Arabic Version of a New Tool Called HEAL-COMMAND to Evaluate Hearing Loss and Communication and...
Hearing LossHearing loss is the fourth highest cause of disability globally. Current data suggest that approximately 5% of the world's population suffer from disabling hearing loss, Earlier studies have shown that persons with hearing loss experience a higher prevalence of associated adverse health effects than persons with normal hearing. Those conditions include social isolation, depression, diabetes, dementia, falling, cardiovascular disease, and reduced quality of life. A limitation to disability-based questionnaires related to hearing loss is the large number of instruments available and the lack of consensus on which questionnaires to use. To do so, applying the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) framework was found to be an ideal design foundation. In the ICF, functioning refers to positive aspects of Body Functions, Activities, and Participation, while disability refers to impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions, in which both aspects can be influenced by a health condition(s) and or contextual (personal and environmental) factors. Previous studies showed that the operationalization of the ICF Core Sets for HL into a self-assessment tool can serve as the foundation for a comprehensive picture of health. To accommodate this need, a collaboration between group of researchers at Audiology Clinic, Auburn university, Alabama, USA have been conducted. This partnership resulted in creating an English and German version of questionnaire that comprehensively assesses and individuals hearing functioning profile according to ICF framework which is called HEAL-COMMAND Tool
Optimizing Soft Speech Recognition in Children With Hearing Loss
Hearing LossSensorineural2 moreOverhearing is important for vocabulary learning and speech and language development in young children. However, contemporary hearing aids are generally unable provide adequate access to low-level auditory inputs from multiple talkers at a distance to capitalize on overhearing. A recent investigation by Jace Wolfe and colleagues showed that, even when aided, children with hearing loss had significantly poorer speech recognition at 40, 50 and 60 dBA compared to children with normal hearing. Furthermore, they showed that increasing hearing aid gain for very low-level inputs produced a statistically significant improvement in syllable-final plural recognition and a non-significant trend toward better monosyllabic word recognition at very low presentation levels. Additional research is needed to document low-level speech recognition ability of children with hearing loss as well as the potential benefit or detriment of increasing hearing aid gain for low-level inputs. A novel hearing aid technology known as Soft Speech Enhancer has been shown improve low-level speech perception in adults with hearing loss; however, the effect of Speech Enhancer on speech recognition in children is not yet known and will be evaluated.
Multicenter, Prospective Observational Study for Early Diagnosis, and Development of Follow-up Protocol...
Solid TumorChildhoodMore than half of all pediatric cancer in Korea are solid cancer. For the treatment of solid cancer, multidisciplinary methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are applied, and with the development of the treatment method, the treatment performance has improved dramatically, and the 5-year survival rate of more than 80% is currently recorded. Due to the improvement in survival rate, interest in side effects caused by cancer treatment itself is gradually increasing, and efforts to reduce them are increasing. Accordingly, it aims to contribute to improving the quality of life of pediatric solid cancer survivors. by developing a Korean-type early diagnosis and follow-up protocol of ototoxic hearing loss, which commonly occurs in pediatric solid cancer who have undergone chemotherapy.
Safety of Autologous Stem Cell Infusion for Children With Acquired Hearing Loss
Sensorineural Hearing LossTo determine if autologous human umbilical cord blood infusion in children with acquired hearing loss is safe, feasible, improves inner ear function, audition and language development.
Cochlear Implantation in Single Sided Deafness and Asymmetrical Hearing Loss: a Cost/Utility Study....
Retrocochlear PathologyAuditory Processing Disorder2 moreThe investigators assume that cochlear implants in this indication are not only effective but also cost-effective. The investigators' experimental protocol relies on real life therapeutic strategy, where a cochlear implant may be proposed once CROS and bone conductions systems have failed. Thus, all subjects enrolled in our study will try CROS and bone conduction devices. If these trials are ineffective, the remaining subjects will be randomized between two arms (cochlear implantation vs 6 months abstention followed by cochlear implantation). A comparative cost-utility analysis between the two arms, of medical consequences measured in terms of quality of life will identify a preference for a strategy. Specific binaural hearing measurements with respect to each treatment option (abstention, CROS, bone conduction device, cochlear implant) will also be collected.
Use of Amplification in Children With Unilateral Hearing Loss
Unilateral Hearing LossUnilateral hearing loss (UHL) in children has been demonstrated to have a negative impact on quality of life, school performance and behavior. Despite this knowledge, it remains unclear how to best manage this common problem. There has been much debate regarding this issue with many programs recommending preferential seating in the classroom and use of a frequency-modulated (FM) system to amplify the teacher's voice in the classroom (conventional measures), and others recommending these accommodations in addition to use of a hearing aid for amplification (amplification). There is very limited research to support or refute the efficacy of a hearing aid in improving measurable academic, behavioral, or quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes in children with UHL. We propose a study evaluating the impact of hearing aid use in school-aged children (ages 6-12 years) with mild to moderately severe UHL. In this study, subjects will be randomized to receive either conventional measures or conventional measures plus amplification. After a three month period, the groups will be reversed, with each subject serving as their own control. Outcome measurements will include patient reported disease-specific QOL reported by patients, parents, and teachers using validated survey instruments at regular intervals throughout the study period.
Implantation of the Cochlear® Nucleus® System in Adults With Single-Sided Deafness
Single Sided DeafnessThe objective of this feasibility study is to obtain preliminary safety and efficacy data associated with cochlear implantation in individuals with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss contralateral to an ear with normal, or near-normal, hearing. The hypothesis is that restoration of hearing in the deafened ear will result in improved speech perception in the treated ear and advantages related to restoration of hearing to both ears.
Tele-educative Program to Improve Adherence to the Use of Hearing Aids in Patients With Hearing...
Hearing LossHearing loss is the third most common chronic condition in over 65 years people, it is estimated that 77.8% of older adults suffer from it. However, there are reports of adherence to the use of hearing aids of only to 40%. The objective of this project is to measure the effectiveness of a tele-educative intervention to improve adherence to the use of hearing aids. A randomized controlled trial was performed. The active branch consists of the implementation of an educational program called Active Communication Education, consisting of 4 sessions with a trained rehabilitator. Participants will be also monitored by telephone headset use by personnel trained for three months. The control arm will consist of the usual care received by these patients. All participants will be assessed at home at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after randomization.
Long Term Safety of the Sonitus SoundBite System
Hearing LossUnilateral Hearing Loss1 moreThe objective of this study is to assess the long-term safety and quality of life improvement of the Sonitus SoundBite Hearing System.
Efficacy of AM-111 in Patients With Acute Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Hearing LossThe purpose of the study is to determine whether AM-111 is effective in the treatment of acute inner ear hearing loss (acute sensorineural hearing loss, ASNHL).