Measurement of cochlear implant outcomes in goldenhar syndrome: A case report

Goldenhar Syndrome is a rare syndrome which affects most of the characteristic features of that particular individual ranging from inner ear anomalies to renal anomalies. As some individuals have inner ear anomalies, it is important to document the habilitation done for hearing loss. Our article focusses on documenting the outcome of Cochlear Implant over a period of one year in an individual with Goldenhar Syndrome. The paper documents a case of a Goldenhar Syndrome child of two years of age who has undergone Cochlearimplantation and outcomes of implantation was measured over a period of one year. Auditory habilitation, behavioural MAPing and parent training were given at regular intervals. Conditioned play audiometry was done at regular intervals to monitor the progress of the child. At the end of one year, speech and language skills and auditory verbal skills were assessed. It was found out that, there was an improvement in all parameters but at a lesser rate, hence concluding there should be adequate stimulation to yield better results

ADAPTATION OF LITTLEARS AUDITORY QUESTIONNAIRE IN TAMIL

Objectives: To adapt the LittlEARS Questionnaire in Tamil language and evaluate it in Tamil speaking cochlear implant children. Methods: LEAQ was translated to the Tamil language by a back-translation method following the guidelines of the World Health Organisation. The translated version was later administered to 100 randomly selected parents of cochlear implantees, scoring was done out of 35 for each child. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version 20.0 were descriptive statistics were carried out extracting the mean, standard deviation and range. Results: The results got did not significantly deviate from the normative, thus being able to quantify hierarchical auditory development skills and performance of children. Conclusion: LEAQ is a good subjective tool that can measure the outcome of cochlear implant/hearing aids, it must be translated and validated based on cultural and linguistic background.  Article visualizations

Audiological findings in individual with glomus tympanicum: A case report

Paragangliomas are also called glomus tumors, a rare, neuroendocrine neoplasm that arises from the paraganglia in the glomus cells derived from the embryo in the neural crest of the sympathetic nervous system (a branch of the autonomic nervous system). This case report is on glomus tympanicum on the right side in a 36-year-old male presented with pulsatile tinnitus and ear pain. On otoscopic examination and radiological findings, it appears as a reddish mass behind the tympanic membrane. The pre-operative and the post-operative audiological findings are profiled and discussed

Assertion, Negotiation and Subjugation of Identity: Understanding the Tamil-Malayali Conflict in Munnar

Social identities play a critical role in the various phases of conflict. Existing literature often examines the role of social identity of groups in inducing conflict in heterogeneous societies. This article puts forward the view that the role of identity is not limited in terms of inducing conflict, but it also plays a vital role in influencing the dynamics of conflict. Based on this conceptual framework, the article outlines the conflict dynamics observable in the Kannan Devan Hills village in Kerala, where several factors, over the course of time in the last century, have led to the perception of conflict between the Tamils and the Malayalis. As a major objective, the article identifies the issues and processes of social interaction between the two groups that necessarily influence the nature of the conflict. The article identifies that the conflict between the two communities, though mostly latent, can be seen through three important aspects: assertion, negotiation and subjugation of identities. Through assertion of identity, the conflict is perceived over ethnic lines, whereas the process of negotiation and subjugation of identity constantly undermines the ethnic nature of conflict to specific grievances, thus giving insight into the dynamic nature of the conflict