Auditory brainstem responses in autisnc children in comparison with normal children

One of the most important problems of children who suffer from autism is abnormality in receiving and integrating sensory inputs, especially hearing input. It has been shown that brainstem has a key role in receiving, encoding and integrating hearing input. Auditory brainstem response [ABR] is a tool by which we can evaluate this function. The purpose of this study was to assess and to compare autistic and normal children brainstem hearing function. This case-control study was conducted on thirty [58 ears] autistic and thirty [57 ears] normal 6-12 years old children. The children with autism were divided into slight and severe subgroups according to Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised questionnaire. Clickevoked ABR was recorded and compared between groups. There was significant difference between two groups V and III wave latencies and I-III and I-V interpeak latencies [p < 0.05]. In fact, comparison of the results of autism subgroups with normal children indicated that the latencies of the severe subgroup significantly prolonged. Increasing latencies of ABR waves in severe subgroup maybe due to abnormality in low level of brainstem. Brainstem abnormality may result in exacerbating the symptom of autism. It is therefore suggested that ABR is included in diagnostic test batteries for these patients

[Internal evaluation of audiology department, faculty of rehabilitation, Tehran university of medical sciences, Iran]

Internal Evaluation means assessment of abilities and potentials. To promote the quality of education, research, health and finally rehabilitation is one of the most important roles and responsibilities of the universities. Promotion of quality of the theoretical and practical education for the Audiology students provides this major with its final goal that is to serve society. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats [SWOTs] of the Audiology department and to identify the ways of diminishing weaknesses and threats. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on undergraduates, postgraduates, graduates, academic staff, and the director of Audiology department in 9 areas, including management flowchart, educational programs, instructional methods and curriculum models, students, educational areas and equipments, graduate, academic staff, research, and treatment. Data were collected by questionnaires. Results were analyzed descriptively and were expressed in raw and percentage. The scores of areas in two measures were as follows: management flowchart 4.36 [87.31%], educational programs 4.17 [83.58%], instructional methods and curriculum models 4.01 [80.26%], students 3.43 [68.60%], educational areas and equipment 3.60 [72.11%], from the view of undergraduates, post graduates, faculties, graduates 3.60 [72.03%], academic staff 4.03 [80.6%], research 3.52 [70.4%], and treatment 4.54 [90.80%]. The highest score was, therefore, of the treatment area and the lowest belonged to the educational area and equipments. The score of the Audiology department, as the main factor was 3.89 out of 5 which was 77.88%. Audiology group total score indicates the desirable status that can be promoted to the most desirable if SWOTs are considered

Defects in students hearing aids in Tehran exceptional schools

Although for a child to maximize his or her mastery of language, hearing aids [Has] must consistently be worn, and they must be functioning correctly many studies indicates some hearing- impaired children's hearing aid do not work perfectly.The purpose of this study was to determine types of defects in students' hearing aid [HA] in Tehran Exceptional Schools. In this cross-sectional analytic study defects in sixty-two HAs of 41 children were determined. All were the students of Exceptional Schools referred to Audiology Clinic, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medical Sciences University of Tehran. Functions of the HAs were first checked by a sthetoclips. Then the electroacoustic measurements performed to determine the values of maximum gain and maximum power output. The data were separately recorded in a questionnaire for each kind of the HAs. Fifty-six percent of HAs functioned perfectly and forty-four percent were not. The most Frequet defects were 24% and 20% pertained to the battery and manual controls respectively. External components had more difficulties than internal components. Seventy percent of ear molds were damaged. There were significant differences between peak of FOG and MPO curves in the catalogue and electroacoustic measurements in 2cc coupler. Most damaged parts of HAs in Tehran Exceptional students is related to the battery and 'controls which are external components of HAs. Because of high rate of dysfimctioning HAs and ear molds in this population in this survey, it is necessary to promote orientation and counseling level after fitting and to develop the quality of HAs and ear molds for Exceptional School students

[Prevalence of hearing loss and the related factors in BuAli Hospital]

Determining the prevalence of hearing loss and correlated factors in clients referring to audiology clinic of Buali hospital. This cross-sectional analytic-descriptive survery was carried out on six thousand and twenty ears of 3010 clients [1651 ,a;e and 1359 female] in Audiology clinic of Buali hospital , during Sept 2000 to Sept 2001. Hearing loss is the most common reason for referring the clients [20.5%]. 1319 ears [21.9%] Showed sensorineural hearing impairment and conductive and mixed hearing loss are observed in 1059 [17.6%] and 234 [3.9%] ears, respectedly. Hearing loss degree most cases is mild [14%] in both ears. There is no significant difference between male and female hearing threshold means [p>0.05] but a significant difference between hearing thresholds is observed in terms of age [p<0.05]. Audiogram configuration in most cases is flat [55.1%]. Otoscopic examination reveals abnormal condition in 2333 ears [38.8%] . 37.2% of the studied cases have abnormal tympanogram mostly type B [15.9%]. 2.2% of the clients wear hearing aid that mostly have B.T.E ones [1.5%]. 6.2% of the clients , depends on their hearing impairment type and degree need rehabilitation services. The results are Valid only in the context of this study and it's generaliztion needs further researches