Prevalence of Hearing Impairment in High-Risk Neonates at Kalaburagi Region of Northern Karnataka: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

The study estimated the prevalence of hearing impairment in high-risk neonates and effect of high-risk factors on the hearing. A hospital-based cross sectional study was conducted on 327 neonates with high-risk factors. All the high-risk babies were screened using TEOAE and AABR followed by diagnostic ABR testing. Six (2%) of high-risk neonates were found to have bilateral severe sensorineural hearing loss. Risk factors associated with hearing impairment include multiple risk factors of Preterm delivery, hyperbilirubinemia, congenital anomalies, neonatal sepsis, viral or bacterial infection, positive family history of hearing loss and prolonged NICU stay. Further, the inclusion of AABR along with TEOAE has been shown to be a useful tool in reducing false-positive rates and identifying hearing loss.

Wideband absorbance tympanometry: a novel method in identifying otosclerosis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to know whether the wideband absorbance measurements can be a useful tool to identify ears with otosclerosis. The present study analyzed WBA measurements and highlighted its effectiveness in identifying ears with otosclerosis and differentiating from healthy normal ears. METHODS: The study included 42 ears with otosclerosis which were compared with an equal sample size of healthy normal ears. WBA across frequencies and wideband average absorbance (375-2000 Hz) at the peak and ambient pressure, and resonance frequency were measured and analyzed. RESULTS: Results showed that WBA levels increased with an increase in frequencies up to 2000 Hz and decreased thereafter, both in the otosclerosis and healthy normal ears. The mean WBA in the otosclerosis group was significantly lower in the 250-2000 Hz frequency range than in the healthy normal ear group. The WBA values at ambient pressure reduced significantly up to 500 Hz for the healthy normal ear group and 1500 Hz for otosclerosis group, compared with peak pressure. Further, the analysis of wideband average absorbance at ambient pressure showed reduced absorbance (0.35) and higher resonance frequency (1350.33 Hz) in the otosclerosis group compared with the healthy normal ear group (0.60 and 930.14 Hz, respectively). ROC analysis indicated that WBA is suitable for identifying otosclerotic ears and also in differentiating from healthy normal ears based on WBA values from 250 to 1500 Hz. High diagnostic values of WBA (> 90% sensitivity and specificity) were observed at a frequency of 1000 Hz. CONCLUSIONS: The inclusion of WBA into clinical routine test procedures could be a useful tool for detecting otosclerosis. Further research is required to validate its clinical use in combination with other middle ear measures.

Wideband absorbance pattern in adults with otosclerosis and ossicular chain discontinuity.

OBJECTIVES: Evidence from previous literature had shown that the use of a single frequency probe tone is not sensitive enough to detect middle ear pathologies, especially related to the ossicles, which hinders accurate diagnosis. The goal of the present study was to compare the outcome of wideband absorbance (WBA) tympanometry and to determine the difference in WBA pattern in adults with otosclerosis and ossicular chain discontinuity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Estimated adult cases of otosclerosis (10 ears) and ossicular chain discontinuity (06 ears) along with healthy individuals (10 ears) in the age range of 24 to 48 years (mean age: 38.6 years) were considered for the study. WBA was measured at peak and ambient pressure along with resonance frequency and compared with the data obtained from the healthy individuals to determine the WBA pattern. RESULTS: Data analysis revealed a distinct WBA pattern showing high absorbance at 750 Hz for ossicular chain discontinuity compared to healthy individuals, whereas the otosclerosis group showed reduced absorbance (p < 0.05) at low frequencies (250 Hz to 1500 Hz). WBA measured at the peak and ambient pressure did not elicit any significant difference across the frequencies. Also, the average WBA tympanogram measured between 375 Hz and 2000 Hz showed a significant difference in ambient pressure only in the otosclerosis group. In comparison to healthy individuals (901 Hz), ossicular chain discontinuity showed a significant reduction in resonance frequency (674 Hz), whereas in cases with otosclerosis had higher resonance frequency (1445 Hz). CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The present study showed different WBA patterns between the groups and the absorbance values were significantly different at the low frequencies. This suggests that WBA has the potential to differentiate ossicles related pathologies from normal and also between the ear with otosclerosis and ossicular chain discontinuity.