Probe microphone real ear insertion gain verification in children

The application of probe-microphone measurements to children is one of the most useful new developments in pediatric hearing aid selection. They offer a reliable method to verify hearing aid selection decisions. To assess the matching between real ear insertion gain [REIG] and prescribed target gain according to the desired sensation level [DSL] formula. This study included 40 ears of 30 children aged between 4 to 12 years with different degrees of hearing loss. They were fitted with linear hearing aids [10 binaural and 20 monaural]. Real ear unaided response [REUR], and real ear aided response [REAR] were measured. The real ear insertion gain was then calculated and compared to the prescribed target gain. There were 26 ears [of 19 children] failed to be within 10 dB of the DSL target gain at one or more frequencies from 500-3000Hz. Among these 26 ears who failed to achieve the DSL target gain, there were 16 ears [61.5%] found to have a flat audiogram and 13 ears [50%] had profound hearing loss. The difference in hearing threshold level was found to be of no clinical value in predicting the likelihood of failure. After appropriate modifications in hearing aid fitting, out of the 16 children [22 ears] who attended for hearing aid modifications, 18 ears [82 %] achieved a satisfactory gain within 10dB of the DSL target at all frequencies up to 3000Hz. No audiometric index was of clinical value in predicting those cases that required insertion gain measurements to ensure an adequate hearing aid prescription. The number of children who fail to achieve adequate gain with their initial hearing aid fitting is very high. These children have a wide range of degree and configuration of hearing loss. The routine measurement of real ear insertion gain in all first-time fittings would result in greatly improved amplification in many patients. More research in the field of pediatric hearing aid fitting is recommended to ensure delivery of adequate amplification to infants and young children

Manometric eustachian tube function tests in children with ventilation tubes

In this study, manometric Eustachian tube function tests were performed repeatedly at ten days, one month, three months and nine months after ventilation tubes insertion in 20 children with persistent otitis media effusion [OME]. Opening and closing pressures [passive tubal function] and active tubal function were measured. There was a significant increase in opening pressure. The closing pressure followed a similar pattern but the increase did not reach the statistically significant level. No significant change in tubal function group was found during the follow up sessions and remained in the same poor level. There was a positive significant correlation between opening and closing pressures and ET function grouping in all follow up sessions

effect of contralateral white noise on transient evoked otoacoustic emissions in different age groups

Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions [TEOAEs] can be suppressed by simultaneous contralateral sound stimulation, this suppression is mediated by the normal olivocochlear bundle. The aim of this study is to propose normative data for different age groups and gender. TEOAEs were recorded with and without contralateral white noise [WN]. The results revealed that TEOAE echo response decreased with age. Contralateral WN suppressed emission amplitude and the amount of suppression decreased significantly with increased age with a significant negative correlation between the amount of TEOAE suppression and age. The study concluded that TEOAEs recording during contralateral acoustic stimulation provide rapid, noninvasive and objective means of investigating the medial olivocochlear efferent fibers in humans

Vestibular function in cochlear implant patients

Cochlear implants have a dramatic impact on the lives of their recipients as well as their family and friends; however, there is a risk of vestibular function affection after cochlear implantation reported. The present study was conducted to evaluate the vestibular system in cochlear implant candidates. A total of 20 adult post lingually deaf cochlear implant candidates were examined. The vestibular function was assessed using electronystagmography. The results revealed that vestibular affection was found in 65% of patients preoperatively. The incidence of vestibular dysfunction was 16.6% postoperatively. The study concluded that the incidence of vestibular dysfunction following cochlear implant is remarkably lower than that reported