Guidelines of the French Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (SFORL) and the French Society of Audiology (SFA) for Speech-in-Noise Testing in Adults

OBJECTIVES

This document presents the fundamentals of speech audiometry in noise, general requirements for implementation and criteria for choice among the tests available in French according to the health-professional's needs.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The recommendations are based on a systematic analysis of the literature carried out by a multidisciplinary group of doctors, audiologists and audioprosthetists from all over France. They are graded A, B, C or expert opinion according to decreasing level of scientific evidence.

RESULTS

Eight tests of speech audiometry in noise can be used in France.

CONCLUSION

To be complete, evaluation of hearing status requires testing understanding of speech in noise. The examination must begin with a minimum of two measurements familiarizing the subject with the test procedure. For initial diagnosis, adaptive procedures establishing the 50% speech reception threshold (SRT50) in noise are to be preferred in order to obtain a rapid and standardized measurement of perception of speech in noise. When the aim is to measure real-life speech comprehension, tests based on sentences, cocktail-party noise and free-field stimulation are to be preferred. Prosthetic gain is evaluated exclusively in free field. This is the only way to evaluate the contribution of binaurality and to measure perception in noise in an environment as close as possible to real life. In order to avoid acoustic interference in free field, at least five loudspeakers should be used, in particular for evaluating the effectiveness of directional microphones, CROS devices enabling sounds picked up in the damaged ear to be rerouted to the functional ear, or bimodal fitting (i.e., when hearing is enabled by two modalities: for example, hearing aid for one ear, cochlear implant for the other).

Validation of the French version of HHIE-S (Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly - Screening) questionnaire in French over-60 year-olds

INTRODUCTION

The HHIE-S (Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly - Screening) is widely used for hearing-loss disorder in the elderly. The main objective of the present study was to validate a French version. The secondary objective was to determinate a cut-off score as indication for hearing rehabilitation.

METHODS

We translated the HHIE-S into French, respecting the cross-cultural adaptation process for medical questionnaires. An observational study assessed the translation (10 questions, scored from 0 to 40) used for screening purposes in a prospective cohort, aged ≥60 years, with comparison to pure tone, speech-in-silence and speech-in-noise audiometry. Subjects were considered hearing-impaired if the pure-tone average at 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000 Hz was >20 dB HL in one or both ears.

RESULTS

We tested 294 subjects (mean age =67±6 years). Hearing loss prevalence was 34.7 %. Cronbach's alpha (test reliability) was high (0.84). Taking HHIE-S score >8/40 as cut-off defining hearing loss, sensitivity was 80.4%, specificity 85.4 %, positive predictive value 74.5 % and negative predictive value 89.1 %. Seventy-three subjects (24.8 %) had theoretic indications for hearing aids, optimally detected by HHIE-S score >16/40 (88,4 %).

CONCLUSION

Our study validated the French version of the HHIE-S. This tool could be useful in screening for age-induced hearing loss in the elderly French population.

Quality and readability of French on-line information about otitis media with effusion

INTRODUCTION

Childhood otitis media with effusion (OME) is a frequent disease often misunderstood by parents. Information on the Internet is of variable quality and readability. The aim of this study was to measure the quality and readability of French websites related to OME.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An advanced Google search was conducted using the terms "Otite séro-muqueuse OR Otite séreuse". Quality was assessed on DISCERN criteria. Readability was assessed using Flesch Reading Ease Scoring (FRES), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) and a Fry graph. Medians and standard deviations were calculated. Correlation between quality and readability was assessed on Spearman r coefficient.

RESULTS

The first ten websites meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria were evaluated. One had been updated during the last 12 months. Median DISCERN score was 49±13.7/80. Median FRES score was 46±9.5/100. Median USA grade-level estimated by FKGL and SMOG respectively was 11±1.7 and 12±1.5. Six websites had Fry score>12. One website showed high quality. One had a readability score in the target range (below 9th grade reading level (age 14-15)) according to FRES and FKGL. A suggestive correlation was found between lower SMOG readability and higher quality: r=0.72 (P=0.024). Three websites followed the most recent scientific guidelines.

CONCLUSION

Online information about OME was of variable quality and readability. Good quality information tended to be less easily understandable by parents.

Musical Ear Syndrome: Prevalence and characteristics in cochlear implant bearers

INTRODUCTION

Musical Ear Syndrome (MES) is an uncommon phenomenon described as the perception of auditory musical sensations not corresponding to any external stimulus. It seems to be more frequent in case of profound hearing loss. Our objective was to evaluate prevalence, characteristics and risk factors in a population of cochlear implant patients.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted in cochlear implant patients, who were adult (>18 years) in 2020 and underwent cochlear implantation between 1993 and 2019. We analyzed the presence and characteristics of MES.

RESULTS

118 of the 358 patients (33%) perceived or had perceived auditory musical sensations: 71 (19.8%) before, 100 (28%) after, and 53 (14.8%) both before and after implantation. The musical auditory sensations were usually short and well-tolerated, resembling instrumental music, and occurring several times a day. Thirteen patients (11%) considered them intolerable. Fatigue was a triggering factor in 40 patients (33.9%). Personal and medical characteristics, type of implantation, make of implant, etiology and tinnitus did not emerge as risk factors. On the other hand, MES+ patients were significatively younger (56±17.4 years versus 61.9±17.9 years; P=0.0009). Despite the phenomenon, patients were satisfied with implant functioning and subjective auditory performance was not affected.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of Musical Ear Syndrome was high in cochlear implant patients, and especially in younger subjects. It is essential to improve knowledge of this phenomenon.

Cochlear implantation in far-advanced otosclerosis: hearing results and complications

Severe forms of otosclerosis known as far-advanced otosclerosis (FAO) can lead to severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss and can justify cochlear implantation. Because of the pathophysiology of otosclerosis, patients implanted for FAO may experience an increased rate of complications, such as facial nerve stimulation or electrode dislocation, and may have poorer hearing outcomes than expected. This retrospective study aimed to compare cochlear implantation hearing outcomes, surgical difficulties and complications in FAO patients versus non-FAO patients. Moreover, we evaluated whether high resolution computed tomography (CT scan) findings were predictive of perioperative problems, complications and hearing outcomes. FAO patients were diagnosed based on medical history, examination and CT scan. Thirty-five ears from FAO patients were compared to 38 control ears. Audiometric results were assessed at least 12 months after implantation by pure tone average, speech reception threshold, monosyllabic and disyllabic word recognition score (WRS) and Central Institute for the Deaf (CID) sentences test. Complications and surgical difficulties were compiled. CT scan findings were categorised within 3 grades of otosclerotic extension. No significant difference was found between FAO and non-FAO hearing outcomes, except that monosyllabic WRS were lower for FAO patients, especially those who underwent previous stapedotomy. Facial nerve symptomatology occurred in 8.6% of FAO patients; among these, one required explantation-reimplantation surgery. 86% of FAO implanted patients had retrofenestral extension on CT. These were associated with poorer disyllabic WRS (51% vs 68%, p < 0.05) than those with only fenestral involvement. Although not significant, high grade of severity on CT tended to be associated with surgical difficulties and complications. Cochlear implantation in FAO patients is an effective treatment technique. Though the overall complication rate is low, it tends to be higher in cases of severe extension on CT. Patient counselling should be adjusted accordingly.

Iatrogenic facial nerve injuries during chronic otitis media surgery: a multicentre retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

To give an insight into why, when and where iatrogenic facial nerve (FN) injuries may occur and to explain how to deal with them in an emergency setting.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Multicentre retrospective study in eight tertiary referral hospitals over 17 years.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty patients with partial or total FN injury during surgery for chronic otitis media (COM) were revised.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Indication and type of surgery, experience of the surgeon, intra- and postoperative findings, value of CT scanning, patient management and final FN outcome were recorded.

RESULTS

In 12 cases, the nerve was completely transected, but the surgeon was unaware in 11 cases. A minority of cases occurred in academic teaching hospitals. Tympanic segment, second genu and proximal mastoid segments were the sites involved during injury. The FN was not deliberately identified in 18 patients at the time of injury, and nerve monitoring was only applied in one patient. Before revision surgery, CT scanning correctly identified the lesion site in 11 of 12 cases and depicted additional lesions such as damage to the lateral semicircular canal. A greater auricular nerve graft was interposed in 10 cases of total transection and in one partially lesioned nerve: seven of them resulted in an HB III functional outcome. In two of the transected nerves, rerouting and direct end-to-end anastomosis was applied. A simple FN decompression was used in four cases of superficially traumatised nerves.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest checklists for preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative management to prevent and treat iatrogenic FN injury during COM surgery.

Stage II vestibular schwannoma: predictive factors for postoperative hearing loss and facial palsy

OBJECTIVES

To assess predictive factors for deafness and facial palsy after vestibular schwannoma surgery on a translabyrinthine or retrolabyrinthine approach, and to compare sequela results to those for gamma knife radiosurgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective study included 70 patients operated on for stage II vestibular schwannoma (Koos classification). Postoperative hearing was assessed on pure-tone average and speech discrimination score, and facial palsy on the House and Brackmann classification, preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. Various predictive factors were assessed for both. Statistical analysis used the Fischer exact test, with a significance threshold of P<0.05.

RESULTS

Hearing was conserved in 18.9% of patients operated on with a retrolabyrinthine approach, with 8.1% conserving useful hearing. Facial function was conserved in 91.4%. Predictive factors for hearing conservation did not achieve statistical significance, but showed trends for: preoperative pure-tone average threshold≤30dB and speech discrimination score≥ 70%, age less than 55 years, tinnitus, nearly normal auditory brainstem response (ABR) latency, and homogeneous tumor on MRI. Predictive factors for conserved facial function likewise did not achieve statistical significance, but showed trends for: age less than 55 years, deafness of progressive onset, absence of cardiovascular risk factors, nearly normal ABR latency and tumor size<13.5mm on MRI.

CONCLUSION

Facial nerve risk is largely the same with surgery or gamma knife radiosurgery. Concerning hearing, gamma knife radiosurgery seems to provide better hearing conservation, but only over the short term.

[Chondrocalcinosis of the temporomandibular joint revealed by a hearing loss: a case report]

INTRODUCTION

Chondrocalcinosis is a microcrystalline arthropathy that principally affects the knee. It is a rare disorder, usually asymptomatic, that occurs mainly in the elderly people.

PURPOSE

To report a case of a temporomandibular joint chondrocalcinosis with ossicular contact revealed by a conductive hearing loss.

CASE REPORT

We describe the case of a 57-year-old man with a right conductive sudden hearing loss of 15 dB. The CT scan revealed a lytic lesion in the right attic extended to the middle cerebral fossa in contact with the ossicles with a suspicion of lysis of the head of the malleus. MRI showed a lesion enhancing after gadolinium injection on T1 weighted images. A biopsy revealed a chondrocalcinosis of the temporomandibular joint. Due to the complexity of surgical excision and the benin character of the lesion, a medical treatment and a radiologic follow-up every six months were proposed.

CONCLUSION

Chondrocalcinosis of the temporo-mandibular joint is rare especially when it is revealed by a hearing loss. We present here a review of the literature.

[Adult non-viral lymphocytic meningitis in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)]

Our prospective and longitudinal study aimed to analyse the aetiologies, clinical features and prognostic of non viral lymphocytes meningitis (NVLM). We recruited 131 patients, 77 males (59%) and 54 females (41%) sex-ratio 1.4. The mean age was 35 years [15-67]. 117 patients were HIV positive (89%) and 14 (11%) were HIV negative. Feverish meningoencephalitis was present in 85% of cases, with 7 days for mean delay of admission into hospital. 80 germs were found in the C.S.F. 70 Cryptococcus neoformans, 4 Mycobacterium tuberculosis, 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae, 1 Candida albicans, 1 Neisseria meningitis and 1 Trypanosoma gambiense. 63 aetiologies were linked to lymphocytes meningitis by indirect deduction: 41 cases of tuberculous meningitis with lung X-ray anomalies and M. tuberculosis in sputum (11 times), 11 cases of cerebral malaria with Plasmodium falciparum in blood, 11 cases of cerebral toxoplasmosis by significant features with cerebral tomodensitometry. Letality was 53%, 35% of patients improved and 12% were lost to follow-up. Our study shows the difficulties in the management of the NVLM, due to the delay of diagnosis, particularly for tuberculous meningitis.

Impact of HIV infection on the development, clinical presentation, and outcome of tuberculosis among children in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

OBJECTIVE

To assess the impact of HIV infection upon the development, clinical presentation, and outcome of tuberculosis (TB) among children.

DESIGN

Case-control study and prospective cohort study.

METHODS

From March 1994 to November 1995, children aged 0-9 years with newly diagnosed TB were enrolled at the two outpatient TB centers and the two principal university hospitals in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Children were examined, blood samples were collected for HIV serology and lymphocyte phenotyping, chest radiography was performed, and gastric aspirates and sputum samples were collected for acid-fast bacilli smear and culture. Children were then followed every 2 months during a standard 6-month course of anti-TB therapy. To examine risk factors for TB, age- and sex-matched healthy control children were enrolled from among the siblings of children referred for TB skin testing.

RESULTS

Overall, 161 children with TB were enrolled, including 39 (24%) with culture-confirmed pulmonary TB, 80 (50%) with clinically diagnosed pulmonary TB, and 42 (26%) with extrapulmonary TB. Children with TB were significantly more likely than 161 control children to be HIV-seropositive (19 versus 0%), to have a past TB contact (55 versus 16%) and to live in very low socioeconomic status housing (24 versus 6%). No significant differences between HIV-seropositive and seronegative children were found in the distribution of radiologic abnormalities for pulmonary TB or in the site of extrapulmonary TB. The mortality rate in HIV-seropositive children was significantly higher than in seronegative children (23 versus 4%; relative risk, 3.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.0-6.6), and all deaths in HIV-seropositive children with available lymphocyte subtyping results occurred in those with a CD4 percentage of < 10%.

CONCLUSIONS

This study documents the importance of HIV infection as an independent risk factor for the development of TB in children, and demonstrates that HIV-related immunosuppression is a critical risk factor for mortality in this population.