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The study describes a novel method for tinnitus screening in rats by use of gap detection reflex procedures. The authors hypothesized that if a background acoustic signal was qualitatively similar to the rat's tinnitus, poorer detection of a silent gap in the background would be expected. Rats with prior evidence of tinnitus at 10 kHz (n = 14) exhibited significantly worse gap detection than controls (n = 13) when the gap was embedded in a background similar to their tinnitus. No differences between tinnitus and control rats were found with 16 kHz or broadband noise backgrounds, which helped to rule out explanations related to hearing loss or general performance deficits. The results suggest that gap detection reflex procedures might be effective for rapid tinnitus screening in rats. Keywords: tinnitus, screening, behavior, gap detection, startle

Abstract Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rare type of spongiform encephalopathy. Affected patients present with constitutional symptoms, which progress to severe mental deterioration and movement disorders. Dizziness is the most common [...]

The search for an effective medication that will eliminate tinnitus has a long history. Currently, no drugs exist that universally cure tinnitus. Pharmacologic interventions that have been investigated can be divided into those that attempt to eliminate the perception of tinnitus, and those that are designed to treat the negative comorbidities associated with tinnitus, thereby mitigating tinnitus’ negative impact on quality of life. A third category of drugs can also be considered that addresses an identified pathologic condition that has tinnitus as an associated symptom (for example, Meniere’s disease, otosclerosis, migraine-associated vertigo). This third category is not addressed.

Tinnitus is a consequence of changes in auditory and nonauditory neural networks following damage to the cochlea. Homeostatic compensatory mechanisms occur after hearing loss and these mechanisms alter the balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. In many individuals with hearing loss, chronic tinnitus and related phenomena emerge. Some people with tinnitus are disturbed by this subjective sensation. When auditory network dysfunction is coupled with limbic-gating dysfunction, an otherwise meaningless auditory percept such as tinnitus may acquire negative emotional features. The development of effective treatment options is enhanced by the understanding of the neural networks underpinning tinnitus.

Subjective tinnitus is the sensation of hearing a sound in the absence of an external stimulus. Although an estimated 30 million Americans experience chronic tinnitus, only a small percentage are significantly bothered by the sensation. However, this population is currently in need of effective therapy that reduces the impact of tinnitus. Tinnitus retraining therapy has been promoted as an effective intervention for treating chronic bothersome tinnitus from any etiology. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of tinnitus retraining therapy on the loudness and annoyance of tinnitus with a control group.

Objectives/Hypothesis:This study evaluated the effectiveness of gabapentin in treating chronic tinnitus in two populations: participants with tinnitus with associated acoustic trauma and participants with tinnitus without associated acoustic trauma. The hypothesis was that gabapentin would decrease both subjective and objective features of tinnitus in the trauma group but would be less effective in the nontrauma group.

The current understanding of mechanisms of tinnitus generation is continuing to advance. This review is intended to outline new knowledge in the areas of neuroanatomy, physiology, psychophysics, and brain imaging that are revealing novel mechanisms of tinnitus development. Advances in these areas will open new avenues for effective treatment of tinnitus.

An animal model of tinnitus was developed to study chronic salicylate-induced tinnitus in rats. Novel features of the model included oral dosing of salicylate, test stimuli that included a range of pure tones and silence, and assessment of tinnitus for several months. Experimental subjects were given sodium salicylate in their drinking water while control subjects received normal tap water. Subjects were conditioned to press a lever for food in the presence of continuous white noise. At random intervals, offset of the noise was paired with a noxious stimulus, resulting in cessation of lever pressing during the silent test periods. At other randomly scheduled intervals, a test tone was substituted for the white noise, unpaired with noxious stimuli. When the test stimuli were pure tones, the salicylate-treated subjects suppressed less than the control subjects. One explanation for this result is that the experimental subjects' sensations of tones were noisier than those of the controls because experimental subjects were experiencing tinnitus.

The use of autogenous fat for augmentation of the paralyzed vocal fold is a promising substitute for alternate injectable material such as Teflon (polytef paste, polytetrafluoroethylene; Ethicon) and Gelfoam (absorbable gelatin sponge; Upjohn). Long-term histologic evaluation of fat grafts to the larynx has not previously been reported in the literature. We present a case report of autogenous fat augmentation of a paralyzed vocal fold with documentation of persistent fat graft present 5 months after transplant

The sinus tympani (ST) is a critical anatomic region of the temporal bone. It lies medial to the facial nerve, between the ponticulus and the subiculum, and therefore is not easily visualized by routine surgical approaches to the middle ear and mastoid. This limited access makes the ST a site that is notorious for residual cholesteatoma. An extensive evaluation of the anatomic dimensions of the ST was made from human temporal bones. Three hundred twenty-seven bones were examined at four standardized levels to describe the dimensions and anatomic relationships of the ST with other structures of the temporal bone. The region of the stapedial tendon was found to be the most limited anatomic substructure in the vicinity of the ST. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a retrofacial approach to the ST as an aid in eradication of otherwise hidden disease.

A needs assessment was conducted among 445 nurse educators and nurse managers in a northeastern metropolitan area to determine the content for computer courses. Collaboration occurred between representatives of nursing education and nursing practice for the development of the survey. The major finding was that there are definite differences between nurse educators and nurse managers regarding computer applications.

Parotid enlargement is common in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1. We present a case of cytomegalovirus infection of the parotid gland in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This case is notable because fine-needle aspiration provided the diagnosis. We therefore present a quick and inexpensive method of detecting a potentially fatal infection that has previously been unrecognized by the medical community.(Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1994;120:414-416)

The article shares the author's first classroom teaching experiences with details including the challenges for teachers on how to prepare her students on reading and writing activities, changes in teaching methods and tips for creating a classroom teaching management.

The article presents questions and answers related to tinnitus including why tinnitus sound varies and herbal medications for tinnitus.