Hearing and Balance Survey in Thai Elders

Objective: To survey hearing and balance problems of a sampling group of Thai elders in the central region of Thailand. Methods: A population study was people aged 60 and over who agreed to join the survey at the 14 elderly social associations. The questionnaires were used as a self-report for hearing and balance problems. After ears examination by ENT specialists, the participants underwent air-conduction audiometry for hearing screening. Results: 828 participants 259 (31.3%) males and 569 (68.7%) females, age ranged from 60 to 97 (median=68, mean ± SD = 69.65 ± 6.89 years), had completed screening program for hearing and balance problems using both questionnaires and examinations. There was a statistically significant correlation between self-report hearing loss and severe or profound hearing loss in both ears (P <0.05). All age groups reported dizziness and vertigo but the elderly over 75 years reported more falls with a statistical significance (P=0.021). The elderly who did not report dizziness or vertigo had a1.1-1.6 times higher fall histories than those who reported (P <0.001). The participants who had hypertension and dyslipidemia reported more falls with statistical significances (P=0.025 and 0.036 respectively). Conclusion: Our hearing and balance questionnaires may be used as a tool for screening at a primary care for the elderly > 70 years old especially in those with underlying diseases. Hearing and balance screening will provide early detection and primary intervention to minimize the negative impact in the elderly’s daily life

Hearing and Balance Survey in Thai Elders

Objective: To survey hearing and balance problems of a sampling group of Thai elders in the central region of Thailand. Methods: A population study was people aged 60 and over who agreed to join the survey at the 14 elderly social associations. The questionnaires were used as a self-report for hearing and balance problems. After ears examination by ENT specialists, the participants underwent air-conduction audiometry for hearing screening. Results:828 participants (259 (31.3%) males and 569 (68.7%) females, age ranged from 60 to 97 (median=68, mean ± SD = 69.65 ± 6.89 years), had completed screening program for hearing and balance problems using both questionnaires and examinations. There was a statistically significant correlation between self-report hearing loss and severe or profound hearing loss in both ears (P <0.05). All age groups reported dizziness and vertigo but the elderly over 75 years reported more falls with a statistical significance (P=0.021). The elderly who did not report dizziness or vertigo had a1.1-1.6 times higher fall histories than those who reported (P <0.001). The participants who had hypertension and dyslipidemia reported more falls with statistical significances (P=0.025 and 0.036 respectively). Conclusion: Our hearing and balance questionnaires may be used as a tool for screening at a primary care for the elderly > 70 years old especially in those with underlying diseases. Hearing and balance screening will provide early detection and primary intervention to minimize the negative impact in the elderly’s daily life

Hearing Gain with Tailor-made Polyethylene Strut in Total Stapedectomy

Objective: To study audiometric changes after total stapedectomy with tailor-made polyethylene strut. Methods: A retrospective analysis of preoperative and postoperative hearing results. One hundred and ninety- eight patients underwent total stapedectomy during 2009-2014. Stapedectomy was performed with tailor-made polyethylene strut prosthesis on vein or perichondrium graft over oval window. Changes of preoperative and postoperative pure tone average (PTA) were calculated from 4 frequencies after stapedectomy. Results: Ninety percent success rate in the air-bone gap closure within 10 dB after stapedectomy. Conclusion: Tailor-made polyethylene strut prosthesis is a cheap and cost-effective prosthesis, which is an alternative option for surgeons instead of the commercial prosthesis

Granular Myringitis Treatment at Siriraj Hospital

Objective: To review the clinical features and management of patients diagnosed with granular myringitis at Siriraj Hospital, during 2014–2016, and their applications in clinical practice. Methods: The clinical data of 115 patients diagnosed with myringitis at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, between September 1, 2014, and September 30, 2016, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who were lost to follow-up after the first visit or patients who were diagnosed with other diseases, such as bullous myringitis, were excluded, leaving 96 patients included in the study. Patient information and data, including age, gender, underlying disease, history of ear disease and surgery, symptoms, duration, type of treatment, outcome, total follow-up time, complications, and recurrence rate were recorded. Results: In total, 96 patients (27 men (28.10%) and 69 women (71.90%)) were included in the study. Their ages ranged from 3 to 90 years old (mean, 52.88). Sixty-two patients (64.60%) were diagnosed by otologic staff. The average duration of symptoms from onset was 5.6 months (range, 0.03–60.80 months). The most frequent symptom was otorrhea (55.3%). There were 38 treatment regimens applied. The most common medications used were topical antibiotics with steroids (28.11%), topical antibiotics (24.91%), and diluted vinegar (17.08%). There was no significant difference in the curative rate between these regimens (p = 0.261). Conclusion: Granular myringitis is a poorly understood condition and there is no standard treatment regimen. While there is a great variation in the treatment of granular myringitis at Siriraj Hospital, this retrospective review showed there was no statistical significant difference among the different regimens. Further high-value research is needed to further assess the management strategies