Hearing and dementia

Hearing deficits associated with cognitive impairment have attracted much recent interest, motivated by emerging evidence that impaired hearing is a risk factor for cognitive decline. However, dementia and hearing impairment present immense challenges in their own right, and their intersection in the auditory brain remains poorly understood and difficult to assess. Here, we outline a clinically oriented, symptom-based approach to the assessment of hearing in dementias, informed by recent progress in the clinical auditory neuroscience of these diseases. We consider the significance and interpretation of hearing loss and symptoms that point to a disorder of auditory cognition in patients with dementia. We identify key auditory characteristics of some important dementias and conclude with a bedside approach to assessing and managing auditory dysfunction in dementia

Suboccipital Retrosigmoid Surgical Approach For Internal Auditory Canal––A Morphometric Anatomical Study on Dry Human Temporal Bones

Suboccipital retrosigmoid craniotomy with removal of posterior wall of internal auditory canal is preferred by many surgeons operating on acoustic neuromas, as it is a simple and safe approach. To study the topographic landmarks of the posterior surface of the temporal bone. We studied the surgical anatomy of 224 dry adult human temporal bones, measured the various distances on posterior wall of petrous bone relevant for suboccipital surgical approach to internal auditory canal. The internal auditory canal (IAC) lies within 32–44 mm from posterior wall of sigmoid sulcus and within 3–8 mm from the superior border of petrous bone. The point corresponding to highest point of jugular bulb was found between 4 and 9 mm away from the inferior border of IAC. The maximum distance found between bony orifice of vestibular aqueduct and IAC was 14 mm and the minimum distance was 6 mm.The vertical diameter of IAC ranged between 3 and 7 mm. These parameters may help the surgeons for better exposure of internal auditory canal and for avoiding damage to vital surrounding structures