Search

Conclusion:It was found that JIR children had potential sensory neural hearing loss and vestibular affection. Therefore, this study recommends: early complete audiologic evaluation of JIA child followed by regular follow-up, including TOAEs, extended high-frequency audiometry, and VNG. This follow-up is important for preliminary diagnosis and management in order to prevent the negative impact of hearing loss on a child’s life. Objective:The aim of this study was to assess hearing in children with Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and compare them with a healthy control group. In addition to conventional audiometry, extended high-frequency audiometry and Transient otoacoustic emission (TOAEs) were used. This study also tried to investigate the vestibular function in JIR children by videonystagmography (VNG). Patients and methods:The study group comprised of 28 children with JIR and 28 healthy children. All subjects were examined audiologically using basic audiological evaluation, high-frequency audiometry, TOAEs, and VNG. Results:Children with JIR had apparent normal peripheral hearing in conventional audiometry; sub-clinical sensory neural hearing loss was detected. This sub-clinical hearing loss appeared in statistically significant difference between them and normal in high-frequency audiometry and TOAEs. VNG test results showed affected tracking and second tests. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: Vestibular ganglion cells, which convey sense of motion from vestibular hair cells to the brainstem, are known to degenerate with aging and after vestibular neuritis. Thus, regeneration of vestibular ganglion cells is important to aid in the recovery of balance for associated disorders. Methods: The present study derived hNSCs from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and transplanted these cells into mouse utricle tissues. After a 7-day co-culture period, histological and electrophysiological examinations of transplanted hNSCs were performed. Results: Injected hNSC-derived cells produced elongated axon-like structures within the utricle tissue that made contact with vestibular hair cells. A proportion of hNSC-derived cells showed spontaneous firing activities, similar to those observed in cultured mouse vestibular ganglion cells. However, hNSC-derived cells around the mouse utricle persisted as immature neurons or occasionally differentiated into putative astrocytes. Moreover, electrophysiological examination showed hNSC-derived cells around utricles did not exhibit any obvious spontaneous firing activities. Conclusions: Injected human neural stem cells (hNSCs) showed signs of morphological maturation including reconnection to denervated hair cells and partial physiological maturation, suggesting hNSC-derived cells possibly differentiated into neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To measure ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMPs) and cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (cVEMPS) in Menière’s disease patients with confirmed cochlear hydrops and in the normal ears of volunteers. Methods:oVEMPs and cVEMPs were measured in 18 patients with a symptomatic diagnosis of Menière’s disease and tone burst electrocochleographic confirmation of hydrops, and in the ears of 22 volunteers. Results:Threshold measures: For cVEMP: no significant differences between Menière’s ears and controls; for oVEMP: significantly elevated thresholds in affected ears of Menière’s ears compared with their unaffected ears, but not with controls. Latency measures: cVEMP N1 peaks were significantly prolonged compared with the left and right ears of controls, but not with the non-affected ear. Amplitude measures: cVEMP P1N1 and N1P2 measures were significantly reduced compared with the right ear of controls, but not with the non-affected ear; For oVEMP, N2P2 amplitudes were significantly reduced compared with both ears of controls but not with the non-affected ear. Conclusion:Abnormalities of oVEMPs and cVEMPs were found in 18 Menière’s disease patients who had an independent confirmation of cochlear hydrops. The overlap of the results from Menière’s patients compared with normal controls limits the use of VEMP abnormalities as a sole reliable diagnostic test for Menière’s disease. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective The round window membrane (RWM) encloses the round window, the opening into the scala tympani (ST) from the middle ear. During the course of acute otitis media (AOM), structural changes of the RWM can occur that potentially affect sound transmission into and out of the cochlea. The relationship between such structural changes and conductive hearing loss during AOM has remained unclear. The focus of the current study was to compare the thickness distribution across the RWM surface between normal ears and those with AOM in the chinchilla. We assessed the occurrence of AOM-associated histological changes in this membrane compared to uninfected control animals after AOM of two relatively short durations. Material and methods AOM was induced by transbullar injection of the nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae strain 86-028NP into two groups of adult chinchillas (n = 3 each). Bullae were obtained from the two infected groups, at 4 days or 8 days post challenge. Structures and thickness of these RWMs were compared between the two infected treatment groups and to RWMs from uninfected control animals (n = 3) at seven different RWM locations. Results RWM thickness in infected chinchillas increased significantly at locations along the central line on the 4th day post bacterial challenge compared to values found for uninfected control animals. Lymphocyte infiltration and edema were the primary contributors to these thickness increases. No significant further increases in RWM thickness were observed when RWMs from chinchillas ears infected for 4 and 8 days were compared. Thickness and structural changes at the RWM lateral and medial areas were less visually obvious and not statistically significant among the three treatment groups. These latter RWM regions clearly were less affected during AOM than the central areas. Conclusions This histological study establishes that H. influenzae- induced AOM causes significant acute changes in chinchilla RWM structure that are characterized by region-specific increases in thickness. Our new morphological findings comparing normal and diseased chinchilla RWMs identify yet another biomechanical mechanism by which nontypeable H. influenzae may contribute to hearing loss in AOM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Earlobe color is a naturally and artificially selected trait in chicken. As a head furnishing trait, it has been selected as a breed characteristic. Research has demonstrated that white/red earlobe color was related to at least three loci and sex-linked. However, there has been little work to date to identify the specific genomic regions and genes response to earlobe color in Rhode Island Red chickens. Currently, it is possible to identify the genomic regions responsible for white/red earlobe in Rhode Island Red chicken to eliminate this gap in knowledge by using genome-wide association (GWA) analysis. Results: In the present study, genome-wide association (GWA) analysis was conducted to explore the candidate genomic regions response to chicken earlobe color phenotype. Hens with red dominant and white dominant earlobe was used for case-control analysis by Illumina 600 K SNP arrays. The GWA results showed that 2.38 Mb genomic region (50.13 to 52.51 Mb) with 282 SNPs on chromosome Z were significantly correlated to earlobe color, including sixteen known genes and seven anonymous genes. The sixteen genes were PAM, SLCO4C1, ST8SIA4, FAM174A, CHD1, RGMB, RIOK2, LIX1, LNPEP, SHB, RNF38, TRIM14, NANS, CLTA, GNE, and CPLX1. Conclusions: The study has revealed the white/red earlobe trait is polygenic and sex-linked in Rhode Island Red chickens. In the genome significant ~2.38 Mb region, twenty-three genes were found and some of them could play critical roles in the formation of white/red earlobe color, especially gene SLCO4C1. Taken together, the candidate genes findings herein can help elucidate the genomic architecture of response to white/red earlobe and provide a new insight on mechanisms underlying earlobe color in Rhode Island Red chickens and other breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finite element method was employed in this study to analyze the change in performance of implantable hearing devices due to the consideration of soft tissues' viscoelasticity. An integrated finite element model of human ear including the external ear, middle ear and inner ear was first developed via reverse engineering and analyzed by acoustic-structure-fluid coupling. Viscoelastic properties of soft tissues in the middle ear were taken into consideration in this model. The model-derived dynamic responses including middle ear and cochlea functions showed a better agreement with experimental data at high frequencies above 3000 Hz than the Rayleigh-type damping. On this basis, a coupled finite element model consisting of the human ear and a piezoelectric actuator attached to the long process of incus was further constructed. Based on the electromechanical coupling analysis, equivalent sound pressure and power consumption of the actuator corresponding to viscoelasticity and Rayleigh damping were calculated using this model. The analytical results showed that the implant performance of the actuator evaluated using a finite element model considering viscoelastic properties gives a lower output above about 3 kHz than does Rayleigh damping model. Finite element model considering viscoelastic properties was more accurate to numerically evaluate implantable hearing devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Protruding ears with a hypoplastic antihelix often have poorly developed inferior cura. Publications on this topic until now have only dealt with absent inferior crus and have neglected its importance in everyday antihelix plasty. This article describes a new surgical technique to improve treatment of the antihelix. Methods: Patients with protruding upper third ears received either standard otoplasty with crus superior remodeling (ST) or the newly developed surgical procedure including crus inferior release (STI). To evaluate the results, a survey containing 10 questions about different outcome parameters was conducted with the patients. Each question was given a score ranging from 0 to 10, where 10 meant the best outcome and 0 the worst. Results: From January 2013 to March 2014, 216 patients underwent otoplasty, of which 99 completed the questionnaire. No differences could be found between ST and STI patients except for their duration of pain, which was significantly less in group STI. Overall, the scores from the questionnaire were 89.85 in ST and 92.35 in STI. Mean values for satisfaction were 9.33 in group ST and 9.56 in group STI. Conclusion: When correcting the antihelix, the inferior crus must always be checked because the protruding upper third cannot be compensated only by overcorrecting the superior crus. It should be a matter of routine to recognize the degree of malformation and determine the best possible treatment. This novel technique is an additional valuable option in otoplasty to improve the upper third in a more natural way and create highly satisfactory results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eardrum separates the external ear from the middle ear and it is responsible to convert the acoustical energy into mechanical energy. It is divided by pars tensa and pars flaccida . The aim of this work is to analyze the susceptibility of the four quadrants of the pars tensa under negative pressure, to different lamina propria fibers distribution. The development of associated ear pathology, in particular the formation of retraction pockets, is also evaluated. To analyze these effects, a computational biomechanical model of the tympano-ossicular chain was constructed using computerized tomography images and based on the finite element method. Three fibers distributions in the eardrum middle layer were compared: case 1 (eardrum with a circular band of fibers surrounding all quadrants equally), case 2 (eardrum with a circular band of fibers that decreases in thickness in posterior quadrants), case 3 (eardrum without circular fibers in the posterior/superior quadrant). A static analysis was performed by applying approximately 3000 Pa in the eardrum. The pars tensa of the eardrum was divided in four quadrants and the displacement of a central point of each quadrant analyzed. The largest displacements of the eardrum were obtained for the eardrum without circular fibers in the posterior/superior quadrant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: 'Darwin's tubercle' is a term used to describe an atavistic swelling of the posterior helix that is present in some individuals. Little is known about its prevalence, characteristics, and function. With growing interest in the individuality of external ear patterns and its possible applications to personal identification, more knowledge about this tubercle is warranted. Purpose: We review the history, clinical presentation, and modern-day influences of Darwin's tubercle. Method: A comprehensive review of the literature was performed. Pubmed was searched with the key words: auricle, congenital, Darwin, ear, evolution, helix, pinna, tubercle, Woolnerian. Result: Darwin's tubercle has been documented to be present in about 10.5% of the Spanish adult population, 40% of Indian adults, and 58% of Swedish school children. It has a variety of clinical presentations, which may be classified by its degree of protuberance. The influence of genetics on the expression of Darwin's tubercle is unclear, and there are conflicting observations about its correlations with age and gender. Although usually present bilaterally in individuals who do possess this trait, a portion of this population does display asymmetric expression. Conclusion: Darwin's tubercle is a benign and unique helical feature. It contributes to the individuality of human ears and may have applications toward personal identification in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frogs, and related amphibians, are adapted to live in both air and water, and so good hearing in both mediums is required. The structure of the frog ear can therefore provide a useful perspective on how sound is sensed and the physical principles involved in hearing. This broad survey of the literature highlights two noteworthy aspects of the frog ear and brings them together into a single framework. First, the frog ear contains an arrangement of sensing cells which is difficult to understand: although they are meant to detect sound, the cells are hidden away in recesses and further shielded from incoming sound by a number of short-circuits' in the vibratory pathway. Second, there is the operculum, a moveable plate that fits into the oval window adjacent to the stapes and whose function remains controversial. Both these challenging features can be understood by noting that all sounds carry both pressure and displacement components, and that form and function can be matched by focusing on the pressure component, which to date has been largely overlooked. This paper proposes that the hair cells at the core of the system respond more sensitively to pressure than to displacement. Building on this property, the piston-like operculum, operated by the opercularis muscle, is put forward as a mechanism for adjusting the static hydraulic pressure within the otic capsule, in this way controlling the global sensitivity, or gain, of the sensing cells within. Both these hypotheses have wider implications for understanding hearing in vertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multibiometric systems using face and ear features are increasingly adopted for forensic and civilian applications to address the challenges of facial expressions and occlusions. Although numerous ear and face recognition techniques have been proposed, not much work has been conducted in the field of 3-D fiducial points localization and 3-D ear detection. This paper presents an effective and efficient system of ear landmark localization, ear detection, and pose classification based on 3-D ears captured under large yaw variations. By utilizing the symmetrical property of human heads and classifying the ear with respect to its pose, all three tasks can be fulfilled given either left or right ears, without any prior pose information. A novel ear tree-structured graph (ETG) is proposed to represent the 3-D ear, after which a 3-D flexible mixture model is trained to locate the landmarks automatically. Then, the ear region is segmented based on them and the pose of the ear, i.e., whether it is a left or right ear, is classified based on the detected ETG. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first to present automatic landmark localization of 3-D ears extracted from facial scans with significant pose variations. Experiments were conducted at the University of Notre Dame collection F, G and J2, which contain large occlusion and pose variations, validating the effectiveness of the proposed methods. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The inner ear of mammals consists of the cochlea, which is involved with the sense of hearing, and the vestibule and three semicircular canals, which are involved with the sense of balance. Although different regions of the inner ear contribute to different functions, the bony chambers and membranous ducts are morphologically continuous. The gross anatomy of the cochlea that has been related to auditory physiologies includes overall size of the structure, including volume and total spiral length, development of internal cochlear structures, including the primary and secondary bony laminae, morphology of the spiral nerve ganglion, and the nature of cochlear coiling, including total number of turns completed by the cochlear canal and the relative diameters of the basal and apical turns. The overall sizes, shapes, and orientations of the semicircular canals are related to sensitivity to head rotations and possibly locomotor behaviors. Intraspecific variation, primarily in the shape and orientation of the semicircular canals, may provide additional clues to help us better understand form and function of the inner ear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mammalian ear is a complex structure divided into three main parts: the outer; middle; and inner ear. These parts are formed from all three germ layers and neural crest cells, which have to integrate successfully in order to form a fully functioning organ of hearing. Any defect in development of the outer and middle ear leads to conductive hearing loss, while defects in the inner ear can lead to sensorineural hearing loss. This review focuses on the development of the parts of the ear involved with sound transduction into the inner ear, and the parts largely ignored in the world of hearing research: the outer and middle ear. The published data on the embryonic origin, signalling, genetic control, development and timing of the mammalian middle and outer ear are reviewed here along with new data showing the Eustachian tube cartilage is of dual embryonic origin. The embryonic origin of some of these structures has only recently been uncovered (Science, 339, 2013, 1453; Development, 140, 2013, 4386), while the molecular mechanisms controlling the growth, structure and integration of many outer and middle ear components are hardly known. The genetic analysis of outer and middle ear development is rather limited, with a small number of genes often affecting either more than one part of the ear or having only very small effects on development. This review therefore highlights the necessity for further research into the development of outer and middle ear structures, which will be important for the understanding and treatment of conductive hearing loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical, anatomical and histological aspects of the equine acoustic organ have been poorly investigated and illustrated in literature so far. It is understood that an intact acoustic organ and hearing function are of vital importance for the well-being of flight animals like horses. The knowledge of the acoustic organ is usually transferred analogously from other mammals to horses. The purpose of this study was to provide a detailed and complete histological description of the healthy equine auditory organ, and to determine its congruity to other mammalians. Anatomical dissections and histological preparations were carried out on ten cadaver heads. Specimens of various parts of the equine acoustic organ were taken and evaluated histologically. The histological composition of external, middle and inner ear structures are predominantly congruent to those of other mammals, especially to human beings. Unique inwardly directed rete pegs within the osseous ear canal and the prominent tensor tympani muscle are described for the first time. Results obtained in this study can be employed as references for further research on the equine acoustic organ and improve the understanding of the clinical development of hearing loss, otitis externa/media/interna or tympanosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cochlear implantation is becoming more widespread. From its early days to date, huge strides have been made in the technology and surgical technique. However, one challenge remains: implanting malformed or abnormal cochleae. Even more challenging is a cochlea that appears normal at first glance, but is not. We present a case of a child with chondrodysplasia punctata, who had apparently morphologically normal inner ears, but with one major obstacle: the cochlea was smaller than normal in all dimensions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case described, and the solution is a novel one as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Untreated auricular hematomas from ear trauma can result in an ear deformation known as cauliflower ear, secondary to fibrosis and new cartilage overgrowth. Cauliflower ear reconstruction has traditionally utilized tools such as a drill or a scalpel in order to improve auricular cosmesis. We present a case report utilizing an ultrasonic aspirator to recontour the fibrosed cartilage of a cauliflower ear. The ultrasonic aspirator has advantages over traditional tools in its ability to provide finely controlled bone removal without damage to surrounding soft tissue. The patient in this case report underwent multistage reconstruction using the ultrasonic aspirator with excellent cosmetic result and patient satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No genes have been discovered for which expression is limited only to inner ear hair cells. This is hardly surprising, since the number of mammalian genes is estimated to be 20–25,000, and each gene typically performs many tasks in various locations. Many genes are expressed in inner ear sensory cells and not in other cells of the labyrinth. However, these genes are also expressed in other locations, often in other sensory or neuronal cell types. How gene transcription is directed specifically to hair cells is unclear. Key transcription factors that act during development can specify cell phenotypes, and the hair cell is no exception. The transcription factor ATOH1 is well known for its ability to transform nonsensory cells of the developing inner ear into hair cells. And yet, ATOH1 also specifies different sensory cells at other locations, neuronal phenotypes in the brain, and epithelial cells in the gut. How it specifies hair cells in the inner ear, but alternate cell types in other locations, is not known. Studies of regulatory DNA and transcription factors are revealing mechanisms that direct gene expression to hair cells, and that determine the hair cell identity. The purpose of this review is to summarize what is known about such gene regulation in this key auditory and vestibular cell type. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The voice is a rich source of information, which the human brain has evolved to decode and interpret. Empirical observations have shown that the human auditory system is especially sensitive to the human voice, and that activity within the voice-sensitive regions of the primary and secondary auditory cortex is modulated by the emotional quality of the vocal signal, and may therefore subserve, with frontal regions, the cognitive ability to correctly identify the speaker's affective state. So far, the network involved in the processing of vocal affect has been mainly characterised at the cortical level. However, anatomical and functional evidence suggests that acoustic information relevant to the affective quality of the auditory signal might be processed prior to the auditory cortex. Here we review the animal and human literature on the main subcortical structures along the auditory pathway, and propose a model whereby the distinction between different types of vocal affect in auditory communication begins at very early stages of auditory processing, and relies on the analysis of individual acoustic features of the sound signal. We further suggest that this early feature-based decoding occurs at a subcortical level along the ascending auditory pathway, and provides a preliminary coarse (but fast) characterisation of the affective quality of the auditory signal before the more refined (but slower) cortical processing is completed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the physics that underlie the physiology of the ear, including research using reverse correlation to study single fibers in the auditory nerve and cochlear mechanisms. It measures the velocities of basilar membrane (BM) and reticular lamina (RL) in the high frequency region. It states it wasn't necessary to break away the bone to open the cochlea and suggests fluid mass inside the channel of Corti moves under the influence of differences of two pressures which tallies with the phase difference between BM and RL.

Objective:The results of a recently published micro-CT study suggested a correlation of the distance between long incus process and stapes footplate and the required prosthesis length in malleostapedotomy. The goal of this study was to test the reliability of that assumption.Methods:Rectangular and bent prostheses were tested in 11 cadaveric human temporal bone specimens; 1 of them showed a stapedial artery. Prosthesis length was calculated based on the distance between long incus process and stapes footplate. The rate of acceptable prosthesis insertion into the vestibule was investigated.Results:In both prostheses designs, the insertion depth into the vestibule did not exceed 1.0 mm. Two prostheses did not pass the footplate level in bent prostheses (18%) and 1 in rectangular prostheses (9%).Conclusion:A rough estimation of the required prosthesis length in malleostapedotomy seems possible if the distance between long incus process and stapes footplate is known and a design-dependent equation exists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to describe the audiometric results following surgery in a consecutive series of pediatric patients with a congenital middle ear disorder. Retrospective chart review was performed for 29 consecutive children who underwent 33 middle ear surgeries for congenital ossicular chain anomaly between 1990 and 2012. Anomalies were classified into four groups according to the Teunissen and Cremers classification. Audiological parameters using four frequency averages (0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz) were assessed pre- and postoperatively. Clinical and audiometric follow-up times were, respectively, 49 ± 8 and 35 ± 5 months (mean ± SEM). Fifty-eight percent of all patients achieved an air-bone gap (ABG) ≤20 dB, 62.5% in class I, 50% in class II and 57.9% in class III. The improvement of the mean ABG was 13.6 dB, 19.2 dB for class I, 0.2 dB in class II and 15.4 dB in class III. Overall mean pure-tone averages improved 14.8 dB with 13.9 dB for class I; there was no improvement for class II and 20.2 dB for class III. The sensorineural hearing loss rate was 9%. This pediatric series showed that hearing results depend on type of anomaly. Class I and class III showed better hearing improvement than class II. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ear has been used since the 19th century as a valuable instrument in personal identification. Its special interest is due to the morphological complexity of the structures involved. The aim of the present investigation is to establish the morphological variability of the helix tubercles in a sample of the Spanish European population (303 individuals between 18 and 72 years old). The frequencies of appearance of each type of tubercle and its degree of expression, as well as the possible relationship with sex, age, and laterality, are determined. Three of the tubercles are relatively frequent in the sample: tubercle of the root of the superior helix (31.7%), tubercle of the anterior helix (27.6%), and the Darwin's tubercle (18.2%). The least frequent helix tubercles are those located on the superior helix (2.7%) and the inferior tubercles at the root of the helix (6%). For all sites, tubercles with the greatest degree of expression are the least frequent. No sexual dimorphism or age differences have been found except for the tubercle of the anterior helix. Overall, tubercles show good symmetry. A relation of dependency among some of the tubercles of the helix has been found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human ear is a new feature in biometrics that has several merits over the more common face, fingerprint and iris biometrics. It can be easily captured from a distance without a fully cooperative subject. Also, the ear has a relatively stable structure that does not change much with the age and facial expressions. In this paper, we present a novel method of 3D ear acquisition system by using triangulation imaging principle, and the experiment results show that this design is efficient and can be used for ear recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computed tomography (CT) of the temporal bone is performed to evaluate trauma, tumors, sinuses, the skull base, or otic structures. This article discusses temporal bone anatomy and reviews CT technique for a temporal bone examination. Some conditions associated with temporal bone examinations, auditory symptoms, and postoperative changes also are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted a cadaveric study to determine the size of cartilage grafts that can be taken from the tragus without distorting tragal anatomy. Our subjects included 7 fresh cadavers--3 male and 4 female (age at death: 61 to 87 yr). Tragal cartilage grafts were harvested while leaving the lateral 3 mm of the tragal cartilage in situ to preserve the anatomic shape of the tragus. The grafts were measured and their dimensions recorded. The craniocaudal dimensions of the tragal cartilages ranged from 15 to 30 mm (mean: 21.6), and the width of each specimen ranged from 10 to 23 mm (mean: 15.3). The thickness of the cartilage was approximately 1 mm. The grafts were slightly curved along their long axis. We also review the literature regardingthe dimensions of different grafts used in rhinoplasty, knowledge of which can help in preopera-tive planning. Tragal cartilage grafts have been used as shield, alar contour, alar batten, lateral crural onlay, dorsal onlay, and infratip lobule grafts. When a straight and/or thick graft is needed, two strips of tragal cartilage can be sutured in a mirror-image configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the gateway to human communication, the sense of hearing is of enormous importance in our lives. Research on hearing has recently been revolutionized by the demonstration that the ear is not simply a passive receiver for sound, but also an amplifier that augments, filters, and compresses its inputs. Hair cells, the ear's sensory receptors, use two distinct methods to implement an active process that endows our hearing with these remarkable properties. First, the vibration-sensitive structures of the ear, called hair bundles, display a mechanical instability that allows them to oscillate in response to stimulation. And second, the membranes of hair cells are replete with proteins that contract in response to electrical stimuli, thus enabling the cells to act like tiny muscles. The activity of these two motile processes can be so exuberant as to cause normal ears to emit sounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This article describes a new canalplasty technique for the treatment of symptoms resulting from chronic refractory otitis externa. Methods: We report on our experience using a swing-door island flap and a periosteal flap. Thirteen patients underwent treatment and a total of 19 ears were operated on. The range of preoperative symptoms was 3 to 22 years (mean length of symptoms = 12 years). Results: The postoperative course in all the patients showed this to be a satisfactory treatment with no recurrence of symptoms. Conclusion: The swing-door island flap canalplasty technique is an effective surgical treatment in patients with refractory otitis externa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have associated the earlobe crease sign, discovered by Sanders T. Frank in 1973, with cardiovascular pathology, yet very few studies have focused on the antiquity of this trait, with the most ancient one thought to date back to the Roman Emperor Hadrian (76–138 CE). This article presents two more cases from the Italian Renaissance in the works of the artist Andrea Mantegna (1431–1506) and examines them in a multidisciplinary fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to review current knowledge regarding implantation of the Vibrant Soundbridge floating mass transducer (FMT) at the round window (round window vibroplasty) as well as to form a consensus on steps for a reliable, stable surgical procedure. Data Sources: Review of the literature and experimental observations by the authors. Conclusion: Round window (RW) vibroplasty has been established as a reliable procedure that produces good and stable results for patients with conductive or mixed hearing loss. The experience gained over the past few years of the authors’ more than 200 implantations has led to consensus on several key points: (1) a wide and bloodless access to the middle ear with facial nerve monitoring, (2) the careful and correct identification and exposure of the round window membrane, (3) a good setup for efficient energy transition of the FMT, namely, perpendicular placement of the FMT with no contact to bone and the placement of cartilage behind the FMT to create a preloaded “spring” function, and (4) 4 points of FMT fixation: a rim of the round window bony overhang left intact both anterior and posterior to the FMT, conductor link stabilization, and cartilage behind the FMT. In addition, the FMT should be covered with soft tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ideally, individual real-ear-to-coupler difference (RECD) measurements are obtained for pediatric hearing instrument-fitting purposes. When RECD measurements cannot be obtained, age-related average RECDs based on typically developing North American children are used. Evidence suggests that these values may not be appropriate for populations of children with retarded growth patterns. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if another metric, such as head circumference, height, or weight, can be used for prediction of RECDs in children. Research Design: Design was a correlational study. For all participants, RECD values in both ears, head circumference, height, and weight were measured. Study Sample: The sample consisted of 68 North American children (ages 3-11 yr). Data Collection and Analysis: Height, weight, head circumference, and RECDs were measured and were analyzed for both ears at 500, 750,1000,1500, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz. A backward elimination multiple-regression analysis was used to determine if age, height, weight, and/or head circumference are significant predictors of RECDs. Results: For the left ear, head circumference was retained as the only statistically significant variable in the final model. For the right ear, head circumference was retained as the only statistically significant independent variable at all frequencies except at 2000 and 4000 Hz. At these latter frequencies, weight was retained as the only statistically significant independent variable after all other variables were eliminated. Conclusions: Head circumference can be considered as a metric for RECD prediction in children when individual measurements cannot be obtained. In developing countries where equipment is often unavailable and stunted growth can reduce the value of using age as a metric, head circumference can be considered as an alternative metric in the prediction of RECDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Previously, we had addressed the issues of shape control/maintenance of in vitro engineered human-ear-shaped cartilage. Thus, lack of applicable cell source had become a major concern that blocks clinical translation of this technology. Autologous microtia chondrocytes (MCs) and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were both promising chondrogenic cells that did not involve obvious donor site morbidity. However, limited cell availability of MCs and ectopic ossification of chondrogenically induced BMSCs in subcutaneous environment greatly restricted their applications in external ear reconstruction. The current study demonstrated that MCs possessed strong proliferation ability but accompanied with rapid loss of chondrogenic ability during passage, indicating a poor feasibility to engineer the entire ear using expanded MCs. Fortunately, the co-transplantation results of MCs and BMSCs (25% MCs and 75% BMSCs) demonstrated a strong chondroinductive ability of MCs to promote stable ectopic chondrogenesis of BMSCs in subcutaneous environment. Moreover, cell labeling demonstrated that BMSCs could transform into chondrocyte-like cells under the chondrogenic niche provided by co-cultured MCs. Most importantly, a human-ear-shaped cartilaginous tissue with delicate structure and proper elasticity was successfully constructed by seeding the mixed cells (MCs and BMSCs) into the pre-shaped biodegradable ear-scaffold followed by 12 weeks of subcutaneous implantation in nude mouse. These results may provide a promising strategy to construct stable ectopic cartilage with MCs and stem cells (BMSCs) for autologous external ear reconstruction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ten rhinoplasty operations performed using postauricular fascia for the purpose of augmenting the radix and dorsum of the nose were analyzed retrospectively. All the operations were performed over a 1-year period, between 2005 and 2006. The fascia of the postauricular area has been used as a source of pliable soft-tissue grafts in primary and revision rhinoplasty. It may be easily accessed using a single sulcus incision that also enables harvesting of ear cartilage grafts. Deficiency in the radix is an overlooked abnormality seen in many patients undergoing primary as well as revision rhinoplasty after aggressive hump removal. Recent trends in rhinoplasty have been to avoid the overly reduced nasal skeleton and to create a more balanced nasal surgery result. This article presents the use of the postauricular fascia as a radix graft that has been found to be simple to carry out, reliable, and long lasting. In addition, the fascia graft is useful in the camouflage of various nasal deformities in the dorsum and sidewalls. The average patient follow-up for the study was 24 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We selected 254 subjects between the ages of 18 and 30 yr to assess the ear position, angulations of the ear in relation to the nose, visibility from the frontal view, and dimensions of the ear by using various anthropometric points of the face. Subjects were divided into four groups based on facial form. A reference plane indicator, facial topographical measurements, metal ruler, and digital photography were used. While considering the position of the ear, in all facial forms except square tapering, the most samples showed a tendency for the subaurale being in line with subnasale. Regression analysis showed a tendency to gnathion distance is the most dependent variable with length of the ear kept as a constant predictor, while both interalar distance and exocanthion to endocanthion distance correlate highly significantly to the width of the ear. In all subjects, the visibility of the ear when viewed from the front was an average of 1.5 mm. Regardless of facial form, ear angulation was generally less than nose angulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Leishmania/L. major was identified as the etiological agent of human localized cutaneous leishmaniasis. L. major metacyclic promastigotes/MP – the infectious form transmitted by sand flies – were enriched from axenically-derived cultures and inoculated into the dermis of mice (103 or 104 luciferase-expressing L. major MP inoculated into the C57BL/6 mouse ear pinna). Quantitative readout assays were then combined with imaging of this L. major-hosting skin site and established i) that a specific period of time – depending upon the L. major load used for the inoculation – is required for the L. major-hosting ear pinna to be continuously populated by a balanced population of functional regulatory and effector T lymphocytes, and that ii) this balance coincides with persisting low numbers of amastigotes in more or less rapidly healing skin. This approach also established that, whatever the MP inoculum load delivered to the primary site, the immune processes that reduce the L. major amastigote population also account for concomitant immunity, namely remodelling of the secondary site – where 104 MP were delivered – as a clinically silent niche hosting a small L. major population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Ginseng and ginsenosides are frequently used in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. Recently, 20-O-β- d-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (GPD), the main metabolite of ginsenosides, was reported to have both anti-allergic and anti-pruritic effects. The immunomodulatory effects of GPD-fortified ginseng extract (GFGE) on atopic dermatitis (AD)-like symptoms in mice were investigated. This study was designed to investigate the preventive effect of GFGE on AD-like symptoms. Materials and methods: The effects of orally administered GFGE on Dermatophagoides farinae body extract (DFE)-induced AD-like symptoms in NC/Nga mice were assessed by analyzing dermatitis score, ear thickness, scratching time, skin histological changes, and serum level of macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC). In addition, splenocytes were isolated from the mice and stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies to produce cytokines. Results: Oral administration of GFGE significantly attenuated DFE-induced increases in dermatitis score, ear thickness, scratching time, and severity of skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. GFGE treatment also reduced level of MDC in serum, infiltration of eosinophils and mast cells in skin, and production of cytokines in splenocytes. Conclusions: These results suggest that GFGE might ameliorate DFE-induced AD-like symptoms and be an alternative therapeutic agent for the prevention of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusion: Compared with traditional animal models, the miniature pig may be a better model for biomedical research because its morphology has many similarities with that of humans. Objective: To investigate the suitability of the miniature pig as an animal model for otological research as regards morphology. Methods: Microdissection of the temporal bone of 10 miniature pigs was performed and recorded on photographs. Results: The morphology and measurements of the external, middle, and inner ear, and the lateral recess of the miniature pigs were completed by microdissection. The temporal bone structures, including the external, middle, inner ear, and the lateral recess, were similar in the miniature pig and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We report the discovery of three isolated primate petrosal fragments from the fossiliferous locality of Chambi (Tunisia), a primate-bearing locality dating from the late early to the early middle Eocene. These fossils display a suite of anatomical characteristics otherwise found only in strepsirhines, and as such might be attributed either to Djebelemur or/and cf. Algeripithecus, the two diminutive stem strepsirhine primates recorded from this locality. Although damaged, the petrosals provide substantial information regarding the ear anatomy of these advanced stem strepsirhines (or pre-tooth-combed primates), notably the patterns of the pathway of the arterial blood supply. Using μCT-scanning techniques and digital segmentation of the structures, we show that the transpromontorial and stapedial branches of the internal carotid artery (ICA) were present (presence of bony tubes), but seemingly too small to supply enough blood to the cranium alone. This suggests that the ICA was not the main cranial blood supply in stem strepsirhines, but that the pharyngeal or vertebral artery primitively ensured a great part of this role instead, an arterial pattern that is reminiscent of modern cheirogaleid, lepilemurid lemuriforms and lorisiforms. This could explain parallel loss of the ICA functionality among these families. Specific measurements made on the cochlea indicate that the small strepsirhine primate(s) from Chambi was (were) highly sensitive to high frequencies and poorly sensitive to low frequencies. Finally, variance from orthogonality of the plane of the semicircular canals (SCs) calculated on one petrosal (CBI-1-569) suggests that Djebelemur or cf. Algeripithecus likely moved (at least its head) in a way similar to that of modern mouse lemurs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Soft tissue conduction (STC), a recently described mode of auditory stimulation elicited when the clinical bone vibrator is applied to skin sites over the head, neck, and thorax, complements air conduction (AC) and bone conduction (BC), elicited by the same vibrator. The study assessed skull bone vibrations induced during STC and BC stimulation. Methods: The experiments were conducted on fat sand rats. Thresholds of auditory nerve brainstem evoked responses (ABRs) were recorded and compared to the lowest-intensity sound stimuli that elicited vibrations at the bony vestibule of the inner ear detected by a laser Doppler vibrometer. Results: Vibrations were detected during BC but not during STC stimulation. ABR was recorded to both STC and to BC stimulation. Conclusions: Low-intensity STC stimulation does not induce vibrations of the inner ear, showing that STC apparently does not involve mechanisms based on vibrations of bone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dural venous sinuses need further attention either for its anatomical structure or relationship to its neighborhood neurovascular formations in and around the temporal bone. In this study, the widths of the sigmoid sinus-jugular vein complex are measured in five different levels. The distances between this complex two some of the important temporal bone landmarks are also evaluated. Materials and Methods: Eight adult male cadavers (6 right, 8 left side) fixed with formaldehyde were used in this study. Mastoidectomy was performed under a surgical microscope (Zeiss Opmi 99, Germany). The distances between the Henle spine to the middle fossa dura, the sigmoid sinus to the facial nerve, the jugular bulb to the second genus of facial nerve and the crista fenestrae cochlea were measured. Received total 5 levels of cross-sectional areas were calculated that were established at five different levels of sigmoid sinus-jugular vein complex by point counting method. The differences between levels and the sides were evaluated with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The relationship amoung the about mention factors was evaluated with Spearman's correlation test. Results: Differences between levels and correlation characteristics have been introduced in tabular form. Correlation between the levels was found only on the left side. Regarding the landmarks of the temporal bone, positive correlation was found between the cross-sectional area of the jugular bulb with the 'distance between the Henle spine to the middle fossa dura' and negative correlation was found between the `distance of the jugular bulb to the crista fenestrae cochlea. Conclusion: Important correlations were found between the anatomical structure and the dimensions of the sinus-vein complex to the important landmarks of the temporal bone affecting the appropriate surgical approach to this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deqi sensation, a psychophysical response characterized by a spectrum of different needling sensations, is essential for Chinese acupuncture clinical efficacy. Previous research works have investigated the component of Deqi response upon acupuncture on acupoints on the trunk and limbs. However, the characteristics of Deqi sensations of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on auricular points are seldom reported. In this study, we investigated the individual components of Deqi during TENS on auricular concha area and the superior scapha using quantitative measurements in the healthy subjects and depression patients. The most striking characteristics of Deqi sensations upon TENS on auricular points were tingling, numbness, and fullness. The frequencies of pressure, warmness, heaviness, and soreness were relatively lower. The dull pain and coolness are rare. The characteristics of Deqi were similar for the TENS on concha and on the superior scapha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older adults with hearing loss who receive care in the noisy environment of a critical care unit can be disadvantaged in their ability to understand speech, thus limiting their participation in decision making. Providing optimal outcomes for such patients can be understood through use of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Synergy Model. When older adults are admitted to a critical care unit, their spouses, children, and friends are in positions to participate in the patients' care. The AACN Synergy Model patient characteristic of participation in care is useful in enhancing optimal outcomes for older patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Total ear canal ablation with a lateral bulla osteotomy (TECA-LBO) is an advanced surgical procedure that can be challenging even to experienced surgeons. This is the first of a two-part article and will discuss the regional anatomy and pre-operative considerations relating to TECA-LBO in the dog. The second part, to be published in the next issue of UKVet, will discuss the operative technique in detail, post-operative care and describe possible intra- and post-operative complications that may be encountered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used a novel approach allowing participants in this study to self-monitor their bearing sensitivity to familiar sounds in the environment. The objective of this approach was to establish whether participants in the 80-89 and 90-99 age groups would recognize the degree of their bearing impairment. It was our hope that participants would value audiology treatment and that it would improve their quality of life over a short period. The pilot study took place in a clinical environment where participants answered survey questions before and after audiology treatment, which pertained to their hearing impairment, morale, social support, and life satisfaction. Caregivers were included in the research to rate and record participants' problem behaviors (e.g., shouting, anger, agitation, repetitive speech dialog, and depression) before, during, and after treatment. This research validates other scientists' findings that annoying problem behaviors may actually be the result of bearing loss because of a person's inability to recognize speech. The pilot study shows that participants with mild dementia adapted well to speech and sounds in the natural environment without agitation as well as to management of hearing aids within a 30-day period. The participants with moderate dementia were slower to adapt. All participants with dementia required the cooperation of their caregivers to maintain hygiene of ear canals and hearing aids and insertion. This study suggests that the sooner people receive treatment for bearing loss, the quicker they are to recognize speech and to master bearing aid technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]