Serpil Mungan Durankaya

Background and Objectives: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a major cause of sensorineural hearing loss. However, effective pharmacological treatments remain limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of allicin on NIHL in a rat model. Materials and Methods: Forty-two female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into six groups (n= 7 per group): saline (SF), allicin, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), noise+SF, noise+allicin+DMSO, and noise+DMSO. Noise exposure was performed using 4 kHz octave-band noise at a sound pressure level (SPL) of 120 dB for 4 hours. Allicin (20 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally) was administered for 7 days following noise exposure. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds (dB SPL) were measured at 8, 12, 16, 20, and 32 kHz at baseline, 24 hours, and day 7. Histopathological evaluation of the cochlea was performed after euthanasia. Results: Noise exposure significantly increased ABR thresholds in all noise-exposed groups. On day 7, the noise+allicin+ DMSO group demonstrated significantly lower ABR thresholds at 16, 20, and 32 kHz compared with the noise+SF group and at 20 and 32 kHz compared with the noise+DMSO group (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed at lower frequencies. Histopathological analysis showed a trend toward reduced cochlear damage in the allicin-treated group; however, the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Allicin treatment improved high-frequency hearing thresholds in rats with NIHL. However, the absence of significant histopathological and mechanistic findings indicates that further molecular and region-specific studies are required.

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the differences between unilateral cochlear implant (CI) use and bimodal auditory stimulation regarding speech perception in noise and auditory reaction times. Methods This cross-sectional study included 26 adults (aged 18–53 years) with a unilateral CI and a contralateral hearing aid. Participants underwent free-field audiometry (FFA), Speech Reception Threshold (SRT) testing, the Turkish Matrix Test (TMT) in quiet and noise, and the Auditory Reaction Time Test (ARTT). Measurements were compared between unilateral (CI only) and bimodal (CI plus hearing aid) conditions. Results Bimodal stimulation yielded significantly better free-field and speech reception thresholds compared to the unilateral condition (p < 0.001). In the TMT, speech perception thresholds improved with bimodal stimulation in both quiet (44.9 ± 8.7 vs. 53.7 ± 9.3 dB SPL) and noise (1.1 ± 3.1 vs. 4.3 ± 3.1 dB SNR) (p < 0.001). Additionally, simple auditory reaction times were significantly shorter in the bimodal condition (518.5 ± 51.9 ms) than in the unilateral condition (559.6 ± 54.6 ms) (p < 0.001). Similar improvements were observed in choice reaction times (p < 0.001). Conclusion Bimodal auditory stimulation significantly enhances auditory performance and reaction speed compared to unilateral CI use. These findings suggest that bimodal fitting improves binaural integration and processing efficiency, which is beneficial for speech intelligibility in challenging listening environments.

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of the 4‐7‐8 breathing exercise on tinnitus handicap, psychological factors, and sleep quality. Methods: The present study employed a parallel‐group randomized controlled trial design. A total of 23 patients with subjective tinnitus in the experimental group and 25 patients with subjective tinnitus in the control group took part in the study. Both groups received 1 hour of informative session on tinnitus, and the experimental group also performed 4‐7‐8 breathing exercises for 6 weeks. Visual analog scale (VAS), tinnitus handicap inventory (THI), insomnia severity index (ISI), trait anxiety inventory (TAI), and perceived stress scale‐10 (PSS‐10) were applied before and on the day the 6‐week program is done or 6 weeks after the informative session is completed. Results: When the experimental group and the control group were compared after the intervention, a significant decrease was found in all questionnaire and VAS scores of the experimental group. While the questionnaire and VAS scores of the control group after the session did not differ significantly from the baseline scores, all questionnaire scores of the experimental group after the 6‐week program showed a significant decrease compared to the pre‐application scores. Conclusions: This exercise technique can be used as a simple, effective, and supportive therapy method in the clinical management of tinnitus patients. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06360731

Hearing loss is known to impact multiple aspects of a child’s development, including communication, social interaction, and overall well-being. Among these, oral hygiene represents a critical yet often overlooked component. Given that oral health is closely linked to overall wellness and socio-emotional well-being, and especially when maintaining optimal oral health, it is essential to investigate the specific challenges encountered by children with hearing impairment, particularly those using cochlear implants (CIs), This study aimed to investigate differences in oral hygiene and dental health between cochlear-implanted (CI) and normal-hearing (NH) children. Forty CIs (25 girls, 15 boys) and 44 NH children (22 girls, 22 boys) between the ages of 6 and 13 years who had no neurological or developmental problems participated in this cross-sectional study. The Decayed, Missing, Filled, Total (DMFT/dmft) index and the simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S) were used to evaluate oral-dental health, and a survey about parental education levels and the demographic characteristics of the participants was conducted. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 29.0.0.0 and Open Epi Program. The normality of the data distribution was assessed with the Kolmogorov‒Smirnov test. Non-parametric tests were used for non-normally distributed data, and the Mann–Whitney U test was applied to compare the oral hygiene index between the groups. Categorical variables were compared using the Pearson’s chi-square test. Significant differences in oral and dental health were detected between CI and NH children (p < 0.05). The mean OHI-S for the CI group was 3.86 ± 1.95, while it was 2.38 ± 0.87 for the NH group. The mean DMFT/dmft scores between the CI and NH participants were 5.48 ± 3.69 and 3.31 ± 2.57, respectively (p < 0.05). In the CI group, the parental education level was significantly lower than in the NH group (p < 0.001, OR = 11.80). Despite similar hearing, speech, and academic development between CI and NH peers, the impact of lower parental education levels on oral health in CI children was notable. This study revealed that there are significant differences between CIs and NHs in terms of oral health and that mothers’ education levels, tooth-brushing habits, and the frequency of dental visits may have yielded crucial contributions to these differences.

Hearing loss significantly affects communication, social interactions, and the overall quality of life. The bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) is an implantable system that bypasses the outer and middle ear to directly stimulate the cochlea through bone conduction. This study aimed to compare hearing performance and subjective auditory ability improvements between transcutaneous and percutaneous BAHA devices using audiological assessments and Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale. This cross-sectional prospective study included 29 participants aged 14 to 69 years who had used BAHA for at least 6 months. Both Cochlear Baha System’s percutaneous (connect) and transcutaneous (attract) implants were evaluated. Audiological assessments involved pure-tone audiometry, speech recognition threshold, and free-field (FF) audiometry, while subjective auditory ability was measured using the Turkish Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing scale (Tr-SSQ). Significant improvements in FF audiometry averages and speech recognition thresholds were observed with BAHA compared to without BAHA (P < .001). Both implant types provided similar FF averages, speech audiometry results, and Tr-SSQ outcomes, with no significant differences between them. Tr-SSQ scores showed substantial satisfaction, indicating significant improvements in speech perception, spatial perception, and hearing quality with BAHA (P < .001). The findings align with previous research, demonstrating that BAHA is a reliable and effective solution for hearing rehabilitation. The study also emphasized the importance of using both audiological test results and daily hearing function scales to comprehensively evaluate the benefits of hearing rehabilitation in real-world environments. In conclusion, BAHA, regardless of the implant type, can provide predictable and lasting improvements in hearing thresholds and daily hearing abilities, making it a valuable option for patients with conductive hearing loss.

İşitsel nöropati spektrum bozukluğu anormal işitsel beyin sapı cevabı ve korunmuş otoakustik emisyon cevapları ile karakterize işitme siniri boyunca bozulmuş sinyal işleme ya da sinyalin iç tüylü hücrelerden işitme sinirine yetersiz iletilmesidir. İşitsel nöropati spektrum bozukluğu doğumsal olduğu gibi postlingual olarak da gelişebilir. İşitsel nöropatide karşılaşılan işitme eşiklerindeki değişimler fonksiyonel işitme kaybıyla da karışabilmektedir. Bu çalışmada işitme azlığı ve konuşmayı anlama problemi yaşayan ilk aşamada fonksiyonel işitme kaybı düşünülen ancak işitsel nöropati spektrum bozukluğu tanısı alan 64 yaşındaki olgunun ayırıcı tanıda kullanılan odyolojik değerlendirmeleri ve test sonuçları irdelenmiştir.

To investigate the effects of cross-linked hyaluronic acid (CLHA) in an experimental model of vestibulotoxicity and cochleotoxicity. Twenty-eight female Wistar albino rats (200–250 g) were divided into four groups. Group A received 0.06 mL of 13.33 mg/mL gentamicin, Group B received 0.06 mL of CLHA, Group C received 0.03 mL of 26.66 mg/mL gentamicin and 0.03 mL CLHA, and Group D received 0.06 mL of 0.09% saline. All groups underwent auditory brainstem response testing at 4–32 kHz, signal-to-noise ratio of distortion product otoacoustic emission measurements at 1.5–8 kHz and vestibular tests on days 0,1,7,10. The rats were sacrificed, and their labyrinths were histologically assessed and scored. The hearing thresholds of Groups A and C were similar and significantly higher than those of the other groups at all frequencies, beginning from day 1. The vestibular and histological scores of Groups A and C were similar and significantly higher than those of the other groups from day 1. The audiological results, vestibular scores, and histological scores of Groups B and D were similar, except for a temporary middle ear effusion and hearing threshold shift in Group B. No significant deterioration was observed in the audiological, vestibular, and histological analyses of Groups B and D. That both Group A and Group C similarly showed worsening audiological, vestibular, and histological tests suggests that CLHA did not alter the pharmacokinetics and histologic results of gentamicin.

Amaç: Küresel bir sorun olarak da kabul edilen Gürültüye Bağlı İşitme Kaybını (GBİK) önlemenin en etkili yollarından birisi bu konuda farkındalık oluşturmaktadır. İşitme sağlığı ve korunması odyoloji biliminin ilgi alanıdır. Çalışmanın amacı, sağlık teknikerliği bölümlerinde okuyan öğrencilerin işitme sağlığı ve işitme kaybını önleme konusundaki farkındalıklarını belirlemek, bu farkındalığın eğitim alanı ile ilişkisini ortaya koymaktır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışma kesitsel araştırma olarak planlandı. Araştırma kapsamında, 18-30 yaş arasındaki 219 sağlık teknikerliği öğrencisine gürültüye bağlı işitme kaybına yönelik farkındalıklarını ölçmek üzere 10 sorudan oluşan anket yapıldı. Katılımcılardan elde edilen bilgiler tanımlayıcı istatistik ile değerlendirildi. Odyometri teknikerliği ile diğer sağlık teknikerliği programları arasındaki farkın anlamlılığı için ki-kare analizi yapıldı. Bulgular: Odyometri öğrencilerinin diğer sağlık teknikerliği öğrencilerine kıyasla tüm sorulara doğru yanıt verme oranı daha yüksekti. Ancak gürültünün işitmeye etkilerini sorgulayan sadece 4,5,6. sorularda istatistiksel olarak anlamlı farklılık elde edildi (p<0,05). GBİK’nın önlenebilir sorun olduğuna ve yüksek seslere maruz kalmanın işitme kaybına neden olabileceğine dair soruları öğrencilerin %76'sı doğru yanıtladı. Gürültüye bir defa maruz kalmanın işitme kaybı yaratmadığını düşünenlerin oranı %26,5 iken bu konuda bilgisi olmayan birey oranı %11 idi. Konser gibi yüksek gürültülü ortamlarda bulunmanın işitme kaybı yaratacağını düşünenlerin oranı %66,5 ile sınırlı kaldı. Kulak tıkacı kullanmanın müziği net duymayı engelleyeceği fikri ise %59,8 oranındaydı. Sonuç: GBİK’den korunmanın önemli ve etkili yolu bu konuda farkındalık oluşturmaktır. Sağlık teknikerliği alanında okuyan üniversite öğrencilerinin gürültü ve etkileri konusunda bilgi eksiklikleri olduğu görüldü. Bu konuda farkındalık oluşturmanın yanında işitmeyi koruyucu önlemler hakkında eğitimlerin verilmesi küresel bir sorun olma potansiyeli taşıyan GBİK’nın önlenmesi açısından değerli olacaktır.

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the middle and inner ear function and hearing status of Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients. Methods One hundred twenty-four ears of 62 patients with AS and 90 ears (control group) of 45 healthy subjects were included in the study. The hearing levels of the participants were assessed with pure tone and high-frequency audiometry at the octave frequency between 250 and 16,000 Hz. The absorbance rates and resonance frequencies of middle ear were measured with the wideband tympanometry (WBT) test. AS group was divided into subgroups based on the disease activity, duration of follow-up, medications used for AS, and the subgroups were compared according to hearing status and absorbance and resonance frequencies of middle ears. Results A statistically significant difference was found between the AS and control groups in terms of air and bone conduction thresholds at frequencies of 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz and the mean PTA₁, PTA₂, and PTA₃ values (p < 0.05). In contrast, no statistically significant difference was observed between two groups in terms of high-frequency thresholds (8000–16,000 Hz). Although the middle ear resonance frequency obtained from the WBT test was higher in the AS group compared to the control group, no significant difference was observed (p > 0.05). The severity of disease adversely affected the hearing threshold at 250, and 500 Hz for air conduction, at 500 Hz for bone conduction threshold, and at PTA₁ (p < 0.05). The duration and severity of disease did not affect absorbance values of WBT (p > 0.05). Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the effects of AS patients on the middle ear function with WBT and to report middle ear absorbance values and resonance frequency changes in AS patients. The higher resonance frequency values found by WBT in AS patients may be due to the stiffness that develops as a result of middle ear involvement. According to pure tone and high-frequency audiometry findings, it has been seen that AS leads to SNHL especially at low frequencies.

Our primary objective was to develop a three-dimensional (3D) model of the vestibular labyrinth to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) observed during common diagnostic positional tests. We secondarily aimed to monitor the effects of the repositioning maneuvers and use this tool in teaching. A 3D model of a human semicircular canals (SSCs) system was created by 3D printing the core and assembling it with silicone tubing filled with lubricant oil containing colored small stones in the lumen mimicking otoconia. We used the model in horizontal canal BPPV diagnostic tests and therapeutic maneuvers. The working mechanism of the model we designed was recorded with video. The model allowed for a clear display of the anatomy and the respective orientations of the SSCs. Otolith movement in the horizontal canals could be imitated during diagnostic positional tests (Dix-Hallpike and Pagnini-McClure) and therapeutic maneuvers (Epley, Semont, Lempert and Gufoni). As well as helping to understand the anatomy and physiology of the SSCs, this simple 3D model also provides a teaching tool for the diagnosis and treatment of BPPV. The mechanism of horizontal canal canalithiasis and the effect of therapeutic repositioning maneuvers could be clearly observed by watching the markers in the lumen demonstrating the progress of otolith movements with changes in head position relative to gravity.