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Introduction: The Sonnet 2 processor allows the cochlear implant user to use omnidirectional microphones as well as directional microphones with different directivity characteristics. So far, the benefits of using the new method of shaping the microphone characteristics in Sonnet 2 processors in children have not been demonstrated. Objective: To evaluate the benefits of using a directional microphone with directivity characteristics similar to those of the pinna. Material and methods: 36 children aged from 7 to 18 years (mean age: 10 years; SD 2.13) were included in the study. The tests were carried out during the replacement of the Opus 2 sound processor with Sonnet 2. The Adaptive Auditory Speech Test (AAST) was used to assess the effectiveness of directional microphones. The test was carried out in an audiometric cabin, the speech signal was presented in front of the patient (azimuth 0), the noise was presented on the back (azimuth 180). The test was performed in three configurations: in the Opus 2 processor (omnidirectional microphone), in the Sonnet 2 processor with an omnidirectional microphone and in the Sonnet 2 processor with a microphone with characteristics similar to the characteristics of the pinna ("Natural" in microphone settings). Results: The analysis of the obtained results showed no significant differences between the speech recognition threshold in the Opus 2 processor and Sonnet 2 processor with an omnidirectional microphone. The results obtained with the Sonnet 2 processor with a microphone similar to the characteristics of the human ear (Natural) were significantly better than both the results obtained with the Opus 2 processor and the results obtained with the Sonnet 2 processor with an omnidirectional microphone. Conclusions: The use of new technology in the form of microphones with characteristics similar to the characteristics of the pinna signifi- cantly increases the hearing benefits of impl0anted children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Method of vocal folds implantation with allogenic materials has been applied in medical centre all over the world for over 30 years. this voice improving method is usually applied in several indications such as: presbyphonia, vocal folds paralysis, glottis insufficiency, vocal fold scars or sulcus vocalis. all of these illnesses prevent the patients to obtain full glottis closure and produce good quality voice., Aim: TO assess quality of voice after implantation of hyaluronic acid to the vocal folds., Material: Consisted of 15 patients, who underwent surgical implantation of hyaluronic acid to the vocal folds. 10 patients had the procedure performed on both sides of the larynx, this group included 6 patients with vocal insufficiency of the glottis, 2 with scars and atrophy of the vocal folds and 2 with presbyphonia. In 5 cases the hyaluronic acid was applied on one side of the larynx. The group included 4 patients with vocal folds paralysis and one person with single sided scars and atrophy of the vocal fold., Method: Each patient was examined with videostroboscopy and underwent objective and subjective assessment of voice. Hyaluronic acid was injected surgically under Jet Ventilation general anesthesia. In two cases during the procedure scars were removed from the vocal folds. All patients after hyaluronic acid augmentation took part in the rehabilitation program that included series of voice emission exercises before operation and up to 3 months after the procedure. Examination was performed 1, 3 and 6 months after injection., Results: In all cases improvement of quality of voice was obtained which was stated by a physician and the patients subjectively. Improvement of harmonic voice structure was confirmed by spectrographic record. Acoustic examinations revealed that the improvement was obtained within parameters describing frequency, amplitude disturbance and noise existence., Conclusions: Injection of the hyaluronic acid to the vocal folds improves functional phonation and quality of voice in cases of patients with glottis insufficiency. Injection of the hyaluronic acid to the vocal folds is an efficient method improving quality of voice and can be safe alternative for no surgery method in rehabilitation of voice. This method is a simply, effective and quickly to improve of voice disorders.

Introduction: Tinnitus in children is still rarely mentioned in medical literature. The prevalence of pediatric tinnitus has been reported to range between 3-37% and higher in children with hearing loss., Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of the tinnitus in 7 years old children and to conduct statistical analysis of the relation between tinnitus and hearing loss., Material and Methods: In this study 60 212 children and their parents were asked about the presence of tinnitus by answering a questionnaire at home. Additionally, children were asked if they can hear noise in their ears or head, before hand hearing screening test at school was conducted. The hearing screening test was performed using screening audiometer with air conduction., Results: The results showed that tinnitus was present in group of 8164 children (13.6%). Between children directly asked for tinnitus, 33% mentioned of having it. Over 75% of children did not complained of tinnitus spontaneously to parents. Children with hearing loss reported tinnitus twice more comparing to children with normal hearing., Conclusions: Tinnitus is frequent complain among 7 years old children. Children with hearing loss reported tinnitus twice more comparing to children with normal hearing. It is recommended to include to a questionnaire an inquiry about the presence of tinnitus during hearing screening tests performed recently more frequently at primary schools for early detection and diagnosis of tinnitus.

Mutations in mitochondrial DNA have been reported as associated with non-syndromic and aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss. In the present study, we have performed mutational screening of entire 12S rRNA gene in 250 unrelated patients with non-syndromic and aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss. Twenty-one different homoplasmic sequence variants were identified, including eight common polymorphisms, one deafness-associated mutation m.1555 A>G and three putatively pathogenic variants: m.669 T>C, m.827 A>G, m.961 delT+C(n)ins. The incidence of m.1555 A>G was estimated for 3.6% (9/250); however, where aminoglycoside exposure was taken as a risk factor, the frequency was 5.5% (7/128). Substitution m.669 T>C was identified only in patients with hearing impairment and episode of aminoglycoside exposure, which may suggest that such additional risk factors must appear to induce clinical phenotype. Moreover, two 12S rRNA sequence variants: m.988 G>A and m.1453 A>G, localized at conserved sites and affected RNA secondary structure, may be new candidates for non-syndromic and aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss associated mutations., (2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To adapt the LittlEars questionnaire into Polish and to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Polish version of the questionnaire., Methods: A back-translation method was used to translate the LittlEars questionnaire into Polish. The translated version was first evaluated by means of an expert-appraisal method. After having improved the Polish version of LittlEars with the results obtained from that evaluation, various psychometric analyses were conducted. Study participants included 310 parents or other caregivers of children with normal hearing whose ages ranged between 0.5 and 24.0 months. Corrected item-total correlations were calculated to evaluate the extent to which the different questions distinguish levels of auditory development of the assessed children. Cronbach's alpha coefficient--to evaluate internal consistency across items--was also calculated. To obtain estimates of validity, correlations between item/total score and age were calculated. A non-linear regression model was derived to obtain normative data for expected and minimum values of total scores from the questionnaire according to age., Results: Corrected item-total correlations ranged from 0.14 to 0.84. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.95, indicating that the measurements were highly reliable. The linear correlation between total scores and age was 0.90 (p<.001). The regression analysis conducted to obtain normative data showed that 83% of the variance in the total scores can be explained by age., Conclusion: The results of psychometric analyses support the use of the Polish version of the LittlEars questionnaire as a sensitive and reliable tool to assess the development of auditory behavior in Polish children between 3 and 24 months of age.

Neonatal hearing screening is becoming a standard of care in increasing number of hospitals and outpatient departments in Poland. A project of central data collecting system applicable to a neonatal hearing screening programme has been elaborated as a preparation to introducing a countrywide screening programme. The data collecting system will be based on the currently existing central system for the registration of neonatal screening tests for metabolic diseases. Data on risk factors for hearing loss and hearing screening test results will be collected. A central data collecting system for a neonatal hearing screening programme will increase the efficiency of the screening programme and facilitate epidemiological studies.

Spontaneous idiopathic tinnitus is a significant interdisciplinary therapeutic problem. Based on different programs of tinnitus treatment, we organized a team of physicians, psychologists and engineers in order to establish the needs for the first Tinnitus Clinic in Poland. At the same time, together with number of clinical centres, scientific societies and non-governmental organizations, we carried out training and an information campaign throughout the country and initiated the first epidemiological studies survey about tinnitus in Poland. Over a period of 2 years we have provided care for almost 1000 patients, including them in a IS 24-month therapeutic program at the clinic. As a method of choice, Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) based on a neurophysiological model of tinnitus origin is used. We present here epidemiological data on tinnitus and hyperacusis in Poland.

Auditory brainstem implants (ABIs) are a modern method of treatment of total bilateral deafness in cases of extracochlear origin. In most cases therapy is applied in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). This paper presents the results of surgical treatment and rehabilitation in a 28-year-old woman with bilateral, multiple tumours of the central nervous system causing total deafness. Simultaneous removal of the tumours and implantation of ABI allowed treatment of the potentially lethal pathology and hearing restoration. Improving auditory skills and excellent tests results were noted in the year following implantation.

Affection of the elements of the lymphatic system in the cancer of the larynx or hypopharynx is making the prognosis worse. We know that this is the simplification of the problem. We are trying to find and define factors which have the main meaning in prognosis of the treatment and the survival of the treated patients. In order to attain this we analyse histopathological material and results of clinic observations.