Background: A retrospective research design was used to investigate the effect of degree of hearing loss on speech identification scores (SISs) and aided improvement in individuals with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD). The present criteria (PWD Act, 2001) to issue disability certificate is suitable for individuals with SNHL, as there is a good agreement between their degree of hearing loss and speech understanding. In contrast, individuals with ANSD show severe speech understanding problems irrespective of their degree of hearing loss. Despite their problem, there are denied in giving disability certificate. The study also analyzed number of clients who have received the certificate of hearing disability, in both groups. Subjects and Methods: Clinical records of 165 clients who visited the Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore, India between October 2011 and October 2013 were reviewed. Results: Revealed that unlike SNHL, those with ANSD had no relation between the degree of hearing loss and SIS. In addition, aided improvement in ANSD was very limited and was not related to degree of hearing loss. All the individuals with SNHL, who had hearing loss above moderately severe degree received disability certificate. However, only 2 of the 36 clients with ANSD received disability certificate, although their hearing thresholds were above moderately severe degree. Conclusion: Pure-tone thresholds are not a deciding factor of speech understanding in ANSD. Thus, issue of disability certificate for ANSD should be based on SIS rather than pure-tone thresholds.

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Aims: It is accepted that Rinne's test is negative in the same ear having a conductive hearing loss (CHL). It is also accepted that false negative Rinne's occurs in the ear with severe sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). However, we wanted to demonstrate the presence of false negative RInne in unilateral CHL. Materials and Methods: Observational study with 13 patients with unilateral, moderate to severe CHL and ten patients with severe to profound SNHL of 40db-115 db in the frequency range of 250/500/1000 Hz. Results: The patients with CHL demonstrated a false negative Rinne on the better hearing ear at a minimum threshold of 50 dB while patients with SNHL demonstrated false negative Rinne on the worse hearing ear with a minimum threshold of 70 dB. Conclusions: Based on our observation, false negative RInne can occur in patients with conductive hearing loss and this phenomenon needs to have a different name.

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Context: In noise induced hearing loss (NIHL), cochlear hair cells are damaged by exposure to loud sound. The basilar membrane is tonotopically organized with the lowest frequencies preferentially transduced at the apex and the highest frequencies at the base. On the basilar membrane, the outer hair cells area corresponding to the 4 kHz and the adjacent areas of 3 and 6 kHz are most susceptible to damage. Aims: To screen the factory workers for early onset of NIHL. Subjects and Methods: Study was done over a period of 2 years that is, from September 01, 2011 to August 31, 2013 on 341 steel factory workers. Workers having a minimum of 5 years of noise exposure were included whereas workers having age >45 years or with conductive hearing loss that is, air-bone gap >10 dB were excluded from the study. Results: It was found that factory workers showed normal hearing, when calculated as average of 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 4000 Hz but they have started developing the early changes of NIHL in the form of notching at 4000 Hz frequency described as threshold shifts. It was seen that 198 right ears out of the total 341 studied showed threshold shifts >25 dB in 4 kHz frequency, even then 70 (35.35%) right ears showed hearing in normal range. In case of left ears 198 out of the total 341 studied showed threshold shifts >25 dB in 4 kHz frequency, even then 97 (48.99%) left ears showed hearing in normal range.

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We present a case of high-riding jugular bulb that obscured the round window niche causing gradual hearing loss. Encounters with the jugular bulb in ear surgery are uncommon.

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Aim: To assess radiological findings in Chronic otitis media (COM), its involvement in middle ear and adjacent structure and to compare with similar published data. The ability of the radiological investigations to detect the various pathological and anatomical variations were evaluated and compared with intraoperative findings. COM is a long standing inflammation of the middle ear cleft without reference to etiology or pathogenesis. Due to the strategic location of the tympanomastoid compartment, separated from the middle and posterior cranial fossa by the thinnest of bony partitions, otitis media has the potential for intracranial extension. Hence, it becomes very important to know the location and extent of the disease before proceeding to surgical treatment. Radiological examination of the temporal bone helps us to achieve this objective. The present work has been undertaken to study the role of radiological imaging of the temporal bone as a diagnostic modality in COM and its use in determining the lines of management as in the type of surgical intervention required. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study in which total of 50 cases with COM were studied. Results: HRCT is reliable for all the parameters like scutum erosion, ossicular erosion, mastoid pneumatisation, low lying dura, anterior lying sigmoid, Korner's septum, cholesteatoma extension in the middle ear and mastoid, and presence of complications such as mastoiditis and mastoid abscess, mastoid cortex dehiscence, sigmoid sinus plate erosion, facial canal dehiscence, tegmen mastoideum erosion and labyrinthine fistula and intracranial complications with a P < 0.05 but not reliable for tegmen tympani erosion and posterior fossa dural plate erosion. Conclusion: HRCT is highly reliable and findings are in par with intraoperative findings in this study.

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Objectives: In this study, we measured hearing thresholds in patients diagnosed with hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism with high-frequency audiometry and otoacoustic emission before and after treatment to determine whether hearing losses were cochlear or retrocochlear and whether they would improve with medical therapy. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on patients diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism at Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism and accepting to participate in the study. We measured the hearing thresholds of the study population during the pretreatment period and in posttreatment euthyroid period. Result: The audiometric findings of patients with hyperthyroidism were better than those of the control group especially at high frequencies. Sensorineural hearing loss was detected in the euthyroid period. We compared the audiometric findings of the patients with hypothyroidism and the controls. We found sensorineural hearing loss in patients with hypothyroidism, especially at low frequencies. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism may have an effect on hearing pathway disorders. Medical therapy may lead to hearing loss in patients with hyperthyroidism, and the underlying factors should be investigated in detailed future studies. It was shown in our study that the hearing loss induced by hypothyroidism may improve with medical therapy. Therefore, in all patients with thyroid dysfunction, hearing levels should be monitored closely with audiometric tests.

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Introduction: Hearing loss in early life hampers development of children, early detection of hearing loss in paediatric age group gives opportunity to treat it and good speech and overall development of children. In this study BERA was done on high risk children and various risk factor compared. Comparison between BERA and OAE was done as a screening test. Aims: To evaluate the hearing threshold and find the incidence of deafness in high risk paediatric age group category and analyse the common risk factors and to compare BERA with OAE.Materials and Method: 60 infants and high risk children were subjected to BERA after detailed ENT examination. In 0 to 5 year age group dPOAE was done on same sitting. Results analysed. Statistical Analysis Used: Relative risk ratio was done for each risk factor. Sensitivity and specificity of OAE in comparison to BERA as a gold standard was done. Results: In this study 42% of high risk children showed hearing loss. Most common risk factor among children with hearing loss was consanguineous marriage (24%) followed by neonatal jaundice (16%), low birth weight (12%) and others. Comparison of OAE and BERA with BERA as gold standard test shows sensitivity of OAE is 96.15%, specificity is 72.73%. Conclusion: All high risk children should be screened with BERA early so that children with hearing loss identified and taken care for that. In centre where no experts available OAE can be used for screening of high risk children as OAE has a good sensitivity.

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Great strides have been accomplished recently in providing better medical services for handicapped children. As the dentist begins to understand the complexity of each particular form of handicap and its characteristics, he is able to plan more efficiently for satisfactory treatment. Because many dentists do not understand deafness and the unique problems that deaf children exhibit, inadequate dental care for deaf children still ensues. Handicapped persons are at a greater risk for dental disease, for the most part, because of greater neglect or poor oral hygiene and access to routine dental care. Deaf patients in particular often fail to obtain needed care because of communication difficulties experienced in the treatment situation.

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The purpose of this article is to present a rare case of epidermoid cyst of the outer ear in a 38-year-old male patient. During clinical examination, a soft, cystic, globular, and non-tender swelling with restricted motility and well-defined margins was seen in the retroauricular region. Skin over the swelling was normal and not attached to it. The chosen treatment was total surgical removal. The histopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of epidermoid cyst, characterized by presence of cyst cavity lined by stratified squamous epithelium with orthokeratin production. The lumen was filled with keratin. The connective tissue capsule consisted of fibrocellular stroma with numerous endothelial lined blood capillaries, which were engorged with red blood cells. The proposed treatment was considered successful, as there was no recurrence.

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Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is a potentially fatal fungal infection that commonly affects diabetic and other immunocompromised patients. Necrotizing and angioinvasive features of this class of pathogenic fungi facilitate spread from sinuses into orbit and brain with devastating consequences like cavernous sinus thrombosis. We describe magnetic resonance, including diffusion weighted imaging findings in a case of micobiologically documented ROCM in a 50-year-old diabetic man. Restricted diffusion was demonstrated in the distribution of infiltrating lesion right from soft issue facial component through left orbit and in the cavernous sinus. Favorable outcome was achieved with surgical debridement and prolonged amphotericin therapy.

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Purpose: Experiences with preauricular sinus (PAS) excision in pediatric age group. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of 110 patients who underwent PAS excision was done. A total of 112 excisions (63 left, 49 right) were performed by standard surgical technique. All the patients were operated upon in an infection-free period under general anesthesia. Results: A total of 32 excisions had bad surgical results in the form of bad scar or recurrence, out of which 28 had history of symptomatic sinus infection preoperatively. Conclusions: Surgical excision of PAS should be done in quiescent phase; once infected, it becomes very difficult to eradicate the infection and also the chances of bad surgical results (bad scar or recurrence) increase manifold.

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Auditory neuropathy (AN)/auditory dyssynchrony (AD) is a very often missed diagnosis, hence an underdiagnosed condition in clinical practice. Auditory neuropathy is a condition in which patients, on audiologic evaluation, are found to have normal outer hair cell function and abnormal neural function at the level of the eighth nerve. These patients, on clinical testing, are found to have normal otoacoustic emissions, whereas auditory brainstem response audiometry reveals the absence of neural synchrony. Unlike space-occupying lesions, radiologic evaluation reveals normal results. Patients with auditory neuropathy require a different management approach to their auditory and communication problems from approaches used with patients with usual peripheral hearing losses.

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Aims and Objectives: To assess the eustachian tube function (ETF) and to evaluate the treatment outcome of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOMtubotympanic type) in relation to eustachian tube dysfunction. Materials and Methods: Prospective study for a period of 2 years; the study comprises of 100 patients diagnosed to have CSOM (tubotympanic type). ETF was assessed by Toynbee's test. Patients with normal ETF were taken up for myringoplasty. Patients with totally impaired ETF irrespective of middle ear mucosal status (dry or wet) were taken up for cortical mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty. Patients with partially impaired ETF, with dry middle ear mucosa were taken up for myringoplasty and those with wet middle ear were taken up for cortical mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty. Results and Analysis: The ETF in these patients was analyzed and graft uptake was assessed clinically in reference to ETF status. The results are tabulated and analyzed using Chi-square test using number cruncher statistical system (NCSS) software. In our study, preoperative ETF had a highly significant P value = 0.0005. Conclusion: Methodology of treatment adapted for CSOM patients based on ETF proves that the eustachian tube plays a major role in the uptake of graft.

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Introduction: Mobile phones use electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range, which can be harmful to hearing. Earlier studies have showed an increase in hearing threshold with more than 30 minutes usage of mobile phones per day. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the duration of usage of mobile phones per day and the change in auditory threshold. Materials and Methods: After obtaining institutional ethical committee clearance, 50 subjects, aged between 15 and 40 years, from institutional campus using mobile phones for more than 5 years were selected for this study. 25 subjects who used mobile phones for <30 min/day formed the control group, while 25 subjects who used their mobile phones for >30 min/day formed the test group. Pure-tone audiometry was done on all the subjects. Results: There was a significant increase in the hearing thresholds at all frequencies in air conduction and bone conduction in right ear in test group compared with the control group. Similarly, there was a significant increase in the hearing thresholds at all frequencies in air conduction and bone conduction in left ear also except for bone conduction at frequency 4 and 6 kHz. Conclusions: There is a significant increase in the hearing threshold in mobile phone users associated with duration of usage.

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Palatal myoclonus is an extremely rare neurotological disorder presenting to an otolaryngologist. It presents as objective tinnitus which is due to rhythmic, involuntary movements of the soft palate causing distress to the patients. Different medical and surgical remedies have been attempted with variable success. Botulinum toxin has been reportedly used in few cases and has reproduced good results lasting for a few months with minimum morbidity. We report a case suffering from palatal myoclonus for about 15 years and injection of botulinum toxin into his tensor veli palatini muscle resolved his objectionable unilateral tinnitus. Optimum results obtained initially, waned off over the years, for which the dose had to be gradually increased to achieve the desired clinical results.

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