Genotypes and clinical phenotypes of pediatric patients with NOG variants: Middle ear surgical outcomes from a Tertiary Center in South Korea.

Objective: Although NOG variants are linked to congenital stapes fixation and conductive hearing loss (CHL), little is known about middle ear surgery outcomes and the characteristics of accompanying inner ear anomalies. We explored auditory phenotypes in patients with NOG variants, with a focus on the outcomes of middle ear surgery.

Methods: This study included 11 patients from five unrelated Korean families harboring NOG variants.

Otologic Manifestations in Patients with Achondroplasia: A Multicenter Study.

Background: Achondroplasia, the most prevalent form of skeletal dysplasia involving short stature, necessitates a multidisciplinary approach that includes otology and auditory rehabilitation. Despite this, the clinical characteristics of hearing loss and otologic manifestations in achondroplasia patients remain poorly defined. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and treatment outcomes of otologic disease in individuals with achondroplasia.

Long Term Surgical Outcome of Canal-Tympanoplasty in Patients with Schuknecht Type B Congenital Aural Stenosis.

Background: Congenital aural atresia (CAA) is a complex condition that can present in various forms, including Schuknecht type B stenosis, characterized by a congenitally narrow bony external auditory canal (EAC). This study aims to evaluate the long-term surgical outcomes of canal-tympanoplasty in patients with CAA Schuknecht type B.

Methods: The study included 21 ears diagnosed with CAA Schuknecht type B that underwent canal-tympanoplasty.

Hearing loss phenotypes in Alport syndrome: experience in a tertiary referral center.

Background: Despite previous reports of auditory phenotypes in Alport syndrome (AS), there have been no studies specifically addressing audiological phenotypes in South Korea. Herein, we elaborated on the audiological characteristics associated with AS based on their genotypes.

Methods: We reviewed data from in-house AS patients between March 2014 and February 2023, excluding those without audiological documentation or genetic diagnoses.

Quality of life, physical symptoms, and psychological symptoms according to the status of chronic vestibulopathy.

Objectives: Symptomatic vestibulopathy impairs patients' lives. However, few studies have explored the lives of patients with compensated or asymptomatic vestibulopathy. This study investigated the quality of life (QOL), psychological health, and physical function of patients with vestibulopathy.

Consensus Statement: Postoperative Management After Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube.

Objectives: Balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube (BDET) is widely recognized as a minimally invasive treatment for obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). We employed a Delphi consensus methodology to develop recommendations for the clinical management of BDET in cases of obstructive ETD.

Methods: A Delphi panel consisting of 26 expert physicians specializing in otology participated in two rounds of anonymous, iterative questionnaires.

Efficacy of biologics for eosinophilic otitis media.

Background: Eosinophilic otitis media (EOM) is an intractable condition primarily treated with steroids. Recently, biologics targeting IgE or IL-5 have been introduced.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of biologics for EOM.

Functional Outcomes of Single-Stage Facial Reanimation Surgery With Radical Parotidectomy.

Objectives: Facial nerve sacrifice during radical parotidectomy can impair quality of life. This study assessed the effectiveness of single-stage facial reanimation surgery performed concurrently with radical parotidectomy in restoring facial function.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent single-stage facial reanimation combined with radical parotidectomy.

Nationwide Prevalence of Video Head Impulse Test Abnormality and its Risk Factors in South Korea.

Objective: To identify the prevalence of and relevant information for video head impulse test (vHIT) abnormality in a large population.

Study Design: A cross-sectional design.

Setting: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2021.

Higher exposure to 1,3-butadiene is associated with more severe hearing loss.

While volatile organic compounds (VOCs) impair various organs, their influence on hearing loss (HL) has not been extensively researched. We aimed to identify the association between VOCs and HL or high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL). We extracted data on age, sex, pure tone audiometry, hypertension, occupational noise exposure, and creatinine-corrected urine VOC metabolite concentrations from the eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey.

Insufficient nutrient intake in individuals with disabling hearing loss and the restoration of nutritional sufficiency in hearing aid users.

Hearing loss affects some nutrient intake. Disabling hearing loss may exacerbate these issues. We aimed to evaluate nutrient intake and assess deficiencies based on functional hearing status.

Biosafety and potency of high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid with intratympanic dexamethasone delivery for acute hearing loss.

This study evaluated the potential of high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HHA) as an intratympanic (IT) drug delivery vehicle for dexamethasone (D) in treating acute hearing loss. We compared the efficacy, safety, and residence time of HHA to the standard-of-care IT drug delivery method. Endoscopic examinations were used to track tympanic membrane (TM) healing post-IT injection.

Endolymphatic hydrops asymmetry distinguishes patients with Meniere's disease from normal controls with high sensitivity and specificity.

Background: Many endolymphatic hydrops (EH) MRI studies in the literature do not include a normal control group. Consequently, it remains unclear which outcome measure in EH MRI can most effectively distinguish between MD patients and normal controls.

Methods: Gadolinium-enhanced EH imaging was performed to quantitatively evaluate the extents of hydrops in MD patients and age-/sex-matched normal controls.

Neural correlation of speech envelope tracking for background noise in normal hearing.

Everyday speech communication often occurs in environments with background noise, and the impact of noise on speech recognition can vary depending on factors such as noise type, noise intensity, and the listener's hearing ability. However, the extent to which neural mechanisms in speech understanding are influenced by different types and levels of noise remains unknown. This study aims to investigate whether individuals exhibit distinct neural responses and attention strategies depending on noise conditions.

The effect of topic familiarity and volatility of auditory scene on selective auditory attention.

Selective auditory attention has been shown to modulate the cortical representation of speech. This effect has been well documented in acoustically more challenging environments. However, the influence of top-down factors, in particular topic familiarity, on this process remains unclear, despite evidence that semantic information can promote speech-in-noise perception.

Dual viscosity mixture vehicle for intratympanic steroid treatment modifies the ROS and inflammation related proteomes.

Until recently, the most standard treatment for sensorineural or sudden hearing loss, which is caused by inner ear damage or deterioration, has been systemic oral steroid administration. In recent, intratympanic steroid injections such as dexamethasone have been used for the treatment of sudden hearing loss as well. It is injected into the tympanic cavity through its membrane and is expected to diffuse over the round window located between the tympanic cavity and the inner ear.

The Treatment Outcome of Smart Device-Based Tinnitus Retraining Therapy: Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) is a standard treatment for tinnitus that consists of directive counseling and sound therapy. However, it is based on face-to-face education and a time-consuming protocol. Smart device-based TRT (smart-TRT) seems to have many advantages, but the efficacy of this new treatment has been questioned.