javad fakhri

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sudden sensorineural hearing loss, vestibular neuritis, and infection with COVID-19.

In this study, a total of 56 Iranians (32 females and 24 males) with a Mean±SD age of 45.12±14 years were studied in Tehran City, Iran. Individuals diagnosed with Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) or vestibular neuritis based on definitive diagnostic criteria were included in the study. The methodology comprised four sections of underlying Sudden Hearing Loss,, auditory and vestibular inspection, SARS-CoV-2 Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test, and statistical analysis. Also, the videonystagmography test was used in participants with vertigo to diagnose vestibular neuritis. Pure tone audiometry confirmed SSNHL in some patients with a complaint of hearing loss. Furthermore, tuning fork, Rinne and Weber tests were also performed.

The results of SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR in 56 subjects showed that eight subjects (22.2%) with vestibular neuritis and two with SSNHL (10%) had a positive RT-PCR test. The Chi-square and Fisher exact-tests with a 95% confidence interval revealed no statistically significant (P>0.05) relationship between COVID-19 infection and vestibular neuritis or SSNHL.

The present study showed no statistically significant relationship between audiovestibular disorders and positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test. However, the possibility of this relationship cannot be ruled out, and there is a need for studies with larger sample sizes.

The use of cochlear implants, due to technological limitations, causes problems in speech comprehension in the presence of noise. This study aimed to evaluate the speech-in-noise (SIN) comprehension with emphasis on high-frequency components between users of different bimodal adult.

This study was conducted on 33 adult participants with a mean age of 36 years using bimodal (cochlear implant in one ear and hearing aid in another ear: CI/HA) style of different companies. Quick SIN with emphasis on high-frequency components was performed on the participants using an audiometer, an amplifier, and one speaker.

Comparing the average percentage of correct answers from the word recognition test in the presence of noise in bimodal users showed that the Cochlear brand provides a better signal-to-noise (SNR) compare to other brands. Our result shows that bimodal users of Advance bionic and Med-El groups have better performance in speech recognition than other brands.

Bimodal users of Advance bionic and Med-El have better SNR loss than other brands. Besides, further studies on different ages can be helpful to make the right decision in this regard.

Tinnitus is a subjective auditory symptom referred to the perception of sound in the absence of external stimuli, and there is no definite treatment for it. Rehabilitation methods and laser therapy have been recommended used for its management. This study aimed to investigate the photobiological effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) in patients with acoustic trauma-induced tinnitus.

This clinical trial was conducted on 60 patients suffering from acoustic trauma-induced tinnitus for more than six months, divided into three groups of LLLT, TRT and LLLT + TRT. The Persian version of tinnitus handicap inventory (P-THI), visual analog scale (VAS), and loudness match (LM) scale were used to collect data. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS version.22 software. The effect of time, group and time × group on the scores of VAS, LM, P-THI and its subscales were examined.

There was a statistically significant difference between LLLT + TRT and LLLT groups after intervention in terms of LM (p = 0.002) and VAS (p = 0.001) variables, but no statistical significance for P-THI and its subscales (p = 0.442) was found.

Combination of LLLT and TRT, as a therapeutic protocol, is recommended due to their remarkable effects in reducing acoustic trauma-induced tinnitus symptoms. The use of LLLT method alone, however, is not recommended due to its lower effects.