Hearing impairment in congenitally hypothyroid patients

Thyroid hormone is necessary for normal development of the auditory system. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of hearing impairment in congenitally hypothyroid [CH] patients, and its relation with factors such as CH severity and age at starting treatment, during CH screening program in Isfahan. Hearing acuity was assessed in two groups of children with [94 patients aged 4 months - 3 years] and without CH [450], between 2000-2006. Otoacostic emission [OAE] was performed by a two step method. After two tests without OAE signals bilaterally, they were referred for auditory brainstem response [ABR] test. Subjects with both OAE and ABR abnormal test results were considered to have hearing problem. Obtained data was compared in case and control group and also CH patients with and without hearing impairment. Three [3.2%] of patients and 1 of control group [0.2%] were diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss. The rate of hearing loss was not different significantly in two studied groups [P>0.05]. There was no difference between age of starting treatment and first T4 and TSH level in CH patients with and without hearing loss [P>0.05]. CH neonates with hearing impairment had thyroid dyshormonogenesis according to the follow up results. The rate of hearing loss was low among our studied CH patients. It may be due to proper management of CH patients. In view of the fact that all CH neonates were dyshormonogentic and considering the relation between certain gene mutations and hearing impairment in CH patients, further studies with larger sample size, with regard to different etiologies of CH should be investigated to indicate the possible gene mutations related to hearing loss in CH

Chronic otitis media and sensorineural hearing loss

Although many studies have shown a relation between chronic otitis media [COM] and sensorineural hearing loss [SNHL], there still remains controversies about the relatinoship. The purpose of this study was to determine whether COM is associated with SNL? 127 patents met the following critera: unilateral COM and no history of head trauma, meningitis, post traumatic typmpanic membrane perforaton, coustic trauma, ototoxic drugs, previous ear surgery and systemic diseass that can affect hearing of the patients. The avarage bone conduction [6C] threshold at 500, 1000, 2000, 4000HZ separately in COM ear and normal ear was compared using the t-test and MANOVA techniques. Average BC at 500, 1000, 2000, 4000Hz in normal ear was 10.6 +/- 7.19. And 18.82 +/- 11.55 in COM ear. The differences between BC threshold at 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 HZ and average BC threshold at 500, 1000, 2000, HZ in the COM ear were statistically and probably clinically significant pvalue<0.001] COM is associated with SNHL and has clinical importance

Hoarseness results of an 8- year study on patients who underwent direct laryngoscopy for chronic in Isfahan Ayatollah Kashani Hospital

In this study, the sample were the patients who underwent direct laryngoscopy of chronic hoarseness in Isfahan Ayatollah Kashani Hospital, from April 1991 to December 1998. Hoarseness is the most prevalent and important symptom of laryngeal disorders; and it is sometimes the only complaining symptoms of the organ's dysfunction. In differential diagnosis of chronic pathologies involving larynx, a neoplastic process must be ruled out. Therefore, endoscopy and biopsy are required to detect carcinoma. This project is a cross sectional descriptive study, population, were all the patients underwent direct laryngoscopy due to chronic hoarseness in Isfahan Ayatollah Kashani Hospital from April 1991 to December 1998. Sampling was in census, by means of files existing in the hospital's archive. Cases that laryngoscopy were due to causes other than hoarseness, such as foreign body, or trauma, or in cases that the files were incomplete were excluded from the study. Totally 408 files were evaluated: 54 excluded due to above reasons, and research continued on 363 cases. Average age of evaluated patients was 42.6 years, st and ard deviation was 18.9. The most aboundant was in the 31-40 year group. 67.2% of patients were male. In 63.9% of all patients, definite diagnosis was as certained only by laryngoscopy, and 36.1% were biopsied. On the whole: 36.9% of cases were intact, 9.6% true vocal cord paralysis, 20.1% tumor, and 33.4% inflammation. At least 20% of cases were defined as Tumors. That is a high ratio; and this group needs quick diagnostic and therapeutic measures. Our aim of direct laryngoscopy in patients with chronic hoarseness is diagnosis and management as soon as possible