The potential use of low-frequency tones to locate regions of outer hair cell loss

Publication date: Available online 24 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Aryn Kamerer, Francisco J. Diaz, Marcello Peppi, Mark Chertoff
Current methods used to diagnose cochlear hearing loss are limited in their ability to determine the location and extent of anatomical damage to various cochlear structures. In previous experiments, we have used the electrical potential recorded at the round window –the cochlear response (CR) –to predict the location of damage to outer hair cells in the gerbil. In a follow-up experiment, we applied 10 mM ouabain to the round window niche to reduce neural activity in order to quantify the neural contribution to the CR. We concluded that a significant proportion of the CR to a 762 Hz tone originated from phase-locking activity of basal auditory nerve fibers, which could have contaminated our conclusions regarding outer hair cell health. However, at such high concentrations, ouabain may have also affected the responses from outer hair cells, exaggerating the effect we attributed to the auditory nerve. In this study, we lowered the concentration of ouabain to 1 mM and determined the physiologic effects on outer hair cells using distortion-product otoacoustic emissions. As well as quantifying the effects of 1mM ouabain on the auditory nerve and outer hair cells, we attempted to reduce the neural contribution to the CR by using near-infrasonic stimulus frequencies of 45 and 85 Hz, and hypothesized that these low-frequency stimuli would generate a cumulative amplitude function (CAF) that could reflect damage to hair cells in the apex more accurately than the 762 stimuli. One hour after application of 1 mM ouabain, CR amplitudes significantly increased, but remained unchanged in the presence of high-pass filtered noise conditions, suggesting that basal auditory nerve fibers have a limited contribution to the CR at such low frequencies.



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Differential tinnitus-related neuroplastic alterations of cortical thickness and surface area

Publication date: Available online 23 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Martin Meyer, Patrick Neff, Franziskus Liem, Tobias Kleinjung, Steffi Weidt, Berthold Langguth, Martin Schecklmann
Structural neuroimaging techniques have been used to identify cortical and subcortical regions constituting the neuroarchitecture of tinnitus. One recent investigation used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to analyze a sample of tinnitus patients (TI, n=257) [1]. A negative relationship between individual distress and cortical volume (CV) in bilateral auditory regions was observed. However, CV has meanwhile been identified as a neuroanatomical measurement that confounds genetically distinct neuroanatomical traits, namely cortical thickness (CT) and cortical surface area (CSA). We performed a re-analysis of the identical sample using the automated FreeSurfer surface-based morphometry (SBM) approach [2]. First, we replicated the negative correlation between tinnitus distress and bilateral supratemporal gray matter volume. Second, we observed a negative correlation for CSA in the left peri-auditory cortex and anterior insula. Furthermore, we noted a positive correlation between tinnitus duration and CT in the left peri-auditory cortex as well as a negative correlation in the subcallosal anterior cingulate, a region collated to the serotonergic circuit and germane to inhibitory functions.In short, the results elucidate differential neuroanatomical alterations of CSA and CT for the two independent tinnitus-related psychological traits distress and duration. Beyond this, the study provides further evidence for the distinction and specific susceptibility of CSA and CT within the context of neuroplasticity of the human brain.



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The potential use of low-frequency tones to locate regions of outer hair cell loss

Publication date: Available online 24 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Aryn Kamerer, Francisco J. Diaz, Marcello Peppi, Mark Chertoff
Current methods used to diagnose cochlear hearing loss are limited in their ability to determine the location and extent of anatomical damage to various cochlear structures. In previous experiments, we have used the electrical potential recorded at the round window –the cochlear response (CR) –to predict the location of damage to outer hair cells in the gerbil. In a follow-up experiment, we applied 10 mM ouabain to the round window niche to reduce neural activity in order to quantify the neural contribution to the CR. We concluded that a significant proportion of the CR to a 762 Hz tone originated from phase-locking activity of basal auditory nerve fibers, which could have contaminated our conclusions regarding outer hair cell health. However, at such high concentrations, ouabain may have also affected the responses from outer hair cells, exaggerating the effect we attributed to the auditory nerve. In this study, we lowered the concentration of ouabain to 1 mM and determined the physiologic effects on outer hair cells using distortion-product otoacoustic emissions. As well as quantifying the effects of 1mM ouabain on the auditory nerve and outer hair cells, we attempted to reduce the neural contribution to the CR by using near-infrasonic stimulus frequencies of 45 and 85 Hz, and hypothesized that these low-frequency stimuli would generate a cumulative amplitude function (CAF) that could reflect damage to hair cells in the apex more accurately than the 762 stimuli. One hour after application of 1 mM ouabain, CR amplitudes significantly increased, but remained unchanged in the presence of high-pass filtered noise conditions, suggesting that basal auditory nerve fibers have a limited contribution to the CR at such low frequencies.



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Differential tinnitus-related neuroplastic alterations of cortical thickness and surface area

Publication date: Available online 23 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Martin Meyer, Patrick Neff, Franziskus Liem, Tobias Kleinjung, Steffi Weidt, Berthold Langguth, Martin Schecklmann
Structural neuroimaging techniques have been used to identify cortical and subcortical regions constituting the neuroarchitecture of tinnitus. One recent investigation used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to analyze a sample of tinnitus patients (TI, n=257) [1]. A negative relationship between individual distress and cortical volume (CV) in bilateral auditory regions was observed. However, CV has meanwhile been identified as a neuroanatomical measurement that confounds genetically distinct neuroanatomical traits, namely cortical thickness (CT) and cortical surface area (CSA). We performed a re-analysis of the identical sample using the automated FreeSurfer surface-based morphometry (SBM) approach [2]. First, we replicated the negative correlation between tinnitus distress and bilateral supratemporal gray matter volume. Second, we observed a negative correlation for CSA in the left peri-auditory cortex and anterior insula. Furthermore, we noted a positive correlation between tinnitus duration and CT in the left peri-auditory cortex as well as a negative correlation in the subcallosal anterior cingulate, a region collated to the serotonergic circuit and germane to inhibitory functions.In short, the results elucidate differential neuroanatomical alterations of CSA and CT for the two independent tinnitus-related psychological traits distress and duration. Beyond this, the study provides further evidence for the distinction and specific susceptibility of CSA and CT within the context of neuroplasticity of the human brain.



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The potential use of low-frequency tones to locate regions of outer hair cell loss

Publication date: Available online 24 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Aryn Kamerer, Francisco J. Diaz, Marcello Peppi, Mark Chertoff
Current methods used to diagnose cochlear hearing loss are limited in their ability to determine the location and extent of anatomical damage to various cochlear structures. In previous experiments, we have used the electrical potential recorded at the round window –the cochlear response (CR) –to predict the location of damage to outer hair cells in the gerbil. In a follow-up experiment, we applied 10 mM ouabain to the round window niche to reduce neural activity in order to quantify the neural contribution to the CR. We concluded that a significant proportion of the CR to a 762 Hz tone originated from phase-locking activity of basal auditory nerve fibers, which could have contaminated our conclusions regarding outer hair cell health. However, at such high concentrations, ouabain may have also affected the responses from outer hair cells, exaggerating the effect we attributed to the auditory nerve. In this study, we lowered the concentration of ouabain to 1 mM and determined the physiologic effects on outer hair cells using distortion-product otoacoustic emissions. As well as quantifying the effects of 1mM ouabain on the auditory nerve and outer hair cells, we attempted to reduce the neural contribution to the CR by using near-infrasonic stimulus frequencies of 45 and 85 Hz, and hypothesized that these low-frequency stimuli would generate a cumulative amplitude function (CAF) that could reflect damage to hair cells in the apex more accurately than the 762 stimuli. One hour after application of 1 mM ouabain, CR amplitudes significantly increased, but remained unchanged in the presence of high-pass filtered noise conditions, suggesting that basal auditory nerve fibers have a limited contribution to the CR at such low frequencies.



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Differential tinnitus-related neuroplastic alterations of cortical thickness and surface area

Publication date: Available online 23 September 2016
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Martin Meyer, Patrick Neff, Franziskus Liem, Tobias Kleinjung, Steffi Weidt, Berthold Langguth, Martin Schecklmann
Structural neuroimaging techniques have been used to identify cortical and subcortical regions constituting the neuroarchitecture of tinnitus. One recent investigation used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to analyze a sample of tinnitus patients (TI, n=257) [1]. A negative relationship between individual distress and cortical volume (CV) in bilateral auditory regions was observed. However, CV has meanwhile been identified as a neuroanatomical measurement that confounds genetically distinct neuroanatomical traits, namely cortical thickness (CT) and cortical surface area (CSA). We performed a re-analysis of the identical sample using the automated FreeSurfer surface-based morphometry (SBM) approach [2]. First, we replicated the negative correlation between tinnitus distress and bilateral supratemporal gray matter volume. Second, we observed a negative correlation for CSA in the left peri-auditory cortex and anterior insula. Furthermore, we noted a positive correlation between tinnitus duration and CT in the left peri-auditory cortex as well as a negative correlation in the subcallosal anterior cingulate, a region collated to the serotonergic circuit and germane to inhibitory functions.In short, the results elucidate differential neuroanatomical alterations of CSA and CT for the two independent tinnitus-related psychological traits distress and duration. Beyond this, the study provides further evidence for the distinction and specific susceptibility of CSA and CT within the context of neuroplasticity of the human brain.



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Impaired postural control in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder is related to less efficient central as well as peripheral control.

Publication date: Available online 24 September 2016
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Merete B. Speedtsberg, Sofie B. Christensen, Ken Kjøller Andersen, Jesper Bencke, Bente R. Jensen, Derek J. Curtis
BackgroundDevelopmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental impairment that affects approximately 6% of children in primary school age. Children with DCD are characterized by impaired postural control. It has yet to be determined what effect peripheral and central neuromuscular control has on their balance control.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms to impaired postural control in children with DCD using the rambling-trembling decomposition of the center of pressure (CoP).MethodNine children with DCD (9.0±0.5years, 7 boys, 2 girls) and 10 age- and gender-matched typically developing children (TD) with normal motor proficiency (9.1±0.4years, 7 boys and 3 girls) performed 3×30s bipedal standing on a force plate in six sensory conditions following the sensory organization procedure. Sway length was measured and rambling-trembling decomposition of CoP was calculated in medio-lateral (ML) and anterior-posterior (AP) direction.ResultsBoth rambling and trembling were larger for the children with DCD in AP (p=0.031; p=0.050) and ML direction (p=0.025; p=0.007), respectively.ML rambling trajectories did not differ in any conditions with fixed support surface. In ML direction children with DCD had a lower relative contribution of rambling to total sway (p=0.013).ConclusionThis study showed that impaired postural control in children with DCD is associated with less efficient supraspinal control represented by increased rambling, but also by reduced spinal feedback control or peripheral control manifested as increased trembling.



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Impaired postural control in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder is related to less efficient central as well as peripheral control.

Publication date: Available online 24 September 2016
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Merete B. Speedtsberg, Sofie B. Christensen, Ken Kjøller Andersen, Jesper Bencke, Bente R. Jensen, Derek J. Curtis
BackgroundDevelopmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental impairment that affects approximately 6% of children in primary school age. Children with DCD are characterized by impaired postural control. It has yet to be determined what effect peripheral and central neuromuscular control has on their balance control.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms to impaired postural control in children with DCD using the rambling-trembling decomposition of the center of pressure (CoP).MethodNine children with DCD (9.0±0.5years, 7 boys, 2 girls) and 10 age- and gender-matched typically developing children (TD) with normal motor proficiency (9.1±0.4years, 7 boys and 3 girls) performed 3×30s bipedal standing on a force plate in six sensory conditions following the sensory organization procedure. Sway length was measured and rambling-trembling decomposition of CoP was calculated in medio-lateral (ML) and anterior-posterior (AP) direction.ResultsBoth rambling and trembling were larger for the children with DCD in AP (p=0.031; p=0.050) and ML direction (p=0.025; p=0.007), respectively.ML rambling trajectories did not differ in any conditions with fixed support surface. In ML direction children with DCD had a lower relative contribution of rambling to total sway (p=0.013).ConclusionThis study showed that impaired postural control in children with DCD is associated with less efficient supraspinal control represented by increased rambling, but also by reduced spinal feedback control or peripheral control manifested as increased trembling.



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Impaired postural control in children with Developmental Coordination Disorder is related to less efficient central as well as peripheral control.

Publication date: Available online 24 September 2016
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Merete B. Speedtsberg, Sofie B. Christensen, Ken Kjøller Andersen, Jesper Bencke, Bente R. Jensen, Derek J. Curtis
BackgroundDevelopmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental impairment that affects approximately 6% of children in primary school age. Children with DCD are characterized by impaired postural control. It has yet to be determined what effect peripheral and central neuromuscular control has on their balance control.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms to impaired postural control in children with DCD using the rambling-trembling decomposition of the center of pressure (CoP).MethodNine children with DCD (9.0±0.5years, 7 boys, 2 girls) and 10 age- and gender-matched typically developing children (TD) with normal motor proficiency (9.1±0.4years, 7 boys and 3 girls) performed 3×30s bipedal standing on a force plate in six sensory conditions following the sensory organization procedure. Sway length was measured and rambling-trembling decomposition of CoP was calculated in medio-lateral (ML) and anterior-posterior (AP) direction.ResultsBoth rambling and trembling were larger for the children with DCD in AP (p=0.031; p=0.050) and ML direction (p=0.025; p=0.007), respectively.ML rambling trajectories did not differ in any conditions with fixed support surface. In ML direction children with DCD had a lower relative contribution of rambling to total sway (p=0.013).ConclusionThis study showed that impaired postural control in children with DCD is associated with less efficient supraspinal control represented by increased rambling, but also by reduced spinal feedback control or peripheral control manifested as increased trembling.



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Iatrogenic facial nerve injuries during chronic otitis media surgery: a multicenter retrospective study.

Iatrogenic facial nerve injuries during chronic otitis media surgery: a multicenter retrospective study.

Clin Otolaryngol. 2016 Sep 23;

Authors: Linder T, Mulazimoglu S, El Hadi T, Darrouzet V, Ayache D, Somers T, Schmerber S, Vincent C, Mondain M, Lescanne E, Bonnard D

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To give an insight into why, when and where iatrogenic facial nerve (FN) injuries may occur and to explain how to deal with them in an emergency setting.
DESIGN AND SETTING: Multicenter retrospective study in 8 tertiary referral hospitals over 17 years.
PARTICIPANTS: Twenty patients with partial or total facial nerve injury during surgery for chronic otitis media (COM) were revised.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Indication and type of surgery, experience of the surgeon, intra- and postoperative findings, value of CT scanning, patient management and final facial nerve outcome were recorded.
RESULTS: In 12 cases, the nerve was completely transected but the surgeon was unaware in 11 cases. A minority of cases occurred in academic teaching hospitals. Tympanic segment, second genu and proximal mastoid segments were the sites involved during injury. The FN was not deliberately identified in 18 patients at the time of injury and nerve monitoring was only applied in one patient. Before revision surgery, CT scanning correctly identified the lesion site in 11 out of 12 cases and depicted additional lesions such as damage to the lateral semicircular canal. A greater auricular nerve graft was interposed in 10 cases of total transection and in one partially lesioned nerve: 7 of them resulted in an HB III functional outcome. In two of the transected nerves, rerouting and direct end-to-end anastomosis was applied. A simple FN decompression was used in four cases of superficially traumatized nerves.
CONCLUSIONS: We suggest checklists for preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative management to prevent and treat iatrogenic FN injury during COM surgery. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID: 27661064 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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15th annual meeting of the safety pharmacology society: Focus on traditional sensory systems.

15th annual meeting of the safety pharmacology society: Focus on traditional sensory systems.

J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods. 2016 Sep 19;

Authors: Cavero I, Holzgrefe H

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This report summarizes and comments key talks on the five traditional senses (ear, vestibular system, vision, taste, olfaction, and touch) which were delivered during the 2015 Annual Meeting of the Safety Pharmacology (SP) Society.
AREAS COVERED: The functional observational battery (FOB) can detect major candidate drug liabilities only on ear, touch and vision. Anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology notions on each sensory system introduce speaker talks. Techniques for evaluating drug effects on hearing functions are reviewed. Nonclinical approaches to assess vestibular toxicity leading to balance deficits are presented. Retinal explants studied with multielectrode arrays allow the identification of drug liability sites on the retina. Routinely performed Safety Pharmacology assays are not powered to address candidate drug-induced disturbances on taste and smell. This weakness needs correction since unintended pharmacological impairment of these sensorial functions may have serious health consequences. Neuropathy produced by chemotherapeutic agents may cause multiple sensorial perception distortions.
CONCLUSIONS: Safety Pharmacology studies should ensure the safety of any candidate drug on the five sensorial systems.

PMID: 27659846 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Iatrogenic facial nerve injuries during chronic otitis media surgery: a multicenter retrospective study.

Iatrogenic facial nerve injuries during chronic otitis media surgery: a multicenter retrospective study.

Clin Otolaryngol. 2016 Sep 23;

Authors: Linder T, Mulazimoglu S, El Hadi T, Darrouzet V, Ayache D, Somers T, Schmerber S, Vincent C, Mondain M, Lescanne E, Bonnard D

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To give an insight into why, when and where iatrogenic facial nerve (FN) injuries may occur and to explain how to deal with them in an emergency setting.
DESIGN AND SETTING: Multicenter retrospective study in 8 tertiary referral hospitals over 17 years.
PARTICIPANTS: Twenty patients with partial or total facial nerve injury during surgery for chronic otitis media (COM) were revised.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Indication and type of surgery, experience of the surgeon, intra- and postoperative findings, value of CT scanning, patient management and final facial nerve outcome were recorded.
RESULTS: In 12 cases, the nerve was completely transected but the surgeon was unaware in 11 cases. A minority of cases occurred in academic teaching hospitals. Tympanic segment, second genu and proximal mastoid segments were the sites involved during injury. The FN was not deliberately identified in 18 patients at the time of injury and nerve monitoring was only applied in one patient. Before revision surgery, CT scanning correctly identified the lesion site in 11 out of 12 cases and depicted additional lesions such as damage to the lateral semicircular canal. A greater auricular nerve graft was interposed in 10 cases of total transection and in one partially lesioned nerve: 7 of them resulted in an HB III functional outcome. In two of the transected nerves, rerouting and direct end-to-end anastomosis was applied. A simple FN decompression was used in four cases of superficially traumatized nerves.
CONCLUSIONS: We suggest checklists for preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative management to prevent and treat iatrogenic FN injury during COM surgery. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID: 27661064 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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15th annual meeting of the safety pharmacology society: Focus on traditional sensory systems.

15th annual meeting of the safety pharmacology society: Focus on traditional sensory systems.

J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods. 2016 Sep 19;

Authors: Cavero I, Holzgrefe H

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This report summarizes and comments key talks on the five traditional senses (ear, vestibular system, vision, taste, olfaction, and touch) which were delivered during the 2015 Annual Meeting of the Safety Pharmacology (SP) Society.
AREAS COVERED: The functional observational battery (FOB) can detect major candidate drug liabilities only on ear, touch and vision. Anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathology notions on each sensory system introduce speaker talks. Techniques for evaluating drug effects on hearing functions are reviewed. Nonclinical approaches to assess vestibular toxicity leading to balance deficits are presented. Retinal explants studied with multielectrode arrays allow the identification of drug liability sites on the retina. Routinely performed Safety Pharmacology assays are not powered to address candidate drug-induced disturbances on taste and smell. This weakness needs correction since unintended pharmacological impairment of these sensorial functions may have serious health consequences. Neuropathy produced by chemotherapeutic agents may cause multiple sensorial perception distortions.
CONCLUSIONS: Safety Pharmacology studies should ensure the safety of any candidate drug on the five sensorial systems.

PMID: 27659846 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Long-term measurements using home audiometry with Békésy's technique.

Long-term measurements using home audiometry with Békésy's technique.

Int J Audiol. 2016 Sep 23;:1-10

Authors: Brännström KJ, Grenner J

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of fixed-frequency Békésy's home audiometry to assess hearing fluctuation and treatment outcomes in patients with subjectively fluctuating hearing loss.
DESIGN: SMAPH, a software audiometry program for Windows, was installed and calibrated on laptop computers. Békésy's audiometry was carried out daily in the patients' homes, using sound-attenuating earphones.
STUDY SAMPLE: Seventeen patients with previously or currently subjectively fluctuating hearing loss. Five patients received of treatment for their conditions during the measurement period.
RESULTS: Measurement periods ranged from 6 to 60 days. Varying degrees of compliance were seen, some patients measuring less than 50% of the days, others measuring every day. Based on their long-term measurements the patients were classified into three groups: patients with stable recordings, with fluctuating low-frequency hearing loss, or with fluctuating high-frequency hearing loss. In the patients with stable recordings, significant test-retest differences were seen below 10 dB at frequencies 0.125-8 kHz.
CONCLUSIONS: Home audiometry with Békésy's technique can be used to evaluate disease activity and to monitor hearing results after therapy.

PMID: 27662509 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Long-term measurements using home audiometry with Békésy's technique.

Long-term measurements using home audiometry with Békésy's technique.

Int J Audiol. 2016 Sep 23;:1-10

Authors: Brännström KJ, Grenner J

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of fixed-frequency Békésy's home audiometry to assess hearing fluctuation and treatment outcomes in patients with subjectively fluctuating hearing loss.
DESIGN: SMAPH, a software audiometry program for Windows, was installed and calibrated on laptop computers. Békésy's audiometry was carried out daily in the patients' homes, using sound-attenuating earphones.
STUDY SAMPLE: Seventeen patients with previously or currently subjectively fluctuating hearing loss. Five patients received of treatment for their conditions during the measurement period.
RESULTS: Measurement periods ranged from 6 to 60 days. Varying degrees of compliance were seen, some patients measuring less than 50% of the days, others measuring every day. Based on their long-term measurements the patients were classified into three groups: patients with stable recordings, with fluctuating low-frequency hearing loss, or with fluctuating high-frequency hearing loss. In the patients with stable recordings, significant test-retest differences were seen below 10 dB at frequencies 0.125-8 kHz.
CONCLUSIONS: Home audiometry with Békésy's technique can be used to evaluate disease activity and to monitor hearing results after therapy.

PMID: 27662509 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Long-term measurements using home audiometry with Békésy's technique.

Long-term measurements using home audiometry with Békésy's technique.

Int J Audiol. 2016 Sep 23;:1-10

Authors: Brännström KJ, Grenner J

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of fixed-frequency Békésy's home audiometry to assess hearing fluctuation and treatment outcomes in patients with subjectively fluctuating hearing loss.
DESIGN: SMAPH, a software audiometry program for Windows, was installed and calibrated on laptop computers. Békésy's audiometry was carried out daily in the patients' homes, using sound-attenuating earphones.
STUDY SAMPLE: Seventeen patients with previously or currently subjectively fluctuating hearing loss. Five patients received of treatment for their conditions during the measurement period.
RESULTS: Measurement periods ranged from 6 to 60 days. Varying degrees of compliance were seen, some patients measuring less than 50% of the days, others measuring every day. Based on their long-term measurements the patients were classified into three groups: patients with stable recordings, with fluctuating low-frequency hearing loss, or with fluctuating high-frequency hearing loss. In the patients with stable recordings, significant test-retest differences were seen below 10 dB at frequencies 0.125-8 kHz.
CONCLUSIONS: Home audiometry with Békésy's technique can be used to evaluate disease activity and to monitor hearing results after therapy.

PMID: 27662509 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Long-term measurements using home audiometry with Békésy's technique.

Long-term measurements using home audiometry with Békésy's technique.

Int J Audiol. 2016 Sep 23;:1-10

Authors: Brännström KJ, Grenner J

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the efficacy of fixed-frequency Békésy's home audiometry to assess hearing fluctuation and treatment outcomes in patients with subjectively fluctuating hearing loss.
DESIGN: SMAPH, a software audiometry program for Windows, was installed and calibrated on laptop computers. Békésy's audiometry was carried out daily in the patients' homes, using sound-attenuating earphones.
STUDY SAMPLE: Seventeen patients with previously or currently subjectively fluctuating hearing loss. Five patients received of treatment for their conditions during the measurement period.
RESULTS: Measurement periods ranged from 6 to 60 days. Varying degrees of compliance were seen, some patients measuring less than 50% of the days, others measuring every day. Based on their long-term measurements the patients were classified into three groups: patients with stable recordings, with fluctuating low-frequency hearing loss, or with fluctuating high-frequency hearing loss. In the patients with stable recordings, significant test-retest differences were seen below 10 dB at frequencies 0.125-8 kHz.
CONCLUSIONS: Home audiometry with Békésy's technique can be used to evaluate disease activity and to monitor hearing results after therapy.

PMID: 27662509 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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An Excised Canine Model of Anterior Glottic Web and Its Acoustic, Aerodynamic, and High-speed Measurements

Publication date: Available online 23 September 2016
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Chao Xue, Allyson Pulvermacher, William Calawerts, Erin Devine, Jack Jiang
ObjectivesThis study aims to build an excised anterior glottic web (AGW) model and study the basic voice-related mechanisms of the AGW through investigating the acoustic, aerodynamic, and vibratory properties.Study Design and MethodsOverall, four conditions were tested for each of the eight canine larynges used. At baseline, 10%, 20%, and 33% occlusion (as determined by the placement of the suture), acoustic, aerodynamic, and high-speed video data were collected while each larynx was phonated in a soundproof booth.ResultsThe phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and the phonation threshold flow significantly increased as percent occlusion increased (P < 0.001). There were significant increases in jitter % and shimmer % from baseline group to AGW model groups at PTP, 1.25 PTP, and 1.5 PTP (P = 0.039, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.001, respectively). The fundamental frequency significantly increased as percent occlusion increased at all given pressures (P < 0.001). Correlation dimension (D2) was significantly higher in the AGW model groups than in the baseline group at PTP, 1.25 PTP, and 1.5 PTP (P = 0.002, P < 0.001, P = 0.01, respectively). High-speed videos revealed that, the left phase shift in the AGW model groups compared with the baseline at 1.25 PTP was significant (P = 0.027) and right phase shift at 1.5 PTP (P < 0.001).ConclusionsWe presented an anatomically similar model of a type 1 AGW and confirmed its validity through aerodynamic, acoustic, and high-speed video analysis in our study. We observed and investigated the glottic web movement, which may be a new explanation for the pathologic voice-related mechanism of AGW.



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Effects of Volume, Pitch, and Phonation Type on Oscillation Initiation and Termination Phases Investigated With High-speed Videoendoscopy

Publication date: Available online 23 September 2016
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Melda Kunduk, Takeshi Ikuma, David C. Blouin, Andrew J. McWhorter
ObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the effects of varying volume, pitch, and phonation types on the initiation and termination phases of vocal fold oscillation using high-speed digital videoendoscopy. Specifically, it addressed the effects of the variation of volume, pitch, and phonation type (normal, pressed, and breathy) on the transient duration of the vibrating glottal length (length transient duration, Tlen), the transient duration of the glottal area waveform (area transient duration, Tarea), the time offset between the beginning (or the end) of the full-length vibration and the full-amplitude vibration, TΔ, and the variation of the fundamental frequency during the vocal fold oscillation initiation and termination segments (pitch instability, %PI).MethodsA female subject with no voice problem produced voices with varying pitch and loudness, including comfortable pitch and comfortable loudness, normal pitch loud, high pitch and comfortable loudness, and high pitch and loud. Breathy and pressed phonations were also recorded. Each of the six phonation types was recorded six times, which resulted in 72 transient segments (each recording included both initiation and termination phases). Mixed model statistical analyses were employed to the five objective high-speed digital videoendoscopy parameters.ResultsPreliminary findings demonstrated significant findings for voice type effects for the length and area transient durations for the oscillation initiation segment but not for the oscillation termination segment.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that voice types appear to influence vibration initiation patterns more than the vibration termination patterns.



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