[Hearing status of thalassemic patients treated with deferoxamine]

Major beta thalassemia is the most common inherited anemia with high prevalence in Iran and hearing loss is one of its side effects. The present study aimed to determine the hearing status of patients with major thalassemia and its relationship with serum ferritin level, period of blood transfusion and deferoxamine administration. This descriptive-analytic study was performed on 80 thalassemia major patients [36 Male and 44 Female] aged 4-32 [14.2 +/- 2.3] who were referred to Bou Ali Hospital for two years. The studied variables include age, gender, serum ferritin level, amount and duration of Desferal injection and hearing level. All subjects went under evaluation for their otologic and audiometric status. The collected data were analyzed using t-test and ANOVA with SPSS software. The findings of the study indicated that 38 patients [47%] had entirely hearing loss. Among these 38 patients, 17 patients had sensory neural type f hearing loss 12 patients had conductive and 7 patients had mixed type of hearing problems. The results showed a significant relationship [p<0.05] between hearing loss and serum ferritin level and the dosage and duration of Desferal administration. Hearing impairment may develop with increasing dosage of deferoxamine. Periodic follow up and physical examination is recommended to prevent hearing impairment in major thalassemia

Hearing screening in the elderly and evaluating the need for hearing aid

Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions affecting the elderly. The impacts of hearing loss are depression, social isolation, and functional disability, particularly for those who have not yet been evaluated or treated for hearing loss. The aim of this study was audiologic screening and assessing candidacy for hearing aid in the elderly people. This analytic-cross sectional study was performed on 52 older adults aged from 51 to 97. Subjects were evaluated according to ASHA guidelines for audiologic screening in adults [1997]. Using HHIE-S as hearing disability screening instrument, the need for hearing aid use was evaluated. About 86 percent of subjects had some degree of hearing loss. There were significant correlation between PTA[0.5, 1, 2] KHz > 26 and HHIE-S > 10. According to these two factors 21.2 percent of subjects needed to use hearing aid while 18 percent of this group had hearing aids. There is high prevalence of hearing loss among older adults, thus it's necessary to evaluate the need for hearing aid in this rapidly growing population. Among different factors affecting hearing aid candidacy the most correlated were PTA[0.5, 1, 2] KHz > 26 and HHIE-S > 10. Therefore according to this study by combination of these two evaluation of hearing aid candidacy would be more appropriate

[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