Reliability of the Minimum Masking Level as Outcome Variable in Tinnitus Clinical Research.

Purpose The minimum masking level (MML) is the minimum intensity of a stimulus required to just totally mask the tinnitus. Treatments aimed at reducing the tinnitus itself should attempt to measure the magnitude of the tinnitus. The objective of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the MML.

Survey on the Effectiveness of Dietary Supplements to Treat Tinnitus.

Purpose: We surveyed the benefit of dietary supplements to treat tinnitus and reported adverse effects.

Method: A website was created for people with tinnitus to complete a variety of questions.

Results: The 1,788 subjects who responded to questionnaires came from 53 different countries; 413 (23.

Manganese and Lipoflavonoid Plus(®) to Treat Tinnitus: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Several tinnitus sufferers suggest that manganese has been helpful with their tinnitus.

Purpose: We tested this in a controlled experiment where participants were committed to taking manganese and Lipoflavonoid Plus(®) to treat their tinnitus.

Research Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Lymphoma of the Internal Auditory Canal Presenting as Facial Palsy, Vertigo, and Hearing Loss.

The combined symptoms of vertigo, hearing loss, and facial palsy indicate the presence of lesions in the internal auditory canal (IAC). Differential diagnoses, such as inner/middle ear infections and IAC neoplasms, can make the definitive diagnosis of IAC lymphomas challenging. Lymphomas can infiltrate the central nervous system at various sites; however, IAC involvement in metastatic lymphomas is very rare.

Effect of Cigarette Smoking and Passive Smoking on Hearing Impairment: Data from a Population-Based Study.

Objectives: In the present study, we aimed to determine the effect of both active and passive smoking on the prevalence of the hearing impairment and the hearing thresholds in different age groups through the analysis of data collected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).

Study Design: Cross-sectional epidemiological study.

Methods: The KNHANES is an ongoing population study that started in 1998.

Is Hypozincemia Related to Tinnitus?: A Population Study Using Data From the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Objectives: The aim of present study was to determine the relationship between serum zinc level and tinnitus using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).

Methods: The present study examined the relationship between serum zinc level and tinnitus using data from the KNHANES. A total of 2,225 KNHANES participants responded to the tinnitus questionnaire and provided blood samples to measure serum zinc concentration.

Validation of a Korean Version of the Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire.

Objectives: The goal of the present study was to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the tinnitus handicap questionnaire (THQ-K).

Methods: A total of 60 patients were included in this study. Patients responded to the THQ-K, the tinnitus handicap inventory (THI), Beck's depression index (BDI), and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for loudness and pitch, loudness match, and minimum masking level (MML) test were performed.

A review of hyperacusis and future directions: part II. Measurement, mechanisms, and treatment.

Purpose: Hyperacusis can be extremely debilitating, and at present, there is no cure. In this detailed review of the field, we consolidate present knowledge in the hope of facilitating future research.

Method: We review and reference the literature on hyperacusis and related areas.

A review of hyperacusis and future directions: part I. Definitions and manifestations.

Purpose: Hyperacusis can be extremely debilitating, and at present, there is no cure. We provide an overview of the field, and possible related areas, in the hope of facilitating future research.

Method: We review and reference literature on hyperacusis and related areas.

Protective role of edaravone against neomycin-induced ototoxicity in zebrafish.

Aminoglycosides such as neomycin are one of the most commonly prescribed types of antibiotics worldwide. However, these drugs appear to generate free radicals within the inner ear, which can result in permanent hearing loss. We evaluated the effects of edaravone, a neuroprotective agent, on neomycin-induced ototoxicity in transgenic zebrafish.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for tinnitus: evidence and efficacy.

Tinnitus is defined as auditory perception without external sound. There is currently no cure for tinnitus. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a tinnitus treatment that addresses the affected individual's reaction to tinnitus.

A new patch material for tympanic membrane perforation by trauma: the membrane of a hen egg shell.

Conclusion: The egg shell membrane (ESM) patch may promote tympanic membrane (TM) healing in acute traumatic TM perforation.

Objective: To evaluate the use of ESM for treating acute traumatic TM perforation.

Methods: We reviewed charts of patients with traumatic TM injury from 2008 to 2011.

Ciglitazone inhibits cigarette smoke solution-induced inflammatory responses in human middle ear epithelial cells.

Objective: Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), a member of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily, plays an important role in the regulation of mucosal inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of a PPAR-γ agonist, ciglitazone, on cigarette smoke solution (CSS)-induced inflammation in human middle ear epithelial cell lines (HMEECs).

Design: HMEECs with or without ciglitazone pre-treatment were exposed to CSS in order to induce the inflammatory response.

Analysis of frequency loss as a prognostic factor in idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss.

Conclusion: The combination of systemic steroids with intratympanic dexamethasone injection (ITDI) did not result in significantly different outcomes from steroid treatment only and did not have any additional beneficial effects.

Objective: To evaluate hearing recovery in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) according to frequency and to compare treatment responses between patients treated with systemic steroids and systemic steroids with ITDI.

Methods: Ninety-nine patients with ISSNHL were selected to participate in the study by a retrospective medical chart review.

Correlating the head shake-sensory organizing test with dizziness handicap inventory in compensation after vestibular neuritis.

Objective: Despite complaints of dizziness, some patients with unilateral compensated vestibular weakness show normal results on Sensory Organization Test (SOT), which is being widely used for the evaluation of vestibular function compensation. The head shake-sensory organization test (HS-SOT) has been suggested to increase the sensitivity of SOT. In HS-SOT, the patient is required to shake head under Conditions 2 and 5 of traditional SOT.