On an unhappy marriage, Henry James and atoms : Vladimir Nabokov reading (on) Anton Chekhov

Nabokov’s lecture on Anton Chekhov stands out for its numerous citations from Korney Chukovsky’s 1947 article ‘Friend Chekhov.’ At the same time, however, the lecture contains many more references to other critics, as well – some of them explicit, though not necessarily clear, others more concealed. In an attempt to trace the sources Nabokov used when drafting his Chekhov lecture, the article offers a concrete view of Nabokov’s critical laboratory. Additionally, the article sheds light on his relation to other critics and critical movements, more specifically with respect to the competing ‘tendencies’ at work in the canonization of Chekhov’s oeuvre during the interwar period: Russian émigré, Soviet, and Anglo-American

Platonov revisited: past and present views on the land of the philosophers

The current article highlights the most important moments in the disclosure of Platonov’s oeuvre and in the evolution of its scholarly study since the writer’s death in 1951. Special attention is paid to the major tendencies in Platonov scholarship – the predominance of politicized readings from the mid-1960s until the late perestroika era, a certain deideologization and an increased interest in philosophical and mythopoetical topics since the late 1980s, and a growing interest for the cultural and historical context(s) of Platonov’s oeuvre today. The article also serves as an introduction to the special issue of Russian Literature devoted to the changes in the scholarly study of Platonov’s oeuvre

Determination and evaluation of clinically efficient stopping criteria for the multiple auditory steady-state response technique

Background: Although the auditory steady-state response (ASSR) technique utilizes objective statistical detection algorithms to estimate behavioural hearing thresholds, the audiologist still has to decide when to terminate ASSR recordings introducing once more a certain degree of subjectivity. Aims: The present study aimed at establishing clinically efficient stopping criteria for a multiple 80-Hz ASSR system. Methods: In Experiment 1, data of 31 normal hearing subjects were analyzed off-line to propose stopping rules. Consequently, ASSR recordings will be stopped when (1) all 8 responses reach significance and significance can be maintained for 8 consecutive sweeps; (2) the mean noise levels were ≤ 4 nV (if at this “≤ 4-nV” criterion, p-values were between 0.05 and 0.1, measurements were extended only once by 8 sweeps); and (3) a maximum amount of 48 sweeps was attained. In Experiment 2, these stopping criteria were applied on 10 normal hearing and 10 hearing-impaired adults to asses the efficiency. Results: The application of these stopping rules resulted in ASSR threshold values that were comparable to other multiple-ASSR research with normal hearing and hearing-impaired adults. Furthermore, in 80% of the cases, ASSR thresholds could be obtained within a time-frame of 1 hour. Investigating the significant response-amplitudes of the hearing-impaired adults through cumulative curves indicated that probably a higher noise-stop criterion than “≤ 4 nV” can be used. Conclusions: The proposed stopping rules can be used in adults to determine accurate ASSR thresholds within an acceptable time-frame of about 1 hour. However, additional research with infants and adults with varying degrees and configurations of hearing loss is needed to optimize these criteria

Hearing in young adults, part II : the effects of recreational noise exposure

Great concern arises from recreational noise exposure, which might lead to noise-induced hearing loss in young adults. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of recreational noise exposure on hearing function in young adults. A questionnaire concerning recreational noise exposures and an audiological test battery were completed by 163 subjects (aged 18-30 years). Based on the duration of exposure and self-estimated loudness of various leisure-time activities, the weekly and lifetime equivalent noise exposure were calculated. Subjects were categorized in groups with low, intermediate, and high recreational noise exposure based on these values. Hearing was evaluated using audiometry, transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs), and distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). Mean differences in hearing between groups with low, intermediate, and high recreational noise exposure were evaluated using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). There were no significant differences in hearing thresholds, TEOAE amplitudes, and DPOAE amplitudes between groups with low, intermediate, or high recreational noise exposure. Nevertheless, one-third of our subjects exceeded the weekly equivalent noise exposure for all activities of 75 dBA. Further, the highest equivalent sound pressure levels (SPLs) were calculated for the activities visiting nightclubs or pubs, attending concerts or festivals, and playing in a band or orchestra. Moreover, temporary tinnitus after recreational noise exposure was found in 86% of our subjects. There were no significant differences in hearing between groups with low, intermediate, and high recreational noise exposure. Nevertheless, a long-term assessment of young adults hearing in relation to recreational noise exposure is needed

Hearing in young adults, part I: the effects of attitudes and beliefs toward noise, hearing loss and hearing protector devices

There is great concern regarding the development of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in youth caused by high sound levels during various leisure activities. Health-orientated behavior of young adults might be linked to the beliefs and attitudes toward noise, hearing loss, and hearing protector devices (HPDs). The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of attitudes and beliefs toward noise, hearing loss, and HPDs on young adults hearing status. A questionnaire and an audiological test battery were completed by 163 subjects (aged 18-30 years). The questionnaire contained the Youth Attitude to Noise Scale (YANS) and Beliefs about Hearing Protection and Hearing Loss (BAHPHL). A more positive attitude or belief represented an attitude where noise or hearing loss is seen as unproblematic and attitudes and beliefs regarding HPDs is worse. Hearing was evaluated using (high frequency) pure tone audiometry (PTA), transient evoked and distortion product otoacoustic emissions. First, mean differences in hearing between the groups with different attitudes and beliefs were evaluated using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Second, a (2) test was used to examine the usage of HPDs by the different groups with different attitudes and beliefs. Young adults with a positive attitude had significantly more deteriorated hearing and used HPDs less than the other subjects. Hearing conservation programs (HCPs) for young adults should provide information and knowledge regarding noise, hearing loss, and HPDs. Barriers wearing HPDs should especially be discussed. Further, those campaigns should focus on self-experienced hearing related symptoms that might serve as triggers for attitudinal and behavioral changes

Bilateral cochlear implantation or bimodal listening in the paediatric population : retrospective analysis of decisive criteria

Introduction: In children with bilateral severe to profound hearing loss, bilateral hearing can be achieved by either bimodal stimulation (CIHA) or bilateral cochlear implantation (BICI). The aim of this study was to analyse the audiologic test protocol that is currently applied to make decisions regarding the bilateral hearing modality in the paediatric population. Methods: Pre- and postoperative audiologic test results of 21 CIHA, 19 sequential BICI and 12 simultaneous BICI children were examined retrospectively. Results: Deciding between either simultaneous BICI or unilateral implantation was mainly based on the infant's preoperative Auditory Brainstem Response thresholds. Evolution from CIHA to sequential BICI was mainly based on the audiometric test results in the contralateral (hearing aid) ear after unilateral cochlear implantation. Preoperative audiometric thresholds in the hearing aid ear were significantly better in CIHA versus sequential BICI children (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001 in unaided and aided condition, respectively). Decisive values obtained in the hearing aid ear in favour of BICI were: An average hearing threshold measured at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz of at least 93 dB HL without, and at least 52 dB HL with hearing aid together with a 40% aided speech recognition score and a 70% aided score on the phoneme discrimination subtest of the Auditory Speech Sounds Evaluation test battery. Conclusions: Although pure tone audiometry offers no information about bimodal benefit, it remains the most obvious audiometric evaluation in the decision process on the mode of bilateral stimulation in the paediatric population. A theoretical test protocol for adequate evaluation of bimodal benefit in the paediatric population is proposed

Hearing with a cochlear implant: from bionic to bimodal listening

Introduction: Currently, cochlear implantation (CI) is the standard procedure for bilateral severe hearing loss in both children and adults. However, a considerable number of hearing-impaired patients, who are candidates for CI, have residual hearing in the low-frequency range. In addition to the refinement of the surgical techniques by the application of the principles of soft surgery, the design of particular, atraumatic electrodes, which are thinner, shorter and more flexible, has contributed to electroacoustic stimulation (EAS). The use of these atraumatic electrodes has resulted in preservation of residual hearing in up to 90% of cases. Electroacoustic hearing is associated with potential advantages over pure electric hearing: better speech understanding in noise, and superior music appreciation and sound quality. In addition, patients with EAS have awareness of sound, even when not wearing their CI. Methods: In the Ghent University Hospital, 6 severely hearing-impaired adult patients with sufficient low-frequency hearing were implanted with atraumatic electrodes. In 5/6 recipients, a Cochlear® Hybrid-L24 implant was used, whereas 1/6 received a Cochlear® CI422 implant. Results: Low-frequency acoustic hearing has been preserved in 5/6 patients. Three out of 6 patients use electroacoustic amplification postoperatively; 2/7 are stimulated electrically for the mid- and high-frequency range and have residual low-frequency hearing without need of amplification; and 1/6 patients is exclusively stimulated electrically for the whole frequency range because of deterioration of preoperative low-frequency hearing thresholds. Conclusion: In candidates for CI, application of soft surgery principles and the use of atraumatic electrodes should be raised to a standard because of the medical advantages, irrespective of the presence of residual hearing. In case of residual hearing, additional benefit is obtained in terms of better speech understanding in noise and a higher level of listening comfort