Randomised, Placebo-Controlled Investigation of the Impact of Probiotic Consumption on Gut Microbiota Diversity and the Faecal Metabolome in Seniors.

Aging has been associated with a changed composition and function of the gut microbiota (GM). Here, we investigate the effects of the multi-strain probiotic HOWARU Restore on GM composition and function in seniors. Ninety-eight healthy adult volunteers aged ≥75 years were enrolled in a randomised, double-blinded intervention (NCT02207140), where they received HOWARU Restore (10 CFU) or the placebo daily for 24 weeks, with 45 volunteers from each group completing the intervention.

Cortical potentials evoked by tone frequency changes can predict speech perception in noise.

Accurate and objective assessment of higher order auditory processing is challenging and mainly relies on evaluations that require a subjects' active participation in tests such as frequency discrimination or speech perception in noise. This study investigates the value of cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) evoked in response to auditory change stimuli, known as acoustic change complexes (ACCs), as an objective measurement of auditory performance in hearing impairment. Secondary objectives were to assess the effect of hearing loss and non-professional musical experience on the ACC, and compare the ACC to the 'conventional' CAEP evoked in response to stimulus onset.

Short-term outcomes of cochlear implantation for single-sided deafness compared to bone conduction devices and contralateral routing of sound hearing aids-Results of a Randomised controlled trial (CINGLE-trial).

Single-sided deafness (SSD) leads to difficulties with speech perception in noise, sound localisation, and sometimes tinnitus. Current treatments (Contralateral Routing of Sound hearing aids (CROS) and Bone Conduction Devices (BCD)) do not sufficiently overcome these problems. Cochlear implants (CIs) may help.

Cortical potentials evoked by tone frequency changes compared to frequency discrimination and speech perception: Thresholds in normal-hearing and hearing-impaired subjects.

Frequency discrimination ability varies within the normal hearing population, partially explained by factors such as musical training and age, and it deteriorates with hearing loss. Frequency discrimination, while essential for several auditory tasks, is not routinely measured in clinical setting. This study investigates cortical auditory evoked potentials in response to frequency changes, known as acoustic change complexes (ACCs), and explores their value as a clinically applicable objective measurement of frequency discrimination.

Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials in Response to Frequency Changes with Varied Magnitude, Rate, and Direction.

Recent literature on cortical auditory evoked potentials has focused on correlations with hearing performance with the aim to develop an objective clinical tool. However, cortical responses depend on the type of stimulus and choice of stimulus parameters. This study investigates cortical auditory evoked potentials to sound changes, so-called acoustic change complexes (ACC), and the effects of varying three stimulus parameters.

Comparison Between Simulated and Actual Unilateral Hearing in Sequentially Implanted Cochlear Implant Users, a Cohort Study.

Previous studies have proven the effectiveness of bilateral cochlear implantation compared to unilateral cochlear implantation. In many of these studies the unilateral hearing situation was simulated by switching off one of the cochlear implants in bilateral cochlear implant users. In the current study we assess the accuracy of this test method.

Pharmacokinetics and safety of tobramycin nebulization with the I-neb and PARI-LC Plus in children with cystic fibrosis: A randomized, crossover study.

Aims: We aimed to compare the pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety profile of tobramycin inhalation solution (TIS) using the I-neb device to the standard PARI-LC Plus nebulizer in children with cystic fibrosis.

Methods: A randomized, open-label, crossover study was performed. In 2 separate study visits, blood samples from 22 children were collected following TIS nebulization with I-neb (75 mg) and PARI-LC Plus (300 mg).

Comparison of Place-versus-Pitch Mismatch between a Perimodiolar and Lateral Wall Cochlear Implant Electrode Array in Patients with Single-Sided Deafness and a Cochlear Implant.

Background: In electric-acoustic pitch matching experiments in patients with single-sided deafness and a cochlear implant, the observed "mismatch" between perceived pitch and predicted pitch, based on the amended Greenwood frequency map, ranges from -1 to -2 octaves. It is unknown if and how this mismatch differs for perimodiolar versus lateral wall electrode arrays.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate if the type of electrode array design is of influence on the electric-acoustic pitch match.

Two binding proteins of the ABC transporter that confers growth of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis ATCC27673 on β-mannan possess distinct manno-oligosaccharide-binding profiles.

Human gut bifidobacteria rely on ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters for oligosaccharide uptake. Multiple oligosaccharide-specific solute-binding protein (SBP) genes are occasionally associated with a single ABC transporter, but the significance of this multiplicity remains unclear. Here, we characterize BlMnBP1 and BlMnBP2, the two SBPs associated to the β-manno-oligosaccharide (MnOS) ABC transporter in Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.

Assessing auditory nerve condition by tone decay in deaf subjects with a cochlear implant.

The condition of the auditory nerve is a factor determining hearing performance of cochlear implant (CI) recipients. Abnormal loudness adaptation is associated with poor auditory nerve survival. We examined which stimulus conditions are suitable for tone decay measurements to differentiate between CI recipients with respect to their speech perception.

No Squelch Effect After Sequential Bilateral Cochlear Implantation in Postlingually Deafened Adults: Is There a First Ear Advantage?

Objectives: To investigate whether a squelch effect develops in postlingually deafened adults after sequential bilateral cochlear implantation.

Study Design: Prospective study as part of a randomized controlled trial on the difference between simultaneous versus sequential bilateral cochlear implantation.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Development and internal validation of a multivariable prediction model for tinnitus recovery following unilateral cochlear implantation: a cross-sectional retrospective study.

Objective: To develop and internally validate a prediction model for tinnitus recovery following unilateral cochlear implantation.

Design: A cross-sectional retrospective study.

Setting: A questionnaire concerning tinnitus was sent to patients with bilateral severe to profound hearing loss, who underwent unilateral cochlear implantation at the University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands, between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2015.

Predicting Performance and Non-Use in Prelingually Deaf and Late-Implanted Cochlear Implant Users.

Objective: To analyze postoperative hearing performance and independent predictors of speech perception and to assess cochlear implant nonuse in adults with prelingual deafness who received an implant during adulthood.

Design: Retrospective cohort study including all prelingually deaf adults who received a cochlear implant at the University Medical Center Utrecht between 2000 and 2013.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Association of Behavior With Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Among Attendees of an Outdoor Music Festival: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: To date, factors associated with noise-induced hearing loss at music festivals have not yet been analyzed in a single comprehensive data set. In addition, little is known about the hearing loss-associated behavior of music festival attendees.

Objectives: To assess which factors are associated with the occurrence of a temporary threshold shift (TTS) after music exposure and to investigate the behavior of music festival attendees.

Auditory hallucinations in adults with hearing impairment: a large prevalence study.

Background: Similar to visual hallucinations in visually impaired patients, auditory hallucinations are often suggested to occur in adults with hearing impairment. However, research on this association is limited. This observational, cross-sectional study tested whether auditory hallucinations are associated with hearing impairment, by assessing their prevalence in an adult population with various degrees of objectified hearing impairment.

Correlation between subjective and objective hearing tests after unilateral and bilateral cochlear implantation.

Background: There are many methods for assessing hearing performance after cochlear implantation. Standard evaluations often encompass objective hearing tests only, while patients' subjective experiences gain importance in today's healthcare. The aim of the current study was to analyze the correlation between subjective (self-reported questionnaires) and objective (speech perception and localization) hearing test results in adult cochlear implant (CI) users.

Tinnitus after Simultaneous and Sequential Bilateral Cochlear Implantation.

Importance: There is an ongoing global discussion on whether or not bilateral cochlear implantation should be standard care for bilateral deafness. Contrary to unilateral cochlear implantation, however, little is known about the effect of bilateral cochlear implantation on tinnitus.

Objective: To investigate tinnitus outcomes 1 year after bilateral cochlear implantation.

Objective and Subjective Measures of Simultaneous vs Sequential Bilateral Cochlear Implants in Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: To date, no randomized clinical trial on the comparison between simultaneous and sequential bilateral cochlear implants (BiCIs) has been performed.

Objective: To investigate the hearing capabilities and the self-reported benefits of simultaneous BiCIs compared with those of sequential BiCIs.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A multicenter randomized clinical trial was conducted between January 12, 2010, and September 2, 2012, at 5 tertiary referral centers among 40 participants eligible for BiCIs.

Automatic Localization of Cochlear Implant Electrode Contacts in CT.

Objectives: Determining the exact location of cochlear implant (CI) electrode contacts after implantation is important, as it helps quantifying the relation between CI positioning and hearing outcome. Unfortunately, localization of individual contacts can be difficult, because the spacing between the electrode contacts is near the spatial resolution limit of high-resolution clinical computed tomography (CT) scanners. This study introduces and examines a simple, automatic method for the localization of intracochlear electrode contacts.

Hearing loss and speech perception in noise difficulties in Fanconi anemia.

Objectives/hypothesis: Fanconi anemia is a hereditary chromosomal instability disorder. Hearing loss and ear abnormalities are among the many manifestations reported in this disorder. In addition, Fanconi anemia patients often complain about hearing difficulties in situations with background noise (speech perception in noise difficulties).

Isolation of a novel protein, P12-from adult Drosophila melanogaster that inhibits deoxyribonucleoside and protein kinase activities and activates 3'-5'- exonuclease activity.

We have previously found that Drosophila melanogaster only has one deoxyribonucleoside kinase, Dm-dNK, however, capable to phosphorylate all four natural deoxyribonucleosides. Dm-dNK was originally isolated from an embryonic cell line. We wanted to study the expression of Dm-dNK during development from embryonic cells to adult flies and found declining Dm-dNK activity during development and no activity in adult flies.

Otologic and audiologic findings in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

Hearing loss is frequently present in the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Our aim was to describe the audiologic and otologic features of patients with 22q11.

Electro-acoustic pitch matching experiments in patients with single-sided deafness and a cochlear implant: Is there a need for adjustment of the default frequency allocation tables?

Patients with single-sided deafness (SSD) and a cochlear implant (CI) can compare the pitch of stimulated electrodes and acoustic tones. A pitch mismatch may negatively bear on the fusion of the signals from the two ears, which may limit auditory performance. We aimed to explore this mismatch, correlate it to performance, and finally to discuss its possible clinical consequences.

Stable benefits of bilateral over unilateral cochlear implantation after two years: A randomized controlled trial.

Objectives/hypothesis: To investigate hearing capabilities and self-reported benefits of simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation (BiCI) compared with unilateral cochlear implantation (UCI) after a 2-year follow-up and to evaluate the learning effect of cochlear implantees over time.

Study Design: Multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Thirty-eight postlingually deafened adults were included in this study and randomly allocated to either UCI or simultaneous BiCI.

Development of a Squelch Effect in Adult Patients After Simultaneous Bilateral Cochlear Implantation.

Objectives: To investigate whether a squelch effect occurs in the first 3 years after simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation and to investigate whether this effect increases during follow-up.

Study Design: Prospective study as part of a multicenter randomized controlled trial that compares simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation to sequential and unilateral cochlear implantation.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.