Treatment and Prevention of Middle Ear Morbidity in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Following Radiotherapy...
Otitis Media With EffusionChronic Otitis Media1 moreTo investigate the incidence of tuba dysfunction (TD) and middle ear (ME) morbidity after radiotherapy (RT) to the Head & Neck and test the effect of auto-inflation of the Eustachian tube (ET) on middle ear effusion with a special designed balloon (Otovent®) and thereby better hearing and ear related quality of life after cancer treatment.
Protective Effect of N-acetylcysteine Against From Ototoxicity
Hearing LossExtremePeritonitis is currently one of the leading complications of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Aminoglycosides and vancomycin are used in the treatment of CAPD peritonitis despite their potential risk for ototoxicity. NAC is a molecule used in the treatment and prophylaxis of many diseases related to oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to examine whether ototoxicity due to antibiotics used in the treatment of CAPD peritonitis can be prevented by N-acetylcysteine
Prevention of Cisplatin-Induced Hearing Loss by Intratympanic Dexamethasone Treatment
Cisplatin OtotoxicityCisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of various malignant neoplasms, including testicular, ovarian, bladder, cervix uteri, head and neck and lung cancers. One of the common side-effects of this drug is bilateral, symmetric, progressive and usually irreversible sensorineural hearing loss. Cisplatin induces cochlear toxicity by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Dexamethasone treatment is currently practiced for various pathologies afflicting the inner ear. The positive effect of Dexamethasone is attributed to it's anti ROS activity and it's capability to up-regulate cochlear anti ROS enzymes. In order to reach higher inner ear concentration of the drug while avoiding it's undesirable systemic side-effects, Intratympanic (IT) delivery of Dexamethasone became vastly used in the last decades for the treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss and Meniere's disease. Dexamethasone inserted IT, diffuse across the round window into the inner ear perilymph where it exerts its therapeutic effects. The investigators review of the literature yielded three animal studies which examined the protective effect of IT dexamethasone in the prevention of cisplatin-induced hearing loss. These studies demonstrated promising results pointing to the potential for IT dexamethasone in the prevention of cisplatin ototoxicity in humans. The purpose of this study is to examine possible protective effect of IT dexamethasone on cisplatin-induced hearing loss, in humans. The study hypothesis is that IT dexamethasone treatment would prevent cisplatin-induced hearing loss.
Test of a Web-based Intervention to Promote Hearing Protector Use
Noise-induced Hearing LossThe purpose of this project is to compare the effectiveness of several approaches to influencing hearing protector use. The goals of this study are to further develop an intervention to promote farmers' use of hearing protectors, and compare the effectiveness of the developed intervention with two alternative approaches to influencing hearing protector use behavior, delivered in various combinations. This study will determine if significant change in hearing protection use can be achieved in a one-shot web-based or protector-supply intervention. Results will determine the need for future program modifications, e.g., inclusion of booster(s).
OSA and Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Obstructive Sleep ApneaSudden Hearing LossThis study studies the prevalence between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and sensorineural hearing loss. We recruit patients who have been treated for sudden sensorineural hearing loss in Poitiers' University Hospital between 2010 et 2017, and we detect if they have OSA with a ventilatory polygraphy.
A Comparison of User-adjusted and Audiologist-adjusted Hearing Amplification
Hearing LossFifty adults with mild to moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss will be fit with hearing amplification using two adjustment techniques. For the "audiologist fitting" technique, a licensed audiologist will adjust the hearing device using the standard of care procedures which include adjustment and verification of output to match prescribed targets (NAL-NL2) and subsequent fine tuning to optimize adjustments based on participant feedback. The second technique is "user-adjustment" of the device consisting of adjustment to overall level, high-frequency boost, and low-frequency cut by the participant while listening to speech. A cross-over design will be used in which half the participants are initially fit using the audiologist technique and the other half are initially fit using the user self-adjustment technique. Following a seven-day field trial, participants will return to the lab and the aids will be reset use the other technique. Participants will be blinded to the condition. During each seven-day field trial, users will have access to a volume control, Following the end of the two trials, participants will return to the lab for outcome assessment.
Maintaining Cochlear Patency After VIIIth Nerve Surgery
Acoustic NeuromaLabyrinthitis Ossificans1 moreTumors arising from the VIIIth Nerve (vestibulo-cochlear nerve) typically present with progressive unilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. VIIIth Nerve tumors with documented growth on serial MRI scans typically lead to deafness in the affected ear over time. Radiation (Gamma Knife® or stereotactic radiosurgery) may preserve hearing in ~80% while surgery (middle cranial fossa or retrosigmoid approach) may preserve hearing in 16 - 40% of small tumors, although initial hearing preservation by both modalities may fail over time. Surgical resection via the translabyrinthine approach is the safest way to remove many of these tumors, but involves loss of all hearing. In all treatment modalities, the vascular supply (the labyrinthine artery, a terminal branch of AICA with no collaterals) to the cochlea is at risk. After devascularization, the cochlea frequently fills with fibrous tissue or ossifies (labyrinthitis ossificans), making it impossible to place a cochlear implant should it be required later. The incidence of this is 46% in our patients. This study seeks to determine the feasibility of preserving the cochlear duct with an obdurator so that patients undergoing translabyrinthine removal of VIIIth nerve tumors may retain the option of a cochlear implant at a later time.
Hearing Handicap in Patients With Single Sided Deafness
Hearing LossSingle sided deafness (SSD) refers to asymmetrical hearing loss, where there is a significant worsening of hearing in one ear compared to the other. In Cambridge, the investigators see large numbers of patients with SSD caused by vestibular schwannomas, due to their affiliation with the Neuro-Otology Department, with over 100 new SSD patients being referred every year. Only a small number of studies have explored hearing handicap for those with SSD, and music appreciation has not been investigated, to the best of the investigators knowledge, in this patient group. In the limited number of studies conducted on those with single sided deafness, often only one or two outcome measures have been used, or the patient group has been small. The investigators have a large group of patients with a wide range of aetiologies who have completed several questionnaires as part of their treatment in the single sided deafness clinic and the investigators would like to analyse these data. At present there are different devices available on the NHS for the management of SSD and many studies have explored benefits of Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHA). There is an under-representation of studies looking specifically at CROS aid devices which is relevant given the cost differences involved between devices. Study goals and objectives To find out what factors drive hearing handicap in SSD patients by analysing the results of several different well validated hearing handicap questionnaires To find out whether or not it is possible to change hearing handicap in this patient group by looking to see if there is an improvement in questionnaire scores post treatment. The investigators will also look at a sub-group who will be fitted with both traditional wired CROS aids and more up-to-date wireless aids which have been funded through a research grant, in order to assess whether these are more beneficial. The investigators will use a new questionnaire developed in-house to further explore the impact of single sided deafness on music appreciation.
Fitness, Hearing and Quality of Life in Older Adults With Hearing Loss. Walk, Talk and Listen for...
Hearing LossFunctionalThis study examines the effect of an exercise and health education/auditory rehabilitation and socialization intervention on functional fitness, hearing handicap and psychosocial distress measures in older adults with hearing loss.
Protective Effects of EPI-743 on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Noise-induced Hearing LossIf effective, administration of EPI-743 should have protective effects against temporary noise-induced hearing loss.