Early detection of noise induced hearing loss by extended high frequency audiometery

Surrounding noise, especially in industrial environments, is one of the most common etiologic factors of sensory-neural hearing loss [SNHL], which is not curable, but preventable. By industrialization of communities, the prevalence of the disease and its unfavorable socioeconomic outcome is growing up. Since the preventable defect, early diagnosis has the utmost importance. In recent years, the role of extended high frequency audiometry [EHFA] as a sensitive diagnostic tool for noise induced hearing loss has received much attention. This study deals with the role of EHFA in early diagnosis of this disorder. This was a retrospective cohort study during 2003-4 in Isfahan, Iran. A total number of 30 male labors, aged 20-50 years working in a noisy industrial environment, were compared with an equal number of controls with normal conventional audiometry, and no risk factor for other causes of SNHL according to their history and otoscopic examination. All 60 individuals underwent both types of conventional and extended high-frequency audiometry. Data were analyzed with SPSS software using t-test, paired t-test and correlation tests of Pearson and Spearman. There was no difference between the right and left ears. The exposed subjects had significantly worse hearing than the non exposed group, at all tested frequencies [especially at 16 KHz]. The age effect was notable in both groups. The correlation between high frequency threshold and duration of noise-exposure was significant only at 16, 18 and 20 KHz. The higher mean frequency threshold of the cases was predictable; the normal findings of conventional audiometry, reveal that EHFA can be useful in early diagnosis of acoustic injuries

[ survey of occlusion and oro-jaw-facial cephalogmetric Indices in 6-12 year old children with adenoid enlagement]

Enlargement of Adenoid is one of the most common disorders in childhood affecting different aspects of oral and dental health and quality of life. As a result of frequent respiratory infections, allergy, nasal septum deviation and choronic sinusitis due to adenoid enlargement, facial height, gonial angle, overjet and overbite undergo changes. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of adenoid enlargement on oro-jaw-facial cephalometric Indices and occlusion. In this cross-sectional analytical study, 96 children [6-12 years old] with adenoid enlargement [case group] and 96 children with normal size adenoid [control group] were randomly selected among patients referring to Khorasgan dental school and ENT clinics and different hospitals in Isfahan. Variables of overjet, overbite, open bite, mouth breathing, lip incompetency, gingivitis, SNA, SNB, ANB, gonial angles and facial height in two groups were evaluated. The data were analysed by chi-square and t-tests using SPSS version 9 software. The differences in anterior facial height, anterior/posterior facial height, gonial angle, SNB, overjet, snoring, mouth breathing, gingivitis and posterior crossbite between case and control groups were significant [P<0.05]. Adenoid enlargement induces some oromaxillofacial changes which inturn affect the region functionally and esthetically. The severity of these changes depends on the level of adenoid enlargement, time length of changes and induced mouth breathing duration versus normal growth and development maintenance mechanisms as well as the practitioner's interventional strategies

Prevalence of dental occlusal patterns and their association with obstructive upper airway diseases in primary school children, Isfahan, Iran

Teeth, apart from their physiologic function, play an important role in general appearance of indivduals. Therefore any disorder in their growth and evolution, will cause psychologic, social and even economic problems for the person. This observational cross- sectional study aimed to investigate relationship between dental occlusal patterns and obstructive nasal-upper airway- diseases. This study was perfromed in schools of No.4 Education at district of Isfahan in educational year 1381-82 between 607 students [277 male, 330 female] aged 9-12 years old. Results of accurate ENT and dentistry physical examination were registered and analyzed using SPSS software and Chi-square and Mantel - Hanzel test. With increasing age, The frequency of abnormal occlusal patterns increases [from 45.5% to 68.2% in males and 25.8% to 48.5% in females, p=0.015]. The increasing in degree of palatal tonsilar hypertrophy was related to higher frequency of abnormal occlusal patterns [36.7% in +1 tonsilar hypertrophy, and 70% in +4 tonsilar hypertrophy, p=0.02]. Also, history of frequent common colds, and history of previous nasal fractures were related with abnormal patterns [58.9% [p=0.032], and 83.4% [p= 0.043%], respectively].Five other parameters including sinusitis, hypertrophy of nasal turbinates, rhinitis, nasal polyposis and nasal septal deviation were not associated with abnormal occlusal patterns [p>0.1]. Some of obstructive upper airwacy diseases are related with abnormal dental occlusal patterns. These parameters can be simply diagnosed, treated or prevented