SonicCloud Builds Functionality of Hearing Aids Into iPhones

​The startup SonicCloud (https://soniccloud.com/) has launched an iOS app that allows those with moderate to severe hearing loss hear phone calls clearly by calibrating every mobile phone call for their unique hearing needs. The SonicCloud App users will be able to determine custom levels for their right and left ears by taking a quick hearing assessment on the app. Each user gets his or her own personal Hearing Fingerprint, which is driven by an algorithm in the cloud that adjusts to an individual's hearing needs. Incoming and outgoing calls are then processed through SonicCloud's "mixing board in the cloud," which optimizes voices and noisy environments. The SonicCloud App is the company's first step towards making hearing technology truly accessible to hearing-impaired individuals. SonicCloud was featured in Apple's 2017 Worldwide Developers Conference. 

               

Published: 10/13/2017 12:04:00 PM

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SonicCloud Builds Functionality of Hearing Aids Into iPhones

​The startup SonicCloud (https://soniccloud.com/) has launched an iOS app that allows those with moderate to severe hearing loss hear phone calls clearly by calibrating every mobile phone call for their unique hearing needs. The SonicCloud App users will be able to determine custom levels for their right and left ears by taking a quick hearing assessment on the app. Each user gets his or her own personal Hearing Fingerprint, which is driven by an algorithm in the cloud that adjusts to an individual's hearing needs. Incoming and outgoing calls are then processed through SonicCloud's "mixing board in the cloud," which optimizes voices and noisy environments. The SonicCloud App is the company's first step towards making hearing technology truly accessible to hearing-impaired individuals. SonicCloud was featured in Apple's 2017 Worldwide Developers Conference. 

               

Published: 10/13/2017 12:04:00 PM

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Patients Get Health Care at Home

Telehealth is an aspect of healthcare whose potential scope and impact have yet to be determined. However, we are beginning to see more programs experiment and validate various implementations of telehealth with promising results.

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Effectiveness of the Teacher's Vocal Health Program (TVHP) in the Municipal Education Network of Campo Grande, MS

Publication date: Available online 12 October 2017
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Paulo Roberto Haidamuss de Oliveira Bastos, Elisangela Carelli Hermes
ObjectiveThis study aimed to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of the Teacher's Vocal Health Program in the Municipal Education Network in Campo Grande, MS, in the 2016 school year so as to reduce or extinguish the high prevalence of vocal symptoms among teachers.MethodsThis is an experimental research with convenience sampling of 48 teachers presenting with vocal symptoms. The Vocal Symptoms Scale was used to collect data, which according to the criteria of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Medical Outcomes Trust, present proved psychometric properties and is specific to evaluate individuals with vocal alterations. The proposed Vocal Program is considered as a brief intervention one (3 months) and consists of qualification or instruction, as well as application of 5 daily vocal techniques and is controlled through individual monitoring spreadsheets.ResultsThe total score average had statistically significant reduction in the experimental group when compared with the control group, which represents a positive effect concerning the program adhesion. The fact that there was no nullity in the subscales (limitations, physical, emotional) means that even submitted to the intervention, the teachers still present with vocal symptoms.ConclusionTeacher's Vocal Health Program represents an effective Vocal Health Program model for the teachers.



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Linear Measurements of Vocal Folds and Laryngeal Dimensions in Freshly Excised Human Larynges

Publication date: Available online 12 October 2017
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Mohamed K. Mobashir, Abd El Raof S. Mohamed, Amal S. Quriba, Ahmad M. Anany, Elham M. Hassan
IntroductionUnderstanding the morphology of the larynx, one of the most complex organs of the human body, is an important step toward understanding the detailed laryngeal anatomy, and physiology. Different studies have described the linear measurements of the larynx in different measuring methods, but no studies have been structured to describe vocal fold length in freshly excised larynges.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to describe exact anatomical measurements of vocal folds and some laryngeal structures in freshly excised larynges, and to compare such measurements between males and females. This can help improve the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the laryngology field.Subjects and MethodsThis study was applied on 21 patients having different types of laryngeal carcinoma: 11 males and 10 females with the age range 41–75 years old. Every patient was assessed using laryngeal endoscopy and photography, and the length of the membranous vocal fold was measured using a millimeter-graded ruler that was photographed with focus with the same magnification used in the video laryngoscopy of the glottis. Then patients were exposed to total laryngectomy, and excised larynges were used for a direct measuring of the membranous and cartilaginous vocal folds. Then measures of men and women were compared statistically. Measures of excised larynges were also compared with those of the video endoscopy using a video-printed ruler.ConclusionFreshly excised larynges can be used for accurate quantitative measuring of the vocal fold length and laryngeal dimensions. There are considerable differences in all measured dimensions between males and females.



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Nonmedical Treatments of Vocal Fold Nodules: A Systematic Review

Publication date: Available online 12 October 2017
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Banafshe Mansuri, Seyed Abolfazl Tohidast, Nasibe Soltaninejad, Mohammad Kamali, Leila Ghelichi, Hadi Azimi
ObjectivesThe aim of the present systematic review was to investigate the nonmedical treatments of vocal fold nodules (VFNs).Study DesignThe present study is a systematic review.MethodsThe following electronic databases were searched from inception until August 2016: PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Ovid, ISI (Web of Sciences), Cochrane, PsychINFO, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar. Reference lists of included articles were evaluated for additional data. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines were used to carry out and report the review. The methodological quality of the articles included was evaluated using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Due to the heterogeneity of the studies, a narrative synthesis of the evidence was performed to summarize the evidence.ResultsOut of 2,099 records identified, 21 articles met the inclusion criteria and thus were included in the review. The studies investigated in the present review were different in terms of study design, participant characteristics, types of assessments and treatments, and treatment delivery. However, nonmedical treatments of VFNs were found to be successful in improving vocal quality, decreasing VFN sizes, and resolving these nodules.ConclusionsThe results of the present review could provide primary evidence related to the effectiveness of nonmedical treatment of VFNs. Yet further studies with a high level of evidence, a rigorous methodological quality, and long-term follow-up evaluations are required to make stronger claims.



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Associations between Posture, Voice, and Dysphonia: A Systematic Review

Publication date: Available online 12 October 2017
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Ricardo Cardoso, José Lumini-Oliveira, Rute F. Meneses
ObjectiveThe study aimed to systematize the associations between posture, voice, and dysphonia in order to support future research directions and possible clinical interventions.Study DesignThe study is a systematic review.MethodsAccording to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flowchart, a search on PubMed/Medline, SciELO, RCAAP, LILACS, Cochrane Library, PEDro, and Isi Web of Knowledge was performed from their inception through January of 2017 using the key words “posture” and (“voice” or “dysphonia”). The inclusion criteria were full-text journal articles in French, English, Portuguese, or Spanish, exploring the relationship between posture and voice or dysphonia, in adult human beings. The exclusion criteria coupled treatments for voice disorders, literature reviews and meta-analyses, case studies, opinion articles, and studies linking breathing with posture without assessing voice. Studies were analyzed using a modified version of the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS).ResultsTwelve papers met the inclusion criteria with high methodological quality through the NOS. The review shows that a correct posture is necessary for an efficient voice production; however, the relation between dysphonia and posture seems to be contradictory.ConclusionAn effective posture allows a subject in a static posture or while moving to more easily shift the tension between muscles, allowing for a free movement of the larynx without blockages and with benefits to voice production.



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Tinnitus-related fear: Mediating the effects of a cognitive behavioural specialised tinnitus treatment

Publication date: Available online 12 October 2017
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Rilana F.F. Cima, Gerard van Breukelen, Johan W.S. Vlaeyen
ObjectiveCognitive behavioural treatment (CBT) for the reduction of tinnitus complaints have been shown to be effective; however the specific mechanisms of change are yet to be unveiled. Reductions in tinnitus-related fear have been indicated to be an important factor in alleviating tinnitus suffering. The role of tinnitus-related fear has been proposed as a mediator explaining the cognitive behavioural treatment effects on tinnitus severity, tinnitus-related impairment and general quality of life of tinnitus patients.MethodsA two-group, single-centre RCT was carried out with adult tinnitus patients (n=492), with 3 follow-up assessments up to 12 months after randomization. Patients were randomly assigned to Usual Care (UC) or Specialised cognitive behavioral stepped Care (SC). A repeated-measures design, with group as a between subjects factor, and time as the within-subject factor, was used in an intention-to-treat analysis. Mixed regressions for assessing mediation effects were performed with general health, tinnitus distress, tinnitus related impairment as the dependent variables and tinnitus related fear as the mediator variable.ResultsTinnitus-related fear appears to mediate part of the treatment benefits of specialized care, as compared to usual care, with respect to increased quality of life ratings, and decreased tinnitus severity and tinnitus related impairments.ConclusionsThe effectiveness of cognitive behavioural treatment approaches might be partly explained by significant reductions in tinnitus-related fear. These results are relevant in that currently, though CBT approaches in tinnitus management have been proven to lead to decreased suffering of tinnitus patients, the psychological mechanisms causing these benefits are still to be discovered.



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Tinnitus-related fear: Mediating the effects of a cognitive behavioural specialised tinnitus treatment

Publication date: Available online 12 October 2017
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Rilana F.F. Cima, Gerard van Breukelen, Johan W.S. Vlaeyen
ObjectiveCognitive behavioural treatment (CBT) for the reduction of tinnitus complaints have been shown to be effective; however the specific mechanisms of change are yet to be unveiled. Reductions in tinnitus-related fear have been indicated to be an important factor in alleviating tinnitus suffering. The role of tinnitus-related fear has been proposed as a mediator explaining the cognitive behavioural treatment effects on tinnitus severity, tinnitus-related impairment and general quality of life of tinnitus patients.MethodsA two-group, single-centre RCT was carried out with adult tinnitus patients (n=492), with 3 follow-up assessments up to 12 months after randomization. Patients were randomly assigned to Usual Care (UC) or Specialised cognitive behavioral stepped Care (SC). A repeated-measures design, with group as a between subjects factor, and time as the within-subject factor, was used in an intention-to-treat analysis. Mixed regressions for assessing mediation effects were performed with general health, tinnitus distress, tinnitus related impairment as the dependent variables and tinnitus related fear as the mediator variable.ResultsTinnitus-related fear appears to mediate part of the treatment benefits of specialized care, as compared to usual care, with respect to increased quality of life ratings, and decreased tinnitus severity and tinnitus related impairments.ConclusionsThe effectiveness of cognitive behavioural treatment approaches might be partly explained by significant reductions in tinnitus-related fear. These results are relevant in that currently, though CBT approaches in tinnitus management have been proven to lead to decreased suffering of tinnitus patients, the psychological mechanisms causing these benefits are still to be discovered.



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Tinnitus-related fear: Mediating the effects of a cognitive behavioural specialised tinnitus treatment

Publication date: Available online 12 October 2017
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Rilana F.F. Cima, Gerard van Breukelen, Johan W.S. Vlaeyen
ObjectiveCognitive behavioural treatment (CBT) for the reduction of tinnitus complaints have been shown to be effective; however the specific mechanisms of change are yet to be unveiled. Reductions in tinnitus-related fear have been indicated to be an important factor in alleviating tinnitus suffering. The role of tinnitus-related fear has been proposed as a mediator explaining the cognitive behavioural treatment effects on tinnitus severity, tinnitus-related impairment and general quality of life of tinnitus patients.MethodsA two-group, single-centre RCT was carried out with adult tinnitus patients (n=492), with 3 follow-up assessments up to 12 months after randomization. Patients were randomly assigned to Usual Care (UC) or Specialised cognitive behavioral stepped Care (SC). A repeated-measures design, with group as a between subjects factor, and time as the within-subject factor, was used in an intention-to-treat analysis. Mixed regressions for assessing mediation effects were performed with general health, tinnitus distress, tinnitus related impairment as the dependent variables and tinnitus related fear as the mediator variable.ResultsTinnitus-related fear appears to mediate part of the treatment benefits of specialized care, as compared to usual care, with respect to increased quality of life ratings, and decreased tinnitus severity and tinnitus related impairments.ConclusionsThe effectiveness of cognitive behavioural treatment approaches might be partly explained by significant reductions in tinnitus-related fear. These results are relevant in that currently, though CBT approaches in tinnitus management have been proven to lead to decreased suffering of tinnitus patients, the psychological mechanisms causing these benefits are still to be discovered.



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