located in the cerebellopontine angle, and that it is usually caused by an artery. The authors add the case of a 46-year-old man with venous compression of the vestibulocochlear nerve inside the internal auditory canal (IAC). The patient presented with a 2-year history of recurrent attacks of disabling vertigo and intermittent high-frequency tinnitus on the right side. Magnetic resonance images showed a small, contrast-enhancing lesion in the fundus of the right IAC, which was suspicious for vestibular schwannoma. During surgical exploration, a large venous loop was found exte...

Are Results of Tinnitus Retraining Therapy Maintained over Time?

Audiology and Neurotology — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:16:37 +0100

Audiol Neurotol 2009;14:286-289 (DOI:10.1159/000212106) (Source: Audiology and Neurotology)

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension in otolaryngology

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:19:55 +0100

Abstract Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is defined as increased intracranial pressure in the absence of intracranial mass or obstructive hydrocephalus. Over 80% of patients are overweight women. IIH is usually encountered in the neurology and ophthalmology practise as headaches, visual disturbance and papilloedema are the characteristic features of this syndrome. Patients with IIH also experience tinnitus, hearing loss, balance disturbance, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhoea or rhinorrhoea and in some cases these otorhinological symptoms can be presenting features of this syndrome. IIH is also associated with obstructive sleep apnoea. Otolaryngologists should be familiar with this important condition as it can manifest a variety of symptoms that are more frequ...

Endovascular management of dural arteriovenous fistulas of the transverse and sigmoid sinus in 150 patients

Neuroradiology — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 07:58:42 +0100

Conclusion Transvenous coil occlusion of the sinus segment with the adjacent dAVF site, eventually combined with transarterial occlusion of supplying arteries, is a very effective and well-tolerated treatment method. In selected patients, variations of these methods (e.g., sinus stenting, compartmental sinus occlusion) can be useful. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Interventional NeuroradiologyDOI 10.1007/s00234-009-0524-9Authors M. Kirsch, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald Institut für Diagnostische Radiologie und Neuroradiologie Greifswald GermanyT. Liebig, TU München Institut für Neuroradiologie, Klinikum Rechts der Isar Munich GermanyD. Kühne, Klinik für Radiologie und Neuroradiologie, Alfried-Krupp-Krankenhaus Essen GermanyH. Henkes, Katharinen...

Is psychology really the best treatment for tinnitus?

Clinical Otolaryngology — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

(Source: Clinical Otolaryngology)

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3rd Tinnitus Research Initiative Meeting

NLH - ENT and Audiology - Events — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:15:55 +0100

(Source: NLH - ENT and Audiology - Events)

Transarterial Embolization of Intracranial Dural Arteriovenous Fistulas with Direct Cortical Venous Drainage using Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer (Onyx)

Klinische Neuroradiologie — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:38:22 +0100

Conclusion: Embolization with Onyx represents a significant improvement in the endovascular treatment of DAVF-CVs. Cases that would not be effectively treated with cyanoacrylate or particles can be cured by embolization alone. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Original ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00062-009-8031-2Authors Sandro Rossitti, University Hospital Department of Neurosurgery Linköping Sweden Journal Clinical NeuroradiologyOnline ISSN 1615-6706Print ISSN 0939-7116 (Source: Klinische Neuroradiologie)

[Functional and activity-dependent plasticity mechanisms in the adult and developing auditory brain.]

Revista de Neurologia — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION. A combination of neuronal plasticity and stability is suggested as a powerful and promising future strategy in the design of new treatments of hearing loss. PMID: 19340783 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Revista de Neurologia)

[Spinal cord hemorrhage complicating diagnostic lumbar puncture.]

Revista de Neurologia — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSIONS. Spinal cord hematomas can occur after a traumatic lumbar puncture in people without coagulation disorders or any other predisposing factor. Although surgery has been traditionally advocated in these cases, a conservative approach is an option when symptoms are mild and a close follow-up is possible. PMID: 19340782 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Revista de Neurologia)

Tinnitus after cochlear implantation

Auris, Nasus, Larynx — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The results of this study emphasize the importance of counseling patients regarding risks of tinnitus after cochlear implantation. (Source: Auris, Nasus, Larynx)

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Demyelinating disease of central and peripheral nervous systems associated with a A8344G mutation in tRNALys

Neuromuscular Disorders — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 04:00:00 +0100

We describe a patient with acute combined demyelinating disease of the central and peripheral nervous systems associated with the A8344G mutation in the mitochondrial tRNA lysine gene. A 7-year-old boy presented with acute onset of palpitations, tinnitus, ataxia, bilateral sixth nerve palsy, and flaccid quadriparesis. Serum creatine kinase and lactate were mildly increased. Electromyography showed demyelinating sensory and motor polyneuropathy. Brain magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated demyelination in the left thalamus and magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed a lactate peak corresponding to this lesion. Histologic analysis of the muscle showed cytochrome c-oxidase-deficient fibers and ragged red fibers. Respiratory chain analyses revealed deficiencies of complexes I and IV. Molecu...

[Dynamic changes in traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with ischemic stroke treated by acupuncture]

Zhong xi yi jie he xue bao : Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine. — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: Wind syndrome and phlegm syndrome are the major single syndromes occurring in acute ischemic stroke patients within 30 days of onset, and three-syndrome combination is the most frequent multiple syndrome type. After acupuncture treatment, some syndrome elements including wind, phlegm, fire-heat, qi deficiency, blood stasis, and hyperactivity of yang due to yin deficiency are gradually reduced, and combined syndrome type is gradually become simple. Eight syndrome element items including reddish face, constipation, yellow tongue fur, short breath, bright-white or gray complexion, tinnitus, feverish palms and soles and scanty tongue fur have important means in discriminating yin syndrome from yang syndrome and sthenia syndrome from asthenia syndrome. PMID: 19361363 [PubMed - i...

The value of CT venography in the diagnosis of jugular bulb diverticulum: a series of 3 cases.

Ear, Nose and Throat Journal — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:00:00 +0100

We present a case series of 3 patients who were referred to our tertiary care neurotology center with a unilateral jugular bulb diverticulum along with unilateral sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus. These patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically. This case series (1) adds further documentation of the presence of unilateral auditory symptoms in patients with a jugular bulb diverticulum and (2) demonstrates the value of computed tomographic venography in the diagnosis of jugular bulb diverticulum. PMID: 19358118 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Ear, Nose and Throat Journal)

Theta burst stimulation in the treatment of incapacitating tinnitus accompanied by severe depression.

CNS Spectrums — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Authors: Soekadar SR, Arfeller C, Rilk A, Plontke SK, Plewnia C This case report describes the use of transcranial magnetic theta burst stimulation (TBS) in the treatment of incapacitating tinnitus accompanied by symptoms of severe depression. Tinnitus is known to be associated with hyperactivity and maladaptive cortical reorganization of the central auditory system. Combined with anxiety and depression, it can occasionally constitute a psychiatric emergency. Recently, it has been demonstrated that tinnitus can be temporarily suppressed by non-invasive transcranial magnetic stimulation. TBS is a newly developed technique for rapid and lasting modulation of cortical excitability. Herein, we present a case of a 54-year-old woman with incapacitating tinnitus that has significantly decreas...

Tinnitus cure 'is a step closer'

BBC News | Health | UK Edition — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:29:52 +0100

Scientists say they are a step closer to curing tinnitus after they find what causes ringing in the ears. (Source: BBC News | Health | UK Edition)

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Aspirin: Tinnitus in an elderly patient: case report.

Reactions Weekly — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 07:36:49 +0100

Page: 8 (Source: Reactions Weekly)

[Prehospital care] A single, improvised "Kassam" rocket explosion can cause a mass casualty incident: a potential threat for future international terrorism?

Emergency Medicine Journal — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: A single low-tech mortar with poor accuracy and small warhead (estimated weight of 10 kg only) can cause a large-scale MCI. As international terrorist organisations can easily gain access to improvised rockets, the latter may become a threat in many countries. Emergency systems should thus be prepared for that adverse possibility. (Source: Emergency Medicine Journal)

Glomus jugulare tumours: certain clinical and radiological aspects observed following Gamma Knife radiosurgery

Acta Neurochirurgica — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:49:46 +0100

Conclusions Gamma Knife treatment of glomus jugulare tumours is associated with a high incidence of clinical improvement with few complications, using the dosimetry recorded here. Clinical improvement would seem to be a more sensitive early indicator of therapeutic success than radiological volume reduction. Further follow-up will be needed. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Clinical ArticleDOI 10.1007/s00701-009-0268-7Authors J.C. Ganz, Haukeland University Hospital Department of Neurosurgery Nevrokirurgisk Avdeling, Haukeland Sykehus 5021 Bergen NorwayKhalid Abdelkarim, Nasser Institute Gamma Knife Center Cairo Shobra, Cairo Egypt Journal Acta NeurochirurgicaOnline ISSN 0942-0940Print ISSN 0001-6268 (Source: Acta Neurochirurgica)

Differential effects of sodium salicylate on current-evoked firing of pyramidal neurons and fast-spiking interneurons in slices of rat auditory cortex.

Hearing Research — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Su YY, Luo B, Wang HT, Chen L Sodium salicylate (SS) can penetrate the blood-brain barrier to target neurons in the central auditory system. Understanding how SS alters functional behaviors of different types of central auditory neurons will provide insights into the neural mechanisms of SS-induced tinnitus. Here, we report the differential effects of SS on current-evoked firing of pyramidal neurons and fast-spiking interneurons in layer II/III of auditory cortex slices in young rats (P12-P19). The two neuronal types were identified according to their characteristic patterns of current-evoked firing as recorded with whole-cell patch-clamp techniques and by their morphological features. Following perfusion of the brain slice with 1.4 mM SS, the threshold current needed to evoke...

[Tinnitus treatment: Neurosurgical management.]

Neuro-Chirurgie — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Londero A, Chays A Tinnitus is a very frequent symptom affecting 10% of the general population. It corresponds to the perception of an internal noise that can severely impair the quality of life. Tinnitus management requires a multidisciplinary approach in which neuromodulation and neurosurgery tend to play major roles. Classification of tinnitus separates objective tinnitus (i.e., tinnitus that can be heard or recorded) from the more frequent subjective tinnitus (i.e., tinnitus only perceived by the patient). Objective tinnitus is either pulsatile synchronous with heartbeat or asynchronous. In the former, appropriate radiological testing should search for a vascular abnormality as well as other neurological diseases (intracranial hypertension, Arnold-Chiari malformation, vasc...

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Acute high-intensity sound exposure alters responses of place cells in hippocampus.

Hearing Research — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Goble TJ, Møller AR, Thompson LT Overstimulation is known to activate neural plasticity in the auditory nervous system causing changes in function and re-organization. It has been shown earlier that overstimulation using high-intensity noise or tones can induce signs of tinnitus. Here we show in studies in rats that overstimulation causes changes in the way place cells of the hippocampus respond as rats search for rewards in a spatial maze. In familiar environments, a subset of hippocampal pyramidal neurons, known as place cells, respond when the animal moves through specific locations but are relatively silent in others. This place-field activity (i.e. location-specific firing) is stable in a fixed environment. The present study shows that activation of neural plasticity...

Arteriovenous malformation in the parotid region presenting as pulsatile tinnitus: A case report

Head — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion.This case illustrates a thorough diagnostic work-up with a high index of suspicion and a proper treatment option is rewarding when dealing with such a rare disease. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2009 (Source: Head)

Evaluation of tinnitus patients with normal hearing sensitivity using TEOAEs and TEN test.

Auris, Nasus, Larynx — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: This work has shown a higher prevalence of OAE abnormalities in tinnitus patients with normal hearing in contrast to TEN test denoting the more vulnerability of OHCs to damage. PMID: 19285816 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Auris, Nasus, Larynx)

Mindfulness Meditation approach in Tinnitus Rehabilitation

NLH - ENT and Audiology - Events — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:43:31 +0100

(Source: NLH - ENT and Audiology - Events)

A Surge of Veterans Joins the Millions in U.S. With Tinnitus

washingtonpost.com - Health — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Capt. Nathan Green remembers the alarm sounding that day last April in Baghdad's Green Zone. He remembers running, and then the loud explosion of the rocket hitting 30 feet behind him. He was knocked unconscious, suffered a traumatic brain injury and now hears the high-pitched whine and static bu... (Source: washingtonpost.com - Health)

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Extramedullary plasmacytoma of temporal bone: report of 2 cases and review of literature

American Journal of Otolaryngology — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: The prognosis of EP is considered favorable in regard to the solitary bone plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma (MM). The differential diagnosis of EPs from other plasma cell dyscrasias and especially from MM is considered essential. It is a radiosensitive tumor and, especially for EPs of temporal bone, the combined treatment of surgery resection and postoperative radiation seems to provide the best local control and the lower risk of occurrence. The therapeutic strategy includes a close follow-up of the patients because of the risk of occurrence and/or dissemination into MM. The 10-year survival rate reaches 70% with the appropriate therapy. (Source: American Journal of Otolaryngology)

Otoneurological management of petrous apex cholesterol granuloma

American Journal of Otolaryngology — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Radiologic evaluation is required for diagnosis and management. Patients with good hearing can be treated by infralabyrinthine approach. Infratemporal fossa type B approach is advocated in patients with extensive disease and internal carotid artery involvement. Wait and see policy is recommended for asymptomatic cases. Drainage and permanent ventilation are the goals of treatment. Complete removal is indicated in selected cases where placement of drainage tube is not feasible. (Source: American Journal of Otolaryngology)

Provision of services for adults with tinnitus good practice guide

NLH Specialist Library for ENT and Audiology Latest News — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 09:23:48 +0100

06/03/09 This document provides good practice and evidence to help commissioners and service providers to make changes to the way that adult tinnitus services are delivered (Source: NLH Specialist Library for ENT and Audiology Latest News)

Association between tinnitus retraining therapy and a tinnitus control instrument.

Auris, Nasus, Larynx — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: : Significant improvement in THI and VAS scores was found as early as 1 month of treatment and later compared with those on initial examination, suggesting that TRT with a TCI may be an effective treatment for tinnitus. It resulted that many patients chose the speech noise or the white noise. And also it was indicated that noise generators set at just below mixing point with tinnitus are more effective. In this study, however, speech noise was often selected probably because of the reduced output at high frequencies and the level of comfort. As white noise produces greater sound volume, patients tended to switch from other therapeutic sound to white noise at the second adjustment. These findings may help administer acoustic therapy in the future. PMID: 19269119 [PubMed - as...