Auditory brainstem response (ABR) is a clinical auditory detection tool that can evaluate the function of the central auditory pathways through the brainstem, but is easy to be interfered with by ...noise, which requires subjects to keep quiet during tests. However, it is hard for children or adults that cannot cooperate to keep quiet for such a long time. Besides, the ABR test is time-consuming because thousands of trials are needed. In this study, an adaptive Kalman filtering (AKF) method was proposed to help with the ABR acquisition in the motion (chewing or mouth open). We first studied the feasibility of the AKF method by manually adding noise to electroencephalogram (EEG) trials that were used to acquire ABR on adult subjects. Then, we compared the performance of AKF with the traditionally used averaging (Ave) and artifact rejection (AR). The results showed that the AKF-based ABR achieved 96.16 ± 2.15% of the correlation coefficient and similar morphology as the Ave-based method in rest. In motion, the AKF-based ABRs had more recognizable characteristic waves, stable latencies, and higher wave V's amplitudes than those of Ave or AR-based methods. It is believed that the AKF-based method provides the possibility of in-motion ABR acquisition.
Abstract
Objective: To establish the reliability and validity of an automated hearing screening test system for children. Design: Cross-sectional within a comparative study of subjects. Study sample: ...Subjects were 325 first-grade and second-grade children (6-10 years old) from primary schools in Shenzhen, China. Results: Using the conventional pure-tone screening test with the pass/refer criterion set as 25 dB HL, as the ʽgold standard", the sensitivity and specificity of the automated hearing screening test was 0.63 and 0.82, respectively. No specific pattern in the failure rates was observed to relate to the students' grade. There was no statistically significant age effect or gender effect. Conclusions: The results suggest that with further improvement in terms of its sensitivity and specificity, it may be feasible to use the automated hearing screening test system to conduct routine school hearing screenings.
Endolymphatic sac tumors (ELSTs) are rare, papillary adenomatous tumors that arise from the endo-thelium of the endolymphatic sac. We demonstrate a difficult case of endolymphatic sac tumor and how ...it is managed via transcanal endoscopic assisted technique, with discussion of feasibility of transcanal approach to lateral skull base tumor.
To establish the reliability and validity of an automated hearing screening test system for preschoolers and to investigate the risk factors for hearing loss.
The study used a cross-sectional design ...in a comparative study of subjects. The automated hearing screening test was performed in 6231 preschoolers (3-7 years old) from 41 kindergartens in Shanghai, China. Sensitivity and specificity of the automated test were investigated with subjects who failed the screening test and a group of control subjects.
Six hundred and forty-seven children were referred for diagnostic audiological assessment after the automated pure-tone screening test. Using the conventional pure-tone audiometry as the "gold standard," the sensitivity and specificity of the automated hearing screening test increased from 0.33 and 0.15 in the youngest age group to 0.95 and 1.00 in the oldest age group, respectively. There was no statistically significant gender effect, but there was an age effect (χ(2 )= 22.96, p < 0.01). In the univariate analysis of 104 cases and 201 controls, significantly elevated odds ratios (OR) for hearing loss were correlated with universal newborn hearing screening test results (OR = 28.15, p < 0.01), parental suspicion of hearing loss (OR = 10.10, p < 0.05), and attendance at preschool before the age of five (OR = 0.51, p < 0.05).
The results suggest that the automated hearing screening test system can be used in screening programmes for preschoolers aged older than five years.
Abstract
Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the cross-cultural validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the Abbreviated Profile of the Hearing Aid Benefit ...questionnaire (APHAB-CH). Design: A convenience sampling method was used to identify and recruit subjects. The subjects completed a history form seeking demographic data, the APHAB-CH, and a questionnaire seeking a subjective rating of hearing aid performance and overall satisfaction with their hearing aid. Study Sample: The subjects were 134 experienced hearing aid users. Results: The APHAB-CH had a good internal consistency reliability estimate (α = 0.85) comparable to that of the original version. Significant correlation was observed between the APHAB-CH scores and other subjective ratings for hearing aid performance and the overall satisfaction measure. A high test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.84) was observed. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the APHAB-CH had a two-factor structure comprising "hearing disability" and "averviseness." Normative data in terms of equal-percentile profiles were dervied for the APHAB-CH. Conclusion: The results suggest that the APHAB-CH is a reliable and valid measure of the outcomes of hearing aid fitting
Sumario
Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la validez y confiabilidad transcultural de la versión china del Cuestionario de Perfil Abreviado de Beneficios del Auxiliar Auditivo (APHAB-CH). Diseño: Se usó un método conveniente de muestreo para identificar y reclutar sujetos. Los sujetos completaron un formulario de historia para obtener datos demográficos, el APHAB-CH, y un cuestionario para encontrar los rangos subjetivos de rendimiento del auxiliar auditivo y de satisfacción general con el mismo. Muestra de Estudio: Los sujetos fueron 134 usuarios experimentados en el uso de auxiliar auditivo. Resultados: El APHAB-CH tuvo un estimado de confiabilidad con buena consistencia interna (α = 0.85) comparable con la de la versión original. Se observó una correlación significativa entre las puntuaciones del APHAB-CH con otras puntuaciones subjetivas de rendimiento del auxiliar auditivo y de mediciones de satisfacción general. Se observó una alta confiabilidad test-retest (coeficiente de correlación interno = 0.84). El análisis de factor de confirmación reveló que el APHAB-CH tuvo una estructura de dos factores que comprendía la "discapacidad auditiva" y la "aversión" Los datos normativos en términos de perfiles de igual percentil, se derivaron del APHAB-CH. Conclusion: Los resultados sugieren que el APHAB-CH es una medida válida y confiable de los resultados de la adaptación de auxiliares auditivos.
To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of totally implantable hearing aid (Carina) was assessed in adult patients with bilateral moderate to severe hearing loss.
Surgical implantations of Carina ...were performed in three adult patients with bilateral moderate to severe hearing loss. The safety and effectiveness were evaluated in a more than 12 months follow-up by comparison of outcomes of PTA and speech audiometry pre and post-operatively. The daily usage of implants was observed and compared with traditional hearing aids.
The average elevation of unaided threshold elevation on surgical side was 8.3 dB postoperatively. The average functional gain in four speech frequencies of PTA was 35.4 dB HL and the average threshold decrease of speech discrimination was 22.5 dB HL. The subjective scoring of performance of the implants is significantly higher than traditional hearing aid.
Totally implantable hearing aid (Carina) is an ideal implant to treat moderate to severe hearing loss. Long term follow-up is needed to
PDF
