ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The evaluation of subjective benefits and positive effects of hearing aids in daily is important for measuring the treatment outcome. The aim of this project was to investigate the degree of satisfaction of aged users with their hearing aids using the Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life (SADL) scale, which emphasizes non-auditory factors contributing to satisfaction as well as benefit. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The Persian version of SADL scale was completed by 40 patients who received monaural hearing aid fitting at south of the Iran from December 2013 and March 2014. SADL subscales of the SADL were evaluated according to the type and degree of hearing loss, the pure tone audiogram pattern and shape and type of the hearing aid. RESULTS: The results associated with the SADL subscales revealed a greater satisfaction associated with the Positive Effect and Service and Costs subscales. Subjects with different degree of hearing loss were very satisfied in terms of positive effect subscale. CONCLUSIONS: Participants reported a considerable level of satisfaction with their hearing aids. Appropriate guidance for using hearing aids and spending more time for counseling can improve the satisfaction level of this age group.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Counseling , Hearing Aids , Hearing Loss , Iran , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Meniere's disease [MD] is a disorder of the inner ear characterized by episodic attacks of vertigo with hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness. Vertigo is a common feature in MD patients, but the pathophysiology is still largely unknown. Videonystagmography [VNG] is a sensitive tool for oculomotor system and differential diagnosis and treatment monitoring of vestibular system disturbances. The aim of the present study was to explore the VNG findings in patients with severe MD. In a cross-sectional design, we examined 75 [45 males and SO females] 22-47 years-old patients with severe MD who were referred to ENT clinics of Imam Khomeini and Apadana Hospitals, Ahwaz. Balance function was assessed using VNG test-battery comprising of oculomotor [optokinetics, smooth pursuit, saccade and gaze], caloric and positional tests. The results of gaze,optokinetic and smooth pursuit and saccadic eye movement [accuracy, latency and velocity] were within normal limits. Positional evaluation in eye-covered condition was abnormal in 14MD patients. Directional preponderance and unilateral weakness indexes were abnormal in 13.33% and 88.10% of patients, respectively. Fixation index was also normal in all patients. Our findings revealed thatVNG isa suitabletool for vestibular function assessment in Meniere's patients and among its subcomponents, caloric irrigation constitute the most sensitive test
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this investigation is to determine auditory neuropathy in the students with severe to profound hearing losses in Ahwaz. In this cross-sectional study, 212 children of 7-11 year old with severe to profound hearing loss performed ordinary audiometric evaluations as well as ABR and OAE. The patients with normal DPOAE who had no record of acoustic reflex having normal ABR, were considered as the patients with auditory neuropathy. The neuropathic complication found in 14 children was appeared in 8 ones as one-sided [57.14%] and in 6 ones [42.86%] as two-sided. 68% of the patients as diagnosed had a very low Speech Discrimination Score [SDS]. We must be very vigilant in auditory neuropathy diagnosis for the purpose to be successful in appropriate treatment of severe to profound hearing losses
ABSTRACT
It is well documented that children exhibit a high prevalence and incidence of otitis media. Otoacoustic emissions [OAEs] offer great potential for clinical testing of cochlear function in children. The aim of the present study was to determine the applicability of OAEs to assess hearing acuity in children with acute otitis media who were scheduled for middle ear treatment. In a analytic cross-sectional design, 54 children with acute otitis media were evaluated by pure tone audiometry [PTA], tympanometry and distortion-product otoacoustic emissions [DPOAEs]. PTA thresholds and, DPOAE amplitudes and signal to noise ratios were compared before and after treatment course. The data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software. Air conduction thresholds were significantly different from post-treatment thresholds [p<0.05] We found significant differences between pre treatment and post- treatment DPOAE amplitude and signal to noise ratios at 500 Hz - 5000 Hz [p<0.05]. Although we found any air-bone gap in 10 patients after treatment course, but DPOAEs were seriously affected in these patients. Acute otitis media can be monitored by DPOAE measurement pre- and post-treatment. In addition, DPOAE is more sensitive than pure tone audiometry for assessment of these subjects