Audiology by Alexandros G. Sfakianakis

Πέμπτη 2 Φεβρουαρίου 2017

Analytical and numerical modeling of the hearing system: advances towards the assessment of hearing damage

Publication date: Available online 2 February 2017
Source:Hearing Research
Author(s): Annalisa De Paolis, Marom Bikson, Jeremy T. Nelson, J. Alexander de Ru, Mark Packer, Luis Cardoso
Hearing is an extremely complex phenomenon, involving a large number of interrelated variables that are difficult to measure in vivo. In order to investigate such process under simplified and well-controlled conditions, models of sound transmission have been developed through many decades of research. The value of modeling the hearing system is not only to explain the normal function of the hearing system and account for experimental and clinical observations, but to simulate a variety of pathological conditions that lead to hearing damage and hearing loss, as well as for development of auditory implants, effective ear protections and auditory hazard countermeasures. In this paper, we provide a review of the strategies used to model the auditory function of the external, middle, inner ear, and the micromechanics of the organ of Corti, along with some of the key results obtained from such modeling efforts. Recent analytical and numerical approaches have incorporated the nonlinear behavior of some parameters and structures into their models. Few models of the integrated hearing system exist; in particular, we describe the evolution of the Auditory Hazard Assessment Algorithm for Human (AHAAH) model, used for prediction of hearing damage due to high intensity sound pressure. Unlike the AHAAH model, 3D finite element models of the entire hearing system are not able yet to predict auditory risk and threshold shifts, it is expected that both AHAAH and FE models would evolve towards a more accurate assessment of threshold shifts and hearing loss under a variety of stimuli conditions and pathologies.

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How Do Adolescent Students Perceive Aging Teachers' Voices?

Publication date: Available online 1 February 2017
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Deborah Gampel, Leslie Piccolotto Ferreira
ObjectiveThis study aims to analyze adolescent evaluations of aging teachers' perceived vocal age (PVA) and pleasantness, relative to actual vocal parameters.Study DesignThis is a cross-sectional study.MethodsDigital speech samples of 23 teachers over 65 years in age were collected. Three speech-language pathologists and voice specialists evaluated and classified the vocal parameters on a seven-point scale according to a perceptual-auditory voice analysis protocol, developed especially for this study. Seven adolescent students (mean age 17 years; 3 males, 4 females) evaluated the samples for PVA and pleasantness. The pleasantness evaluations were classified according to three explanatory foci: instrument (related to an organic or functional laryngeal action, eg, a “rough” voice), expressivity (related to social or emotional aspects), or both.ResultsPVA results showed that all subjects underestimated the teachers' ages. PVAs were not significantly correlated with vocal parameters, pleasantness, or focus. Male adolescent evaluations of pleasantness were significantly correlated with the vocal parameters: loudness (P = 0.017), pitch variation (P = 0.006), and loudness variation (P = 0.021), and the main explanation focus was instrument. Female adolescent evaluations of pleasantness were significantly correlated with resonance (P = 0.047) and loudness variation (P = 0.035), and the main explanation focus was expressivity.ConclusionsAlthough male and female adolescents judged voice qualities differently, both groups showed statistically significant correlations between pleasantness and vocal parameters associated with expressivity. Our results, combined with the high rate of vocal dysfunction in teachers, support the notion that specific voice care programs combined with expressivity resources training should be implemented for individuals in the teaching profession. This gender difference regarding pleasantness in vocal analyses should be investigated further.

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Prominent Optic Disc Featured in Inherited Retinopathy.

Prominent Optic Disc Featured in Inherited Retinopathy.

Klin Monbl Augenheilkd. 2017 Feb 01;:

Authors: Todorova MG, Bojinova RI, Valmaggia C, Schorderet DF

Abstract
Background We investigated the relationship between prominent optic disc (POD) and inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD). Patients and Methods A cross-sectional consecutive study was performed in 10 children and 11 adults of 7 non-related families. We performed clinical phenotyping, including a detailed examination, fundus autofluorescence, and colour fundus and OCT imaging. Genetic testing was subsequently performed for all family members presenting retinal pathology. Results In 4 members of a 3-generation family, hyperfluorescent deposits on the surface of POD were related to a p.(L224M) heterozygous mutation in BEST1. In the second family, one member presented deposits located on the surface on hyperaemic OD and a compound p.(R141H);(A195V) mutation in BEST1. In the third family, POD was observed in father and child with early onset cone-rod dystrophy and a novel autosomal recessive p.(W31*) homozygous mutation in ABCA4. In the fourth family, POD with "mulberry-like" deposits and attenuated vessels were observed in a 7-year old girl, with a mutation in USH1A, and with early onset rod-cone dystrophy, associated with hearing loss. In the fifth family, blurry OD with tortuous vessels was observed in 4 consanguineous female carriers and a hemizygous boy with a p.(R200H) mutation in the X-linked retinoschisis RS1. In the sixth family, a mother and her son were both affected with POD and attenuated peripapillary vessels, and presented with a p.(Y836C) heterozygous mutation in TOPORS, thus confirming autosomal dominant RP. In the seventh family, in 3 family members with POD, compound p.(L541P;A1038 V);(G1961E) mutations in ABCA4 confirmed the diagnosis of Stargardt disease. Conclusions A variety of OD findings are found in a genetically heterogeneous group of IRDs. In the presence of POD, an inherited progressive photoreceptor disease should be ruled out.

PMID: 28147405 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Facilitating and inhibiting factors in transition to parenthood - ways in which health professionals can support parents.

Facilitating and inhibiting factors in transition to parenthood - ways in which health professionals can support parents.

Scand J Caring Sci. 2017 Jan 31;:

Authors: Barimani M, Vikström A, Rosander M, Forslund Frykedal K, Berlin A

Abstract
BACKGROUND: The transition to parenthood is an overwhelming life event. From a theoretical perspective, transition to parenthood is a developmental transition that contains certain phases and patterns.
AIM: This study aim was twofold (i) discover, describe and comprehend transitional conditions that parents perceive as facilitating and inhibiting during transition to parenthood and to (ii) use that knowledge to develop recommendations for professional interventions that support and facilitate transition to parenthood.
DESIGN: Meleis transition theory framed the study's deductive qualitative approach - from planning to analysis.
METHODS: In a secondary analysis, data were analysed (as per Meleis transition theory) from two studies that implemented interviews with 60 parents in Sweden between 2013 and 2014. Interview questions dealt with parents' experiences of the transition to parenthood - in relation to experiences with parent-education groups, professional support and continuity after childbirth.
ETHICAL ISSUES: A university research ethics board has approved the research.
RESULTS: These factors facilitated transition to parenthood: perceiving parenthood as a normal part of life; enjoying the child's growth; being prepared and having knowledge; experiencing social support; receiving professional support, receiving information about resources within the health care; participating in well-functioning parent-education groups; and hearing professionals comment on gender differences as being complementary. These factors inhibited transition to parenthood: having unrealistic expectations; feeling stress and loss of control; experiencing breastfeeding demands and lack of sleep; facing a judgmental attitude about breastfeeding; being unprepared for reality; lacking information about reality; lacking professional support and information; lacking healthcare resources; participating in parent-education groups that did not function optimally; and hearing professionals accentuate gender differences in a problematic way.
CONCLUSION: Transition theory is appropriate for helping professionals understand and identify practices that might support parents during transition to parenthood. The study led to certain recommendations that are important for professionals to consider.

PMID: 28144992 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Tricellular Tight Junctions in the Inner Ear.

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Tricellular Tight Junctions in the Inner Ear.

Biomed Res Int. 2016;2016:6137541

Authors: Kitajiri S, Katsuno T

Abstract
Tight junctions (TJs) are structures that seal the space between the epithelial cell sheets. In the inner ear, the barrier function of TJs is indispensable for the separation of the endolymphatic and perilymphatic spaces, which is essential for the generation and maintenance of the endocochlear potential (EP). TJs are formed by the intercellular binding of membrane proteins, known as claudins, and mutations in these proteins cause deafness in humans and mice. Within the epithelial cell sheet, however, a bound structure is present at the site where the corners of three cells meet (tricellular tight junctions (tTJs)), and the maintenance of the barrier function at this location cannot be explained by the claudins alone. Tricellulin and the angulin family of proteins (angulin-1/LSR, angulin-2/ILDR1, and angulin-3/ILDR2) have been identified as tTJ-associated proteins. Tricellulin and ILDR1 are localized at the tTJ and alterations in these proteins have been reported to be involved in deafness. In this review, we will present the current state of knowledge for tTJs.

PMID: 27195292 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Vestibular calyx, potassium: Kalium in Calyx Regnat.

Vestibular calyx, potassium: Kalium in Calyx Regnat.

J Physiol. 2017 Feb 01;595(3):623

Authors: Fuchs PA

PMID: 28145016 [PubMed - in process]

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