Comparison of Different Treatment Methods for Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of different therapies for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and prognostic factors, and determine the most successful treatment according to the audiogram type and time from onset to treatment.Methods:A total of 90 cases from February 2009 to January 2015 were classified under Group I oral treatment (methylprednisolone, acyclovir, betahistine-dihydrochloride, and vitamin B12); Group II oral treatment + intratympanic steroids (ITS); Group III oral treatment + hyperbaric oxygen; and Group IV only ITS. A pure tone average (PTA) improvement of less than 10 dB was assessed as “no improvement,” a PTA of 10 dB or more or a 10% or more increase in the speech discrimination score (SDS) as “partial improvement,” and a hearing threshold within 10 dB and SDS within 5%-10% of the unaffected ear as “full improvement.”Results:Overall, 32.2% patients showed full and 28.9% showed partial improvement, whereas 38.9% showed no improvement. There was no significant difference in terms of mean hearing gain between the different treatment methods. As the degree of hearing loss and time from onset to treatment increased, improvement worsened (p0.05).Conclusion:The most important factors affecting prognosis were the time from onset to treatment, hearing loss severity, and audiogram type. Only ITS avoided side effects and reduced hospitalization. ITS in the first two weeks, followed by hyperbaric oxygen were considered as the treatment priority

Sudden Hearing Loss after Rabies Vaccination

Background: Sudden hearing loss developing after immunisation is a very rare situation. Rabies is a viral disease characterised by encephalitis and death. Treatment involves active and passive immunisation. Neurologic complications including Guillain-Barre syndrome or facial paralysis are reported in the literature as a side effect after rabies immunisation. Case Report: Sudden hearing loss was detected in an 11 year-old male patient who had taken the medication for rabies immunisation. Conclusion: This study presents a case report of sudden hearing loss developing after rabies immunisation - no other aetiological factors were detected and clinical management is discussed in light of the literature

Correlation of voice and quality of life with adjuvant radiotherapy in patients with larynx cancer

Introduction: To evaluate the effect of surgery type and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) on voice quality and quality of life in patients with larynx cancer.Methods: 38 patients with larynx cancer (37 males, 1 female; mean age 63.6 ± 9.63 years) were included in this study. The parameters including tumor localization, TNM staging, and type of surgery performed, adjuvant/primary RT intake and recurrence were recorded. All participants filled voice handicap index (VHI-10) and University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire version-IV (UWQOL-4). Voice analysis was performed by Xion Endo Strop-DX system. Questionnaire scores and voice parameters were compared between groups.Results: There was a statistically significant low mean values of VHI detected within the group of stripping/cordectomy compared to groups of partial or total laryngectomy. In the group without RT, the mean values of SPLmin, MPT, pain, appearance, swallowing and chewing subgroups of UWQOL scale were higher than the group treated with RT. There was a negative correlation identified between VHI and QOL parameters. Conclusion: In advanced stage larynx cancer, increased surgical manipulation and adjuvant RT requirements decrease QOL. As a result early diagnosis of disease and treatment is very important. As subjective voice quality increases QOL scores rise, indicating the importance of referring patients for voice therapy and psychotherapy after treatment

Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on hearing

Objectives: Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) use with high dose and long time for chronic inflammation. It was well known that these drugs have ototoxic effects. The more study about ototoxic effects of acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) and quinine has been at the literature. In this study, the effects to hearing of NSAID except ASA and quinine were evaluated

Relationship between Helicobacter pylori Adenotonsillar Colonization and Frequency of Adenotonsillitis in Children

Background: There are insufficient data in the literature on the presence of Helicobacter pylori in tonsil and adenoid tissue of patients with only airway obstruction. This study examined the presence of H. pylori in surgical cases with airway obstruction or recurrent infection. Aims: To investigate the relationship between H. pylori adenotonsillar colonisation and the frequency of adenotonsillitis and to compare paediatric and adult patients according to H. pylori tonsillar colonisation. Study Design: Prospective clinical trial. Methods: Patients scheduled for adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy were classified into three groups based on indications: paediatric infection (n=29), paediatric obstruction (n=29) and adult infection (n=12). Tissue samples obtained from patients were examined for the presence of H. pylori by culture, rapid urease test and polymerase chain reaction. Results: Forty-nine tonsil tissues were examined. Positive results were found in two specimens with the rapid urease test (4.1%) and three with polymerase chain reaction examination (6.1%). Only three positive polymerase chain reaction results (5.8%) were identified in 52 adenoid tissue samples. There were no statistically significant differences in the presence of H. pylori between paediatric infection and obstruction groups or between paediatric infection and adult infection groups. Conclusion: In our study, there was a low incidence of H. pylori colonisation in tonsil and adenoid tissues. Regarding H. pylori colonisation, there was no significant difference between paediatric infection and obstruction groups. Also, no significant difference was found between adult and paediatric cases