Evaluation of Satisfaction with Hearing Aids Using a Questionnaire Based on MarkeTrak Survey / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: MarkeTrak survey is a subjective evaluation method for hearing aid users. This investigation evaluated the level of subjective satisfaction in hearing aid users by adopting the MarkeTrak survey method. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Ninety-seven subjects participated in this study and replied to the Korean version of 8th MarkeTrak survey. The satisfaction score regarding hearing aids used a 7-point scale to analyze the patient-related as well as hearing aids-related factors. RESULTS: Overall satisfaction rate was 60.8%. Among the patient-related factors, women showed significantly higher satisfaction rate (p<0.05) than men but the level of education affected the satisfaction rate (p<0.05). Hearing aids users showed significantly higher satisfaction rate in small group communication than in other circumstances (p<0.05). The factors related to the hearing aids did not have significant influence on the satisfaction rating. CONCLUSION: MarkeTrak survey is a useful questionnaire for evaluating satisfaction about not only hearing factors but also sociodemographic factors and hearing-aids related factors.

Multicenter Study on the Clinician's Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo in Korea / 대한평형의학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It is necessary to establish the most efficient diagnostic and therapeutic method for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which is appropriate for Korean healthcare system. We aimed to evaluate current state of Korean clinician's diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for BPPV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 16-item survey was emailed to the members of dizziness department of Otology Research Interest Group in the Korean Otologic Society (n=68). 43 were returned and analyzed. RESULTS: All respondents (100%) used Dix-Hallpike test as a diagnostic tool for vertical canal-BPPV. Supine roll test was used for diagnosing lateral canal BPPV in nearly all the respondents (97.7%). Epley maneuver was chosen as otolith repositioning maneuver (ORM) for posterior canal BPPV in all respondents and barbecue rotation (BBQ) was used for treating lateral canal BPPV with geotropic nystagmus in 95.3% of respondents. Extreme variation was noted for therapeutic approach of lateral canal BPPV with ageotropic nystagmus BBQ, with 4 kinds of ORM and adjunctive measures to liberate otolith from cupula, while BBQ was again the most commonly used ORM (76.7%). CONCLUSION: The development of practical and efficient ORM for lateral canal BPPV with ageotropic nystagmus is necessary.

New Proposal of Functional Status of Vestibular System Based on Vestibular Function Tests Findings in Dizzy Patients with Normal Caloric Response / 대한평형의학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vestibular function tests are very useful in diagnosing dizzy patients. Among them, bithermal caloric test is most commonly used test for localizing their permanent vestibular loss. However, it causes much discomfort to the patients with non-physiologic stimuli. In addition, it doesn't represent the present functional status of vestibular system. Therefore, normal caloric result does not accurately correspond to normal vestibular function in dizzy patients. Currently, rotation chair test and dynamic posturography have been introduced adjunctly to assess vestibular function accompanied by bithermal caloric test. It has not been elucidated for their specific role in diverse settings of vestibular disorders. So we planned this study to evaluate clinical usefulness of rotation chair test, videonystagmography and computerized dynamic posturogr-phy in dizzy patients with normal caloric response. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed clinical records of 46 patients who met their inclusion criteria. They were categorized into five subgroups according to abnormal vestibular function test findings. RESULTS: In each subgroup, we hypothesized its clinical relevance, possible mechanism of dizz-iness and presumed diagnosis. Five categories are as below; visual dependency, imbalance of vestibular tones, chronic peripheral vestibulopathy, abnormality in the vestibulospinal tract and abnormality of oculomotor system. CONCLUSION: We suggest new classification of abnormal vestibular functional status in dizzy patients with normal caloric results. These are comparable according their clinical features and thought to be helpful in managing and counseling each patient.

Treatment Outcomes and Quality of Life in Oropharyngeal Cancer after Surgery-based versus Radiation-based Treatment

OBJECTIVES: Advances in reconstruction and conservative surgery and the importance of quality of life (QOL) encouraged this reevaluation of surgery-based treatments for oropharyngeal cancer. We tried to compare treatment outcome and QOL after surgery-based versus radiation-based treatment in oropharyngeal cancer. METHODS: The 133 eligible patients were divided into surgery-based and radiotherapy (RT)-based treatment groups. Medical records were reviewed, and EORTC QLQ-C30 and HN65 questionnaires were completed for survivors. Three-year overall survivals, disease-free survivals, locoregional control rates, and QOL scores were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Demographic data and overall stages were not significantly different between the two groups, and all survival rates were non-significantly different, either. The scores for most QOL items were equivalent, however, for a few items, scores were significantly better in surgery-based group. CONCLUSION: The surgery-based group achieved equivalent treatment outcomes and slightly better QOL scores than the RT-based group. The results of this study suggest that surgery could still be considered as a first-line therapy for oropharyngeal cancer.