Τρίτη 2 Φεβρουαρίου 2016

Should All Deaf Children Learn Sign Language?

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New Treatments Added into Hearing Loss Mix

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Interest in Hyperacusis on the Rise

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The Benefits of Social Support for Listeners with Impaired Hearing

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AMA Hearing Loss/Tinnitus Guidelines

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Manufacturers News

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Drawing Attention to Global Care

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Symptom: Maximum Conductive Hearing Loss

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Use Office Designing as Business Strategy

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Should All Deaf Children Learn Sign Language?

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New Treatments Added into Hearing Loss Mix

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Interest in Hyperacusis on the Rise

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The Benefits of Social Support for Listeners with Impaired Hearing

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AMA Hearing Loss/Tinnitus Guidelines

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Manufacturers News

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Drawing Attention to Global Care

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Symptom: Maximum Conductive Hearing Loss

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Use Office Designing as Business Strategy

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Should All Deaf Children Learn Sign Language?

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New Treatments Added into Hearing Loss Mix

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Interest in Hyperacusis on the Rise

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The Benefits of Social Support for Listeners with Impaired Hearing

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AMA Hearing Loss/Tinnitus Guidelines

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Manufacturers News

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Auris Medical AM101


If you have tinnitus, you should be excited about the Auris medical AM101 treatment that is going through clinical testing. It is currently in the third phase of development, and there are similar studies underway in both North America and Europe. The first patient has just been enrolled in the European study.

What is Tinnitus?

Those who have this condition often hear noise even if there is none nearby. It may sound similar to ringing, clicking or hissing. These sounds may make it harder to sleep or concentrate, which could lead to depression or anxiety. In some cases, the sounds are present in one ear although they are generally present in both ears. When no one else can hear the noises a person with tinnitus hears, it is referred to as subjective tinnitus. When the sounds can be heard with a doctor’s stethoscope, it is referred to as objective tinnitus.

What Would the Auris Medical AM101 Do to Help Patients?

The medication comes in the form of a gel that is administered through a series of injections over the course of three to five days. Once the gel has been injected, it then diffuses through different surfaces of the ear. The gel itself is made from biologically compatible material that will biodegrade in a timely manner. The drug then acts as a blocker of NMDA receptors that are thought to excite the auditory nerves and disrupt natural hearing.

What Would Happen if Auris Medical AM101 is Successful?

Early results indicate that patients experience a dramatic improvement in symptoms after 90 days of treatment. There was an average tinnitus loudness improvement of 48 percent while more than 60 patients indicated that they had improved symptoms. Those who underwent treatment for tinnitus after acute acoustic trauma also saw improvements in their ability to sleep compared to the control group. If the drug continues to show positive results, it may become the first drug approved by the FDA to treat acute inner ear tinnitus.

If approved for use on patients, it may be possible for those who suffer from ringing or consistent loud noises could find relief. Although it may not completely eliminate the symptoms, those who have the condition could find it easier to function during the day. By reducing or suppressing symptoms, it could be possible for individuals with tinnitus to live happier and more productive lives both today and in the future.




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A next-generation sequencing gene panel (Miami OtoGenes) for comprehensive analysis of deafness genes

Publication date: Available online 2 February 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Demet Tekin, Denise Yan, Guney Bademci, Yong Feng, Shengru Guo, Joseph Foster, Susan Blanton, Mustafa Tekin, Xuezhong Liu
Extreme genetic heterogeneity along with remarkable variation in the distribution of causative variants across in different ethnicities makes single gene testing inefficient for hearing loss. We developed a custom capture/next-generation sequencing gene panel of 146 known deafness genes with a total target size of approximately 1MB. The genes were identified by searching databases including Hereditary Hearing Loss Homepage, the Human Genome Mutation Database (HGMD), Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) and most recent peer-reviewed publications related to the genetics of deafness. The design covered all coding exons, UTRs and 25 bases of intronic flanking sequences for each exon. To validate our panel, we used 6 positive controls with variants in known deafness genes and 8 unsolved samples from individuals with hearing loss. Mean coverage of the targeted exons was 697X. On average, each sample had 99.8%, 96.2% and 92.7% of the targeted region coverage of 1X, 50X and 100X reads, respectively. Analysis detected all known variants in nuclear genes. These results prove the accuracy and reliability of the custom capture experiment.



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A next-generation sequencing gene panel (Miami OtoGenes) for comprehensive analysis of deafness genes

Publication date: Available online 2 February 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Demet Tekin, Denise Yan, Guney Bademci, Yong Feng, Shengru Guo, Joseph Foster, Susan Blanton, Mustafa Tekin, Xuezhong Liu
Extreme genetic heterogeneity along with remarkable variation in the distribution of causative variants across in different ethnicities makes single gene testing inefficient for hearing loss. We developed a custom capture/next-generation sequencing gene panel of 146 known deafness genes with a total target size of approximately 1MB. The genes were identified by searching databases including Hereditary Hearing Loss Homepage, the Human Genome Mutation Database (HGMD), Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) and most recent peer-reviewed publications related to the genetics of deafness. The design covered all coding exons, UTRs and 25 bases of intronic flanking sequences for each exon. To validate our panel, we used 6 positive controls with variants in known deafness genes and 8 unsolved samples from individuals with hearing loss. Mean coverage of the targeted exons was 697X. On average, each sample had 99.8%, 96.2% and 92.7% of the targeted region coverage of 1X, 50X and 100X reads, respectively. Analysis detected all known variants in nuclear genes. These results prove the accuracy and reliability of the custom capture experiment.



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A next-generation sequencing gene panel (Miami OtoGenes) for comprehensive analysis of deafness genes

Publication date: Available online 2 February 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Demet Tekin, Denise Yan, Guney Bademci, Yong Feng, Shengru Guo, Joseph Foster, Susan Blanton, Mustafa Tekin, Xuezhong Liu
Extreme genetic heterogeneity along with remarkable variation in the distribution of causative variants across in different ethnicities makes single gene testing inefficient for hearing loss. We developed a custom capture/next-generation sequencing gene panel of 146 known deafness genes with a total target size of approximately 1MB. The genes were identified by searching databases including Hereditary Hearing Loss Homepage, the Human Genome Mutation Database (HGMD), Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) and most recent peer-reviewed publications related to the genetics of deafness. The design covered all coding exons, UTRs and 25 bases of intronic flanking sequences for each exon. To validate our panel, we used 6 positive controls with variants in known deafness genes and 8 unsolved samples from individuals with hearing loss. Mean coverage of the targeted exons was 697X. On average, each sample had 99.8%, 96.2% and 92.7% of the targeted region coverage of 1X, 50X and 100X reads, respectively. Analysis detected all known variants in nuclear genes. These results prove the accuracy and reliability of the custom capture experiment.



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A next-generation sequencing gene panel (Miami OtoGenes) for comprehensive analysis of deafness genes

Publication date: Available online 2 February 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Demet Tekin, Denise Yan, Guney Bademci, Yong Feng, Shengru Guo, Joseph Foster, Susan Blanton, Mustafa Tekin, Xuezhong Liu
Extreme genetic heterogeneity along with remarkable variation in the distribution of causative variants across in different ethnicities makes single gene testing inefficient for hearing loss. We developed a custom capture/next-generation sequencing gene panel of 146 known deafness genes with a total target size of approximately 1MB. The genes were identified by searching databases including Hereditary Hearing Loss Homepage, the Human Genome Mutation Database (HGMD), Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) and most recent peer-reviewed publications related to the genetics of deafness. The design covered all coding exons, UTRs and 25 bases of intronic flanking sequences for each exon. To validate our panel, we used 6 positive controls with variants in known deafness genes and 8 unsolved samples from individuals with hearing loss. Mean coverage of the targeted exons was 697X. On average, each sample had 99.8%, 96.2% and 92.7% of the targeted region coverage of 1X, 50X and 100X reads, respectively. Analysis detected all known variants in nuclear genes. These results prove the accuracy and reliability of the custom capture experiment.



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A next-generation sequencing gene panel (Miami OtoGenes) for comprehensive analysis of deafness genes

Publication date: Available online 2 February 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Demet Tekin, Denise Yan, Guney Bademci, Yong Feng, Shengru Guo, Joseph Foster, Susan Blanton, Mustafa Tekin, Xuezhong Liu
Extreme genetic heterogeneity along with remarkable variation in the distribution of causative variants across in different ethnicities makes single gene testing inefficient for hearing loss. We developed a custom capture/next-generation sequencing gene panel of 146 known deafness genes with a total target size of approximately 1MB. The genes were identified by searching databases including Hereditary Hearing Loss Homepage, the Human Genome Mutation Database (HGMD), Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) and most recent peer-reviewed publications related to the genetics of deafness. The design covered all coding exons, UTRs and 25 bases of intronic flanking sequences for each exon. To validate our panel, we used 6 positive controls with variants in known deafness genes and 8 unsolved samples from individuals with hearing loss. Mean coverage of the targeted exons was 697X. On average, each sample had 99.8%, 96.2% and 92.7% of the targeted region coverage of 1X, 50X and 100X reads, respectively. Analysis detected all known variants in nuclear genes. These results prove the accuracy and reliability of the custom capture experiment.



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Danish reading span data from 283 hearing-aid users, including a sub-group analysis of their relationship to speech-in-noise performance

10.3109/14992027.2015.1125533<br/>Eline Borch Petersen

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Danish reading span data from 283 hearing-aid users, including a sub-group analysis of their relationship to speech-in-noise performance

10.3109/14992027.2015.1125533<br/>Eline Borch Petersen

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Danish reading span data from 283 hearing-aid users, including a sub-group analysis of their relationship to speech-in-noise performance

10.3109/14992027.2015.1125533<br/>Eline Borch Petersen

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Danish reading span data from 283 hearing-aid users, including a sub-group analysis of their relationship to speech-in-noise performance

10.3109/14992027.2015.1125533<br/>Eline Borch Petersen

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Danish reading span data from 283 hearing-aid users, including a sub-group analysis of their relationship to speech-in-noise performance

10.3109/14992027.2015.1125533<br/>Eline Borch Petersen

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Experimental observation of ultrasound fast and slow waves through three-dimensional printed trabecular bone phantoms

In this paper, ultrasound measurements of 1:1 scale three-dimensional(3D) printed trabecular bone phantoms are reported. The micro-structure of a trabecular horse bone sample was obtained via synchrotron x-ray microtomography, converted to a 3D binary data set, and successfully 3D-printed at scale 1:1. Ultrasound through-transmission experiments were also performed through a highly anisotropic version of this structure, obtained by elongating the digitized structure prior to 3D printing. As in real anisotropic trabecular bone, both the fast and slow waves were observed. This illustrates the potential of stereolithography and the relevance of such bone phantoms for the study of ultrasound propagation in bone.



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Measurement of stiffness of standing trees and felled logs using acoustics: A review

This paper provides a review on the use of acoustics to measure stiffness of standing trees, stems, and logs. An outline is given of the properties of wood and how these are related to stiffness and acoustic velocity throughout the tree. Factors are described that influence the speed of sound in wood, including the different types of acoustic waves which propagate in tree stems and lumber. Acoustic tools and techniques that have been used to measure the stiffness of wood are reviewed. The reasons for a systematic difference between direct and acoustic measurements of stiffness for standing trees, and methods for correction, are discussed. Other techniques, which have been used in addition to acoustics to try to improve stiffness measurements, are also briefly described. Also reviewed are studies which have used acoustic tools to investigate factors that influence the stiffness of trees. These factors include different silvicultural practices, geographic and environmental conditions, and genetics.



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Modeling human echolocation of near-range targets with an audible sonar

Blind humans echolocate nearby targets by emitting palatal clicks and perceiving echoes that the auditory system is not able to resolve temporally. The mechanism for perceiving near-range echoes is not known. This paper models the direct mouth-to-ear signal (MES) and the echo to show that the echo enhances the high-frequency components in the composite MES/echo signal with features that allow echolocation. The mouth emission beam narrows with increasing frequency and exhibits frequency-dependent transmission notches in the backward direction toward the ears as predicted by the piston-in-sphere model. The ears positioned behind the mouth detect a MES that contains predominantly the low frequencies contained in the emission. Hence the high-frequency components in the emission that are perceived by the ears are enhanced by the echoes. A pulse/echo audible sonar verifies this model by echolocating targets from 5 cm range, where the MES and echo overlap significantly, to 55 cm. The model predicts that unambiguous ranging occurs over a limited range and that there is an optimal range that produces the highest range resolution.



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An assessment of the direction-finding accuracy of bat biosonar beampatterns

In the biosonar systems of bats, emitted acoustic energy and receiver sensitivity are distributed over direction and frequency through beampattern functions that have diverse and often complicated geometries. This complexity could be used by the animals to determine the direction of incoming sounds based on spectral signatures. The present study has investigated how well bat biosonar beampatterns are suited for direction finding using a measure of the smallest estimator variance that is possible for a given direction [Cramér-Rao lower bound (CRLB)]. CRLB values were estimated for numerical beampattern estimates derived from 330 individual shape samples, 157 noseleaves (used for emission), and 173 outer ears (pinnae). At an assumed 60 dB signal-to-noise ratio, the average value of the CRLB was 3.9°, which is similar to previous behavioral findings. Distribution for the CRLBs in individual beampatterns had a positive skew indicating the existence of regions where a given beampattern does not support a high accuracy. The highest supported accuracies were for direction finding in elevation (with the exception of phyllostomid emission patterns). No large, obvious differences in the CRLB (greater 2° in the mean) were found between the investigated major taxonomic groups, suggesting that different bat species have access to similar direction-finding information.



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Experimental observation of ultrasound fast and slow waves through three-dimensional printed trabecular bone phantoms

In this paper, ultrasound measurements of 1:1 scale three-dimensional(3D) printed trabecular bone phantoms are reported. The micro-structure of a trabecular horse bone sample was obtained via synchrotron x-ray microtomography, converted to a 3D binary data set, and successfully 3D-printed at scale 1:1. Ultrasound through-transmission experiments were also performed through a highly anisotropic version of this structure, obtained by elongating the digitized structure prior to 3D printing. As in real anisotropic trabecular bone, both the fast and slow waves were observed. This illustrates the potential of stereolithography and the relevance of such bone phantoms for the study of ultrasound propagation in bone.



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A thin line between Meniere's disease and spontaneous intracranial hypotension syndrome.

A thin line between Meniere's disease and spontaneous intracranial hypotension syndrome.

Med Glas (Zenica). 2016 Feb 1;13(1):31-5

Authors: Botica I, Vrca A, Špero M, Šubarić M, Carić T, Vrca Botica M, Kovačić J, Makaruha K, Roglić A

Abstract
Aim To point out the similarity of Meniere disease and spontaneous intracranial hypotension and difference of their treatment. Methods A case of a 54-year-old male patient with previously diagnosed Meniere's disease and newly diagnosed spontaneous intracranial hypotension syndrome is presented. Additional neuroradiological examination, Brain contrast-enhanced MRI and MR myelography were used for diagnosis. Results Due to deterioration of vertigo, hearing loss and tinnitus in the right ear the patient was referred to the additional neuroradiological examination which confirmed the diagnosis of spontaneous intracranial hypotension syndrome. Brain contrast-enhanced MRI showed increased pachymeningeal contrast enhancement, and MR myelography identified the location of CSF leak. The patient was successfully treated conservatively. Conclusion According to our knowledge this is the fifth case report of Meniere's disease and spontaneous intracranial hypotension coexistence. Both diseases have similar clinical presentation and initial treatment. We suggest procedures of additional examination when the treatment fails and initial diagnosis becomes questionable.

PMID: 26827704 [PubMed - in process]



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Temporal-spatial gait parameters and neurodevelopment in very-low-birth-weight preterm toddlers at 18–22 months

Publication date: March 2016
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 45
Author(s): Katelyn Cahill-Rowley, Jessica Rose
Children born preterm with very-low birth-weight (VLBW) have increased risk of motor impairment. Early identification of impairment guides treatment to improve long-term function. Temporal-spatial gait parameters are an easily-recorded assessment of gross motor function. The objective of this study was to characterize preterm toddlers’ gait and its relationship with neurodevelopment. Velocity, cycle time, step width, step length and time asymmetry, %stance, %single-limb support, and %double-limb support were calculated for 81 VLBW preterm and 43 typically-developing (TD) toddlers. Neurodevelopment was assessed with Bayley Scales of Infant Development-3rd Edition (BSID-III) motor composite and gross motor scores. Mean step width (p=.009) was wider in preterm compared to TD toddlers. Preterm toddlers with <85 BSID-III motor composite scores, indicating mild-to-moderate delay, had significantly increased step width, step length asymmetry, and step time compared to TD toddlers. Step time was also significantly longer for lower-scoring compared to higher-scoring (≥85 BSID-III motor composite scores) preterm toddlers, suggesting that step time may be particularly sensitive to gradations of motor performance. Velocity, cycle time, step length asymmetry, %stance, step length, and step time significantly correlated with BSID-III gross motor scores, suggesting that these parameters may be revealing of gross motor function. The differences in gait between lower-scoring preterm toddlers and TD toddlers, together with the correlations between gait and BSID-III motor scores, suggest that temporal-spatial gait parameters may be useful in building a clinically-relevant, easily-conducted assessment of toddler gross motor development.



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Load distribution and postural changes in young adults when wearing a traditional backpack versus the BackTpack

Publication date: March 2016
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 45
Author(s): Kimberly D. Dahl, He Wang, Jennifer K. Popp, D. Clark Dickin
Backpacks lead to poor posture due to the posterior placement of the load, which overtime may contribute to low back pain and musculoskeletal complications. This study examined postural and load distribution differences between a traditional backpack (BP) and a nontraditional backpack (BTP) in a young adult population. Using a 3D motion analysis system, 24 healthy young adults (22.5±2.5years, 12 male) completed both static stance and walking trials on a treadmill with No Load and with 15% and 25% of their body weight using the two different backpacks. There was a significant difference in trunk angle, head angle, and lower extremity joint mechanics between the backpack and load conditions during walking (p<.05). Notably, relative to the No Load condition, trunk angle decreased approximately 14° while head angle increased approximately 13° for the BP 25% state on average. In contrast, average trunk and head angle differences for the BTP 25% state were approximately 7.5° and 7°, respectively. There was also a significant difference in head angle from pre- to post-walk (p<.05) across backpacks, loads, and time. Taken together, the results indicate that the BTP more closely resembled the participants’ natural stance and gait patterns as determined by the No Load condition. The more upright posture supported by the BTP may help reduce characteristics of poor posture and, ideally, help to reduce low back pain while carrying loads.



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Temporal-spatial gait parameters and neurodevelopment in very-low-birth-weight preterm toddlers at 18–22 months

Publication date: March 2016
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 45
Author(s): Katelyn Cahill-Rowley, Jessica Rose
Children born preterm with very-low birth-weight (VLBW) have increased risk of motor impairment. Early identification of impairment guides treatment to improve long-term function. Temporal-spatial gait parameters are an easily-recorded assessment of gross motor function. The objective of this study was to characterize preterm toddlers’ gait and its relationship with neurodevelopment. Velocity, cycle time, step width, step length and time asymmetry, %stance, %single-limb support, and %double-limb support were calculated for 81 VLBW preterm and 43 typically-developing (TD) toddlers. Neurodevelopment was assessed with Bayley Scales of Infant Development-3rd Edition (BSID-III) motor composite and gross motor scores. Mean step width (p=.009) was wider in preterm compared to TD toddlers. Preterm toddlers with <85 BSID-III motor composite scores, indicating mild-to-moderate delay, had significantly increased step width, step length asymmetry, and step time compared to TD toddlers. Step time was also significantly longer for lower-scoring compared to higher-scoring (≥85 BSID-III motor composite scores) preterm toddlers, suggesting that step time may be particularly sensitive to gradations of motor performance. Velocity, cycle time, step length asymmetry, %stance, step length, and step time significantly correlated with BSID-III gross motor scores, suggesting that these parameters may be revealing of gross motor function. The differences in gait between lower-scoring preterm toddlers and TD toddlers, together with the correlations between gait and BSID-III motor scores, suggest that temporal-spatial gait parameters may be useful in building a clinically-relevant, easily-conducted assessment of toddler gross motor development.



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Load distribution and postural changes in young adults when wearing a traditional backpack versus the BackTpack

Publication date: March 2016
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 45
Author(s): Kimberly D. Dahl, He Wang, Jennifer K. Popp, D. Clark Dickin
Backpacks lead to poor posture due to the posterior placement of the load, which overtime may contribute to low back pain and musculoskeletal complications. This study examined postural and load distribution differences between a traditional backpack (BP) and a nontraditional backpack (BTP) in a young adult population. Using a 3D motion analysis system, 24 healthy young adults (22.5±2.5years, 12 male) completed both static stance and walking trials on a treadmill with No Load and with 15% and 25% of their body weight using the two different backpacks. There was a significant difference in trunk angle, head angle, and lower extremity joint mechanics between the backpack and load conditions during walking (p<.05). Notably, relative to the No Load condition, trunk angle decreased approximately 14° while head angle increased approximately 13° for the BP 25% state on average. In contrast, average trunk and head angle differences for the BTP 25% state were approximately 7.5° and 7°, respectively. There was also a significant difference in head angle from pre- to post-walk (p<.05) across backpacks, loads, and time. Taken together, the results indicate that the BTP more closely resembled the participants’ natural stance and gait patterns as determined by the No Load condition. The more upright posture supported by the BTP may help reduce characteristics of poor posture and, ideally, help to reduce low back pain while carrying loads.



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Temporal-spatial gait parameters and neurodevelopment in very-low-birth-weight preterm toddlers at 18–22 months

Publication date: March 2016
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 45
Author(s): Katelyn Cahill-Rowley, Jessica Rose
Children born preterm with very-low birth-weight (VLBW) have increased risk of motor impairment. Early identification of impairment guides treatment to improve long-term function. Temporal-spatial gait parameters are an easily-recorded assessment of gross motor function. The objective of this study was to characterize preterm toddlers’ gait and its relationship with neurodevelopment. Velocity, cycle time, step width, step length and time asymmetry, %stance, %single-limb support, and %double-limb support were calculated for 81 VLBW preterm and 43 typically-developing (TD) toddlers. Neurodevelopment was assessed with Bayley Scales of Infant Development-3rd Edition (BSID-III) motor composite and gross motor scores. Mean step width (p=.009) was wider in preterm compared to TD toddlers. Preterm toddlers with <85 BSID-III motor composite scores, indicating mild-to-moderate delay, had significantly increased step width, step length asymmetry, and step time compared to TD toddlers. Step time was also significantly longer for lower-scoring compared to higher-scoring (≥85 BSID-III motor composite scores) preterm toddlers, suggesting that step time may be particularly sensitive to gradations of motor performance. Velocity, cycle time, step length asymmetry, %stance, step length, and step time significantly correlated with BSID-III gross motor scores, suggesting that these parameters may be revealing of gross motor function. The differences in gait between lower-scoring preterm toddlers and TD toddlers, together with the correlations between gait and BSID-III motor scores, suggest that temporal-spatial gait parameters may be useful in building a clinically-relevant, easily-conducted assessment of toddler gross motor development.



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Load distribution and postural changes in young adults when wearing a traditional backpack versus the BackTpack

Publication date: March 2016
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 45
Author(s): Kimberly D. Dahl, He Wang, Jennifer K. Popp, D. Clark Dickin
Backpacks lead to poor posture due to the posterior placement of the load, which overtime may contribute to low back pain and musculoskeletal complications. This study examined postural and load distribution differences between a traditional backpack (BP) and a nontraditional backpack (BTP) in a young adult population. Using a 3D motion analysis system, 24 healthy young adults (22.5±2.5years, 12 male) completed both static stance and walking trials on a treadmill with No Load and with 15% and 25% of their body weight using the two different backpacks. There was a significant difference in trunk angle, head angle, and lower extremity joint mechanics between the backpack and load conditions during walking (p<.05). Notably, relative to the No Load condition, trunk angle decreased approximately 14° while head angle increased approximately 13° for the BP 25% state on average. In contrast, average trunk and head angle differences for the BTP 25% state were approximately 7.5° and 7°, respectively. There was also a significant difference in head angle from pre- to post-walk (p<.05) across backpacks, loads, and time. Taken together, the results indicate that the BTP more closely resembled the participants’ natural stance and gait patterns as determined by the No Load condition. The more upright posture supported by the BTP may help reduce characteristics of poor posture and, ideally, help to reduce low back pain while carrying loads.



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Maturation of Mechanical Impedance of the Skin-Covered Skull: Implications for Soft Band Bone-Anchored Hearing Systems Fitted in Infants and Young Children.

Objectives: Little is known about the maturational changes in the mechanical properties of the skull and how they might contribute to infant-adult differences in bone conduction hearing sensitivity. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanical impedance of the skin-covered skull for different skull positions and contact forces for groups of infants, young children, and adults. These findings provide a better understanding of how changes in mechanical impedance might contribute to developmental changes in bone conduction hearing, and might provide insight into how fitting and output verification protocols for bone-anchored hearing systems (BAHS) could be adapted for infants and young children. Design: Seventy-seven individuals participated in the study, -including 63 infants and children (ages 1 month to 7 years) and 11 adults. Mechanical impedance magnitude for the forehead and temporal bone was collected for contact forces of 2, 4, and 5.4 N using an impedance head, a BAHS transducer, and a specially designed holding device. Mechanical impedance magnitude was determined across frequency using a stepped sine sweep from 100 to 10,000 Hz, and divided into low- and high-frequency sets for analysis. Results: Mechanical impedance magnitude was lowest for the youngest infants and increased throughout maturation in the low frequencies. For high frequencies, the youngest infants had the highest impedance, but only for a temporal bone placement. Impedance increased with increasing contact force for low frequencies for each age group and for both skull positions. The effect of placement was significant for high frequencies for each contact force and for each age group, except for the youngest infants. Conclusions: Our findings show that mechanical impedance properties change systematically up to 7 years old. The significant age-related differences in mechanical impedance suggest that infant-adult differences in bone conduction thresholds may be related, at least in part, to properties of the immature skull and overlying skin and tissues. These results have important implications for fitting the soft band BAHS on infants and young children. For example, verification of output force form a BAHS on a coupler designed with adult values may not be appropriate for infants. This may also hold true for transducer calibration when assessing bone conduction hearing thresholds in infants for different skull locations. The results have two additional clinical implications for fitting soft band BAHSs. First, parents should be counseled to maintain sufficient and consistent tightness so that the output from the BAHS does not change as the child moves around during everyday activities. Second, placement of a BAHS on the forehead versus the temporal bone results in changes in mechanical impedance which may contribute to a decrease in signal level at the cochlea as it has been previously demonstrated that bone conduction thresholds are poorer at the forehead compared with a temporal placement. Copyright (C) 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Maturation of Mechanical Impedance of the Skin-Covered Skull: Implications for Soft Band Bone-Anchored Hearing Systems Fitted in Infants and Young Children.

Objectives: Little is known about the maturational changes in the mechanical properties of the skull and how they might contribute to infant-adult differences in bone conduction hearing sensitivity. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanical impedance of the skin-covered skull for different skull positions and contact forces for groups of infants, young children, and adults. These findings provide a better understanding of how changes in mechanical impedance might contribute to developmental changes in bone conduction hearing, and might provide insight into how fitting and output verification protocols for bone-anchored hearing systems (BAHS) could be adapted for infants and young children. Design: Seventy-seven individuals participated in the study, -including 63 infants and children (ages 1 month to 7 years) and 11 adults. Mechanical impedance magnitude for the forehead and temporal bone was collected for contact forces of 2, 4, and 5.4 N using an impedance head, a BAHS transducer, and a specially designed holding device. Mechanical impedance magnitude was determined across frequency using a stepped sine sweep from 100 to 10,000 Hz, and divided into low- and high-frequency sets for analysis. Results: Mechanical impedance magnitude was lowest for the youngest infants and increased throughout maturation in the low frequencies. For high frequencies, the youngest infants had the highest impedance, but only for a temporal bone placement. Impedance increased with increasing contact force for low frequencies for each age group and for both skull positions. The effect of placement was significant for high frequencies for each contact force and for each age group, except for the youngest infants. Conclusions: Our findings show that mechanical impedance properties change systematically up to 7 years old. The significant age-related differences in mechanical impedance suggest that infant-adult differences in bone conduction thresholds may be related, at least in part, to properties of the immature skull and overlying skin and tissues. These results have important implications for fitting the soft band BAHS on infants and young children. For example, verification of output force form a BAHS on a coupler designed with adult values may not be appropriate for infants. This may also hold true for transducer calibration when assessing bone conduction hearing thresholds in infants for different skull locations. The results have two additional clinical implications for fitting soft band BAHSs. First, parents should be counseled to maintain sufficient and consistent tightness so that the output from the BAHS does not change as the child moves around during everyday activities. Second, placement of a BAHS on the forehead versus the temporal bone results in changes in mechanical impedance which may contribute to a decrease in signal level at the cochlea as it has been previously demonstrated that bone conduction thresholds are poorer at the forehead compared with a temporal placement. Copyright (C) 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Maturation of Mechanical Impedance of the Skin-Covered Skull: Implications for Soft Band Bone-Anchored Hearing Systems Fitted in Infants and Young Children.

Objectives: Little is known about the maturational changes in the mechanical properties of the skull and how they might contribute to infant-adult differences in bone conduction hearing sensitivity. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanical impedance of the skin-covered skull for different skull positions and contact forces for groups of infants, young children, and adults. These findings provide a better understanding of how changes in mechanical impedance might contribute to developmental changes in bone conduction hearing, and might provide insight into how fitting and output verification protocols for bone-anchored hearing systems (BAHS) could be adapted for infants and young children. Design: Seventy-seven individuals participated in the study, -including 63 infants and children (ages 1 month to 7 years) and 11 adults. Mechanical impedance magnitude for the forehead and temporal bone was collected for contact forces of 2, 4, and 5.4 N using an impedance head, a BAHS transducer, and a specially designed holding device. Mechanical impedance magnitude was determined across frequency using a stepped sine sweep from 100 to 10,000 Hz, and divided into low- and high-frequency sets for analysis. Results: Mechanical impedance magnitude was lowest for the youngest infants and increased throughout maturation in the low frequencies. For high frequencies, the youngest infants had the highest impedance, but only for a temporal bone placement. Impedance increased with increasing contact force for low frequencies for each age group and for both skull positions. The effect of placement was significant for high frequencies for each contact force and for each age group, except for the youngest infants. Conclusions: Our findings show that mechanical impedance properties change systematically up to 7 years old. The significant age-related differences in mechanical impedance suggest that infant-adult differences in bone conduction thresholds may be related, at least in part, to properties of the immature skull and overlying skin and tissues. These results have important implications for fitting the soft band BAHS on infants and young children. For example, verification of output force form a BAHS on a coupler designed with adult values may not be appropriate for infants. This may also hold true for transducer calibration when assessing bone conduction hearing thresholds in infants for different skull locations. The results have two additional clinical implications for fitting soft band BAHSs. First, parents should be counseled to maintain sufficient and consistent tightness so that the output from the BAHS does not change as the child moves around during everyday activities. Second, placement of a BAHS on the forehead versus the temporal bone results in changes in mechanical impedance which may contribute to a decrease in signal level at the cochlea as it has been previously demonstrated that bone conduction thresholds are poorer at the forehead compared with a temporal placement. Copyright (C) 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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