To describe the prevalence and characteristics of hearing loss in a self-referred adult cohort in low-income South African communities and to evaluate the effectiveness of a cerumen management protocol within a community-based service setting.

Hearing loss affects 1.5 billion people globally, with a disproportionate impact on individuals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and the elderly, often attributed to age-related factors and cerumen impaction. Despite the high prevalence, access to ear and hearing care remains challenging, particularly in LMICs, such as Africa.

A total of 227 participants aged 43–102 were recruited from two community centres in low-income South African communities for hearing evaluation and cerumen management for those with cerumen impaction. A cross-sectional, predominantly quantitative approach was used.

Video otoscopy of 448 ears revealed normal findings in 57.9%, cerumen impaction in 29.1%, and other abnormalities in 1.3%. The prevalence of confirmed hearing loss was 97.8%, primarily mild (45.8%), and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) was the most common (55.3%). Cerumen impaction accompanied hearing loss in 28.4% of cases. Post-treatment, 50.9% of participants with cerumen impaction showed normal otoscopy results, with mean hearing improvements of 16.2 dB (±17.9 SD) in the left ears and 15.8 dB (±17.2 SD) in the right ears, though overall significance was limited.

The high prevalence of hearing loss and cerumen impaction in low-income communities emphasizes the importance of ear care in primary healthcare (PHC) settings, especially for the elderly. Effective community-based cerumen management highlights the potential of integrating community resources and task-shifting strategies for cost-effective ear care in resource-limited settings.

This study aims to assess the pure tone auditory thresholds in infantry and artillery personnel to evaluate potential hearing loss and ascertain the effect of military service duration on these thresholds.

A total of 108 participants, comprising 35 infantry, 30 artillery personnel, and 43 healthy volunteers as controls, underwent conventional and high-frequency pure tone audiometry. Thresholds were measured across frequencies of 125–16000 Hz.

Artillery personnel exhibited significantly higher hearing thresholds compared to controls across various frequencies, particularly in the right ear. Infantry personnel showed elevated thresholds at specific frequencies in the left ear. Correlations were observed among age, years of service and number of shots fired.

Repetitive exposure to firearm noise can lead to significant hearing loss across a broad frequency range. Implementing comprehensive ear protection programs for military personnel is crucial to mitigate these risks.

The aim of this study was to compare the internet and social media use of teenagers with hearing loss with that of their normal hearing peers.

The study included 27 hearing-impaired and 27 normal-hearing peers (12–18 years). The Social Media Attitude Scale, the Internet Use Purposes Scale, University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale and the Problematic Internet Use Scale were used to compare hearing-loss and normal-hearing groups.

The social isolation subscale and Social Media Attitude Scale total score differed between groups (p = 0.001 and p = 0.048, respectively). Internet Use Purposes Scale education subscale differences were statistically significant (p = 0.042). Negative consequences (p = 0.007), excessive use (p = 0.021) and Problematic Internet Use Scale total score (p = 0.005) differed significantly. The University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale had a moderate negative connection with the Problematic Internet Use Scale's social benefit/comfort subscale and total score (r = 0.369, p = 0.006 and r = −0.309, p = 0.023, respectively).

While adolescents with hearing loss have limited online educational resources, problematic internet use is a concern. When overused, the internet can reduce loneliness, but it can also have harmful consequences.

To compare long-term impedance and functional outcomes between the round window and cochleostomy approaches in cochlear implantation patients.

Ninety prelingually deafened children who underwent unilateral cochlear implantation participated in this prospective observational study. Participants were divided into round window and cochleostomy groups. Impedance and speech perception were assessed at switch-on, and at 6, 12, and 24 months.

Impedance was similar between groups except at switch-on, where the cochleostomy group had higher basal turn impedance (2.41 vs 1.32 kΩ). At 24 months, speech outcomes were as follows: word recognition in quiet (round window 96.2 per cent, cochleostomy 95.3 per cent), word recognition in noise (round window 88.8 per cent, cochleostomy 87.4 per cent), sentence recognition (round window 78.2 per cent, cochleostomy 77.3 per cent), and vowel recognition (round window 91.2 per cent, cochleostomy 90.1 per cent).

No significant differences in impedance or speech outcomes were found between the round window and cochleostomy groups, except for higher basal-turn impedance at switch-on in the cochleostomy group, indicating more fibrosis.

Deafness is a leading cause of disability worldwide. This prospective cohort study investigates the impact of cochlear implants on self-reported quality of life in post-lingually deaf adults.

The self-administered 36-item World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 and the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale questionnaires were prospectively used to investigate the impact of cochlear implants in 98 post-lingually deaf adults aged more than or equal to 50 years.

Quality of life improved post-cochlear implant in the cumulative scores and scores for all domains of the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (p < 0.05). QoL improved post-cochlear implant in the sub-domains related to cognition and participation in society of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the cumulative score. Subgroup analysis showed improvement in the participation in society domain only and only in males and participants aged younger than 75 years (p < 0.05).

Cochlear implant improves quality of life in post-lingually deaf adults.

In this study, the presence of dizziness in the late period was investigated in patients working in the Armed Forces who were exposed to blast trauma with a test battery consisting of cervical and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory.

Twenty-two healthy adult volunteers (44 healthy ears) and 25 military personnel (43 patient ears) who had blast trauma were included in the study. The cervical and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential tests were applied to the control and patient groups. The patient group also filled in the Dizziness Handicap Inventory.

The mean score of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory of the patient group was 14.80 ± 23.38. In cervical and ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potential tests there was no significant difference in the comparison of P1 latency, N1 latency and P1N1 amplitude between control and patient groups.

It was observed that the functions of otolith organs were not affected in the late period after blast trauma.

This study aimed to describe outcomes of paediatric stapes surgery at an academic tertiary care centre.

Electronic medical records of patients younger than 21 years who underwent stapedotomy between September 2013 and July 2020 were reviewed.

A total of 17 patients (7 male, 10 female) were included in our study; 14 underwent surgery on one ear while 3 underwent surgery on both ears (20 ears total). Mean pre-operative air-bone gap was 34.5 dB (standard deviation, 11). At three months, the mean post-operative air-bone gap was 20.6 dB (standard deviation, 10.2), with a mean improvement of 17 dB (standard deviation, 12.1). Sixty-four per cent of patients had closure of their air-bone gap to 20 dB or less. A negative correlation between pre-operative body-mass index and post-operative air-bone gap was statistically significant (n = 14, p = 0.03, r = -0.57 [95% confidence interval -0.85, -0.04]).

Paediatric stapedotomy can be effective and safe. In this cohort, age was not correlated with improvement in air-bone gap; pre-operative body mass index was significantly correlated with post-operative air-bone gap.

Congenital hearing loss is a chronic condition which occurs worldwide. In the past, investigations focused on testing the most common genes associated with hearing loss (such as Connexin 26-related hearing loss). Targeted testing of specific genes was requested only when a particular syndrome was suspected. Recent advances have led to the development of a large gene panel which utilises next-generation sequencing to simultaneously test for pathogenic variants in many genes associated with hearing loss.

This review article aims to highlight the changes in the approach to congenital hearing loss in the context of the R67 gene panel, and how its use may increase the efficiency of the diagnosis and management of this condition.

The use of this large gene panel has revolutionised the approach to hearing loss. Uptake of this large gene panel has resulted in prompter diagnosis and therefore more appropriate clinical management.

This study aimed to translate and validate the Attitude towards Loss of Hearing Questionnaire into the Arabic language and explore attitudes of working-age adults towards their hearing loss and hearing aids.

A cross-sectional investigation was conducted of 237 middle-aged Jordanians (18-65 years old) who have hearing loss using an online questionnaire during the period of October to December 2023.

The specialized experts in the field had an 88 per cent acceptance rate on all items of the Attitude towards Loss of Hearing Questionnaire. Five factors were loaded and explained a total of 58.37 per cent, confirming the validity of the Attitude towards Loss of Hearing Questionnaire Arabic version. All subscales of the Attitude towards Loss of Hearing Questionnaire surpass the normal values of Cronbach alpha. Several predictors of attitude towards loss of hearing were noted, including educational level, age, family members, income and marital status.

Addressing barriers to hearing aid use, such as psychosocial and economic, can improve hearing support and increase healthcare focus and collaboration among clinicians and stakeholders globally.

This study aimed to evaluate clinical characteristics, treatments and outcomes of paediatric temporal bone fractures at our institute.

A retrospective study of paediatric skull fractures confirmed by imaging from January 2010 to December 2022. Data on demographics, clinical presentations, injury mechanisms and complications were analysed, and fractures were categorised into otic capsule sparing (OCS) and violating (OCV).

Of 369 skull fracture cases, 88 (24 per cent) involved temporal bones, predominantly caused by falls and vehicle accidents. Common symptoms were loss of consciousness, hematoma, and hemotympanum, with complications like facial nerve injury and cerebrospinal fluid leaks in 3.4 per cent of cases. OCV fractures led to more severe complications, including hearing loss. Audiology showed 65 per cent without hearing impairment, while others had various degrees of loss.

Paediatric temporal bone fractures, particularly OCV types, pose significant challenges. Early detection and thorough management are vital, underscoring the need for consistent data collection and regular audiometric monitoring.

To compare the diagnostic accuracy of angled otoendoscopy with pure tone audiometry in predicting ossicular discontinuity in patients of mucosal chronic otitis media.

Ninety-four patients were included in this prospective study. A 2.7-mm 30° otoendoscope was used to examine ossicular status preoperatively. Hearing thresholds were recorded by pure tone audiometry. Intraoperative ossicular status was recorded as the gold standard. Otoendoscopic findings were recorded as per the criteria has been devised by the authors of this manuscript.

Otoendoscopy was conclusive in 56 (59.6 per cent) patients, with 100 per cent sensitivity, 95.56 per cent specificity, 84.62 per cent positive predictive value, and 100 per cent negative predictive value in the conclusive group. Overall (in 94 patients), diagnostic test values of otoendoscopy were 73.33 per cent sensitivity, 97.47 per cent specificity, 84.62 per cent positive predictive value, and 95.06 per cent negative predictive value. As per the ROC curve, air–bone gap > 38.12dB had the optimal diagnostic test values, with 73 per cent sensitivity, 72 per cent specificity, 33.3 per cent positive predictive value, and 93.4 per cent negative predictive value.

Angled otoendoscopy has better diagnostic accuracy (93.6 per cent) than pure tone audiometry (72.3 per cent; p < 0.001) for preoperative ossicular discontinuity prediction in patients of mucosal chronic otitis media.

This study aimed to compare the peripheral-to-central auditory systems of people with coronavirus disease 2019 to a well-matched control group and examine the long-term effects of coronavirus disease 2019 on the auditory system.

Participants who were outpatients of coronavirus disease 2019 (n = 30) were compared with a well-matched control group (n = 30). Behavioural and electrophysiological tests were performed, and tests were repeated at six months in the coronavirus disease 2019 group.

Statistically significant differences were observed in the right ear at 10 kHz (p = 0.007) and 12.5 kHz (p = 0.028), and in the left ear at 10 kHz (p = 0.040) and 12.5 kHz (p = 0.040) between groups. The groups had no difference regarding the other audiological test results (p > 0.05).

Extended high-frequency thresholds were affected in the coronavirus disease 2019 patients. No other findings indicated that the peripheral-to-central auditory system was affected. The effect on extended high-frequency thresholds appeared permanent, but no clinically significant new, late-onset auditory system effects were observed.

Bone conduction hearing implants are a well-established method of hearing rehabilitation in children and adults. This study aimed to review any changes in provision in England.

The total number of bone conduction hearing implantations performed was analysed from 2012 to 2021 utilising Hospital Episode Statistics data for England.

The total number of procedures has increased by 58 per cent. One-stage bone conduction hearing implantations in adults accounts for the largest proportion of this increase (93 per cent of the total). The number performed in children has remained stable and accounts for 73 per cent (n = 433) of all two-stage procedures.

The data show that bone conduction hearing implant surgery is becoming increasingly popular, particularly in adults. This has correlated with the increase in availability, national recommendations and choice of devices.

Using Otoplan software, it is possible to measure the cochlea before cochlear implant surgery. Until now, computed tomography (CT) of the cochlea has been necessary for this purpose. The aim of this study was to find out whether measuring the cochlea with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using Otoplan is possible with the same accuracy.

The cochlea of 44 patients of the local cochlear implant centre was measured by Otoplan using high-resolution CT-bone and MRI images, and the determined lengths were compared.

No significant difference was found between the cochlear lengths measured, regardless of whether the length measurement was based on a CT or an MRI data set.

For the determination of cochlear length prior to cochlear implant surgery, MRI images are just as suitable as CT images, therefore CT is not mandatory for length measurement by Otoplan, which could reduce the patient's radiation exposure.

Cocaine is one of the most used recreational drugs. Whilst medical uses exist, chronic recreational nasal use of cocaine is associated with progressive destruction of the osseocartilaginous structures of the nose, sinuses and palate – termed cocaine-induced midline destructive lesions.

A 43-year-old male with a history of chronic cocaine use, presented with conductive hearing loss and unilateral middle-ear effusion. Examination under anaesthesia revealed a completely stenosed left Eustachian tube orifice with intra-nasal adhesions. The adhesions were divided and the hearing loss was treated conservatively with hearing aids. Whilst intra-nasal cocaine-induced midline destructive lesions are a well-described condition, this is the first known report of Eustachian tube stenosis associated with cocaine use.

This unique report highlights the importance of thorough history-taking, rhinological and otological examination, and audiometric testing when assessing patients with a history of chronic cocaine use. This paper demonstrates the complexity of managing hearing loss in such cases, with multiple conservative and surgical options available.

Hearing loss and tinnitus have been proposed as potential indicators of impaired mental health and brain morphological changes.

To assess the associations of hearing loss and tinnitus with the risk of depression and anxiety and with brain volume.

We conducted a community-based cohort study including 129 610 participants aged 40−69 years at recruitment to the UK Biobank with a follow-up period during 2006–2021 to estimate the risk of depression and anxiety after detection of hearing loss and reported tinnitus. We also assessed the associations of hearing loss and tinnitus with brain volume in a subsample with available brain magnetic resonance imaging data (N = 5222).

We observed an increased risk of depression among individuals with hearing loss (hazard ratio [HR] 1.14, 95% CI 1.03–1.26), tinnitus (HR 1.30, 95% CI 1.21–1.41) or both (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.15–1.52), compared with individuals with neither hearing loss nor tinnitus. Similar results were noted for anxiety (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.07–1.30 for hearing loss; HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.22–1.43 for tinnitus; and HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.30–1.68 for both). Hearing loss was associated with decreased overall brain volume as well as decreased volume of different brain regions. The latter associations disappeared after adjustment for whole intracranial volume. Tinnitus was associated with greater left accumbens and right occipital pole volume after adjustment for the whole intracranial volume.

Individuals with tinnitus are at increased risk of depression and anxiety. Hearing loss, on the other hand, is associated with both mood disorders and altered brain morphology.

This study aimed to evaluate the sensory processing abilities of adults with acquired hearing loss and determine whether their sensory processing patterns differ from those of the general population and adults with normal hearing.

The study evaluated the sensory processing functions of 30 adults with acquired hearing loss using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and compared them with the sensory processing functions of 30 adults with normal hearing.

The results showed that individuals with hearing loss have a significantly higher sensitivity to stimuli related to motion, vision, activity and touch, exhibiting a low-registration sensory pattern and a sensation-avoiding pattern that differed from those of most individuals.

Assessing sensory processing profiles can help identify specific sensory difficulties and inform individualised treatment plans. The study highlights the importance of considering sensory processing patterns in the management of hearing loss to improve overall well-being and quality of life for adults with hearing loss.

Sudden hearing loss is a common presentation to ENT. In the authors’ practice, patients often wait many weeks for formal hearing testing. This study aimed to assess whether a tablet-based hearing test, hearTest, could aid clinical decision-making within secondary care ENT.

This was a multi-centre, prospective, non-randomised study to assess the feasibility, usability and accuracy of hearTest.

In the sample, hearTest was shown to be an acceptable method of testing for hearing loss by both patients and clinicians. The 0.5–4 kHz range had an average clinical agreement rate of 95.1 per cent when compared with formal pure tone audiometry, deeming it an accurate test to diagnose hearing loss.

The authors propose that hearTest can be used within ENT as a clinical decision support tool when manual audiometry is not immediately available. Within the authors’ practice, hearTest is used to aid diagnosis and management of sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

This study aims to explore the association between coffee consumption and the prevalence of hearing loss in American adults based on a national population-based survey.

Cross-sectional analysis of reported audiometric status and coffee intake from the 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Multivariate logistic regression, forest plots and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analyses were used to explore the associations and dose–response relationships between coffee consumption frequency and hearing loss.

The USA.

This study included 1894 individuals aged ≥ 20 from the 2003–2006 NHANES.

In this study, the prevalence of speech-frequency hearing loss (SFHL) and high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL) among the participants was 35·90 % and 51·54 %, respectively. Compared with those who no consumed coffee, non-Hispanic White who consumed ≥ 4 cups/d had higher prevalence of SFHL (OR: 1·87; 95 % CI: 1·003. 3·47). And a positive trend of coffee consumption frequency with the prevalence of HFHL was found (Ptrend = 0·001). This association of HFHL was similar for participants aged 20–64 (Ptrend = 0·001), non-Hispanic White (Ptrend = 0·002), non-noise exposure participants (Ptrend = 0·03) and noise-exposed participants (Ptrend = 0·003). The forest plots analysis found that the association between 1 cup-increment of daily coffee consumption and the prevalence of HFHL was statistically significant in males. RCS model supported a positive linear association of coffee consumption with SFHL (P for overall association = 0·02, P for nonlinearity = 0·48) and a positive non-linear association of coffee consumption with HFHL (P for overall association = 0·001, P for nonlinearity = 0·001).

Our findings suggested that coffee consumption was associated with higher prevalence of hearing loss. Further cohort studies in larger population are needed to investigate these findings.