شنوایی شناسی (Auditory and Vestibular Research)
سال:1398 | دوره: | شماره: |تعداد مقالات:8

Background and Aim: The vestibular system contributes in the stabilization of the head and body, orientation, and gazing through the pro-cessing of sensory inputs. A wealth of evidence supports the involvement of vestibular informa-tion in higher functions, too. Methods: In this paper, we reviewed the pre-vious studies on the effect of the vestibular sys-tem on memory as one of the cognitive func-tions. Results: Clinical and laboratory findings indi-cate the association of vestibular inputs (besides postural control and oculomotor) with a variety of higher functions, especially memory func-tion. Because part of the memory function is determined by other cognitive processes i. e. att-ention capacity, emotional disturbances, and executive functions, the study of the effect of vestibular inputs on these functions provides a more accurate view of how the vestibular inputs affect memory performance. Conclusion: Although our current knowledge on vestibular-memory interaction is increasing, the exact involvement of vestibular signals in memory representations is still unclear and needs further studies to determine the theore-tical basis of vestibular involvement in memory processing.

Background and Aim: Speech-auditory brain-stem response (ABR) as a new test in the field of auditory electrophysiology, examines the auditory processing of stimuli with complex acoustic structures at the subcortical level. In recent years, speech-ABR has been admini-stered to patients with various hearing impair-ments and people with special auditory skills. Results of these studies are of great interest to researchers in the fields of cognitive and audi-tory neurosciences. In this study, because of the increasing use of this test, a review of the stu-dies carried out on the origin of this response and the proposed protocols to stimulate, record, and analyze this electrophysiological response are presented. Recent Findings: The most common stimulus parameters used in the published articles was /da/ stimulus in 40 ms duration and 60-85 dB SPL intensity with the use of alternative polarity and rate of about 10 stimuli per second. The verified and widely-used acquisition parameters include using vertical electrode array with 6000 sweeps and a 30-3000 Hz filtering in a 60-70 ms time window. Conclusion: In determining the stimulus-record parameters of the speech-ABR test, in addition to considering the necessary minimums, the final values should always be selected based on the objectives and the study group. The unique features of this test for diagnosis and monitoring of auditory processing at supra-threshold levels, calls for comprehensive studies to formulate guidelines for the application of this test in aud-itory clinics but the basic points mentioned in this paper should be considered in the selection of each parameter.

Background and Aim: Vestibular rehabilita-tion is suggested as one of the effective treat-ments for vestibular-originated dizziness and vertigo. As there is a proven biologic link bet-ween vestibular symptoms and headache, head-ache improvement with vestibular improvement after vestibular rehabilitation is expected. The aim of the present study was examining vesti-bular rehabilitation effects on dizziness and hea-dache in 9− 15 year old subjects with a vestibu-lar migraine. Methods: Eight subjects with vestibular migra-ine were referred to Rofeideh Rehabilitation Hospital after diagnosis by a pediatric neurolo-gist. They were evaluated via dizziness handi-cap inventory (DHI), headache impact test-6 (HIT-6) and dizziness and headache frequency. Then they received a home-based vestibular reh-abilitation and after one month they were ree-valuated. Results: After vestibular rehabilitation for one month, changes in the DHI and HIT-6 score were statistically significant (p < 0. 01). In addition, reduction in the dizziness and hea-dache frequency in a month was statistically significant. Conclusion: As vestibular rehabilitation has noticeable effects on dizziness and headache, this treatment is introduced as an effective and non-invasive treatment in children and adoles-cents with a vestibular migraine.

Background and Aim: Auditory-verbal mem-ory and reading problems are frequently obser-ved in patients with vestibular disorders, but rarely considered as a cognitive consequence of vestibular disease. Many clinicians do not rec-ognize or ignore the psychological symptoms of vestibular disease. This approach could under-estimate the cognitive problems of the patients, or even led to misdiagnosis of a combined ves-tibular-cognitive condition. The current study aimed to assess the cognitive impact of acute vestibular disorders. Methods: A total of 71 patients with unilateral vestibular neuritis, Meniere’ s disease, and ben-ign paroxysmal positional vertigo underwent a through audiologic evaluation, including otos-copy, pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, video-nystagmography plus caloric testing, and video head impulse testing in the plane of horizontal semicircular canals. After determination of the disease, the Persian version of the dizziness handicap inventory, the Persian reading test, and Rey auditory-verbal learning test were admi-nistered. Results: There were no significant difference between the patient groups with regard to their inabilities like reading and learning problems according to their auditory verbal memory score induced by acute vertigo. However, acute ver-tigo can reduce the reading ability and capacity of auditory-verbal memory of the patients com-pared with normal subjects. Conclusion: Unilateral vestibular disorders in which patients suffer from acute rotatory vertigo could lead to reading difficulties and learning because of auditory-verbal memory impairment. The exact mechanism of vestibular impairment is not a determinant factor for these cognitive problems.

Background and Aim: Because speech percep-tion is disturbed in people who are exposed to noise, this study aimed to investigate the effect of work environment noise on working memory capacity, temporal, and dichotic auditory proce-ssing and relationship between them in elemen-tary school teachers. Methods: Fifty-six female aged 30− 50 years were enrolled in our study case and control groups. A total of 28 teachers with normal hearing and poor speech perception in noise were in the case group, and 28 women were controls with normal hearing and good scores in speech perception in noise who did not work in a noisy environment. Working memory tests, dichotic digit test (DDT) and gap-detection test (GDT) were performed for both groups. The mean score of each test was obtained from the two groups and the results were analyzed. Results: Comparison of means between the two groups in DDT, GDT, and working memory capacity test showed that the scores of the case group were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0. 05). There was no correla-tion between working memory capacity test, DDT, and GDT scores. (p > 0. 05, r < 0. 1). Conclusion: Noise exposure in the work envi-ronment causes weakness in temporal and dich-otic auditory processing, and working memory capacity. But there was no correlation between working memory capacity and auditory proce-ssing. The findings of this study show the eff-ects of noise exposure on speech perception and the need to protect hearing from noise.

Background and Aim: Early experience, prov-ide opportunity for later associative experiential learning by affecting multisensory systems. This phenomenon may because of the influences which sensory stimuli as sounds would have on non-auditory neural centers rather than just dep-loying hearing system, so the question is wheth-er music as a kind of complex sound source, could help in general cognitive functions such as memory circuits or, conversely, it acts as a distracting factor. This study was investigated the effect of auditory experience with special kind of music, called polyphonic music, on auditory, visual and logical memories function. Methods: Forty volunteers with normal hear-ing, aged 18 to 40 years, were participated in this experimental study. They were performed with Ray auditory verbal learning test, Kim Karad visual memory test, and Wechsler logical memory subtest in two states: no-music con-dition and music condition with a polyphonic piece as background music. Memory functions in these two conditions, and the effect of gender on performances, were compared between con-ditions. Results: Polyphonic music significantly inc-reased auditory, visual and logical memory performance compared with the no-music con-ditions (p < 0. 05). No significant difference bet-ween genders was found in memory tasks in both music and no-music conditions (p > 0. 05). Conclusion: It seems that presence of poly-phonic music while people had enough auditory experience about it, impress memory perfor-mance. It is possibly owning to multisensory functions of brain and the effect of auditory experiences on cognitive system.

Background and Aim: The presence of a child with hearing impairment in the family is often problematic and needs psychological interven-tions. The purpose of this study was to inves-tigate the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on the symptoms of anxiety and depression in mothers of hearing-impaired or deaf children. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest design and with experi-mental and control groups. The study population comprised all mothers of hearing-impaired or deaf children of 2– 6 years old in Tabriz City, Iran. Using purposive sampling method, 32 mothers of hearing-impaired or deaf children were selected and then randomly assigned to control and experimental groups (each with 16 subjects). The experimental group was treated with ACT during 8 sessions of 1. 5 hours long in two weeks. The study data were collected by the depression anxiety stress scale. Results: ACT was effective in decreasing anxi-ety and depression symptoms in mothers of hearing-impaired or deaf children (p < 0. 05). Conclusion: Considering the results and effecti-veness of ACT in reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression in mothers of hearing-impaired or deaf children, this treatment is rec-ommended in rehabilitation centers for children with hearing problems.

Background and Aim: Investigations have shown that the patient’ s attitudes toward hearing loss and hearing aids impact hearing aid benefits and its use. In this regard, Saunders and Cien-kowski (1996) developed the “ attitudes towards loss of hearing questionnaire” to examine some of the psychosocial factors underlying the use of hearing aids. This study has focused on pre-paring a Persian version of this questionnaire and analyzing its validity and reliability. Methods: The original English version of the questionnaire was translated into Persian, and its content and face validities were determined by related experts. The final questionnaire was administered to 100 hearing impaired people (52 males and 48 females) aged 30 to 65 years with the mean (SD) age of 54. 54 (12. 05) years. The test-retest reliability was assessed in 20 pat-ients. Results: The results of face validity assessment revealed that our questionnaire has a high quality in translation, intelligibility, and cultural compatibility. The mean scores of the content validity ratio and content validity index of this questionnaire was 0. 71 and 0. 98, respectively. The mean (SD) total score of this questionnaire was 60. 46 (10. 02) and the mean scores of denial of hearing loss, negative associations, negative coping strategies, manual dexterity and vision and hearing-related esteem were 15. 58, 12. 10, 20. 40, 5. 30, and 7. 08, respectively. The overall Cronbach α value was 0. 798. The test-retest reliability showed good results for the global score (Intraclass correlation = 0. 989). Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, the Persian version of the questionnaire possesses satisfactory validity and reliability.