Evaluation of the auditory brainstem response test in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Hearing loss is an unknown complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of this study was to evaluate hearing function using auditory brainstem response (ABR) in diabetic patients. Methods: The present case-control study was performed on thirty diabetic patients as a case group and thirty healthy individuals as a control group. Baseline demographic information, HbA1c level, and duration of diabetes were obtained from all diabetic patients. In all subjects, the ABR and pure-tone audiometry (PTA) tests were performed and the results were analyzed using the t-test and logistic regression. Results: The absolute latency of I was significantly lower in diabetes patients. The absolute latency of III and the interpeak latencies (IPL) I-III were significantly higher in diabetic patients. No significant relationship was noticed in the absolute latency of V and the IPL I-V among diabetic patients in the right and left ears (P>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that diabetes may cause central auditory dysfunction manifested on the absolute latency of III, the IPL I-III and III-V.

Clinical characteristics and analysis of vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss in different ages.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have found that patients experiencing sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), with or without accompanying vertigo, often show impaired vestibular function. However, there is a dearth of studies analyzing vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) in SSHL patients across various age groups. AIM: To investigate vestibular condition in SSHL patients across various age demographics. METHODS: Clinical data of 84 SSHL patients were investigated retrospectively. Audiometry, cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (c-VEMPs), and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (o-VEMPs) were conducted on these patients. Parameters assessed included the latencies of P1 and N1 waves, as well as the amplitudes of P1-N1 waves. Moreover, the study evaluated the influence of factors such as sex, affected side, configuration of hearing loss, and presence of accompanying vertigo. RESULTS: Among the 84 SSHL patients, no significant differences were observed among the three groups in terms of gender, affected side, and the presence or absence of vertigo. Group II (aged 41-60 years) had the highest number of SSHL cases. The rates of absent o-VEMPs in the affected ears were 20.83%, 31.58%, and 22.72% for the three age groups, respectively, with no statistically significant difference among them. The rates of absent c-VEMPs in the affected ears were 8.3%, 34.21%, and 18.18% for the three age groups, respectively, with significant differences. In the unaffected ears, there were differences observed in the extraction rates of o-VEMPs in the unaffected ears among the age groups. In the three age groups, no significant differences were noted in the three age groups in the latencies of P1 and N1 waves or in the amplitude of N1-P1 waves for c-VEMPs and o-VEMPs, either on the affected side or on the unaffected side, across the three age groups. CONCLUSION: The extraction rate of VEMPs is more valuable than parameters. Regardless of the presence of vertigo, vestibular organs are involved in SSHL. Notably, SSHL patients aged 41-60 appear more susceptible to damage to the inferior vestibular nerve and saccule.

Prevalence and Severity of Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Diabetic and Hypertensive Patients: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

Background The ability to perceive sound is crucial for effective communication and environmental awareness. This study aimed to assess sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in patients with both diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN). Materials and methods A total of 120 participants of both genders were divided into three groups: Group I consisted of diabetic patients (n=40, 22 males and 18 females), Group II included hypertensive individuals (n=40, 16 males and 24 females), and Group III served as controls (n=40, 15 males and 25 females). General ear examinations, including otoscopy, were conducted. Hearing function and the degree, pattern, and configuration of hearing loss were assessed using general ear examinations and pure tone audiometry. Results Normal hearing was observed in 25% of Group I, 26% of Group II, and 85% of Group III. Mild hearing loss was evident in 75% of Group I, 50% of Group II, and 15% of Group III, while moderate hearing loss was observed in 24% of Group II. These differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion Diabetic and hypertensive individuals demonstrated a higher hearing loss prevalence than healthy controls.

Correlation Between Pure Tone Audiometry Values and Middle Ear Ossicular Chain Status in Chronic Otitis Media: Study in a Tertiary Health Care Centre.

Aims: In this study, we attempt to compare the pure tone audiometry findings with ossicular chain status intraoperatively in patients of chronic otitis media. Materials and methods: 102 patients who presented with COM during a period of one year and met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. All patients underwent preoperative pure tone Audiometry and findings were tabulated. All patients were evaluated intraoperatively by the same surgeon and observations were made regarding ossicular chain integrity. Results: Small central perforation was noted in 10%, medium central perforation in 38.57%, large central perforation in 27.14% and subtotal perforation in 24.28%. 71.56% patients had an intact ossicular chain, of which 94.5% was mucosal disease and 5.5% were squamous disease. 29 cases showed eroded/absent ossicles, out of which, 28 had squamous type and 1 case had central perforation. Ossicular status was classified based on Austin Classification. Conductive hearing loss was found to be maximum where all 3 ossicles were eroded/absent, with a mean AB gap of 45.33 and mean air conduction threshold of 60.33. Conclusion: There is a good correlation between the hearing threshold of the patient and the status of ossicular chain. Preoperative knowledge of the degree of hearing loss and status of ossicular chain would allow the surgeon to plan proper ossicular reconstruction and give the patient a better advice regarding prognosis of hearing improvement after surgery.

Criteria for Determining Hearing Disability: A Narrative Review of Global Perspective.

Hearing loss is a highly prevalent condition worldwide, affecting over 5% of the global population. Determining disability and eligibility for rehabilitation services due to hearing loss is complex, as countries employ differing audiometric criteria and methods. This report reviews current literature on audiometric thresholds used globally to determine hearing disability, highlighting challenging cases worldwide. Databases PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for articles on hearing disability criteria published from 2010-present in English. Overall, developed countries employ a pure-tone average (PTA) of ≥ 40 dB as disability criteria, while developing countries use ≥ 41 dB PTA. The World Health Organization uses ≥ 41 dB disabling hearing loss in better ear. Studies show widespread use of a single frequency threshold in some countries can exclude milder losses. Individualized approaches accounting for communication function, rather than fixed PTA cut-offs alone, enable more accurate disability determination. Further research on optimal, equitable criteria accounting for resource availability is needed. Standardized guidelines balancing sensitivity and specificity in disability determination worldwide would enable improved rehabilitation access and outcomes.

Comparative analysis of hearing loss caused by steady-state noise and impulse noise.

BACKGROUND: Varied noise environments, such as impulse noise and steady-state noise, may induce distinct patterns of hearing impairment among personnel exposed to prolonged noise. However, comparative studies on these effects remain limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to delineate the different characteristics of hearing loss in workers exposed to steady-state noise and impulse noise. METHODS: As of December 2020, 96 workers exposed to steady-state noise and 177 workers exposed to impulse noise were assessed. Hearing loss across various frequencies was measured using pure tone audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) audiometry. RESULTS: Both groups of workers exposed to steady-state noise and impulse noise exhibited high frequencies hearing loss. The steady-state noise group displayed significantly greater hearing loss at lower frequencies in the early stages, spanning 1- 5 years of work (P < 0.05). Among individuals exposed to impulse noise for extended periods (over 10 years), the observed hearing loss surpassed that of the steady-state noise group, displaying a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Hearing loss resulting from both steady-state noise and impulse noise predominantly occurs at high frequencies. Early exposure to steady-state noise induces more pronounced hearing loss at speech frequencies compared to impulse noise.

Exploring the interplay of depression, sleep quality, and hearing in tinnitus-related handicap: insights from polysomnography and pure-tone audiometry.

BACKGROUND: Tinnitus affects approximately 740 million adults globally, involving hearing, emotion, and sleep systems. However, studies using polysomnography and pure-tone audiometry (PTA) are limited. We aimed to assess the correlation between tinnitus and hearing, sleep quality, characteristics, and depression using polysomnography and PTA. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we divided participants into tinnitus and non-tinnitus groups. We included 100 outpatients (65 with tinnitus, 35 without) from a medical center in Taiwan, who underwent polysomnography and completed rating scales including the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Chinese-Mandarin version of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI-CM). We analyzed correlations, conducted group comparisons, assessed factors related to THI-CM scores, constructed ROC curves to predict depression in the tinnitus group, and performed multinomial and logistic regression to explore associations. RESULTS: Descriptive statistics identified a cohort with mean age 53.9 ± 12.80 years, 63% exhibited PHQ-9 scores ≥ 10, and 66% had Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) > 5. The ratio of rapid eye movement and deep sleep to stage 1 + 2 sleep was relatively low and non-significant. Likewise, leg movements was higher in the tinnitus group but not statistically significant. In the tinnitus group, 63.08% had depression, and 81.54% had AHI > 5. Univariate logistic regression linked tinnitus to AHI > 5 (Odds ratio (OR) 2.67, p = 0.026) and male sex (OR 2.49, p = 0.034). A moderate positive correlation was found between the THI-CM score and PHQ-9 score (rs = 0.50, p < 0.001). Further adjustment for obstructive sleep apnea showed associations between PHQ-9 (total score) or depression and THI-CM Grade 3-5 (OR = 1.28; OR = 8.68). Single- and multifactor regression analyses highlighted significant associations of PSQI scores > 13 (OR 7.06, p = 0.018) and THI-CM scores > 47 (OR 7.43, p = 0.002) with depression. CONCLUSIONS: Our study recruited tinnitus participants with slight or mild hearing loss and mild tinnitus handicap. Depression was identified as a predominant factor in tinnitus-related handicap. The mild tinnitus handicap in tinnitus participants may explain the lack of significant differences in depression, sleep quality, and polysomnographic sleep characteristics between tinnitus and non-tinnitus groups. Further extensive and prospective studies are needed to elucidate the complex links among depression, sleep, and tinnitus.

Estimating intracluster correlation for ordinal data.

In this paper, we consider the estimation of intracluster correlation for ordinal data. We focus on pure-tone audiometry hearing threshold data, where thresholds are measured in 5 decibel increments. We estimate the intracluster correlation for tests from iPhone-based hearing assessment applications as a measure of test/retest reliability. We present a method to estimate the intracluster correlation using mixed effects cumulative logistic and probit models, which assume the outcome data are ordinal. This contrasts with using a mixed effects linear model which assumes that the outcome data are continuous. In simulation studies, we show that using a mixed effects linear model to estimate the intracluster correlation for ordinal data results in a negative finite sample bias, while using mixed effects cumulative logistic or probit models reduces this bias. The estimated intracluster correlation for the iPhone-based hearing assessment application is higher when using the mixed effects cumulative logistic and probit models compared to using a mixed effects linear model. When data are ordinal, using mixed effects cumulative logistic or probit models reduces the bias of intracluster correlation estimates relative to using a mixed effects linear model.

Audiological Characteristics of Vestibular Schwannoma Patients With Normal Pure-Tone Audiometry.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the audiological characteristics of vestibular schwannoma (VS) patients with normal pure-tone audiometry (PTA) results. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: Forty-two VS patients with normal PTA results from October 2016 to October 2022 were included. METHODS: Normal PTA was defined when the hearing threshold is ≤25 dB hearing loss (HL) in each test frequency and the PTA is ≤25 dB HL. Results of multiple audiological tests such as the auditory brainstem response (ABR), distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), multiple auditory steady-state responses threshold (ASSR), and speech discrimination score were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data of these patients were also been collected. RESULTS: According to our results, the ABR and average ASSR threshold of the affected side were statistically significantly higher in VS patients with normal PTA. ABR waveforms on the affected side also showed more abnormalities. The DPOAE pass rates of the affected side were lower than the unaffected side while the amplitude and signal-to-noise ratio rate was also lower. In addition, we used magnetic resonance imaging 3-dimensional reconstruction images to measure the volume of tumors in these patients. We also found that higher ABR threshold means lager tumor size in patients with normal PTA. CONCLUSION: VS patients with normal PTA result cannot be assumed to have no impairment of hearing function. ABR, DPOAE, and ASSR results showed the characteristic changes in the affect ear. ABR threshold has the highest sensitivity for hearing abnormalities and is strong relative with tumor size in patients with normal PTA.

Pure Tone Audiometry in Anemia Patients.

Aim: Anaemia is a prevalent medical condition that impacts a significant proportion of the worldwide populace. While the cardiovascular and respiratory systems' influence on anaemia has been extensively researched, its effect on the auditory system remains unclear. The objective of this investigation was to assess the pure tone audiometry of individuals with anaemia and establish a connection between the type of hearing impairment and the level of anaemia, if any. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised 100 patients who were diagnosed with anaemia. All study participants underwent a thorough general examination and hearing assessment, which encompassed tuning fork tests, and pure-tone audiometry. Statistical analysis was utilized to determine the type and severity of hearing loss and its correlation with the degree of anaemia. Results: Our research findings indicate that 46.8% of moderately anaemic patients and 62.9% of patients with severe anaemia exhibited sensorineural hearing loss. A significant correlation was observed between the degree of anaemia (p < 0.05) and hearing loss. Our research findings indicate that individuals with moderate and severe anaemia exhibit a notably greater incidence of hearing impairment in comparison to those with mild anaemia. Conclusion: The research findings thus suggest a potential correlation between anaemia and auditory impairment. The timely identification and management of anaemia could potentially play a crucial role in preventing or reducing hearing impairment among individuals with anaemia. Additional research is required to clarify the mechanisms that underlie this association and to investigate possible interventions for mitigating the risk of hearing impairment in individuals with anaemia.

Associations between dietary indices and hearing status among middle-older aged adults - results from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

BACKGROUND: Hearing loss, a public health issue in older populations, is closely related to functional decline. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the longitudinal associations between 4 dietary indices and hearing status. METHODS: Data from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging were used and included 882 participants ≥45 y of age. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire, and 4 dietary scores (Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet [MIND], Mediterranean style diet score [MDS], Alternative Healthy Eating Index [AHEI], and Healthy Eating Index [HEI]) were calculated as averages over time. Hearing status was examined using pure-tone audiometry, and pure-tone average (PTA) of hearing thresholds were calculated at speech-level (PTA(500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz)), low (PTA(500, 1000 Hz)), and high (PTA(4000, 8000 Hz)) frequencies, with lower thresholds indicating better hearing. Multivariable linear mixed-effect models were used to examine associations between dietary indices and hearing threshold change over time adjusted for confounders. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean age of participants was 67 y and 55% were female. Over a median of 8 y of follow-up, MDS ≥7 was associated with 3.5 (95% CI: -6.5, -0.4) and 5.0 (95% CI: -9.1, -1.0) dB lower PTA(500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz) and PTA(4000, 8000 Hz), respectively, compared with MDS ≤3; the highest tertile of the AHEI was associated with 2.3 (95% CI: -4.6, -0.1) and 5.0 (95% CI: -8.0, -2.0) dB lower PTA(500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz) and PTA(4000, 8000 Hz); and each standard deviation increment in HEI was associated with 1.6 dB (95% CI: -2.7, -0.6), 1.1 dB (95% CI: -2.1, -0.1), and 2.1 dB (95% CI: -3.5, -0.6) lower PTA(500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz), PTA(500, 1000 Hz), and PTA(4000, 8000 Hz), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to healthy dietary patterns was associated with better hearing status, with stronger associations at high frequencies. Am J Clin Nutr 20xx;x:xx.

Hearing loss in beta-thalassaemia: An Italian multicentre case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Despite numerous studies, the true scenario of hearing loss in beta-thalassaemia remains rather nebulous. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pure tone audiometry, chelation therapy, demographics and laboratory data of 376 patients (mean age 38.5 ± 16.6 years, 204 females, 66 non-transfusion-dependent) and 139 healthy controls (mean age 37.6 ± 17.7 years, 81 females) were collected. RESULTS: Patient and control groups did not differ for age (p = 0.59) or sex (p = 0.44). Hypoacusis rate was higher in patients (26.6% vs. 7.2%; p < 0.00001), correlated with male sex (32.6% in males vs. 21.8% in females; p = 0.01) and it was sensorineural in 79/100. Hypoacusis rate correlated with increasing age (p = 0.0006) but not with phenotype (13/66 non-transfusion-dependent vs. 87/310 transfusion-dependent patients; p = 0.16). Sensorineural-notch prevalence rate did not differ between patients (11.4%) and controls (12.2%); it correlated with age (p = 0.01) but not with patients' sex or phenotype. Among adult patients without chelation therapy, the sensorineural hypoacusis rate was non-significantly lower compared to chelation-treated patients while it was significantly higher compared to controls (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Sensorineural hypoacusis rate is high in beta-thalassaemia (about 21%) and it increases with age and in males while disease severity or chelation treatment seems to be less relevant. The meaning of sensorineural-notch in beta-thalassaemia appears questionable.

Hearing acuity in nonagenarians aged 90 and 95 assessed in a home setting using standardized pure-tone audiometry.

OBJECTIVE: Knowledge regarding hearing acuity in the nonagenarian age group is sparse. In this study we aimed to advance our understanding of hearing loss in the 10th decade of life. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study in which standardised hearing measurements were performed during home visits, which included care home facilities and nursing homes to maximise participation. STUDY SAMPLE: Two unselected groups of individuals aged 90 (n = 42) and 95 (n = 49), sampled from the population-based Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies. RESULTS: 98% of the participants (95% CI [95, 100]) had some degree of hearing loss in their better ear, with 83% (95% CI [73, 89]) having a potentially disabling hearing loss of moderate degree or worse, according to WHO criteria. Furthermore, differences between the two age groups (five years apart) indicate an increasing hearing loss, primarily at frequencies ≥ 2 kHz. CONCLUSION: Hearing loss was present in almost all of the participants in the nonagenarian age group and among a majority of them potentially to a degree that would warrant rehabilitation. Carrying out standardised hearing measurements in a home setting was feasible in this age group and enhanced the representativeness of the study population.

Bilateral hearing loss affected almost all of the individuals in the nonagenarian age group with 8 in 10 having hearing loss of a degree severe enough to warrant intervention or hearing aid prescription.The findings provide valuable insight into hearing acuity among nonagenarians. Many earlier studies were limited to subjective hearing assessments, reviews of medical records and/or screening tests performed by non-audiologists.The final sample size was smaller than initially planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, measures were taken to optimise the representativeness of the study sample.

An Observational Study of Hearing Loss Among Menopausal Women.

Senile deafness and hearing loss in adults over 50 are major public health issues as a result of the population's ageing demographic. Menopausal women tend to develop hearing loss, while no clear link has been found between the two. The purpose of this study was to determine how menopause and diabetes mellitus affects hearing loss. We assessed 158 menopausal women in total. Pure Tone Audiometry and HbA1c levels was measured, along with appropriate clinical history and examination. The association between those levels and hearing was researched by chi-square test. There were 158 study participants. Mean age of the study population was 50.5 (± 2.49) years. Onset and duration of hard of hearing was assessed in 41 patients (25.9%). 33% (N = 53) of the patients had history of Diabetes mellitus, of which 52.8% offered history of the disease for more than or equal to five years. On audiological assessment, 74.1% had no hearing loss (N = 117), 4.4% had unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (N = 7) and 21.5% had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (N = 34). Statistics show that hearing loss is statistically connected with ageing and poor glycemic management. With chi square values of 9.629 and P value 0.002 found a significant correlation between ageing and hearing loss. Poor glycemic control is significantly associated with hearing loss with a chi-square value of 4.304 and P value 0.038. Poor glycemic control and menopause is found to be strongly associated with sensorineural hearing loss. Further prospective, hormonal studies including larger population is recommended.

Audiological Profile in Allergic Rhinitis, a Hospital Based Study.

A type-I hypersensitivity reaction of the nasal mucosa, allergic rhinitis (AR) is distinguished by nasal obstruction, watery rhinorrhea, sneezing, and throat, mouth, and nose irritation. It is assumed that allergies can affect the inner, middle, or outer ear. Many writers have studied the relationship between allergic rhinitis and otitis media. Most of them concur that bacterial infection and Eustachian tube obstruction are significant risk factors for the development of otitis media with effusion in addition to allergies. One hundred study participants had a full clinical evaluation that included an ENT history and examination. In the ENT OPD, the audiological examination was conducted using Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) and Impedance Audiometry (IA). At frequencies of 250 and 8000 Hz, respectively, the bone and air conduction thresholds were studied. The commercially available "AT235 INTERACOUSTICS" tympanometer was used for the tympanometry procedure. With pressure variations between + 200 and - 300daPa, tympanometry was carried out employing a 226 Hz probe tone. Mean age of study population was 52.16 and 24% each in age group 51 to 60 and 61 to 70 years respectively. 73 (73%) were male and 27 (27%) were female. 46% of allergic rhinitis study population was found to have normal hearing and 43% had mild conductive hearing loss. Most common type of impedance curve was A type (47%). Patients having acute phase of allergy with symptoms less than 3 months had more ear block and secretory otitis media. Patients with duration more than 3 months had resolved secretory otitis media hence the hearing was normal in 33 cases and 11 had mild conductive hearing loss. This study was concluded that there is correlation between the severity of the hearing loss and duration of allergic rhinitis.

Hearing Loss and Urinary trans,trans-Muconic Acid (t,t-MA) in 6- to 19-Year-Old Participants of NHANES 2017-March 2020.

Hearing loss (HL) is associated with poorer language development and school performance. Ototoxic substances such as metals and solvents, including benzene, are a risk factor associated with HL. This study examines potential associations between the benzene metabolite trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) and HL in youth of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Logistic regression calculated adjusted odds ratio (aOR) associations between HL and urinary t,t-MA quartiles, natural-log transformed, and doubled urinary t,t-MA. Hearing threshold pure-tone average (PTA) at speech frequencies (SF) 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz and high frequencies (HF) 3, 4, and 6 kHz were analyzed for slight HL (PTA > 15 dB) and mild HL (PTA > 20 dB). Urinary t,t-MA was statistically significantly associated with both slight SF and HF HL. For each doubling of t,t-MA there were increased odds of having slight SFHL (aOR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.92), slight HFHL (aOR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.66), mild SFHL (aOR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.32), and mild HFHL (aOR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.04). To our knowledge, this is the first population-based report of an association between SFHL, HFHL, and the benzene metabolite t,t-MA in youth 6 to 19 years old.

Inner Ear Function Evaluation in Mobile Phone Users: A Cross-Sectional Study From a Tertiary Care Centre in North India.

Background India has approximately 1.02 billion mobile phone users. The electromagnetic radiations emitted by telecommunication systems are absorbed by the recipient's body, leading to changes in brain electrical activity, sensations of warmth or burning around the ear, and alterations in the blood-brain barrier. The inner ear, being the closest organ during mobile phone use, directly receives these electromagnetic radiations. This study aims to assess the inner ear function among mobile phone users, investigate the impact of mobile phones on the hearing thresholds of volunteers through pure-tone audiometry (PTA), and delve into the same using otoacoustic emissions (OAE). Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted at a single center in North India from September 2020 to March 2021. The sample size of around 100 was determined using G Power software (G Power, Aichach, Germany), including volunteers aged 18-25, using mobile phones for over a year with normal hearing. Exclusions involved various ear-related histories or chronic systemic illnesses. Dominant and non-dominant ear groups were formed based on mobile phone usage. The study involved comprehensive ENT examinations, pure-tone audiometry, and otoacoustic emissions. We performed statistical analyses using SPSS version 22.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY), which presented descriptive statistics and employed tests for group comparisons. Results Most participants were in the 21-23 age group (56%), with a mean age of 22.16 ± 1.77 years. There were 45 males and 55 females. The mean mobile phone usage was 6.6 ± 1.98 years, with varying daily durations. The dominant ear for mobile phone usage was predominantly the right ear (75 participants). Pure-tone audiometry results showed no statistically significant differences between dominant and non-dominant ears. Among the 24 participants with absent OAE, no significant association was found with mobile phone usage duration. Notably, the highest incidence of absent OAE occurred in the 120-180-minute usage category. Conclusion Mobile phones have seamlessly integrated into the lives of individuals, witnessing an exponential increase in users over time. The inner ear, situated in proximity to mobile phone usage, is of particular concern. While there is existing evidence indicating potential adverse effects of mobile phones on the inner ear, further long-term studies involving larger populations are essential to comprehensively evaluating the impact on inner ear function among mobile phone users.

The Impact of Diabetes Mellitus on Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Cross-Sectional Study in Eastern India.

Objective Hearing loss as a comorbidity of type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) is frequently overlooked by patients and healthcare professionals because of a lack of awareness. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the impact of DM on sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in the population of Eastern India. The primary objectives are to assess the prevalence and severity of SNHL among individuals with DM, explore demographic and clinical factors associated with hearing impairment, and contribute valuable insights to the understanding of this relationship in a specific regional context. Methods An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 198 patients with type 2 DM. Of these, 46 patients were excluded based on exclusion criteria. All patients underwent detailed demographic and clinical assessments, including glycemic control, DM duration, and associated complications. Pure tone audiometry was used to evaluate hearing thresholds. Otoacoustic emission testing was performed to assess cochlear dysfunction. Results A high prevalence of SNHL (70.4%) was observed among the 152 participants meeting the inclusion criteria. Females exhibited a higher prevalence than males, and most participants experienced mild SNHL. Rural residence, lower socioeconomic status, and poor glycemic control were associated with increased SNHL. Significant associations were found between hearing loss severity and DM duration, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, and complications. Among complications, a strong association was noted with diabetic neuropathy. No significant association was observed with the presence or absence of otoacoustic-emission. Conclusion This study reveals a substantial impact of DM on SNHL in Eastern India, emphasizing the importance of routine hearing assessments in diabetic populations. The findings contribute to regional understanding and have implications for targeted healthcare interventions and preventive strategies.

The effect of piston diameter in primary stapes surgery on surgical success.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of piston diameter in patients undergoing primary stapes surgery on audiometric results and postoperative complications. METHODS: A retrospective single-center cohort study was performed. Adult patients who underwent primary stapes surgery between January 2013 and April 2022 and received a 0.4-mm-diameter piston or a 0.6-mm-diameter piston were included. The primary and secondary outcomes were pre- and postoperative pure-tone audiometry, pre- and postoperative speech audiometry, postoperative complications, intraoperative anatomical difficulties, and the need for revision stapes surgery. The pure-tone audiometry included air conduction, bone conduction, and air-bone gap averaged over 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 kHz. RESULTS: In total, 280 otosclerosis patients who underwent 321 primary stapes surgeries were included. The audiometric outcomes were significantly better in the 0.6 mm group compared to the 0.4 mm group in terms of gain in air conduction (median = 24 and 20 dB, respectively), postoperative air-bone gap (median = 7.5 and 9.4 dB, respectively), gain in air-bone gap (median = 20.0 and 18.1 dB, respectively), air-bone gap closure to 10 dB or less (75% and 59%, respectively) and 100% speech reception (median = 75 and 80 dB, respectively). We found no statistically significant difference in postoperative dizziness, postoperative complications and the need for revision stapes surgery between the 0.4 and 0.6 mm group. The incidence of anatomical difficulties was higher in the 0.4 mm group. CONCLUSION: The use of a 0.6-mm-diameter piston during stapes surgery seems to provide better audiometric results compared to a 0.4-mm-diameter piston, and should be the preferred piston size in otosclerosis surgery. We found no statistically significant difference in postoperative complications between the 0.4- and 0.6-mm-diameter piston. Based on the results, we recommend always using a 0.6-mm-diameter piston during primary stapes surgery unless anatomical difficulties do not allow it.

The role of a mobile hearing application in secondary care ENT (HAppENT).

OBJECTIVE: Sudden hearing loss is a common presentation to ENT. In the authors' practice, patients often wait many weeks for formal hearing testing. This study aimed to assess whether a tablet-based hearing test, hearTest, could aid clinical decision-making within secondary care ENT. METHOD: This was a multi-centre, prospective, non-randomised study to assess the feasibility, usability and accuracy of hearTest. RESULTS: In the sample, hearTest was shown to be an acceptable method of testing for hearing loss by both patients and clinicians. The 0.5-4 kHz range had an average clinical agreement rate of 95.1 per cent when compared with formal pure tone audiometry, deeming it an accurate test to diagnose hearing loss. CONCLUSION: The authors propose that hearTest can be used within ENT as a clinical decision support tool when manual audiometry is not immediately available. Within the authors' practice, hearTest is used to aid diagnosis and management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.