Round-Window Vibroplasty: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Audiological Effectiveness With Different Round-Window Coupling Techniques.

Objective: Active middle ear implants can be directly coupled to the round-window (RW) membrane via RW Vibroplasty. The objectives of this systematic review were to summarize data on different RW coupling techniques and to investigate their effect on audiological and safety outcomes using meta-analyses.

Databases Reviewed: PubMed (MEDLINE), Cochrane Library, and Embase (DIMDI).

Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life after Cochlear Implantation in Patients with Long-Term Deafness.

Background: Hearing-related quality of life (QoL) after cochlear implantation (CI) is as important as audiological performance. We evaluated the functional results and QoL after CI in a heterogeneous patient cohort with emphasis on patients with long-term deafness (>10 years). Methods: Twenty-eight patients (n = 32 implanted ears, within n = 12 long-term deaf ears) implanted with a mid-scala electrode array were included in this retrospective mono-centric cohort study.

Long-term audiological benefit with an active transcutaneous bone-conduction device: a retrospective cohort analysis.

Purpose: To evaluate long-term audiological, surgical and safety outcomes of a complex patient cohort treated with an active transcutaneous bone-conduction device (tBCD).

Methods: This retrospective, monocentric cohort analysis involves 31 adults with conductive (CHL) and mixed hearing loss (MHL). For outcome analysis, study results were divided into short-term follow-up data (< 12 months) and long-term follow-up data (> 12 months).

Sustainability assessment of organic waste management in three EU Cities: Analysing stakeholder-based solutions.

This study focuses on a comprehensive sustainability assessment of the management of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste in Ghent (Belgium), Hamburg (Germany) and Pécs (Hungary). A sustainability assessment framework has been applied to analyse social, environmental, and economic consequences at the midpoint level (25 impact categories) and at the endpoint level (5 areas-of-protection). For each case study, the reference scenario was analysed, along with three solutions to improve the sustainability performance, which were selected and developed with the collaboration of local stakeholders.

Patient-reported long-term benefit with an active transcutaneous bone-conduction device.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term benefits in hearing-related quality of life, patient satisfaction and wearing time of patients rehabilitated with an active transcutaneous bone-conduction device. Adverse events and audiological outcomes are reported as secondary outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective, mono-centric cohort analysis involves 16 adults with conductive or mixed hearing loss with a mean device experience of 51.

Automated detection of electrically evoked stapedius reflexes (eSR) during cochlear implantation.

Introduction: In cochlear implantation, objective fitting methods are needed to optimize audiological results in small children or patients with poor compliance. Intraoperatively measured electrically evoked stapedius reflexes (eSR) can be used as a marker for the patient's discomfort level. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate an automated detection method for eSR and to compare it to the detection rate of the surgeon and independent observers.

Aural and nasal foreign bodies in children - Epidemiology and correlation with hyperkinetic disorders, developmental disorders and congenital malformations.

Objectives: Foreign body incorporation in children is often a serious situation. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could be a risk factor for self-insertion of foreign bodies. Large cohort analyses are missing.

Diagnostic Value of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging With Intratympanic Gadolinium Administration (IT-Gd MRI) Versus Audio-Vestibular Tests in Menière's Disease: IT-Gd MRI Makes the Difference.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the validity and reliability of clinically relevant tests in the diagnosis of Menière's disease (MD) according to the criteria formulated during 2015 as well as their efficacy in detecting endolymphatic hydrops (EH). The focus was on: three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery-SPectral Attenuated Inversion Recovery (3D-FLAIR-SPAIR) sequences using 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (3T MRI) performed 24 hours after intratympanic Gadolinium injection (IT-Gd) in comparison with the functional tests pure tone audiometry (PTA), caloric test, video head impulse test (vHIT), and cervical-vestibular-evoked-myogenic-potentials (cVEMP).

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Three-dimensional force analysis of surgical manipulations at the long process of the incus.

Purpose: Surgical manipulation with application of inappropriate force may damage middle ear structures leading to hearing loss. This work analyzes the forces applied in simulated otosurgical exercises in a laboratory set-up by measuring the spatial components of applied forces with objective assessment criteria. With these criteria, the individual force characteristics applied by the surgeon can be quantified and an objective feedback can be given about their surgical maneuvers.

[Intraoral voice recording-towards a new smartphone-based method for vocal rehabilitation. German version].

After laryngectomy, a new voice is needed. We present the first steps in the development of a smartphone-based method. A microphone is placed in the mouth to record the pseudo-whispering voice of laryngectomized patients.

Intraoral voice recording-towards a new smartphone-based method for vocal rehabilitation.

After laryngectomy, a new voice is needed. We present the first steps in the development of a smartphone-based method. A microphone is placed in the mouth to record the pseudo-whispering voice of laryngectomized patients.

Optical coherence tomography and confocal laser scanning microscopy as non-invasive tools in the diagnosis of sinonasal inverted papilloma: a pilot study.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) are light-based imaging techniques that allow for a visualization of microscopic tissue properties in vivo. Our study was to examine whether they allow for differentiation of inverted papilloma (IP) from nasal polyps (NP). Five cases of IP and NP, respectively, were investigated intraoperatively with OCT and CLSM.

Sevoflurane at 1.0 MAC together with remifentanil and propofol produces clinically acceptable intubation conditions at the vocal cords: A prospective randomized study.

Unlabelled: Objective The overall intubation conditions after tracheal intubation with remifentanil, propofol, and sevoflurane at 1.0 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) are worse than with rocuronium at 0.45 mg/kg.

Hearing Impairment Affects Dementia Incidence. An Analysis Based on Longitudinal Health Claims Data in Germany.

Recent research has revealed an association between hearing impairment and dementia. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of hearing impairment on dementia incidence in a longitudinal study, and whether ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist care, care level, institutionalization, or depression mediates or moderates this pathway. The present study used a longitudinal sample of 154,783 persons aged 65 and older from claims data of the largest German health insurer; containing 14,602 incident dementia diagnoses between 2006 and 2010.

On the origin of ear clicks during deglutition or pressure equalization.

To explore the origin of clicking sounds in the ear during deglutition or other pharyngeal movements, which are interpreted differently in the literature. Experimental study at a tertiary referral centre. Acoustic phenomena during a forced opening test of the Eustachian tube (ET) were studied in a temporal bone model.

Positioning Accuracy in Otosurgery Measured with Optical Tracking.

Objectives: To assess positioning accuracy in otosurgery and to test the impact of the two-handed instrument holding technique and the instrument support technique on surgical precision. To test an otologic training model with optical tracking.

Study Design: In total, 14 ENT surgeons in the same department with different levels of surgical experience performed static and dynamic tasks with otologic microinstruments under simulated otosurgical conditions.

"Physiological" Ear Clicking: Its Origin and Potential Usability as a Test Tool for the Eustachian Tube Function.

Objective: To explore the origin of "physiological" ear clicks during deglutition or other pharyngeal movements, which, in contrast to disturbing frequent clicks under pathologic conditions, mostly remain unnoticed by the patient.

Study Design: Clinical experimental study at a tertiary referral center.

Methods: Ear clicks were recorded by a microphone sealing the external ear canal parallel to endoscopic or manometric evaluations of the Eustachian tube function.

Regional Pattern of Dementia and Prevalence of Hearing Impairment in Germany.

Objectives: To determine the association between hearing impairment and dementia.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Claims data of the Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse, the largest public health insurance company in Germany.

The antileukoprotease secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) and its role in the prevention of HPV-infections in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Recently, we demonstrated a significant inverse correlation between HPV-infection and SLPI-expression suggesting that SLPI protects against HPV-infection of HNSCC. Here we analyzed in a single lab setting 307 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded HNSCC cases (tonsillar n = 135; non-tonsillar: n = 172) from eight health care centers. Samples were analyzed for SLPI gene- and protein-expression.

Can nasal decongestants improve eustachian tube function?

Objective: To evaluate the effect of nasal decongestants on eustachian tube (ET) opening.

Study Design: A prospective nonrandomized study.

Setting: A tertiary referral center.

Geographical and anatomical influences on human papillomavirus prevalence diversity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in Germany.

The increased knowledge regarding HPV-infections in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has unexpectedly contributed to several uncertainties related to i) prevalence diversities depending on tumour site and geographical origin of the patients, ii) proportion of HPV-driven tumours among HPV-DNA-positive cases, and iii) identification of patients with HPV-attributed survival benefit. To investigate this heterogeneity, we analysed 307 HNSCC cases (tonsillar, n=135; non-tonsillar, n=172) from eight health care centers mostly from Northern Germany and determined HPV-DNA/mRNA and p16INK4A-status and combined results with the patient outcome. Overall HPV-DNA prevalence rate was 23.

[Hearing impairment and dementia].

The World Health Organization (WHO) burden of disease study identified dementia and hearing problems as leading causes of loss of quality of life in the industrial world. The prevalence of dementia and hearing problems increases in aging societies. Comorbidity of these two diseases causes increasing demands on healthcare systems.

[Inpatient vs. outpatient costs analysis of septumplasty in Germany].

The septumplasty is realized inpatient and outpatient in different countries. Caused by the pressure of reduction of expenses there is the question of the economic benefit if done outpatient in Germany. A comparison of the inpatient and outpatient gratification will be done.