Importance of small vessel disease as a possible cause of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Objective: Vascular disease like small-vessel disease (SVD) is the most likely cause among the potential causes of Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). Understanding the relationship between SVD and SSNHL is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. To confirm the relationship between SVD and SSNHL, the effect of SVD is confirmed by focusing on the duration and recurrence of SSNHL.

Clinical characteristics of the "Gap" between the prevalence and incidence of hearing loss using National Health Insurance Service data.

Objectives: Hearing loss is the inability to hear speech or sounds well, owing to a number of causes. This study aimed to simultaneously determine the prevalence, incidence, and the Gap between them in hearing loss in South Korean patients at the same point in time as well as to identify patients who have not recovered from hearing loss.

Methods: We examined the prevalence and incidence of patients diagnosed with hearing loss in the National Health Insurance Service database over an 11-year period from 2010 to 2020.

A situational analysis of ear and hearing care in South Korea using WHO ear and Hearing Care Situation Analysis tool.

Objectives: The WHO emphasizes lifelong management of hearing diseases such as hearing loss and advocates for prevention. The Ear and Hearing Care Situation Analysis (EHCSA) tool was designed by the WHO for assessment and quality improvement of state-led management of hearing loss prevention and management programs. The purpose of this study was to use the EHCSA to assess the ear and hearing management program in Korea and to establish goals consistent with best practices for improving policies and services related to ear and hearing care.

Effect of changes in the hearing aid subsidy on the prevalence of hearing loss in South Korea.

Objectives: South Korea's National Health Insurance has provided hearing aids to registered individuals with hearing disabilities since 1989. In 2015, hearing aid subsidies increased to approximately US$1,000. This study aimed to understand hearing loss categories in Korea by analyzing patients between 2010 and 2020 and the effect of the 2015 hearing aid policy change on the prevalence of hearing loss.

Precision pulse capsulotomy: performance metrics and utility in routine and complex cases.

Purpose: To evaluate precision pulse capsulotomy (PPC) performance.

Setting: University and private practice in the United States and South Korea.

Design: Multicenter retrospective analysis.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification targeting 18S ribosomal DNA for rapid detection of Acanthamoeba.

Amoebic keratitis (AK) caused by Acanthamoeba is one of the most serious corneal infections. AK is frequently misdiagnosed initially as viral, bacterial, or fungal keratitis, thus ensuring treatment delays. Accordingly, the early detection of Acanthamoeba would contribute significantly to disease management and selection of an appropriate anti-amoebic therapy.