Attitudes towards hearing difficulties, health-seeking behaviour, and hearing aid use among older adults in Thailand

INTRODUCTION: This qualitative study explores older adults' attitudes towards hearing difficulties, health-seeking behaviour and hearing aid use in Samutprakarn, Thailand. METHOD: Three focus groups (n=25), with adults aged 60-88 years, were conducted within a residential complex for older adults. Qualitative data analysis, employing a phenomenological approach was completed. RESUlTS: Four themes are presented: (1) Perception of hearing difficulties, (2) Experience of receiving care, (3) Attitudes towards wearing hearing aids, and (4) Raising awareness of hearing difficulties in older adults. Findings indicate that Thai older adults may not be aware or accepting of their hearing difficulties, due to the stigma associated hearing loss, older age, and disability. The consequential impact of these unacknowledged issues manifest in communication challenges and the adoption of avoidance behaviours across diverse situational contexts. CONCLUSION: This study enhances our understanding of how Thai older adults perceive hearing problems and ear care. Findings underscore the potential pivotal role of familial and social networks in mitigating barriers associated with hearing difficulties among older adults in Thailand. These insights can raise awareness and inform effective management for older adults and their families. Additionally, the findings could guide healthcare providers, researchers, and policy makers, fostering improved care for this demographic

The Jurassic flora of Andøya, northern Norway

The Jurassic flora from Andøya, northern Norway, is described based on bulk maceration of leaf-bearing material and reexamination of all available specimens described earlier; in addition, palynology is used for biostratigraphic and floristic evaluation. Three new species are described: Nilssoniopteris norvegicus n. sp., Ginkgo dahllii n. sp. and the leafy conifer stem Ramsaia ednyana n. gen., n. sp. In connection with Ramsaia, the status of the genera Allocladus Townrow and Cyparissidium Heer is discussed and it is concluded that both should be reserved for impression fossils. Previously described species of Allocladus based on cuticles have been transferred to Ramsaia. Two floras are comprised in the material, which are of Middle Jurassic (probably Bajocian) and Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian) age, respectively. The older and better known is dominated by the "Sciadopitys-like" conifer leaves Oswaldheeria macrophylla (Florin) Bose et Manum, followed by ginkgoalean leaves (Ginkgo, Pseudotorellia), while bennettites and other conifers are rare and cycads appear to be missing. This composition differs from Middle Jurassic floras of lower palaeolatitudes, suggesting the existence of a boreal phytogeographic province in Middle Jurassic times. The younger flora is known only from casual specimens of poorly documented stratigraphic provenance, the most significant components being two species of Mirovia, conifer leaves with Sciadopitys-like stomatal distribution

Cardiovascular risk factors and body composition in adults with achondroplasia

PURPOSE: An increased cardiovascular mortality has been reported in achondroplasia. This population-based, case-control study investigated cardiovascular risk factors and body composition in Norwegian adults with achondroplasia. METHODS: We conducted anthropometric, clinical, and laboratory assessments in 49 participants with achondroplasia, of whom 40 completed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for body composition analysis. Controls consisted of 98 UK Biobank participants, matched for body mass index (BMI), sex, and age. RESULTS: Participants were well matched for BMI (33.3 versus 32.5 kg/m2) and sex, but achondroplasia participants were younger than controls (mean age 41.1 versus 54.3 years). Individuals with achondroplasia had lower age-adjusted mean blood pressure, total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides compared with controls, but similar fasting glucose and HbA1c values. Age-adjusted mean visceral fat store was 1.9 versus 5.3 L (difference -2.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] -3.6 to -1.9; P < 0.001), abdominal subcutaneous fat was 6.0 versus 11.2 L (-4.7, 95% CI -5.9 to -3.4; P < 0.001), and liver fat was 2.2 versus 6.9% (-2.8, 95% CI -5.2 to -0.4; P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Despite a high BMI, the cardiovascular risks appeared similar or lower in achondroplasia compared with controls, indicating that other factors might contribute to the increased mortality observed in this condition