Innovative dual-function protective scope mask and filtration system for aerosol generating ENT scope procedures.

Background: Aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs), such as nasoendoscopy, are considered high-risk during the COVID-19 pandemic due to risk of virus aerosol transmission. We aim to evaluate the efficacy of an innovative system in reduction of aerosol contamination.

Methods: Pilot study involving 15 healthy volunteers performing aerosol-generating activities with the prototype, compared with and without a standard surgical mask.

Longus colli tendinitis: acute neck pain with retropharyngeal swelling.

Longus colli tendinitis (LCT) has been described in several case reports, and is likely underdiagnosed due to its non-specific symptoms and self-limiting nature. It usually presents as acute neck pain with retropharyngeal swelling seen on nasoendoscopy and imaging studies. This may lead to unnecessary invasive interventions if physicians are unaware of the disease course.

Factors Influencing Hearing Disability and Reduction in Disability among First-time Hearing Aid Users in Singapore.

Introduction: This study aims to examine the factors associated with self-reported hearing disability and early reduction in disability after first-time hearing aid (HA) fitting in Singapore.

Methods: Retrospective record review of 1,068 subjects issued with HAs at a tertiary hospital from 2001 to 2013.

Results: Subjects reporting ≥5 disabilities reduced from 90% to 24% after HA fitting.

Performance of Digital Contact Tracing Tools for COVID-19 Response in Singapore: Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Effective contact tracing is labor intensive and time sensitive during the COVID-19 pandemic, but also essential in the absence of effective treatment and vaccines. Singapore launched the first Bluetooth-based contact tracing app-TraceTogether-in March 2020 to augment Singapore's contact tracing capabilities.

Objective: This study aims to compare the performance of the contact tracing app-TraceTogether-with that of a wearable tag-based real-time locating system (RTLS) and to validate them against the electronic medical records at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), the national referral center for COVID-19 screening.

Changing patient profile, hearing aid use and disability among first-time hearing aid users in Singapore over a decade.

Objectives: To examine the time trends in demographics, hearing characteristics, hearing aid (HA) choices, usage and patient-reported disability among first-time HA users in Singapore over a decade.

Design: Cross-sectional study. 1052 subjects issued with HAs at a tertiary hospital from 2004 to 2013.

Factors influencing degree of hearing loss at presentation, hearing aid choice, and usage in first time hearing aid users in Singapore.

Objective: To examine the factors associated with late presentation at first hearing aid (HA) fitting, HA choice and usage among users in Singapore.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Study Sample: 1068 subjects issued with HAs at a tertiary hospital from 2001 to 2013.

Hearing impairment and hearing aid usage in Singapore.

Objective: To examine the epidemiological and audiological profile, pattern of hearing aid (HA) fitting and usage among HA users in Singapore.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Study Sample: Cohort of 1068 subjects issued with HAs at a tertiary hospital between 2001 and 2013.

Contralateral deafness post head injury without temporal bone fractures.

We report an unusual case of contralateral deafness in a 31-year-old man after an uncomplicated blunt force head injury. The patient was presented with a left-sided head injury and complained of profound deafness in his right ear, dysequilibrium, and vertigo. Pure tone audiogram revealed total sensorineural deafness in the right ear.

Ear microbiology reports: a need for better communication with the microbiologists.

Most ENT surgeons treat discharging ears with topical antibiotics but many may not routinely utilise ear microbiology specimens. One reason could be that ear microbiology reports may not reflect their usual therapeutic options. This paper explores how microbiology departments in England process ear swabs.

Bilateral Bone-anchored Hearing Aid: impact on quality of life measured with the Glasgow Benefit Inventory.

Objective: To investigate whether the fitting of bilateral Bone-anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) would result in any additional improvement in patients' quality of life (QOL) over and above what we would experience from the fitting of a single-sided BAHA.

Study Design: Retrospective, anonymized, cross-sectional postal survey using the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI).

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Teaching arms and screens for microscope and fibreoptic nasendoscope: are they effective teaching devices and are we utilising them?

With training time for junior doctors now reduced, it is crucial to optimise training opportunities during elective clinical activities. Teaching ENT examination skills presents unique challenges as often, only the examiner can observe what's going on. We set out to explore the utilisation of microscope and nasendoscope teaching devices for ENT junior doctors.

Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid: patient satisfaction with the Cordelle device.

Objective: To assess patient satisfaction with the Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) Cordelle device and to identify any user- and device-related issues.

Study Design: Retrospective, anonymized, cross-sectional postal survey using the Entific Medical Systems questionnaire.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Experience with the longer (8.5 mm) abutment for Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid.

Background: Use of the longer (8.5 mm) abutment for a Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid has been helpful for a certain group of patients. The most common reason for its use is soft tissue problems with tissue overgrowth interfering with device function.

Case report: explantation of a cochlear implant secondary to chronic granulating labyrinthitis.

In the published series of our first 100 cochlear implants only three developed major complications (Proops et al., 1999). We present a rare case of late granulations forming around a Nucleus cochlear implant, giving rise to erosion of the entire cochlea and adjacent mesotympanum.

Unexpected exit of a cochlear implant electrode through the wall of the basal turn of the cochlea - a report on two patients.

We describe the unusual complication of the cochlear implant electrode eroding through the lateral bony wall of the cochlear basal turn in 2 different patients. This complication, occurring during life, has not been previously described in the literature. Radiological investigations were vital in making this diagnosis.

Partial middle turbinectomy by nasotracheal intubation.

Partial middle turbinate avulsion is a rare complication of nasotracheal intubation. Patients usually experience a brisk hemorrhage at the time of injury. Postoperatively, some patients develop a unilateral nasal obstruction, while others are asymptomatic.

Tracheal ring fracture and early tracheomalacia following percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy.

Background: Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is increasingly popular within intensive care units for patients who need prolonged ventilatory support. Significant complications are rare.

Case Presentation: Our patient suffered tracheal ring fracture and early tracheomalacia following this procedure.