Objective:The auditory and speech rehabilitation effects were assessed by the Categories of Auditory Performance（CAP） and the speech intelligibility rating scale（SIR） after cochlear implantation（CI） in prelingually elderly patients by telephone follow-up or face-to-face conversation. Methods:The clinical data of the prelingually deaf patients who underwent unilateral CI in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Shanxi People's Hospital, from December 2016 to December 2021 were collected. Thirty-eight patients were divided into Group A（SIR 1, 17 cases）, Group B（SIR 2, 10 cases） and Group C（SIR 3, 11 cases） according to the preoperative SIR Score. Nineteen patients with post-lingual hearing impairment were selected as the control group（Group D, 19 cases）. The effects of hearing and speech rehabilitation were evaluated using CAP and SIR Scores before surgery, 6 months after startup, and 1 year after startup. Results:There were no significant differences in CAP scores among the three groups of patients with prelingually deaf patients at 6 months and 1 year after startup（P>0.05）, but there were significant differences between group A and group D at 6 months and 1 year after startup（P<0.05）; the SIR Score of group A had statistical difference before surgery and 6 months after startup（P<0.05）, group B had statistical difference before surgery and 1 year after startup（P<0.05）, and group C and D had no statistical difference before surgery and 6 months and 1 year after startup, respectively（P>0.05）. Conclusion:For the prelingually deaf elderly patients, hearing will develop rapidly 6 months after startup, and the effect of postoperative auditory rehabilitation was positively correlated with the preoperative speech ability. In the aspect of speech, the prelingually dear elderly patients who have poor preoperative speech ability could benefit more from CI early after surgery. CI is not contraindicated in prelingually deaf elderly patients, even those with poor preoperative speech function.
Humans ; Aged ; Cochlear Implantation/methods* ; Cochlear Implants ; Speech Perception ; Deafness/rehabilitation* ; Hearing Tests ; Speech Intelligibility ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The association between hearing impairment and cognitive function has been established in previous studies. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of conventional hearing aids and middle ear implants on cognitive function. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: This study included 22 participants who underwent middle ear implantation between October 2013 and September 2016. Their mean age at surgery was 70 years. Using Pure tone audiometry (PTA), the Speech discrimination test (SDT), and the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaire, we compared audiologic benefits of three conditions [without hearing aids, with conventional hearing aids, or with Vibrant Sound bridge (VSB)]. Cognitive ability was evaluated using neuropsychological testings (Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery) at intervals of approximately eight weeks. RESULTS: The results of PTA showed a 7.96 dB HL gain with conventional hearing aids and a 10.00 dB HL gain with the use of VSB. SDT results showed a 4.10% gain with conventional hearing aids and a 10% gain with the use of VSB. Results of the APHAB questionnaire showed a significant increase with the use of VSB compared to conventional hearing aids. In the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination, a slight improvement was observed after middle ear implantation. In the Digit Span Test and Korean-Boston Naming Test, a significant improvement was seen with the use of VSB compared to conventional hearing aids. CONCLUSION: The use of middle ear implants in rehabilitation of hearing communication in patients showed improvements in cognitive abilities, compared to the use of conventional hearing aids.
Audiometry ; Cognition* ; Ear, Middle* ; Hearing Aids* ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing* ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Methods ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Ossicular Prosthesis* ; Rehabilitation ; Speech Discrimination Tests

OBJECTIVETo investigate the basic factors of the progress amplitude of hearing and speech rehabilitation effect of preschool deaf children with cochlear implants, and provide guidance for the improvement and optimization of rehabilitation strategies.

METHODUsing the standard hearing and language assessment tools, tracked and evaluated 1 422 CI preschool deaf children for a period of one year, and calculated the effect of hearing and speech rehabilitation, carried out the correlation analysis and variance analysis among different grouping variables.

RESULT(1) There was a negative correlation (P<0.01) between the rehabilitation effect and cochlear implantation age, existed the different degree of positive correlation (P<0.01) between the rehabilitation effect and parents cultural level, but no correlation between the rehabilitation effect and parents hearing status.(2) Father's education level, in comparison to mother's education level, had greater impact on the children rehabilitation effect.(3)There was positive correlation(r=0.689, P<0.01) between the progress amplitude of hearing and speech rehabilitation effect. (4) The progress amplitude of auditory and language rehabilitation effect of 2-3 years old group was the highest value(the progress amplitude of hearing and speech recognition rate reached 77.5%, the progress amplitude of language age progress rate reached 2.02 years old), and there were significant differences (P<0.05) between over 3 years old groups.

CONCLUSIONS(1) To expect the better progress amplitude of rehabilitation effect, cochlear implant age should not be more than 3 years old. (2) Father's effect in the process of rehabilitation is more helpful for deaf children's learning enthusiasms.

Age Factors ; Child, Preschool ; Cochlear Implantation ; Cochlear Implants ; Deafness ; rehabilitation ; Hearing ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Language ; Speech Perception

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Various hearing tests and vestibular function tests are used to diagnose acoustic neuroma. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and the results of audiovestibular function tests between patients of intrameatal and extrameatal acoustic neuroma. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Reviewing the medical records for 64 patients with acoustic neuroma between March 2007 and February 2014, we divided the patients into two groups, intrameatal (31 patients) and extrameatal acoustic neuroma (33 patients) according to the involvement of cerebropontine angle. We compared the clinical characteristics, pure tone audiograms, speech audiometry, caloric test, and vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) between the two groups. RESULTS: While hearing loss was the most frequent presenting symptom in patients with intrameatal acoustic neuroma, dizziness was the most common symptom in patients with extrameatal acoustic neuroma. Hearing thresholds measured by pure tone audiometry and speech discrimination scores were significantly worse for patients with extrameatal acoustic neuroma. Abnormal unilateral canal paresis of caloric test was significantly higher for extrameatal acoustic neuroma than for intrameatal acoustic neuroma. Most patients with acoustic neuroma showed abnormal findings in the VEMP test, but the number of patients between intrameatal and extrameatal acoustic neuroma did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: Clinical symptoms and the results of audiovestibular function tests differed according to the tumor size of acoustic neuroma. Physicians should counsel patients presenting with audiovestibular symptoms of the possibility of acoustic neuroma.
Acoustics* ; Audiometry ; Audiometry, Speech ; Caloric Tests ; Dizziness ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Methods ; Neuroma, Acoustic* ; Paresis ; Speech Perception ; Vestibular Function Tests

OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility and the generalizability of the Remote fitting models of hearing AIDS from primary hospitals. METHOD: we comparative analyzed the speech recognition scores and satisfaction of 45 cases with traditional hearing AID fitting and with a hearing aid remote test respectively. RESULT: 45 cases were analyzed in each group, including traditional hearing AID fitting model and remote test, and 35 recovered in traditional fitting model group, and the recovery rate was 77.8%; Remote fitting model rehabilitation 42 cases, recovery rate was 93.3%, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In 6 weekend wear hearing AIDS, traditional fitting model of speech recognition rate increased by 19.40% on average, the average distance fitting model speech recognition rate increases by 27.47%, the average distance fitting model than traditional fitting the speech recognition rate increased significantly more (8.07%). Effect of hearing aid international questionnaire results suggest: 45 cases using traditional model fitting hearing AIDS patients, 33 cases (73.3%) satisfaction, 12 cases (26.7%) patients after use. Remote and 45 cases of using hearing AIDS fitting model, satisfied with 40 cases (88.9%), 5 cases (11.1%) patients after use. CONCLUSION the curative effect and the satisfaction of remote fitting models of hearing AIDS on hearing impairment are better than that in patients with traditional fitting models. Therefore it is more worthy of clinical application especially in basic level hospitals.
Audiometry ; Hearing Aids ; Hearing Loss ; rehabilitation ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Patient Satisfaction ; Remote Consultation ; Speech Perception ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate hearing and outer cells function in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Our investigation was a prospective case control study. METHODS: A total of 31 psoriatic arthritis patients (62 ears) and 31 healthy control subjects (62 ears) were enrolled in the study. We investigated hearing changes of patients and controls via pure tone audiometry, speech discrimination scores, tympanometry, acoustic reflex, and transient product otoacoustic emission. RESULTS: The mean age of psoriatic arthritis patients was 36.1+/-8.5 years (range, 14 to 62 years). The average age of the control group was 37.9+/-8.1 years (range, 16 to 62 years). There were statistically significant differences between pure tone audiometry in all frequencies and right and left emission at the 4.0 and 1.0 in psoriatic arthritis patients versus controls (P<0.05). This difference was evident, especially at high frequencies. There was no statistically significant difference between the ages and genders of the patient and control groups (P>0.05). Both audiological and otoacoustic emissions were not significantly different between right and left ear (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on the audiological and otoacoustic findings; it is likely that the cochlear outer hair cells become subtly damaged in psoriatic arthritis patients, consequently leading to changes in hearing thresholds. These data suggest that it is important to screen psoriatic arthritis patients for hearing changes with otoacoustic emissions and audiologic tests regularly.
Acoustic Impedance Tests ; Arthritis, Psoriatic* ; Audiometry ; Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; Audiometry, Speech ; Case-Control Studies ; Cochlea* ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Ear ; Hair* ; Hearing* ; Humans ; Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous ; Prospective Studies ; Reflex, Acoustic

This study compared long-term speech performance after cochlear implantation (CI) between surgical strategies in patients with chronic otitis media (COM). Thirty patients with available open-set sentence scores measured more than 2 yr postoperatively were included: 17 who received one-stage surgeries (One-stage group), and the other 13 underwent two-stage surgeries (Two-stage group). Preoperative inflammatory status, intraoperative procedures, postoperative outcomes were compared. Among 17 patients in One-stage group, 12 underwent CI accompanied with the eradication of inflammation; CI without eradicating inflammation was performed on 3 patients; 2 underwent CIs via the transcanal approach. Thirteen patients in Two-stage group received the complete eradication of inflammation as first-stage surgery, and CI was performed as second-stage surgery after a mean interval of 8.2 months. Additional control of inflammation was performed in 2 patients at second-stage surgery for cavity problem and cholesteatoma, respectively. There were 2 cases of electrode exposure as postoperative complication in the two-stage group; new electrode arrays were inserted and covered by local flaps. The open-set sentence scores of Two-stage group were not significantly higher than those of One-stage group at 1, 2, 3, and 5 yr postoperatively. Postoperative long-term speech performance is equivalent when either of two surgical strategies is used to treat appropriately selected candidates.
Adult ; Aged ; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear/epidemiology ; Chronic Disease/therapy ; Cochlear Implantation/*adverse effects ; Cochlear Implants/*adverse effects ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/*surgery ; Humans ; Inflammation/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Otitis Media/*surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; *Speech Articulation Tests ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Various bone conduction hearing aids have been widely used to improve hearing fuction for the last 30 years. Sophono(R), a newly introduced device without percutaneous abutment, improved disadvantages of previously used bone conduction hearing aids. Recently, we experienced a case of Sophono(R) implantation in a patient presenting with mixed hearing loss followed by tumor surgery. The patient gained air conduction threshold of 60 dB HL compared to preoperative pure tone audiogram and a speech discrimination test in noisy environment showed improved results. Furthermore, the patient has had no cutaneous complications since implantation. The results of this case demonstrate the feasibility of implanting Sophono(R) in patients similar to this case. Considering its advantages of MRI compatibility and non-invasive surgery, as well as esthetical benefit, Sophono(R) implantation could be a preferable option for hearing rehabilitation.
Bone Conduction ; Hearing Loss, Mixed Conductive-Sensorineural ; Hearing Loss, Unilateral* ; Hearing* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningioma* ; Rehabilitation* ; Speech Discrimination Tests

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare speech audiometry test results of the conventional Hahm's list with those of Korean standard word lists for adults (KS-WL-A) using both live voice and compact disc (CD) speech presentation modes. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Eighty patients with sensorineural hearing loss and 23 control subjects with normal hearing participated in the study. Each hearing loss group comprised 20 subjects (mild, moderate, moderately severe, and severe hearing loss groups). Speech audiometry was performed to measure the speech recognition threshold (SRT) and word recognition score. KS-WL-A was presented either through a live voice mode or recorded CD materials. Test words from Hahm's list were presented using the live voice mode only. Pure tone audiometry was also conducted for all subjects. RESULTS: Differences between the SRT and pure tone average were within 6 dB in all subgroups in all three stimulation methods, indicating high reliability of the SRT in both the conventional and Korean standard methods. The moderate, moderately severe, and severe hearing loss groups showed lower word recognition scores in the CD mode with KS-WL-A than with the two live voice modes. CONCLUSION: Both the live voice mode and CD mode showed reliable speech audiometry test results in normal and hearing-impaired subjects. Although the CD mode is recommended to standardize test methods and reduce test errors, the live voice mode might be more effective for patients with moderate to severe hearing loss.
Adult* ; Audiometry ; Audiometry, Speech* ; Compact Disks ; Hearing Loss ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; Hearing* ; Humans ; Speech Discrimination Tests ; Speech Reception Threshold Test ; Voice

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of binaural bi-modal fitting (one cochlear implant and a contralateral hearing aid) on speech recognition of cochlear implant recipients with low frequency electrodes incompletely implanted. METHOD: A total of 15 cochlear implant(CI) users who have low residual hearing (250 Hz 45-90 dBHL, 500 Hz 75 - 100 dBHL) of their non surgery ears. We closed the top three electrodes to simulate the state of low-frequency electrodes incompletely implanted by fitting software. (1) The same tester received twice speech recognition tests in incompletely implanted state, one test used single CI model and the other used binaural bi-modal fitting model. (2)The same tester received above twice speech recognition tests again, but in completely implanted state. Then we compared the results of tests. RESULT: The CI users used binaural bi-modal fitting have higher speech recognition score than the same users used unilateral cochlear implant model in low-frequency electrodes incompletely implanted state(P<0. 05). The gap between the scores of the tests by using two usage patterns in low frequency electrodes incompletely implanted state was more than that in completely implanted state (P<0. 05). CONCLUSION Binaural bi-modal fitting can help CI users to improve their speech recognition ability in low-frequency electrodes incompletely implanted state.
Cochlear Implantation ; methods ; Cochlear Implants ; Electrodes, Implanted ; Hearing ; Hearing Aids ; Hearing Tests ; Humans ; Speech ; Speech Perception