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Volume 13, February
 
 

Audiol. Res., Volume 13, Issue 2 (April 2023) – 11 articles

Cover Story (view full-size image): Over-the-counter hearing aids have been available to consumers in the US since 17 October 2022 following a ruling by the Food and Drug Administration. However, their reception by hearing healthcare professionals (HHP) has been mixed, and concerns have been expressed by many HHPs. The aim of this study was to examine the concerns that HHPs have towards over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. The study used a retrospective survey design. View this paper
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10 pages, 5490 KiB  
Case Report
Paroxysmal Positional Nystagmus in Acoustic Neuroma Patients
by Francesco Comacchio, Paola Magnavita and Barbara Bellemo
Audiol. Res. 2023, 13(2), 304-313; https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres13020026 - 13 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1351
Abstract
The association between acoustic neuroma and positional vertigo with paroxysmal positional nystagmus is relatively rare, but, when present, it certainly represents a challenge for the otoneurologist. There are few reports in the literature on this particular issue, and some questions are still unanswered, [...] Read more.
The association between acoustic neuroma and positional vertigo with paroxysmal positional nystagmus is relatively rare, but, when present, it certainly represents a challenge for the otoneurologist. There are few reports in the literature on this particular issue, and some questions are still unanswered, particularly regarding the characteristics of positional nystagmus that may distinguish between a true benign paroxysmal vertigo and a positional nystagmus associated with the tumor. We present the videonystagmographic patterns of seven patients with acoustic tumor who had paroxysmal positional nystagmus and analyzed its features. A concomitant true benign paroxysmal positional vertigo may be present during the follow-up of a non-treated patient, as the paroxysmal positional vertigo may be the first symptom of the tumor, and it may show characteristics that are very similar to a posterior semicircular canal canalolithiasis or a horizontal canal “heavy or light cupula”. The possible mechanisms are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hearing and Balance in Acoustic Neuroma)
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19 pages, 353 KiB  
Review
Vestibular Impairment in Patients with Vestibular Schwannoma: A Journey through the Pitfalls of Current Literature
by Davide Pisani, Federico Maria Gioacchini, Giuseppe Chiarella, Alessia Astorina, Filippo Ricciardiello, Alfonso Scarpa, Massimo Re and Pasquale Viola
Audiol. Res. 2023, 13(2), 285-303; https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres13020025 - 13 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1776
Abstract
Vestibular Schwannoma is the most common tumour of Ponto Cerebellar Angle and is capable of strongly impacting the patient’s quality of life. In recent decades, the proposals for the management of the disease have multiplied, just as the diagnostic capacity has improved. While [...] Read more.
Vestibular Schwannoma is the most common tumour of Ponto Cerebellar Angle and is capable of strongly impacting the patient’s quality of life. In recent decades, the proposals for the management of the disease have multiplied, just as the diagnostic capacity has improved. While in the past, the primary objective was the preservation of the facial function, and subsequently also of the auditory function, the attention to the vestibular symptomatology, which appears to be one of the main indicators of deterioration of quality of life, is still unsatisfactory. Many authors have tried to provide guidance on the best possible management strategy, but a universally recognized guideline is still lacking. This article offers an overview of the disease and the proposals which have advanced in the last twenty years, evaluating their qualities and defects in a critical reading. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hearing and Balance in Acoustic Neuroma)
14 pages, 2923 KiB  
Article
Hearing Health Awareness and the Need for Educational Outreach Amongst Teachers in Malawi
by Grant Kapalamula, Kelly Gordie, Memory Khomera, J. Zachary Porterfield, Julia Toman and Jenna Vallario
Audiol. Res. 2023, 13(2), 271-284; https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres13020024 - 12 Apr 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1841
Abstract
Malawi, as a low-income country in southeastern Africa, severely lacks early identification, diagnosis and intervention measures for hearing loss. Due to its constrained resources, an educational awareness campaign targeted at professionals can be a cost-effective instrument in promoting good health care through awareness, [...] Read more.
Malawi, as a low-income country in southeastern Africa, severely lacks early identification, diagnosis and intervention measures for hearing loss. Due to its constrained resources, an educational awareness campaign targeted at professionals can be a cost-effective instrument in promoting good health care through awareness, prevention, and early identification of hearing loss. The aim of this study is to assess school teachers’ knowledge of hearing health, audiology services, identification, and management of hearing issues before and after an educational intervention. Methods: A Pre-Survey, followed by an educational intervention, and a Post-Survey were completed by teacher participants. A similar World Health Organization-derived survey was also administered to compare to our locally adapted survey. Trends related to efficacy, performance, and survey improvement were evaluated. Results: A total of 387 teachers participated. The average score on the Post-Survey was significantly improved compared to the Pre-Survey (71% to 97% correct responses) with the educational intervention. The only predictive variable related to performance was the location of the school within the capital of Lilongwe compared to rural sites outside of the capital. Our locally adapted survey compared favorably to the WHO survey. Conclusions: The results suggest that there is a statistically significant improvement in the implementation of an educational program to increase the knowledge and awareness of hearing health care among teachers. Some topics were more poorly understood than others, suggesting the need for targeted awareness interventions. Location within the capital city had some effect on performance but a high rate of correct responses was achievable across the participants independent of age, teaching experience, or gender. Our data support the idea that hearing health awareness interventions can be an effective and low-cost option to equip teachers to effectively serve as an advocate for improved identification, early diagnosis and appropriate referral of students with hearing loss. Full article
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17 pages, 345 KiB  
Article
Value Propositions of Public Adult Hearing Rehabilitation in Denmark
by Katja Lund, Rodrigo Ordoñez, Jens Bo Nielsen, Stine Christiansen, Sabina Storbjerg Houmøller, Jesper Hvass Schmidt, Michael Gaihede and Dorte Hammershøi
Audiol. Res. 2023, 13(2), 254-270; https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres13020023 - 12 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1711
Abstract
Objective: To obtain and evaluate detailed descriptions of potential value propositions as seen by adults undergoing hearing rehabilitation with hearing aids. Design: Semi-structured interviews with patients and audiologists, a literature search, and the inclusion of domain knowledge from experts and scientists were used [...] Read more.
Objective: To obtain and evaluate detailed descriptions of potential value propositions as seen by adults undergoing hearing rehabilitation with hearing aids. Design: Semi-structured interviews with patients and audiologists, a literature search, and the inclusion of domain knowledge from experts and scientists were used to derive value propositions. A two-alternative forced-choice paradigm and probabilistic choice models were used to investigate hearing aid users’ preferences for the value propositions through an online platform. Study sample: Twelve hearing aid users (mean age 70, range 59–70) and eleven clinicians were interviewed. A total of 173 experienced hearing aid users evaluated the value propositions. Results: Twenty-nine value propositions as described by patients, clinicians, and hearing care experts where identified, from which twenty-one value propositions were evaluated. Results of the pair-wise evaluation method show that the value propositions judged to be the most important for the hearing aid users were: “13. To solve the hearing problem you have”, “09. Thorough diagnosis of the hearing”, and “16. The hearing aid solution is adapted to individual needs”, which are related to finding the correct hearing solution and to be considered in the process. The value propositions judged to be least important were: “04 Next of kin and others involved in the process”, “26. To be in the same room as the practitioner”, and “29. The practitioner’s human characteristics”, related to the involvement of others in the process and the proximity and personal manner of the practitioners. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rehabilitation of Hearing Impairment)
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18 pages, 1847 KiB  
Article
Neuropsychological Functions and Audiological Findings in Elderly Cochlear Implant Users: The Role of Attention in Postoperative Performance
by Ilaria Giallini, Bianca Maria Serena Inguscio, Maria Nicastri, Ginevra Portanova, Andrea Ciofalo, Annalisa Pace, Antonio Greco, Hilal Dincer D’Alessandro and Patrizia Mancini
Audiol. Res. 2023, 13(2), 236-253; https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres13020022 - 27 Mar 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1659
Abstract
Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate in a group of elderly CI users working memory and attention, conventionally considered as predictors of better CI performance and to try to disentangle the effects of these cognitive domains on speech perception, finding potential markers [...] Read more.
Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate in a group of elderly CI users working memory and attention, conventionally considered as predictors of better CI performance and to try to disentangle the effects of these cognitive domains on speech perception, finding potential markers of cognitive decline related to audiometric findings. Methods Thirty postlingually deafened CI users aged >60 underwent an audiological evaluation followed by a cognitive assessment of attention and verbal working memory. A correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the associations between cognitive variables while a simple regression investigated the relationships between cognitive and audiological variables. Comparative analysis was performed to compare variables on the basis of subjects’ attention performance. Results: Attention was found to play a significant role in sound field and speech perception. Univariate analysis found a significant difference between poor and high attention performers, while regression analysis showed that attention significantly predicted recognition of words presented at Signal/Noise +10. Further, the high attention performers showed significantly higher scores than low attentional performers for all working memory tasks. Conclusion: Overall findings confirmed that a better cognitive performance may positively contribute to better speech perception outcomes, especially in complex listening situations. WM may play a crucial role in storage and processing of auditory-verbal stimuli and a robust attention may lead to better performance for speech perception in noise. Implementation of cognitive training in auditory rehabilitation of CI users should be investigated in order to improve cognitive and audiological performance in elderly CI users. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cognitive Decline within the Audiology Scope of Practice)
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15 pages, 2046 KiB  
Article
Self-Reported Hearing-Aid Use Patterns in an Adult Danish Population
by Sreeram K. Narayanan, Sabina S. Houmøller, Anne Wolff, Katja Lund, Sören Möller, Dan D. Hougaard, Michael Gaihede, Jesper H. Schmidt and Dorte Hammershøi
Audiol. Res. 2023, 13(2), 221-235; https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres13020021 - 27 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1946
Abstract
The retrospective reporting of users’ hearing aid (HA) usage can provide insight into individualized HA usage patterns. Understanding these HA usage patterns can help to provide a tailored solution to meet the usage needs of HA users. This study aims to understand the [...] Read more.
The retrospective reporting of users’ hearing aid (HA) usage can provide insight into individualized HA usage patterns. Understanding these HA usage patterns can help to provide a tailored solution to meet the usage needs of HA users. This study aims to understand the HA usage pattern in daily-life situations from self-reported data and to examine its relationship to self-reported outcomes. A total of 1537 participants who responded to questions related to situations where they always took off or put on the HAs were included in the study. A latent class analysis was performed to stratify the HA users according to their HA usage pattern. The results showed distinct usage patterns in the latent classes derived for both scenarios. The demographics, socio-economic indicators, hearing loss, and user-related factors were found to impact HA usage. The results showed that the HA users who reported using the HAs all the time (regular users) had better self-reported HA outcomes than situational users, situational non-users, and non-users. The study explained the underlying distinct HA usage pattern from self-reported questionnaires using latent class analysis. The results emphasized the importance of regular use of HAs for a better self-reported HA outcome. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rehabilitation of Hearing Impairment)
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14 pages, 1296 KiB  
Article
Social Representations of “Tinnitus” and “Health” among Individuals with Tinnitus Seeking Online Psychological Interventions
by Vinaya Manchaiah, Srikanth Chundu, Pierre Ratinaud, Gerhard Andersson and Eldre W. Beukes
Audiol. Res. 2023, 13(2), 207-220; https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres13020020 - 06 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1323
Abstract
(1) Objective: Social representations theory (SRT) is a body of theory within social psychology concerned with how individuals, groups, and communities collectively make sense of socially relevant or problematic issues, ideas, and practices. SRT has been increasingly sued in the area of health [...] Read more.
(1) Objective: Social representations theory (SRT) is a body of theory within social psychology concerned with how individuals, groups, and communities collectively make sense of socially relevant or problematic issues, ideas, and practices. SRT has been increasingly sued in the area of health and disability. The current study examined the social representations of “tinnitus” and “health” among individuals with tinnitus who are seeking online psychological interventions. (2) Materials/Method: The data were gathered using a free association task about their “tinnitus” and “health” from 399 individuals with tinnitus. The data were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative analyses methods. (3) Results: The responses resulted in 39 and 30 categories respectively, for “tinnitus” and “health”. The most commonly occurring categories for tinnitus included: descriptions of tinnitus (18%), annoying (13.5%), persistent (8%), and distracting (5%). The most commonly occurring categories for health included: content (12%), conditions (8%), active (7%), take control (6%), and overweight (5%). The responses to tinnitus had predominantly negative connotations (i.e., 76.9%) whereas a larger proportion of responses toward their health was related to positive connotations (i.e., 46.4%). These frequently occurring items were also dominant in similarities analysis. Prototypical analysis of tinnitus responses identified categories horrible and bothersome to be key items in the central zone. The categories in central zone of health responses included: content, active, healthy, grateful, and overweight. (4) Conclusions: Individuals with tinnitus have very negative view of their tinnitus impacting their psychological status. Tinnitus management should focus on reducing the negative associations toward their tinnitus and strengthen the positive aspects related to their general health. Full article
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11 pages, 3263 KiB  
Article
Induction and Cancellation of Self-Motion Misperception by Asymmetric Rotation in the Light
by Vito Enrico Pettorossi, Chiara Occhigrossi, Roberto Panichi, Fabio Massimo Botti, Aldo Ferraresi, Giampietro Ricci and Mario Faralli
Audiol. Res. 2023, 13(2), 196-206; https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres13020019 - 02 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1140
Abstract
Asymmetrical sinusoidal whole-body rotation sequences with half-cycles at different velocities induce self-motion misperception. This is due to an adaptive process of the vestibular system that progressively reduces the perception of slow motion and increases that of fast motion. It was found that perceptual [...] Read more.
Asymmetrical sinusoidal whole-body rotation sequences with half-cycles at different velocities induce self-motion misperception. This is due to an adaptive process of the vestibular system that progressively reduces the perception of slow motion and increases that of fast motion. It was found that perceptual responses were conditioned by four previous cycles of asymmetric rotation in the dark, as the perception of self-motion during slow and fast rotations remained altered for several minutes. Surprisingly, this conditioned misperception remained even when asymmetric stimulation was performed in the light, a state in which vision completely cancels out the perceptual error. This suggests that vision is unable to cancel the misadaptation in the vestibular system but corrects it downstream in the central perceptual processing. Interestingly, the internal vestibular perceptual misperception can be cancelled by a sequence of asymmetric rotations with fast/slow half-cycles in a direction opposite to that of the conditioning asymmetric rotations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Vestibular System: Physiology and Testing Methods)
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11 pages, 918 KiB  
Article
Hearing Healthcare Professionals’ Views about Over-The-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids: Analysis of Retrospective Survey Data
by Vinaya Manchaiah, Anu Sharma, Hansapani Rodrigo, Abram Bailey, Karina C. De Sousa and De Wet Swanepoel
Audiol. Res. 2023, 13(2), 185-195; https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres13020018 - 01 Mar 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2639
Abstract
Over-the-counter hearing aids have been available to consumers in the US since 17 October 2022 following a ruling by the Food and Drug Administration. However, their reception by hearing healthcare professionals (HHP) has been mixed, and concerns have been expressed by many HHPs. [...] Read more.
Over-the-counter hearing aids have been available to consumers in the US since 17 October 2022 following a ruling by the Food and Drug Administration. However, their reception by hearing healthcare professionals (HHP) has been mixed, and concerns have been expressed by many HHPs. The aim of this study was to examine the concerns that HHPs have towards over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. The study used a retrospective survey design. The survey data of HHPs (n = 730) was obtained from Hearing Tracker. A 22-item structured questionnaire was administered using a Question Scout platform. Descriptive analyses examined reported areas of concern and a Fisher’s exact test examined the relationship between demographics and responses. A cluster analysis with partitioning around medoids (PAM) was used to identify a sub-group of participants based on responses. Nearly half of HHPs who participated reported that they will support patients with OTC hearing aids purchased elsewhere, whereas a quarter reported that they will sell OTC hearing aids in their clinic or website. HHPs expressed over 70% agreement in ‘concern’ statements in 14 of the 17 items. Issues about safety, counseling, and audiological care were the key concerns expressed by HHPs about OTC hearing aids. Some demographics (i.e., profession, primary position) were associated with responses to some statements. Two groups were identified based on the responses to concern statements. The HHPs in the first cluster ‘OTC averse’ (51%) agreed on all the 17 concern statements, whereas the second cluster ‘OTC apprehensive’ (49%) had some items rated as disagree (i.e., consumers will give up on amplification) and neither agree nor disagree (i.e., do not provide good value, warranties and return periods will be worse), and remaining items were rated as agree. OTC hearing aids were initiated to improve affordability, accessibility, and hearing aid uptake and are currently a rapidly emerging category of hearing devices. Overall, the results of the current study indicate that HHPs have serious concerns about OTC hearing aids. HHP concerns cited in this study provide useful feedback to stakeholders (e.g., HHP professional agencies, FDA, industry, and insurance payers) involved in improving OTC hearing aid implementation. Full article
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16 pages, 1973 KiB  
Review
Cochlear Implantation in Intralabyrinthine Schwannoma: Case Series and Systematic Review of the Literature
by Sebastiano Franchella, Marzia Ariano, Francesca Bevilacqua, Stefano Concheri and Elisabetta Zanoletti
Audiol. Res. 2023, 13(2), 169-184; https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres13020017 - 28 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1452
Abstract
Intralabyrinthine schwannomas (ILS) are rare benign tumours arising from the peripheral branches of the cochlear or vestibular nerves in the membranous labyrinth, intracochlear schwannomas being the most frequent ones. When hearing is no longer feasible on the affected side, surgical removal along with [...] Read more.
Intralabyrinthine schwannomas (ILS) are rare benign tumours arising from the peripheral branches of the cochlear or vestibular nerves in the membranous labyrinth, intracochlear schwannomas being the most frequent ones. When hearing is no longer feasible on the affected side, surgical removal along with simultaneous cochlear implantation can be proposed to the patient. We hereby present a systematic review of the literature on the topic, as well as two original cases from our centre (Ospedale Università degli Studi di Padova). Cochlear implantation in intracochlear schwannomas is feasible, with overall satisfactory hearing outcomes in accordance with the evidence found in the literature. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hearing and Balance in Acoustic Neuroma)
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9 pages, 2485 KiB  
Communication
Ménière’s Disease: Insights from an Italian Nationwide Survey
by Fulvio Mammarella, Antonella Loperfido, Elizabeth G. Keeling, Gianluca Bellocchi and Luca Marsili
Audiol. Res. 2023, 13(2), 160-168; https://doi.org/10.3390/audiolres13020016 - 28 Feb 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1691
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to obtain data from a large community sample of patients with Ménière’s disease (MD) in Italy through a web-based nationwide survey. Demographic, clinical, and epidemiological features of MD among members of the Italian Association of Ménière’s [...] Read more.
The aim of the present study was to obtain data from a large community sample of patients with Ménière’s disease (MD) in Italy through a web-based nationwide survey. Demographic, clinical, and epidemiological features of MD among members of the Italian Association of Ménière’s Disease (AMMI) were collected through a web-based survey. The questionnaire was posted on the AMMI website between 01/SEP/2021 and 31/OCT/2021. A total of 520 patients (374 F, 146 M) with MD were included. The age at interview (average ± standard deviation, SD) was 51.4 ± 10.9 years, with a disease duration of 9.9 ± 9.8 years. Eighty percent of cases were unilateral. No patients reported neurocognitive disorders or Parkinson’s disease. A positive family history of MD was reported in 13% of participants, while a history of allergic diseases was reported in 33%. Comorbid thyroid disorders were present in 25% of participants, and 28% used betahistine as the main treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first study that has investigated the epidemiology and current patterns of care of MD in Italy, using an anonymous survey directly sent to patients, thus implying their active participation. We hope that future studies will support the utilization of web-based surveys to address the unmet needs in the management of patients with MD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Challenges and Advances in Inner Ear Disorders)
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