The Relationship between Presbycusis and Mastoid Pneumatization

Presbycusis is defined as the natural hearing loss accompanying aging, caused by degenerative changes in the inner ear. The etiology of presbycusis is uncertain. However, it would appear that a complex genetic cause is most likely. The determinants of mastoid size continue to be controversial. One of the pneumatization theories is the hereditary theory. In this study, the possible relationship between presbycusis and the extent of mastoid pneumatization was investigated. This study was carried out on 21 patients with presbycusis and 21 normal subjects of similar ages. The pneumatized volume was measured by computerized tomography. The temporal bone was scanned at 2 mm thickness intervals. Exposure (kV 130, mA105). The scan plane was parallel to the orbitomeatal line and the CT images covered the entire mastoid region. The average mastoid pneumatization in presbycusis group was 6.08 +/- 2.52 cm3 in the right ear and 6.19 +/- 2.93 cm3 in the left ear. However, in the control group it was 4.69 +/- 3.17 cm3 in the right ear (p=0.12) and 5.10 +/- 3.49 cm3 in the left ear (p=0.28). No significant difference was found between the presbycusis patients and normal subjects in terms of the volume of mastoid pneumatization.

Voice Restoration with Low Pressure Blom Singer Voice Prosthesis after Total Laryngectomy

The main problem after total laryngectomy is permanent loss of voice. Current methods of vocal rehabilitation after total laryngectomy include development of esophageal speech, use of artificial larynx, tracheoesophageal shunt operations and more recently surgical restoration of the voice with prosthesis. Primary voice restoration using Blom- Singer voice prosthesis after total laryngectomy and pharyngeal myotomy was performed in 187 patients between October 1992 and July 2000. There were 184 male and 3 female patients of average age 63.7 years (range 42-76). Mean follow up period was 62 months. Satisfactory speech was achieved in 156 patients (83.5%). During the follow-up period, we experienced complaints of insufficient voice in 31 (16.5%) patients, due to partial spasm in 17 and total spasm in the pharyngoesophageal segment in 14. Furthermore, 24 (12.8%) patients preferred esophageal speech or electro larynx because of low socioeconomic level. The overall success rate was 70.7%. In this study the results of the surgical technique and prosthesis insertion, as well as the associated complications and socioeconomic levels of the patients, are discussed.