ABO blood group and cochlear function: evidence from a large sample size study

The present study investigated the effect of blood group on cochlear function in a large participant sample across different age groups. The study hypothesis was that participants with blood group O would show relatively reduced cochlear function as reflected in otoacoustic emission (OAE) measures. Data were collected from transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE), distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), DPOAE input/output (I/O) function, and spontaneous otoacoustic emission (SOAE) recordings. Four hundred and sixty-three normal hearing adults aged 20–59 years among the four ABO blood groups participated in the study. TEOAE and DPOAE amplitudes did not reveal significant differences for participants with blood group O compared with participants with non-O blood groups. No significant differences in I/O function categories were found among participants with different blood groups. SOAE prevalence was also not significantly different across blood groups. However, previously reported age and gender differences for OAE variables were confirmed. Participants with blood group O were not found to have significantly reduced cochlear function, based on OAE measures. Results from the current study do not support the hypothesis that normal hearing individuals with different ABO blood groups differ in level of cochlear function.</p

Average mean differences, t-values, degrees of freedom and p-values for paired t-tests of different PTA average combinations.

Average mean differences, t-values, degrees of freedom and p-values for paired t-tests of different PTA average combinations.</p

Guidelines for surgical treatments in children with persistent otitis media with effusion of more than 3 months duration.

Guidelines for surgical treatments in children with persistent otitis media with effusion of more than 3 months duration.</p

Correlation coefficients of Pearson’s r, Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation with different PTA average combinations.

Correlation coefficients of Pearson’s r, Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation with different PTA average combinations.</p

Percentage of ears outside the limit of agreement (LOA) range for a clinically significant difference of ≥ 10 dB and percentage of ears outside of the statistical 95% LOA range for PTA average comparisons.

Percentage of ears outside the limit of agreement (LOA) range for a clinically significant difference of ≥ 10 dB and percentage of ears outside of the statistical 95% LOA range for PTA average comparisons.</p

Average mean differences, t-values, degrees of freedom, p-values and Cohen’s d for paired t-test of the frequencies of interest.

Average mean differences, t-values, degrees of freedom, p-values and Cohen’s d for paired t-test of the frequencies of interest.</p

Correlation coefficients—Pearson’s r, Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation—for the frequencies of interest.

Correlation coefficients—Pearson’s r, Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation—for the frequencies of interest.</p

Percentage of ears outside of the limit of agreement (LOA) range for clinically significant differences of ≥ 10 dB HL and the percentage of ears outside of the statistical 95% LOA range for the frequencies of interest.

Percentage of ears outside of the limit of agreement (LOA) range for clinically significant differences of ≥ 10 dB HL and the percentage of ears outside of the statistical 95% LOA range for the frequencies of interest.</p

Psychometric properties of the hearing handicap questionnaire: a Kannada (South-Indian) translation

<p><i>Objective:</i> To assess the psychometric properties of the Hearing Handicap Questionnaire (HHQ) in Kannada (a South-Indian language) among adults with hearing loss. <i>Design:</i> The study involved a cross-sectional survey design. Participants provided demographic details and completed the Kannada and English (original) version of the HHQ questionnaire. To evaluate test-retest reliability, ∼50% of the participants completed the Kannada version for the second time after 15 days. <i>Study sample:</i> The sample comprised 103 adults with hearing loss recruited from local audiology clinics. <i>Results:</i> Exploratory factor analysis indicated a one-factor structure, which explained 71% of the variance in Kannada-HHQ scores. The internal consistency measured with Cronbach’s alpha was 0.96. The test-retest reliability correlations of the Kannada version with the English and with the same Kannada version re-administered after 15 days were 0.96 and 0.91, respectively. Convergent validity of the scale was confirmed by significant correlations with the Participation Scale and the Assessment of Quality of Life scales. Discriminant validity was found to be low as all the Kannada-HHQ questions were highly correlated with each other (<i>r</i>> 0.60). No floor and ceiling effects were identified. <i>Conclusions:</i> The psychometric properties of the Kannada-HHQ scale are considered to be adequate for clinical or research use.</p

Study selection process.

Hearing loss is an important global public health issue which can be alleviated through treatment with hearing aids. However, most people who would benefit from hearing aids do not receive them, in part due to challenges in accessing hearing aids and related services, which are most salient in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and other resource-limited settings. Innovative approaches for hearing aid service delivery can overcome many of the challenges related to access, including that of limited human resources trained to provide ear and hearing care. The purpose of this systematic scoping review is to synthesize evidence on service delivery approaches for hearing aid provision in LMIC and resource-limited settings. We searched 3 databases (PubMed, Scopus, Ovid MEDLINE) for peer-reviewed articles from 2000 to 2022 that focused on service delivery approaches related to hearing aids in LMIC or resource-limited settings. Fifteen peer-reviewed articles were included, which described hospital-based (3 studies), large-scale donation program (1 studies), community-based (7 studies), and remote (telehealth; 4 studies) service delivery approaches. Key findings are that hearing aid services can be successfully delivered in hospital- and community-based settings, and remotely, and that both qualified hearing care providers and trained non-specialists can provide quality hearing aid services. Service delivery approaches focused on community-based and remote care, and task sharing among qualified hearing care providers and trained non-specialists can likely improve access to hearing aids worldwide, thereby reducing the burden of untreated hearing loss.</div