Epidemiology of Hearing Impairment

Effects of dance sports exercise on vestibular function and balance of children with sensorineural hearing loss; a randomized quasi-experimental trial

Background

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) children have difficulty living and limited movement due to impaired vestibular function and reduced balance ability.

Objectives

The present study evaluated the effects of Latin dance training on the vestibular function and balance of SNHL children.

Methods

Thirty SNHL children with no difference in vestibular function and balance ability were randomly divided into two groups, the Latin dance training group (LTG, n = 15) and the control group (CONG, n = 15). Vestibular function, timed eyes-closed static (ECS) and functional reach test (FRT) were measured before and after the intervention, and a two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed.

Results

After training, the vestibular function performance of LTG was higher than that of CONG (CONG: 16.425 ± 3.616 vs. LTG: 12.241 ± 2.610, p = 0.0411, ES = 1.3914), the left foot ECS performance of LTG was higher than that of CONG (CONG: 2.765 ± 0.872 vs. LTG: 4.688 ± 1.113, p = 0.0026, ES = 1.9857), the right foot ECS performance of LTG was higher than that of CONG (CONG: 3.113 ± 0.639 vs. LTG: 4.797 ± 1.071, p = 0.0137, ES = 2.01), the FRT performance of LTG was higher than that of CONG (CONG: 32.009 ± 6.134 vs. LTG: 43.797 ± 6.616, p = 0.0021, ES = 1.9135).

Conclusions

After Latin dance training, SNHL children improved vestibular function and balance. The static balance ability of the left foot has been improved significantly than right foot.

Characteristics of Otologic Disease Among Patients With Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

Importance

Otologic disease is common among people with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), yet little is known about its spectrum and severity.

Objective

To characterize otologic disease among participants with PCD using data from the Ear-Nose-Throat Prospective International Cohort.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional analysis of baseline cohort data from February 2020 through July 2022 included participants from 12 specialized centers in 10 countries. Children and adults with PCD diagnoses; routine ear, nose, and throat examinations; and completed symptom questionnaires at the same visit or within 2 weeks were prospectively included.

Exposures

Potential risk factors associated with increased risk of ear disease.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The prevalence and characteristics of patient-reported otologic symptoms and findings from otologic examinations, including potential factors associated with increased risk of ear inflammation and hearing impairment.

Results

A total of 397 individuals were eligible to participate in this study (median [range] age, 15.2 [0.2-72.4] years; 186 (47%) female). Of the included participants, 204 (51%) reported ear pain, 110 (28%) reported ear discharge, and 183 (46%) reported hearing problems. Adults reported ear pain and hearing problems more frequently when compared with children. Otitis media with effusion-usually bilateral-was the most common otoscopic finding among 121 of 384 (32%) participants. Retracted tympanic membrane and tympanic sclerosis were more commonly seen among adults. Tympanometry was performed for 216 participants and showed pathologic type B results for 114 (53%). Audiometry was performed for 273 participants and showed hearing impairment in at least 1 ear, most commonly mild. Season of visit was the strongest risk factor for problems associated with ear inflammation (autumn vs spring: odds ratio, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.51-3.81) and age 30 years and older for hearing impairment (41-50 years vs ≤10 years: odds ratio, 3.33; 95% CI, 1.12-9.91).

Conclusion and Relevance

In this cross-sectional study, many people with PCD experienced ear problems, yet frequency varied, highlighting disease expression differences and possible clinical phenotypes. Understanding differences in otologic disease expression and progression during lifetime may inform clinical decisions about follow-up and medical care. Multidisciplinary PCD management should be recommended, including regular otologic assessments for all ages, even without specific complaints.

Effectiveness of hearing protection apparatus in preventing noise induced vestibular loss

Hearing protection apparatus (HPAs) are frequently used to prevent the detrimental effect of noise on the hearing system. However, it is not known exactly whether wearing HPAs in workers protects the vestibular system. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of wearing HPAs in preventing vestibular loss caused by noise. Eighty-one workers exposed to chronic noise were divided into three groups according to their HPAs wearing status. Pure-tone audiometry test was used to evaluate the hearing. Caloric test and visual analogue scale were used to evaluate their vestibular systems. The pure-tone average of the workers who constantly wore HPAs was better than that of the other groups (p< 0.05). There was no difference between the groups in the vestibular tests (p > 0.05). This study demonstrated that HPAs do not protect the vestibular system but protect the hearing system in the inner ear from the harmful effects of noise.