Associations Between Manual Dexterity and Language Ability in School-Age Children

Purpose

We aimed to determine whether individual differences in manual dexterity are associated with specific language skills (nonword repetition, receptive vocabulary, and receptive grammar) after controlling for nonverbal abilities (visual–spatial working memory and intelligence).

Method

We assessed manual dexterity using the pegboard task and examined relationships with verbal and nonverbal abilities in a diverse community sample of children (N = 63, mean age = 8;2 [year;months], range: 6;0–10;8) varying in language ability (Comprehensive Evaluation of Language Fundamentals–Fourth Edition core language score M = 105, range: 62–126; Semel, Wiig, & Secord, 2003).

Results

Correlational analyses indicated significant relationships between manual dexterity and performance on tests of nonword repetition, receptive vocabulary, receptive grammar, and nonverbal intelligence, after controlling for multiple comparisons. In regression analyses, manual dexterity remained a significant predictor of nonword repetition after controlling for nonverbal abilities and age. In contrast, manual dexterity was no longer significant in predicting receptive vocabulary or grammar when nonverbal intelligence was included as a factor in the model.

Conclusions

These findings build on prior work implicating poor fine motor control in child language disorders by identifying a robust relationship between manual dexterity and nonword repetition. Relationships between manual dexterity and receptive language abilities appear to be indirect and mediated by nonword repetition. For clinicians, the results underscore the importance of screening children with poor fine motor control for concomitant language impairments.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2Rqw6Vr
via IFTTT

Service Provision for Children Who Are Hard of Hearing at Preschool and Elementary School Ages

Purpose

To characterize preschool and school services for children who are hard of hearing (CHH), we described service setting, amount, and configuration and analyzed the relationship between service receipt and student hearing levels and language scores. Characteristics of professionals providing services were described and then used to predict level of comfort with skills supporting listening and spoken language. The amount of provider communication with children's audiologists was also investigated.

Method

Participants included parents of CHH (preschool n = 174; school n = 155) and professionals (preschool n = 133; school n = 104) who completed interviews and questionnaires as part of a longitudinal study. Children's hearing, speech, and language data were collected from annual testing and analyzed in relation to service data.

Results

A majority (81%) of preschool-age CHH received services. Children were more likely to be in a preschool for children who are deaf or hard of hearing (CDHH) or exceptional children than a general education preschool. By elementary school, 70% received services, nearly all in general education settings. Sessions averaged twice a week for a total of approximately 90 min. Children who no longer received services performed significantly better on speech/language measures than those who received services, regardless of service setting. Professionals were primarily speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and teachers of CDHH. SLPs reported significantly less comfort with skills involving auditory development and hearing technologies and less frequent communication with the child's audiologists than teachers of CDHH. Overall communication with audiologists was more frequent in the preschool years.

Conclusions

As preschool-age CHH transition into school, the majority continue to qualify for services. Congruent with national trends, school-age CHH in the Outcomes of Children with Hearing Loss study were most often in general education settings. Without specialized preprofessional or postgraduate training, SLPs and teachers of CDHH did not report comfort with all the skills critical to developing listening and spoken language. This finding supports the need for increased implementation of interprofessional practice among SLPs and teachers of CDHH, as well as audiologists, to best meet the needs unique to this population.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2P7z5k8
via IFTTT

Associations Between Manual Dexterity and Language Ability in School-Age Children

Purpose

We aimed to determine whether individual differences in manual dexterity are associated with specific language skills (nonword repetition, receptive vocabulary, and receptive grammar) after controlling for nonverbal abilities (visual–spatial working memory and intelligence).

Method

We assessed manual dexterity using the pegboard task and examined relationships with verbal and nonverbal abilities in a diverse community sample of children (N = 63, mean age = 8;2 [year;months], range: 6;0–10;8) varying in language ability (Comprehensive Evaluation of Language Fundamentals–Fourth Edition core language score M = 105, range: 62–126; Semel, Wiig, & Secord, 2003).

Results

Correlational analyses indicated significant relationships between manual dexterity and performance on tests of nonword repetition, receptive vocabulary, receptive grammar, and nonverbal intelligence, after controlling for multiple comparisons. In regression analyses, manual dexterity remained a significant predictor of nonword repetition after controlling for nonverbal abilities and age. In contrast, manual dexterity was no longer significant in predicting receptive vocabulary or grammar when nonverbal intelligence was included as a factor in the model.

Conclusions

These findings build on prior work implicating poor fine motor control in child language disorders by identifying a robust relationship between manual dexterity and nonword repetition. Relationships between manual dexterity and receptive language abilities appear to be indirect and mediated by nonword repetition. For clinicians, the results underscore the importance of screening children with poor fine motor control for concomitant language impairments.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2Rqw6Vr
via IFTTT

Service Provision for Children Who Are Hard of Hearing at Preschool and Elementary School Ages

Purpose

To characterize preschool and school services for children who are hard of hearing (CHH), we described service setting, amount, and configuration and analyzed the relationship between service receipt and student hearing levels and language scores. Characteristics of professionals providing services were described and then used to predict level of comfort with skills supporting listening and spoken language. The amount of provider communication with children's audiologists was also investigated.

Method

Participants included parents of CHH (preschool n = 174; school n = 155) and professionals (preschool n = 133; school n = 104) who completed interviews and questionnaires as part of a longitudinal study. Children's hearing, speech, and language data were collected from annual testing and analyzed in relation to service data.

Results

A majority (81%) of preschool-age CHH received services. Children were more likely to be in a preschool for children who are deaf or hard of hearing (CDHH) or exceptional children than a general education preschool. By elementary school, 70% received services, nearly all in general education settings. Sessions averaged twice a week for a total of approximately 90 min. Children who no longer received services performed significantly better on speech/language measures than those who received services, regardless of service setting. Professionals were primarily speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and teachers of CDHH. SLPs reported significantly less comfort with skills involving auditory development and hearing technologies and less frequent communication with the child's audiologists than teachers of CDHH. Overall communication with audiologists was more frequent in the preschool years.

Conclusions

As preschool-age CHH transition into school, the majority continue to qualify for services. Congruent with national trends, school-age CHH in the Outcomes of Children with Hearing Loss study were most often in general education settings. Without specialized preprofessional or postgraduate training, SLPs and teachers of CDHH did not report comfort with all the skills critical to developing listening and spoken language. This finding supports the need for increased implementation of interprofessional practice among SLPs and teachers of CDHH, as well as audiologists, to best meet the needs unique to this population.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2P7z5k8
via IFTTT

Changes in English Past Tense Use by Bilingual School-Age Children With and Without Developmental Language Disorder

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine changes in English past tense accuracy and errors among Spanish–English bilingual children with typical development (TD) and developmental language disorder (DLD).

Method

Thirty-three children were tested before and after 1 year to examine changes in clinically relevant English past tense errors using an elicited production task. A mixed-model linear regression using age as a continuous variable revealed a robust effect for age. A 4-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted with age (young, old) and language ability group (TD, DLD) as between-subjects variables, time (Time 1, Time 2) and verb type (regular, irregular, and novel verbs) as within-subject variables, and percent accuracy as the dependent variable. Subsequently, a 4-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to measure the overall distribution of verb errors across 2 time points.

Results

Overall, children produced regular and novel verb past tense forms with higher accuracy than irregular past tense verbs in an elicitation task. Children with TD were more accurate than children with DLD. Younger children made more improvement than older children from Time 1 to Time 2, especially in the regular and novel verb conditions. Bare stem and overregularization were the most common errors across all groups. Errors consisting of stem + ing were more common in children with DLD than those with TD in the novel verb condition.

Discussion

Contrary to an earlier report (Jacobson & Schwartz, 2005), the relative greater difficulty with regular and novel verbs was replaced by greater difficulty for irregular past tense, a pattern consistent with monolingual impairment. Age was a contributing factor, particularly for younger children with DLD who produced more stem + ing errors in the novel verb condition. For all children, and particularly for those with DLD, an extended period for irregular past tense learning was evident. The results support a usage-based theory of language acquisition and impairment.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2OCeO9n
via IFTTT

Changes in English Past Tense Use by Bilingual School-Age Children With and Without Developmental Language Disorder

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine changes in English past tense accuracy and errors among Spanish–English bilingual children with typical development (TD) and developmental language disorder (DLD).

Method

Thirty-three children were tested before and after 1 year to examine changes in clinically relevant English past tense errors using an elicited production task. A mixed-model linear regression using age as a continuous variable revealed a robust effect for age. A 4-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted with age (young, old) and language ability group (TD, DLD) as between-subjects variables, time (Time 1, Time 2) and verb type (regular, irregular, and novel verbs) as within-subject variables, and percent accuracy as the dependent variable. Subsequently, a 4-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted to measure the overall distribution of verb errors across 2 time points.

Results

Overall, children produced regular and novel verb past tense forms with higher accuracy than irregular past tense verbs in an elicitation task. Children with TD were more accurate than children with DLD. Younger children made more improvement than older children from Time 1 to Time 2, especially in the regular and novel verb conditions. Bare stem and overregularization were the most common errors across all groups. Errors consisting of stem + ing were more common in children with DLD than those with TD in the novel verb condition.

Discussion

Contrary to an earlier report (Jacobson & Schwartz, 2005), the relative greater difficulty with regular and novel verbs was replaced by greater difficulty for irregular past tense, a pattern consistent with monolingual impairment. Age was a contributing factor, particularly for younger children with DLD who produced more stem + ing errors in the novel verb condition. For all children, and particularly for those with DLD, an extended period for irregular past tense learning was evident. The results support a usage-based theory of language acquisition and impairment.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2OCeO9n
via IFTTT

Acknowledging Those Who Have Contributed Significantly to Our Profession: The Academy Honors

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2IByYLr
via IFTTT

The Effect of Increased Cognitive Demand on Auditory Processing Assessment

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2RrDgsT
via IFTTT

Upgrade to Nucleus® 6 in Previous Generation Cochlear™ Sound Processor Recipients

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2IByZyZ
via IFTTT

Using Microphone Technology to Improve Speech Perception in Noise in Children with Cochlear Implants

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2Rk8nX0
via IFTTT

Accounting for the Occlusion Effect with Insert Earphones

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2IDpyPB
via IFTTT

Impact of Consistency in Daily Device Use on Speech Perception Abilities in Children with Cochlear Implants: Datalogging Evidence

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2Rn1i89
via IFTTT

Refining Stimulus Parameters in Assessing Infant Speech Perception Using Visual Reinforcement Infant Speech Discrimination in Infants with and without Hearing Loss: Presentation Level

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2IDprUb
via IFTTT

The Middle Latency Response: A Review of Findings in Various Central Nervous System Lesions

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2RpyqfF
via IFTTT

JAAA CEU Program

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2IDpnUr
via IFTTT

Acknowledging Those Who Have Contributed Significantly to Our Profession: The Academy Honors

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2IByYLr
via IFTTT

The Effect of Increased Cognitive Demand on Auditory Processing Assessment

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2RrDgsT
via IFTTT

Upgrade to Nucleus® 6 in Previous Generation Cochlear™ Sound Processor Recipients

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2IByZyZ
via IFTTT

Using Microphone Technology to Improve Speech Perception in Noise in Children with Cochlear Implants

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2Rk8nX0
via IFTTT

Accounting for the Occlusion Effect with Insert Earphones

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2IDpyPB
via IFTTT

Impact of Consistency in Daily Device Use on Speech Perception Abilities in Children with Cochlear Implants: Datalogging Evidence

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2Rn1i89
via IFTTT

Refining Stimulus Parameters in Assessing Infant Speech Perception Using Visual Reinforcement Infant Speech Discrimination in Infants with and without Hearing Loss: Presentation Level

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2IDprUb
via IFTTT

The Middle Latency Response: A Review of Findings in Various Central Nervous System Lesions

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2RpyqfF
via IFTTT

JAAA CEU Program

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2IDpnUr
via IFTTT

Factors Associated With Self-Reported Hearing Aid Management Skills and Knowledge

Purpose

Hearing aid management describes the skills and knowledge required for the handling, use, care, and maintenance of the hearing aid. The importance of hearing aid management skills and knowledge is evidenced by their association with hearing aid outcomes. However, the nature of this association and the influence of participant factors on this association are unknown. Accordingly, the aims of the current study were to (a) investigate participant factors that influence hearing aid management skills and knowledge and (b) investigate the impact of hearing aid management skills and knowledge on hearing aid outcomes.

Method

Factors associated with hearing aid management skills and knowledge were investigated through an e-mail– and paper-based self-report survey, including the Hearing Aid Skills and Knowledge Inventory (Bennett, Meyer, Eikelboom, & Atlas, 2018b) and the International Outcomes Inventory for Hearing Aids (Cox & Alexander, 2002). The study sample included 518 adult hearing aid owners, ranging in age from 18 to 97 years (M = 71 years, SD = 14 years), 61% male and 39% female, recruited from seven hearing clinics across Australia.

Results

Participant factors found to be associated with hearing aid skills and knowledge included participants' age, gender, style of hearing aid, age of current hearing aid, and total years of hearing aid ownership. Higher levels of hearing aid management skills and knowledge were found to be associated with better hearing aid outcomes, specifically higher self-reported satisfaction with hearing aids, perceived benefit from hearing aids, and overall outcome of the hearing aid fitting as evaluated by the International Outcomes Inventory for Hearing Aids.

Conclusions

Hearing aid management difficulties were greatest for older people, women, and owners of behind-the-ear style of hearing aids, suggesting that clinicians need to be cognizant of the additional needs for these three groups. The positive association between hearing aid outcomes and hearing aid skills and knowledge emphasizes the importance of education and training on hearing aid management for successful aural rehabilitation.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2NkGniO
via IFTTT

Factors Associated With Self-Reported Hearing Aid Management Skills and Knowledge

Purpose

Hearing aid management describes the skills and knowledge required for the handling, use, care, and maintenance of the hearing aid. The importance of hearing aid management skills and knowledge is evidenced by their association with hearing aid outcomes. However, the nature of this association and the influence of participant factors on this association are unknown. Accordingly, the aims of the current study were to (a) investigate participant factors that influence hearing aid management skills and knowledge and (b) investigate the impact of hearing aid management skills and knowledge on hearing aid outcomes.

Method

Factors associated with hearing aid management skills and knowledge were investigated through an e-mail– and paper-based self-report survey, including the Hearing Aid Skills and Knowledge Inventory (Bennett, Meyer, Eikelboom, & Atlas, 2018b) and the International Outcomes Inventory for Hearing Aids (Cox & Alexander, 2002). The study sample included 518 adult hearing aid owners, ranging in age from 18 to 97 years (M = 71 years, SD = 14 years), 61% male and 39% female, recruited from seven hearing clinics across Australia.

Results

Participant factors found to be associated with hearing aid skills and knowledge included participants' age, gender, style of hearing aid, age of current hearing aid, and total years of hearing aid ownership. Higher levels of hearing aid management skills and knowledge were found to be associated with better hearing aid outcomes, specifically higher self-reported satisfaction with hearing aids, perceived benefit from hearing aids, and overall outcome of the hearing aid fitting as evaluated by the International Outcomes Inventory for Hearing Aids.

Conclusions

Hearing aid management difficulties were greatest for older people, women, and owners of behind-the-ear style of hearing aids, suggesting that clinicians need to be cognizant of the additional needs for these three groups. The positive association between hearing aid outcomes and hearing aid skills and knowledge emphasizes the importance of education and training on hearing aid management for successful aural rehabilitation.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2NkGniO
via IFTTT

Explaining Reading Comprehension in Children With Developmental Language Disorder: The Importance of Elaborative Inferencing

Purpose

Reading comprehension is a key indicator of academic and psychosocial outcomes. Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) tend to find reading comprehension challenging. This study aimed to explore the literal and inferential (cohesive, elaborative, and lexical) comprehension of children with DLD, their typically developing (TD) peers, and, uniquely, a group of children with low language (LL) proficiency.

Method

Children aged 10–11 years with either typical development (n = 16), LL proficiency (n = 14), or DLD (n = 14) were recruited from 8 primary schools. They completed a battery of standardized language and literacy assessments. Responses to literal and inferential questions on the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test–Second UK Edition (Wechsler, 2005) were analyzed.

Results

A disproportionate difficulty in answering inferential relative to literal questions was found for the DLD group compared to the LL and TD groups. Children with DLD were significantly poorer at elaborative inferencing than both their peers with LL proficiency and TD peers, but there were no group differences in cohesive or lexical inferencing. There was a significant positive association between inferencing ability and vocabulary knowledge, single word reading accuracy, grammatical skill, and verbal working memory. The importance of single word reading accuracy was especially evident as a partial mediator of the relationship between vocabulary knowledge and inferencing ability.

Conclusions

These results indicate that interventions targeting the reading comprehension of children with DLD should focus on elaborative inferencing skill. There are also clinical implications as the development of new standardized assessments differentiating between inference types is called for.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2NkyjyK
via IFTTT

Characteristics of Speech Rate in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Longitudinal Study

Purpose

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine the effect of time and sentence length on speech rate and its characteristics, articulation rate and pauses, within 2 groups of children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

Thirty-four children with CP, 18 with no speech motor involvement and 16 with speech motor involvement, produced sentences of varying lengths at 3 time points that were 1 year apart (mean age = 56 months at first time point). Dependent measures included speech rate, articulation rate, proportion of time spent pausing, and average number and duration of pauses.

Results

There were no significant effects of time. For children with no speech motor involvement, speech rate increased with longer sentences due to increased articulation rate. For children with speech motor involvement, speech rate did not change with sentence length due to significant increases in the proportion of time spent pausing and average number of pauses in longer sentences.

Conclusions

There were no significant age-related differences in speech rate in children with CP regardless of group membership. Sentence length differentially impacted speech rate and its characteristics in both groups of children with CP. This may be due to cognitive–linguistic and/or speech motor control factors.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2xXl0iF
via IFTTT

Pilot Study of Audiometric Patterns in Fuchs Corneal Dystrophy

Purpose

Although Fuchs corneal dystrophy (FCD) is considered an eye disease, a small number of studies have identified genes related to both FCD and hearing loss. Whether FCD is related to hearing loss is unknown.

Method

This is a case–control study comparing pure-tone audiometry hearing thresholds in 180 patients with FCD from a hospital-based ophthalmology clinic with 2,575 population-based controls from a nationally representative survey, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (from cycles 2005-06 and 2009-10). Generalized estimating equations were used to compare mean better-hearing ear thresholds in the 2 groups adjusted for age, sex, race, and noise exposure.

Results

Patients with FCD had higher hearing thresholds (worse hearing) in lower frequencies (mean difference at 0.5 kHz = 3.49 dB HL) and lower hearing thresholds (better hearing) in higher frequencies (difference at 4 kHz = −4.25 dB HL) compared with population-based controls.

Conclusion

In the first study to use objectively measured hearing, FCD was associated with poorer low-frequency and better high-frequency audiometric thresholds than population controls. Further studies are needed to characterize this relationship.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2NhhzIA
via IFTTT

Explaining Reading Comprehension in Children With Developmental Language Disorder: The Importance of Elaborative Inferencing

Purpose

Reading comprehension is a key indicator of academic and psychosocial outcomes. Children with developmental language disorder (DLD) tend to find reading comprehension challenging. This study aimed to explore the literal and inferential (cohesive, elaborative, and lexical) comprehension of children with DLD, their typically developing (TD) peers, and, uniquely, a group of children with low language (LL) proficiency.

Method

Children aged 10–11 years with either typical development (n = 16), LL proficiency (n = 14), or DLD (n = 14) were recruited from 8 primary schools. They completed a battery of standardized language and literacy assessments. Responses to literal and inferential questions on the Wechsler Individual Achievement Test–Second UK Edition (Wechsler, 2005) were analyzed.

Results

A disproportionate difficulty in answering inferential relative to literal questions was found for the DLD group compared to the LL and TD groups. Children with DLD were significantly poorer at elaborative inferencing than both their peers with LL proficiency and TD peers, but there were no group differences in cohesive or lexical inferencing. There was a significant positive association between inferencing ability and vocabulary knowledge, single word reading accuracy, grammatical skill, and verbal working memory. The importance of single word reading accuracy was especially evident as a partial mediator of the relationship between vocabulary knowledge and inferencing ability.

Conclusions

These results indicate that interventions targeting the reading comprehension of children with DLD should focus on elaborative inferencing skill. There are also clinical implications as the development of new standardized assessments differentiating between inference types is called for.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2NkyjyK
via IFTTT

Characteristics of Speech Rate in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Longitudinal Study

Purpose

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine the effect of time and sentence length on speech rate and its characteristics, articulation rate and pauses, within 2 groups of children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

Thirty-four children with CP, 18 with no speech motor involvement and 16 with speech motor involvement, produced sentences of varying lengths at 3 time points that were 1 year apart (mean age = 56 months at first time point). Dependent measures included speech rate, articulation rate, proportion of time spent pausing, and average number and duration of pauses.

Results

There were no significant effects of time. For children with no speech motor involvement, speech rate increased with longer sentences due to increased articulation rate. For children with speech motor involvement, speech rate did not change with sentence length due to significant increases in the proportion of time spent pausing and average number of pauses in longer sentences.

Conclusions

There were no significant age-related differences in speech rate in children with CP regardless of group membership. Sentence length differentially impacted speech rate and its characteristics in both groups of children with CP. This may be due to cognitive–linguistic and/or speech motor control factors.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2xXl0iF
via IFTTT

Pilot Study of Audiometric Patterns in Fuchs Corneal Dystrophy

Purpose

Although Fuchs corneal dystrophy (FCD) is considered an eye disease, a small number of studies have identified genes related to both FCD and hearing loss. Whether FCD is related to hearing loss is unknown.

Method

This is a case–control study comparing pure-tone audiometry hearing thresholds in 180 patients with FCD from a hospital-based ophthalmology clinic with 2,575 population-based controls from a nationally representative survey, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (from cycles 2005-06 and 2009-10). Generalized estimating equations were used to compare mean better-hearing ear thresholds in the 2 groups adjusted for age, sex, race, and noise exposure.

Results

Patients with FCD had higher hearing thresholds (worse hearing) in lower frequencies (mean difference at 0.5 kHz = 3.49 dB HL) and lower hearing thresholds (better hearing) in higher frequencies (difference at 4 kHz = −4.25 dB HL) compared with population-based controls.

Conclusion

In the first study to use objectively measured hearing, FCD was associated with poorer low-frequency and better high-frequency audiometric thresholds than population controls. Further studies are needed to characterize this relationship.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2NhhzIA
via IFTTT

Unusual mechanical processing of sounds at the apex of the guinea pig cochlea

Publication date: Available online 2 October 2018

Source: Hearing Research

Author(s): Alberto Recio-Spinoso, John S. Oghalai

Abstract

One of the tenets of mammalian auditory physiology is that the frequency selectivity at the cochlear base decreases as a function of stimulus level. Changes in frequency selectivity have been shown to be accompanied by changes in response phases as a function of stimulus level. The existence of such nonlinear properties has been revealed by the analysis of either direct or indirect recordings of mechanical vibrations of the cochlea. Direct measurements of cochlear mechanical vibrations, however, have been carried out with success primarily in cochlear regions that are tuned to frequencies > 7 kHz, but not in regions sensitive to lower frequencies. In this paper we continue to analyze recently published data from measurements of sound-induced vibrations at four locations near the apex of the intact guinea pig cochlea, in a region encompassing approximately 25% of its total length. Analysis of the responses at all locations reveal level-dependent phase properties that are rather different from those usually reported at the base of the cochlea of laboratory animals such as the chinchilla. Cochlear group delays, for example, increase or remain constant with increasing stimulus. Similarly, frequency selectivity at all the regions increases as a function of stimulus level.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2zOObWI
via IFTTT

Unusual mechanical processing of sounds at the apex of the guinea pig cochlea

Publication date: Available online 2 October 2018

Source: Hearing Research

Author(s): Alberto Recio-Spinoso, John S. Oghalai

Abstract

One of the tenets of mammalian auditory physiology is that the frequency selectivity at the cochlear base decreases as a function of stimulus level. Changes in frequency selectivity have been shown to be accompanied by changes in response phases as a function of stimulus level. The existence of such nonlinear properties has been revealed by the analysis of either direct or indirect recordings of mechanical vibrations of the cochlea. Direct measurements of cochlear mechanical vibrations, however, have been carried out with success primarily in cochlear regions that are tuned to frequencies > 7 kHz, but not in regions sensitive to lower frequencies. In this paper we continue to analyze recently published data from measurements of sound-induced vibrations at four locations near the apex of the intact guinea pig cochlea, in a region encompassing approximately 25% of its total length. Analysis of the responses at all locations reveal level-dependent phase properties that are rather different from those usually reported at the base of the cochlea of laboratory animals such as the chinchilla. Cochlear group delays, for example, increase or remain constant with increasing stimulus. Similarly, frequency selectivity at all the regions increases as a function of stimulus level.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2zOObWI
via IFTTT

Unusual mechanical processing of sounds at the apex of the guinea pig cochlea

Publication date: Available online 2 October 2018

Source: Hearing Research

Author(s): Alberto Recio-Spinoso, John S. Oghalai

Abstract

One of the tenets of mammalian auditory physiology is that the frequency selectivity at the cochlear base decreases as a function of stimulus level. Changes in frequency selectivity have been shown to be accompanied by changes in response phases as a function of stimulus level. The existence of such nonlinear properties has been revealed by the analysis of either direct or indirect recordings of mechanical vibrations of the cochlea. Direct measurements of cochlear mechanical vibrations, however, have been carried out with success primarily in cochlear regions that are tuned to frequencies > 7 kHz, but not in regions sensitive to lower frequencies. In this paper we continue to analyze recently published data from measurements of sound-induced vibrations at four locations near the apex of the intact guinea pig cochlea, in a region encompassing approximately 25% of its total length. Analysis of the responses at all locations reveal level-dependent phase properties that are rather different from those usually reported at the base of the cochlea of laboratory animals such as the chinchilla. Cochlear group delays, for example, increase or remain constant with increasing stimulus. Similarly, frequency selectivity at all the regions increases as a function of stimulus level.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2zOObWI
via IFTTT

Unusual mechanical processing of sounds at the apex of the guinea pig cochlea

Publication date: Available online 2 October 2018

Source: Hearing Research

Author(s): Alberto Recio-Spinoso, John S. Oghalai

Abstract

One of the tenets of mammalian auditory physiology is that the frequency selectivity at the cochlear base decreases as a function of stimulus level. Changes in frequency selectivity have been shown to be accompanied by changes in response phases as a function of stimulus level. The existence of such nonlinear properties has been revealed by the analysis of either direct or indirect recordings of mechanical vibrations of the cochlea. Direct measurements of cochlear mechanical vibrations, however, have been carried out with success primarily in cochlear regions that are tuned to frequencies > 7 kHz, but not in regions sensitive to lower frequencies. In this paper we continue to analyze recently published data from measurements of sound-induced vibrations at four locations near the apex of the intact guinea pig cochlea, in a region encompassing approximately 25% of its total length. Analysis of the responses at all locations reveal level-dependent phase properties that are rather different from those usually reported at the base of the cochlea of laboratory animals such as the chinchilla. Cochlear group delays, for example, increase or remain constant with increasing stimulus. Similarly, frequency selectivity at all the regions increases as a function of stimulus level.

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2zOObWI
via IFTTT

Association between serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and acute angle closure: what is known?

Association between serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and acute angle closure: what is known?

Surv Ophthalmol. 2018 Sep 29;:

Authors: Wiciński M, Kałużny B, Liberski S, Marczak D, Seredyka-Burduk M, Pawlak-Osińska K

Abstract
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are widely used antidepressants with a relatively safe profile. One of the complications associated with this group of drugs is acute angle closure (AAC). The mechanisms linking SNRIs and AAC are complex and may be interlinked with the effects of the drug on the inhibition of serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake, as well as pseudo-anticholinergic effects, dopaminergic effects, and idiosyncratic reactions with the drug molecule in the eye. Individual characteristics, such as polymorphisms of the gene encoding the 2D6 subunit of cytochrome P450, may affect the metabolism of the SNRI; while, the combination with other drugs may lead to an increased risk of iridocorneal angle closure, and may further exacerbate other mechanisms. Improved knowledge of the mechanisms linking SNRIs and AAC and of the risk factors predisposing to patients to AAC will reduce the number of patients affected by this dangerous complication.

PMID: 30278181 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2OvTqTe
via IFTTT

Gene Delivery into the Inner Ear and Its Clinical Implications for Hearing and Balance.

Related Articles

Gene Delivery into the Inner Ear and Its Clinical Implications for Hearing and Balance.

Molecules. 2018 Sep 30;23(10):

Authors: Kanzaki S

Abstract
The inner ear contains many types of cell, including sensory hair cells and neurons. If these cells are damaged, they do not regenerate. Inner ear disorders have various etiologies. Some are related to aging or are idiopathic, as in sudden deafness. Others occur due to acoustic trauma, exposure to ototoxic drugs, viral infections, immune responses, or endolymphatic hydrops (Meniere's disease). For these disorders, inner ear regeneration therapy is expected to be a feasible alternative to cochlear implants for hearing recovery. Recently, the mechanisms underlying inner ear regeneration have been gradually clarified. Inner ear cell progenitors or stem cells have been identified. Factors necessary for regeneration have also been elucidated from the mechanism of hair cell generation. Inducing differentiation of endogenous stem cells or inner ear stem cell transplantation is expected. In this paper, we discuss recent approaches to hair cell proliferation and differentiation for inner ear regeneration. We discuss the future road map for clinical application. The therapies mentioned above require topical administration of transgenes or drug onto progenitors of sensory cells. Developing efficient and safe modes of administration is clinically important. In this regard, we also discuss our development of an inner ear endoscope to facilitate topical administration.

PMID: 30274337 [PubMed - in process]

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2NhHJLb
via IFTTT

Association between serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and acute angle closure: what is known?

Association between serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and acute angle closure: what is known?

Surv Ophthalmol. 2018 Sep 29;:

Authors: Wiciński M, Kałużny B, Liberski S, Marczak D, Seredyka-Burduk M, Pawlak-Osińska K

Abstract
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are widely used antidepressants with a relatively safe profile. One of the complications associated with this group of drugs is acute angle closure (AAC). The mechanisms linking SNRIs and AAC are complex and may be interlinked with the effects of the drug on the inhibition of serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake, as well as pseudo-anticholinergic effects, dopaminergic effects, and idiosyncratic reactions with the drug molecule in the eye. Individual characteristics, such as polymorphisms of the gene encoding the 2D6 subunit of cytochrome P450, may affect the metabolism of the SNRI; while, the combination with other drugs may lead to an increased risk of iridocorneal angle closure, and may further exacerbate other mechanisms. Improved knowledge of the mechanisms linking SNRIs and AAC and of the risk factors predisposing to patients to AAC will reduce the number of patients affected by this dangerous complication.

PMID: 30278181 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2OvTqTe
via IFTTT

Gene Delivery into the Inner Ear and Its Clinical Implications for Hearing and Balance.

Related Articles

Gene Delivery into the Inner Ear and Its Clinical Implications for Hearing and Balance.

Molecules. 2018 Sep 30;23(10):

Authors: Kanzaki S

Abstract
The inner ear contains many types of cell, including sensory hair cells and neurons. If these cells are damaged, they do not regenerate. Inner ear disorders have various etiologies. Some are related to aging or are idiopathic, as in sudden deafness. Others occur due to acoustic trauma, exposure to ototoxic drugs, viral infections, immune responses, or endolymphatic hydrops (Meniere's disease). For these disorders, inner ear regeneration therapy is expected to be a feasible alternative to cochlear implants for hearing recovery. Recently, the mechanisms underlying inner ear regeneration have been gradually clarified. Inner ear cell progenitors or stem cells have been identified. Factors necessary for regeneration have also been elucidated from the mechanism of hair cell generation. Inducing differentiation of endogenous stem cells or inner ear stem cell transplantation is expected. In this paper, we discuss recent approaches to hair cell proliferation and differentiation for inner ear regeneration. We discuss the future road map for clinical application. The therapies mentioned above require topical administration of transgenes or drug onto progenitors of sensory cells. Developing efficient and safe modes of administration is clinically important. In this regard, we also discuss our development of an inner ear endoscope to facilitate topical administration.

PMID: 30274337 [PubMed - in process]

from #Audiology via ola Kala on Inoreader https://ift.tt/2NhHJLb
via IFTTT