A Cross-Sectional Survey Evaluating Awareness of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Among Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists.

Purpose Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the most common congenital infection worldwide and a leading environmental cause of pediatric hearing loss (HL). The objective of this study was to evaluate audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) on awareness and knowledge of cCMV. Method A multiple-choice survey assessing awareness, knowledge, and practice patterns was sent electronically to audiologists and SLPs of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Results were compared between audiologists and SLPs and within stratified groups of audiologists. Data were collected, and descriptive analysis was performed. Results Ninety-four audiologists and 317 SLPs responded. Most audiologists were somewhat or very familiar with cCMV (85.9%), while only 26% of SLPs responded that they were at least somewhat familiar with cCMV (p < .0001). When comparing audiologists' and SLPs' knowledge of symptoms, transmission, and diagnostic age for cCMV, audiologists had higher scores in all categories (p < .0001). Audiologists were then stratified into subgroups to evaluate the association of the given subgroup with their overall knowledge. The more advanced audiology training, the more knowledgeable the respondent was regarding HL progression (p = .002). Audiologists who were more familiar with cCMV scored better in most categories compared to those reporting somewhat or less familiar; these findings were only significant for knowledge of symptoms (p < .0001). Audiologists who were sometimes or frequently evaluating children less than 5 years of age had a better understanding of HL presentation among cCMV patients than those who rarely saw this patient population. Those who were in practice for < 20 years frequently knew the time-sensitive age of diagnosis than respondents in practice longer. Conclusions As a leading environmental cause of pediatric HL, cCMV is frequently encountered by audiologists and SLPs. This study highlights knowledge gaps and areas where targeted education is needed for both groups.

Ototoxicity in cystic fibrosis patients receiving intravenous tobramycin for acute pulmonary exacerbation: Ototoxicity following tobramycin treatment.

Aminoglycosides are commonly used to treat infections in CF patients and are highly ototoxic. The incidence of tobramycin-induced hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo or dizziness (ototoxicity) varies widely from 0 to 56% secondary to variation in patient enrollment, dosing, audiometry, and ototoxic criteria. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of ototoxicity after one course of once-daily IV tobramycin in CF patients. Adult CF patients with acute pulmonary exacerbations were enrolled on IV tobramycin (10 mg/kg/d, ≥10 days). Pure-tone audiometry was performed for standard and extended high frequencies in the sensitive range for ototoxicity (SRO). American-Speech-Language-Hearing-Association cochleotoxicity criteria were applied. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and the words-in-noise-test (WINT) were assessed. Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) and Vertigo Symptoms Scale (VSS) were used. Eighteen CF patients, mean age 31.1 (18-59), were enrolled. The incidence of cochleotoxic change from baseline at 2 and 4 weeks post-treatment was 89% and 93%. For DPOAE, a measure of outer hair-cell function, the incidence of ≥5 dB decrease was 82% and 80%. For WINT, a measure of word recognition, the incidence of ≥10% decrease was 17% and 40%. For TFI, the incidence of ≥10pt increase was 12% and 8%, and for VSS, the incidence of ≥6pt increase was 0% and 8%. One course of IV tobramycin was sufficient to cause hearing loss and other ototoxic symptoms four weeks after treatment ended. Audiometric measures were more sensitive to ototoxic change than TFI & VSS. Age and duration of tobramycin treatment were not obvious factors for predicting ototoxicity.

Hearing Aid Reimbursement: A Discussion of Influencing Factors.

Reimbursement for hearing aids in the present time has become as complicated, if not more so, than any other area of health care. For many years, hearing aids were a noncovered item where insurance was concerned. The predominant model of bundling costs into a single dollar amount was copied decades ago from hearing instrument specialists. However, insurance companies and federal agencies are increasingly covering the cost of the diagnostic hearing evaluation and at least some of the costs associated with hearing aid purchases. One operational question is whether the bundled charge model is still appropriate, or should audiologists follow more closely the example of optometry whereby professional services are charged separately from the cost of goods sold? The models that have evolved constitute a broad mixture of bundling, partial bundling (i.e., partial unbundling), and complete unbundling. There exists no uniformity for which charge method is best. But, with greater frequency, insurance requirements are forcing a movement toward partial or complete unbundling of associated costs. Regardless of which charge model is adopted, calculation of the cost of service delivery for each audiology practice is an essential business component to justify charges and make educated decisions regarding participation in various insurance, cooperative, or network plans.

First Locally Acquired Congenital Zika Syndrome Case in the United States: Neonatal Clinical Manifestations.

In the spring of 2017, a full-term infant with microcephaly was delivered in South Florida. During first trimester, the mother presented with fever, nausea, and vomiting. She reported no foreign travel for herself or her partner. The infant's neurologic, ophthalmologic, neuroradiologic, and audiologic findings were highly suggestive of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), confirmed by IgM antibodies and plaque reduction neutralization test. New observations, including peripheral temporal retinal avascularity and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thinning, are presented from this first known case of non-travel-associated CZS in the United States. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2018;49:e93-e98.].

Hearing Impairment Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.

IMPORTANCE: Hearing impairment is common in adults, but few studies have addressed it in the US Hispanic/Latino population. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of hearing impairment among US Hispanic/Latino adults of diverse backgrounds and determine associations with potential risk factors. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) is a population-based sample of Hispanics/Latinos in four US communities (Bronx, New York; Chicago, Illinois; Miami, Florida; and San Diego, California). Examinations were conducted from 2008 through 2011. The HCHS/SOL examined 16,415 self-identified Hispanic/Latino persons aged 18 to 74 years recruited from randomly selected households using a stratified 2-stage area probability sample design based on census block groups and households within block groups. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Hearing thresholds were measured by pure-tone audiometry. Hearing impairment was defined as a pure-tone average (PTA) of thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz greater than 25 dB hearing level. Bilateral hearing impairment required a PTA greater than 25 dB hearing level in both ears. Multivariable analyses included adjustments for sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, body mass index, and medical conditions. RESULTS: The prevalence of hearing impairment was 15.06% (SE, 0.44%) overall, and 8.24% (SE, 0.33%) had bilateral hearing impairment. The prevalence of hearing impairment was higher among people 45 years and older, ranging by Hispanic/Latino background from 29.35% to 41.20% among men and 17.89% to 32.11% among women. The multivariable-adjusted odds of hearing impairment was greater for participants of Puerto Rican background compared with Mexican background (odds ratio [OR], 1.57 [95% CI, 1.10-2.25]). The odds of hearing impairment were lower with more education (OR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.59-0.86] for at least high school) and higher income (OR, 0.58 [95% CI, 0.36-0.92] for >$75,000 vs ≤$10,000). Noise exposure (OR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.07-1.70]), diabetes (OR, 1.57 [95% CI, 1.27-1.94]), and prediabetes (OR, 1.37 [95% CI, 1.12-1.67]) were associated with hearing impairment. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Hearing impairment is a common problem for older Hispanics/Latinos in these communities and is associated with socioeconomic factors, noise exposure, and abnormal glucose metabolism. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether these factors are involved in the etiology of hearing impairment and to identify ways to prevent or delay age-related changes in hearing.

Longitudinal influence of prenatal cocaine exposure on child language functioning.

The present study estimates the longitudinal effects of in utero cocaine exposure on language functioning at 3, 5 and 7 years of age in an urban sample of 443 full-term children (236 cocaine-exposed and 207 noncocaine-exposed) participating in the Miami Prenatal Cocaine Study. The sample was enrolled prospectively at birth, with documentation of prenatal drug exposure status through maternal interview and urine and meconium toxicology assays. Language functioning was measured at ages 3 and 5 years using the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals-Preschool (CELF-P) and at age 7 years using the Core Language Domain of the NEPSY: A Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment. Longitudinal Generalized Linear Model and Generalized Estimating Equations (GLM/GEE) analyses revealed an association between prenatal cocaine exposure and deficits in total language functioning after statistically controlling for child sex, visit age, prenatal exposure to alcohol, marijuana and tobacco and over 20 additional medical and sociodemographic covariates drawn from potentially confounding influences assessed at birth and follow-up visits (D=-0.17; 95% CI=-0.32, -0.03; P=.019). The link from prenatal cocaine exposure to later language deficits does not appear to be mediated by cocaine-associated deficits in birth weight, length or head circumference. Overall, the evidence tends to support an inference of a stable cocaine-specific effect on indicators of language functioning during early childhood through age 7 years.