Early deficits in speech perception in carriers of the p.Pro51Ser variant in the COCH gene: a prospective longitudinal evaluation of speech perception in quiet and noise.

The primary concern among adults with regard to their hearing is the difficulty in comprehending speech, particularly in noisy environments. The constant need to listen attentively leads to heightened frustration, fatigue and decreased concentration. According to research, high-frequency hearing loss could have negative implications on speech perception and make it even harder to communicate.

Auditory brainstem response thresholds and functional hearing: implications for cochlear implant candidacy.

Objective: This study assessed the relevance of auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds in evaluating cochlear implantation (CI) candidacy by studying their correlation with functional hearing in patients with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).

Design And Study Sample: In this retrospective study, we examined correlations between ABR thresholds, speech perception scores in quiet and pure-tone audiometry in 191 adults. We compared these correlations between individuals with different degrees of SNHL to discern differences in potential CI candidates and individual with less severe SNHL.

Frequency-Following Responses in Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: This systematic review aims to assess the impact of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) on various frequency-following response (FFR) parameters.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases up to January 2023. Studies evaluating FFRs in patients with SNHL and normal hearing controls were included.

Validation of the acoustic change complex (ACC) prediction model to predict speech perception in noise in adult patients with hearing loss: a study protocol.

Background: Speech perception tests are essential to measure the functional use of hearing and to determine the effectiveness of hearing aids and implantable auditory devices. However, these language-based tests require active participation and are influenced by linguistic and neurocognitive skills limiting their use in patients with insufficient language proficiency, cognitive impairment, or in children. We recently developed a non-attentive and objective speech perception prediction model: the Acoustic Change Complex (ACC) prediction model.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Subjective, Chronic Tinnitus Patients: A Scoping Review.

Purpose: This scoping review aims to assess whether the severity or distress of subjective tinnitus is negatively associated or correlated with the level of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). A second objective is to examine whether tinnitus patients score differently on HRQoL questionnaires in comparison to subjects without tinnitus and whether HRQoL differs between specific subgroups of tinnitus.

Methods: This scoping review adheres to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA guidelines): the statement and extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR).

Etiologies and hearing status in bilateral vestibulopathy: a retrospective study of 315 patients.

Importance: The development of a vestibular implant has reached milestones and seems to be a promising therapeutic tool for bilateral vestibulopathy (BV). Given the former lack of therapeutic options for BV, the disease has received scant attention in the previous research literature. It is therefore of major importance to gain more insight into the underlying pathology of BV.

Tinnitus suppression by means of cochlear implantation: does it affect cognition?

Purpose: Recent literature suggests that tinnitus can impact cognition, but results were varied due to a diversity in investigated aspects of cognition and utilized tests, as well as the possible influence of confounding factors. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of tinnitus loudness on cognition by use of a within-subjects design in patients with a cochlear implant (CI). In this population, tinnitus loudness can be modulated by switching the CI on or off as CI is known to highly suppress tinnitus.

Listening effort and fatigue among cochlear implant users: a scoping review.

Introduction: In challenging listening situations, speech perception with a cochlear implant (CI) remains demanding and requires high levels of listening effort, which can lead to increased levels of listening-related fatigue. The body of literature on these topics increases as the number of CI users rises. This scoping review aims to provide an overview of the existing literature on listening effort, fatigue, and listening-related fatigue among CI users and the measurement techniques to evaluate them.

Risk Factors for Natural Hearing Evolution in Newborns With Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection.

Importance: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the major cause of congenital nonhereditary sensorineural hearing loss in children. Currently, criteria to identify infants at increased risk for unfavorable hearing outcome are lacking.

Objective: To identify risk factors associated with cCMV-related hearing improvement, hearing deterioration, and late-onset hearing loss.

Evaluation of hearing levels and vestibular function and the impact on cognitive performance in (pre)-symptomatic patients with DFNA9: protocol for a prospective longitudinal study (Rosetta study).

Introduction: Untreated hearing loss is the largest potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia. Additionally, vestibular dysfunction has been put forward as a potential risk factor for accelerated cognitive decline. Patients with Deafness Autosomal Dominant 9 (DFNA9) present with progressive sensorineural hearing loss and bilateral vestibulopathy and show significantly worse results in cognitive performance compared with a cognitively healthy control group.

Goal Attainment Scale in tinnitus (GAS-T): treatment goal priorities by chronic tinnitus patients in a real-world setting.

Purpose: Standard treatment for tinnitus is cognitive behavioral therapy, although level of evidence of effectiveness is low. There is need for a Goal Attainment Scale to evaluate treatment effects based on patient satisfaction. Preliminary work in a clinical sample has identified six common personal treatment goals.

The effect of anxiety and depression on cognition in older adults with severe-to-profound hearing loss.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of anxiety and/or depression on cognition in older adults with severe-to-profound hearing loss.

Methodology: In total, 83 older subjects (age of 55 years or older) with post-lingual, bilateral, severe-to-profound hearing loss were enrolled in this study between April 2014 and March 2021. The Repeatable Battery for Assessment of Neuropsychological Status for Hearing-impaired individuals (RBANS-H) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to measure cognition and anxiety/depression.

Differential effect of panic on the DNA methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene exon 1F in chronic subjective tinnitus with distress.

Objective: Tinnitus can be regarded as a chronic stressor, leading to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. There is important comorbidity with anxiety, particularly panic, potentially associated with differences in HPA axis functioning and methylation patterns of HPA axis-related genes. This study examines DNA methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene ( NR3C1 ) exon 1F in adults with chronic subjective tinnitus and the possible differential effect of panic.

Prevalence of tinnitus and hyperacusis in 9-12-year-old children.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of tinnitus and hyperacusis in children aged 9-12 years in Flanders, as well as to explore the associations with hearing abilities and listening behaviours.

Design: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken in four different Flemish schools. The questionnaire was distributed among 415 children, with a response rate of 97.

Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation Interventions for Self-management of Tinnitus: Systematic Review.

Background: Tinnitus is a highly prevalent symptom affecting 10%-20% of the adult population. Most patients with tinnitus have chronic tinnitus, which can directly or indirectly disrupt their daily life and negatively affect the health-related quality of life. Therefore, patients with tinnitus are frequently in need of costly and time-consuming treatments.

Accelerated Cognitive Decline Associated With Hearing Loss and Bilateral Vestibulopathy: Insights From a Prospective Cross-Sectional Study Using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status Adjusted for the Hearing Impaired in the DFNA9 Population.

Background: DeaFNess Autosomal dominant 9 (DFNA9) is a hereditary disorder known to affect both hearing and vestibular function in its carriers. Its phenotype is characterized by progressive sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and vestibular dysfunction evolving towards bilateral vestibulopathy (BV) by the 3rd to 5th life decade. Recent studies have identified the impact of hearing loss and vestibular dysfunction on cognitive functioning.

Risk Factors for Hearing Loss at Birth in Newborns With Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection.

Importance: With a prevalence between 0.2% and 6.1% of all live births, congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is a major cause of congenital nonhereditary sensorineural hearing loss.

Dual-site transcranial direct current stimulation to treat tinnitus: a randomized controlled trial.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been proposed as a potential intervention for subjective tinnitus, but supporting evidence remains limited. We aimed to investigate the effect of anodal high-definition tDCS of the left temporal area and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on tinnitus severity. This double-blind randomized controlled trial included 77 patients (age range 18-79, 43 male) with chronic subjective tinnitus as their primary complaint.

Pilot study on the role of somatic modulation in hyperacusis.

Background: Hyperacusis is a reduced tolerance to sounds that often co-occurs with tinnitus. Both symptoms have convergent as well as divergent characteristics. Somatic modulation, changes in pitch or loudness during certain movements, is common in patients with a primary complaint of tinnitus.