Introduction: Purpose of our study was to compare two competing methods of performing bisyllabic word speech audiometry for the detection of the 50% speech reception threshold in noise (SRT50).
Methods: Classic method is performed submitting multiple word lists at a fixed signal-to-noise ratio. A newer Fast method - Italian Fast Speech Reception Threshold 50 (IFastSRT50) - is performed by means of program software with a single list of bisyllabic words and noise intensity shifting.
We analysed the spatially explicit floristic information available in the herbarium of Ulisse Aldrovandi (1551-1586) to track floristic changes in the surroundings of Bologna across five centuries. Aldrovandi's data were compared with the by Girolamo Cocconi (1883) and the Floristic Database of Emilia-Romagna (1965-2021). We explored potential variations in native range and life forms composition, and habitat affinity of the species in the three floras, also contrasting between native and alien species.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study investigates the relationship between auditory localization accuracy in the horizontal plane and the spontaneous translation and rotation of the head in response to an acoustic stimulus from an invisible sound source. Although a number of studies have suggested that localization ability improves with head movements, most of them measured the perceived source elevation and front-back disambiguation. We investigated the contribution of head movements to auditory localization in the anterior horizontal field in normal hearing subjects.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnthropogenic activities have resulted in a significant increase of reactive nitrogen (N) compounds in the atmosphere and a rise in N deposition on forest ecosystems. Increasing N loads impact forest productivity and health, altering tree physiological status and nutrient balance with possible beneficial and detrimental consequences. The impact of N deposition has received considerable attention by scientific research, covering medium and high latitudes, while experimental studies in the Mediterranean area are almost absent.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA new non-invasive adhesive bone conduction hearing device (ABCD) has been proposed as an alternative solution for reversible bilateral conductive hearing loss in recurrent or long-lasting forms of otitis media with effusion (OME) in children that cannot undergo surgical treatment. Our aim was to assess the effectiveness of ABCD in children with OME. Twelve normal-hearing Italian-speaking volunteers, in whom a conductive hearing loss was simulated, participated in the study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAims: Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) is a deep neck infection occurring in childhood. The gold standard technique for diagnosis is computerised tomography (CT) with a contrast medium. The aim of this study is to answer the question of whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be an alternative in diagnosing RPA and predicting pus drainage at surgery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlant-associated microbes can shape plant phenotype, performance, and productivity. Cultivation methods can influence the plant microbiome structure and differences observed in the nutritional quality of differently grown fruits might be due to variations in the microbiome taxonomic and functional composition. Here, the influence of organic and integrated pest management (IPM) cultivation on quality, aroma and microbiome of raspberry ( L.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImportance: Severe pain on awakening (POA) and emergence delirium (ED) are common following pediatric adenotonsillectomy. Effective preventive interventions are lacking.
Objective: To determine the effects of intraoperative auditory stimulation on reduction of POA and ED after pediatric adenotonsillectomy.
Despite the successful implementation of newborn hearing screening (NHS), a debate is emerging as to what should be the best means of enabling timely diagnosis and intervention for preschoolers with educationally significant sensorineural or conductive hearing impairment (HI) missed at the time of NHS or occurred after birth. Our study aims to document the proportion and characteristics of HIs diagnosed in children in need of audiologic assessment, in order to outline the optimization areas of an operational framework for auditory surveillance during preschool age. The referral routes and outcomes of 730 audiological assessments performed in 3 years within the framework of the early hearing identification program in Trieste (Italy) were retrospectively analyzed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur Arch Otorhinolaryngol
May 2021
Background: Conventional technique for transcutaneous bone-anchored hearing implants surgery requires the elevation of a large retroauricular skin flap to expose the site of implantation, that may cause a large scar and the interruption of retroauricular vasculature.
Methods: A less invasive, endoscopic-assisted modification of the surgical technique is described, which provides access to the implant site through two small skin incisions and the creation of a pocket in the retroauricular area.
Conclusion: Endoscopic-assisted bone-anchored hearing implant surgery could be a viable option for transcutaneous bone-anchored hearing implant surgery, especially for pediatric patients.
The use of neonatal hearing screening has enabled the identification of congenital unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (USNHL) immediately after birth, and today there are several intervention options available to minimize potential adverse effects of this disease, including cochlear implantation. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of the inner ear of a homogeneous group of congenital non-syndromic USNHL to highlight the features of the inner ear, which can help in clinical, surgical, and rehabilitative decision-making. A retrospective chart review was carried out at a tertiary referral center.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur Arch Otorhinolaryngol
September 2021
Objective: To predict the impact of face personal protective equipment on verbal communication during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
Design: We assessed the effect of common types and combinations of face personal protective equipment on speech intelligibility in quiet and in a simulated noisy environment.
Results: Wearing face personal protective equipment impairs transmission of middle-to-high voice frequencies and affects speech intelligibility.
Sweet cherries ( L.) are highly appreciated fruits for their taste, color, nutritional value, and beneficial health effects. In this work, seven new cultivars of sweet cherry were investigated for their main quality traits and nutraceutical value.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg
September 2019
Bacterial meningitis may cause inner ear fibrosis and progressive cochlear ossification with irreversible profound hearing loss (HL). Recognition of potential ossification is essential for effective management. We present a clinical case of a 4 year old boy who developed a progressive HL starting 3 weeks after meningitis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe influence of four different harvest times on the bull's eye rot of 'Cripps Pink' apple caused by Neofabraea spp. was investigated in two orchards harvested at four different times. In addition, a control strategy based on chemical treatments performed in preharvest or postharvest was evaluated.
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