Incidence and Risk Factors of Vestibular Schwannoma in Korea : A Population-Based Study

Objective@#: This study aims to investigate the incidence of vestibular schwannoma (VS) and demographic characteristics in Korea using population-based National Health Insurance Service data. @*Methods@#: This study analyzed Korean National Health Insurance Service data from 2005 to 2020, based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th version, Clinical Modification codes D333 and D431. Only those patients who had undergone magnetic resonance imaging and audiologic tests were considered definitive cases. Demographic variables included age, sex, treatment modality, hypertension, diabetics, dyslipidemia, smoking history, alcohol history, and income status. @*Results@#: The total number of VS patients was 5751. The average incidence rate was 0.71 per 100000 from 2005 to 2020, and the annual incidence rate increased from 0.33 in 2005 to 1.32 in 2019 but decreased to 0.80 in 2020. Incidence was highest in those aged 60–69 years (1.791) and lowest in those younger than 20 years (0.041). Incidence was higher in females, and the number of patients who received radiosurgery (46.64%) was largest compared to the wait and scan group (37.96%), microsurgery group (12.85%), or the group who received both (2.56%). Diabetes, dyslipidemia, and alcohol consumption increased the risk of VS, while cigarette smoking reduced the risk of VS. @*Conclusion@#: The incidence of VS exhibited an increasing trend from 2005 to 2019. Radiosurgery (46.64%) was the most common treatment modality. Diabetes, dyslipidemia, and alcohol consumption increased the risk of VS, while cigarette smoking reduced the risk of VS.

Sialendoscopy as a Useful Diagnostic and Interventional Tool for the Various Salivary Gland Disease: Our Experiences / 대한이비인후과학회지

Background and Objectives@#Sialendoscopy is useful for the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive salivary gland diseases, but not yet universally employed because it requires dedicate, expensive, and fragile endoscopic equipment; moreover, the surgical technique is also delicate. Here, we describe our initial experience of sialendoscopy, as well as the learning curve, precautions, and drawbacks that beginners must overcome in employing sialendoscopy.Subjects and Method The medical records of 98 patients who underwent sialendoscopic procedures at Eunpyeong St. Mary’s Hospital from May 2019 to March 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. The type of procedure, success rate, operation time, and complications were analyzed. @*Results@#We have performed a total of 85 sialendoscopic procedures, including 79 to treat submandibular sialolithiasis, two to treat submandibular ductal stenosis, two to treat parotid sialolithiasis, and two to treat parotid ductal stenosis. Of the total of 81 patients with sialolithiasis, 82.4% were treated by sialendoscopy only, 15.3% by hybrid procedure, and 2.3% opted to preserve the salivary gland and convert to external submandibular gland excision. Four patients with ductal stenosis were treated via endoscopic bougination; stents were placed for 4 weeks without any restenosis. The operation time was significantly shorter for the second half than for the first half of the patients (58.6 min vs. 39.8 min). Longer operation time was associated with the parotid gland diseases, larger stones (>5 mm in diameter), more proximal stones (from the salivary gland), and multiple stones. We encountered no major surgical complications. @*Conclusion@#Sialendoscopy is useful and safe; even beginners can evaluate and manage obstructive salivary gland diseases.

Effect of Occupational Noise Exposure on the Prevalence of Benign Vocal Fold Lesions: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

Objectives@#. Voice abuse in noisy environments can result in voice disorders. However, insufficient studies have sought to differentiate vocal cord lesions through laryngoscopic examinations among workers in noisy environments. This study investigated the relationship between a history of noise exposure in the workplace and benign vocal fold lesions (BVFLs). @*Methods@#. We used Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 2010 to 2012. The chi-square test was used to compare characteristics between two groups according to the presence or absence of BVFLs. To investigate the association between BVFLs and noise exposure in the workplace, we calculated adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using multiple logistic regression analysis. @*Results@#. In total, 10,170 participants with available laryngoscopy results were enrolled. Smoking history, hypertension, diabetes, and exposure to noise for more than 3 months at the workplace were significantly more common in participants with BVFLs. After adjusting for age, sex, smoking, drinking, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, income, education, and occupation as confounders, we confirmed that BVFLs were 1.52 times more likely (95% CI, 1.157–1.990) to occur in individuals with occupational noise exposure. @*Conclusion@#. Working in a noisy environment could induce BVFLs in workers through voice abuse. Social recognition that a noisy environment is a risk factor for BVFLs needs to be improved, and preventive measures should be implemented.

Medical students' satisfaction with clinical clerkship and its relationship with professional self-concept / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: Medical students construct their identity as a student physician through clinical clerkship. However, there is a lack of research on the effect of clinical clerkship on professional self-concept formation. The aim of this study is to analyze and ascertain the relationship between medical students' satisfaction with clinical clerkship and professional self-concept. METHODS: This investigation studied 84 third- and fourth-year medical students enrolled in the Ajou University School of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine. Study measures tools included satisfaction with clinical clerkship and professional self-concept measurement. For data analyses, a descriptive analysis of the research variable characteristics was applied, gender differences in variables by years of medical school were analyzed with t-tests, and correlation analysis was used to check for relationships between variables. RESULTS: We found no statistically significant differences between satisfaction with clinical clerkship with respect to medical school year and gender. While professional self-concept did not show significant differences by year of medical school, we observed statistically significant differences by gender with respect to the subscales of professional practice and communication factor. In addition, satisfaction with clinical clerkship and professional self-concept demonstrated statistically significant positive correlation. The present research was able to confirm that there exists a correlation between medical students' clinical clerkship experience and professional self-concept formation. CONCLUSION: Our study outcomes shows that provision of positive assistance as a measure to enhance satisfaction with clinical clerkship via the curriculum and environmental improvement is envisaged to lead to medical students' professional self-concept formation.

Medical students' satisfaction with clinical clerkship and its relationship with professional self-concept / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE@#Medical students construct their identity as a student physician through clinical clerkship. However, there is a lack of research on the effect of clinical clerkship on professional self-concept formation. The aim of this study is to analyze and ascertain the relationship between medical students' satisfaction with clinical clerkship and professional self-concept.@*METHODS@#This investigation studied 84 third- and fourth-year medical students enrolled in the Ajou University School of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine. Study measures tools included satisfaction with clinical clerkship and professional self-concept measurement. For data analyses, a descriptive analysis of the research variable characteristics was applied, gender differences in variables by years of medical school were analyzed with t-tests, and correlation analysis was used to check for relationships between variables.@*RESULTS@#We found no statistically significant differences between satisfaction with clinical clerkship with respect to medical school year and gender. While professional self-concept did not show significant differences by year of medical school, we observed statistically significant differences by gender with respect to the subscales of professional practice and communication factor. In addition, satisfaction with clinical clerkship and professional self-concept demonstrated statistically significant positive correlation. The present research was able to confirm that there exists a correlation between medical students' clinical clerkship experience and professional self-concept formation.@*CONCLUSION@#Our study outcomes shows that provision of positive assistance as a measure to enhance satisfaction with clinical clerkship via the curriculum and environmental improvement is envisaged to lead to medical students' professional self-concept formation.

Potential bias factors that affect the course evaluation of students in preclinical courses / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: We aim to identify what potential bias factors affected students' overall course evaluation, and to observe what factors should be considered in the curriculum evaluation system of medical schools. METHODS: This study analyzed students' ratings of preclinical instructions at the Ajou University School of Medicine. The ratings of instructions involved 41 first-year and 45 second-year medical students. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between years of study and ratings' scoring. Learning difficulty, learning amount, student assessment, and teacher preparation from second-year students were significantly higher than first-year students (p<0.05). The analysis results revealed that student assessment was the predictor of ratings from first-year students, while teacher preparation was the predictor of ratings from second-year students. CONCLUSION: We found significant interactions between year of study and the students' rating results. We were able to confirm that satisfaction of instructions factors perceived by medical students were different for the characteristics of courses. Our results may be an important resource for evaluating preclinical curriculums.

Longitudinal analysis of the effect of academic failure tolerance on academic achievement fluctuation in medical school students / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: Academic failure tolerance (AFT) is one of the important psychological concepts in education, but its applications in medical education are rare. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of academic failure tolerance on academic achievement fluctuation among medical school students using a longitudinal research design. METHODS: The subjects were 43 medical students who responded to the AFT test. This study analyzed the longitudinal data of achievement scores up to the 2nd academic year (2012–2013) among students who were divided into academic achievement improvement and decline groups. RESULTS: Comparing the improvement and decline groups' mean academic achievement fluctuation scores demonstrated that behavior and preferred task difficulty showed high scores whereas feeling scores were lower in the improvement group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In the improvement group, despite the higher negative feeling scores during academic failure, the students favored the more difficult subjects and were more assiduous in their studies. This will form an important basis for enhancing academic achievement among medical students.

The relationship among self-efficacy, perfectionism and academic burnout in medical school students / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among academic self-efficacy, socially-prescribed perfectionism, and academic burnout in medical school students and to determine whether academic self-efficacy had a mediating role in the relationship between perfectionism and academic burnout. METHODS: A total of 244 first-year and second-year premed medical students and first- to fourth-year medical students were enrolled in this study. As study tools, socially-prescribed perfectionism, academic self-efficacy, and academic burnout scales were utilized. For data analysis, correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Academic burnout had correlation with socially-prescribed perfectionism. It had negative correlation with academic self-efficacy. Socially-prescribed perfectionism and academic self-efficacy had 54% explanatory power for academic burnout. When socially-prescribed perfectionism and academic self-efficacy were simultaneously used as input, academic self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between socially-prescribed perfectionism and academic burnout. CONCLUSION: Socially-prescribed perfectionism had a negative effect on academic self-efficacy, ultimately triggering academic burnout. This suggests that it is important to have educational and counseling interventions to improve academic self-efficacy by relieving academic burnout of medical school students.

Can disclosure of scoring rubric for basic clinical skills improve objective structured clinical examination? / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: To determine whether disclosure of scoring rubric for objective basic clinical skills can improve the scores on the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) in medical students. METHODS: Clinical performance score results of one university medical students (study group, n=345) were compared to those of another university (control group, n=1,847). Both groups took identical OSCE exam. OSCE rubric was not revealed to the study group until they were in the last 2 years of medical school. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between before and after disclosure of rubric. However, history taking and physical examination scores of the study group were lower than those of the control group before the disclosure of rubric. After disclosure of rubric, the scores were either unchanged or slightly increased in the control group. Trend analysis of scores demonstrated that history taking and physical examination scores after the disclosure were significantly increased in the study group for 2 years. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that disclosure of basic clinical skills rubric to medical students could enhance their clinical performance, particularly in history taking and physical examination scores.

Meteorological Conditions Related to the Onset of Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of meteorological factors on the onset of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Meteorological data from 2005 to 2011 were obtained from the web-based "Monthly Weather Reports of the Meteorological Administration" database. Patients with ISSHL who visited our hospital during this same period and presented the precise day on which hearing loss developed were included in this retrospective study. Twelve meteorological factors were analyzed between the days when ISSHL onset was observed as well as the days when ISSHL did not occur. The weather conditions occurring 1-7 days before ISSHL onset were also analyzed to assess any possible delayed effects of meteorological factors on the onset of ISSHL. RESULTS: During the study period, 607 patients were included for the study. Although mean and maximal wind velocities were higher for the days when ISSHL occurred than the days without ISSHL onset, after adjusting the value for multiple comparisons, we cannot find any significant relationship between any of meteorological factors and the onset of ISSHL. However, in analysis of time lag effect of the weather conditions, we found that there was still a significant difference in maximum wind speed on 5 days before ISSHL onset even after applying Bonferroni correction. CONCLUSION: The result of this study suggests that stronger wind speed may be related to the occurrence of ISSHL.

The Journal of Gynecologic Oncology and the Asian Society of Gynecologic Oncology: the history, the present and the future / 부인종양

No abstract available.

Comparison of concurrent chemoradiation therapy with weekly cisplatin versus monthly fluorouracil plus cisplatin in FIGO stage IIB-IVA cervical cancer / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: Concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) is the standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer. Although the optimal chemotherapeutic regimen is not yet defined, previous randomized trials have demonstrated that 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus cisplatin every 3 weeks and weekly cisplatin are the most popular regimens. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of weekly CCRT with cisplatin and monthly CCRT with 5-FU plus cisplatin for locally advanced cervical cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from 255 patients with FIGO stage IIB-IVA cervical cancer. Patients were classified into two CCRT groups according to the concurrent chemotherapy: weekly CCRT group, consisted of CCRT with weekly cisplatin for six cycles; and monthly CCRT group, consisted of CCRT with cisplatin and 5-FU every 4 weeks for two cycles followed by additional consolidation chemotherapy for two cycles with the same regimen. RESULTS: Of 255 patients, 152 (59.6%) patients received weekly CCRT and 103 (40.4%) received monthly CCRT. The mean follow-up period was 39 months (range, 1 to 186 months). Planned CCRT was given to 130 (85.5%) patients in weekly CCRT group and 84 (81.6%) patients in monthly CCRT group, respectively. Severe adverse effects were more common in the monthly CCRT group than in the weekly CCRT group. There were no statistically significant differences in progression-free survival and overall survival between the two groups (p=0.715 and p=0.237). CONCLUSION: Both weekly CCRT and monthly CCRT seem to have similar efficacy for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, but the weekly cisplatin is better tolerated.

Comparison of concurrent chemoradiation therapy with weekly cisplatin versus monthly fluorouracil plus cisplatin in FIGO stage IIB-IVA cervical cancer / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: Concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) is the standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer. Although the optimal chemotherapeutic regimen is not yet defined, previous randomized trials have demonstrated that 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus cisplatin every 3 weeks and weekly cisplatin are the most popular regimens. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of weekly CCRT with cisplatin and monthly CCRT with 5-FU plus cisplatin for locally advanced cervical cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from 255 patients with FIGO stage IIB-IVA cervical cancer. Patients were classified into two CCRT groups according to the concurrent chemotherapy: weekly CCRT group, consisted of CCRT with weekly cisplatin for six cycles; and monthly CCRT group, consisted of CCRT with cisplatin and 5-FU every 4 weeks for two cycles followed by additional consolidation chemotherapy for two cycles with the same regimen. RESULTS: Of 255 patients, 152 (59.6%) patients received weekly CCRT and 103 (40.4%) received monthly CCRT. The mean follow-up period was 39 months (range, 1 to 186 months). Planned CCRT was given to 130 (85.5%) patients in weekly CCRT group and 84 (81.6%) patients in monthly CCRT group, respectively. Severe adverse effects were more common in the monthly CCRT group than in the weekly CCRT group. There were no statistically significant differences in progression-free survival and overall survival between the two groups (p=0.715 and p=0.237). CONCLUSION: Both weekly CCRT and monthly CCRT seem to have similar efficacy for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer, but the weekly cisplatin is better tolerated.

Frequency-Specific Hearing Results After Surgery for Chronic Ear Diseases

OBJECTIVES: To analyze frequency-specific hearing results after surgery for chronic ear diseases while considering pathological findings and various surgical factors. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgical management of chronic otitis media were reviewed retrospectively (n=559). Using pure tone audiometry, air conduction (AC), bone conduction (BC), and air bone gap (ABG) change between pre- and post-operative tests were calculated for the frequencies of 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000 (AC and BC), and 6,000 Hz (AC). Frequency-specific results were investigated, considering various surgical factors, such as type of surgery, type of ossiculoplasty and pathological findings. RESULTS: AC results in the intact canal wall mastoidectomy showed improvement at each frequency except 4,000, 6,000 Hz. AC results in the tympanoplasty showed improvement at each frequency except 6,000 Hz. AC and ABG results in the open cavity mastoidectomy showed improvement only at the frequencies of 250, 500, 2,000 Hz. AC and ABG improved at low and mid frequencies but not in high frequencies above 3,000 Hz when ossicular reconstruction was conducted. AC and ABG results also improved at low and mid frequencies in the cholesteatoma, and ABG results improved at all frequencies except 3,000 Hz in the non-cholesteatoma. CONCLUSION: After chronic ear surgery, AC and ABG changes improved, primarily in the low and mid frequencies. Further evaluation and studies for post-operative hearing loss at high frequencies are recommended for rehabilitation of hearing ability after surgery.

Comparison of laparoscopic and abdominal radical hysterectomy for patients with FIGO stage IB1 cervical cancer / 대한산부인과내시경학회지

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the safety, morbidity, and recurrence rate of laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (LRH) with lymphadenectomy and abdominal radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy (ARH) for IB1 cervical cancer. METHODS: We conducted retrospective analysis of 91 consecutive patients with FIGO stage IB1 cervical cancer who underwent laparoscopic or abdominal radical hysterectomy with pelvic and/or para-aortic lymphadenectomy between 2006 and 2009. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients undergoing LRH and 59 patients undergoing ARH. There was no difference in demographic data between the two groups. Mean estimated blood loss was 567.9 mL with ARH group compared with 429 mL with LRH group (p=0.001). Mean operating time was 242.0 minutes for ARH group compared with 249.5 minutes for LRH group (p=0.597). Return of bowel motility was observed earlier after LRH (p=0.013). A mean 22.8 pelvic lymph nodes were obtained during ARH compared with 21.6 during LRH (p=0.573). The median duration of hospital stay was significantly shorter for LRH (p=0.016) group. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups when the recurrence rate was compared. Progression-free survival rates were 94.9% in ARH group and 94.4% in LRH group respectively (p=0.9317). With a median follow up of 17.9 months, all the patients are alive with no disease-related deaths. CONCLUSION: LRH is a safe and effective therapeutic procedure for management of Ib1 cervical cancer with reducing blood loss, postoperative morbidity, and postoperative hospital stay and oncologic results of this procedure are comparable to ARH with the limitation of a short follow-up period. Further randomized studies are necessary to evaluate long-term clinical outcome.

Expression of HSP70 and Its Relation with Other Cytokines in Human Middle Ear Effusion

OBJECTIVES: While other cytokines are known to be associated with otitis media with effusion (OME), the involvement of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in middle ear effusion (MEE) is unknown. This study was undertaken to investigate the possibility of there being a HSP70 expression in human MEE and to determine its potential role as a cytokine in OME. METHODS: The levels of HSP70, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the effusion of different groups of OME patient following collection of the MEE using our new collection system. The clinical characteristics of the OME patients and the MEE status were analyzed. RESULTS: HSP70 was expressed in all the types of MEE. The mucous and seromucous effusions showed higher HSP70 levels than that of the serous effusion. The HSP70 level was correlated with the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta in the effusions. The positive correlations between HSP70, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The highly elevated level of HSP70 in the seromucous and mucous effusions implicates this protein in the chronicity of OME.

A Case of Large Intradiploic Epidermoid Cyst of the Temporal Bone / 대한이비인후과학회지

Intradiploic epidermoid cysts of the skull are benign lesions that are derived from the ectodermal cells of the cranium. They are rare tumors and they represent less than 1% of all intracranial tumors. The frontal and parietal bones are the most common sites for the cysts, but the temporal bone is rarely involved. They are slowly growing tumors, and may often reach an enormous size without producing neurological symptoms. For treatment, it is important to completely remove the capsule of the cysts to avoid recurrence. Malignant transformations of the cysts, which are very rare, are generally found in cases which have repeated recurrences or infections. We present a patient with an intradiploic epidermoid cyst of the temporal bone, which is located behind the left mastoid cavity. We removed the cyst successfully through transmastoid approach.

Comparison of laparoscopic versus conventional open surgical staging procedure for endometrial cancer / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic surgery and conventional laparotomy for endometrial cancer. METHODS: A total of 104 consecutive patients were non-randomly assigned to either laparoscopic surgery or laparotomy. All patients underwent comprehensive surgical staging procedures including total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and pelvic/para-aortic lymphadenectomy. The safety, morbidity, and survival rates of the two groups were compared, and the data was retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients received laparoscopic surgery and 70 underwent laparotomy. Operation time for the laparoscopic procedure was 227.0+/-28.8 minutes, which showed significant difference from the 208.1+/-46.4 minutes (p=0.032) of the laparotomy group. The estimated blood loss of patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery was 230.3+/-92.4 mL. This was significantly less than that of the laparotomy group (301.9+/-156.3 mL, p=0.015). The laparoscopic group had an average of 20.8 pelvic and 9.1 para-aortic nodes retrieved, as compared to 17.2 pelvic and 8.5 para-aortic nodes retrieved in the laparotomy group. There was no significant difference (p=0.062, p=0.554). The mean hospitalization duration was significantly greater in the laparotomy group than the laparoscopic group (23.3 and 16.4 days, p<0.001). The incidence of postoperative complications was 15.7% and 11.8% in the laparotomy and laparoscopic groups respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in the survival rate. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgical staging operation is a safe and effective therapeutic procedure for management of endometrial cancer with an acceptable morbidity compared to the laparotomic approach, and is characterized by far less blood loss and shorter postoperative hospitalization.

The expression of syndecan-1 is related to the risk of endometrial hyperplasia progressing to endometrial carcinoma / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: Aberrant expression of the cell surface proteoglycan, syndecan-1, is found in many malignancies. The current study describes the immunohistochemical study of syndecan-1 expression in normal, hyperplastic, and malignant endometrial tissues for evaluation of application as a parameter of cancer progression in patients with endometrial hyperplasia. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining of syndecan-1 was performed in 101 formalin fixed, paraffin embedded sections of normal, hyperplastic, and malignant endometrial tissues. We analyzed specimens from patients with normal endometrium (NE, N=10) as controls, and those of simple hyperplasia (SH, N=20), complex hyperplasia without atypia (CH, N=20), atypical hyperplasia (AH, N=20), and endometrial cancer (EC, N=31). RESULTS: The mean rank of expression scores based on the frequency of syndecan-1 staining were 31.6, 20.5, 52.9, 72.1, and 62.1 for NE, SH, CH, AH and EC, respectively (p<0.001). Syndecan-1 expression was significantly greater in CH (p<0.001) or AH (p<0.001) than in SH, and significantly greater in AH compared to CH (p=0.028). Syndecan-1 is more frequently expressed in CH (p=0.042), AH (p<0.001), or EC (p=0.002) than in NE. Syndecan-1 expression did not differ significantly between NE and SH (p=0.248). CONCLUSION: Syndecan-1 expression appears to be useful as a predictive indicator in endometrial hyperplasia.

Development of Compact Disks in Speech Audiometry and First Stage Verification for the New Speech Materials / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To standard test method of Korean speech audiometry, we developed an audio compact disk, the KsoM-07 (Korean Society of Otolaryngolgy, Monosyllabic, 2007) word lists and evaluated them for clinical usage. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The monitored live voice (MLV) of a female talker was digitally recorded with a Beltone audiometer and the GoldWave program. The calibration for each word was done by calculating the root-mean-square (RMS) at the moving time of 300 ms using MATLAB(R) (7.0 version, The MathWorks, Inc. Natick, Massachusetts, USA) and the GoldWave (v 5.25 GoldWave Inc. St. John's, NL, Canada) program. The discrimination score was measured in 20 normal subjects to obtain psychometric function curve of each word and to compare the homogeneity of two lists. The first verification methods for new speech materials were done by comparing the discrimination scores of the flat type and the descending types at 150 sensorineural hearing loss with similar pure tone threshold. RESULTS: 44% of MLV recording was above +/-3 dB deviation and had to be recalibrated. Two lists showed equal difficulty or homogeneity in normal subjects. Discrimination scores were statistically different among the groups with respect to hearing level and the slope of audiogram. CONCLUSION: KsoM-07 word lists were relatively homogeneous and showed differences between the descending type and the flat type of hearing loss. Therefore, KsoM-07 word lists can be useful in evaluating the impairment found in the descending type of sensorineural hearing loss as well as in serving as a new speech test material for Korean monosyllabic words.