Handan Turan Dizdar

Introduction: Dental education involves continuous exposure to high‐frequency noise from clinical instruments, which may cause early outer hair cell damage even before professional practice begins. While noise‐induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a recognised occupational hazard among dentists, evidence regarding subclinical outer hair cell changes during undergraduate training remains limited. As this study did not include a non‐dental, age‐matched control group, the observed differences are reported as an association with year of dental education rather than as proof of a causal effect of educational noise exposure. Materials and Methods: This comparative cross‐sectional study evaluated 140 dental students: 88 first‐year and 52 fifth‐year at Biruni University. Pure‐tone and high‐frequency audiometry, transient‐evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) were measured to assess auditory function. Environmental noise levels in preclinical and clinical settings were recorded over an 8‐h period using calibrated sound level meters. Results: Average noise exposure was 77.1 dB in preclinical and 81.2 dB in clinical settings. While no significant differences were observed in conventional audiometric frequencies, fifth‐year students showed significantly elevated hearing thresholds at 9–20 kHz ( p < 0.05). TEOAE and DPOAE signal‐to‐noise ratios were markedly reduced in fifth‐year students, indicating early outer hair cell dysfunction (reduced cochlear amplifier function). Discussion: These findings reveal subtle yet measurable outer hair cell changes associated with advancing dental education. Such early alterations, undetectable by standard audiometry, suggest that dental training environments may pose a latent risk for NIHL. Conclusions: This study provides early evidence of an association between advancing dental education and subclinical outer hair cell dysfunction in dental students, emphasising the need to integrate hearing conservation and noise‐awareness education into dental curricula to protect future professionals' auditory health.

Purpose: Although the effects of the auditory system on the balance system are known, we do not possess sufficient knowledge about the possible effects of the balance system on the auditory system. This study aims to investigate the impact of bithermal caloric stimulation on the outer hair cell functions of the contralateral ear. Method: Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were recorded before, during, and after bithermal caloric stimulation. A repeated-measures multivariate analysis examined the effects of Condition (pre, cold, warm, post) and Frequency (13 f ₂ frequencies). Results: DPOAE amplitudes decreased significantly during caloric-induced nystagmus. A significant effect was observed among DPOAE frequencies. The largest amplitude changes occurred in the midfrequency range, while smaller response changes were seen at both low and high frequencies. This significant frequency interaction indicates that caloric-induced suppression varies across frequencies. Furthermore, both cold and warm irrigation reduced DPOAE amplitudes with warm irrigation, in particular, generally provided greater suppression and showed that this effect was related to the rate of caloric stimulation. Posttest values showed that this reduction persisted, albeit to a lesser extent than during active irrigation. Conclusions: This study shows a significant decrease in DPOAE results for all frequencies during caloric stimulation, supporting the idea that vestibular inputs affect the auditory system through central mechanisms. These findings contribute to emerging evidence of bidirectional interactions between the vestibular and auditory systems.

Examination of audiology students’ knowledge levels and attitudes regarding alzheimer’s disease Aim: Considering the interaction between hearing loss and Alzheimer’s disease, it is crucial to evaluate and enhance audiology students’ knowledge of Alzheimer’s Disease. Therefore, our aim is to determine the knowledge levels and attitudes of audiology students in Türkiye regarding Alzheimer’s Disease. Method: The target population of the study comprised students enrolled in audiology departments in Türkiye. This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study, where data were collected online using the snowball sampling method. The study utilized a sociodemographic data collection form, the “Audiology Students’ Alzheimer Disease Knowledge and Attitude Questionnaire” and the “Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale,” developed by the researchers. In the data analysis, frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were calculated, and a significance level of p<0.05 was accepted. Results: A total of 474 students from 21 universities participated in the study. Of the participants, 76.8% were female, with a mean age of 20.74±2.67. Students living in towns, cities, and metropolitan areas had significantly higher Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale scores compared to those living in rural areas (p<0.05). As class level increased, both the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge and Attitude Questionnaire and the Alzheimer’s Disease Knowledge Scale scores also increased (p<0.05). Students who took the geriatric audiology course, had a family member diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, or had attended related seminars/trainings had higher scores (p0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that increasing Alzheimer’s awareness and knowledge would benefit from the broader implementation of geriatric audiology courses. Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease knowledge questionnaire, geriatric audiology.

Amaç: Evlilikte beklentilerin karşılanamaması, çiftlerden birinin veya her ikisinin yaşadığı engellerden kaynaklanabilir. Beklentilerin yerine getirilememesinin eşlerde, tükenmişliğe yol açtığı bilinmektedir. Çalışmadaki temel amacımız, işitme kayıplı ve normal işiten eşlere sahip bireylerin, eş tükenmişlik ve depresyon durumlarının belirlenerek karşılaştırılmasıdır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Kontrol grubu, eşinde ve kendisinde işitme kaybı olmayan sağlıklı evli bireylerden, çalışma grubundaki katılımcılar ise sadece eşinde işitme kaybı olan evli sağlıklı bireylerden oluşmaktadır. Katılımcılara, Eş Tükenmişlik Ölçeği ve Beck Depresyon Ölçeği uygulandı. Bulgular: Çalışma grubunun, her iki ölçek puanları da kontrol grubuna göre anlamlı olarak daha yüksek elde edildi (p<0,05). Çalışma grubunun, Beck Depresyon Ölçeği puanları ile Eş Tükenmişlik Ölçeği puanları arasında pozitif yönde yüksek düzeyde anlamlı korelasyon vardı. 10 yıl ve daha uzun süre işitme kaybına sahip bireylerle evli olan katılımcılarda en yüksek puanlar elde edildi. Ev işlerinde eşinden yardım alamadığını belirten çalışma grubundaki katılımcılarda, her iki ölçek puanı da eşinden yardım aldığını belirten katılımcılara göre anlamlı olarak daha yüksekti (p<0,05). Evlilik süresine göre bütün yıllarda, çalışma grubunun Eş Tükenmişlik Ölçeği puanları anlamlı olarak daha yüksekti (p<0,05). Beck Depresyon Ölçeği puanları, 1-5 ve 16-20 yıl evli olanlar hariç diğer bütün yıllarda, kontrol grubuna göre daha yüksekti (p<0,05). Çalışma grubunda, çocuk sayısı arttıkça her iki ölçek puanlarının da arttığı gözlendi. Sonuç: Eşinde işitme kaybı olan bireyler, eş tükenmişlik ve depresyon açısından daha çok risk altındadır. Empati, sabır, anlayış ve pozitif bir tutum eşler arasındaki ilişkinin güçlenmesine yardımcı olabilir.

Purpose To determine the frequency and clinical features of new- and early-onset benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) after different otologic surgical operations with and without surgical drilling. Methods All unilateral otologic operations performed at the otolaryngology clinic of a tertiary university hospital between January 2021 and May 2023 were screened, and 437 adult cases were included in the study. Of these patients, those who were diagnosed with BPPV within the first month postoperatively were examined. Results The overall incidence of BPPV after otologic operations was 2.28% (10 out of 437 patients). This incidence was 3% (8/266 patients) in cases where a drill was used and 1.16% (2/171 patients) in those where a drill was not used. There was no significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). Clinical symptoms related to BPPV appeared on average in 13.3 ± 6.8 (range: 3–25) days following surgery and presented as canalolithiasis. All cases involved the posterior semicircular canal (SCC) on the operated side. In addition, one patient with a cochlear implant had involvement of both the posterior and lateral SCCs. All patients responded well to repositioning maneuvers during follow-up. Conclusion Otologic surgery, especially operations involving drilling, is a potential risk factor for the development of BPPV. Postoperative BPPV, primarily presenting as canalolithiasis in the posterior SCC on the operated side, can be effectively managed with repositioning maneuvers. Clinicians should be vigilant for BPPV in patients experiencing vertigo/dizziness within four weeks following otologic surgery.

Background: Self-esteem is an individual's perception of themselves. Professional self-esteem is defined as the individual's perception of worthiness regarding their preferred profession. The research aims to examine the relationship between the self-esteem and professional self-esteem of Audiology department students and raise awareness of this issue. Material and Method: In our study, 532 students in the Audiology undergraduate department were included. Professional Self-Esteem and Self-Esteem questionnaires were delivered to the students online via Google Forms, using snowball sampling, in social media groups of the Audiology undergraduate students. Data were analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis, Mann Whitney U, and Kruskal Wallis Test. p < 0.05 was accepted as significance value. Results: According to the results, it has been observed that there is a weak and significant positive correlation between the professional self-esteem of the audiologist candidates and their total self-esteem scores (p < 0.05). Self-esteem and professional self-esteem scores of those who chose the profession willingly were significantly higher than those who did not choose the profession willingly (p < 0.05). As the grade level increased, professional self-esteem decreased significantly (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the scores in both scales according to income, university type, and gender (p > 0.05). Conclusion: As a result, it was observed that as the self-esteem of the audiologist candidates increased, their professional self-esteem increased. Also, as the class level increased, their professional self-esteem decreased.

Background: Today, young people who listen to loud music, especially through headphones, are at an extremely high risk of noise-induced hearing loss. The aim of this study was to investigate how young people’s listening habits affect their hearing thresholds. A total of 88 young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 took part in the study, 44 of whom listened to music through headphones while the others did not. The control group was exposed to white noise at 55–65 dB with the Interacoustic AC 40 Hybrid Audiometer, and people who did not use headphones and said they were not exposed to higher levels of sound than the given sample were included in the study. Participants were given a survey to assess their music listening preferences. One hundred twenty-five to 18,000 Hz air conduction hearing thresholds were assessed for all participants. Results: When the pure tone thresholds of the groups were compared, the independent t-test showed that the thresholds of the study group were significantly worse than those of the control group. Bilaterally in the 4000 Hz band and for the left ear in the 6000 Hz band (p < 0.05). There were also significant differences between the groups in the 14,000 Hz and 16,000 Hz bands in the right ear and the 14,000 Hz, 16,000 Hz, and 18,000 Hz bands in the left ear (p < 0.05). Twenty-two participants reported listening to music at a high level, 16 participants at a moderate level, and 6 participants at a very high level. Conclusion: Although the hearing thresholds of the study group were worse than those of the control group in the 4000 Hz, 6000 Hz, 14,000 Hz, 16,000 Hz, and 18,000 Hz bands, the hearing thresholds of both groups were still within the hearing range and could be classified as normal. It should be remembered that hearing will deteriorate if a person listens to loud or very loud music continuously through headphones. The public, especially young people, should be made aware of this.

Amaç: Günümüzde teknolojinin gelişmesi ve bilgiye ulaşımın kolay olması nedeniyle insanlar sağlık dâhil hemen hemen her konuda bilgi kaynağı olarak interneti kullanmaktadır. Ancak internetten edinilen bilgilerin güvenilirliği ve içeriklerin kalitesi tartışmalıdır. Bu sebeple bu çalışmada, tinnitus ile ilgili internet kaynaklı bilgilerin okunabilirlik ve kalitesinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: ''Tinnitus'' terimi herkes tarafından çok iyi bilinmediği için Google arama motorunda ''kulak çınlaması'' anahtar kelimesi girilerek yapılan arama sonucunda çalışma için uygun 100 internet sitesi incelemeye alınmıştır. Çalışmaya dâhil edilen internet sitelerinin okunabilirlikleri Ateşman ve Çetinkaya-Uzun formülleriyle, kalite göstergeleri ise ''DISCERN'' ve ''Health on the Net Foundation code of conduct (HONcode ilkeleri)'' ile değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular: Tüm siteler okunabilirlik açısından değerlendirildiğinde Ateşman'a göre kolay güçlükte (ortalama±SS=71,4±6,9), Çetinkaya-Uzun'a göre ise eğitsel okunabilir ve 8-9. sınıf düzeyinde (ortalama±SS=49,5±11) bulunmuştur. Tüm sitelerin, HONcode kalite göstergesine göre incelendiğinde ortalama 8,31±1,9 puanda, DISCERN kalite göstergesine göre incelendiğinde ise 50,6±10,1 puanda olduğu görülmüştür. Metinler odyoloji ve KBB kaynaklı olarak ikiye ayrılarak okunabilirlikleri değerlendirildiğinde ise hem Ateşman'a göre hem de Çetinkaya-Uzun'a göre okunabilirlik düzeyleri arasında fark olduğu ancak DISCERN ve HONcode kalite göstergeleri açısından değerlendirildiğinde aralarında fark olmadığı tespit edilmiştir. İncelenen hiçbir sitenin HONcode sertifikası olmadığı da tespit edilmiştir. Sonuç: Sonuç olarak tinnitus ile ilgili internette bulunan metinlerin basitleştirilerek 5-6 ve 7. sınıf düzeyine getirilmesinin daha kolay okunabilirlik sağlayarak herkes tarafından anlaşılabileceği düşünülmektedir.