The Correlation between Age at Implant, Consistent Device Use, and Language Outcomes for Children Implanted under 18 Months.

Introduction: Research suggests deaf children who receive cochlear implants (CIs) at an early age can achieve age-appropriate language. Recent studies suggest age at full-time CI use is a better predictor of language outcomes than age at implant. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are correlations between age at implantation, establishing consistent device use, and language outcomes in a cohort of young children in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Review of Māori equity in surgical trainee selection.

Background: The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) aims to achieve Māori health equity and cultural safety within the surgical workforce. The RACS Māori Health Strategy and Action Plans encourage Surgical Education and Training (SET) selection criteria that recognizes and credit applicants who identify as Māori or demonstrate competence in Māori health issues. This study investigates the current SET selection criteria for Māori entering surgical specialties.

The Effect of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening on Spoken Language after Cochlear Implantation.

Background: The universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) was fully implemented across New Zealand by 2010 to improve outcomes for children with prelingual deafness. A previous audit undertaken by our center, the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme (SCIP), demonstrated that UNHS has significantly reduced the time to referral and surgery for cochlear implants in these children.

Aims: This study aims to evaluate the relationship between earlier implantation and language development, the time taken to achieve age-appropriate language, and the effect of socioeconomic status on language skills.

Classification of cochlear implant complications using a modified Clavien-Dindo classification.

Objectives: Cochlear implantation (CI) surgery is a highly effective procedure for severe to profound hearing loss, with a low complication rate. There are currently multiple grading systems for CI surgery complications, making comparison of outcomes difficult. We propose a modification to the Clavien-Dindo classification of complications, and use this modified classification to analyse our complications.

Porphyromonas spp., Fusobacterium spp., and Bacteroides spp. dominate microbiota in the course of macropod progressive periodontal disease.

Macropod progressive periodontal disease (MPPD) is a necrotizing, polymicrobial, inflammatory disease commonly diagnosed in captive macropods. MPPD is characterized by gingivitis associated with dental plaque formation, which progresses to periodontitis and then to osteomyelitis of the mandible or maxilla. However, the underlying microbial causes of this disease remain poorly understood.

Pulmonary Actinomycosis in South Australian Koalas ().

Pneumonia has been reported in both free-ranging and captive koalas and a number of causative agents have been described. Between 2016 and 2019, 16 free-ranging and 1 captive koala () from the Mount Lofty Ranges of South Australia were identified with pyogranulomatous lobar pneumonia, which involved the left caudal lobe in 14/17 (82%) cases. Within lesions, numerous gram-positive or gram-variable, non-acid-fast filamentous bacteria were observed in association with Splendore-Hoeppli phenomenon.

In vitro Inhibition of Clinical Isolates of Otitis Media Pathogens by the Probiotic Streptococcus salivarius BLIS K12.

Otitis media is a common childhood infection, frequently requiring antibiotics. With high rates of antibiotic prescribing and increasing antibiotic resistance, new strategies in otitis media prevention and treatment are needed. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro inhibitory activity Streptococcus salivarius BLIS K12 against otitis media pathogens.

No evidence from a systematic review for the use of probiotics to prevent otitis media.

Aim: This systematic review evaluates the current evidence for the use of probiotics in the prevention of acute otitis media (AOM) in children.

Methods: This study is registered with PROSPERO prior to commencement. PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane database were searched using relating keywords.

Pharmacological Issues in Hearing Rehabilitation.

Surgery aimed at hearing rehabilitation risks damaging residual inner ear function, especially cochlear implant surgery. Pharmacological intervention to reduce this risk has shown great promise in animal models. The challenge is to deliver medication to the appropriate part of the inner ear in appropriate concentrations for long enough to be effective.

Patterns of Extended High-frequency Hearing Loss Following Stapes Surgery.

Objective: Thresholds in the extended high-frequency (EHF) range (> 8 kHz) often worsen after otherwise successful stapedectomy. The aims of this study were to document the prevalence of hearing loss from 0.25 to 16 kHz after stapedectomy and the relative rates of transient and permanent EHF hearing loss.

A New Theory for Ménière's Disease: Detached Saccular Otoconia.

Ménière's disease is an inner ear disorder characterized by vertigo attacks, fluctuating and progressive hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness in the affected ear. The pathophysiology of Ménière's disease remains elusive. Theories so far are anatomical variation in the size or position of the endolymphatic sac and duct, viral inflammation or autoimmune involvement of the sac, or a genetically determined abnormality of endolymph control.

Stapedectomy in Teunissen-Cremers Syndrome: Intraoperative Findings and Hearing Outcomes.

Objective: To describe the intraoperative findings and outcomes of stapedectomy surgery in Teunissen-Cremers syndrome.

Patients: A family of three patients with bilateral conductive hearing loss because of Teunissen-Cremers syndrome.

Intervention: Six exploratory tympanotomies and stapedectomies, including one revision operation.

Porphyromonas loveana sp. nov., isolated from the oral cavity of Australian marsupials.

An obligatory anaerobic, Gram-stain-negative coccobacillus with black-pigmented colonies was isolated from the oral cavity of selected Australian marsupial species. Phenotypic and molecular criteria showed that this bacterium was a distinct species within the genus Porphyromonas, and was closely related to Porphyromonas gingivalis and Porphyromonas gulae. This putative novel species and P.

An audit of paediatric referrals to the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme (2009-2014).

Aim: To determine the effect of the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Early Intervention Programme on the age of referral and implantation of prelingually deaf children in the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme.

Method: A retrospective review of data collected prospectively from March 2003 to August 2014.

Results: 123 children were referred to the programme with prelingual deafness in the time period.

Educational, employment, and social participation of young adult graduates from the paediatric Southern Cochlear Implant Programme, New Zealand.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to observe the education and vocational achievements and social participation of cochlear implant recipients as they graduate from a paediatric cochlear implant programme and identify any significant associations that might exist.

Method: This study identified 56 patients from the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme (SCIP) who received cochlear implants before the age of 19 (paediatric) and are now over the age of 19 (adult). A questionnaire investigated their education, employment, and identity with the hearing and deaf communities.