scholarly journals Big Stimulus, Little Ears: Safety in Administering Vestibular-Evoked Myogenic Potentials in Children

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (05) ◽  
pp. 395-403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan L. A. Thomas ◽  
Denis Fitzpatrick ◽  
Ryan McCreery ◽  
Kristen L. Janky

Background: Cervical and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) have become common clinical vestibular assessments. However, VEMP testing requires high intensity stimuli, raising concerns regarding safety with children, where sound pressure levels may be higher due to their smaller ear canal volumes. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to estimate the range of peak-to-peak equivalent sound pressure levels (peSPLs) in child and adult ears in response to high intensity stimuli (i.e., 100 dB normal hearing level [nHL]) commonly used for VEMP testing and make a determination of whether acoustic stimuli levels with VEMP testing are safe for use in children. Research Design: Prospective experimental. Study Sample: Ten children (4–6 years) and ten young adults (24–35 years) with normal hearing sensitivity and middle ear function participated in the study. Data Collection and Analysis: Probe microphone peSPL measurements of clicks and 500 Hz tonebursts (TBs) were recorded in tubes of small, medium, and large diameter, and in a Brüel & Kjær Ear Simulator Type 4157 to assess for linearity of the stimulus at high levels. The different diameter tubes were used to approximate the range of cross-sectional areas in infant, child, and adult ears, respectively. Equivalent ear canal volume and peSPL measurements were then recorded in child and adult ears. Lower intensity levels were used in the participant’s ears to limit exposure to high intensity sound. The peSPL measurements in participant ears were extrapolated using predictions from linear mixed models to determine if equivalent ear canal volume significantly contributed to overall peSPL and to estimate the mean and 95% confidence intervals of peSPLs in child and adult ears when high intensity stimulus levels (100 dB nHL) are used for VEMP testing without exposing subjects to high-intensity stimuli. Results: Measurements from the coupler and tubes suggested: 1) each stimuli was linear, 2) there were no distortions or nonlinearities at high levels, and 3) peSPL increased with decreased tube diameter. Measurements in participant ears suggested: 1) peSPL was approximately 3 dB larger in child compared to adult ears, and 2) peSPL was larger in response to clicks compared to 500 Hz TBs. The model predicted the following 95% confidence interval for a 100 dB nHL click: 127–136.5 dB peSPL in adult ears and 128.7–138.2 dB peSPL in child ears. The model predicted the following 95% confidence interval for a 100 dB nHL 500 Hz TB stimulus: 122.2–128.2 dB peSPL in adult ears and 124.8–130.8 dB peSPL in child ears. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that 1) when completing VEMP testing, the stimulus is approximately 3 dB higher in a child’s ear, 2) a 500 Hz TB is recommended over a click as it has lower peSPL compared to the click, and 3) both duration and intensity should be considered when choosing VEMP stimuli. Calculating the total sound energy exposure for your chosen stimuli is recommended as it accounts for both duration and intensity. When using this calculation for children, consider adding 3 dB to the stimulus level.

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 2016-2026
Author(s):  
Tamara R. Almeida ◽  
Clayton H. Rocha ◽  
Camila M. Rabelo ◽  
Raquel F. Gomes ◽  
Ivone F. Neves-Lobo ◽  
...  

Purpose The aims of this study were to characterize hearing symptoms, habits, and sound pressure levels (SPLs) of personal audio system (PAS) used by young adults; estimate the risk of developing hearing loss and assess whether instructions given to users led to behavioral changes; and propose recommendations for PAS users. Method A cross-sectional study was performed in 50 subjects with normal hearing. Procedures included questionnaire and measurement of PAS SPLs (real ear and manikin) through the users' own headphones and devices while they listened to four songs. After 1 year, 30 subjects answered questions about their usage habits. For the statistical analysis, one-way analysis of variance, Tukey's post hoc test, Lin and Spearman coefficients, the chi-square test, and logistic regression were used. Results Most subjects listened to music every day, usually in noisy environments. Sixty percent of the subjects reported hearing symptoms after using a PAS. Substantial variability in the equivalent music listening level (Leq) was noted ( M = 84.7 dBA; min = 65.1 dBA, max = 97.5 dBA). A significant difference was found only in the 4-kHz band when comparing the real-ear and manikin techniques. Based on the Leq, 38% of the individuals exceeded the maximum daily time allowance. Comparison of the subjects according to the maximum allowed daily exposure time revealed a higher number of hearing complaints from people with greater exposure. After 1 year, 43% of the subjects reduced their usage time, and 70% reduced the volume. A volume not exceeding 80% was recommended, and at this volume, the maximum usage time should be 160 min. Conclusions The habit of listening to music at high intensities on a daily basis seems to cause hearing symptoms, even in individuals with normal hearing. The real-ear and manikin techniques produced similar results. Providing instructions on this topic combined with measuring PAS SPLs may be an appropriate strategy for raising the awareness of people who are at risk. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12431435


Author(s):  
Mohammad Javad Zare Sakhvidi ◽  
Hamideh Bidel ◽  
Ahmad Ali Kheirandish

 Background: Chronic occupational exposure to noise is an unavoidable reality in the country's textile industry and even other countries. The aim of this study was to compare the sound pressure level in different parts of the textile industry in Yazd and in different parts of the textile industry. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 930 textile workers in Yazd. A questionnaire was used to obtain demographic information and how to use protective equipment. Then, to obtain the sound pressure level of each unit and device and to use the measurement principles, a calibrated sound level meter was used. Then the results were analyzed using SPSS Ver.29 software. Results: The participants in this study were 714 males and 216 females with a mean age of 35.27 and 33.63 years, respectively. Seven hundred fifty-six participants (81.29%) were exposed to sound pressure levels higher than 85 dB. Among the participants, only 18.39% of the people used a protective phone permanently. Except for factory E, with an average sound pressure level of 77.78 dB, the rest of the factories had an average sound pressure level higher than the occupational exposure limit. The sound measurement results of different devices show that the sound pressure levels above 90 dB are related to the parts of Dolatab, Ring, Kinetting (knitting), Chanel, Autoconer, Dolakni, Open End, MultiLakni, Tabandegi, Texture, and Poy. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, noise above 90 dB is considered as one of the main risk factors in most parts of the textile industry (spinning and weaving), which in the absence of engineering, managerial or individual controls on it causes hearing loss in becoming employees of this industry


1989 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 254-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith A. Feigin ◽  
Judy G. Kopun ◽  
Patricia G. Stelmachowicz ◽  
Michael P. Gorga

1991 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 1436-1438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard H. Wilson ◽  
John P. Preece ◽  
Courtney S. Crowther

The NU No. 6 materials spoken by a female speaker were passed through a notch filter centered at 247 Hz with a 34-dB depth The filtering reduced the amplitude range within the spectrum of the materials by 10 dB that was reflected as a 7.5-vu reduction measured on a true vu meter. Thus, the notch filtering in effect changed the level calibration of the materials. Psychometric functions of the NU No. 6 materials filtered and unfiltered in 60-dB SPL broadband noise were obtained from 12 listeners with normal hearing. Although the slopes of the functions for the two conditions were the same, the functions were displaced by an average of 5 8 dB with the function for the filtered materials located at the lower sound-pressure levels.


2020 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. 102901
Author(s):  
Jeanette Vreman ◽  
Lex M. van Loon ◽  
Wilma van den Biggelaar ◽  
Johannes G. van der Hoeven ◽  
Joris Lemson ◽  
...  

ORL ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Nasrin Yazdani ◽  
Benyamin Rahmaty ◽  
Meead Mousavi ◽  
Kayvan Aghazadeh ◽  
Sasan Dabiri ◽  
...  

Introduction: The categorization of delayed endolymphatic hydrops (DEH) based on the ear which produces vertigo may sometimes cause misdiagnosis. Objectives: The aim of this study was investigating the vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs), electrocochleography (ECoG), and videonystagmography (VNG) in cases with DEH to determine the ear that originates symptoms. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 34 patients – 20 males and 14 females – with profound unilateral sensorineural deafness and vertigo attacks were recruited and evaluated by the ECoG, VNG, and VEMPs tests. Results: The average age was around 43; the summating potential/action potential was abnormal in 29.4% of patients in their normal auditive ear. In 32.4, 17.6, and 50% of cases with a deaf ear, absent, normal, and abnormal VEMPs results were sequentially observed, respectively. In normal-hearing ears, absent, normal, and abnormal VEMPs were observed in 23.5, 50, and 26.5%, respectively. In the normal-hearing ear, the distribution of abnormal VEMPs was 26.5%, and in the deaf ear, this parameter was abnormal in 50% of the opposite ear (p value = 0.00021). In the VNG test, among patients with a normal-hearing ear, results in 27 and 7 patients were sequentially normal and hypofunction. Conclusion and Significance: The probability of a hypofunction VNG test in a normal-hearing ear might be greater when the VEMPs results of the contralateral deaf ear are normal. In patients with a normal-hearing ear, the distribution of abnormal VEMPs in the contralateral deaf ear is greater, although the intact side may also manifest abnormality in VEMPs tests. The initial evaluation should begin in a deaf ear as well as for the normal-hearing ear ere utilizing ablation surgery.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Duarte Rocha ◽  
Patricia Miranda Sá ◽  
Danielle Bonotto Cabral Reis ◽  
Ana Carolina Carioca Costa

ResumoIntrodução: Estudos mostram que o ambiente muito estimulante, com altos níveis sonoros, interfere negativamente no desenvolvimento e crescimento de recém-nascidos. Objetivo: verificar se o "horário do soninho" é capaz de reduzir os níveis de pressão sonora em uma unidade de cuidados neonatais. Método: Trata-se de uma pesquisa transversal. A medida do nível de pressão sonora foi realizada durante 15 dias não consecutivos, com tempo de avaliação de 30 minutos antes, 1 hora durante e 30 minutos após o "horário do soninho" Resultado: Observamos uma redução dos níveis de pressão sonora durante o "horário do soninho" (p = 0,00). Essa redução permaneceu no período dos 30 minutos subsequentes, com diferença estatisticamente significante quando comparada ao período antes do "horário do soninho" (p = 0,00). Conclusão: O "horário do soninho" é uma ferramenta capaz de reduzir o nível de pressão sonora em uma unidade de terapia intensiva neonatalPalavras-Chave: ruído; Terapia Intensiva neonatal; Recém-nascido AbstractBackground: Studies show that super stimulating environment, with high sound levels, that negatively interfere in the development and growthof newborns. Aim:  Verify if the "quiet time" is able to reduce the sound pressure levels in a neonatal care unit. Method: It is a cross-sectional research. The measurement of the sound pressure level was performed during 15 non-consecutive days with an evaluation time of 30 minutes before, 1 hour during and 30 minutes after the "quiet time" Result: We observed a reduction of the sound pressure levels during the hours of quiet time (p = 0.00). This reduction remained in the period of the subsequent 30 minutes, with a statistically significant difference when compared to the period before sleep time (p = 0.00). Conclusion: The “quiet time is a tool capable of reducing sound pressure level in a neonatal intensive care unitKey Words: noise; Intensive Care, neonatal; Infant, newborn Resumen"Tiempo de silencio": una herramienta para reducir los niveles de presión acústica en una unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatalesAntecedentes: los estudios muestran que el entorno súper estimulante, con altos niveles de sonido, interfiere negativamente en el desarrollo y crecimiento de los recién nacidos. Objetivo: Verificar si el "tiempo de silencio" puede reducir los niveles de presión acústica en una unidad de cuidados neonatales. Método: es una investigación transversal. La medición del nivel de presión sonora se realizó durante 15 días no consecutivos con un tiempo de evaluación de 30 minutos antes, 1 hora durante y 30 minutos después del "tiempo de silencio" Resultado: Observamos una reducción de los niveles de presión sonora durante las horas de tiempo de silencio (p = 0.00). Esta reducción se mantuvo en el período de los siguientes 30 minutos, con una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en comparación con el período anterior al tiempo de sueño (p = 0,00). Conclusión: el “tiempo de silencio es una herramienta capaz de reducir el nivel de presión acústica en una unidad de cuidados intensivos neonatales Palabras clave: ruido; Cuidados Intensivos, neonatales; Infante, recién nacido


1989 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Middlebrooks ◽  
James C. Makous ◽  
David M. Green

1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 277-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Yavuzkurt ◽  
M. Y. Ha ◽  
G. Koopmann ◽  
A. W. Scaroni

A model for the enhancement of coal combustion in the presence of high-intensity acoustic fields has been developed. A high-intensity acoustic field induces an oscillating velocity over pulverized coal particles otherwise entrained in the main gas stream, resulting in increased heat and mass transfer. The augmented heat and mass transfer coefficients, expressed as space and time-averaged Nusselt and Sherwood numbers for the oscillating flow, were implemented in an existing computer code (PCGC-2) capable of predicting various aspects of pulverized coal combustion and gasification. Increases in the Nusselt and Sherwood numbers about 45, 60 and 82.5 percent at sound pressure levels of 160, 165 and 170 dB for 100-μm coal particles were obtained due to increase in the acoustic slip velocity associated with the increased sound pressure levels. The main effect of the acoustic field was observed during the char combustion phase in a diffusionally controlled situation. A decrease in the char burn-out length (time) of 15.7 percent at 160 dB and 30.2 percent at 170 dB was obtained compared to the case with no sound for the 100-μm coal particles.


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