Hearing loss etiology in patients referring to Isfahan cochlear implantation center

Introduction: Hearing loss is the most common congenital disorders occurring among newborn. Identifying the factors affecting it would reduce the incidence of this disorder. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the etiology of congenital hearing loss in patients referring to Isfahan Cochlear implantation center. Materials and Method: This study was performed on 689 patients with cochlear implantation. Demographic data and relative frequency of different causes of congenital hearing loss (acquired and genetic) were determined and recorded. T-test, Chi-Square and Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare the variables studied. Results: Our findings showed that 50 patients (7.7%) had history of drug use, 9 (1.3%) had history of taking ototoxic drugs, 99 (14.3%) had history of kernicterus, 157 patients (22.8%) had a history of hyperbilirubinemia, 15 (2.1%) history of meningitis, 57 (8.3%) had a history of seizure, one (0.1%) had a birth weight less than 1500 grams, 4 cases (0.06%) had history of hypoxia, 18 cases (2.6%) had history of trauma, one (0.1%) had CMV history, and one (0.1%) hearing loss due to syndromicity. On the other hand, it was determined that the probable causes of hearing loss were not related to the severity of hearing loss and age of the patients (p <0.05) Conclusion: Although the prevalence of congenital hearing loss is low, it is important to identify and screen for postnatal congenital hearing loss, especially in people with risk factors known in this study, including patients with kernicterus.

Gap in Noise Auditory Brainstem Responses: A Systematic Review

Background and Objectives: The gap in noise auditory brainstem responses (GIN-ABR) is a valuable assessment tool for auditory temporal processing, offering non-invasive and objective measurements encompassing the entire auditory system from the cochlea to the brainstem. This method has been utilized in investigating various factors, including age-related effects, hearing loss, and tinnitus. This systematic review was conducted to present a thorough examination of (GIN-ABR), encompassing its methodology, applications, and inherent limitations. Methods: This study was conducted based on preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Cochrane, PubMed, and Ovid databases were used to extract English articles from 1990 to June 2023. The search terms used were “gap in noise auditory brainstem response”, “ABR gap detection”, “ABR gap duration”, “ABR gap threshold”, and “ABR temporal processing”. Articles were included if gap-evoked ABR was used, investigating the effect of any factor on the responses, and using any gapped stimulus type. Articles whose evoked potentials did not include ABR waves were excluded. The outcome of interest was gap-evoked ABR in different participant groups. Results: A total of 10 studies were deemed suitable for inclusion in the review. The articles were reviewed that including the study population, the methods, and the results. Despite the variability in the results of the studies, in the aged group, longer latency shifts and decreased peak amplitude were reported compared to the young group. Correspondence of behavioral thresholds with GIN-ABR has also been mentioned in studies. Conclusion: The GIN-ABR method has been extensively utilized in investigating various factors, including age-related effects, hearing loss, and tinnitus. Notably, GIN-ABR has several clinical advantages, such as cost-effectiveness, shorter test duration, independence from alertness levels, attention, sleep depth fluctuations, or medication. Additionally, it has shown its compatibility with psychophysical tests. Further research is warranted to explore the impact of various factors on different components of GIN-ABR. Consequently, with its promising findings and growing body of research, the gap in noise test has the potential to be gradually integrated into the set of audiological clinical evaluations

Research Paper: Relationship of Parent-Child Stress with Cochlear Implanted Children’s Developmental Skills

Objective One of the treatments that have been proposed recently for deaf children is cochlear implant. It is a new technology and an accepted treatment for children with hearing impairment. In recent years, researchers have paid special attention to the family and its relationship with the developmental skills of children with hearing loss. Clinical experience has also shown that emotional performance and psychological problems of the caregiver can have unfavorable effects on cochlear implanted children’s developmental skills. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of determining the relationship of parent-child stress with developmental skills of children with cochlear implants. Materials & Methods The present study was a correlational study that was conducted in 2015. The study population comprised all children undergone cochlear implant surgery in Al-Zahra Hospital of Isfahan. Out of them, 57 participants (34 boys and 23 girls) were selected randomly. To evaluate the research variables, the Parenting Stress Index, Leiter International Performance Scale, the Vineland Social Maturity Scale, the Language Development Scale, and the Cochlear Implanted Children’s Communication Performance Scale were used. The data of the research were analyzed using descriptive statistics as well as correlational and regression analysis methods. SPSS version 22 was used for data analysis. Results The results of analyzing data indicated that there is a negative (reverse) significant correlation between parent-child stress and language development (-0.59), social development (-0.38), and communication development (-0.54) of children (P≥0.01). According to regression analysis investigating the explanation of language development (criterion variable) based on parent-child stress (predictive variables), the coefficient of determination equals to 0.34 (R2=0.34) and thus, 34% of the variance in the dependent variable (language development) are explained via parent-child stress. Also, in explaining the social development (criterion variable) based on parent-child stress (predictive variables), the coefficient of determination equals to 0.14 (R2=0.14) and thus, 14% of the variance in the dependent variable (social development) are explained via parent-child stress. Also, in explaining communication function (criterion variable) based on parent-child stress (predictive variables), the coefficient of determination equals to 0.29 (R2=0.29) and thus, 29% of the variance in the dependent variable (communication function) are explained via parent-child stress.   Conclusion The results of this study showed that parent-child stress had a significant effect on developmental skills of children with cochlear implants. Due to the importance of developmental skills in children with cochlear implants, the results of this study warned the need to provide counseling and psychological support for this group of parents. Accordingly, the programs should be offered in the form of workshops for mothers of these children. Also, psychologists and family counselors and experts in family therapy are recommended to have special attention to the role of stress in parent-child relationships in treatment programs and training

EVSS- electro tactile vestibular substitution system as a new vestibular rehabilitation approach: A pilot study

Introduction: Using conventional methods of vestibular rehabilitation such as adaptation and habituation exercises is a management strategy for patients with bilateral vestibular loss due to aminoglycoside ototoxicity so far. Previous studies shown EVSS- electrotactile vestibular substitution system- might have an important role in the rehabilitation process for these patients. This study investigated the effect of this therapeutic modality as a pilot study. Materials and Methods: In this study, 10 cases (6 males, 4 females) with bilateral vestibular loss were rehabilitated by EVSS. This approach was conducted in 10 sessions, 20 minutes per session (two sessions per day). Sensory organization test (SOT) and Dizziness handicap Inventory (DHI) were performed before and after treatment (at the first day of post-treatment period).  Difference between the groups before and after treatment was analyzed by t-test using SPSS software (ver. 16). Results: After 10 treatment sessions, all subjects had significant difference in score of SOT and DHI (P < 0.05). Less falling (5th stage of SOT) was seen after treatment sessions (P < 0.05). Subjects could maintain their straight posture in Romberg position, with closed eyes and on a soft surface (P < 0.05) and their movements were also more uniform and their gait was more stable (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results show recuperation of subjects following EVSS that indicate probable sensory systems substitution in order to manage vestibular disorders. Keywords: Vestibular rehabilitation, Electrotactile vestibular substitution system (EVSS), Balance disorder

Comparison of Gap in Noise Test Results Between Congenital Blind and Sighted Subjects With Normal Hearing

Background and Aims: Main feature of auditory processing abilities is temporal processing including temporal resolution, temporal ordering, temporal integration and temporal masking. Many studies have shown the superiority of blinds in temporal discrimination over sighted subjects. In this study, temporal processing was compared in congenital blind subjects with sighted controls via gap in noise test (GIN).Methods: This analytic-prescriptive non-invasive cohort study was conducted on 22 congenital blinds (11 males and 11 females) with a mean age of 26.22 years and 22 sighted control subjects (11 males and 11 females) with a mean age of 24.04 years with normal hearing in faculty of Rehabilitation Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Gap in noise test results, approximate threshold and percent of corrected answers, were obtained and then, were analyzed by Mann-Whitney non-parametric statistical test.Results: There was a significant difference in the approximate threshold and the percent of corrected answers between congenital blinds and sighted control subjects (p&lt;0.05). However, there was no significant difference between males and females in this regard (p&gt;0.05).Conclusion: Auditory temporal resolution ability, the lower approximate threshold and the more corrected answers in gap in noise, in blind subjects is better than the sighted control group and it might be related to the compensative neuroplasticity after visual deprivation

The Religious Coping and Quality of Life in Mothers of Children with Hearing Deficiency

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between religious coping and quality of life of mothers of children with hearing deficiency.&nbsp; Methods: In this study, 55 mothers of children with hearing deficiency referred to Isfahan Cochlear Implant Center, from June to August 2012, were selected through applying census method. The participants answered the questionnaires of Religious Coping and Quality of Life (FS36). Results: Results of correlation analysis indicated that there was a significant negative relationship between negative emotions toward God and the mental dimension of quality of life. Moreover, there was a significant positive relationship between benevolent appraisal and the physical dimension of quality of life. Regression analysis showed that negative emotions could explain 7.2% of variations in the mental dimension of respondents&rsquo; quality of life. Discussion: The increase in negative religious coping behaviors (e.g. negative emotions toward God) was associated with reduction of quality of life of mothers of children with hearing deficiency