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Introduction: Oculomotor disorders have been reported in some of the dyslexic children. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of oculomotor rehabilitation on the cognitive performance of dyslexic children. Methods: Subjects were 50 dyslexic children between 8 and 12 years old. Those with oculomotor abnormalities (n = 30) were randomly assigned to two groups (case and control) matched for age. The case group received oculomotor rehabilitation. Children in the control group received no intervention. The oculomotor rehabilitation was performed twice weekly for 8 weeks in case group. Three cognitive subtests of CANTAB were performed pre and post-intervention stage to determine the effects of intervention on the cognitive function of study population. ANCOVA and T-test were used for comparison of results between two groups. Results: The correct scores of cognitive tests in the case group posttest increased significantly compared to the control group (p = 0.028). Conclusion: The study indicated the positive effects of oculomotor rehabilitation on the cognitive performance of dyslexic children.

Background and Aim: Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) is crucial for evaluating auditory pathway function in pediatric patients. However, obtaining reliable ABR measurements in young children can be challenging due to their inability to stay still and quiet during the test. Sedation is frequently used to facilitate ABR testing in this population, but the most practically effective sedation method and its impact are still uncertain. This systematic review aimed to thoroughly investigate the success rates (completion of ABR in both ears) associated with different sedation techniques. Recent Findings: In recent review (2000-2022), Ten studies, identified through a comprehensive search of electronic databases, were included in the analysis. The studies reported significant variation in success rates for ABR testing with sedation, ranging from 70% to 100%. This suggests that the effectiveness of sedation may not be uniform across all situations. The included studies employed a wide variety of sedation techniques, highlighting the lack of a standardized approach in this area. Conclusion: These findings highlight the heterogeneity in sedation practices and success rates for pediatric ABR testing. This emphasizes the importance of tailoring the sedation approach to the specific needs of each child while carefully considering the potential risks associated with each sedation method. Further research is warranted to establish standardized protocols for sedation in pediatric ABR, ensuring optimal test efficacy while prioritizing patient safety. Research Square registration DOI: (https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2388140/v1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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

Background and Aim: The Buffalo Model Questionnaire (BMQ) has been proposed for the screening, helping to diagnose and also monitoring the effect of rehabilitation on the improvement of Central Auditory Processing Disorder ((C)APD). In this regard, the applicability and accuracy of Persian-BMQ (P-BMQ) are evaluated by examining the correlation between the results of this questionnaire and the Buffalo model test battery. Methods: Overall, 254 children, normal and with Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) aged between 7–12 years old participated in this cross-sectional study. The questionnaire was completed by the parents of children who were subjected to the Buffalo model test battery evaluations. Results: In the normal group, the highest correlation (0.648) was shown between the Decoding (D) component of the P-BMQ with the Row Staggered Spondaic Word (RSSW) variable. In the SLD group, the highest correlation (0.318) was shown between the Variance-tolerance fading memory (V) component of the P-BMQ and the qualitative Persian version of the Phonemic Sentence Test (P-PST) variable. The highest correlation was considered to be between the D component of the P-BMQ with the Right Competitive word, started in the Left ear (RC-LEF) variable in the SSW test (0.498), and qualitative P-PST variable (0.471); and 0.360 between the V component of the P-BMQ and Persian version of the Speech in Noise with S/N=4 in the Left ear (P-SIN4L) of variable in the P-SIN test. Conclusion: P-BMQ is a useful screening tool complementing the Persian Buffalo model test battery for evaluating auditory processing evaluation in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Many studies have suggested that cochlear implant (CI) users vary in terms of speech recognition in noise. Studies in this field attribute this variety partly to subcortical auditory processing. Studying speech-Auditory Brainstem Response (speech-ABR) provides good information about speech processing; thus, this work was designed to compare speech-ABR components between two groups of CI users with good and poor speech recognition in noise scores. Materials & Methods The present study was conducted on two groups of CI users aged 8-10 years old. The first group (CI-good) consisted of 15 children with prelingual CI who had good speech recognition in noise performance. The second group (CI-poor) was matched with the first group, but they had poor speech recognition in noise performance. The speech-ABR test in a sound-field presentation was performed for all the participants. Results The speech-ABR response showed more delay in C, D, E, F, O latencies in CI-poor than CI-good users (P <0.05), meanwhile no significant difference was observed in initial wave (V(t= -0.293, p= 0.771 and A (t= -1.051, p= 0.307). Analysis in spectral-domain showed a weaker representation of fundamental frequency as well as the first formant and high-frequency component of speech stimuli in the CI users with poor auditory performance. Results revealed that CI users who showed poor auditory performance in noise performance had deficits in encoding the periodic portion of speech signals at the brainstem level. Also, this study could be as physiological evidence for poorer pitch processing in CI users with poor speech recognition in noise performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The incidence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is increasing rapidly worldwide. It has been shown that the long-term exposure to noise leads to permanent hearing loss. There is currently no treatment for NIHL and it is mainly managed by preventive measures. This study aimed to develop a training software to improve speech-in-noise (SIN) perception in the elderly suffering from mild-to-moderate NIHL due to temporal fine structure (TFS) damage. Methods: This is a non-randomized clinical trial conducted on 8 older men aged 60-75 years (Mean age = 68 ± 4.5 years) with mild-to-moderate NIHL at high frequencies (43.75±6.0 dBHL) with at least for five years of work in noisy environment. They received rehabilitation using a researcher-developed training software targeted TFS for five weeks. To assess the efficiency of the training software, the signal-to-noise ratio for 50% correct scores (SNR-50%) was calculated using the word-in-noise test before and after the trial. Results: The SNR-50% improved significantly in all participants from 13±2.63 dB to 6.10±2.85 dB (p<0.001). In the multiple linear regression model, the rehabilitation by the training software predicted 68% of improvement in SNR-50% (coefficient of determination=0.676). Conclusion: Rehabilitation by the training software developed based on TFS can improve SIN perception in the elderly with NIHL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study was conducted to develop the Persian version of the Phonemic Synthesis Test, evaluate its psychometric properties and generate normative data. Design: Test development, including the optimisation of materials, determining content and face validities and assessing the psychometric properties. Study samples: Overall, 425 subjects participated in this study in three different stages. Ten experts participated in the content validity assessment stage. The face validity was determined by taking the views of 17 subjects, including children diagnosed with APD, normal children and experts. The psychometric properties were evaluated with 395 normal children aged 7 to 11, divided into five age groups. All the participants were retested after four weeks for evaluating the test-retest reliability. Results: The results revealed the strong content and face validity of the test. No significant differences were observed between the genders. Significant differences were observed in the quantitative and qualitative scores among the age groups. The Spearman correlation coefficient showed that the scores of the test and retest were strongly and positively correlated (r > 0.9). The findings showed many similarities with the data reported in the original American English Phonemic Synthesis Test. Conclusions: The Persian Phonemic Synthesis Test is a reliable and valid test for auditory processing assessments in Persian-speaking children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Considering the common neurological origins, there is a relationship between the sensory gating and cognitive functions. However, there is no adequate information on this issue. In this study, auditory event-related potentials and the sensory gating performance were assessed in P50, N100 and P200 waves. Besides, their relationship with cognitive performance in auditory and visual modalities was investigated. Materials & Methods Nineteen normal primary school students (14 boys) were tested in Tehran, Iran from 2017 to 2018. In the auditory modality, the Persian version of the non-word repetition test and monaural selective auditory attention test (mSAAT) were used for assessment of the working memory and selective attention, respectively. In order to evaluate the visual working memory and visual selective attention, Rey-Osterrieth complex figure, selective and divided attention test were used, respectively. A 32-channel EEG system was used for electrophysiological assessment. Results The P50 sensory gating was negatively correlated with the visual selective attention (P=0.034, r=-0.49) and N100 sensory gating was negatively correlated with the auditory working memory (P=0.043, r=-0.48) as well as visual selective attention (P=0.039, r=-0.47). For P200, there was a significant negative relationship with auditory selective attention in the right ear (P=0.034, r=-0.49). Conclusion Sensory gating in children is not a modality-specific phenomenon. Sensory gating in a modality could be associated with cognitive functions in other modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tinnitus is a common otologic symptom that can seriously affect a patient's quality of life. The purpose of the present study was to translate and validate the Iowa Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire (THQ) into the Persian language, and to make it applicable as a tool for determining the effects of tinnitus on a patient's life. Materials and Methods: The main version of the THQ was translated into the Persian language. The agreed Persian version was administered to 150 tinnitus patients. The validity of the Persian THQ was evaluated and internal reliability was confirmed using Cronbach's α-coefficient. Finally, the effect of independent variables such as age, mean patient threshold, gender, and duration of tinnitus were considered in order to determine the psychometric properties of tinnitus. Results: After an exact translation process, the Persian THQ was found to exhibit face validity. In terms of content validity, content validity index in total questionnaire was 0.93. Further, in structural validity measurements, intermediate correlation with annoyance from tinnitus (r=0.49), low correlation with duration of tinnitus (r=0.34) and high correlation with the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) questionnaire (r=0.84) were demonstrated. Additionally, a negligible effect of gender and age was noted on degree of tinnitus handicap (P= 0.754, P= 0.573, respectively). In the internal reliability assessment for Factors 1, 2, 3, and the whole questionnaire, Cronbach's α-coefficient was 0.95, 0.92, 0.25 and 0.88, respectively. Conclusion: The Persian version of the Iowa THQ demonstrates high validity and reliability and can be used for the determination of tinnitus handicap and for following-up in the intervention process in Persian tinnitus patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Non-linear frequency compression is a new feature in hearing instruments compresses the voices of a high-frequency region above a certain cut-off point and transfers them to the lower frequency regions in order to improve the audibility. In this study, we aimed to survey the effect of this feature on the total level of hearing skills of children with profound hearing loss at the age of 3-4 years. Methods: Twenty two 3-4-years-old children with profound hearing loss were selected with improbable simple sampling. 11 of them had hearing instruments with non-linear frequency compression and 11 had traditional hearing instruments. Tavana test (Jarollahi, 2009) was used to compare the level of hearing skills in these two groups. Results: Comparison of mean scores of total level of hearing skills in two groups indicated a significant difference (p <0.001). Also, the mean scores of level in all subtests, detection (p=0.022), determination (p=0.005), recognition (p=0.039) and comprehension (p=0.010), showed significant differences. Conclusion: Using the hearing instruments with non-linear frequency compression would increase the total level of hearing skills in children with profound hearing loss at the ages of 3-4-years and also, in all skill of detection, determination, recognition and comprehension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Navigation information is processed and stored in different brain areas such as hippocampus. Since multiple pathways has been reported between vestibular nuclei and hippocampus and also cognitive dysfunction specifically in spatial memory is induced by vestibular deficits, it can be assumed that vestibular system stimulation ameliorates spatial memory. The aim of study was to evaluate the effect of galvanic vestibular stimulation on normal individual's spatial memory. Methods: In this experimental-interventional study, sixty 18-30-years-old women were randomly allocated in intervention and control groups. Intervention group undergone subthreshold bilateral bipolar galvanic vestibular stimulation and control group received sham stimulation. Stimulation was presented for 15 minutes. Corsi Block Tapping (CBT) test scores were compared before and after subthreshold bipolar galvanic vestibular stimulation exposure or no stimulation in each group and between groups. Results: All test parameters were the same in both groups before stimulation (p<0.050). There were significant improvement in block span, total score and learning score in intervention group after galvanic vestibular stimulation (p<0.050), no significant difference in delayed score (p=0.600). Learning score was improved (p=0.003) and delayed score was deteriorated (p=0.010) in control group. Percentages of block span and total score in intervention group were significantly different compared to the other group (p<0.050). Conclusion: Galvanic vestibular stimulation improves short-term and long-term spatial memory. This test may inherently have learning effect that is not influenced by stimulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: As word recognition score test is one of the most important tests in audiologic test battery and there is no study on reliability and validity of existing monosyllabic word lists, we decided to investigate this in people with noise induced hearing loss. Methods: In this non-randomized descriptive-analytic study, 30 adults with noise induced high frequency hearing loss with the age of 18 to 46 years were evaluated. Construct validity was evaluated by comparing Mosleh lists with list NU-6 and reliability was achieved by test-retest (-two-week interval). Results: The mean (SD) score of word recognition was 94.01 (3.95) percent for list 2, 90.40 (4.90) percent for list 4, 89.08 (4.43) percent for list 5, and 94.10 (4.11) percent for list 9. A reliability of 94% was achieved in all four lists. Regression analysis revealed that word recognition score (WRS) had decreased in proportion to pure tone average. Conclusion: Four lists have good construct validity. All word lists are phonetically reliable too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) are used with increasing frequency worldwide. The present research was conducted to determine the effects of ART on hearing defects and ear abnormalities. Materials and Methods: In a descriptive, cross-sectional, non-randomized study, the status of hearing and ear abnormalities was assessed in 300 newborns conceived by ART at Royan Institute, Tehran, Iran. This study was performed over a sixteen month period. Data were collected from parents, otoscopic examinations and transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) tests of the newborns. The external ear was assessed by ottscopic examination, followed by the TEOAE test (an objective test that does not need the infant's collaboration) which was performed by an audiologist. In this test, the OAE wave was registered after a click (stimulus) at 5-20 millisecond intervals with an 82 dB SPL altitude. Data were analyzed by statistical tests. Results: Of the 300 cases examined by otoscopy, two cases (0.66%) had bilateral malformation in the auricle, two (0.66%) had unilateral perforation of the tympanic membrane, five (1.66%) had unilateral retraction of the tympanic membrane, eight (2.66%) had bilateral retraction of the tympanic membrane, one (0.33%) had unilateral tympanic membrane inflammation, one (0.33%) had bilateral tympanic membrane inflammation and one case (0.33%) had wax obstruction of the external ear canal. A total of 289 out of 300 newborns undewent the TEOAE test. Of these, three cases (1.03%) did not have a bilateral registered wave and were diagnosed with bilateral hearing loss. Conclusion: This study shows that hearing and ear screening in newborns conceived by ART is contemplative and emphasizes the profitability of continual check up in these infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Evaluation of hearing-impaired children's auditory skills by a valid test is very important before starting auditory training. There are many different tests available for languages other than Persian, and some limited Persian tests for children above 5 year of age as well. Accordingly considering the importance of early intervention, we aimed to design a test for evaluating auditory skills of 3-4 year-old hearing-impaired Persian (Farsi) children, which is not available to date. Methods: The study method was test (scale) construction. The test named Tavana includes four subtests: detection, discrimination, identification and sentence comprehension. For determining content validity of the test, the vocabulary of 3-4 year-old normal-hearing and hearing-impaired children and also the comments of seven specialists were applied. We classified 10,10,8 and 6 sub skills for 1st to 4th subtests, respectively. Results: The content validity of Tavana test's subskills were 100%, 83%, 96% and 95%, respectively (mean=94%). Mean time for test performance was 82 minutes. Conclusion: Content validity of Tavana test was 94% which was statistically valid compared to Modarres test (97%) and Mazaheryazdi test (88%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Hearing-impaired children make a lot of stress for the parents. Providing the parents of these children with suitable consultation and rehabilitation services results in increased satisfaction and reduced anxiety level. In this study we investigated the relationship between audiology service satisfaction and level of anxiety in parents of hearing-impaired children. Methods: Seventy-five parents of hearing-impaired children, whose problem was diagnosed during the last year, participated in the study. The mothers were interviewed using satisfaction and anxiety questionnaires. Results: There was no association between level of service satisfaction and parental state and trait anxiety level; however, the group with a higher level of satisfaction (score 64-90) recorded a lower anxiety score (0-20). There was also a significant association between parental state and trait anxiety level (p<0.001). Considering the demographic data, only the living place (Tehran compared with other provinces) showed a significant association with satisfaction and anxiety levels; people living in small provinces had a significantly less satisfaction level (p=0.002) and a more anxiety score (p=0.017). Conclusion: Lack of durability of services was the concern of people living in small provinces which resulted in being more anxious and less satisfied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tinnitus is a common otologic symptom that can seriously affect a patient's quality of life. The purpose of the present study was to translate and validate the Iowa Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire (THQ) into the Persian language, and to make it applicable as a tool for determining the effects of tinnitus on a patient's life., Materials and Methods: The main version of the THQ was translated into the Persian language. The agreed Persian version was administered to 150 tinnitus patients. The validity of the Persian THQ was evaluated and internal reliability was confirmed using Cronbach's α-coefficient. Finally, the effect of independent variables such as age, mean patient threshold, gender, and duration of tinnitus were considered in order to determine the psychometric properties of tinnitus., Results: After an exact translation process, the Persian THQ was found to exhibit face validity. In terms of content validity, content validity index in total questionnaire was 0.93. Further, in structural validity measurements, intermediate correlation with annoyance from tinnitus (r=0.49), low correlation with duration of tinnitus (r=0.34) and high correlation with the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) questionnaire (r=0.84) were demonstrated. Additionally, a negligible effect of gender and age was noted on degree of tinnitus handicap (P= 0.754, P= 0.573, respectively). In the internal reliability assessment for Factors 1, 2, 3, and the whole questionnaire, Cronbach`s α-coefficient was 0.95, 0.92, 0.25 and 0.88, respectively., Conclusion: The Persian version of the Iowa THQ demonstrates high validity and reliability and can be used for the determination of tinnitus handicap and for following-up in the intervention process in Persian tinnitus patients.