Modification of Speech Discrimination in Patients with Binaural Asymmetrical Hearing Loss

1971 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herbert J. Arkebauer ◽  
George T. Mencher ◽  
Carol McCall

Ten patients with bilateral asymmetrical hearing losses were tested for differences in speech discrimination scores under the following listening conditions: poorer ear under earphone; better ear under earphone; sound field, ears unoccluded; and sound field, poorer ear occluded. A patient manifesting a bilateral asymmetrical hearing loss may not be able to either separate or integrate two speech signals; however, occlusion of the poorer ear may be an advantageous means of obtaining maximum speech discrimination. Examination of the speech discrimination scores indicates the existence of detrimental interaction between ears exhibiting bilateral asymmetrical hearing loss. These findings also indicate that when the difference between ears is greater, speech discrimination is better than when asymmetry approximates symmetry. Apparently, the greater the impairment in the better ear, the greater the results to be gained by occluding the poorer ear. These findings were interpreted as being relevant in determining candidacy for binaural amplification. Such candidacy should be determined on the basis of speech discrimination scores obtained from each ear independently, and the combined effect of both aids.

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (18) ◽  
pp. 4579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kitano ◽  
Kitajiri ◽  
Nishio ◽  
Usami

Tight junctions are cellular junctions that play a major role in the epithelial barrier function. In the inner ear, claudins, occludin, tricellulin, and angulins form the bicellular or tricellular binding of membrane proteins. In these, one type of claudin gene, CLDN14, was reported to be responsible for human hereditary hearing loss, DFNB29. Until now, nine pathogenic variants have been reported, and most phenotypic features remain unclear. In the present study, genetic screening for 68 previously reported deafness causative genes was carried out to identify CLDN14 variants in a large series of Japanese hearing loss patients, and to clarify the prevalence and clinical characteristics of DFNB29 in the Japanese population. One patient had a homozygous novel variant (c.241C>T: p.Arg81Cys) (0.04%: 1/2549). The patient showed progressive bilateral hearing loss, with post-lingual onset. Pure-tone audiograms indicated a high-frequency hearing loss type, and the deterioration gradually spread to other frequencies. The patient showed normal vestibular function. Cochlear implantation improved the patient’s sound field threshold levels, but not speech discrimination scores. This report indicated that claudin-14 is essential for maintaining the inner ear environment and suggested the possible phenotypic expansion of DFNB29. This is the first report of a patient with a tight junction variant receiving a cochlear implantation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda W. Norrix ◽  
Alora Anderson

Purpose This study evaluates a new stimulus, FREquency Specific Hearing assessment (FRESH) noise, to obtain hearing thresholds and reviews the potential pitfalls of using narrow band noise. Method Twelve adults with simulated gradually sloping hearing loss and 12 adults with steeply sloping hearing loss participated. Hearing thresholds were measured in sound field and under a supraaural earphone for FRESH noise, warbled tones, and narrowband noise. Pure-tone thresholds were also measured under the supraaural earphone. Results FRESH noise thresholds were similar to pure-tone and warbled-tone thresholds regardless of audiometric configuration. For the group with gradually sloping hearing loss, thresholds obtained with narrowband noise were approximately 4 dB better than those obtained with the other test stimuli. For the group with steeply sloping hearing loss, narrowband noise significantly underestimated hearing thresholds—the steeper the hearing loss, the greater the underestimation. Conclusions When hearing loss is suspected, FRESH noise is appropriate for accurately determining audiometric thresholds in sound field and under earphones. A wider band, attention-getting stimulus such as narrowband noise can result in thresholds that are inaccurate. Clinical decision making regarding choice of test stimulus is discussed.


Author(s):  
John P. Langmore ◽  
Brian D. Athey

Although electron diffraction indicates better than 0.3nm preservation of biological structure in vitreous ice, the imaging of molecules in ice is limited by low contrast. Thus, low-dose images of frozen-hydrated molecules have significantly more noise than images of air-dried or negatively-stained molecules. We have addressed the question of the origins of this loss of contrast. One unavoidable effect is the reduction in scattering contrast between a molecule and the background. In effect, the difference in scattering power between a molecule and its background is 2-5 times less in a layer of ice than in vacuum or negative stain. A second, previously unrecognized, effect is the large, incoherent background of inelastic scattering from the ice. This background reduces both scattering and phase contrast by an additional factor of about 3, as shown in this paper. We have used energy filtration on the Zeiss EM902 in order to eliminate this second effect, and also increase scattering contrast in bright-field and dark-field.


1968 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 204-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Dodds ◽  
Earl Harford

Persons with a high frequency hearing loss are difficult cases for whom to find suitable amplification. We have experienced some success with this problem in our Hearing Clinics using a specially designed earmold with a hearing aid. Thirty-five cases with high frequency hearing losses were selected from our clinical files for analysis of test results using standard, vented, and open earpieces. A statistical analysis of test results revealed that PB scores in sound field, using an average conversational intensity level (70 dB SPL), were enhanced when utilizing any one of the three earmolds. This result was due undoubtedly to increased sensitivity provided by the hearing aid. Only the open earmold used with a CROS hearing aid resulted in a significant improvement in discrimination when compared with the group’s unaided PB score under earphones or when comparing inter-earmold scores. These findings suggest that the inclusion of the open earmold with a CROS aid in the audiologist’s armamentarium should increase his flexibility in selecting hearing aids for persons with a high frequency hearing loss.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 744
Author(s):  
Zainur Zainur

This research was motivated by the low learning outcomes of grade IX SMP Muhammadiyah Padang LuasKecamatan Tambang Kabupaten Kampar. This study aims to improve learning outcomes in mathematicslearning through STAD type cooperative learning with the RME approach in class IX SMP MuhammadiyahPadang Luas Kecamatan Tambang Kabupaten Kampar. The subjects of this study were all classes IX in SMPMuhammadiyah Padang Luas Kecamatan Tambang Kabupaten Kampar totaling 26 people. The form ofresearch is classroom action research. This research instrument consists of performance instruments and datacollection instruments in the form of teacher activity observation sheets and activities. The results of the studystated that there were significant differences between students' mathematics learning outcomes before applyingthe STAD type cooperative learning model with the RME approach with after applying the STAD typecooperative learning model with the RME approach. The difference shows student learning outcomes after theaction is better than before the action with completeness reaching 80.77% or 21 completed. Based on the resultsof the study and discussion it can be concluded that the application of STAD type learning model with RealisticMathematic Education (RME) approach can improve the learning outcomes of grade IX students of SMPMuhammadiyah Padang Luas Kecamatan Tambang Kabupaten Kampar on statistical material.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Bosco ◽  
S Gambelli ◽  
V Urbano ◽  
G Cevenini ◽  
G Messina

Abstract Background Sanitizing the operating theatres (OT) is important to minimize risk of post-operative infections. Disinfection procedures between one operation and another is less aggressive than final cleaning procedures, at the end of the day. Aim was assessing the difference of contamination: i) between different levels of disinfection; ii) before and after the use of a UVC Device (UVC-D). Methods Between December 2019/February 2020 a cross sectional study was conducted in OT in a real clinical context. 94 Petri dishes (PD) were used in 3 OT. Three different sanitation levels (SL1-3) were compared pre- and post-use of UVC-D: i) No cleaning after surgery (SL1); ii) after in-between cleaning (SL2); iii) after terminal cleaning (SL3). UVC-D was employed for 6 minutes, 3 minutes per bed side. PD were incubated at 36 °C and colony forming unit (CFU) counted at 48h. Descriptive statistic, Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests were performed to assess the contamination levels in total, pre/post use of UVC-D, and between different sanitation levels, respectively. Results In total we had a mean of 3.39 CFU/PD (C.I. 2.05 - 4.74) and a median of 1 CFU/PD (Min. 0 - Max. 39), after UVC-D use we had a mean of 2.20 CFU/PD (C.I. 0.69 - 5.09) and a median of 0 CFU/PD (Min. 0 - Max. 133). The UVC-D led to a significant reduction of CFU (p < 0.001). Without UVC-D we had a significant CFU drop (p < 0.05) between SL1 and SL3. Using UVC-D, we observed significant reductions of contamination (p < 0.05) between SL3 and SL1. Comparing SL1 (median 0) post UVC-D use vs SL2 pre UVC-D use (median 0.5), and SL2 post UVC-D use (median 0) vs SL3 pre UVC-D use (median 1) we had a significant reduction of contamination (p < 0.05). Conclusions UVC-D improved environmental contamination in any of the three sanitation levels. Furthermore, the use of UVC-D alone was better than in-between and terminal cleaning. Although these encouraging results, the cleaning procedures executed by dedicated staff has to be considered. Key messages UVC are efficient to decrease contamination in operating theatres regardless of sanitation levels. The additional use of UVC technology to standard cleaning procedures significantly improves sanitation levels.


2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (03) ◽  
pp. 134-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
James J. Klemens ◽  
Robert P. Meech ◽  
Larry F. Hughes ◽  
Satu Somani ◽  
Kathleen C.M. Campbell

This study's purpose was to determine if a correlation exists between cochlear antioxidant activity changes and auditory function after induction of aminoglycoside (AG) ototoxicity. Two groups of five 250-350 g albino guinea pigs served as subjects. For 28 days, albino guinea pigs were administered either 200 mg/kg/day amikacin, or saline subcutaneously. Auditory brainstem response testing was performed prior to the first injection and again before sacrifice, 28 days later. Cochleae were harvested and superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase activities and malondialdehyde levels were measured. All antioxidant enzymes had significantly lower activity in the amikacin group (p ≤ 0.05) than in the control group. The difference in cochlear antioxidant enzyme activity between groups inversely correlated significantly with the change in ABR thresholds. The greatest correlation was for the high frequencies, which are most affected by aminoglycosides. This study demonstrates that antioxidant enzyme activity and amikacin-induced hearing loss significantly covary.


2007 ◽  
Vol 330-332 ◽  
pp. 495-498
Author(s):  
Chao Zou ◽  
Wen Jian Weng ◽  
Xu Liang Deng ◽  
Kui Cheng ◽  
Pi Yi Du ◽  
...  

Two starting collagens, sponge and floc collagen, were used to prepare collagen/tricalcium phosphate (TCP) composites. The resulting composites were porous and had 200μm pore size. However, there was a difference in the microstructure of the pore walls for the composites derived from the two collagens, the pore walls in sponge collagen/TCP composite were still porous and had 200 nm micropores size, TCP particles were trapped in collagen matrices. While floc collagen/TCP composite had smooth and dense walls in which TCP particles were embedded. The difference could be attributed to the starting collagen with different status. Sponge collagen has a soft structure, which easily becomes disassembled fibrils during alkali treatment, the disassembled fibrils are integrated again to form a dense morphology for pore walls after freeze-drying. While floc collagen has already a low disassembly degree, the alkali treatment could not be able to separate the fibrils, this remains as micropores in pore walls after freeze-drying. Both porous composites are significant in bone tissue engineering or regeneration. MTT test results showed the two composites had good cytocompatibility, and sponge collagen/TCP composite was somewhat better than floc collagen/TCP composite, which could result from that micropores derived roughness in pore walls of sponge collagen/TCP composite is suitable for cell growth.


1988 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Dominguez ◽  
José Francisco Fernández ◽  
Victor Briones ◽  
José Luis Blanco ◽  
Guillermo Suárez

SummaryDifferent selective agar media were compared for the recovery and isolation of five species ofListeriafrom raw milk and cheese. The selective media examined were Beerens medium, MacBride medium and that described by Dominguezet al.(1984) with 6 mg/1 acriflavine, listeria selective agar medium (LSAM), and LSAM with 12 mg/1 acriflavine (LSAM × 2A); a non-selective yeast glucose Lemco agar was included for comparison. When the difference between listeria and the natural microflora of raw milk and cheese was 102cfu/ml, listeria could be isolated by direct plating on all media tested. When it was lower than 103–104cfu/ml, listeria were isolated by direct plating only on LSAM and LSAM × 2A. When the difference was greater than 104cfu/ml, a previous enrichment was necessary to isolate them. LSAM and LSAM × 2A media performed better than the other media tested for isolating listeria by direct plating and improved their isolation from dairy products. This superior performance was evaluated by the ability of these media to support colony formation of different species ofListeriatested, the easy recognition of these colonies from those formed by other microorganisms and by their capacity to inhibit the natural microflora of these foods.


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