3D finite element modeling of earplug-induced occlusion effect in the human ear.

Poor utilization of earplugs among military personnel may be due to discomfort caused by the occlusion effect (OE). The OE occurs when an earplug occludes the ear canal, thereby changing bone conduction (BC) hearing and amplifying physiological noises from the wearer. There is a need to understand and reduce the OE in the human ear.

Cross-modal plasticity in children with cochlear implant: converging evidence from EEG and functional near-infrared spectroscopy.

Over the first years of life, the brain undergoes substantial organization in response to environmental stimulation. In a silent world, it may promote vision by (i) recruiting resources from the auditory cortex and (ii) making the visual cortex more efficient. It is unclear when such changes occur and how adaptive they are, questions that children with cochlear implants can help address.

Dynamic networks differentiate the language ability of children with cochlear implants.

Background: Cochlear implantation (CI) in prelingually deafened children has been shown to be an effective intervention for developing language and reading skill. However, there is a substantial proportion of the children receiving CI who struggle with language and reading. The current study-one of the first to implement electrical source imaging in CI population was designed to identify the neural underpinnings in two groups of CI children with good and poor language and reading skill.

Auditory evoked response to an oddball paradigm in children wearing cochlear implants.

Objective: Although children with cochlear implants (CI) achieve remarkable success with their device, considerable variability remains in individual outcomes. Here, we explored whether auditory evoked potentials recorded during an oddball paradigm could provide useful markers of auditory processing in this pediatric population.

Methods: High-density electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded in 75 children listening to standard and odd noise stimuli: 25 had normal hearing (NH) and 50 wore a CI, divided between high language (HL) and low language (LL) abilities.

Real-time measurement of stapes motion and intracochlear pressure during blast exposure.

Blast-induced auditory injury is primarily caused by exposure to an overwhelming amount of energy transmitted into the external auditory canal, the middle ear, and then the cochlea. Quantification of this energy requires real-time measurement of stapes footplate (SFP) motion and intracochlear pressure in the scala vestibuli (Psv). To date, SFP and Psv have not been measured simultaneously during blast exposure, but a dual-laser experimental approach for detecting the movement of the SFP was reported by Jiang et al.

Primary Dural Repair Using Titanium Microclips Following Lateral Skull Base Surgery.

 Standard techniques for primary dural repair following lateral skull base surgery are both technically challenging and time consuming without the potential for primary dural repair. Inadequate closure may result in postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak infectious sequalae. Traditional methods of dural repair rely on secondary obliteration of the CSF fistula.

Factors Associated with Speech-Recognition Performance in School-Aged Children with Cochlear Implants and Early Auditory-Verbal Intervention.

Background: Considerable variability exists in the speech recognition abilities achieved by children with cochlear implants (CIs) due to varying demographic and performance variables including language abilities.

Purpose: This article examines the factors associated with speech recognition performance of school-aged children with CIs who were grouped by language ability.

Research Design: This is a single-center cross-sectional study with repeated measures for subjects across two language groups.

Impact and Cost Effectiveness of Videonystagmography.

Objective: Videonystagmography (VNG) is a commonly ordered test to evaluate patients with vestibular complaints. To date, there are no evidence-based guidelines for evaluating patients presenting with vestibular symptoms. This study evaluates the cost effectiveness of VNG and the impact of VNG findings on patient management.

Microvascular Decompression and Nervus Intermedius Sectioning for the Treatment of Geniculate Neuralgia.

 Demonstrate the surgical treatment of geniculate neuralgia via microvascular decompression and nervus intermedius sectioning.  Single case-based operative video.  Tertiary center with dedicated skull base team.

Temporal Bone and Cerebellopontine Angle Epidermoid Resulting in Facial Nerve Paralysis: Resection and Facial Nerve Coaptation.

 Demonstrate the utilization of a transcochlear approach for resection of an epidermoid involving the temporal bone and cerebellopontine angle (CPA) with end-to-end facial nerve coaptation.  Single case-based operative video.  Tertiary center with dedicated skull base team.

Endovascular treatment of a temporal bone pseudoaneurysm presenting as bloody otorrhea.

Objective This case report is designed to illustrate an uncommon presentation of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the temporal bone and a treatment method for bloody otorrhea from a pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery (ICA). Design This is a single patient case report Setting University of Missouri-Columbia Hospital and Clinics. Participants The report describes a patient with a history of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) who was previously treated with chemoradiation therapy and salvage bilateral neck dissections and then presented in a delayed fashion with profuse, episodic bloody otorrhea.

Utilization of preoperative cerebrospinal fluid drain in skull base surgery.

Objective: Retrospectively assess the efficacy of lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage placed preoperatively in skull base operations in decreasing the incidence of postoperative CSF fistula.

Methods: A retrospective review of 150 patients undergoing a posterior fossa craniotomy from 1989 to 2000 was conducted. Patients were divided into those receiving preoperative lumbar drains and those that did not.

Decreased nasal mucosal sensitivity in older subjects.

Background: The sensitivity of the human nasal cavity mucosa to touch is not well understood. The site of receptors and mode of action responsible for the sensation of the nasal airflow is a topic of controversy. Previous studies have suggested that the skin-lined nasal vestibule is more sensitive to airflow than the mucosa of the nasal cavity.