Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate Mal de Debarquement syndrome (MdDS) in high-risk pilots using the Istanbul MdDS Symptom Questionnaire (IMdDSSQ) and investigate the effect of flight time. Subjects and Methods: The IMdDSSQ was administered to 150 healthy pilots, ≥18 years (37.47±11.14 years), on active duty, using a Google Forms link. The responses to the questionnaire were assessed based on flight time (<4 h and >4 h) and age group, for all subfactors. Results: For the MdDS diagnosis subfactor of the questionnaire, 32.1% of males and 66.7% of females reported a suspicion of MdDS after flights <4 h. As flight time increased, the number of participants reporting suspected MdDS increased in both sexes. There was a significant difference between short and long flights for all subfactors of the questionnaire across all age groups and sex comparisons (p<0.05). Conclusions As flight time and age increased, the severity of the symptoms of MdDS increased for all subfactors. With advancing age, dizziness and the severity of intolerance to visual motion increase in long flights compared to short flights, and the quality-of-life decreases. The quality-of-life of female pilots was lower than that of male pilots.

Background and Objectives: Monosyllable words are the most common speech recognition stimuli since they test auditory perception and are used to assess speech recognition. However, there is a lack of resources available for the Urdu-speaking Pakistani population. This study aims to develop and psychometrically evaluate a digitally recorded Urdu monosyllabic word list for Word Recognition Score (WRS) testing. Subjects and Methods: A total of 135 monosyllabic words were selected from a previous study. These words were digitally recorded by a native female Urdu speaker in a studio. The recordings were psychometrically assessed by 30 native Urdu speakers with normal hearing. The 100 most familiar words were selected and organized into two lists, each further divided into four halves to ensure that the words were relatively homogeneous in terms of audibility. Results: The average psychometric slope between 20% and 80% for the full list was 4.78%/dB±0.22%/dB, while it was 4.81%/dB±0.35%/dB for the half list. No statistically significant difference in p-values was observed between the full and half lists. The mean psychometric slope for 50% intelligibility was 6.04%/dB for both the full list (SD=0.44) and the half lists (SD=0.40). Conclusions Digitally recorded Urdu monosyllabic word lists are valid for assessing speech recognition in native Urdu speakers with normal hearing.

Background and Objectives: Certain medications are associated with ototoxicity. This study assesses drug-induced ototoxicity in South Korea by analyzing the Korean national health data. Subjects and Methods: Hospital records of National Health Insurance members from 2009 to 2016 were reviewed. Data were compared between patients with and without hearing loss (HL). Individuals with HL were identified as having a primary diagnosis code for sensorineural HL or another type of HL in at least one outpatient or inpatient record according to the International Classification of Diseases-10. Results: The members in the HL group increased slightly from 0.8% to 1.0% relative to the total sample, compared with 99.2% to 99.0% among the controls. The proportion of males in the HL group ranged from 45.6% to 47.6%, compared with 48.4% to 48.8% among the controls. The proportion of those aged ≥65 years in the HL group increased from 34.1% to 41.4%, compared with 10.6% to 13.3% among the controls. Hypertension prevalence (24.7%-25.7%) in the HL group was higher than that in the control group (12%-12.6%). Diabetes prevalence in the HL group was 10.6%-12.3%, compared with 4.4%-5.9% among the controls. The use of proton pump inhibitor components increased, particularly esomeprazole magnesium trihydrate and rabeprazole sodium, whereas the usage of pantoprazole sodium sesquihydrate and revaprazan was high initially but declined subsequently. The usage of painkillers such as acetaminophen, loxoprofen sodium, and ibuprofen remained high, and antibiotics such as cephalosporins indicated the highest usage. However, the use of penicillin antibiotics such as amoxicillin decreased significantly. Anticancer agents showed relatively low usage compared with other drug categories, whereas antihistamines showed extremely high usage across all years, with a continual increase. Conclusions These correlations and the underlying mechanisms necessitate further investigation, as several medicines have been linked to an increased risk of HL.

Third window syndrome (TWS) is an inner ear condition caused by an additional compliant point in the otic capsule that disrupts auditory and vestibular functions. Superior semicircular canal dehiscence is the most common cause, presenting with hearing loss, vertigo, and autophony, significantly impairing quality of life. This study evaluated the pathophysiology, diagnostics, treatments, and recent advancements in TWS while identifying research gaps. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, 70 studies from Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane, and UpToDate databases were analyzed. TWS affects inner ear mechanics, enhancing bone conduction and reducing air conduction. Diagnosis involves clinical evaluations, high-resolution imaging, and functional tests such as vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, which are known for their high sensitivity and specificity. Management strategies range from vestibular rehabilitation and pharmacotherapy to surgical interventions, including transmastoid and middle cranial fossa approaches, which achieve over 75% success. Emerging minimally invasive techniques, such as underwater endoscopic ear surgery and round window reinforcement, show promise but carry risks like cerebrospinal fluid leakage and inconsistent symptom relief. Advancements in TWS management have improved outcomes, yet gaps remain, particularly in terms of false-positive imaging and long-term efficacy. Future studies should prioritize predictive models and minimally invasive techniques. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to improve patient care.

Chemotherapy-induced ototoxicity is a significant concern in pediatric patients with cancer, particularly those treated with platinum-based agents, such as cisplatin and carboplatin. This study reviewed its prevalence, risk factors, early diagnosis, and management strategies. A literature review was conducted to assess the effects of ototoxic chemotherapy, screening methods, and treatment approaches. Various grading scales and rehabilitation strategies were analyzed. Platinum-based chemotherapy causes ototoxic hearing loss in approximately 100% of cases, including high-frequency and delayed-onset losses. Younger age, higher cumulative dose, and cranial irradiation increased the risk. Screening adherence remains suboptimal, despite guidelines recommending early detection through high-frequency audiometry. Sodium thiosulfate may reduce ototoxicity in nonmetastatic cases. If appropriate, hearing aids and cochlear implants can support communication and language development. Ototoxic hearing loss is a prevalent, yet underdiagnosed, complication of pediatric cancer treatment. Standardized screening, otoprotective strategies, and early rehabilitation are essential to minimize their impact on language and quality of life. Greater awareness and national guidelines are required to improve the care of pediatric cancer survivors.

Background and Objectives: Occupational noise exposure is a significant risk factor for hearing loss, affecting approximately 5% of the global population. Although noise-induced hearing loss is commonly associated with reduced sensitivity to pure tones, there is limited information regarding when this hearing loss begins after noise exposure. This study aimed to investigate the time of onset of hearing loss in bus drivers exposed to noise for varying durations. Subjects and Methods: The study involved 102 bus drivers aged 25-40 years who had been exposed to noise for periods ranging from 6 months to over 10 years. A control group comprising 102 age-matched individuals without noise exposure was also included. Pure-tone audiometry was performed to assess hearing loss, and time of onset of hearing loss relative to noise exposure duration was evaluated. Results: Bus drivers experienced only “slight” hearing loss, even after 10 years of noise exposure. By contrast, reduced sensitivity to pure tones was observed after 25 to 48 months of exposure. Conclusions This study confirms that prolonged noise exposure leads to “slight” hearing loss, which can appear as early as 25-48 months after exposure to noise. Among individuals under 40 years of age, significant hearing loss appeared to occur only after 10 or more years of exposure. These findings suggest that the impact of noise on hearing acuity may have been overestimated in previous studies.

Background and Objectives: This study was performed to comprehensively examine the amplitudes of the binaural interaction components (BICs) elicited by chirps, clicks, and 500 Hz tone-burst stimuli in individuals with normal hearing. Electrophysiological evidence of BICs was obtained and assessed for correlations with interaural time difference (ITD) and interaural level difference (ILD). Subjects and Methods: Sixteen adults (4 males and 12 females) with normal hearing participated in this study. Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) to chirp, click, and 500 Hz tone-burst stimuli were recorded, and BICs were derived based on wave V. The behavioral thresholds of ITDs and ILDs across multiple frequencies were obtained and analyzed. Results: BICs were found in most participants, regardless of stimulus type. The amplitudes of BICs elicited by chirps were the highest, followed by those elicited by clicks and 500 Hz tone-bursts. A significant correlation was found between the amplitudes of chirp-evoked BICs and the thresholds of 500 Hz ITDs and ILDs. Conclusions This study found that chirp stimuli may be effective in eliciting BIC and predicting behavioral binaural interaction processing at low frequencies.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the potential impact of earphone use on the occurrence of otitis externa (OE) by conducting a survey. Subjects and Methods: This study included 517 participants. The questionnaire comprised 22 items divided into three categories; general information, earphone use, and OE. The questionnaire was designed using Google Forms and distributed through a notice posted on a hospital bulletin board. This notice included a QR code that enabled any interested individual to participate, and the responses were collected automatically. Results: The proportion of respondents who had experienced OE at least once was 21%. Among them, 33.7% experienced OE within the preceding month. For “adhering to the recommendation usage time,” individuals who responded “likely” had a 0.440 (odds ratio=0.440, 95% confidence interval=0.195-0.993) times higher likelihood; they were at lower risk of experiencing OE compared to those who responded “very unlikely.” Conclusions Our findings suggest that proper earphone use can reduce the risk of OE. Despite the lack of a significant relationship between earphone type, physical activity, and cleaning practices, continued adherence to these factors is recommended to prevent OE.

Auditory neuropathy is characterized by abnormal neural conduction in the auditory pathway despite normal outer hair cell function, exhibiting substantial genetic heterogeneity and phenotypic variability. We report the case of a 29-year-old male patient with hearing loss, bilateral enlargement of the vestibular aqueduct (EVA), and vestibular system dysfunction. Based on these features, which are tipically indicative of Pendred syndrome, a molecular investigation including the SLC26A4 gene was performed. This analysis identified a novel heterozygous missense variant, c.411A>C, in exon 4 of the DIAPH3 gene, likely associated with autosomal dominant auditory neuropathy. This point mutation results in substituting glutamic acid with aspartic acid at position 137 p.(Glu137Asp), in the functional Rho-GTPase-binding domain of the DIAPH3 protein. Segregation analysis of the parents and two siblings of the proband revealed the variant’s de novo origin. According to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics criteria, this finding underscores the need to reclassify the variant as likely pathogenic. This is the first evidence of an association between a DIAPH3 variant and hearing loss coupled with bilateral EVA and vestibular system dysfunction. This finding contributes to a better understanding of the phenotypic complexity of disorders grouped within the auditory neuropathy spectrum.