Intentional exposure to loud music: the second MTV.com survey reveals an opportunity to educate

OBJECTIVES

Music-induced hearing loss (MIHL), an unconsciously self-inflicted public health concern, could evolve into an epidemic because of the appeal of loud music. After media attention about a previous hearing-loss survey with Music Television (MTV.com), we hypothesized that a repeat survey could compare awareness and behavior trends.

STUDY DESIGN

We incorporated the 2002 survey into the new 73-question instrument presented to random visitors on the MTV.com website in 2007. A P < .05 value was used for independent t and z- tests.

RESULTS

A total of 2500 completed surveys were analyzed. Hearing loss was considered a problem by 32% of respondents compared with other health issues such as drug/alcohol use (62%). However, nearly half of the respondents admitted experiencing symptoms such as tinnitus or hearing loss after loud music exposure. Health care providers were the least likely source of MIHL awareness despite the respondents favoring provider education for hearing protection behavior modification.

CONCLUSION

Most respondents still could not recall learning about prevention of potential hearing loss, although the media has become the most informative source. Most respondents indicated that they would adopt protective ear behavior if made aware of hearing loss risk, especially if informed by health care professionals, revealing an educational opportunity.

De novo copy number variants identify new genes and loci in isolated sporadic tetralogy of Fallot

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), the most common severe congenital heart malformation, occurs sporadically, without other anomaly, and from unknown cause in 70% of cases. A genome-wide survey of 114 TOF patients and their unaffected parents identified 11 de novo copy number variants (CNVs) that were absent or extremely rare (<0.1%) in 2,265 controls. A second, independent TOF cohort (n = 398) was then examined for additional CNVs at these loci. In 1% (5/512, p = 0.0002, OR = 22.3) of non-syndromic sporadic TOF cases we identified CNVs at chromosome 1q21.1. Recurrent CNVs were also identified at 3p25.1, 7p21.3 and 22q11.2. CNVs in a single TOF case occurred at six loci, two that encode known (NOTCH1, JAG1) disease genes. Our data predicts that at least 10% (4.5–15.5, 95% CI) of sporadic, non-syndromic TOF reflects de novo CNVs and implicates mutations within these loci as etiologic in other cases of TOF.

Soft-tissue reconstruction for atypical microtia malformations and trauma

OBJECTIVE

To provide customized reconstructions of atypical microtia malformations and trauma via 1- or 2-stage procedures.

DESIGN

Case reports.

SETTING

Academic otolaryngology specialty hospital.

PATIENTS

Pediatric patients with rare and unique ear malformations.

INTERVENTIONS

Customized auricular reconstruction using contralateral postauricular donor grafts (skin and cartilage) as well as ipsilateral tissue (flaps and bone).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Postoperative results.

RESULTS

Surgical procedures were completed in 1 or 2 stages with minimal morbidity. No donor scars were visible, in contrast to traditional reconstructive methods. The completed auricular appearance was realistic.

CONCLUSION

Selected patients can benefit from soft-tissue reconstruction of the auricle that feels normal to the touch and lacks the morbidity and scarring of traditional reconstructive methods.