Παρασκευή 31 Μαρτίου 2017

Corrigendum

Volume 56, Issue 4, April 2017, Page 295-295
.


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Corrigendum

Volume 56, Issue 4, April 2017, Page 295-295
.


from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2olPqb8
via IFTTT

Tratamiento de voz Lee Silverman en la disartria hipocinética: revisión de la efectividad del tratamiento en los enfermos de Parkinson

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Publication date: Available online 30 March 2017
Source:Revista de Logopedia, Foniatría y Audiología
Author(s): Sofía Luis Parrón
La disartria es una alteración neurológica del sistema nervioso central y/o periférico que afecta al control muscular de los mecanismos del habla. La enfermedad de Parkinson se caracteriza por tener disartria hipocinética, con un habla débil, lenta y monótona, afectándose la respiración, la resonancia, la fonación, la prosodia y la articulación. Existe un tratamiento de voz llamado «Lee Silverman» que estimula y educa al paciente para producir una voz más alta a través del aumento del esfuerzo vocal.El objetivo de esta revisión, es determinar la efectividad del tratamiento de voz «Lee Silverman» como método rehabilitador logopédico de la disartria hipocinética en los pacientes con EP.En cuanto al método, se realiza una revisión bibliográfica en las bases de datos Pubmed y Cochrane Plus. Los artículos que se seleccionan son 65, que tras los criterios de inclusión y exclusión se acotan a 7, realizándose posteriormente un análisis comparativo entre ellos.Los resultados del estudio y la comparación con otra revisión exponen mejoras significativas tras el tratamiento, observándose cambios especialmente en la inteligibilidad y la intensidad de la voz, con un aumento de la sonoridad vocal y una mayor tonicidad de los órganos bucofonatorios, con una mejora de la articulación y coordinación de los movimientos, provocando un habla más funcional.En conclusión, los resultados evidencian que el tratamiento es eficaz para la rehabilitación de la disartria hipocinética en los enfermos de Parkinson. Sin embargo, los resultados no pueden considerarse universales, ya que solo se comparan 7 artículos, no siendo suficientes para apoyar o refutar la efectividad del tratamiento.Dysarthria is a neurological disorder of the central and/or peripheral nervous system that affects muscle control mechanisms of speech. Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterised by hypokinetic dysarthria, which produces a weak, slow and monotonous speech. It is affected by breathing, resonance, phonation, prosody, and articulation. There is a voice treatment called “Lee Silverman” (LSVT), which stimulates and educates the patient to produce a higher voice through the increase of vocal effort.The purpose of this review is to determine the effectiveness of LSVT as a method of speech therapy rehabilitation of hypokinetic dysarthria in patients with PD.A literature review was conducted in the PubMed and Cochrane databases. A total of 65 articles selected articles, but they were reduced to 7 after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A comparative analysis was performed on these.The results of the study and comparison with other reviews have shown significant improvements after LSVT. Significant changes have been observed in intelligibility, voice intensity with an increase in vocal loudness and greater tone of the buccal-phonation organs, as well as an improvement in the articulation and coordination movements. This has led to a more functional speech.To conclude, the results show that LSVT could be effective for the rehabilitation of the hypokinetic dysarthria in Parkinson's patients. However, the results cannot be considered universal, as only 7 articles have been compared, which is not sufficient to support or refute the effectiveness of the treatment.



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Tratamiento de voz Lee Silverman en la disartria hipocinética: revisión de la efectividad del tratamiento en los enfermos de Parkinson

alertIcon.gif

Publication date: Available online 30 March 2017
Source:Revista de Logopedia, Foniatría y Audiología
Author(s): Sofía Luis Parrón
La disartria es una alteración neurológica del sistema nervioso central y/o periférico que afecta al control muscular de los mecanismos del habla. La enfermedad de Parkinson se caracteriza por tener disartria hipocinética, con un habla débil, lenta y monótona, afectándose la respiración, la resonancia, la fonación, la prosodia y la articulación. Existe un tratamiento de voz llamado «Lee Silverman» que estimula y educa al paciente para producir una voz más alta a través del aumento del esfuerzo vocal.El objetivo de esta revisión, es determinar la efectividad del tratamiento de voz «Lee Silverman» como método rehabilitador logopédico de la disartria hipocinética en los pacientes con EP.En cuanto al método, se realiza una revisión bibliográfica en las bases de datos Pubmed y Cochrane Plus. Los artículos que se seleccionan son 65, que tras los criterios de inclusión y exclusión se acotan a 7, realizándose posteriormente un análisis comparativo entre ellos.Los resultados del estudio y la comparación con otra revisión exponen mejoras significativas tras el tratamiento, observándose cambios especialmente en la inteligibilidad y la intensidad de la voz, con un aumento de la sonoridad vocal y una mayor tonicidad de los órganos bucofonatorios, con una mejora de la articulación y coordinación de los movimientos, provocando un habla más funcional.En conclusión, los resultados evidencian que el tratamiento es eficaz para la rehabilitación de la disartria hipocinética en los enfermos de Parkinson. Sin embargo, los resultados no pueden considerarse universales, ya que solo se comparan 7 artículos, no siendo suficientes para apoyar o refutar la efectividad del tratamiento.Dysarthria is a neurological disorder of the central and/or peripheral nervous system that affects muscle control mechanisms of speech. Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterised by hypokinetic dysarthria, which produces a weak, slow and monotonous speech. It is affected by breathing, resonance, phonation, prosody, and articulation. There is a voice treatment called “Lee Silverman” (LSVT), which stimulates and educates the patient to produce a higher voice through the increase of vocal effort.The purpose of this review is to determine the effectiveness of LSVT as a method of speech therapy rehabilitation of hypokinetic dysarthria in patients with PD.A literature review was conducted in the PubMed and Cochrane databases. A total of 65 articles selected articles, but they were reduced to 7 after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A comparative analysis was performed on these.The results of the study and comparison with other reviews have shown significant improvements after LSVT. Significant changes have been observed in intelligibility, voice intensity with an increase in vocal loudness and greater tone of the buccal-phonation organs, as well as an improvement in the articulation and coordination movements. This has led to a more functional speech.To conclude, the results show that LSVT could be effective for the rehabilitation of the hypokinetic dysarthria in Parkinson's patients. However, the results cannot be considered universal, as only 7 articles have been compared, which is not sufficient to support or refute the effectiveness of the treatment.



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Tratamiento de voz Lee Silverman en la disartria hipocinética: revisión de la efectividad del tratamiento en los enfermos de Parkinson

alertIcon.gif

Publication date: Available online 30 March 2017
Source:Revista de Logopedia, Foniatría y Audiología
Author(s): Sofía Luis Parrón
La disartria es una alteración neurológica del sistema nervioso central y/o periférico que afecta al control muscular de los mecanismos del habla. La enfermedad de Parkinson se caracteriza por tener disartria hipocinética, con un habla débil, lenta y monótona, afectándose la respiración, la resonancia, la fonación, la prosodia y la articulación. Existe un tratamiento de voz llamado «Lee Silverman» que estimula y educa al paciente para producir una voz más alta a través del aumento del esfuerzo vocal.El objetivo de esta revisión, es determinar la efectividad del tratamiento de voz «Lee Silverman» como método rehabilitador logopédico de la disartria hipocinética en los pacientes con EP.En cuanto al método, se realiza una revisión bibliográfica en las bases de datos Pubmed y Cochrane Plus. Los artículos que se seleccionan son 65, que tras los criterios de inclusión y exclusión se acotan a 7, realizándose posteriormente un análisis comparativo entre ellos.Los resultados del estudio y la comparación con otra revisión exponen mejoras significativas tras el tratamiento, observándose cambios especialmente en la inteligibilidad y la intensidad de la voz, con un aumento de la sonoridad vocal y una mayor tonicidad de los órganos bucofonatorios, con una mejora de la articulación y coordinación de los movimientos, provocando un habla más funcional.En conclusión, los resultados evidencian que el tratamiento es eficaz para la rehabilitación de la disartria hipocinética en los enfermos de Parkinson. Sin embargo, los resultados no pueden considerarse universales, ya que solo se comparan 7 artículos, no siendo suficientes para apoyar o refutar la efectividad del tratamiento.Dysarthria is a neurological disorder of the central and/or peripheral nervous system that affects muscle control mechanisms of speech. Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterised by hypokinetic dysarthria, which produces a weak, slow and monotonous speech. It is affected by breathing, resonance, phonation, prosody, and articulation. There is a voice treatment called “Lee Silverman” (LSVT), which stimulates and educates the patient to produce a higher voice through the increase of vocal effort.The purpose of this review is to determine the effectiveness of LSVT as a method of speech therapy rehabilitation of hypokinetic dysarthria in patients with PD.A literature review was conducted in the PubMed and Cochrane databases. A total of 65 articles selected articles, but they were reduced to 7 after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A comparative analysis was performed on these.The results of the study and comparison with other reviews have shown significant improvements after LSVT. Significant changes have been observed in intelligibility, voice intensity with an increase in vocal loudness and greater tone of the buccal-phonation organs, as well as an improvement in the articulation and coordination movements. This has led to a more functional speech.To conclude, the results show that LSVT could be effective for the rehabilitation of the hypokinetic dysarthria in Parkinson's patients. However, the results cannot be considered universal, as only 7 articles have been compared, which is not sufficient to support or refute the effectiveness of the treatment.



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Whisper and Phonation: Aerodynamic Comparisons Across Adduction and Loudness

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Publication date: Available online 30 March 2017
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Ramya Konnai, Ronald C. Scherer, Amy Peplinski, Kenneth Ryan
IntroductionWhisper is known to be produced by different speakers differently, especially with respect to glottal configuration that influences glottal aerodynamics. Differences in whisper production and phonation types imply important linguistic information in many languages, are identified in vocal pathologies, are used to communicate mood and emotion, and are used in vocal performance.ObjectiveThe present study focused on investigating the aerodynamic differences between whisper and phonation at different loudness and adduction levels.MethodsThree men and five women between 20 and 40 years of age participated in the study. Smooth syllable strings of the syllable /baep:/ were whispered and phonated at three different loudness levels (soft, medium, and loud) and three voice qualities (breathy, normal, and pressed).The voice qualities are associated with different adduction levels. This resulted in 18 treatment combinations (three adduction levels × three loudness levels × two sexes).ResultsA regression analysis was performed using a PROC MIXED procedure with SAS statistical software. Under similar production conditions, subglottal pressure was significantly lower in whisper than in phonation in 10 of 18 combinations, mean glottal airflow was significantly higher in whisper than in phonation in 13 of 18 combinations, and flow resistance was significantly lower in whisper than in phonation in 14 of 18 combinations, with the female subjects demonstrating these trends more frequently than the male subjects do. Of importance, in general, compared with phonation under similar production conditions, whisper is not always accompanied by lower subglottal pressure and higher airflows.ConclusionResults from this study suggest that the typical finding of lower subglottal pressure, higher glottal airflow, and decreased flow resistance in whisper compared with phonation cannot be generalized to all individuals and depends on the “whisper type.” The nine basic production conditions (three loudness levels and three adduction levels) resulted in data that may help explain the wide range of variation of whisper production reported in earlier studies.



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Phonak Introduces New E-Learning Platform for Audiologists

Phonak (http://ift.tt/1TpqSBL) launched a new e-learning platform for audiologists to get information on products, hearing loss, and counseling techniques. Audiologists can soon take courses on sales negotiations or improve their counseling skills by learning how to involve family in helping people with hearing loss. They can also broaden their professional network through participating in forums on the platform. All training materials will be in the form of e-learning modules, videos, web seminars, and scientific studies. The platform is already available in the United States, Canada, and France. Other countries and learning modules will be added periodically. Anyone interested in the platform can fill in a registration form and check out the new learning platform at http://ift.tt/2mWqjLG.  

Published: 3/31/2017 10:35:00 AM


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Phonak Introduces New E-Learning Platform for Audiologists

Phonak (http://ift.tt/1TpqSBL) launched a new e-learning platform for audiologists to get information on products, hearing loss, and counseling techniques. Audiologists can soon take courses on sales negotiations or improve their counseling skills by learning how to involve family in helping people with hearing loss. They can also broaden their professional network through participating in forums on the platform. All training materials will be in the form of e-learning modules, videos, web seminars, and scientific studies. The platform is already available in the United States, Canada, and France. Other countries and learning modules will be added periodically. Anyone interested in the platform can fill in a registration form and check out the new learning platform at http://ift.tt/2mWqjLG.  

Published: 3/31/2017 10:35:00 AM


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via IFTTT

Phonak Introduces New E-Learning Platform for Audiologists

Phonak (http://ift.tt/1TpqSBL) launched a new e-learning platform for audiologists to get information on products, hearing loss, and counseling techniques. Audiologists can soon take courses on sales negotiations or improve their counseling skills by learning how to involve family in helping people with hearing loss. They can also broaden their professional network through participating in forums on the platform. All training materials will be in the form of e-learning modules, videos, web seminars, and scientific studies. The platform is already available in the United States, Canada, and France. Other countries and learning modules will be added periodically. Anyone interested in the platform can fill in a registration form and check out the new learning platform at http://ift.tt/2mWqjLG.  

Published: 3/31/2017 10:35:00 AM


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Development and evaluation of the LittlEARS(®) Early Speech Production Questionnaire - LEESPQ.

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Development and evaluation of the LittlEARS(®) Early Speech Production Questionnaire - LEESPQ.

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2017 Mar;94:23-29

Authors: Wachtlin B, Brachmaier J, Amann E, Hoffmann V, Keilmann A

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Universal Newborn Hearing Screening programs, now instituted throughout the German-speaking countries, allow hearing loss to be detected and treated much earlier than ever before. With this earlier detection, arises the need for tools fit for assessing the very early speech and language production development of today's younger (0-18 month old) children. We have created the LittlEARS(®) Early Speech Production Questionnaire, with the aim of meeting this need.
METHODS: 600 questionnaires of the pilot version of the LittlEARS(®) Early Speech Production Questionnaire were distributed to parents via pediatricians' practices, day care centers, and personal contact. The completed questionnaires were statistically analyzed to determine their reliability, predictive accuracy, internal consistency, and to what extent gender or unilingualism influenced a child's score. Further, a norm curve was generated to plot the children's increased expected speech production ability with age.
RESULTS: Analysis of the data from the 352/600 returned questionnaires revealed that scores on LittlEARS(®) Early Speech Production Questionnaire correlate positively with a child's age, with older children scoring higher than do younger children. Further, the questionnaire has a high measuring reliability, high predictability, high unidemensionality of scale, and is not significantly gender or uni-/multilingually biased. A norm curve for expected development with age was created.
CONCLUSIONS: The LittlEARS(®) Early Speech Production Questionnaire (LEESPQ) is a valid tool for assessing the most important milestones in very early development of speech and language production of German language children with normal hearing aged 0-18 months old. The questionnaire is a potentially useful tool for long-term infant screening and follow-up testing and for children with normal hearing and those who would benefit from or use hearing devices.

PMID: 28167006 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]



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Subjective happiness among mothers of children with disabilities: The role of stress, attachment, guilt and social support.

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Subjective happiness among mothers of children with disabilities: The role of stress, attachment, guilt and social support.

Res Dev Disabil. 2016 Aug;55:44-54

Authors: Findler L, Klein Jacoby A, Gabis L

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Parenting a child with disabilities might affect the happiness of the mothers. Hence we adapted Wallander, Varni, Babani, Banis, and Wilcox's (1989) disability-stress-coping model to examine the impact of risk factors (specific stressors related to the child's disability) on the mother's adaptation (happiness). Intrapersonal factors (attachment) and social-ecological factors (social support) were hypothesized to predict adaptation. Both constitute 'risk-resistant' factors, which are mediated by the mother's perceived general stress and guilt.
METHOD: 191 mothers of a child with a developmental disability (ages 3-7) answered questionnaires on happiness, specific and general stress, attachment, guilt and social support.
RESULTS: Attachment avoidance was directly and negatively associated with mothers' happiness. General stress was negatively associated with happiness, and mediated the association between anxious attachment, support, and specific stress with happiness. Guilt was negatively associated with happiness, and served as a mediator between attachment anxiety and support and happiness.
CONCLUSION: The findings of the current research show direct and indirect associations of risk factors with happiness and the role of general stress and feelings of guilt as mediators.
IMPLICATIONS: This study stresses the importance of attachment and social support to happiness and sheds light on the unique role of guilt in promoting or inhibiting happiness.

PMID: 27037989 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]



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Parental stress among parents of toddlers with moderate hearing loss.

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Parental stress among parents of toddlers with moderate hearing loss.

Res Dev Disabil. 2016 Aug;55:27-36

Authors: Dirks E, Uilenburg N, Rieffe C

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine parental stress in parents of toddlers with moderate hearing loss compared to hearing controls. Furthermore, the associations between parental stress and child- and parent-related factors such as language, social-emotional functioning and social support were examined.
DESIGN: The study sample consisted of 30 toddlers with moderate hearing loss and 30 hearing children (mean age 27.4 months). The two groups were compared using the Nijmegen Parenting Stress Index (NPSI) and parent-reports to rate the amount of social support and the children's social-emotional functioning. Receptive and expressive language tests were administered to the children to examine their language ability.
RESULTS: Parents of toddlers with moderate hearing loss reported comparable levels of parental stress to parents of hearing children. Individual differences in parental stress were related to child- and parent-related factors. Poorer social-emotional functioning and language ability of the child were related to higher stress levels in parents. Parents who experienced less social support reported higher stress levels.
CONCLUSIONS: Parents of toddlers with moderate hearing loss experience no more parental stress than parents of hearing children on average. Given parental stress was found to be related to poorer child functioning, early interventionists should be aware of signs of elevated stress levels in parents.

PMID: 27031795 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]



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Corrigendum.

Related Articles

Corrigendum.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Apr;56(4):295

Authors:

PMID: 28358276 [PubMed - in process]



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Output signal-to-noise ratio and speech perception in noise: effects of algorithm.

Related Articles

Output signal-to-noise ratio and speech perception in noise: effects of algorithm.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Mar 30;:1-12

Authors: Miller CW, Bentler RA, Wu YH, Lewis J, Tremblay K

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to: 1) quantify the amount of change in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as a result of compression and noise reduction (NR) processing in devices from three hearing aid (HA) manufacturers and 2) use the SNR changes to predict changes in speech perception. We hypothesised that the SNR change would differ across processing type and manufacturer, and that improvements in SNR would relate to improvements in performance.
DESIGN: SNR at the output of the HAs was quantified using a phase-inversion technique. A linear mixed model was used to determine whether changes in SNR across HA conditions were predictive of changes in aided speech perception in noise.
STUDY SAMPLE: Two groups participated: 25 participants had normal-hearing and 25 participants had mild to moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss.
RESULTS: The HAs programmed for both groups changed the SNR by a small, but statistically significant amount. Significant interactions in SNR changes were observed between HA devices and processing types. However, the change in SNR was not predictive of changes in speech perception.
CONCLUSION: Although observed significant changes in SNR resulting from compression and NR did not convert to changes in speech perception, these algorithms may serve other purposes.

PMID: 28355951 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Differences in the suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions by contralateral white noise between patients with acute or chronic tinnitus.

Related Articles

Differences in the suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions by contralateral white noise between patients with acute or chronic tinnitus.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Mar 30;:1-7

Authors: Riga M, Komis A, Marangoudakis P, Naxakis S, Ferekidis E, Kandiloros D, Danielides V

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The mechanisms underlying the shift from acute tinnitus to chronic remain obscure. An association between tinnitus and medial olivocochlear bundle (MOCB) reflex dysfunction has been hypothesised by several studies. The differences between participants with acute and chronic tinnitus have not yet been investigated.
DESIGN: Participants were examined with distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) suppression elicited by contralateral white noise. They were compared in terms of frequency regions with non-recordable DPOAEs, suppression amplitudes and the presence of DPOAE enhancement.
STUDY SAMPLE: Eighteen participants with acute tinnitus, 40 age-matched adults with chronic tinnitus and 17 controls were included. All participants (aged 34.7 ± 9.6years; mean ± Standard deviation) had normal hearing. Tinnitus was bilateral in 22 participants and unilateral in 36.
RESULTS: Ears with chronic tinnitus presented significantly lower DPOAE suppression amplitudes than ears with acute tinnitus (p < 0.0001). Both acute and chronic tinnitus ears present a high prevalence of enhancement, significantly different from controls (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0002, respectively). Non-recordable DPOAEs were significantly more frequent in the chronic than in the acute tinnitus and control groups (p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS: The differences between study groups indicate that when tinnitus becomes chronic, DPOAEs suppression presents changes that might reveal corresponding steps in tinnitus pathophysiology. Treatment implications are discussed.

PMID: 28355949 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Evaluation of combined dynamic compression and single channel noise reduction for hearing aid applications.

Related Articles

Evaluation of combined dynamic compression and single channel noise reduction for hearing aid applications.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Mar 30;:1-12

Authors: Kortlang S, Chen Z, Gerkmann T, Kollmeier B, Hohmann V, Ewert SD

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Single-channel noise reduction (SCNR) and dynamic range compression (DRC) are important elements in hearing aids. Only relatively few studies have addressed interaction effects and typically used real hearing aids with limited knowledge about the integrated algorithms. Here the potential benefit of different combinations and integration of SCNR and DRC was systematically assessed.
DESIGN: Ten different systems combining SCNR and DRC were implemented, including five serial arrangements, a parallel and two multiplicative approaches. In an instrumental evaluation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement and spectral contrast enhancement (SCE) were assessed. Quality ratings at 0 and +6 dB SNR, and speech reception thresholds (SRTs) in noise were measured using stationary and babble noise.
STUDY SAMPLE: Thirteen young normal-hearing (NH) listeners and 12 hearing-impaired (HI) listeners participated.
RESULTS: In line with an increased segmental SNR and spectral contrast compared to a serial concatenation, the parallel approach significantly reduced the perceived noise annoyance for both subject groups. The proposed multiplicative approaches could partly counteract increased speech distortions introduced by DRC and achieved the best overall quality for the HI listeners.
CONCLUSIONS: For high SNRs well above the individual SRT, the specific combination of SCNR and DRC is perceptually relevant and the integrative approaches were preferred.

PMID: 28355947 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Corrigendum.

Related Articles

Corrigendum.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Apr;56(4):295

Authors:

PMID: 28358276 [PubMed - in process]



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via IFTTT

Output signal-to-noise ratio and speech perception in noise: effects of algorithm.

Related Articles

Output signal-to-noise ratio and speech perception in noise: effects of algorithm.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Mar 30;:1-12

Authors: Miller CW, Bentler RA, Wu YH, Lewis J, Tremblay K

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to: 1) quantify the amount of change in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as a result of compression and noise reduction (NR) processing in devices from three hearing aid (HA) manufacturers and 2) use the SNR changes to predict changes in speech perception. We hypothesised that the SNR change would differ across processing type and manufacturer, and that improvements in SNR would relate to improvements in performance.
DESIGN: SNR at the output of the HAs was quantified using a phase-inversion technique. A linear mixed model was used to determine whether changes in SNR across HA conditions were predictive of changes in aided speech perception in noise.
STUDY SAMPLE: Two groups participated: 25 participants had normal-hearing and 25 participants had mild to moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss.
RESULTS: The HAs programmed for both groups changed the SNR by a small, but statistically significant amount. Significant interactions in SNR changes were observed between HA devices and processing types. However, the change in SNR was not predictive of changes in speech perception.
CONCLUSION: Although observed significant changes in SNR resulting from compression and NR did not convert to changes in speech perception, these algorithms may serve other purposes.

PMID: 28355951 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Differences in the suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions by contralateral white noise between patients with acute or chronic tinnitus.

Related Articles

Differences in the suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions by contralateral white noise between patients with acute or chronic tinnitus.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Mar 30;:1-7

Authors: Riga M, Komis A, Marangoudakis P, Naxakis S, Ferekidis E, Kandiloros D, Danielides V

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The mechanisms underlying the shift from acute tinnitus to chronic remain obscure. An association between tinnitus and medial olivocochlear bundle (MOCB) reflex dysfunction has been hypothesised by several studies. The differences between participants with acute and chronic tinnitus have not yet been investigated.
DESIGN: Participants were examined with distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) suppression elicited by contralateral white noise. They were compared in terms of frequency regions with non-recordable DPOAEs, suppression amplitudes and the presence of DPOAE enhancement.
STUDY SAMPLE: Eighteen participants with acute tinnitus, 40 age-matched adults with chronic tinnitus and 17 controls were included. All participants (aged 34.7 ± 9.6years; mean ± Standard deviation) had normal hearing. Tinnitus was bilateral in 22 participants and unilateral in 36.
RESULTS: Ears with chronic tinnitus presented significantly lower DPOAE suppression amplitudes than ears with acute tinnitus (p < 0.0001). Both acute and chronic tinnitus ears present a high prevalence of enhancement, significantly different from controls (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0002, respectively). Non-recordable DPOAEs were significantly more frequent in the chronic than in the acute tinnitus and control groups (p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS: The differences between study groups indicate that when tinnitus becomes chronic, DPOAEs suppression presents changes that might reveal corresponding steps in tinnitus pathophysiology. Treatment implications are discussed.

PMID: 28355949 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Evaluation of combined dynamic compression and single channel noise reduction for hearing aid applications.

Related Articles

Evaluation of combined dynamic compression and single channel noise reduction for hearing aid applications.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Mar 30;:1-12

Authors: Kortlang S, Chen Z, Gerkmann T, Kollmeier B, Hohmann V, Ewert SD

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Single-channel noise reduction (SCNR) and dynamic range compression (DRC) are important elements in hearing aids. Only relatively few studies have addressed interaction effects and typically used real hearing aids with limited knowledge about the integrated algorithms. Here the potential benefit of different combinations and integration of SCNR and DRC was systematically assessed.
DESIGN: Ten different systems combining SCNR and DRC were implemented, including five serial arrangements, a parallel and two multiplicative approaches. In an instrumental evaluation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement and spectral contrast enhancement (SCE) were assessed. Quality ratings at 0 and +6 dB SNR, and speech reception thresholds (SRTs) in noise were measured using stationary and babble noise.
STUDY SAMPLE: Thirteen young normal-hearing (NH) listeners and 12 hearing-impaired (HI) listeners participated.
RESULTS: In line with an increased segmental SNR and spectral contrast compared to a serial concatenation, the parallel approach significantly reduced the perceived noise annoyance for both subject groups. The proposed multiplicative approaches could partly counteract increased speech distortions introduced by DRC and achieved the best overall quality for the HI listeners.
CONCLUSIONS: For high SNRs well above the individual SRT, the specific combination of SCNR and DRC is perceptually relevant and the integrative approaches were preferred.

PMID: 28355947 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Corrigendum.

Corrigendum.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Apr;56(4):295

Authors:

PMID: 28358276 [PubMed - in process]



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Output signal-to-noise ratio and speech perception in noise: effects of algorithm.

Related Articles

Output signal-to-noise ratio and speech perception in noise: effects of algorithm.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Mar 30;:1-12

Authors: Miller CW, Bentler RA, Wu YH, Lewis J, Tremblay K

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to: 1) quantify the amount of change in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as a result of compression and noise reduction (NR) processing in devices from three hearing aid (HA) manufacturers and 2) use the SNR changes to predict changes in speech perception. We hypothesised that the SNR change would differ across processing type and manufacturer, and that improvements in SNR would relate to improvements in performance.
DESIGN: SNR at the output of the HAs was quantified using a phase-inversion technique. A linear mixed model was used to determine whether changes in SNR across HA conditions were predictive of changes in aided speech perception in noise.
STUDY SAMPLE: Two groups participated: 25 participants had normal-hearing and 25 participants had mild to moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss.
RESULTS: The HAs programmed for both groups changed the SNR by a small, but statistically significant amount. Significant interactions in SNR changes were observed between HA devices and processing types. However, the change in SNR was not predictive of changes in speech perception.
CONCLUSION: Although observed significant changes in SNR resulting from compression and NR did not convert to changes in speech perception, these algorithms may serve other purposes.

PMID: 28355951 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Differences in the suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions by contralateral white noise between patients with acute or chronic tinnitus.

Related Articles

Differences in the suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions by contralateral white noise between patients with acute or chronic tinnitus.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Mar 30;:1-7

Authors: Riga M, Komis A, Marangoudakis P, Naxakis S, Ferekidis E, Kandiloros D, Danielides V

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The mechanisms underlying the shift from acute tinnitus to chronic remain obscure. An association between tinnitus and medial olivocochlear bundle (MOCB) reflex dysfunction has been hypothesised by several studies. The differences between participants with acute and chronic tinnitus have not yet been investigated.
DESIGN: Participants were examined with distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) suppression elicited by contralateral white noise. They were compared in terms of frequency regions with non-recordable DPOAEs, suppression amplitudes and the presence of DPOAE enhancement.
STUDY SAMPLE: Eighteen participants with acute tinnitus, 40 age-matched adults with chronic tinnitus and 17 controls were included. All participants (aged 34.7 ± 9.6years; mean ± Standard deviation) had normal hearing. Tinnitus was bilateral in 22 participants and unilateral in 36.
RESULTS: Ears with chronic tinnitus presented significantly lower DPOAE suppression amplitudes than ears with acute tinnitus (p < 0.0001). Both acute and chronic tinnitus ears present a high prevalence of enhancement, significantly different from controls (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0002, respectively). Non-recordable DPOAEs were significantly more frequent in the chronic than in the acute tinnitus and control groups (p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS: The differences between study groups indicate that when tinnitus becomes chronic, DPOAEs suppression presents changes that might reveal corresponding steps in tinnitus pathophysiology. Treatment implications are discussed.

PMID: 28355949 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Evaluation of combined dynamic compression and single channel noise reduction for hearing aid applications.

Related Articles

Evaluation of combined dynamic compression and single channel noise reduction for hearing aid applications.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Mar 30;:1-12

Authors: Kortlang S, Chen Z, Gerkmann T, Kollmeier B, Hohmann V, Ewert SD

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Single-channel noise reduction (SCNR) and dynamic range compression (DRC) are important elements in hearing aids. Only relatively few studies have addressed interaction effects and typically used real hearing aids with limited knowledge about the integrated algorithms. Here the potential benefit of different combinations and integration of SCNR and DRC was systematically assessed.
DESIGN: Ten different systems combining SCNR and DRC were implemented, including five serial arrangements, a parallel and two multiplicative approaches. In an instrumental evaluation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement and spectral contrast enhancement (SCE) were assessed. Quality ratings at 0 and +6 dB SNR, and speech reception thresholds (SRTs) in noise were measured using stationary and babble noise.
STUDY SAMPLE: Thirteen young normal-hearing (NH) listeners and 12 hearing-impaired (HI) listeners participated.
RESULTS: In line with an increased segmental SNR and spectral contrast compared to a serial concatenation, the parallel approach significantly reduced the perceived noise annoyance for both subject groups. The proposed multiplicative approaches could partly counteract increased speech distortions introduced by DRC and achieved the best overall quality for the HI listeners.
CONCLUSIONS: For high SNRs well above the individual SRT, the specific combination of SCNR and DRC is perceptually relevant and the integrative approaches were preferred.

PMID: 28355947 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Corrigendum.

Corrigendum.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Apr;56(4):295

Authors:

PMID: 28358276 [PubMed - in process]



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via IFTTT

Output signal-to-noise ratio and speech perception in noise: effects of algorithm.

Related Articles

Output signal-to-noise ratio and speech perception in noise: effects of algorithm.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Mar 30;:1-12

Authors: Miller CW, Bentler RA, Wu YH, Lewis J, Tremblay K

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to: 1) quantify the amount of change in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as a result of compression and noise reduction (NR) processing in devices from three hearing aid (HA) manufacturers and 2) use the SNR changes to predict changes in speech perception. We hypothesised that the SNR change would differ across processing type and manufacturer, and that improvements in SNR would relate to improvements in performance.
DESIGN: SNR at the output of the HAs was quantified using a phase-inversion technique. A linear mixed model was used to determine whether changes in SNR across HA conditions were predictive of changes in aided speech perception in noise.
STUDY SAMPLE: Two groups participated: 25 participants had normal-hearing and 25 participants had mild to moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss.
RESULTS: The HAs programmed for both groups changed the SNR by a small, but statistically significant amount. Significant interactions in SNR changes were observed between HA devices and processing types. However, the change in SNR was not predictive of changes in speech perception.
CONCLUSION: Although observed significant changes in SNR resulting from compression and NR did not convert to changes in speech perception, these algorithms may serve other purposes.

PMID: 28355951 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Differences in the suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions by contralateral white noise between patients with acute or chronic tinnitus.

Related Articles

Differences in the suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions by contralateral white noise between patients with acute or chronic tinnitus.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Mar 30;:1-7

Authors: Riga M, Komis A, Marangoudakis P, Naxakis S, Ferekidis E, Kandiloros D, Danielides V

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The mechanisms underlying the shift from acute tinnitus to chronic remain obscure. An association between tinnitus and medial olivocochlear bundle (MOCB) reflex dysfunction has been hypothesised by several studies. The differences between participants with acute and chronic tinnitus have not yet been investigated.
DESIGN: Participants were examined with distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) suppression elicited by contralateral white noise. They were compared in terms of frequency regions with non-recordable DPOAEs, suppression amplitudes and the presence of DPOAE enhancement.
STUDY SAMPLE: Eighteen participants with acute tinnitus, 40 age-matched adults with chronic tinnitus and 17 controls were included. All participants (aged 34.7 ± 9.6years; mean ± Standard deviation) had normal hearing. Tinnitus was bilateral in 22 participants and unilateral in 36.
RESULTS: Ears with chronic tinnitus presented significantly lower DPOAE suppression amplitudes than ears with acute tinnitus (p < 0.0001). Both acute and chronic tinnitus ears present a high prevalence of enhancement, significantly different from controls (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0002, respectively). Non-recordable DPOAEs were significantly more frequent in the chronic than in the acute tinnitus and control groups (p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS: The differences between study groups indicate that when tinnitus becomes chronic, DPOAEs suppression presents changes that might reveal corresponding steps in tinnitus pathophysiology. Treatment implications are discussed.

PMID: 28355949 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Evaluation of combined dynamic compression and single channel noise reduction for hearing aid applications.

Related Articles

Evaluation of combined dynamic compression and single channel noise reduction for hearing aid applications.

Int J Audiol. 2017 Mar 30;:1-12

Authors: Kortlang S, Chen Z, Gerkmann T, Kollmeier B, Hohmann V, Ewert SD

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Single-channel noise reduction (SCNR) and dynamic range compression (DRC) are important elements in hearing aids. Only relatively few studies have addressed interaction effects and typically used real hearing aids with limited knowledge about the integrated algorithms. Here the potential benefit of different combinations and integration of SCNR and DRC was systematically assessed.
DESIGN: Ten different systems combining SCNR and DRC were implemented, including five serial arrangements, a parallel and two multiplicative approaches. In an instrumental evaluation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement and spectral contrast enhancement (SCE) were assessed. Quality ratings at 0 and +6 dB SNR, and speech reception thresholds (SRTs) in noise were measured using stationary and babble noise.
STUDY SAMPLE: Thirteen young normal-hearing (NH) listeners and 12 hearing-impaired (HI) listeners participated.
RESULTS: In line with an increased segmental SNR and spectral contrast compared to a serial concatenation, the parallel approach significantly reduced the perceived noise annoyance for both subject groups. The proposed multiplicative approaches could partly counteract increased speech distortions introduced by DRC and achieved the best overall quality for the HI listeners.
CONCLUSIONS: For high SNRs well above the individual SRT, the specific combination of SCNR and DRC is perceptually relevant and the integrative approaches were preferred.

PMID: 28355947 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Corrigendum

Volume 56, Issue 4, April 2017, Page 295-295
.


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Corrigendum

Volume 56, Issue 4, April 2017, Page 295-295
.


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Corrigendum

Volume 56, Issue 4, April 2017, Page 295-295
.


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Binaural Interaction Effects of 30-50 Hz Auditory Steady State Responses.

wk-health-logo.gif

Objectives: Auditory stimuli modulated by modulation frequencies within the 30 to 50 Hz region evoke auditory steady state responses (ASSRs) with high signal to noise ratios in adults, and can be used to determine the frequency-specific hearing thresholds of adults who are unable to give behavioral feedback reliably. To measure ASSRs as efficiently as possible a multiple stimulus paradigm can be used, stimulating both ears simultaneously. The response strength of 30 to 50Hz ASSRs is, however, affected when both ears are stimulated simultaneously. The aim of the present study is to gain insight in the measurement efficiency of 30 to 50 Hz ASSRs evoked with a 2-ear stimulation paradigm, by systematically investigating the binaural interaction effects of 30 to 50 Hz ASSRs in normal-hearing adults. Design: ASSRs were obtained with a 64-channel EEG system in 23 normal-hearing adults. All participants participated in one diotic, multiple dichotic, and multiple monaural conditions. Stimuli consisted of a modulated one-octave noise band, centered at 1 kHz, and presented at 70 dB SPL. The diotic condition contained 40 Hz modulated stimuli presented to both ears. In the dichotic conditions, the modulation frequency of the left ear stimulus was kept constant at 40 Hz, while the stimulus at the right ear was either the unmodulated or modulated carrier. In case of the modulated carrier, the modulation frequency varied between 30 and 50 Hz in steps of 2 Hz across conditions. The monaural conditions consisted of all stimuli included in the diotic and dichotic conditions. Results: Modulation frequencies >=36 Hz resulted in prominent ASSRs in all participants for the monaural conditions. A significant enhancement effect was observed (average: ~3 dB) in the diotic condition, whereas a significant reduction effect was observed in the dichotic conditions. There was no distinct effect of the temporal characteristics of the stimuli on the amount of reduction. The attenuation was in 33% of the cases >3 dB for ASSRs evoked with modulation frequencies >=40 Hz and 50% for ASSRs evoked with modulation frequencies =40 Hz), more efficient than a 1-ear sequential stimulation paradigm in 66% of the cases. Copyright (C) 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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10 Lessons From Our First 10 Years

imageNo abstract available

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Hearing Wellness for Musicians

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Choosing the Right Office Management System

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Understanding Labyrinthine Concussion

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Is Auditory Synaptopathy a Result of Drug-Induced Hearing Loss?

imageNo abstract available

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Marketing in Audiology: Multi-layered strategy needed to reach every stratum of patients

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Trial of an Alternate Hearing Aid Delivery Model

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Symptom: Conductive Hearing Loss

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Why is Hearing Loss a Public Health Concern?

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Help Patients ‘Connect the Dots’

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CDC Research on Non-Occupational NIHL

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Manufacturers News

imageNo abstract available

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Differences in the suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions by contralateral white noise between patients with acute or chronic tinnitus

.


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Output signal-to-noise ratio and speech perception in noise: effects of algorithm

.


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Evaluation of combined dynamic compression and single channel noise reduction for hearing aid applications

.


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Binaural Interaction Effects of 30-50 Hz Auditory Steady State Responses.

wk-health-logo.gif

Objectives: Auditory stimuli modulated by modulation frequencies within the 30 to 50 Hz region evoke auditory steady state responses (ASSRs) with high signal to noise ratios in adults, and can be used to determine the frequency-specific hearing thresholds of adults who are unable to give behavioral feedback reliably. To measure ASSRs as efficiently as possible a multiple stimulus paradigm can be used, stimulating both ears simultaneously. The response strength of 30 to 50Hz ASSRs is, however, affected when both ears are stimulated simultaneously. The aim of the present study is to gain insight in the measurement efficiency of 30 to 50 Hz ASSRs evoked with a 2-ear stimulation paradigm, by systematically investigating the binaural interaction effects of 30 to 50 Hz ASSRs in normal-hearing adults. Design: ASSRs were obtained with a 64-channel EEG system in 23 normal-hearing adults. All participants participated in one diotic, multiple dichotic, and multiple monaural conditions. Stimuli consisted of a modulated one-octave noise band, centered at 1 kHz, and presented at 70 dB SPL. The diotic condition contained 40 Hz modulated stimuli presented to both ears. In the dichotic conditions, the modulation frequency of the left ear stimulus was kept constant at 40 Hz, while the stimulus at the right ear was either the unmodulated or modulated carrier. In case of the modulated carrier, the modulation frequency varied between 30 and 50 Hz in steps of 2 Hz across conditions. The monaural conditions consisted of all stimuli included in the diotic and dichotic conditions. Results: Modulation frequencies >=36 Hz resulted in prominent ASSRs in all participants for the monaural conditions. A significant enhancement effect was observed (average: ~3 dB) in the diotic condition, whereas a significant reduction effect was observed in the dichotic conditions. There was no distinct effect of the temporal characteristics of the stimuli on the amount of reduction. The attenuation was in 33% of the cases >3 dB for ASSRs evoked with modulation frequencies >=40 Hz and 50% for ASSRs evoked with modulation frequencies =40 Hz), more efficient than a 1-ear sequential stimulation paradigm in 66% of the cases. Copyright (C) 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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10 Lessons From Our First 10 Years

imageNo abstract available

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Hearing Wellness for Musicians

imageNo abstract available

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via IFTTT

Choosing the Right Office Management System

imageNo abstract available

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Understanding Labyrinthine Concussion

imageNo abstract available

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Is Auditory Synaptopathy a Result of Drug-Induced Hearing Loss?

imageNo abstract available

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Marketing in Audiology: Multi-layered strategy needed to reach every stratum of patients

imageNo abstract available

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Trial of an Alternate Hearing Aid Delivery Model

imageNo abstract available

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Symptom: Conductive Hearing Loss

imageNo abstract available

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Why is Hearing Loss a Public Health Concern?

imageNo abstract available

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Help Patients ‘Connect the Dots’

imageNo abstract available

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CDC Research on Non-Occupational NIHL

imageNo abstract available

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Manufacturers News

imageNo abstract available

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Differences in the suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions by contralateral white noise between patients with acute or chronic tinnitus

.


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via IFTTT

Output signal-to-noise ratio and speech perception in noise: effects of algorithm

.


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via IFTTT

Evaluation of combined dynamic compression and single channel noise reduction for hearing aid applications

.


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via IFTTT

Binaural Interaction Effects of 30-50 Hz Auditory Steady State Responses.

wk-health-logo.gif

Objectives: Auditory stimuli modulated by modulation frequencies within the 30 to 50 Hz region evoke auditory steady state responses (ASSRs) with high signal to noise ratios in adults, and can be used to determine the frequency-specific hearing thresholds of adults who are unable to give behavioral feedback reliably. To measure ASSRs as efficiently as possible a multiple stimulus paradigm can be used, stimulating both ears simultaneously. The response strength of 30 to 50Hz ASSRs is, however, affected when both ears are stimulated simultaneously. The aim of the present study is to gain insight in the measurement efficiency of 30 to 50 Hz ASSRs evoked with a 2-ear stimulation paradigm, by systematically investigating the binaural interaction effects of 30 to 50 Hz ASSRs in normal-hearing adults. Design: ASSRs were obtained with a 64-channel EEG system in 23 normal-hearing adults. All participants participated in one diotic, multiple dichotic, and multiple monaural conditions. Stimuli consisted of a modulated one-octave noise band, centered at 1 kHz, and presented at 70 dB SPL. The diotic condition contained 40 Hz modulated stimuli presented to both ears. In the dichotic conditions, the modulation frequency of the left ear stimulus was kept constant at 40 Hz, while the stimulus at the right ear was either the unmodulated or modulated carrier. In case of the modulated carrier, the modulation frequency varied between 30 and 50 Hz in steps of 2 Hz across conditions. The monaural conditions consisted of all stimuli included in the diotic and dichotic conditions. Results: Modulation frequencies >=36 Hz resulted in prominent ASSRs in all participants for the monaural conditions. A significant enhancement effect was observed (average: ~3 dB) in the diotic condition, whereas a significant reduction effect was observed in the dichotic conditions. There was no distinct effect of the temporal characteristics of the stimuli on the amount of reduction. The attenuation was in 33% of the cases >3 dB for ASSRs evoked with modulation frequencies >=40 Hz and 50% for ASSRs evoked with modulation frequencies =40 Hz), more efficient than a 1-ear sequential stimulation paradigm in 66% of the cases. Copyright (C) 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Πέμπτη 30 Μαρτίου 2017

A randomized controlled trial on providing ankle-foot orthoses in patients with (sub-)acute stroke: Short-term kinematic and spatiotemporal effects and effects of timing

Publication date: Available online 30 March 2017
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Corien D.M. Nikamp, Marte S.H. Hobbelink, Job van der Palen, Hermie J. Hermens, Johan S. Rietman, Jaap H. Buurke
Initial walking function is often limited after stroke, and regaining walking ability is an important goal in rehabilitation. Various compensatory movement strategies to ensure sufficient foot-clearance are reported. Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are often prescribed to improve foot-clearance and may influence these strategies. However, research studying effects of actual AFO-provision early after stroke is limited. We conducted an explorative randomized controlled trial and aimed to study the short-term effects of AFO-provision on kinematic and spatiotemporal parameters in patients early after stroke. In addition, we studied whether timing of AFO-provision influenced these effects. Unilateral hemiparetic patients maximal six weeks post-stroke were randomly assigned to AFO-provision: early (at inclusion) or delayed (eight weeks later). Three-dimensional gait-analysis with and without AFO in randomized order was performed within two weeks after AFO-provision. Twenty subjects (8 early, 12 delayed) were analyzed. We found significant positive effects of AFO-provision for ankle dorsiflexion at initial contact, foot-off and during swing (-3.6° (7.3) vs 3.0° (3.9); 0.0° (7.4) vs 5.2° (3.7); and −6.1° (7.8) vs 2.6° (3.5), respectively), all p <0.001. No changes in knee, hip and pelvis angles were found after AFO-provision, except for knee (+2.3°) and hip flexion (+1.6°) at initial contact, p≤0.001. Significant effects of AFO-provision were found for cadence (+2.1 steps/min, p=0.026), stride duration (-0.08sec, p=0.015) and single support duration (+1.0%, p=0.002). Early or delayed AFO-provision after stroke did not affect results. In conclusion, positive short-term effects of AFO-provision were found on ankle kinematics early after stroke. Timing of AFO-provision did not influence the results.Trial registration number: NTR1930



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Temporal coordination between ground reaction forces generated by leading and trailing limbs for propulsion during double stance phase in human walking

Publication date: Available online 30 March 2017
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Yoichiro Sato, Norimasa Yamada
Although it was reported that ground reaction forces (GRFs) are generated simultaneously by the leading and trailing limbs during the double stance phase, the finding was not examined by temporal analyses. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to clarify how GRFs can act to propel the body in a forward direction during the double stance phase. GRFs were recorded during the double stance phase in eleven healthy volunteers. We calculated the instantaneous phase of the GRFs for vertical and anterior-posterior (AP) components, and then calculated the relative phase between the leading and trailing limbs for each component. The relative phase of the vertical component was approximately 180° (i.e., anti-phase), indicating that the lower limb transfers weight smoothly from the trailing limb to the leading limb. The relative phase of the AP component ranged from 40–55°, indicating that the AP component of the forces do not occur simultaneously, but instead has a lag. This finding suggests that the forces exerted by the leading and trailing limbs would temporally coordinate to propel the body in the forward direction.



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Longitudinal Gait and Balance Decline in Friedreich’s Ataxia: A Pilot Study

Publication date: Available online 30 March 2017
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Theresa A. Zesiewicz, Jeannie B. Stephenson, Seok Hun Kim, Kelly L. Sullivan, Israt Jahan, Yangxin Huang, Jason L. Salemi, Lynn Wecker, Jessica D. Shaw, Clifton L. Gooch
IntroductionFriedreich’s Ataxia (FA) is a devastating, progressive, neurodegenerative disease. Objective measures that detect small changes in neurological function in FA patients are needed to facilitate therapeutic clinical trials. The purpose of this pilot study was to analyze longitudinal changes in gait and balance in subjects with FA using the GAITRite Walkway System® and Biodex Balance System™, respectively, and to test the ability of these measures to detect change over time compared to the Friedreich’s Ataxia Rating Scale (FARS).MethodsThis was a 24-month longitudinal study comparing ambulatory FA subjects with age- and gender-matched, healthy controls. Eight FA subjects and 8 controls were tested at regular intervals using the GAITRite and Biodex Balance systems and the FARS.ResultsIn the FA group, comfortable and fast gait velocity declined 8.0% and 13.9% after 12 months and 24.1% and 30.3% after 24 months, respectively. Postural stability indices increased in FA subjects an average of 41% from baseline to 24 months, representing a decline in balance. Subjects with FA also demonstrated a 17.7% increase in FARS neurological exam scores over 24 months. There were no changes in gait or balance variables in controls. In the FA group, multiple gait and balance measures correlated significantly with FARS neurological exam scores.ConclusionsThe GAITRite and Biodex systems provided objective and clinically relevant measures of functional decline in subjects with FA that correlated significantly with performance measures in the FARS. Gait velocity may be an important objective measure to identify disease progression in adults with FA.



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A randomized controlled trial on providing ankle-foot orthoses in patients with (sub-)acute stroke: Short-term kinematic and spatiotemporal effects and effects of timing

Publication date: Available online 30 March 2017
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Corien D.M. Nikamp, Marte S.H. Hobbelink, Job van der Palen, Hermie J. Hermens, Johan S. Rietman, Jaap H. Buurke
Initial walking function is often limited after stroke, and regaining walking ability is an important goal in rehabilitation. Various compensatory movement strategies to ensure sufficient foot-clearance are reported. Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are often prescribed to improve foot-clearance and may influence these strategies. However, research studying effects of actual AFO-provision early after stroke is limited. We conducted an explorative randomized controlled trial and aimed to study the short-term effects of AFO-provision on kinematic and spatiotemporal parameters in patients early after stroke. In addition, we studied whether timing of AFO-provision influenced these effects. Unilateral hemiparetic patients maximal six weeks post-stroke were randomly assigned to AFO-provision: early (at inclusion) or delayed (eight weeks later). Three-dimensional gait-analysis with and without AFO in randomized order was performed within two weeks after AFO-provision. Twenty subjects (8 early, 12 delayed) were analyzed. We found significant positive effects of AFO-provision for ankle dorsiflexion at initial contact, foot-off and during swing (-3.6° (7.3) vs 3.0° (3.9); 0.0° (7.4) vs 5.2° (3.7); and −6.1° (7.8) vs 2.6° (3.5), respectively), all p <0.001. No changes in knee, hip and pelvis angles were found after AFO-provision, except for knee (+2.3°) and hip flexion (+1.6°) at initial contact, p≤0.001. Significant effects of AFO-provision were found for cadence (+2.1 steps/min, p=0.026), stride duration (-0.08sec, p=0.015) and single support duration (+1.0%, p=0.002). Early or delayed AFO-provision after stroke did not affect results. In conclusion, positive short-term effects of AFO-provision were found on ankle kinematics early after stroke. Timing of AFO-provision did not influence the results.Trial registration number: NTR1930



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Temporal coordination between ground reaction forces generated by leading and trailing limbs for propulsion during double stance phase in human walking

Publication date: Available online 30 March 2017
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Yoichiro Sato, Norimasa Yamada
Although it was reported that ground reaction forces (GRFs) are generated simultaneously by the leading and trailing limbs during the double stance phase, the finding was not examined by temporal analyses. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to clarify how GRFs can act to propel the body in a forward direction during the double stance phase. GRFs were recorded during the double stance phase in eleven healthy volunteers. We calculated the instantaneous phase of the GRFs for vertical and anterior-posterior (AP) components, and then calculated the relative phase between the leading and trailing limbs for each component. The relative phase of the vertical component was approximately 180° (i.e., anti-phase), indicating that the lower limb transfers weight smoothly from the trailing limb to the leading limb. The relative phase of the AP component ranged from 40–55°, indicating that the AP component of the forces do not occur simultaneously, but instead has a lag. This finding suggests that the forces exerted by the leading and trailing limbs would temporally coordinate to propel the body in the forward direction.



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Longitudinal Gait and Balance Decline in Friedreich’s Ataxia: A Pilot Study

Publication date: Available online 30 March 2017
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Theresa A. Zesiewicz, Jeannie B. Stephenson, Seok Hun Kim, Kelly L. Sullivan, Israt Jahan, Yangxin Huang, Jason L. Salemi, Lynn Wecker, Jessica D. Shaw, Clifton L. Gooch
IntroductionFriedreich’s Ataxia (FA) is a devastating, progressive, neurodegenerative disease. Objective measures that detect small changes in neurological function in FA patients are needed to facilitate therapeutic clinical trials. The purpose of this pilot study was to analyze longitudinal changes in gait and balance in subjects with FA using the GAITRite Walkway System® and Biodex Balance System™, respectively, and to test the ability of these measures to detect change over time compared to the Friedreich’s Ataxia Rating Scale (FARS).MethodsThis was a 24-month longitudinal study comparing ambulatory FA subjects with age- and gender-matched, healthy controls. Eight FA subjects and 8 controls were tested at regular intervals using the GAITRite and Biodex Balance systems and the FARS.ResultsIn the FA group, comfortable and fast gait velocity declined 8.0% and 13.9% after 12 months and 24.1% and 30.3% after 24 months, respectively. Postural stability indices increased in FA subjects an average of 41% from baseline to 24 months, representing a decline in balance. Subjects with FA also demonstrated a 17.7% increase in FARS neurological exam scores over 24 months. There were no changes in gait or balance variables in controls. In the FA group, multiple gait and balance measures correlated significantly with FARS neurological exam scores.ConclusionsThe GAITRite and Biodex systems provided objective and clinically relevant measures of functional decline in subjects with FA that correlated significantly with performance measures in the FARS. Gait velocity may be an important objective measure to identify disease progression in adults with FA.



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A randomized controlled trial on providing ankle-foot orthoses in patients with (sub-)acute stroke: Short-term kinematic and spatiotemporal effects and effects of timing

Publication date: Available online 30 March 2017
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Corien D.M. Nikamp, Marte S.H. Hobbelink, Job van der Palen, Hermie J. Hermens, Johan S. Rietman, Jaap H. Buurke
Initial walking function is often limited after stroke, and regaining walking ability is an important goal in rehabilitation. Various compensatory movement strategies to ensure sufficient foot-clearance are reported. Ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) are often prescribed to improve foot-clearance and may influence these strategies. However, research studying effects of actual AFO-provision early after stroke is limited. We conducted an explorative randomized controlled trial and aimed to study the short-term effects of AFO-provision on kinematic and spatiotemporal parameters in patients early after stroke. In addition, we studied whether timing of AFO-provision influenced these effects. Unilateral hemiparetic patients maximal six weeks post-stroke were randomly assigned to AFO-provision: early (at inclusion) or delayed (eight weeks later). Three-dimensional gait-analysis with and without AFO in randomized order was performed within two weeks after AFO-provision. Twenty subjects (8 early, 12 delayed) were analyzed. We found significant positive effects of AFO-provision for ankle dorsiflexion at initial contact, foot-off and during swing (-3.6° (7.3) vs 3.0° (3.9); 0.0° (7.4) vs 5.2° (3.7); and −6.1° (7.8) vs 2.6° (3.5), respectively), all p <0.001. No changes in knee, hip and pelvis angles were found after AFO-provision, except for knee (+2.3°) and hip flexion (+1.6°) at initial contact, p≤0.001. Significant effects of AFO-provision were found for cadence (+2.1 steps/min, p=0.026), stride duration (-0.08sec, p=0.015) and single support duration (+1.0%, p=0.002). Early or delayed AFO-provision after stroke did not affect results. In conclusion, positive short-term effects of AFO-provision were found on ankle kinematics early after stroke. Timing of AFO-provision did not influence the results.Trial registration number: NTR1930



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Temporal coordination between ground reaction forces generated by leading and trailing limbs for propulsion during double stance phase in human walking

Publication date: Available online 30 March 2017
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Yoichiro Sato, Norimasa Yamada
Although it was reported that ground reaction forces (GRFs) are generated simultaneously by the leading and trailing limbs during the double stance phase, the finding was not examined by temporal analyses. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to clarify how GRFs can act to propel the body in a forward direction during the double stance phase. GRFs were recorded during the double stance phase in eleven healthy volunteers. We calculated the instantaneous phase of the GRFs for vertical and anterior-posterior (AP) components, and then calculated the relative phase between the leading and trailing limbs for each component. The relative phase of the vertical component was approximately 180° (i.e., anti-phase), indicating that the lower limb transfers weight smoothly from the trailing limb to the leading limb. The relative phase of the AP component ranged from 40–55°, indicating that the AP component of the forces do not occur simultaneously, but instead has a lag. This finding suggests that the forces exerted by the leading and trailing limbs would temporally coordinate to propel the body in the forward direction.



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Longitudinal Gait and Balance Decline in Friedreich’s Ataxia: A Pilot Study

Publication date: Available online 30 March 2017
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Theresa A. Zesiewicz, Jeannie B. Stephenson, Seok Hun Kim, Kelly L. Sullivan, Israt Jahan, Yangxin Huang, Jason L. Salemi, Lynn Wecker, Jessica D. Shaw, Clifton L. Gooch
IntroductionFriedreich’s Ataxia (FA) is a devastating, progressive, neurodegenerative disease. Objective measures that detect small changes in neurological function in FA patients are needed to facilitate therapeutic clinical trials. The purpose of this pilot study was to analyze longitudinal changes in gait and balance in subjects with FA using the GAITRite Walkway System® and Biodex Balance System™, respectively, and to test the ability of these measures to detect change over time compared to the Friedreich’s Ataxia Rating Scale (FARS).MethodsThis was a 24-month longitudinal study comparing ambulatory FA subjects with age- and gender-matched, healthy controls. Eight FA subjects and 8 controls were tested at regular intervals using the GAITRite and Biodex Balance systems and the FARS.ResultsIn the FA group, comfortable and fast gait velocity declined 8.0% and 13.9% after 12 months and 24.1% and 30.3% after 24 months, respectively. Postural stability indices increased in FA subjects an average of 41% from baseline to 24 months, representing a decline in balance. Subjects with FA also demonstrated a 17.7% increase in FARS neurological exam scores over 24 months. There were no changes in gait or balance variables in controls. In the FA group, multiple gait and balance measures correlated significantly with FARS neurological exam scores.ConclusionsThe GAITRite and Biodex systems provided objective and clinically relevant measures of functional decline in subjects with FA that correlated significantly with performance measures in the FARS. Gait velocity may be an important objective measure to identify disease progression in adults with FA.



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Gesture Production in Language Impairment: It's Quality, Not Quantity, That Matters

Purpose
The aim of this study was to determine whether children with language impairment (LI) use gesture to compensate for their language difficulties.
Method
The present study investigated gesture accuracy and frequency in children with LI (n = 21) across gesture imitation, gesture elicitation, spontaneous narrative, and interactive problem-solving tasks, relative to typically developing (TD) peers (n = 18) and peers with low language and educational concerns (n = 21).
Results
Children with LI showed weaknesses in gesture accuracy (imitation and gesture elicitation) in comparison to TD peers, but no differences in gesture rate. Children with low language only showed weaknesses in gesture imitation and used significantly more gestures than TD peers during parent–child interaction. Across the whole sample, motor abilities were significantly related to gesture accuracy but not gesture rate. In addition, children with LI produced proportionately more extending gestures, suggesting that they may use gesture to replace words that they are unable to articulate verbally.
Conclusion
The results support the notion that gesture and language form a tightly linked communication system in which gesture deficits are seen alongside difficulties with spoken communication. Furthermore, it is the quality, not quantity of gestures that distinguish children with LI from typical peers.

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Temperament and Early Stuttering Development: Cross-Sectional Findings From a Community Cohort

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to ascertain if there is an association between stuttering severity and behaviors and the expression of temperament characteristics, including precursors of anxiety.
Method
We studied temperament characteristics of a prospectively recruited community cohort of children who stutter (N = 173) at ages 3, 4, and 6 years using the Short Temperament Scale STS (Prior, Sanson, Smart & Oberklaid, 2000).
Results
Six of 131 statistical tests of association between stuttering severity and behaviors and temperament traits were statistically significant at the 5% level, which was no more than expected by chance alone.
Conclusions
On the basis of parent responses to the STS, preschoolers who exhibited different levels of stuttering severity and behaviors did not generally express temperament traits differently from one another. Stuttering severity and stuttering behaviors were not associated with the precursors of anxiety. Overall, taking multiple tests into consideration, results show little evidence of association between stuttering severity and temperament up to 4 years of age or between stuttering behaviors and temperament up to 6 years of age.

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Gesture Production in Language Impairment: It's Quality, Not Quantity, That Matters

Purpose
The aim of this study was to determine whether children with language impairment (LI) use gesture to compensate for their language difficulties.
Method
The present study investigated gesture accuracy and frequency in children with LI (n = 21) across gesture imitation, gesture elicitation, spontaneous narrative, and interactive problem-solving tasks, relative to typically developing (TD) peers (n = 18) and peers with low language and educational concerns (n = 21).
Results
Children with LI showed weaknesses in gesture accuracy (imitation and gesture elicitation) in comparison to TD peers, but no differences in gesture rate. Children with low language only showed weaknesses in gesture imitation and used significantly more gestures than TD peers during parent–child interaction. Across the whole sample, motor abilities were significantly related to gesture accuracy but not gesture rate. In addition, children with LI produced proportionately more extending gestures, suggesting that they may use gesture to replace words that they are unable to articulate verbally.
Conclusion
The results support the notion that gesture and language form a tightly linked communication system in which gesture deficits are seen alongside difficulties with spoken communication. Furthermore, it is the quality, not quantity of gestures that distinguish children with LI from typical peers.

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Temperament and Early Stuttering Development: Cross-Sectional Findings From a Community Cohort

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to ascertain if there is an association between stuttering severity and behaviors and the expression of temperament characteristics, including precursors of anxiety.
Method
We studied temperament characteristics of a prospectively recruited community cohort of children who stutter (N = 173) at ages 3, 4, and 6 years using the Short Temperament Scale STS (Prior, Sanson, Smart & Oberklaid, 2000).
Results
Six of 131 statistical tests of association between stuttering severity and behaviors and temperament traits were statistically significant at the 5% level, which was no more than expected by chance alone.
Conclusions
On the basis of parent responses to the STS, preschoolers who exhibited different levels of stuttering severity and behaviors did not generally express temperament traits differently from one another. Stuttering severity and stuttering behaviors were not associated with the precursors of anxiety. Overall, taking multiple tests into consideration, results show little evidence of association between stuttering severity and temperament up to 4 years of age or between stuttering behaviors and temperament up to 6 years of age.

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Gesture Production in Language Impairment: It's Quality, Not Quantity, That Matters

Purpose
The aim of this study was to determine whether children with language impairment (LI) use gesture to compensate for their language difficulties.
Method
The present study investigated gesture accuracy and frequency in children with LI (n = 21) across gesture imitation, gesture elicitation, spontaneous narrative, and interactive problem-solving tasks, relative to typically developing (TD) peers (n = 18) and peers with low language and educational concerns (n = 21).
Results
Children with LI showed weaknesses in gesture accuracy (imitation and gesture elicitation) in comparison to TD peers, but no differences in gesture rate. Children with low language only showed weaknesses in gesture imitation and used significantly more gestures than TD peers during parent–child interaction. Across the whole sample, motor abilities were significantly related to gesture accuracy but not gesture rate. In addition, children with LI produced proportionately more extending gestures, suggesting that they may use gesture to replace words that they are unable to articulate verbally.
Conclusion
The results support the notion that gesture and language form a tightly linked communication system in which gesture deficits are seen alongside difficulties with spoken communication. Furthermore, it is the quality, not quantity of gestures that distinguish children with LI from typical peers.

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Temperament and Early Stuttering Development: Cross-Sectional Findings From a Community Cohort

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to ascertain if there is an association between stuttering severity and behaviors and the expression of temperament characteristics, including precursors of anxiety.
Method
We studied temperament characteristics of a prospectively recruited community cohort of children who stutter (N = 173) at ages 3, 4, and 6 years using the Short Temperament Scale STS (Prior, Sanson, Smart & Oberklaid, 2000).
Results
Six of 131 statistical tests of association between stuttering severity and behaviors and temperament traits were statistically significant at the 5% level, which was no more than expected by chance alone.
Conclusions
On the basis of parent responses to the STS, preschoolers who exhibited different levels of stuttering severity and behaviors did not generally express temperament traits differently from one another. Stuttering severity and stuttering behaviors were not associated with the precursors of anxiety. Overall, taking multiple tests into consideration, results show little evidence of association between stuttering severity and temperament up to 4 years of age or between stuttering behaviors and temperament up to 6 years of age.

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Effectiveness of betahistine (48 mg/day) in patients with vestibular vertigo during routine practice: The VIRTUOSO study

by Vladimir A. Parfenov, Volodymyr A. Golyk, Eduard I. Matsnev, Svetlana V. Morozova, Oleg A. Melnikov, Ludmila M. Antonenko, Elena E. Sigaleva, Maksym I. Situkho, Olena I. Asaulenko, Vasyl I. Popovych, Maxim V. Zamergrad

Background

Vestibular vertigo is associated with substantially reduced quality of life. Betahistine is effective in improving vertigo-associated symptoms, with longer treatment periods leading to greater improvements; however, it is not known whether these effects persist after treatment cessation.

Methods

VIRTUOSO was a prospective, multinational, non-comparative, post-marketing observational programme investigating the effectiveness of betahistine (48 mg/day) and the course of vertigo after the discontinuation of treatment. Patients with vestibular vertigo who were prescribed 48 mg/day betahistine were enrolled in Russia and Ukraine. Treatment duration was up to 2 months, and patients were followed up for 2 months after discontinuation of betahistine. Efficacy endpoints included clinical response (assessed by change in vertigo severity), monthly attack frequency, and physician and patient grading of overall clinical response and improvement of vertigo-associated symptoms.

Results

Overall, 309 patients were enrolled and 305 completed the study. Clinical response was rated as good, very good or excellent in 74.1% of patients at end of treatment, with vertigo severity significantly decreased from baseline (p p p Conclusion

Our findings suggest that betahistine (48 mg/day) therapy is effective in treating vertigo in routine clinical settings. The observed effects persisted for 2 months after treatment cessation, suggesting that betahistine may facilitate lasting vestibular compensation.



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Tinnitus Went After 4 Years

For those who suffer from tinnitus, life can be very frustrating.  A constant ringing, humming, or buzzing in the ears can disrupt life in numerous ways.  However, while tinnitus can be a condition that comes and goes in some people, for others it is continuous and feels as if it will never leave.  Because tinnitus can be caused by a variety of issues such as exposure to loud music or noises, high blood pressure, excessive buildup of earwax, or ear infections, there are instances where tinnitus goes away for no apparent reason.  In fact, there have been some cases where tinnitus went after 4 years, which gives anyone suffering from this frustrating condition hope that everything will turn out fine.

Exposure to Loud Music
For some people, there is nothing better than attending a loud concert or putting on some headphones and listening to their favorite tunes.  However, these activities often result in tinnitus.  While the loud ringing or buzzing in the person’s ears can be frustrating and inconvenient, it generally will not be long-lasting.  In many cases, this form of tinnitus usually goes away within one or two weeks.

Medication or Wax Buildup
While tinnitus that results from loud music or noises often goes away after two weeks, the same cannot be said for those conditions where tinnitus is due to reactions from medication or excessive wax buildup.  In these situations, the tinnitus may go away if the medication is discontinued, or if the wax buildup is removed. However, even when this is done, most patients should expect to wait up to two months for the tinnitus to disappear.  In extreme cases, tinnitus went after 4 years, leaving behind little or no reason for its departure.

Natural Remedies
While tinnitus should always be treated by a doctor, there are more and more people who have turned to natural remedies and had excellent results.  For those whose tinnitus went after 4 years, some of the natural remedies used include:
–Avoiding smoking and alcohol
–Cutting down on caffeine
–Eating fresh fruits and vegetables
–Exercising regularly
While there are no guarantees these remedies will work for everyone, it’s clear the results bear further examination.

Hope for Your Tinnitus
As you can see, even though tinnitus seems to have no rhyme or reason for coming or going, there is hope that it will go away.  By getting a proper diagnosis and taking the necessary steps, it’s possible to be another person whose tinnitus went after 4 years.



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Inhibition of H3K27me3 Histone Demethylase Activity Prevents the Proliferative Regeneration of Zebrafish Lateral Line Neuromasts.

Related Articles

Inhibition of H3K27me3 Histone Demethylase Activity Prevents the Proliferative Regeneration of Zebrafish Lateral Line Neuromasts.

Front Mol Neurosci. 2017;10:51

Authors: Bao B, He Y, Tang D, Li W, Li H

Abstract
The H3K27 demethylases are involved in a variety of biological processes, including cell differentiation, proliferation, and cell death by regulating transcriptional activity. However, the function of H3K27 demethylation in the field of hearing research is poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of H3K27me3 histone demethylase activity in hair cell regeneration using an in vivo animal model. Our data showed that pharmacologic inhibition of H3K27 demethylase activity with the specific small-molecule inhibitor GSK-J4 decreased the number of regenerated hair cells in response to neomycin damage. Furthermore, inhibition of H3K27me3 histone demethylase activity dramatically suppressed cell proliferation and activated caspase-3 levels in the regenerating neuromasts of the zebrafish lateral line. GSK-J4 administration also increased the expression of p21 and p27 in neuromast cells and inhibited the ERK signaling pathway. Collectively, our findings indicate that H3K27me3 demethylation is a key epigenetic regulator in the process of hair cell regeneration in zebrafish and suggest that H3K27me3 histone demethylase activity might be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of hearing loss.

PMID: 28348517 [PubMed - in process]



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Differences in the suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions by contralateral white noise between patients with acute or chronic tinnitus

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Output signal-to-noise ratio and speech perception in noise: effects of algorithm

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Evaluation of combined dynamic compression and single channel noise reduction for hearing aid applications

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Differences in the suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions by contralateral white noise between patients with acute or chronic tinnitus

.


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Output signal-to-noise ratio and speech perception in noise: effects of algorithm

.


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Evaluation of combined dynamic compression and single channel noise reduction for hearing aid applications

.


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Differences in the suppression of distortion product otoacoustic emissions by contralateral white noise between patients with acute or chronic tinnitus

.


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Output signal-to-noise ratio and speech perception in noise: effects of algorithm

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Evaluation of combined dynamic compression and single channel noise reduction for hearing aid applications

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Self-Reported Usage, Functional Benefit, and Audiologic Characteristics of Cochlear Implant Patients Who Use a Contralateral Hearing Aid.

Self-Reported Usage, Functional Benefit, and Audiologic Characteristics of Cochlear Implant Patients Who Use a Contralateral Hearing Aid.

Trends Hear. 2017 Jan;21:2331216517699530

Authors: Neuman AC, Waltzman SB, Shapiro WH, Neukam JD, Zeman AM, Svirsky MA

Abstract
Ninety-four unilateral CI patients with bimodal listening experience (CI plus HA in contralateral ear) completed a questionnaire that focused on attitudes toward hearing aid use postimplantation, patterns of usage, and perceived bimodal benefits in daily life. Eighty participants continued HA use and 14 discontinued HA use at the time of the questionnaire. Participant responses provided useful information for counseling patients both before and after implantation. The majority of continuing bimodal (CI plus HA) participants reported adapting to using both devices within 3 months and also reported that they heard better bimodally in quiet, noisy, and reverberant conditions. They also perceived benefits including improved sound quality, better music enjoyment, and sometimes a perceived sense of acoustic balance. Those who discontinued HA use found either that using the HA did not provide additional benefit over the CI alone or that using the HA degraded the signal from the CI. Because there was considerable overlap in the audiograms and in speech recognition performance in the unimplanted ear between the two groups, we recommend that unilateral CI recipients are counseled to continue to use the HA in the contralateral ear postimplantation in order to determine whether or not they receive functional or perceived benefit from using both devices together.

PMID: 28351216 [PubMed - in process]



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