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Background and Aim: Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is recommended by specialists for curing the patients more than other conventional treatments. In tinnitus management, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the only EBP-based method. Different factors, such as training, can affect the therapists' attitudes towards the use of these treatments. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a training program in CBT on Iranian audiologists' attitudes towards using CBT for tinnitus management. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 88 audiologists (including 65 females) with a mean age of 33±9.54 years, who were randomly divided into two groups of intervention (receiving CBT training) and control (no training). The data were collected by a researcher-made demographic/clinical questionnaire and the Persian version of the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale-35 (EBPAS-P35), which was completed before and after training. Results: Comparison of the total score of EBPAS-P35 showed a significant difference in the intervention groups before and after training (p<0.001). In addition, all EBPAS-P35 subscales scores were significantly different before and after training in the intervention group (p<0.001). A positive significant correlation was observed between the total score of the EBPAS-P35 and two factors of age (r=0.38, p=0.009) and clinical experience (r=0.34, p=0.009). Conclusion: Training in CBT can improve the attitude of audiologists in Iran towards using CBT for tinnitus management in patients. The age and clinical experience can affect the attitude of audiologists toward using CBT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) as an annoying complication after spinal anaesthesia and is of great importance in patients undergoing caesarean section. Objectives. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nasal oxytocin on the incidence and severity of PDPH after caesarean section. Material and methods. This double-blinded randomised clinical trial was carried out on 170 patients undergoing elective caesarean section in Kamali Hospital, Karaj, Iran, from May 2021 to September 2021. Participants were randomly assigned to receive three puffs of intranasal oxytocin (30 IU) (intervention group) or intranasal normal saline (0.3 ml of 0.09% saline solution) (control group) as a placebo right after delivery. The occurrence of PDPH was the primary outcome, and participants were also asked about the use of analgesics and associated symptoms. Results. The results showed that the rate of PDPH was not significantly different between the two groups at 12 (p = 0.108) and 72 (p = 0.245) hours after surgery, but it significantly reduced the incidence of PDPH at 24 (p = 0.022) and 48 hours (p = 0.042). Oxytocin did not reduce the analgesic requirement compared to the control group (p > 0.05). Oxytocin did not significantly mitigate PDPH associated symptoms, including tinnitus, vertigo, nausea and double vision (p > 0.05). Conclusions. Administration of intranasal oxytocin in combination with routine analgesic for post-dural puncture headache after caesarean section is beneficial and reduces the incidence of headache after 24 and 48 hours of surgery. Use of nasal oxytocin has no effect on the need for sedation and reduction of associated symptoms (dizziness, diplopia, nausea, tinnitus). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: This study aimed to investigate the performance of visual search and attention functions of aeronauts based on transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Methods: This study was a non-randomized, semi-experimental, with a single-blind crossover design. The statistical population of the study was military aviators of a training center in Tehran in 2022. Twelve aeronauts (mean age 37.53 ± 4.82) were selected by purposive sampling method and were examined in three rounds under extracranial electrical stimulation with an interval of two days for each stimulation. measurement tools included continuous performance tests and Concentration Attention Test. Results: The results of testing the hypotheses using analysis of covariance showed that direct electrical stimulation of the brain has a significant effect on reducing the visual search response time and increasing the correct visual search response (P≤0.5). Also, direct electrical stimulation of the brain had a significant effect on reducing the response time of tinnitus and the correct response of tinnitus by aerobic trainers. Also, the study of the difference in stimulation position showed that Anodal stimulation is more effective than other stimulation positions (P≤0.05). Conclusion: It seems that transcranial electrical stimulation of the brain can be used to maintain concentration and manage the attention of the aeronaut (that is, they have awareness and control at any moment and their attention is best directed to the signals related to the goal). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tinnitus can be associated with many auditory and non-auditory factors, and its prevalence varies widely in the literature. There is no large sample of published data on tinnitus prevalence and its associated factors in Iran. Here, we analyzed the PERSIAN Guilan Cohort Study (PGCS) data and reported the prevalence of tinnitus and some of the risk factors related to tinnitus in the Iranian population. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 10520 men and women between 35 and 70 years old. The prevalence of tinnitus and associations between tinnitus and age, sex, habitat, marital status, employment status, socioeconomic status, educational level, lifestyle habits, and comorbid diseases were examined using simple and multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: The prevalence of tinnitus was 6.4% in this study. Based on the adjusted analysis, only older age (odds ratio: 2.60, 95% confidence interval: 1.88 - 3.60), residency in a rural area (odds ratio: 1.22, 95% confidence interval: 1.03 - 1.44), cigarette smoking (odds ratio:1.33, 95% confidence interval: 1.04 - 1.72), and having other comorbidities (odds ratio: 2.75, 95% confidence interval: 2.19 - 3.44) were related to tinnitus. In addition, the results of subgroup analyses by sex were mostly consistent with the overall analysis. Conclusions: Our results revealed that the prevalence of tinnitus in the north of Iran is comparable with other communities. Age and other comorbidities were among the most related factors to tinnitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Tinnitus is defined a phantom sound percept. Few studies have examined the occurrence of synaptopathy in tinnitus patients utilizing a battery of tests that indicate synaptopathy. This study aimed to investigate the role of synaptopathy in tinnitus production and compare the various characteristics of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) test and electrocochleography (ECochG) in normal-hearing people with and without tinnitus. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 34 normal-hearing individuals, 20 without tinnitus as controls (11 females and 9 males) and 14 with tinnitus (8 females and 6 men). The test components (amplitude, growth and slope of wave I, V/I ratio, action potential (AP) amplitude, and summating potential (SP)/AP) ratio were recorded during the ABR and ECochG tests for each subject. Results: The control group had higher mean values of amplitude, growth and slope of wave I, and AP amplitude compared to the tinnitus group, and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean V/I ratio and SP/AP ratio were lower in the control group than in the tinnitus group, and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: The significant difference in the parameters of ABR and ECochG tests between normal-hearing people with and without tinnitus indicates that these parameters can be used to evaluate the presence of synaptopathy in tinnitus patients. These findings suggest the need for proper interpretation of the results of ABR and ECochG tests in tinnitus patients with a focus on the parameters indicating synaptopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Tinnitus is a subjective auditory symptom referred to the perception of sound in the absence of external stimuli, and there is no definite treatment for it. Rehabilitation methods and laser therapy have been recommended used for its management. This study aimed to investigate the photobiological effects of lowlevel laser therapy (LLLT) and tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) in patients with acoustic traumainduced tinnitus. Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 60 patients suffering from acoustic trauma-induced tinnitus for more than six months, divided into three groups of LLLT, TRT and LLLT + TRT. The Persian version of tinnitus handicap inventory (P-THI), visual analog scale (VAS), and loudness match (LM) scale were used to collect data. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS version.22 software. The effect of time, group and time × group on the scores of VAS, LM, P-THI and its subscales were examined. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between LLLT + TRT and LLLT groups after intervention in terms of LM (p = 0.002) and VAS (p = 0.001) variables, but no statistical significance for P-THI and its subscales (p = 0.442) was found. Conclusion: Combination of LLLT and TRT, as a therapeutic protocol, is recommended due to their remarkable effects in reducing acoustic trauma-induced tinnitus symptoms. The use of LLLT method alone, however, is not recommended due to its lower effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Tinnitus can affect daily life. The evaluation of the affected aspects of life quality is highly dependent on the subjects'perception. Self-report questionnaires have been used to identify these affected aspects. In the present study, the relationship between the Persian versions of tinnitus functional index (TFI-P) and tinnitus handicap inventory (THI-P) was investigated. Methods: This is a comparative cross-sectional study conducted on 28 hearing-impaired and 27 normal hearing subjects with tinnitus in aged 18-60 years selected according to the inclusion criteria. Both groups completed the TFI-P and THI-P. Results: There was a significant and relatively strong relationship between the total scores of THI-P and TFI-P (r = 0.65) and also between the emotional subscale of TFI-P and the catastrophic subscale of THI-P (r = 0.73). Moreover, there was a moderate relationship between age factor and total score of TFI-P (r = -0.32), and between the cognitive subscale of TFI-P and age (r = 0.40). However, no significant difference was found between hearing-impaired and normal hearing subjects in terms of the total score and subscale scores of TFI-P. Furthermore, we found a significant difference between female and male subjects in terms of the relaxation subscale of TFI-P, and between duration of tinnitus and the quality of life subscale (r = 0.33). Conclusion: The scores of the THI-P and TFI-P questionnaires are related to each other and they can be used for measuring the negative effects of tinnitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Anxiety and depression are prevalent psychological disorders accompany tinnitus that have adverse effects on quality of life of these patients and on the outcomes of rehabilitation programs. The goal of this study was determining and quantifying the relation among perceived tinnitus severity, its psychoacoustic parameters and anxiety symptoms in hearing-impaired individuals with subjective chronic tinnitus and residual inhibition (RI) by using Persian version of Spielberger's State- Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), tinnitus handicap inventory-Persian version (THI-P) and visual analogue scale (VAS) besides psychometric evaluations. Methods: Fourteen patients with chronic tinnitus were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Conventional psychoacoustic tinnitus evaluations (i.e. determining quality of tinnitus, pitch matching, loudness matching, minimum masking level and RI) were conducted for all subjects, and they also completed the Persian version of STAI and THI-P. For screening of tinnitus perceived loudness and distress, VAS was used. Results: There was no correlation among THI-P, VAS scores and psychoacoustic parameters. There was a positive significant correlation between THI-P and Persian STAI scores (r = 0.63; p = 0.01). There was not any significant correlation between tinnitus duration and VAS, STAI or THI-P. There also had no significant correlation between VAS and THI-P (r = 0.56; p = 0.2). Conclusion: The present pilot study showed that Persian version of THI and STAI are correlated questionnaires. Therefore, Persian version of these questionnaires are valuable tools for evaluation of patients with chronic tinnitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Tinnitus functional index (TFI) has been introduced as a standard self-assessment questionnaire for the evaluation of tinnitus severity and its negative consequences with enough sensitivity to detect the outcomes of treatment. The purpose of this study was to translate the original tinnitus functional index into Persian and to evaluate its reliability in a military population. Methods: The translation was performed in accordance with the Principles of Good Practice for the Translation and Cultural Adaptation Process for Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures. 32 military and veteran men with tinnitus aged 22-74 years participated in the current study. The participants completed the Persian version of the TFI and the second re-evaluation session was conducted over the telephone 10-14 days later. Both relative and absolute reliability indices were computed. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficient(2,1) with consistency definition for the TFI subscales varied from good to excellent. The agreement between the TFI total scores in the evaluation and re-evaluation using Bland-Altman analysis was acceptable and only one case was not located within the limits of agreement. Conclusion: Initial evaluation of the Persian version of TFI shows acceptable results in terms of reliability. The evaluation of the Persian TFI in different populations of patients with tinnitus and its validity would facilitate its clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Patients who receive cochlear implants (CIs) constitutes a significant population in Iran. This population needs regular monitor on long-term outcomes, educational placement and quality of life. Currently, there is no national or regional registry on the long term outcomes of CI users in Iran. The present study aims to introduce the design and implementation of a national patient-outcomes registry on CI recipients for Iran. This Iranian CI registry (ICIR) provides an integrated framework for data collection and sharing, scientific communication and collaboration in CI research. Methods: The national ICIR is a prospective patient-outcomes registry for patients who are implanted in one of Iranian centers. The registry is based on an integrated database that utilizes a secure web-based platform to collect response data from clinicians and patient's proxy via electronic case report forms (e-CRFs) at predefined intervals. The CI candidates are evaluated with a set of standardized and non-standardized questionnaires prior to initial device activation (as baseline variables) and at three-monthly interval follow-up intervals up to 24 months and annually thereafter. Results: The software application of the ICIR registry is designed in a user-friendly graphical interface with different entry fields. The collected data are categorized into four subsets including personal information, clinical data, surgery data and commission results. The main parameters include audiometric performance of patient, device use, patient comorbidities, device use, quality of life and health-related utilities, across different types of CI devices from different manufacturers. Conclusion: The ICIR database could be used by the increasingly growing network of CI centers in Iran. Clinicians, academic and industrial researchers as well as healthcare policy makers could use this database to develop more effective CI devices and better management of the recipients as well as to develop national guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Despite numerous trials, there has not yet been any definite strategy to reduce replicable long-term tinnitus and earache. Complementary and alternative medical approaches have been used to decrease the symptoms of tinnitus and earache. This study was conducted to report medicinal plants that are used to treat ear disorders, especially earache and tinnitus in different regions of Iran. Evidence Acquisitions: Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), Google Scholar, PubMed, LISTA (EBSCO), Embase, and Web of Science were searched using relevant search terms to retrieve eligible publications. Results: Twenty-three species from sixteen families were used for the treatment of earache and tinnitus in Iran. Plants from families Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were the most commonly used plants for the treatment of earache. Ginkgo biloba was frequently reported for the treatment of tinnitus. Conclusion: This study shows the important role of medicinal plants in the treatment of earache and tinnitus in some regions of Iran. The medicinal plants reported in this review can be considered in treatments for earache and tinnitus if examined more extensively in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Residual inhibition (RI) is a temporary phenomenon that happens following offset of appropriate complete or partial acoustical and electrical masking stimulations in people who experience tinnitus. The biologic mechanisms associated with RI are not yet fully understood. Few studies have been focused on RI. Auditory mismatch negativity (MMN) as a change-detection tool may be an appropriate tool to explore the processing changes because of tinnitus and RI. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate alterations in auditory change detection and auditory sensory memory related to RI induced by auditory electrical stimulation (AES) using MMN brain mapping in participants with tinnitus. Research Design: This investigation was a single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial study. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups: AES and placebo electrical stimulation (PES). Study Sample: Twenty-eight participants with chronic subjective tinnitus aged 22- to 45-yr-old participated in the study. Intervention: After randomization, all participants received both AES and PES for 1 min in different sessions. Data Collection and Analysis: Brain mapping of multifeature MMN paradigm was recorded from 29 scalp electrodes pre- and post-AES and PES. Following AES, participants were categorized into two groups: RI and nonresidual inhibition (NRI). The grand average MMN waveforms and isopotential topographic maps were obtained in RI, NRI, and PES groups. Results: Three MMN parameters for five deviants of frequency, intensity, duration, location, and silent gap were compared among three groups of RI, NRI, and PES. Statistical analyses revealed significant between-subject effects for AES on MMN amplitude of frequency and duration deviant, MMN area under the curve of frequency, intensity, and duration deviants. Conclusions: Presence of RI can reestablish change-detection mechanisms in the central auditory pathways. It is suggested that MMN is reliable for assessment of change-detection system in people with tinnitus. It can be a useful technique in monitoring effects of treatments and rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) can cause some of the symptoms and diseases in ENT field. However, there are a few reports from developing countries and there is not any report on this issue. On the other hand, the prevalence of HIV positive (symptomatic or asymptomatic) patients is increasing across the nation. Awareness of these complications of hearing system can result in early intervention and improve patients' quality of life. Objective: Determining the otologic and audiologic findings in HIV positive patients Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed on the 30 HIV positive patients referred from number-10 medical-therapeutic center of Rasht to Amiralmomenin hospital from April 2011 to March 2012. The senior resident of ENT- HNS took a comprehensive medical history and performed full clinical examination in the auditory system. In all patients, audiometric tests including tympanometry, pure tone audiometry, transient otoacoustic emissions (TOAEs) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) were done. Results: Of the 30 HIV -positive patients, 21 were male and 9 were female. Of these, 2 patients were in the AIDS phase The mean age of patients was 36.27 ± 9.71 years (range 24-56), and 8 patients complained of otic symptoms: dizziness (7 cases), tinnitus (4 cases), otalgia and fullness (each 3 cases). In audiometry, we found hearing loss in 8 of 60 ears (6 patients). The conductive and sensorineural hearing losses were found in 4 and 4 ears, respectively. As revealed, 21 out of 30 patients (70%) had abnormal TOAE. Also, in 9 out of 30 patients (30%), we observed ABR abnormality, with increased interpeak of wave I-III (14 ears)being the most frequent. Conclusion: Given the high prevalence of TOAEs abnormality in these patients and increased interpeak of waves I-III in ABR, it seems that the locus of ear damage is the outer hair cells of cochlea and distal part of the central auditory pathway and TOAEs is more sensitive than PTA and with ABR test it can help early detection of hearing loss in such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Subjective tinnitus has associated with abnormal brain metabolism and perfusion found in functional imaging studies by fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and technetium99m (TC99m). But there is no study evaluating the association of brain metabolism and perfusion abnormalities in a group of these subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate if there is any significant correlation between the brain perfusion and metabolism abnormalities in subjects with tinnitus. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 52 patients were undergone TC99m-ECD single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) scan and F18-FDG positron emission tomography (PET). The results of PET and SPECT scanning were fused with MRI to accurate anatomical localization of abnormalities. The analysis was performed using Kendal’s correlation, t-test and chi square. Results: Assessing these 52 tinnitus subjects (containing 42 males [76.4%]) showed that a significant correlation was found between the brain metabolic function and perfusion (p value 0.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Comorbidity of chronic tinnitus and mental disorders may result in more disability. Objectives: This research provides an evaluation about the effects of medically treated comorbid mental disorder on chronic tinnitus. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five patients diagnosed with chronic tinnitus and mental disorders were randomly requited by producing a before-after design. They underwent three months of drug therapy for comorbid mental disorders by psychiatrists. Study instruments are Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Tinnitus Questionnaire, Loudness Match Tinnitus, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, The Structured Clinical Interview and Symptom Check List -90. Results: Three months medical treatment puts forward the argument that among mental disorders, anxiety and major depressive disorder demonstrate a significant reduction. Pearson Correlation coefficient ostensibly reveals that there is no significant relationship between mental disorders and tinnitus severity. The statistics lend support to profound effect of major depressive disorder as a key factor on tinnitus disability exacerbation. Medical treatment also touches on issue such as tinnitus severity, its disabling effects and TQ subscales that statistics shows significant trends in their reduction. Conclusion: Findings lay emphasis on tinnitus severity reduction and connection might be established between alleviated mental disorders comorbidity and the improvement of quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Tinnitus is associated with an increased activity in central auditory system as demonstrated by neuroimaging studies. Brain perfusion scanning using single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was done to understand the pattern of brain blood perfusion of tinnitus subjects and find the areas which are mostly abnormal in these patients. Materials and Methods: A number of 122 patients with tinnitus were enrolled to this cross-sectional study. They underwent SPECT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain, and the images were fused to find the regions with abnormal perfusion. Results: SPECT scan results were abnormal in 101 patients (83%). Most patients had bilateral abnormal perfusion (N = 65, 53.3%), and most subjects had abnormality in middle-temporal gyrus (N = 83, 68%) and temporoparietal cortex (N = 46, 37.7%). Patients with multifocal involvement had the least mean age than other 2 groups (patients with no abnormality and unifocal abnormality) (P value = 0.045). Conclusions: Brain blood perfusion pattern differs in patient with tinnitus than others. These patients have brain perfusion abnormality, mostly in auditory gyrus (middle temporal) and associative cortex (temporoparietal cortex). Multifocal abnormalities might be due to more cognitive and emotional brain centers involvement due to tinnitus or more stress and anxiety of tinnitus in the young patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Stapes surgery is mainly used to improve hearing in otosclerosis; however, many patients report alleviation of tinnitus after surgery. Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of stapes surgery for improving tinnitus symptoms. Materials and Methods: This prospective study included 29 patients with surgically proven otosclerosis, who had undergone stapedectomy or stapedotomy. We compared symptomatic (tinnitus, hearing loss, and vertigo) and audiological findings obtained before and after surgery. Using Newman's method the level of discomfort caused by tinnitus was scored from grade I to V pre- and postoperatively. Results: The mean preoperative tinnitus discomfort grade was 2.72, at day 1 after surgery it was 1.29, and after 1 month it had decreased to 0.96, indicating a significant improvement in the level of tinnitus discomfort (p < 0.0001). One month after surgery 82.8% of patients had a complete or partial absence of tinnitus. Conclusion: We conclude that stapes surgery is quite effective for treatment of tinnitus as well as improvement of hearing. When deciding upon management in patients with otosclerosis the presence of tinnitus should be considered as well as hearing level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Complaining of psychiatric symptoms is more common among individuals suffering from tinnitus. The aim of this study is to determine the psychiatric diagnosis and symptoms of patients with chronic tinnitus. Materials and Methods: Four hundred patients with chronic tinnitus from the registry of Otorhinolaryngology Research Center of Rasoul General Hospital, Tehran, Iran were enrolled. The study instruments were Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R, axis I psychiatric disorders, Tinnitus Handicap Index (THI) and Symptom Check List-90-Revised. Results: The lifetime and current psychiatric disorders among patients with chronic tinnitus were 60% and 55% respectively. Depressive and anxiety disorders were the most common type. Females with severe THI were 75.6% versus 63.9% in men. Discussion: The comorbidity of chronic tinnitus with depressive and anxiety disorders is more common. This may have treatment implication to alleviate the stress and dysfunction resulted from chronic tinnitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tinnitus is a debilitating condition that is widespread yet difficult to successfully diagnose and treat. This symptom can seriously affect the individual's life quality. Objectives: The aim of current study was to compose and validate a Persian version of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI-P). Materials and Methods: The linguistic validation of the original version of THI into Persian version (THI-P) included translation, back translation and data gathering. The THI-P was administered to 112 tinnitus subjects. Age, gender, medical history and tinnitus characteristics were recorded as baseline information. All participants complained of chronic unilateral or bilateral subjective idiopathic tinnitus lasting for at least 6 months before consulting about their tinnitus. Results: There was no significant difference between gender, age, hearing impairment and total score and subscales of THI-P. Pearson product-moment correlations revealed adequate test-retest reliability for the THI-P (r = 0.96). Cronbach's-alpha coefficient indicated adequate internal stability of the THI-P (r= 0.943), with a total item correction varying between r=0.939 and r=0.944, indicating its reproducibility. Conclusion: The present study proved the internal consistency/ coherency of the Persian version of THI (THI-P). This provides satisfactory application in clinical/research environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Tinnitus is a sense of sound perception in absence of an external source which can affect life quality. Different conditions may lead to tinnitus including metabolic disorders such as dyslipidemia. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of dyslipidemia among Iranian patients with idiopathic tinnitus. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study in which prevalence of dyslipidemia in fasting state and its subclasses were assessed in 1043 tinnitus patients aged 12-90 years who referred to Rasool Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran, 2006-2009. Data was summarized by SPSS software version 17 and one sample t-test and Chi-Square test were applied to analyze the results. P less than 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The most prevalent type of dyslipidemia was hypercholesterolemia with the frequency of 14.4% followed by low HDL-C with the frequency of 12.8%. Mean of total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C and triglyceride levels in all patients were not greater than general population. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the present study, there might be no need to check the serum lipid profile in tinnitus patients. We recommend further studies to assess both fasting and postprandial serum lipid profile in patients with idiopathic tinnitus. Simultaneous investigation of their dietary intake is also suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tinnitus is one of the most prevalent causes of the patients to the ear and hearing clinics that despite widespread effort of physicians and researchers all over the world, yet no comprehensive and low complication treatment have been provided for it. This study aimed to offer a new method to treat tinnitus using transcutaneous electrical stimulation. Method: This was an interventional experimental method study in Borujerd, Iran on 100 referral patients to the ENT (Ear Nose & Throat) clinic while complaining about drug-resistant permanent severe tinnitus. After complete audiometry examination and evaluating the cause of tinnitus, these patients underwent transcutaneous electrical stimulation by transcutaneus electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device. To do so, an electrode covered by damp cloth with 12 mm diameter was placed on the ear of the patients and electrical stimulation with 150 kHz frequency was done for 10 minutes. This was done for 5 consecutive days. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: In this study, 70 out of 100 patients at least experienced two times of tinnitus for a few hours. Ten patients (10%) announced that they have achieved complete remission i.e. their tinnitus stopped completely. Twenty patients (20%) also stated that TENS device had not influenced on their tinnitus. Conclusion: Young people with short history of tinnitus with high frequency would be suitable candidates for implementing TENS. However, using TENS seems logical for those who were helpless due to tinnitus and the conventional therapies could not effect on it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/hypothesis: Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection is endemic in the northeast area of Iran. Although various neurological disturbances have been reported in HTLV-1 infection, possible audiovestibular involvement during this infection has not yet been studied., Study Design: Case control study., Methods: Sixty-eight cases in three groups including 24 HTLV-1-infected patients with HTLV-1- associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) (group 1), 23 HTLV-1-infected cases without clinical presentation (group 2), and 21 normal individuals (group 3) entered our study. A complete history of hearing-related disorders and a profile of audiologic tests, including pure-tone audiometry (PTA) with high frequencies, speech reception threshold (SRT), and auditory brainstem response (ABR) were taken., Results: Subjective audiovestibular complaints of participants showed a significant difference among HAM/TSP patients and the two other groups regarding hearing loss and tinnitus, but not vertigo or aural fullness. Hearing evaluation by SRT and PTA in all frequencies showed a significant difference between HAM/TSP patients (group 1) and the controls (group 3). The difference was also significant between asymptomatic cases (group 2) and the controls only in PTA frequencies above 4 kHz. Auditory brainstem-evoked potential did not show any significant differences among the groups regarding latency of I, III, and V waves and interwave differences., Conclusions: HTLV-1 infection, particularly in those with a clinical presentation, appears to accompany hearing loss. Based on the results of PTA and ABR tests, this study may suggest a cochlear source of hearing impairment rather than neural problems., (© 2014 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)

Objective: Complaining of psychiatric symptoms is more common among individuals suffering from tinnitus. The aim of this study is to determine the psychiatric diagnosis and symptoms of patients with chronic tinnitus. Materials and methods: Four hundred patients with chronic tinnitus were enrolled from the registry of Otorhinolaringology Research Center of Rasoul general hospital, Tehran, Iran. The study instruments were Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R, axis I psychiatric disorders, Tinnitus Handicap Index (THI) and Symptom Check List-90-Revised. Results: The life-time and current psychiatric disorders among patients with chronic tinnitus were 60% and 55% respectively. Depressive and anxiety disorders were the most common type. Females with severe THI were 75.6% versus 63.9% in men. Conclusion: The comorbidity of chronic tinnitus with depressive and anxiety disorders is more common. This may have treatment implication to alleviate the stress and dysfunction resulted from chronic tinnitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]