Investigation of the applicability of internet-based approach to subjective tinnitus.

BACKGROUND: To ensure that subjective tinnitus patients develop positive attitudes toward tele-audiology. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: This study investigates the appropriateness of the internet-based software in patients with subjective tinnitus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients between the ages of 19 and 59 applying to the clinic with the subjective tinnitus filled in Tinnitus Handicap Index (THI) and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS). Visual Numeric Scale (VNS) was applied to the patients to complaint of tinnitus. Parameter measurements related to hearing and tinnitus were performed clinically. After the evaluations, 54 participants were divided into two groups to receive the 'Basic Information Material Service' (BIMS) face-to-face and online. Afterwards, THI and VNS were used to determine the current status. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups that received BIMS with 2 different methods (p > .05). A significant difference was found in the scores before and after BIMS in terms of THI and VNS (p < .05). A strong negative correlation was found between the duration of tinnitus and the change in THI. In addition, there is a stronger-negative relationship between the number of centers consulted and the informational benefit revealed by the scales. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: Online intervention is as effective as face-to-face interaction in the management of tinnitus.

Evaluation of Balance with Computerized Dynamic Posturography in Children with Otitis Media.

BACKGROUND: Otitis media with effusion (OME) frequently leads to vestibular symptoms in children. However, young children face difficulty expressing their symptoms due to their limited language abilities. METHODS: The balance of study and patient group evaluated with computer dynamic posturography, single-leg stance test with eyes closed and regular Head Impulse Test. The study group was assessed once again after the insertion of a ventilation tube two months later. RESULTS: In the Sensory Organization Test, the scores for conditions 5, 6, and composite equilibrium of the preoperative patient group were notably lower compared with both the control and postoperative patient groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, a significant correlation was found between single-leg stance test with eyes closed results and conditions 5, 6, and composite equilibrium scores. CONCLUSION: The impact of OME on the vestibular system is negative. This effect can be objectively assessed using Computer Dynamic Posturography and following tube insertion, there is a notable improvement in vestibular function. Furthermore, the single-leg stance (SLS) test with eyes closed has shown its reliability in assessing balance disorders, notably in children with OME. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2 Laryngoscope, 2024.

The Relationship Between Vertigo/Dizziness and Somatoform Complaints: A Systematic Review.

To systematically synthesize published literature on somatoform complaints as psychological factors in vertigo/dizziness to determine the characteristics of comorbidities, relationships and causality. Following PRISMA guidelines, systematic searches of PubMed, WOS, and Cochrane Library databases and manual follow-up reference searches were performed for articles published in English up to 2021. All original research studies and retrospective or prospective studies focusing on the relationship between vertigo/dizziness and somatoform complaints/somatization were systematically retrieved. Studies that did not include data on the association between somatoform complaints/somatization and vertigo/dizziness were excluded, as were reviews, comments, case reports, editorials, letters, and practice guidelines. Extracted data included research type, number of participants, assessment tools for vertigo/dizziness and somatoform complaints/somatization, statistical methods, and the main results. The quality of included studies was evaluated. Records identified through database searching n = 1238. After removing duplicates and unrelated articles based on abstract and title search, 155 articles recorded as relevant. Except for the 5 articles, title and abstract of all records screened and 88 of them excluded. Critically evaluating those full texts, 28 studies included. The present study highlights the relationship between the vertigo/dizziness and somatoform complaints/somatization. It is determined that somatoform complaints of the individuals suffering from vertigo/dizziness is highly prevelant and some other factor such as personality characteristics or accompanying psychopathology have affect on the prevelance. The main results of all reviewed studies emphasize the requirement for assessment and intervention of vertigo/dizziness, in collaboration with the department of psychiatry. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: PROSPERO: CRD42020222273.

Adaptation and Validation of the Turkish Version of the International Tinnitus Inventory.

Objective: Tinnitus is a common auditory symptom that negatively affects the quality of life of individuals. This study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of a Turkish version of the International Tinnitus Inventory (Tr-ITI) for both clinical and research purposes. ITI is a short, easily applicable self-report inventory to measure perceived tinnitus. Methods: The Turkish translation of the ITI and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) were administered to 125 participants aged 19 to 76 with tinnitus complaints for over three months. A routine audiological evaluation was performed, and the psychoacoustic properties of tinnitus were determined. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed to construct validity, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used for the reliability of internal consistency, and retests were administered to participants 15 days after the first measurement. Results: CFA and inter-item correlations confirmed the unifactorial model. Tr-ITI showed high internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha =0.909). All fit index values showed a good fit. Correlations between the total scores of Tr-ITI and THI were moderate (r=-0.620) and between retest scores were very high (r=0.993). Conclusion: The Tr-ITI is a valid, reliable, and practical tool for determining tinnitus severity and tinnitus complaints.

Do cervical stabilization exercises change the effects of conventional exercises in patients with Parkinson's disease?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine whether cervical stabilization exercises (CSEs) change the effects of conventional exercises (CEs) in patients with PD. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with PD were randomized into two groups. While the experimental group (EG) received CSEs in addition to CEs, the control group (CG) received only CEs. Both programs lasted 8 weeks. Eighteen participants were able to complete the study. The outcomes were the changes in posture, cervical joint position sense (JPS), balance assessment, 10-m walking tests (10MWT), and the Timed Up & Go (TUG) test. RESULTS: At the end of the study, significant improvement was observed in both groups in terms of trunk rotation angle and pelvic asymmetry, the time parameter of TUG, and the 10MWT (p < 0.05). In the EG, greater improvement was detected in the Berg Balance Scale, static posturography, postural alignment, JPS, and the cadence parameter of TUG (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: CEs and CSEs could improve walking speed and posture in patients with PD, but if CSEs are added to CEs, greater improvements could be achieved in JPS and postural control.(Clinical Trials ID: NCT03854747).

Evaluation of balance and executive function relationships in older individuals.

BACKGROUND: Executive function is an important cognitive factor in gait and balance control. Weakening of balance system components and executive functions due to aging may affect walking and balance and increase the risk of falling. AIMS: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between balance and executive function in older individuals and the contributions of physical activity and depression to this relationship. METHODS: A total of 84 healthy individuals aged 60 and over were included in the study. In the study, the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Mini Balance Evaluation Systems Test (Mini-BESTest), Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), Trail Making Test A and B (TMT A and TMT B), Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were applied. RESULTS: The Mini-BESTest and TUG correlated with DSST, TMT A, and TMT B. GDS was correlated with TUG. PASE was correlated with Mini-BESTest and TUG. Executive functions differed according to education level; DSST, TMT B, and GDS were effective in fall history. DISCUSSION: There was a significant relationship between balance and executive function. It was found that balance and walking speed increased as executive function skills increased. Depression and physical activity are associated with balance and gait speed. CONCLUSIONS: Balance and executive functions are related to each other, and physical activity and depression contribute to this relationship. In order to protect against the negative effects of aging, cognitive and physical training can be performed to prevent balance and executive function declines.

Balance performance measured by posturography in mild-moderate Alzheimer's Disease: An undervalued assessment.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare balance performance in mild-moderate stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and healthy peers using clinical balance tests and computerized posturography. METHODS: We recruited 95 patients and divided them into two groups; 51 patients (62 % (n=32) female) in AD group and 44 patients in healthy controls group (50 % (n=22) female). Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up & Go (TUG) test were performed. Computerized posturography was performed. RESULTS: The mean age was 77.2±5.5 years in the AD group and 73.8±4.4 years in the control group (p<0.001). Sensory organization test composite equilibrium score (60[30-81], p<0.001), step quick turn-sway velocity (69.2 [38.2-95.8], p<0.001) and step quick turn-time (3.8 [1.6-8.4], p<0.001) were significantly impaired in mild-moderate stage AD patients. Berg Balance Scale (50 [32-56], p<0.001) and TUG test (13.0 [7.0-25.7], p<0.001) results were worse in AD. CONCLUSIONS: Computerized posturography measures were impaired in mild-moderate AD patients. The results highlight importance of early screening for balance and fall risk in AD patients. The study provides multi-dimensional and holistic assessment of balance performance in early-stage AD patients. Alzheimer's disease patients at earlier stages are prone to fall risk and should be evaluated accordingly.

Acute effects of lumbosacral mobilization on balance and functional activities in idiopathic Parkinson's disease:A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Decreased axial rotation, impaired coordination between axial segments and axial tone contribute to gait, balance and postural disorders in Parkinson's Disease. AIMS: The aim of our study was to examine the acute effects of lumbosacral mobilization on balance and functional activities in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's Disease. METHODS: This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted at Hacettepe University. The study included 28 patients with Parkinson's Disease who were between stage 2-3 according to the Modified Hoehn&Yahr Staging Scale. Participants were randomised to the study group, including 10 minutes of lumbosacral mobilization, or the control group, including no intervention. The Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Modified Parkinson's Activity Scale (MPAS), Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), and static posturography test (Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance - mCTSIB) were all examined twice. RESULTS: The UPDRS, MPAS, DGI values and the composite score with the soft ground eyes open condition in the mCTSIB were improved in the study group (p < 0.05). DGI and MPAS values reached the level of significance between the groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study is the first to examine the effect of lumbosacral mobilization on balance and functional activities in patients with Parkinson's disease. Lumbosacral mobilization is an effective method in PwPD. Lumbosacral mobilization may be an alternative way for these patients to improve their balance and functional activities.

Validity and reliability study of the Khalfa's hyperacusis questionnaire with using ULL in tinnitus patients.

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the validity and reliability of the Khalfa's hyperacusis questionnaire (HQ) in Turkish tinnitus patients with hyperacusis using uncomfortable loudness levels (ULLs) and to determine a cutoff score for tinnitus patients specifically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and forty subjects with a mean age ± SD of 45.27 ± 14.43 years ranging from 18 to 75 participated in the study. HQ and ULLs were used as measures of hyperacusis. The participants were divided into two groups due to ULLs ≤ 90 dB in one or both ears (Group 1) and 56 participants have ULLs > 90 dB (Group 2). RESULTS: The mean HQ score of the participants was 19.55 ± 7.18 points, Group 1 (n = 84) HQ mean score was 21.97 ± 7.08, and Group 2 (n = 56) 15.91 ± 5.56 points, and the cutoff point was found 16.50. Statistically significant differences were found between the groups in total HQ (p < 0.001), attention, social, and emotional subscales of HQ. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperacusis questionnaire using with ULLs is a precise tool for the steps of identifying, categorizing, and managing the hyperacusis in patients with tinnitus. However, the effect of the tinnitus on hyperacusis should be considered, because it causes additional problems.

Effects of Virtual Reality for Postural Control in Chronic Neck Pain: A Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of virtual reality (VR) on postural control, posture, and kinesiophobia in patients with chronic neck pain (CNP). METHODS: Forty-one participants with CNP were randomly allocated to the VR and control groups. The VR group experienced VR with glasses for 20 minutes and then performed motor control (MC) exercises for 20 minutes. The control group received only MC exercises for 40 minutes. Both groups received 18 sessions over 6 weeks. Computerized dynamic posturography outcomes, including sensory organization test (SOT), limits of stability, and unilateral stance tests, gait speed, forward head posture (FHP), shoulder protraction (SP), cervical lordosis angle, kinesiophobia, and exercise compliance were recorded. RESULTS: The VR group had more effects regarding composite equilibrium (Cohen's d = 1.20) of SOT and kinesiophobia (Cohen's d = -0.96), P < .05). Also, the VR group was more effective in exercise compliance (P < .05). Contrary to these results, the control group was more effective in correcting FHP and SP (Cohen's d > 0.7, P < .05). CONCLUSION: Virtual reality seemed to have an effect on postural control, posture, and kinesiophobia in patients with chronic neck pain.

The reliability and validity of decreased sound tolerance scale-screening

Abstract Objectives: Decreased Sound Tolerance (DST) is a negative reaction to a sound that does not cause any reaction in an individual with normal hearing. DST's subclasses include hyperacusis, phonophobia, and misophonia, which are distinct and have therapy variations. There is no diagnostic method or scale that distinguishes them in the literature. This study's purpose was to develop a screening scale that distinguishes these three DSTs. Methods: The study comprised 257 willing participants with normal hearing. Cronbach alpha coefficient, item-total correlation, and item differentiation of the Decreased Sound Tolerance Scale-Screening (DSTS-S) were evaluated. Structural validity of DSTS-S was performed by Varimax rotation with Kaiser normalization using Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA), and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed to assess its structural compatibility. The scale's total scores from each section were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test in symptom (+) and symptom (-) participants. Results: The Cronbach alpha value for hyperacusis, phonophobia, and misophonia sections of DSTS-S was calculated as 0.881, 0.775, and 0.938, respectively. The difference between the independent samplet-test and the variables was statistically significant (p<0.01). The Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant difference between the median values of the total groups 'scores with and without hyperacusis, phonophobia, and misophonia (HTS, PTS, and MTS, respectively) (p<0.05). Evaluation by ROC analysis showed that hyperacusis was useful in predicting the presence of hyperacusis, phonophobia was useful in predicting the presence of phonophobia, and misophonia was useful in predicting the presence of misophonia (p< 0.001). Hyperacusis and misophonia sections showed high reliability, and phonophobia section showed a moderately reliable level. The Kappa test showed that the compatibility between test-retest for the total scores was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The study's results indicated that DSTS-S is a valid and reliable scale for identifying subtypes/problems/classes of decreased sound tolerance.

Investigation of the Effects of COVID-19 on Perception, Attention, Memory, Balance, and Quality of Life in the Elderly.

This study was conducted with elderly individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on balance, perception, attention, memory, and quality of life and produce rehabilitative solutions for these problems. Material and Method: A total of 45 volunteers older than 65 years who had not had COVID-19 were included in group 1. A total of 45 volunteers older than 65 years who had recovered from COVID-19 were included in group 2 (elderly people who have had COVID-19 at least 6 months ago). After obtaining the individuals' demographic data, we conducted vestibular assessment for balance and administered the Stroop test for attention, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the digit span test for short-term memory, and a quality-of-life test. Results: Mean age of the individuals who had had COVID-19 was 68.24 ± 3.32 years, and the mean age of the individuals who had not had COVID-19 was 68.55 ± 3.34 years. There were statistically significant correlations between the two groups for the Stroop test (P < .05), MMSE (P < .05), the digit span test for perception and attention (P < .05), and the vestibular assessment quality-of-life test (P < .01). Sensory (P < .001), past, present, and future activities (P < .05), social participation (P < .001), and death (P < .05) were found to be significant in the total score (P < .001). The covariance analysis of elderly individuals who had had COVID-19 revealed that they performed significantly worse on the balance, perception, attention, memory, and quality-of-life tests than elderly individuals who had not had COVID-19. Conclusion: The negative effects of COVID-19 were found among elderly individuals older than 65 years. We suggest that telerehabilitation should be developed for elderly people who have recovered from COVID-19 and that its effects investigated.

Concordance of vestibular test batteries in patients with vestibular neuritis.

BACKGROUND: A growing number of vestibular function tests are utilized to differentiate and verify the diagnosis of vestibular neuritis. The aim of this study is to retrospectively investigate the consistency of the results of the objective vestibular test batteries in patients with a preliminary diagnosis of vestibular neuritis. METHODS: We reviewed a total of 37 adult patients (mean age: 39.03 ± 11.67, 19 females, 18 males) who met the inclusion criteria with a prediagnosis of vestibular neuritis from 379 patients suffering vestibular symptoms. Caloric test (CVT), video head impulse test (vHIT), and ocular and cervical VEMP tests were compared with Cohen's kappa (Κ) analysis according to the likely affected part of the vestibular nerve. RESULTS: The highest statistically significant K value was found between horizontal vHIT and ocular VEMP (K = 0.707; good grade, p < 0.05). All the tests compared with CVT were poorly in agreement (K = 0.288; 0.262; 0.256 for HvHIT, oVEMP, AvHIT, respectively, p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: VEMP and vHIT tests have prominent diagnostic value and agree with each other for detecting and differentiating the types of vestibular neuritis. Further studies should aim to include cutting-edge technologies such as functional HIT and ocular counter roll test.

Postural Control Alterations in Children with Mild Forms of Spastic Cerebral Palsy.

Purpose: To determine the postural control responses' differences between children with mild spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP) and children who are typically developing (TD). Patients and Methods: Children with spastic CP, Level I-II (n=20, mean age=9.42±4.59 years, 50% girls, 50% boys) and children with TD (N=20, mean age=9.65±3.03, 55% girls, 45% boys) were included in the study. All participants were evaluated with Computerized Dynamic Posturography, Sensory Organization Test (SOT). Results: There were differences between children with spastic CP and children with TD in visual and composite balance score of SOT significantly (p<0.05); there were no differences at vestibular and somatosensory scores of SOT. Children with CP had more postural sway than children with TD (p<0.05). Conclusion: There were differences between children with mild CP and TD in terms of postural control responses.

Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation in Chronic Subjective Tinnitus.

OBJECTIVE: It is aimed to determine the therapeutic role of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on chronic subjective tinnitus with a randomized and comparative analysis. METHOD: 46 individuals with normal hearing, chronic subjective tinnitus, aged 20-65; randomly divided into the study (TENS therapy) and tje control groups. The control group (n = 23) was informed only about tinnitus, while the study group (n = 23) received TENS therapy (20 sessions in 4 weeks). Before TENS therapy, tinnitus-related evaluations of all participants [tinnitus frequency, loudness, minimum masking level (MMS), residual inhibition (RI)] were made and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Short Form 36 (SF-36), and The Quality of Life Scale were applied to the participants. These evaluations and questionnaires were repeated after 4 weeks of the therapy. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the tinnitus severity after TENS therapy in the study group (p = 0.003). Moreover, it was found that VAS (loudness and annoyance), THI (functional, emotional and total score), SF-36 (physical function, physical role, pain, general health, vitality, emotional role and social function) values improved compared to before TENS therapy and the difference was significant (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the first and last evaluations of the control group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: TENS is an effective, practical and reliable therapy method in reducing severity, loudness, and annoyance of tinnitus, and increasing the quality of life in individuals with chronic subjective tinnitus.

Instantaneous Gain in Video Head Impulse Test: A Reliability Study.

Objective: Vestibulo-ocular reflex gain at 40, 60, and 80 ms following the head movement start is calculated as the instantaneous gain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability of instantaneous gain values at 40, 60, and 80 ms with testing and retesting in healthy adults. Methods: The study was conducted with Interacoustics EyeSeeCam vHIT (Interacoustics, Denmark), and 42 healthy adults were evaluated twice at half-hour intervals (test and retest) by the same practitioner. Agreement of mean gain, gain asymmetry, and instantaneous gain was evaluated using a paired samples t-test. Results: Mean age of the participants was 33.62±11.17; 38.1% were male and 61.9% were female. In the degree of the agreement, paired sample correlation (r) between test and retest results of the horizontal semicircular canals was found to be higher than those of the vertical semicircular canals. Moreover, the highest correlation between test and retest for instantaneous gain, calculated for only horizontal semicircular canals, was found at 80 ms on each side (0.791; 0.838, right and left, respectively), while the lowest correlation between these parameters was found between the gain asymmetry values. Conclusion: The video head impulse test used in studies calculates the mean gain in approximately at 60 ms. However, the higher correlation between mean gain values at 80 ms in our findings indicates that gain calculation strategies and techniques for latencies should be discussed. Additionally, the low correlation of vertical semicircular canals for mean gain and gain asymmetry between semicircular canal pairs, which clearly shows that more standard and more reliable methods should be developed.

Is Inadequate Water Intake a Risk Factor for Vestibular Disorders?

BACKGROUND: Water is a vital nutrient for the human body system and failing to consume enough water could cause health problems. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between water intake and vestibular system disorders. METHODS: Data from 93 patients (aged between 20 and 76 years) with vestibular disorders were analyzed in the study. The mean age of the patients was 46.96 ±13.94 years (female: 45.68 ±13.45, male: 49.96 ±14.85), and 69.9% (n=65) were female. Participants were sub-categorized into diagnostic groups as follows: benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Meniere's disease, vestibular neuritis, vestibular migraine, and persistent postural perceptual dizziness. The water intake information was analyzed for total water, plain water, and caffeinated beverages separately and compared between groups. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between vestibular neuritis and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (P < .001) and also between vestibular neuritis and Meniere's disease (P = .021) in terms of the intake values of plain water and total water. No significant difference was found between groups in caffeinated beverages intake (P = .151), and it was found that there is no statistically significant difference in plain water and total water intake in terms of gender (P > .05). CONCLUSION: The most significant result of this study is that inadequate water intake can be a risk factor for some forms of peripheral vestibular disorders. People should be informed about the importance of drinking water and be encouraged to increase their water intake.

The reliability and validity of decreased sound tolerance scale-screening.

OBJECTIVES: Decreased Sound Tolerance (DST) is a negative reaction to a sound that does not cause any reaction in an individual with normal hearing. DST's subclasses include hyperacusis, phonophobia, and misophonia, which are distinct and have therapy variations. There is no diagnostic method or scale that distinguishes them in the literature. This study's purpose was to develop a screening scale that distinguishes these three DSTs. METHODS: The study comprised 257 willing participants with normal hearing. Cronbach alpha coefficient, item-total correlation, and item differentiation of the Decreased Sound Tolerance Scale-Screening (DSTS-S) were evaluated. Structural validity of DSTS-S was performed by Varimax rotation with Kaiser normalization using Explanatory Factor Analysis (EFA), and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was performed to assess its structural compatibility. The scale's total scores from each section were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test in symptom (+) and symptom (-) participants. RESULTS: The Cronbach alpha value for hyperacusis, phonophobia, and misophonia sections of DSTS-S was calculated as 0.881, 0.775, and 0.938, respectively. The difference between the independent samplet-test and the variables was statistically significant (p < 0.01). The Mann-Whitney U test showed a significant difference between the median values of the total groups' scores with and without hyperacusis, phonophobia, and misophonia (HTS, PTS, and MTS, respectively) (p < 0.05). Evaluation by ROC analysis showed that hyperacusis was useful in predicting the presence of hyperacusis, phonophobia was useful in predicting the presence of phonophobia, and misophonia was useful in predicting the presence of misophonia (p < 0.001). Hyperacusis and misophonia sections showed high reliability, and phonophobia section showed a moderately reliable level. The Kappa test showed that the compatibility between test-retest for the total scores was statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The study's results indicated that DSTS-S is a valid and reliable scale for identifying subtypes/problems/classes of decreased sound tolerance.

Effects of cognitive tasks on eye movements.

Eye movements are guided by vestibular and visual information. The vestibulo-ocular knowledge of the vestibule includes eye movements in the opposite direction of head movements. This study investigated the effect of auditory "what" and "where" tasks on the visual "where" to evaluate the effects of cognitive tasks on eye movements. All subjects underwent testing with videonystagmography (VNG). The VNG battery of saccade and tracking oculomotor tests were performed. The study design was planned in three stages: (1) without any cognitive tasks, eye movements were recorded with VNG, (2) participants were asked to tell "what" sound they heard during VNG recording, and (3) the subject was asked to tell from what direction, or "where," the sound had come from during VNG recording. Providing individuals with a cognitive task changed the test results negatively in all parameters. Giving cognitive tasks to individuals spoils all VNG parameters. The VNG oculomotor tests are affected by the dual tasks. Daily tasks such as sound object localization and recognition have a significant effect on scanning the visual environment in daily life such as during driving or walking in a crowded environment.

The prevalence and characteristics of misophonia in Ankara, Turkey: population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Misophonia is defined as significant distress (anger, distress or disgust) when exposed to certain sounds that would not affect most people, such as lip smacking or gum chewing. Although misophonia is common, the aetiology, prevalence and effective treatments are largely unknown. AIMS: Based on our proposed diagnostic criteria, we examined the prevalence of misophonia and its relationship with clinical and demographic variables in a large representative population sample. METHOD: We used a household sample (N = 541) of all residents aged >15 years, living in 300 homes randomly selected in Ankara city centre, Turkey. All participants were assessed at their homes by trained interviewers, for sociodemographic variables, misophonic sounds and related factors, using a semi-structured interview (the Misophonia Interview Schedule) developed for the current research. RESULTS: The current misophonia diagnosis prevalence was 12.8% (n = 69 of 541), although 427 (78.9%) participants reported at least one sound that was distressing. The mean number of misophonic sounds was 8.6 (s.d. 8.9, range 0-44); the figure was 17.6 in those with misophonia compared with 7.3 in those without misophonia. Of those with misophonia, only 5.8% contacted services for their condition. Predictors of misophonia diagnosis included younger age, family history of misophonia and previous contact with mental health services. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that misophonia is common in the general population, may cause significant disruption in daily life and is undertreated. Although more evidence is needed to classify misophonia as a psychiatric disorder, our findings support others who claim that the condition belongs to the group of mental disorders.