Impact of Hearing Loss on Social Participation in Children: A Scoping Review.

Social participation can be defined as involvement in activities that provide a platform to interact with society and others. Untreated hearing loss effects communication skills, academic achievements, and peer-group interaction. Since a typical body structure and body functioning are essential to demonstrate day to day activities. Altogether these factors can influence the social participation in children with HL. The aim of this study is to systematically review the impact of hearing loss on social participation in children.A literature search was carried out to obtain studies exploring social participation among children with HL. Two authors independently searched four electronic databases, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. The search strategy was designed by using six main terms 'social participation', 'social engagement', 'social interaction', 'hearing loss', 'hearing impairment', 'hearing disorder', and Boolean operators 'AND', 'OR' were used to make the search strings. The current review included four studies after meeting the eligibility criteria. Findings showed that social participation is affected in children with HL. Reduced hearing ability is one of the factors of reduced social participation in children. Children using hearing aids or cochlear implants, participate more frequently in social activities. The findings of this review suggest that HL is associated with reduced social participation. However, using hearing aids and cochlear implants followed by auditory verbal therapy has significant improvement in social participation. Future studies need to investigate whether early rehabilitation can increase social participation in children.

Self-esteem among Individuals with Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: Self-esteem is important for decision making, emotional health, and overall well-being. In individuals with hearing loss (HL), self-esteem may vary due to degree of HL, hearing devices, academic set-ups and communication strategies used by family members. This study aimed to systematically review the impact of hearing loss on self-esteem. Method: A systematic search was conducted to identify the studies focusing on self-esteem of the individuals with HL. Four electronic databases, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and CINAHL, were used. Title screening and abstract reading were performed by two independent authors. Appropriate studies were considered for full-length reading. The references of the obtained articles were manually searched to identify eligible studies. A mixed-methods appraisal tool was used to critically appraise the included studies. Results: Out of 1219, twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Individuals with HL exposed to total communication had a positive impact on self-esteem. Interestingly, hearing competence of parents and siblings was linked with their self-esteem. Children with HL have higher self-esteem than normal-hearing children. Children with HL attending mainstream schooling and using cochlear implants had positive and higher self-esteem. Further, higher education level, employment, and marital status were effectively associated with self-esteem. Conclusion: Positive self-esteem intensely improves mental and emotional well-being. Appropriate and timely provided rehabilitation accompanied by family support can induce healthier and more fulfilling social life. Additionally, healthy self-esteem can empower individuals with HL to engage in social activities diligently. To sum up, early intervention and family participation are required to improve overall quality of life.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on audiology practice: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has significantly impacted the professional practice of health care professionals including audiological practice. Audiologists had to adopt to changes and modify their practice to deal with the pandemic. Reasonable published work has been seen since the onset of the pandemic, depicting impact on the audiology practice across the globe in different practice settings and contexts. The present scoping review was carried out to explore the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on audiology practice and the challenges faced. MATERIAL & METHODS: A literature search was carried out to identify the studies exploring the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on audiology practice. Three electronic databases namely Scopus, PubMed/Medline, and Cochrane Library were searched using keywords. After title and abstract screening, suitable studies were identified. RESULTS: Of the total 172, nine studies focusing on impact of COVID-19 pandemic on audiology practice COVID-19, published between January 2020 to June 2021 were included. Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent restrictions, caused changes in routine clinical practices in audiology. These changes were with respect to stringent infection control measures, mode of service delivery, changes in routines with reduced services or prioritizing services. Challenges included issues with remote services, experience, and support. CONCLUSION: The present review reveals the changes in audiology practice during COVID -19 and challenges encountered by audiologists. These findings would help in better planning of audiology practice in the post pandemic world.

A highly selective pH switchable colorimetric fluorescent rhodamine functionalized azo-phenol derivative for thorium recognition up to nano molar level in semi-aqueous media: Implication towards multiple logic gates.

A new rhodamine functionalized Schiff base (3',6'-bis(diethylamino)-2-((Z)-(5-((E)-(1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)diazenyl)-2,4-dihydroxybenzylidene) amino)spiro[isoindoline-1,9'-xanthen]-3-one (1) has been synthesized and was characterized spectroscopically. The optical properties of the schiff base have been studied using UV-vis and fluorescence spectra. Schiff base 1 displayed a selective behaviour towards Th4+ ions, as evidenced by UV-vis and fluorescence spectra. It shows visible colour change from orangish-yellow to red upon addition of Th4+ ions. A strong new emission band at 586 nm and about 24-fold enhancement in fluorescence intensity was observed upon binding with Th4+ which could be quenched by subsequent addition of oxalate and chromate ions. Probe 1 also acts as a reversible pH sensor in the highly acidic region (pH < 4, pKa = 2.01) via the photophysical response to pH as well as visible detectable colour change from orangish-yellow to red to pink. The absorbance and emission intensities of 1 diminished in the pH region from 4 to 11.5 and could be recovered by adding acid to adjust the pH < 4. Probe 1 exhibited high binding constant (8.595 × 106 M-1) and low limit of detection (1.122 × 10-9) compared to most previously reported sensors for Th4+ ions. Furthermore, two multiple logic gates i.e. 3 and 5 input, have been constructed.

Synthesis, photophysical studies, solvatochromic analysis and TDDFT calculations of diazaspiro compounds.

Diazaspiro[5.5]undecane-1,3,5,9-tetraones and 3-thioxo-diazaspiro[5.5]undecane-1,5,9-trione have been synthesized via double Michael addition of 1,5-diphenyl-1,4-pentadien-3-one with active methylene heterocycles N,N-dimethyl barbituric acid, barbituric acid and thiobarbituric acid in water:ethanol (1:1) using TBAB as catalyst. The solvent effect on photophysical behavior of these compounds showed that stokes shift increases with increase in polarity of solvents. The solvent effect on the spectral properties has been investigated by using the Lippert-Mataga and Reichardt methods. The solvatochromism is analyzed by linear solvation energy relationship using the new four-parameter Catalán polarity scales. The relative fluorescence quantum yield of these diazaspiro compounds varies in solvents of different polarity. The HOMO and LUMO energies have been calculated by TDDFT (B3LYP/6-311G (d, p)) approach. TDDFT calculations were also used to compare the experimental and theoretical absorption spectra.

Comparison of clinical and cost-effectiveness of psoralen + ultraviolet A versus psoralen + sunlight in the treatment of chronic plaque psoriasis in a developing economy.

Psoralen + ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy is an established modality for psoriasis. As India is a tropical country that has good availability of natural sunlight psoralen + sunlight (PUVAsol) may be a more convenient option. To compare the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of PUVA versus PUVAsol in chronic plaque psoriasis. Cases of chronic plaque psoriasis with body surface area ≥10% or Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) ≥10, excluding erythrodermic or pustular psoriasis, were randomized to receive either PUVA or PUVAsol, with endpoint being the achievement of PASI 90 or completion of 12 weeks treatment, whichever is earlier. Cost analysis was also undertaken. Thirty-six cases (16 in PUVA and 20 in PUVAsol group) completed treatment. In the PUVA group, 15 cases (93.75%) responded to therapy while in the PUVAsol group, 15 (75%) responded (P = 0.29). Mean baseline PASI in the PUVA and PUVAsol groups was 16 and 14.4, respectively, and at endpoint was 1.62 and 3.77. There was a significantly greater reduction in PASI in the PUVA group at 2 and 4 weeks but at 8 and 12 weeks and endpoint, it was comparable. Treatment failure occurred in 6.25% and 25% of cases respectively (P = 0.29). Side effects were higher with PUVA. Total cost of therapy was significantly higher in the PUVA group (P = 0.002). Cost-effectiveness ratio was US$0.72 with PUVA and US$0.37 with PUVAsol. Both PUVA and PUVAsol were equally efficacious, with PUVAsol being twice as cost effective. Hence, PUVAsol may be recommended as treatment for psoriasis in a developing economy such as India.

Synthesis of novel 12-aryl-8,9,10,12-tetrahydrobenzo[a]xanthene-11-thiones and evaluation of their biocidal effects.

Novel 12-aryl-8,9,10,12-tetrahydrobenzo[a]xanthene-11-thiones have been synthesized in high yields by treatment of the corresponding oxo analogs with Lawesson's reagent. The structure has been confirmed by X-ray analysis. The compounds were tested for in vitro antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia bataticola, Sclerotium rolfsii, Fusarium oxysporum and Alternaria porii. The compounds exhibited moderate to good activity against all pathogens. Insecticidal activity of these compounds against Spodoptera litura was observed to be comparable to commercial pyrethroid insecticide, cypermethrin. The urease inhibitory activity has also been studied.