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Objective: This study aimed to analyse surgical outcomes of paediatric patients with congenital cholesteatoma according to age. Method: This was a retrospective study reviewing the records of 186 children (136 boys and 50 girls) from August 1993 to January 2016. Patients were divided into three age groups (equal to or less than 3 years, over 3 and less than 7 years, and 7 to 15 years). Results: There were significant differences in chief complaints, location of cholesteatoma in the middle ear, computed tomography findings, operation methods, ossicular erosion and type of cholesteatoma sac among the three groups. In addition, older age, open type cholesteatoma, ossicular erosion and mastoid invasion of cholesteatoma increased the recurrence rate after surgery. However, despite higher pre-operative air–bone gap in older children, hearing can be improved enough after proper surgery with ossicular reconstruction. Conclusion: Delayed detection of paediatric cholesteatoma can lead to extensive disease and the need for an aggressive operation, which can result in worse hearing outcomes and an increased recurrence risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds: Tinnitus can be a debilitating condition, that negatively affects a patient's overall health and social wellbeing. Even moderate cases can interfere with the ability to work and socialize. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of tinnitus, whether it originated from right, left, or both sides, on sound localization process. Material and methods: From Jan 2019 to Jul 2019, a total 59 chronic tinnitus patients were enrolled in this study. Of 59 patients, we selected 42 patients (23 males and 19 females) whose mean hearing were less than 60 dB HL and whose net average hearing of both sides were 15 dB or less. Fifteen patients complained of bilateral tinnitus, while 14 and 13 patients complained of right and left tinnitus respectively. Sound localization using three different 3-second pure tone sounds (500 Hz at 65 dB SPL, 4 kHz at 65 dB SPL, and 4 kHz at 90 dB SPL) was assessed using an array of 7 speakers at head level separated by approximately 30 degrees. Results: There were no significant differences in sound localization ability whether patients complained any type tinnitus. Furthermore, high scores of THI or VAS didn't affect sound localization process. Conclusions: From this study, we concluded that even though patients were suffered from severe tinnitus, they might not have difficulties in sound localization unless there is unilateral of bilateral hearing loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relationship between hearing aid use and the improvement of cognitive function is under investigation. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether hearing aids can recover the temporal resolution or hearing in noise function. Methods: We designed a prospective study of two groups; hearing aid users and control. Patients older than 45 years of age, with pure tone average threshold worse than 40 dB and speech discrimination score better than 60% in both ears were eligible. Central auditory processing tests and hearing in noise test (HINT) were evaluated in the beginning of this study and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the use of hearing aid in HA group and the control group. The changes of the evaluation parameters were statistically analyzed with the linear mixed model. Results: 26 participants (13 in the HA and 13 in the control group) were included in this study. Frequency test (p<0.01) and dichotic test (p=0.04) scores showed significant improvement in the control group after 1 year. HINT scores showed no change. Conclusions: After using HA for 1 year, patients performed better on the tests of temporal resolution. No improvement was documented regarding hearing in noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds: Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is one of the diseases whose mechanism is not fully understood and is not yet fully cured. As one of convincing etiology of ISSNHL is cochlear ischemia, HBO therapy is suggested to be a promising treatment for hearing recovery, especially for the patients with severe hearing loss (over 70 dB). Objectives: The aim of this study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of HBO therapy for patients with ISSNHL who showed severe hearing loss. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who were diagnosed with ISSNHL at Asan medical center from January 2016 to December 2017. All the patients enrolled in this study showed over 70 dB HL on the affected ears. Patients in HBO group received HBO therapy 14 times with systemic and intratympanic steroid therapy, while patients in control group received only systemic and intratympanic steroid therapy. Results: Total 82 patients (83 ears) were enrolled in this study. 37 patients (38 ears) were enrolled for HBO group and 45 patients (45 ears) were enrolled for control group. There were no differences in baseline parameter between two groups; gender, age, affected side, combined symptoms such as tinnitus and dizziness, initial glucose level and initial hearing. After 2-weeks treatment, HBO group showed significantly improved hearing than control group (28.1±26.9 dB in HBO group and 14.8±13.5 dB in control group in W4FA, p<0.05), especially in low frequency (0.5 kHz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, p<0.05). Conclusions: From this study, we strongly recommend HBO therapy as initial treatment option for ISSNHL patients who suffer from severe hearing loss or as salvage treatment option for patients who failed from initial steroid treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate outcomes of elderly patients with cochlear implant (CI) and factors that affect speech performance. Method: Seventy-two elderly patients (60-80 years of age) with post-lingual sensorineural hearing loss who received CI were divided into two groups according to speech performance scores: the poor performance group (monosyllabic word scores <70%, n=40), and the good performance group (monosyllabic word scores ≥70%, n=32). The distribution and contribution of the potential factors related to CI outcomes was compared. We also identified how outcomes in speech,,performance could be predicted according to the causes of hearing loss. Results: The duration of hearing deficit was significantly related with speech performance after CI (the poor performance group: 24.44±19.43, the good performance group: 13.86±15.12, p<0.015*). Significant differences were not found between the two groups for the other factors (age at implantation, pre-operative residual hearing level, vestibular function, presence of associated symptoms (tinnitus, dizziness), education, region of residence (urban/rural), presence of job, and comorbidities). In the case of hearing loss caused by sudden hearing loss, Meniere's disease, otitis media, and otosclerosis, they were similarly distributed between two groups. Traumatic and drug induced hearing losses are usually found in the good performance group. The hearing losses due to unknown origin, presbycusis, and meningitis were mainly distributed in the poor performance group. Conclusions: Better prognosis in the elderly with CI can be expected in patients with short duration of hearing loss. Age at implantation, residual hearing level, and other known individual factors did not significantly influence on speech outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is mounting evidence that healthy living contributes to healthy hearing. Diet, as documented with the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), is a critical factor influencing hearing status over a lifetime. Other healthy lifestyle choices, such as regular vigorous exercise, not smoking, and consistent use of hearing protection during exposure to high intensity noise or music, also contribute importantly to preservation of good hearing. In addition, hearing impairment in adults is associated with a long list of common chronic diseases, for example, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, sleep apnea, and dementia. Conduct a literature search of 'comorbidity' and 'hearing loss' and you will find that the topic is attracting considerable clinical attention and research focus. Five key steps in practicing preventive audiology will be reviewed: 1) Obtaining a comprehensive history including medical conditions and life style factors related to hearing loss; 2) Assessment with a diagnostic test battery that includes procedures with proven sensitivity to subtle auditory dysfunction (e.g., otoacoustic emissions, speech perception in noise tests); 3) Adequate patient counseling about the connection between healthy hearing and life style/healthy living, including strategies for hearing protection; 4) Audiological management to enhance communication, and 5) Close and consistent communication and management coordination with primary care physicians. This presentation offers a clinically feasible approach to maintaining healthy hearing, preventing hearing loss, and promoting quality of life from youth to advanced age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]