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(1) Background: Vaccine safety is an important topic with public health implications on a global scale. The purpose of this study was to systematically review available literature assessing sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) incidence and severity following both coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and non-COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as prognosis and outcomes. (2) Methods: This systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Relevant publications evaluating post-vaccination SNHL were selected from PubMed and Embase, searching from inception to July 2023. (3) Results: From 11 observational studies, the incidence of post-vaccination SNHL was low for both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 vaccines, ranging from 0.6 to 60.77 per 100,000 person-years, comparable to all-cause SNHL. (4) Conclusions: The incidence rates of SNHL following COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 vaccinations remained reassuringly low. Most patients experienced improved hearing function in the weeks to months following vaccination. This study underscores the importance and safety of vaccinations and encourages ongoing surveillance and detailed reporting of hearing loss cases post-vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Selçuk University Journal of Faculty of Letters is the property of Selcuk Universitesi Edebiyat Fakultesi Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of GeSec: Revista de Gestao e Secretariado is the property of Sindicato das Secretarias e Secretarios do Estado de Sao Paulo (SINSESP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Visual impairment significantly affects learners with hearing impairment. Aim: To assess the impact of spectacle wear on the quality of life (QoL) of learners with hearing impairment in Ghana. Setting: Six schools for the deaf in Ghana. Methods: A prospective case-control study design was used to assess the QoL among learners with uncorrected refractive error (URE) using the quality-of-life impact of refractive correction (QIRC) questionnaire before and after the provision of spectacles. Results: A total of 138 learners were enrolled in this study, with 69 learners in both the intervention and control groups, respectively. The mean QIRC score improved significantly for the intervention group: QIRC score before = 43.89 ± 8.96 vs. after = 48.82 ± 6.71 (P 0.05 and Cohen’s d = 0.62) but not the control group: QIRC score before = 50.79 ± 11.66 and 51.77 ± 10.67 (P = 0.607). Among the learners provided with spectacles, those who did not comply with spectacle wear had significant differences (P 0.05) in mean QIRC scores before and after the intervention. Only visual acuity (VA) and the magnitude of prescription with QIRC scores after intervention had a significant relationship (P 0.05). Conclusion: Uncorrected refractive error affected the QoL of learners with hearing impairment, and spectacle correction significantly improved their QoL. Contribution: The use of spectacle lenses, VA and magnitude of prescription affected the QoL scores; however, sex and age did not influence the QoL scores.

Background: To explore the prevalence of self-reported unintentional injuries and falls (UIFs) in medium-aged and old populations in Russia and factors associated with them. Methods: Two population-based studies (Ural Eye and Medical Study (UEMS), Ural Very Old Study (UVOS)) were carried out urban and rural areas in Bashkortostan/Russia. They consisted of 5899 individuals (age: 40+ years) and 1526 participants (age: 85+ years), respectively. We assessed previous falls as part of an interview with standardized questions, conducted in the framework of a series medical and ophthalmological assessments. Results: In the UEMS with 5894 individuals (age:59.0 ± 10.7 years), UIF prevalence was 1101/5894 (18.7 %; 95 % confidence interval (CI)CI:17.7,19.7), with 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, or 10+ UIFs reported by 766 (69.6 %),146 (13.3 %),56 (1.4 %),15 (1.4 %),19 (1.7 %),3 (0.3 %),2 (0.2 %),1 (0.01 %), and 10 (0.9 %) participants, respectively. The UIFs had occurred as outdoor incidents (n = 594; 53.8 %), at home (n = 162; 14.7 %), on the road or traffic accidents (n = 109; 9.9 %), at work (n = 77; 7.0 %), during garden work (n = 24; 2.2 %) or as falls from a higher level (n = 17; 1.5 %) or from house roofs (n = 16; 1.4 %). In 100 (1.7 % of the total study population; 9.1 % of the group with UIFs) participants, low vision was reported as a major cause for the UIF. Higher UIF prevalence was associated (multivariable analysis) with older age (odds ratio (OR):1.01; 95%CI:1.005,1.02;P

Abstract BACKGROUND Cognitive training is delivered visually and aurally. It is unknown whether self‐reported sensory difficulty modifies the effects of cognitive training on cognition. METHODS Participants (N = 2788) in the Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly Study were randomized to training in memory, reasoning, speed of processing, or control. Differences in the 10‐year effect of cognitive training on cognition by self‐reported vision and hearing difficulty were assessed using linear mixed effect models. RESULTS Benefit (intervention vs. control) of reasoning training was smaller among participants with versus without vision difficulty (difficulty: –0.25, 95% confidence interval: [–0.88, 0.39], no difficulty: 0.58 [0.28, 0.89]). Benefit of memory training was greater for participants with versus without hearing difficulty (difficulty: 0.17 [–0.37, 0.72], no difficulty: –0.20 [–0.65, 0.24]). DISCUSSION Older adults with sensory loss have increased risk for cognitive decline; benefits of cognitive training may be greater for these individuals. Sensory loss should be considered in training design. Highlights Memory training was more beneficial for participants with hearing loss. Participants with vision difficulties did not benefit as much from reasoning training. Low accessibility in design and learned compensation strategies may contribute. Consideration of sensory impairment in study design is needed. Inclusion of older adults with sensory impairment in cognitive training is needed.

Abstract INTRODUCTION This study aimed to determine whether the concomitance of hearing impairment and isolation with lack of conversation, which is considered self‐evident but has not been investigated extensively, is associated with the occurrence of dementia. METHODS A total of 2745 participants were divided into four groups according to the presence/absence of hearing impairment and isolation with lack of conversation. The association of dementia with hearing impairment and isolation with lack of conversation was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS The combined hearing impairment and isolation with lack of conversation (hazard ratio: 1.69, 95% confidence interval: 1.09‐2.61) and non‐hearing impairment and isolation with lack of conversation (hazard ratio: 1.60, 95% confidence: 1.07‐2.39) were associated with the development of dementia. DISCUSSION These findings emphasize the importance of promoting high‐quality social relationships throughout life by adopting preventive measures against isolation with lack of conversation from the early stage of awareness of hearing impairment. Highlights Dementia affects 12.9% of those with hearing impairment and isolation. Hearing impairment and isolation are associated with increased risk of dementia. Addressing these risk factors may help reduce the risk of developing dementia. Preventing isolation and promoting quality social relationships is important.

AimsTo investigate the association between socioeconomic position (SEP) and sensory impairments (SIs).MethodsWe used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) (2015). Logistic regressions estimated the odds ratio for associations of SEP with SIs. In addition, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to assess the causal relationship between them with the inverse variance weighting (IVW) estimator. MR-Egger, simple median, weighted median, maximum likelihood, and robust adjusted profile score were employed for sensitivity analyses.ResultsIn the observational survey, we enrolled 19,690 individuals aged 45 and above. SEP was negatively associated with SIs. Adjusted odds of vision impairment were higher for illiterate (1.50; 95%CI: 1.19, 1.91), less than elementary school diploma (1.76; 95%CI: 1.39, 2.25), middle school diploma (1.53; 95%CI: 1.21, 1.93) and lower income (all p

Background: Hearing impairment is an invisible disability affecting one in five people globally. Its ability to affect participation in activities of daily living means that it requires prompt identification and intervention. Objective: This article aims to define the process of accessing audiologists from the onset of symptoms for adults with hearing impairment in a peri-urban community in South Africa. Method: Twenty-three participants were recruited through purposive sampling from an audiology department of a public hospital. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using an interview guide, and data were mapped according to the participants’ responses from the onset of ear and hearing symptoms to the point of audiologist consultation for analysis. Results: Seventeen (74%) participants had long journeys to accessing the audiologist after seeking help from multiple providers, with those with short journeys (26%) being referred mostly by public healthcare providers. Despite participants being from one peri-urban community, their journeys were influenced by socio-economics, health illiteracy and other structural factors. Finally, Ear-Nose-Throat specialists linked participants with audiology services. Conclusion: Accessing audiology services is a complex process in some contexts. The disparities in the social environment, lifestyle factors and pluralistic healthcare models influence access to audiologists. Healthcare providers must take cognisance of the journeys of adults with hearing impairment in their clinical interventions. Universal health coverage, in the form of the planned National Health Insurance (NHI) for all South African citizens, will play an important role in addressing the societal inequalities in accessing healthcare. Factors leading to long journeys should be addressed to facilitate early intervention. Contribution: The study raises implications for the planned NHI in South Africa, suggesting that universal health coverage could play a vital role in addressing societal inequalities in accessing healthcare, including audiology services.

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programmes are recognised as the standard of care for newborns and infants presenting with hearing impairment, globally. However, widespread implementation of these programmes is far from being realised and faces numerous challenges within the South African context. The United Nations’ sustainable development goal 3.8 and South Africa’s national development plan seek to achieve equitable access to healthcare service, including EHDI. However, healthcare access is a complex concept which encompasses the dimensions: availability, affordability, acceptability and accommodation in healthcare. South Africa has made great progress towards universal implementation of EHDI programmes. Despite this progress, availability and affordability of these programmes are limited and their acceptability has received limited research focus in this context. Furthermore, accommodation of caregivers, as co-drivers of EHDI programmes and ensuring that EHDI programmes are linguistically and culturally congruent have also been overlooked within the South African context. Contribution: Increased robust efforts in improving access through availability and affordability of EHDI programmes are warranted in South Africa. However, improving access to these programmes through availability and affordability initiatives alone will not result in a pragmatic improvement in their accessibility. Acceptability of these programmes and accommodations such as involving caregivers and family members of children with hearing impairment as equal partners in EHDI programmes and being cognisant of their linguistic and cultural needs must be considered.

As a step prescribed by the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology before conducting a scoping review, the protocol aims to describe differences in creativity between deaf and hard of hearing and typically hearing people. Creativity as a mental process is important for the development of personality, imagination, communication skills, and interpersonal relationships. For this study, the focus was on creativity of deaf and hard of hearing persons. Deaf and hard of hearing people show specific characteristics in their mode of creativity. All the studies that deal with creativity in deaf and hard of hearing people will be included. Studies of any design in English, German, or Czech will be accepted as sources for assessment and analysis for systematic review. The Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for a scoping review will act as a framework for the review that will be prepared. 14 scientific databases will be chosen for this review. Two independent reviewers will identify and evaluate all the titles and abstracts that are acquired. The selected data will be extracted and reported in tabular form and a descriptive format.

Background: The impact of hearing loss in stroke is less explored. This study aimed to compare hearing loss in patients with sub-acute stroke with healthy controls and evaluate its association with gait and balance impairments and falls. Methods: This study involved 78 ambulant sub-acute stroke patients and 78 age-sex-matched controls. Hearing loss was assessed with pure tone average, while gait and balance impairments were assessed with the Timed Up and Go test, Berg Balance Scale, Functional Gait Assessment and 10-m walk test (gait speed). Fall occurrence was evaluated by a self-report questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of hearing loss (pure tone average of >25 dB) was higher in stroke patients than in controls (64.1% vs. 35.9%; p

Abstract Background People with hearing impairment have many problems with healthcare use, which is associated with health literacy. Research on health literacy is less focused on people with hearing impairments. This research aimed to explore the levels of health literacy in people with hearing impairment, find the barriers to health literacy, and summarize methods for improving health literacy. Methods A systematic review was conducted using three databases (PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase) to search the relevant articles and analyze them. The studies were selected using pre-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria in two steps: first, selection by examining the title and abstract; and second, after reading the study in full. The Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Nonrandomized Studies (RoBANS) was used to assess the quality of the articles. Results Twenty-nine studies were synthesized qualitatively. Individuals with hearing impairment were found to have lower health literacy, when compared to those without impairment, which can lead to a higher medical cost. Most of the people with hearing impairment faced barriers to obtaining health-related information and found it difficult to communicate with healthcare providers. To improve their health literacy, it is essential to explore new ways of accessing health information and improving the relationship between patients and healthcare providers. Conclusions Our findings show that people with hearing impairment have lower health literacy than those without. This suggests that developing new technology and policies for people with hearing impairment is necessary not to mention promoting provision of information via sign language. Trial registration OSF: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/V6UGW . PROSPERO ID: CRD42023395556.

Due to several unpleasant symptoms that reduce people’s quality of life (QOL), chronic otitis media (COM) is considered a serious illness. Clinical signs of COM include hearing loss, otorrhea, ear fullness, ear discomfort, headache, and frequent tinnitus. COM is probably a trigger for the emergence of psychological issues and chronic stress. In addition, the inability to converse due to hearing loss is a limitation. The QOL is impacted in COM with hearing loss. Disabling hearing loss can have a significant effect on daily activities. For children to develop speech and language, proper hearing is necessary. Adults with hearing problems may have trouble finding work. Health-related QOL is an ever-increasing entity in health parameters. There is very little research done on COM and its psychosocial impact on QOL. This review article focuses on the psychosocial impact of QOL among patients with COM. This review article discusses epidemiology, COM, QOL, and their impact on patients in different age groups.

Background We hypothesized that fatty liver disease (FLD) is associated with a high prevalence of hearing loss (HL) owing to metabolic disturbances. This study aimed to evaluate the association between FLD and HL in a large sample of the Korean population. Methods We used a dataset of adults who underwent routine voluntary health checkups (n=21,316). Fatty liver index (FLI) was calculated using Bedogni’s equation. The patients were divided into two groups: the non-FLD (NFLD) group (n=18,518, FLI 40 dB. Results HL was observed in 1,370 (7.4%) and 238 patients (8.5%) in the NFLD and FLD groups, respectively (p=0.041). Compared with the NFLD group, the odds ratio for HL in the FLD group was 1.16 (p=0.040) and 1.46 (p

Ototoxic drugs can result in hearing loss and tinnitus. Early detection of the ototoxic process can help minimize or prevent these consequences. The American Speech–Language–Hearing Association has provided guidelines for monitoring ototoxicity, whereas Italy has not yet implemented a national monitoring protocol. This study aims to assess the current state of ototoxicity monitoring in patients receiving cisplatin therapy. A self-administered survey has been used to gather information from oncologists, audiologists, and ENT specialists. The research was conducted at Santa Maria della Misericordia hospital in Perugia. Two questionnaires were administered, one to ENT/audiology specialists and another to oncology specialists. Both questionnaires were used to collect information on awareness of chemotherapy-induced ototoxicity. A comprehensive understanding of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity has been widely established (100%). The most commonly reported audiological symptoms by patients were hearing loss (100%) and tinnitus (87.5%). The majority of ENT and audiologists (93.8%) and oncologists (92.9%) expressed the need for a specific ototoxic monitoring program. However, they noted the absence of a well-defined ototoxicity monitoring protocol. A well-established and efficient ototoxic monitoring system facilitates early detection of ototoxic hearing loss and subsequent rehabilitation of inevitable hearing impairment.

The motivation for this study was the realization that the mantra: “nothing about us without us” is indeed a strong foundation for a better understanding of the learning experiences of learners with a hearing impairment. Therefore, analysing the lived experiences of a learner as an insider is a point of departure for the current research paper. The emphasis was to conduct a qualitative research study anchored on an interpretivist paradigm. The study adopted Sen’s Capabilities Approach in framing the lenses through which to view the phenomena under evaluation. The study analysed a journal paper about the reflections of a Deaf researcher who attended a mainstream school. The findings of the study suggested that the narratives of learners with hearing impairment seem to give a better perspective of their learning experiences. As such, hearing their stories can be used as the basis for the evaluation of teaching strategies on the one hand; and education policies that address their unique and diverse learning needs on the other.

Abstract Background There is a wealth of research, globally, on the help-seeking behavior patterns of individuals with a variety of chronic medical conditions. Contextually relevant findings have been reported describing the influence of a disease and/or disorder together with the related personal, social, environmental, and region-specific factors. However, research related to help-seeking behavior patterns in hearing impairment is mostly found in high income countries (HICs) and tells a one-sided story indicating a knowledge gap in other contexts. As part of a bigger study titled “In pursuit of preventive audiology: Help-seeking behavior patterns of adults with hearing impairment in a peri-urban community in South Africa”, the main aim of this study was to describe the patterns of presentation of symptoms in adults with hearing impairment from a peri-urban community in South Africa. Methods Through a non-probability purposive sampling method, 23 adults with hearing impairment participated in semi-structured interviews using an interview guide from April – June 2021. Thematic analysis through a deductive analysis approach was adopted for data analysis. Results Participants’ patterns of presentation indicated a belief in a Western bio-medical causation to explain their hearing impairment. Help-seekers sought help mostly from healthcare workers at all levels of healthcare in the public (primary, secondary, and tertiary) and private healthcare sectors, followed by a few participants consulting their social networks. Only one participant used a traditional healthcare provider to resolve his hearing difficulties. Conclusions In a diverse country like South Africa, with a majority African population, the influence of cultural practices and beliefs proved to have a minimal influence on participants’ help-seeking behavior for their ear and hearing challenges. However, an interplay of factors related to one’s context at the time played a significant role in the patterns of presentation to the ear and hearing clinic. There is therefore a need to understand the perspectives of adults with hearing impairment from their environments to facilitate more contextual relevancy in healthcare provision within the preventive audiology field. Hearing health policymakers should also endeavor to consider the realities of health-seeking in each context and environment.

Tumors of the pineal region typically present with symptoms and signs of mass effect and increased intracranial pressure. However, although rare and can be overlooked, hearing impairment is a potential clinical finding in these cases. The authors describe a 24-year-old male who presented to the emergency room complaining of bilateral hearing impairment. Brain computed tomography showed a pineal region tumor. Histopathological examination demonstrated features consistent with germinoma. This case reports a rare presentation rarely seen in the literature and in practice as evident by the conducted literature review. Therefore, we highlight the importance of considering hearing impairment as a presenting symptom of pineal region tumors since prompt recognition and intervention, as demonstrated in this case, can lead to successful outcomes.

Background: Sensory information obtained from the visual, somatosensory, and vestibular systems is responsible for regulating postural control, and if damage occurs in one or more of these sensory systems, postural control may be altered. Objective: To evaluate and compare the postural sway velocity between children with normal hearing and with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), matched by sex and age group, and to compare the postural sway velocity between children with normal hearing and with SNHL, with and without vestibular dysfunction. Methods: Cross-sectional study that evaluated 130 children (65 with normal hearing and 65 with SNHL), of both sexes and aged between 7 and 11 years, from public schools of the city of Caruaru, Pernambuco state, Brazil. The postural sway velocity of the center of pressure (COP) was assessed by a force platform, in two directions, anteroposterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML)), in three positions, namely bipedal support with feet together and parallel (parallel feet (PF)), bipedal support with one foot in front of the other (tandem foot (TF)), and single-leg support (one foot (OF)), evaluated with the eyes open and closed. Results: Children with SNHL demonstrated greater postural sway velocity compared to children with normal hearing in all the positions evaluated, with significant differences in the AP direction, with the eyes open (PF: p = 0.001; TF: p = 0.000; OF: p = 0.003) and closed (PF: p = 0.050; TF: p = 0.005). The same occurred in the ML direction, with the eyes open (PF: p = 0.001; TF: p = 0.000; OF: p = 0.001) and closed (PF: p = 0.002; TF: p = 0.000). The same occurred in relation to vestibular function, where the children with SNHL with an associated vestibular dysfunction demonstrated greater postural sway velocity compared to children with normal hearing in all the positions evaluated, demonstrating significant differences in the AP direction, with the eyes open (TF: p = 0.001; OF: p = 0.029) and eyes closed (PF: p = 0.036; TF: p = 0.033). The same occurred in the ML direction, with the eyes open (TF: p = 0.000) and with the eyes closed (PF: p = 0.008; TF: p = 0.009). Conclusions: Children with SNHL demonstrated greater instability of postural control than children with normal hearing in all the directions assessed. Children with SNHL and an associated vestibular dysfunction demonstrated the greatest instability of postural control in this study.

Vocational education is also often referred to as skills. One of them is fashion skills, which is a discipline and art regarding the application of aesthetic design, and natural beauty to clothing and its additional decoration. This research aims to create a program on learning fashion skills in embroidery design for teachers and students with hearing impairments. The approach used in this research is research and development with exploratory mixed method research design and at the program trial stage researchers use experimental methods with single subject research design (A-B-A). The results of a good learning program trial lead students to have a good learning experience, the program that has been made shows that the program can be useful and useful, especially for students. The results of this study are expected to be taken into consideration for teachers in providing learning fashion skills in embroidery design to students.

Background: The prevalence of diabetes and its adverse effects have snowballed through the world due to changes in lifestyle. Association of diabetes with hearing loss has been a topic of discussion for many years. Aim and Objectives: To assess the Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) in patients with diabetes and correlate it with the duration and severity of hyperglycemia. Material and Methods: This hospital based cross-sectional study was carried out from August 2017 to July 2018 among 100 patients with diabetes aged between 31-60 years. Patients were grouped as per age, duration of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and glycaemic control using HbA1c levels. The results were statistically analysed using Chi-square test and Pearson's coefficient to draw significance. Results: The incidence of SNHL in patients with diabetes was 79% and the correlation among different age group showed statistical significance (p < 0.05). There was no statistical association between the gender and hearing loss among patients with diabetes (p = 0.70). However, association of SNHL to the duration of DM was statistically significant when compared among all three duration groups. No statistical correlation was present with the glycaemic control of DM. Results showed high frequency SNHL with 41.8% patients with diabetes having moderate degree of hearing loss. Conclusion: Early referral for hearing assessment in patients with diabetes can be followed by clinicians aiming at improving quality of life with timely measures.

Language is a special feature that helps humans to exchange their feelings and thoughts. Language is used in spoken and written forms. Written forms are learned by relating with the speech sounds. In this society, people with speech and language developmental disabilities are also living with proper solution for their impairments. Most people with hearing loss cannot understand the speech. Only one-third of the speech can be understood through lip-reading. When a person does not hear sounds, the place and manner of articulation of the speech sounds look the same or invisible to the naked eye. Lack of phonemic awareness impedes their language development and impairs their reading and writing skills. To overcome this difficulty, Cued Speech, which uses cues along with speech sounds can be used. With Cued Speech, the speech sounds can be detected easily and cent percent accurately. Forty-five individuals with hearing impairment participated in the study. The results of the study show that using Cued Speech enables one to identify most of the speech sounds in the Tamil language. Due to this method, there may be a cent percent chance for speech and language development among individuals with hearing impairment. Hence, adapting Cued Speech for speech sounds in Tamil language is done for the first time which is going to help individuals with hearing impairment, living in Tamil speaking region and all over the world, to overcome the difficulties faced in language and communication and is going to be a life changing factor. Thus, this study intended to find the effectiveness of adapted Cued Speech in identifying the speech sounds in the Tamil language.

In the early 1950s, Stalinist Czechoslovakia saw a discussion about what form education for the deaf should take in the socialist future, which was then allegedly being rapidly built. The answer to this question was not offered by official ideology or party programmes, and was therefore negotiated by a number of different actors: in addition to experts, whose involvement is not surprising, there were also those whose voices would normally not be heard — parents and the deaf themselves. Together, they raised the question of hearing impairment, its (ab)normality in socialist society and argued about the possibilities, means and indeed the need to “correct” it.

Abstract Background The steel industry is one of the noisiest industries, which can predispose workers to hearing loss. In Egypt, the demand for steel is increasing due to the construction of new infrastructures as bridges, flyover roads, buildings, and towers; however, little is known about the prevalence of occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) among steel workers. Understanding the distribution of the affected workers is crucial for planning prevention strategies. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of occupational NIHL among Egyptian steel workers and identify its correlates. Methods This study was conducted at two steel factories in Egypt in November 2021. It involved an initial retrospective review of the factory medical records of the latest periodic medical examination conducted on workers from July to September in the year 2021 representing workers’ health status in that year. Then, a case–control approach analysis was carried out. Eligible workers (n = 606) were enrolled and divided into two groups: noise-exposed workers (n = 396) and unexposed workers (n = 210). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed. Results Occupational exposure to hazardous A-weighted equivalent noise level (> 85 dB) was associated with higher hearing thresholds at all frequencies (highest at 4 kHz followed by 6 kHz), particularly in younger workers below the age of 40 years. Nearly 71% of noise-exposed workers had hearing impairment, and 47% had NIHL compared with unexposed workers (45.7% and 11.9%, respectively). The probability of NIHL in noise-exposed workers was 6.55 times higher than that in unexposed workers (OR = 6.55, 95%CI = 4.13, 10.40; p

INTRODUCTION: Type 1 diabetes (T1D), one of the most common childhood diseases worldwide, can cause hearing loss through systemic effects. Diabetes-induced hearing loss is considered a progressive sensorineural hearing loss with a gradual onset, typically occurring at high frequencies (HFs). Extended HF (EHF) hearing sensitivity in children with T1D who did not complain of hearing loss was investigated as an early marker for hearing loss at the standard/conventional frequency range of hearing. METHODS: Forty-two children (21 with T1D and 21 healthy controls) were evaluated in a case-control design. Conventional and EHF (14,000, 16,000, and 18,000 Hz) audiometry were performed. The diabetes group underwent routine blood biochemistry and glycated hemoglobin A1c measurements. The data were analyzed by the Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean hearing thresholds were significantly higher (p15 dB HL at 14,000-18,000 Hz but ≤15 dB HL at 500-4,000 Hz was significantly higher in the diabetes group than in the control group (p=0.049). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Children with diabetes showed normal hearing thresholds within the conventional audiometric frequency range but they had higher hearing thresholds during EHF audiometry when compared with controls. Audiometry in these children should be performed using frequencies above 8,000 Hz combined with the conventional frequency range. EHF audiometry may be an effective method for identifying subclinical hearing loss in children with diabetes. Thus, diabetic children with an EHF mean hearing threshold above 15 dB HL should be monitored more closely in terms of blood glucose regulation to prevent diabetes-related hearing loss at the conventional frequency range.

Background: Two intervention approaches are implemented in South Africa to alleviate the deleterious consequences of congenital or early onset hearing impairment on language acquisition and subsequent poor learning outcomes. Aim: This study investigated the learning outcomes of foundation phase learners with severe to profound hearing impairment who received Listening and Spoken Language – South Africa (LSL-SA) (adapted Auditory Verbal Therapy) therapy compared to those who received Traditional Speech-Language Therapy (TSLT). Setting: The study was conducted at four early intervention (EI) schools for children with hearing impairment across three provinces in South Africa. Methods: Data were collected through record reviews of their Speech-Language Therapy Outcomes and South African National Department of Basic Education academic report cards. Data were analysed using quantitative statistics. Results: Findings demonstrated that children with hearing impairment enrolled in LSL-SA outperformed those enrolled in TSLT in achieving age-equivalent language outcomes. A higher percentage of learners enrolled in LSL-SA achieved meritorious to outstanding learning outcomes. While a comparable number of learners progressed to mainstream schooling, children with hearing impairment enrolled in LSL-SA are enrolled for a shorter duration until discharge than those enrolled in TSLT. This is an important finding, particularly in low-middle income countries (LMICs). Conclusion: Listening and Spoken Language – South Africa graduates achieved superior learning outcomes dependent on language attainment, providing contextually relevant evidence supporting the effectiveness of the LSL-SA EI approach. Contribution: These context-specific outcomes stress the obligation to upscale and fast-track EI services. Implications for investment in LSL-SA are proposed through collaboration between families, educators, and early interventionists.

BackgroundCross-sectional evidence suggests that persistently short or long sleep duration is associated with sensory impairment. Thus, this study was conducted to investigate the associations between sleep duration and altered sleep duration with sensory impairment in Chinese older adults.MethodsLongitudinal data (2008–2014) obtained through the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) were analyzed. Sleep duration was classified as normal (7–8 h), short (

The noise pollution produced by various aircraft systems, including hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical systems and auxiliary aircraft equipment inside the aircraft hangars, generally cause hearing impairment and mental disorder of shift and office personnel. Identifying hangar noise pollutants can lead to find solutions and methods to deal with the contaminants in the aviation industry. In the first phase of the research, the sound study in each specified region of the hangar, the required measurements and frequency analysis are done to determine the type of sound control appropriate for the hangar. Measurements in this study were conducted in accordance with standards, and the results of the measurements and equilibrium calculations after recording were compared with the permissible exposure limits in accordance with the Occupational Exposure Limit values. The results show that the highest sound pressure level corresponds to sheet metal activities (128 dBC) and thereafter respectively, pneumatic systems (112 dBC), hydraulic pumps (104 dBC) and electrical systems (86 dBA), and found that noise pollution of the hangar during the specified time for shift and office personnel is higher than the permissible limits, and this exposure is harmful to the physical and mental health of the staff. In the second phase of the research, by the results of statistical analysis of the questionnaires, there was a significant relationship between the result of estimating noise intensity and the extent of its annoyance by shift and office personnel, which most people in the hangar believe that this level of noise pollution is very annoying.

Brachyolmia is a heterogeneous group of developmental disorders characterized by a short trunk, short stature, scoliosis, and generalized platyspondyly without significant deformities in the long bones. DASS (Dental Abnormalities and Short Stature), caused by alterations in the LTBP3 gene, was previously considered as a subtype of brachyolmia.The present study investigated three unrelated consanguineous families (A, B, C) with Brachyolmia and DASS from Egypt and Pakistan. In our Egyptian patients, we also observed hearing impairment. Exome sequencing was performed to determine the genetic causes of the diverse clinical conditions in the patients. Exome sequencing identified a novel homozygous splice acceptor site variant (LTBP3:c.3629-1G > T; p. ?) responsible for DASS phenotypes and a known homozygous missense variant (CABP2: c.590T > C; p.Ile197Thr) causing hearing impairment in the Egyptian patients. In addition, two previously reported homozygous frameshift variants (LTBP3:c.132delG; p.Pro45Argfs*25) and (LTBP3:c.2216delG; p.Gly739Alafs*7) were identified in Pakistani patients.This study emphasizes the vital role of LTBP3 in the axial skeleton and tooth morphogenesis and expands the mutational spectrum of LTBP3. We are reporting LTBP3 variants in seven patients of three families, majorly causing brachyolmia with dental and cardiac anomalies. Skeletal assessment documented short webbed neck, broad chest, evidences of mild long bones involvement, short distal phalanges, pes planus and osteopenic bone texture as additional associated findings expanding the clinical phenotype of DASS. The current study reveals that the hearing impairment phenotype in Egyptian patients of family A has a separate transmission mechanism independent of LTBP3.