High-Frequency Gain and Maximum Output Effects on Speech Recognition in Bone-Conduction Hearing Devices: Blinded Study.

Introduction: Bone-conduction hearing device (BCHD) uses natural sound transmission through bone and soft tissue, directly to the cochlea, via an external processor that captures and processes sound, which is converted into mechanical vibrations. Key parameters, as maximum power output (MPO) and broader frequency range (FR), must be considered when indicating a BCHD because they can be decisive for speech recognition, especially under listening challenge conditions.

Objectives: Compare hearing performance and speech recognition in noise of two sound processors (SPs), with different features of MPO and FR, among BCHD users.

Hearing rehabilitation with Baha® transcutaneous and percutaneous systems.

Purpose: Longitudinally verify the influence of auditory tonal thresholds obtained with transcutaneous and percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aids on speech perception in individuals with external and/or middle ear malformation and chronic otitis media.

Methods: Observational, retrospective, longitudinal follow-up study of 30 unilateral users of the transcutaneous and percutaneous Baha® system for the collection of secondary data on pure tone thresholds obtained through free field audiometry and sentence recognition threshold in silence and noise in conditions: without the prosthesis; at the time of activation; in the first month of use (post 1); and in the third month (post 2).

Results: There was a significant difference between pure tone thresholds obtained at frequencies of 3 and 4kHz with better results for the percutaneous technique at all evaluation moments.

Diagnostic accuracy of the video otoscope in tympanic membrane perforation.

Objective: The video otoscope has already proven to be useful for the diagnosis of several pathologies, so the objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the video otoscope in cases of tympanic membrane perforation.

Methods: This is a diagnostic accuracy study performed at the hearing health division of a tertiary-level referral hospital. Patients older than 8 years of age who had any symptom that could be related to perforation (otalgia, otorrhea, tinnitus, and/or hypoacusis) were invited to participate in the study.

Brazilian Society of Otology task force - Otosclerosis: evaluation and treatment.

Objectives: To review and provide evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of otosclerosis.

Methods: Task force members were educated on knowledge synthesis methods, including electronic database search, review and selection of relevant citations, and critical appraisal of selected studies. Articles written in English or Portuguese on otosclerosis were eligible for inclusion.

Evolution of speech perception in patients with ossified cochlea and short array cochlear implant.

Short array cochlear implant is indicated as rehabilitation in patients with severe to profound deafness, especially when there is cochlear ossification. In these cases, with reduced intracochlear patency, total insertion becomes more difficult, requiring the use of this type of electrode (15 mm). Few studies have been published to evaluate auditory performance, presenting controversial audiological results.

Communicative and Hearing Performance in Individuals with Cochlear Implants and Delayed Neuropsychomotor Development: A Longitudinal Analysis.

 Between 15% to 30% of individuals with bilateral prelingual sensorineural hearing loss present with associated disabilities. Cochlear implant (CI) is an alternative treatment that provides consistent access to environmental and speech sounds, which results in significant benefits regarding quality of life and auditory and language development.  To study the auditory and communicative performance of individuals with CI and delayed neuropsychomotor development after a minimum of five years using the device.

Complications and audiological results of percutaneous bone-anchored hearing devices.

Objective: To describe the post-operative complications and audiological results related to percutaneous bone-anchored hearing devices.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of 44 patients with bilateral conductive or mixed hearing loss who were implanted with unilateral Baha Connect or Ponto devices. A generalised linear model for repeated measurements was used.

Conjunctival Swabs Reveal Higher Detection Rate Compared to Schirmer Strips for SARS-CoV-2 RNA Detection in Tears of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in tear samples and to investigate whether it correlates with ocular findings and patients’ prognosis in Brazil. Methods: Tears were collected using Schirmer strips (SS) and conjunctival swabs (CS) from patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Samples were analyzed using qRT-PCR.

Use of Schirmer strips and conjunctival swabs for virus detection on the ocular surface of adults: a scoping review.

Schirmer strips and conjunctival swabs are used in ophthalmology for the collection of tears and fluids. One of the biggest challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic has been accurate diagnosis and, in some cases, ocular manifestations are among the first symptoms. In this context, this study aimed to collect evidence to support the use of Schirmer strips and conjunctival swabs as a method of sample collection for viral analysis.

Long-Term Outcome With an Active Middle Ear Implant in Patients to Bilateral Aural Atresia.

Objective: To describe the audiological results and complications following active middle ear implant (AMEI) surgery in users with bilateral ear atresia.

Study Design: Observational and retrospective longitudinal follow-up.

Setting: A tertiary referral hospital for hearing rehabilitation and craniofacial malformations.

Management of acquired cholesteatoma in patients with craniofacial anomalies: An institutional experience.

Purpose: To analyze the surgical management of cholesteatoma in patients with craniofacial abnormalities, cleft lip/palate by reviewing the institutional experience. The secondary aim was to identify and describe the epidemiological profile of the collected data, and to relate the cleft palate and cholesteatoma.

Design And Methods: This retrospective chart review includes 97 patients with craniofacial abnormalities and acquired cholesteatoma with anatomopathological proven in 118 ears.

Evolution of Acquired Middle Ear Cholesteatoma in Patients With Ectrodactyly, Ectodermal Dysplasia, Cleft Lip/Palate (EEC) Syndrome.

Objective: To review an institutional experience with the surgical and clinical management of acquired middle ear cholesteatoma in patients with ectrodactyly, ectodermal dysplasia, cleft lip/palate (EEC) syndrome.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

An Implantable Hearing System As Rehabilitation for Hearing Loss Due to Bilateral Aural Atresia: Surgical Technique and Audiological Results.

Objective: To demonstrate the surgical technique and audiological results of a middle ear implant for restoring hearing in patients with bilateral aural atresia and microtia with conductive or mixed hearing loss.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective study, 12 subjects aged 12 years and older presenting with hearing loss and bilateral congenital aural atresia underwent surgical insertion of a middle ear implant. The patients underwent tympanomastoidectomy with a wide opening of the attic and preservation of the roof of the atresic tympanic bone to expose the middle ear and position the floating mass transducer of the implant.