Utjecaj nošenja slušnog pomagala na kognitivne sposobnosti i subjektivni status tinitusa u bolesnika sa zamjedbenom nagluhošću: pilot studija

There is an increased number of people with hearing impairment and decreased cognitive abilities among the elderly population. Due to the fact that the auditory system and central nervous system are connected, pathological changes associated with aging occur on both levels. With the development of hearing aid technology, the quality of life of these patients can be improved. The aim of this study was to determine whether wearing a hearing aid has an impact on cognitive abilities and tinnitus. Current research does not show a clear connection between these factors. This study involved 44 subjects with sensorineural hearing loss. They were divided into two groups of 22 people, depending on whether they had previously used a hearing aid or not. Assessment of cognitive abilities was performed via the MoCA questionnaire, and assessment of the impact of tinnitus on daily activities was evaluated using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the Iowa Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire (ITHQ). Hearing aid status was classified as a primary outcome, while cognitive assessment and tinnitus intensity were associated variables. Our study showed an association between longer hearing aid use and poorer naming ability (p = 0.030, OR 4.734), poorer delayed recall (p = 0.033, OR 4.537), and spatial orientation (p = 0.016, OR 5.773) when compared with patients who had not used hearing aids, while tinnitus did not correlate with cognitive impairment. Based on the results, we can emphasize the importance of the auditory system as an input source for the central nervous system. The data direct us to improve the rehabilitation strategies for hearing and cognitive abilities in patients. Such an approach results higher quality of life in patients and prevents further cognitive decline.Među starijom populacijom nalazimo povećan broj osoba s oštećenim sluhom i smanjenim kognitivnim sposobnostima. Zbog povezanosti slušnog sustava sa središnjim živčanim sustavom, dolazi do patoloških promjena na obje razine. Razvoj tehnologije u području slušnih pomagala poboljšao je kvalitetu života takvih bolesnika. Cilj istraživanja je utvrditi postoji li utjecaj nošenja slušnog pomagala na kognitivne sposobnosti i šum u uhu. Trenutna istraživanja ne pokazuju striktno povezanost ta dva entiteta. U provedenoj studiji sudjelovalo je 44 ispitanika sa zamjedbenim oštećenjem sluha. Podijeljeni su u dvije skupine po 22 osobe, ovisno o tome koriste li slušno pomagalo. Procjena kognitivnih sposobnosti vršila se putem Montrealske ljestvice kognitivne procjene (MoCA), a procjena utjecaja šuma u uhu na svakodnevne aktivnosti putem upitnika Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) i Iowa Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire (ITHQ). Analizirana je povezanost nošenja slušnog pomagala s rezultatima navedenih upitnika. U našem istraživanju pokazana je povezanost duljeg nošenja slušnog pomagala i lošije sposobnosti imenovanja (p=0,030, OR 4,734), slabijeg odgođenog prisjećanja (p=0,033, OR 4,537) i prostorne orijentacije (p=0,016, OR 5,773). Tinitus nije pokazao povezanost s kognitivnim oštećenjem. Rezultati govore o specifičnim vezama između slušnog sustava i funkcije središnjeg živčanog sustava. Ovi nas podaci usmjeravaju na poboljšanje strategije rehabilitacije sluha i kognitivnih sposobnosti u bolesnika. Takvim se pristupom omogućava veća kvaliteta života i prevencija daljeg kognitivnog oštećenja

Hemotympanum as a Complication of a Valsalva Maneuver during Childbirth

Background. Hemotympanum may occur due to otic barotrauma secondary to Valsalva maneuver during the second phase of labor. A pressure differential across the tympanic membrane (TM) of about five psi can cause rupture. The increased intrathoracic and intraabdominal pressure spikes repeatedly manifested by “pushing” during second-stage labor easily approach (and may exceed) this level. Clinical Presentation. This case report describes a healthy thirty-seven-year-old multipara patient admitted for the 40-weeks’ gestational age routine follow-up that proceeded to active labor followed by an aural fullness and bloody otorrhea. Otoscopic examination with a light microscope confirmed the hemotympanum of the right tympanic membrane. Conclusion. Forceful Valsalva can cause hemotympanum. Investigating the benefits and disadvantages of the pushing methods could help reduce such complications in the future. A prompt evaluation of an otolaryngologist should be requested in the event of a new postpartum hearing disturbance or bloody otorrhea

Impact of Wearing Hearing Aids on Cognitive Abilities and Subjective Tinnitus in Patients with Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Pilot Study

There is an increased number of people with hearing impairment and decreased cognitive abilities among the elderly population. Due to the fact that the auditory system and central nervous system are connected, pathological changes associated with aging occur on both levels. With the development of hearing aid technology, the quality of life of these patients can be improved. The aim of this study was to determine whether wearing a hearing aid has an impact on cognitive abilities and tinnitus. Current research does not show a clear connection between these factors. This study involved 44 subjects with sensorineural hearing loss. They were divided into two groups of 22 people, depending on whether they had previously used a hearing aid or not. Assessment of cognitive abilities was performed via the MoCA questionnaire, and assessment of the impact of tinnitus on daily activities was evaluated using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the Iowa Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire (ITHQ). Hearing aid status was classified as a primary outcome, while cognitive assessment and tinnitus intensity were associated variables. Our study showed an association between longer hearing aid use and poorer naming ability (p = 0.030, OR 4.734), poorer delayed recall (p = 0.033, OR 4.537), and spatial orientation (p = 0.016, OR 5.773) when compared with patients who had not used hearing aids, while tinnitus did not correlate with cognitive impairment. Based on the results, we can emphasize the importance of the auditory system as an input source for the central nervous system. The data direct us to improve the rehabilitation strategies for hearing and cognitive abilities in patients. Such an approach results higher quality of life in patients and prevents further cognitive decline

Analysis of Prognostic Factors Impacting Pediatric Acute Mastoiditis Outcomes

Background: This study aimed to investigate the outcomes of pediatric patients with acute mastoiditis while examining the role of intravenous steroid therapy, patient demographics, and serum inflammatory values as prognostic factors. Methods: This study is a single-center retrospective observational study including 73 consecutive patients treated for acute mastoiditis in the course of the 10-year study period (January 2010 to December 2019). Results: Data analysis showed that patients requiring surgical treatment (14%) had a 3-fold higher C-reactive protein value at admission compared to those treated conservatively (P < .001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that a C-reactive protein cut-off of ≥98.7 had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 74.6%, respectively, for predicting the need for surgery (area under the curve=0.927, P < .001). The duration of symptoms before hospitalization was nearly 2 days shorter in male patients (P=.031), and the use of intravenous steroid therapy significantly shortened the length of hospitalization (P=.023), by 1.4 days on average. Conclusion: Intravenous steroid therapy may be useful in decreasing the length of hospital stay. Mastoiditis tends to present more severely in male patients, and monitoring C-reactive protein values during treatment correlated well with the need for surgery