Wideband acoustic immittance in superior semicircular canal dehiscence.

Objective: The apparent effect of superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) on middle ear- and cochlear impedance has led researchers to investigate the use of wideband acoustic immittance as a screening tool when SSCD is suspected. The purpose of the study was to describe the absorbance characteristics and tympanometric values of ears with confirmed SSCD measured at tympanometric peak pressure (TPP) and at ambient pressure.

Methods: Wideband Acoustic Immittance was performed at ambient pressure and at TPP on ten participants (12 ears) with confirmed SSCD, as well as on an age- and gender matched control group (12 ears).

Assessing the Clinical Value of Objective and Patient-Reported Audiovestibular Outcome Measures in the Risk Estimation of Systemic Cobalt Toxicity for Patients With a Metal-on-Metal Hip Implant.

Objectives: Based on limited evidence from case reports and small cohort studies of metal-on-metal (MoM) hip implant patients with presumed systemic cobalt (Co) toxicity, and a few animal studies on Co-induced damage to the otovestibular system, it was hypothesised that Co exhibits an ototoxic potential alongside other systemic manifestations. Preliminary investigations from our research group in MoM patients confirmed this assumption for the auditory system, whereas no signs of Co-induced vestibular impairment were detected, and a clear dose-response relationship between the auditory function and the blood Co levels was lacking. Therefore, the current study aimed to extend and validate these findings in a larger sample of MoM patients and control subjects, to explore the potential clinical value of audiovestibular outcome measures in the risk estimation of systemic Co toxicity in this patient population.

Leisure Noise Exposure and Associated Health-Risk Behavior in Adolescents: An Explanatory Study among Two Different Educational Programs in Flanders.

Adolescents frequently engage in noisy leisure activities which can result in hearing-related problems. However, the effect of leisure noise exposure is liable to an individual's risk-taking behavior. Identifying leisure noise activities and relevant factors related to risk-taking behavior in adolescents, are important to optimize hearing conservation programs targeting youngsters.

Short-Term Test-Retest Reliability of Contralateral Suppression of Click-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions in Normal-Hearing Subjects.

Purpose The objective of the current study was to investigate the short-term test-retest reliability of contralateral suppression (CS) of click-evoked otoacoustic emissions (CEOAEs) using commercially available otoacoustic emission equipment. Method Twenty-three young normal-hearing subjects were tested. An otoscopic evaluation, admittance measures, pure-tone audiometry, measurements of CEOAEs without and with contralateral acoustic stimulation (CAS) to determine CS were performed at baseline ( = 23), an immediate retest without and with refitting of the probe (only CS of CEOAEs; = 11), and a retest after 1 week ( = 23) were performed.

The correlation between hair and eye colour and contralateral suppression of otoacoustic emissions.

Unlabelled: Genetics and environmental factors frequently influence individual's susceptibility to hearing loss. It is postulated that melanin in the inner ear is related to individual's susceptibility to noise induced hearing loss (NIHL). General pigmentation in turn, suspected to be related to the amount of pigmentation in the inner ear.

The ototoxic potential of cobalt from metal-on-metal hip implants: a pilot study on the patient-reported auditory, vestibular, and general neurological outcome.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically investigate the ototoxic potential of cobalt in patients with a metal-on-metal (MoM) hip implant, using objective auditory and vestibular assessments and a questionnaire. The results of the objective evaluation were published previously, whereas the current study focused on the questionnaire outcome and its relationship to the blood cobalt level. Twenty patients (33-65 years) with a primary MoM hip implant and 20 non-implanted control subjects, matched for age, gender, and noise exposure, received a questionnaire to evaluate the presence of several hearing and balance symptoms (part 1) and general neurological issues (part 2).

Diagnostic accuracy of CE Chirp.

Objective: There has been an increase in the use of the CE-Chirp stimulus in automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) equipment for neonatal hearing screening. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the LS CE-Chirp-evoked auditory brainstem response (ABR) compared to the click-evoked ABR for the identification of different degrees and configurations of sensorineural (SNHL) hearing loss.

Method: 49 ears with mild to moderate SNHL were assessed: 16 ears with rising SNHL and 33 ears with sloping high frequency SNHL.

Auditory, video head impulse test and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials findings in adults with human immunodeficiency virus.

Objectives: Even though there is an association between hearing loss and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), particularly in low- and middle-income countries, further research is needed to investigate the nature of such hearing loss. Likewise, despite documented vestibular alterations in people with HIV, the true occurrence, presentation, and nature of these manifestations are yet to be established. Advances in technology for vestibular testing has allowed for objective site-of-lesion tests such as the video head impulse test (vHIT), cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPs) and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (oVEMPs).

Health-related quality of life in South African children who use cochlear implants.

To describe health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes of school-going paediatric cochlear implant (CI) recipients in a South African cohort from the perspectives of parents. Parents of school-going CI recipients completed the Children with Cochlear Implants: Parental Perspectives (CCIPP) CI-specific HRQoL questionnaire. The effect of different demographic variables on HRQoL outcomes was also determined.

Analysis of probe fitting stimulus properties on transient evoked otoacoustic emissions.

The objectives of the current study are first, to evaluate the subjective evaluation of probe fitting stimulus properties, and second, to analyse the effects of different probe fittings on transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) response and noise amplitudes in subjects. The Q methodology was used to sort 48 probe fittings differing in stimulus properties in seven categories from totally unacceptable to certainly acceptable. Further, TEOAE response and noise amplitudes were measured in one baseline condition with optimal probe fitting and eight experimental conditions with less than optimal probe fittings.

The Ototoxic Potential of Cobalt From Metal-on-Metal Hip Implants: Objective Auditory and Vestibular Outcome.

Objectives: During the past decade, the initial popularity of metal-on-metal (MoM) hip implants has shown a progressive decline due to increasingly reported implant failure and revision surgeries. Local as well as systemic toxic side effects have been associated with excessive metal ion release from implants, in which cobalt (Co) plays an important role. The rare condition of systemic cobaltism seems to manifest as a clinical syndrome with cardiac, endocrine, and neurological symptoms, including hearing loss, tinnitus, and imbalance.

Dietary changes and its psychosocial moderators during the university examination period.

Purpose: Stress is thought to stimulate unhealthy dietary choices towards fat and sweet foods. Nevertheless, individual vulnerabilities might exist depending on psychological factors. We wanted to check dietary change during examination stress via a longitudinal study, while identifying risk groups via moderation by eating behavior (emotional/external/restrained), food choice motive, taste preference, reward/punishment sensitivity, impulsivity, coping strategies, sedentary behavior, social support, living in a student home and being a first-year student.

Cobalt toxicity in humans-A review of the potential sources and systemic health effects.

Cobalt (Co) and its compounds are widely distributed in nature and are part of numerous anthropogenic activities. Although cobalt has a biologically necessary role as metal constituent of vitamin B, excessive exposure has been shown to induce various adverse health effects. This review provides an extended overview of the possible Co sources and related intake routes, the detection and quantification methods for Co intake and the interpretation thereof, and the reported health effects.

Preliminary psychometric performance of the Neonatal Feeding Assessment Scale.

Objective: The objective was to determine the preliminary psychometric performance of a new clinical feeding scale to diagnose oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD) in neonates.

Methods: Twenty neonates with a median gestational age of 35 weeks were evaluated using the Neonatal Feeding Assessment Scale (NFAS) and modified barium swallow studies (MBSS). The results were compared.

'Standard' versus 'nose reference' electrode placement for measuring oVEMPs with air-conducted sound: Test-retest reliability and preliminary patient results.

Objectives: This study compared two electrode placements ('standard' versus 'nose reference' placement) for measuring oVEMPs, elicited by air-conducted 500Hz tone bursts. The test-retest reliability of both positions was evaluated and additionally both electrode placements were applied on a group of vestibular patients.

Methods: Eighteen healthy volunteers (range of 20-25years) participated in the first part and were retested after one week for evaluation of the test-retest reliability.

Development of a clinical feeding assessment scale for very young infants in South Africa.

Background: There is a need for validated neonatal feeding assessment instruments in South Africa. A locally developed instrument may contribute to standardised evaluation procedures of high-risk neonates and address needs in resource constrained developing settings.

Objective: The aim of the study was to develop and validate the content of a clinical feeding assessment scale to diagnose oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD) in neonates.

Predictors of health-related quality of life in adult cochlear implant recipients in South Africa.

Objective: To identify and describe predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes for adult cochlear implant (CI) recipients in South Africa.

Design: A retrospective study of adult CI recipients was conducted and cross-sectional HRQoL outcome data were added at the time of data collection, using the Nijmegen Cochlear Implant Questionnaire (NCIQ). Twenty-two potential predictive factors were identified from the retrospective dataset, including demographic, hearing loss, CI and risk-related factors.

Predictors of pediatric cochlear implantation outcomes in South Africa.

Objective: To identify and describe predictors of pediatric cochlear implantation outcomes in a South African population.

Methods: A retrospective study of 301 pediatric cochlear implant (CI) recipients from five CI programs was conducted and cross-sectional outcome data were added at the time of data collection. Twenty potential prognostic factors were identified from the retrospective dataset, including demographical, CI, risk and family factors.

Early detection of communication delays with the PEDS tools in at-risk South African infants.

Background: Prevalence of communication delays or disorders is increasing, possibly because of various environmental risk factors. Selection and implementation of effective screening tools are important to detect at-risk infants as early as possible. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of the Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS), PEDS-Developmental Milestones and PEDS tools to detect communication delays in infants (6-12 months) in a South African primary healthcare context.

Risks associated with communication delays in infants from underserved South African communities.

Background: For optimal development young children need warm, responsive, enriched and communicative environments for learning social, language, and other skills. Infants and toddlers exposed to psychosocial risk lack enriched environments and may present with communication delays.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between psychosocial risks and communication delays in infants from underserved communities in South Africa.

Hearing in young adults. Part II: The effects of recreational noise exposure.

Great concern arises from recreational noise exposure, which might lead to noise-induced hearing loss in young adults. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of recreational noise exposure on hearing function in young adults. A questionnaire concerning recreational noise exposures and an audiological test battery were completed by 163 subjects (aged 18-30 years).

Hearing in young adults. Part I: The effects of attitudes and beliefs toward noise, hearing loss, and hearing protector devices.

There is great concern regarding the development of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in youth caused by high sound levels during various leisure activities. Health-orientated behavior of young adults might be linked to the beliefs and attitudes toward noise, hearing loss, and hearing protector devices (HPDs). The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of attitudes and beliefs toward noise, hearing loss, and HPDs on young adults' hearing status.

Developmental screening in South Africa: comparing the national developmental checklist to a standardized tool.

Background: Worldwide, more than 200 million children in low- and middle-income countries have developmental delays and/or disabilities. In South Africa the only nationally implemented developmental 'screening' tool is integrated as part of 'The Road to Health Booklet (RTHB).

Method: The study employed a comparative cross-sectional within-subject design to evaluate the accuracy of the RTHB developmental checklist against a standardized international tool i.

cVEMPs: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was performed to determine the effect of stimulus type, SCM muscle activation method, transducer type, and method to control SCM muscle EMG level on response parameter values for 0.1-ms click-evoked and 500-Hz tone burst cVEMPs. A description of normative response values was attempted.