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Recent Developments in Hearing and Balance Disorders

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Otolaryngology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2024) | Viewed by 7874

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Can Misses, Ibiza, Spain
Interests: ear; otology; audiology; hearing disorders; deafness; hearing loss; autoimmunity; ENT; inflammation; balance; vertigo

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Patients with the ear diseases of hearing loss or imbalance currently have effective interventions available to them throughout their lifetime. Revolutionary advances have been made in the field of hearing and balance technology in recent decades, such as implants, diagnostics and telemedicine, with innovations that allow for the diagnosis of ear diseases (cochlear and vestibular disorders) and hearing loss at any age. Medical and surgical treatment, hearing aids, cochlear and vestibular im-plants, therapy (intratympanic delivery of treatments) or rehabilitation, sign language and subtitling are solutions that allow people to with ear diseases or hearing loss, meaning they are able to access education and communication, thus having the opportunity to develop their potential.

The fundamental objective of this Special Issue dedicated to outlining the recent developments in hearing and balance disorders is to make available to readers the most recent advances in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of hearing loss and balance, as well as its effects on communication, cognitive impairment, social isolation or even the effects of impaired balance such as falls, and the frequent association of hearing disorders (hearing loss, tinnitus) with others closely related diseases, such as vertigo and imbalance. This Special Issue also includes studies focused on the relationship between chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases with audiovestibular manifestations.

Dr. Juan Carlos Amor-Dorado
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • ear
  • otology
  • audiology
  • hearing disorders
  • deafness
  • hearing loss
  • autoimmunity
  • ENT
  • inflammation
  • vertigo
  • imbalance

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 974 KiB  
Article
Effect of Annoying Sounds on Postural Control
by Michalina Błażkiewicz, Michalina Gulatowska, Anna Hadamus, Justyna Kędziorek and Grażyna Brzuszkiewicz-Kuźmicka
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2638; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092638 - 30 Apr 2024
Viewed by 910
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to explore the impact of irritating sounds on the postural control of healthy adults, considering both linear and nonlinear parameters, subjective assessments, and gender differences. Methods: Thirty-four young participants (17 females, 17 males) completed three 30 s bipedal [...] Read more.
Objectives: This study aimed to explore the impact of irritating sounds on the postural control of healthy adults, considering both linear and nonlinear parameters, subjective assessments, and gender differences. Methods: Thirty-four young participants (17 females, 17 males) completed three 30 s bipedal standing stability tests on a balance platform: one with visual control (EO), another without visual control (EC), and a third without visual control but accompanied by irritating sounds (ECS). Additionally, participants filled out a questionnaire evaluating their sound sensitivity. Linear and nonlinear parameters from each balance test were considered for statistical analysis. Results: The findings reveal significant gender-based variations in sensitivity to sound, with women exhibiting higher sensitivity. No statistically significant differences in postural control were observed between males and females, except for a notable increase in irregularity (SampEn values) in the anterior–posterior direction for females in the ECS trial. Correlation analyses revealed a moderate and statistically significant correlation between SampEn values in the AP direction and SE scores. Conclusions: This study highlights the intricate relationship between sensory stimuli, attention, and the body’s ability to maintain balance. The presence of irritating sounds led to increased irregularity in postural control, particularly in the absence of visual control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Hearing and Balance Disorders)
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14 pages, 1117 KiB  
Article
Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity and Response Inhibition Predict Balance in Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
by Mansour M. Alotaibi, Robert W. Motl, Despina Stavrinos, Scott W. Snyder, Harshvardhan Singh and Donald H. Lein, Jr.
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(4), 968; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13040968 - 8 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1359
Abstract
Background: Some evidence indicates that adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have balance impairments. This study examined the associations between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), response inhibition (RI), and static balance in this population while off and on psychostimulant medication (PS). Methods: [...] Read more.
Background: Some evidence indicates that adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have balance impairments. This study examined the associations between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), response inhibition (RI), and static balance in this population while off and on psychostimulant medication (PS). Methods: Participants (n = 40; 30 females; M age = 29.0; SD = 6.3 years) wore an ActiGraph GT9X–link around their waist to estimate MVPA levels (minutes/day). To assess RI, participants completed the Delis–Kaplan Executive Function System (D–KEFS) subtests Trail-Making Test (TMT) and Color–Word Interference Test (CWIT). To evaluate static balance, participants completed postural sway area (cm2) assessments in four conditions: feet-apart eyes-open (FAEO), feet-apart eyes-closed (FAEC), feet-together eyes-open (FTEO), and feet-together eyes-closed (FTEC). Participants also completed the single-leg standing tests (seconds) with eyes open (SLEO) and with eyes closed (SLEC). Results: When off medication, MVPA significantly predicted SLEC (β = 0.30; p = 0.017). MVPA and TMT significantly predicted FTEO, explaining ~19% of the variance in FTEO; both MVPA and TMT were significant predictors (β = –0.33, p = 0.027 and β = –0.31, p = 0.039, respectively). When on medication, TMT significantly predicted FAEC (β = 0.17; p = 0.047). Conclusions: MVPA and RI may be effective parameters in predicting static balance in adults with ADHD when off medication only. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Hearing and Balance Disorders)
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10 pages, 1387 KiB  
Article
Influence of Age and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Vestibular Neuritis: Retrospective Cohort Study
by Guillermo Salib Coronel-Touma, Chiara Monopoli-Roca, Cristina Nicole Almeida-Ayerve, Susana Marcos-Alonso, Diana Gómez de la Torre-Morales, José Serradilla-López, Santiago Santa Cruz-Ruiz, Ángel Batuecas-Caletrío and Hortensia Sánchez-Gómez
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(20), 6544; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12206544 - 16 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1024
Abstract
To analyze the influence of age and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in the evolution of vestibular neuritis (VN). Methods: Retrospective cohort study. VN-diagnosed patients were included and divided into two groups: those with and without CVRFs. We analyzed the mean vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR) [...] Read more.
To analyze the influence of age and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) in the evolution of vestibular neuritis (VN). Methods: Retrospective cohort study. VN-diagnosed patients were included and divided into two groups: those with and without CVRFs. We analyzed the mean vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR) gain, measured through the video head impulse test (vHIT) at the diagnosis and one-year follow-up. We conducted a factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) to evaluate the effect of age, sex, and CVRFs in the mean VOR gain. Results: Sixty-three VN-diagnosed patients were included. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean VOR gain between both groups. However, in the subgroup analysis, there were statistically significant differences when comparing the mean VOR gain at the one-year follow-up between the group over 55 years of age 0.77 ± 0.20 and the group under 55 years 0.87 ± 0.15 (p = 0.036). Additionally, the factorial ANOVA demonstrated a significant main effect of age group on the mean VOR gain at the one-year follow-up (p = 0.018), and it also found a significant interaction between the factors of gender, age group, HTN (p = 0.043). Conclusions: CVRFs do not independently affect the mean VOR gain in VN patients’ follow-ups. However, age significantly impacts VOR gain in VN and could be modulated by gender and hypertension. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Hearing and Balance Disorders)
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11 pages, 1136 KiB  
Article
Bone Conduction Cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials as an Alternative in Children with Middle Ear Effusion
by Maxime Damien, Sylvette R. Wiener-Vacher, Pierre Reynard and Hung Thai-Van
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(19), 6348; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12196348 - 3 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1186
Abstract
Objective: To compare the amplitude ratio and P-wave latency of cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (c-VEMPs) for bone conduction (BC) and air conduction (AC) stimulation in children with otitis media with effusion (OME). Material and methods: This is an observational study of a [...] Read more.
Objective: To compare the amplitude ratio and P-wave latency of cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (c-VEMPs) for bone conduction (BC) and air conduction (AC) stimulation in children with otitis media with effusion (OME). Material and methods: This is an observational study of a cohort of 27 children and 46 ears with OME. The c-VEMP amplitude ratio and P-wave latency were compared between BC and AC in children with OME and healthy age-matched children. Results: The c-VEMP response rate in children with OME was 100% when using BC stimulation and 11% when using AC stimulation. The amplitude ratio for BC was significantly higher in the OME group than the age-matched healthy control group (p = 0.004). When focusing on ears with an AC c-VEMP response (n = 5), there was a significant difference in the amplitude ratio between the AC and BC stimulation modes, but there was no significant difference in the AC results between the OME group and the age-matched control group. Conclusions: BC stimulation allows for reliable vestibular otolith testing in children with middle ear effusion. Given the high prevalence of OME in children, clinicians should be aware that recording c-VEMPs with AC stimulation may lead to misinterpretation of otolith dysfunction in pediatric settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Hearing and Balance Disorders)
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15 pages, 2050 KiB  
Article
Magnetic Resonance Volumetric Quantification of Vestibular Endolymphatic Hydrops in Patients with Unilateral Definite Meniere’s Disease Using 3D Inversion Recovery with Real Reconstruction (3D-REAL-IR) Sequence
by Víctor Suárez-Vega, Raquel Manrique-Huarte, Pablo Dominguez, Melissa Blanco, Alberto Alonso-Burgos and Nicolás Pérez-Fernández
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(18), 5965; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12185965 - 14 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1150
Abstract
Background: The 3D-REAL-IR MRI sequence allows for an in vivo visualization of endolymphatic hydrops. Qualitative assessment methods of the severity of vestibular and cochlear hydrops are the most commonly used. Methods: A quantitative volumetric measurement of vestibular EH in patients with definite unilateral [...] Read more.
Background: The 3D-REAL-IR MRI sequence allows for an in vivo visualization of endolymphatic hydrops. Qualitative assessment methods of the severity of vestibular and cochlear hydrops are the most commonly used. Methods: A quantitative volumetric measurement of vestibular EH in patients with definite unilateral Ménière’s disease using the 3D-REAL-IR sequence and the calculation of the endolymphatic ratio (ELR) was intended. Results: Volumetric calculations of the vestibules, vestibular endolymph and vestibular ELR are performed in 96 patients with unilateral Ménière’s disease and correlated with classic qualitative grading scales. Conclusions: Quantitative volumetric measurement of vestibular hydrops using the 3D-REAL-IR sequence is feasible and reproducible in daily clinical practice. Vestibular ELR values exceeding 60% defined radiologically significant vestibular hydrops, while values below 30% defined radiologically non-significant vestibular hydrops. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Hearing and Balance Disorders)
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15 pages, 290 KiB  
Article
Audiovestibular Manifestations in Patients with Primary Raynaud’s Phenomenon and Raynaud’s Phenomenon Secondary to Systemic Sclerosis
by Juan Carlos Amor-Dorado, Eduardo Martín-Sanz, Virginia Franco-Gutiérrez, Ana Urruticoechea-Arana, Ana M. García-Arumí, Erwin Racines-Álava, Oscar Alemán-López, Carmen P. Simeón-Aznar and Miguel Á. González-Gay
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(9), 3232; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12093232 - 30 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1750
Abstract
Objectives: To address the prevalence of audiovestibular disorders in patients with primary Raynaud’s Phenomenon (RP). A series of patients with primary RP and secondary RP in the context of systemic sclerosis (SSc) were compared with healthy controls. Methods: A prospective multicenter observational cross-sectional [...] Read more.
Objectives: To address the prevalence of audiovestibular disorders in patients with primary Raynaud’s Phenomenon (RP). A series of patients with primary RP and secondary RP in the context of systemic sclerosis (SSc) were compared with healthy controls. Methods: A prospective multicenter observational cross-sectional study was conducted in several Otolaryngology and Rheumatology Divisions of tertiary referral hospitals, recruiting 57 patients with RP and 57 age- and gender-matched controls. Twenty patients were classified as primary RP when unrelated to any other conditions and 37 patients who met the 2013 ACR/EULAR classification criteria for SSc were classified as having secondary RP associated with SSc. Audiometric and vestibular testing (vHIT), clinical sensory integration and balance testing (CTSIB), and Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) were performed. Results: As significant differences were found in the age of the two study groups, primary and secondary RP, no comparisons were made between both groups of RP but only with their control groups. No sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) was recorded in any of our patients with primary RP and no differences were found in the voice audiometry tests with respect to controls. Four of 37 (10.8%) secondary RP patients presented SNHL. Those with SNHL were 7.03 times more likely to have a secondary RP than controls (p < 0.001). The audiometric curve revealed high-frequency hearing loss in 4 patients with RP secondary to SSc, and statistically significant differences were achieved when RP secondary was compared to controls in vHIT gain, caloric test, CTSIB, and CDP. Conclusions: Unlike patients with RP secondary to SSc, patients with primary RP do not show audiovestibular abnormalities. Regarding audiovestibular manifestations, primary RP can be considered a different condition than secondary RP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Developments in Hearing and Balance Disorders)
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