The Otoacoustic Emissions in the Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening: An Update on the European Data (2004 to 2024).

The reported data on European universal neonatal hearing screening (UNHS) practices tend to be scarce, despite the fact that the European Union project, EUScreen, collected unofficial data from 38 collaborating European institutions. The objectives of this systematic review were as follows: (a) to identify the most recent (in a 20-year span) literature information about UNHS programs in Europe and (b) to provide data on the procedures used to assess the population, the intervention policies, and on the estimated prevalence of congenital hearing loss with emphasis on the bilateral hearing loss cases. Queries were conducted via the Pubmed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases for the time period of 2004-2024.

Development and Evaluation of the Italian Version of the Dichotic Digit Test: Insights from 39 Normal-Hearing Children Aged 11 to 13 years.

BACKGROUND The dichotic digit test (DDT) is one of the tests for the behavioral assessment of central auditory processing. Dichotic listening tests are sensitive ways of assessing cortical structures, the corpus callossum, and binaural integration mechanisms, showing strong correlations with learning difficulties. The DDT is presently available in a number of languages, each appropriate for the subject's native language.

ChatGPT for Tinnitus Information and Support: Response Accuracy and Retest after Three and Six Months.

Testing of ChatGPT has recently been performed over a diverse range of topics. However, most of these assessments have been based on broad domains of knowledge. Here, we test ChatGPT's knowledge of tinnitus, an important but specialized aspect of audiology and otolaryngology.

Hyperacusis: Focus on Gender Differences: A Systematic Review.

Background: While gender differences of several diseases have been already described in the literature, studies in the area of hyperacusis are still scant. Despite the fact that hyperacusis is a condition that severely affects the patient's quality of life, it is not well investigated; a comprehensive understanding of its features, eventually including gender differences, could be a valuable asset in developing clinical intervention strategies.

Aim: To evaluate gender differences among subjects affected by hyperacusis.

Vertigo in the Elderly: A Systematic Literature Review.

Dizziness and vertigo are among the most prevalent complaints in the elderly and have a major negative influence on (i) the perception of the quality of life; and (ii) the risk of falling. Due to population aging, particularly in wealthy nations, vertigo represents a growing issue and a serious public health concern. In order to approach the patient correctly and to offer the best treatment options, it is mandatory to identify vertigo's underlying causes.

Detecting Metabolic Thresholds from Nonlinear Analysis of Heart Rate Time Series: A Review.

Heart rate time series are widely used to characterize physiological states and athletic performance. Among the main indicators of metabolic and physiological states, the detection of metabolic thresholds is an important tool in establishing training protocols in both sport and clinical fields. This paper reviews the most common methods, applied to heart rate (HR) time series, aiming to detect metabolic thresholds.

Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME): An Otolaryngologic Perspective.

To evaluate the possible effects of Rapid Maxillary Expansion (RME), such as nasal breathing problems, middle ear function, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in the otolaryngology field. RME has already been introduced in orthodontics to expand the maxilla of young patients affected by transversal maxillary constriction. A literature search was performed using different databases (Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL), from May 2005 to November 2021, according to the PRISMA guidelines.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss Post-COVID-19 Infection: An Update.

The course of COVID-19 infection may be complicated by a variety of neurological manifestations. Since the inner ear is vulnerable to viruses, sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has been reported to occur following the SARS-CoV-2 infection, often resulting in long-term morbidity and worsening the quality of life. The interest in how the virus affects the inner ear has gradually increased since the pandemic's spread, but little is still known about the SNHL potentially caused by SARS-CoV-2.

Detection of hearing losses (HL) via transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions: towards an automatic classification.

Transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) are routinely used in the hearing assessment of the auditory periphery. The major contribution of TEOAEs is the early detection of hearing losses in neonates, children, and adults. The evaluation of TEOAE responses by specific signal decomposition techniques offers numerous advantages for current and future research.

Evaluation of the Bonebridge BCI 602 active bone conductive implant in adults: efficacy and stability of audiological, surgical, and functional outcomes.

Purpose: (1) To assess the effectiveness and safety of a bone-conduction implant, the Bonebridge BCI 602, in adults with conductive or mixed hearing loss. (2) To investigate whether the Bonebridge BCI 602 is at least as effective as the Bonebridge BCI 601 in such patients.

Methods: The study group included 42 adults who had either conductive or mixed hearing loss.

Vestibular and postural impairment in congenital Cytomegalovirus infection.

Objectives: To describe the vestibular and postural impairment related to the congenital Cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV), including the inner ear damages CMV-induced.

Methods: A PRISMA systematic review was performed, with the PubMed, Embase, and Cinahl databases searched from inception through to March 2021; after the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria a total of 12 papers were included in this review.

Results: Vestibular and postural disorders have been reported in cCMV children, with a high variability of clinical manifestation.

Pilot Hearing Screening of School-age Children in Lagos, Nigeria.

Objectives: The aim of this pilot study is to assess the prevalence of hearing disorders in school-age children in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods: The study group consisted of 236 children aged 5 to 11 years old. Children were assessed by otoscopy, transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions, and pure-tone audiometry screening.

Advances in Pediatric and Adult Cochlear Implant and Middle Ear Prostheses.

The aim of this special issue, entitled 'Advances in Pediatric and Adult Cochlear Implant and Middle Ear Prostheses', is to report the in the area of ear prostheses, either for the middle or inner ear [...

SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and audio-vestibular disorders.

To describe the audio-vestibular disorders related to the newly SARS-CoV-2 infection, including the possible ototoxicity side-effects related to the use of drugs included in the SARS-CoV-2 treatment protocols. A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA protocol. The Medline and Embase databases were searched from March 1, 2020 to April 9, 2021.

Differences between Pressurized and Non-Pressurized Transient-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions in Neonatal Subjects.

Introduction: Recently, Interacoustics presented a new otoacoustic emission protocol where the probe pressurizes the ear cavity, thus eliminates the risk of non-assessment (REFER outcome) due to a negative middle ear pressure. This study evaluated the characteristics and the performance of this new protocol on a newborn well-baby population.

Methods: One hundred sixty-three newborns (age 2.

The Pathogenesis of secondary forms of Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (AIED): advancing beyond the audiogram data.

Introduction: Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (AIED) can be of a primary or secondary type. To date, a clear pathogenesis of the disease is still not available. Focusing on the secondary forms of AIED, the aim of this review is to (i) assess and describe the hearing involvement in patients affected by autoimmune diseases, (ii) describe the possible association between clinical features (among serological/laboratory data and disease activity/duration) and hearing impairment, (iii) show evidence connecting the AIED types with various etiopathogenetic mechanisms.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Olfactory Perception of the Same Stimuli.

Background: Data in the literature report that a number of studies have attempted to identify the exact location of the cortical olfaction representation, searching for evidence suggesting that sniffing odors can initiate a primary activation of the piriform cortex and the insula. Nowadays, due to the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) outbreak, the functional study of the olfactory system could offer a better understanding of the physiopathology of olfactory perception, elucidating better the possible site(s) of damage induced by the COVID-19 infection. The aim of this paper was to evaluate brain maps generated from functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) data, collected from healthy individuals in response to the same olfactory stimulus.

Use of zebrafish larvae lateral line to study protection against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity: A scoping review.

Aim: The present review aimed to consolidate and analyze the recent information about the use of zebrafish in studies concerning cisplatin-induced ototoxicity and otoprotection.

Material And Methods: The PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databanks were searched using the following MESH terms: zebrafish, cisplatin, ototoxicity. The identified publications were screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and the 26 qualifying manuscripts were included in the full-text analysis.

Ototoxicity prevention during the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) emergency.

Aim of this paper is to remind the risk of ototoxicity when using chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, in particular as prophylactic agents against SARS-CoV-2, during the pandemic. Healthy subjects taking chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as prophylactic agents against SARS-CoV-2, during the pandemic, should be screened periodically, at least by Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs) in order to detect early manifestations of possible cochlear ototoxic damages.

Genetic Polymorphisms in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: An Update.

Objective: To investigate the association between genetic polymorphisms and sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Most of the SSNHL cases still remain idiopathic, and several etiopathogenetic hypotheses, including a genetic predisposition, have been proposed.

Methods: A literature review was conducted using different databases: Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Don't forget ototoxicity during the SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) pandemic!

Aim of this communication is to remind clinical professionals to be aware of ototoxic side effects of several specific drugs proposed for the treatment of the new virus SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19). In particular, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, as well as antiviral drugs such as remdesivir, favipiravir and lopinavir can all present potential ototoxic side effects. The data in the literature do not offer specific information on their potential synergetic effects nor on their interactions.

Detection of Age-Related Hearing Losses (ARHL) via Transient-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions.

Purpose: The objective of the study was to identify subjects presenting hearing deficits, specifically age-related hearing losses (ARHL), via objective assessment methodologies.

Materials And Methods: Initially, 259 subjects (165 men, 94 women) were enrolled in the study. After the application of inclusion criteria, the final number was reduced to 88 subjects (49.

Gender differences in audio-vestibular disorders.

In the last years, the attention to the role of gender in physiopathology and pharmacology of diseases in several medical disciplines is rising; however, the data on the relationship between gender and audio-vestibular disorders are still inconclusive and sometimes confusing. With this letter to the editor, we would like to review the role of gender in audio-vestibular disorders. Literature data show that anatomic variances of the inner ear do exist in men and women and that the different physiology and/or hormonal influence between genders could produce different clinical outcome of routine audiological and vestibular tests.