[The characteristic of vocal fold molecular structure]. / Charakterystyka budowy molekularnej faldu glosowego.

INTRODUCTION: The authors present the layer structure of the vocal fold (by Hirano) indicating at the same time its clinical usefulness in laser chordectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors describe the structure of the basement membrane sphere, i.e. the connection between the epithelium and the superficial layer of lamina propria, and the molecular structure of the extracellular matrix of mucosa. RESULTS: The biomechanical significance of fibre proteins and the extracellular matrix is emphasized with special attention paid to hialuronic acid and fibronectin. CONCLUSIONS: Knowing the ultra-structure of the epithelium mucosa connection helps in understanding the mechanism of F0 production. The disorders in cooperation of the biomolecules of lamina propria of the vocal folds can influence the biomechanics of phonation.

[The teachers health damage and pension related to occupational voice disease]. / Uszczerbek na zdrowiu i renta z tytulu choroby zawodowej narzadu glosu u nauczycieli.

The current regulations allow in special cases for the acknowledgement of the occupational disease among teachers who suffer from voice disorders. The physician who acts as the adjudicator in ZUS (National Insurance System) usually consults a phoniatrician and determines the percent of the permanent or long-term health damage, which can vary between 10-40%. The aim of the paper was to analyze the evidence which is taken into consideration while determining the percent of health damage and granting the occupational disease pension. The authors present proposition in detail the rules which govern the process of health damage calculation due to advancement of voice disorders, which can be very useful to adjudicating physicians in government and commercial insurance companies.

[Quality of life in children with cochlear implants and their families (Program Schwarzenberg)--initial report]. / Ocena jakosci zycia u dzieci zaimplantowanych wszczepem slimakowym oraz ich rodzin (Program Schwarzenberg)--doniesienie wstepne.

The aim of the study was to present the results of international evaluation program "Quality of Life in children and their families--Schwarzenberg Initiative". The parents of children under 15 years old was asked to fill out specially prepared questionnaires. 1240 children from 9 countries participated in the study. In Poland 60 families filled out the questionnaires. 80 questions concerned several topics, including reaction of parents to the first information about impaired hearing of their child, using hearing aids before and after implantation, evaluation of behaviour in kindergarten and in school. This initial report describes only a few important topics. In 27.7% of Polish families the impaired hearing of their child was a cause to stop the work of one of the parents, to decrease time of work or to change the place of work in 9.1%. In most of the children the perception of sound was noticed. Only a few families from Austria, Slovenia, Swiss and Italy reported unsatisfactory results after implantation. Implantation increases quality of life of implanted children and their families.

[The dynamics of habituation of perception and reaction in tinnitus patients treated with TRT]. / Dynamika habituacji reakcji i percepcji podczas leczenia przewleklych szumów usznych metoda TRT.

In this paper the authors present the dynamics of habituation of reaction and perception in tinnitus patients. All patient with subjective chronic tinnitus were diagnosed and treated using TRT method according to Jastreboff's neurophysiological model. 110 patients was estimated during last 4 years treated in ENT Rehabilitation Center in Poznan. The authors present the most frequently troubles in every day life caused by tinnitus and also the dynamics regression of complaints during period of treatment. Speed of disappearance of suffering is very important for all patients already in the beginning of cure.

[Preliminary results of objective audiological assessment of children with hearing impairment selected in neonatal hearing screening]. / Wstepne wyniki obiektywnej oceny sluchu u dzieci wyselekcjonowanych w ramach noworodkowych badan przesiewowych.

The aim of the paper was to present the results of the objective audiological assessment of 48 babies and infants at the age of 1-16 months, referred the Department of Phoniatrics and Audiology in Poznan (Poland) from January 2001 to July 2002. The children were selected in neonatal hearing screening, based on the OAE, questionnaire of hearing loss with high risk factors. We discuss high percentage of false positive results of OAE, late referrals for hearing screening, difficulties of follow-up.