Screening of Auditory Processing Disorders in School- Aged Children in Tehran, Iran Using the Auditory Processing Domain Questionnaire

Background and Aim: Early detection of auditory processing disorders (APD) is essential for preventing learning and educational problems in school-aged children. It is crucial to take into account the comorbidity with APD, as well. The goal of APD screening is to obtain the basic information about those with auditory disorders to be referred for further evaluation. This study aimed to identify the elementary school students at risk of APD in Tehran, Iran. Methods: Participants were the parents of 536 children selected from 11 elementary schools in four districts of Tehran city. The schools in each district were selected by a random clustering method. The auditory system of students was first evaluated. The parents were then asked to complete the Persian version of the auditory processing domain questionnaire (APDQ). Results: The prevalence of APD was 3.3% in girls and 8.3% in boys and the difference between them was statistically significant (p=0.021). The overall prevalence of APD was 4.6% based on the cut-off points of four APDQ domains, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.6. Conclusion: It is necessary to screen APD in school-aged children to minimize learning and educational problems in them. Moreover, there is a need for developing screening methods to provide timely detection and appropriate intervention for those at risk of APD.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor redux: Discovery of accessories opens therapeutic vistas

The neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) acts in part through a family of nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs), which mediate diverse physiological processes including muscle contraction, neurotransmission, and sensory transduction. Pharmacologically, nAChRs are responsible for tobacco addiction and are targeted by medicines for hypertension and dementia. Nicotinic AChRs were the first ion channels to be isolated. Recent studies have identified molecules that control nAChR biogenesis, trafficking, and function. These nAChR accessories include protein and chemical chaperones as well as auxiliary subunits. Whereas some factors act on many nAChRs, others are receptor specific. Discovery of these regulatory mechanisms is transforming nAChR research in cells and tissues ranging from central neurons to spinal ganglia to cochlear hair cells. Nicotinic AChR–specific accessories also enable drug discovery on high-confidence targets for psychiatric, neurological, and auditory disorders.

Otorhinolaryngological contusions in mine-explosive injury

Modern trends in the conduct of military conflicts dictate their own characteristics of the formation of the size and structure of sanitary losses of the otorhinolaryngological profile. Combat trauma to the organ of hearing is characterized not only by an increase in the total number of sanitary losses, but also by various features of the course of the wound process. The organ of hearing, with the development of weapons, becomes an increasingly unprotected and vulnerable area of impact of mine explosive weapons. However, such important characteristics as treatment, duration, and outcomes of ear, throat, and nose contusions are not sufficiently presented for adequate organization of medical support. Otorhinolaryngological contusions were considered in the total mass of contusion sanitary losses with a predominance of closed brain injury and often without taking into account otorhinolaryngological contusions. Victims completed treatment in separate medical battalions, hospitals and wards for the lightly wounded. The number of injured by shrapnel and concussion increases with the use of explosive weapons, due to an increase in associated wounds. The experience of the Great Patriotic War showed that otorhinolaryngological shell-shocked patients in frequency account for about 32.5% of all shell-shocked, therefore, in 67.5% of the remaining shell-shocked otorhinolaryngological contusions were concomitant, the main manifestation of the trauma was a closed brain injury. Otorhinolaryngological shell-shocked patients are a special case of general contusion or concussion-contusion syndrome from the direct impact of a sharp drop in air pressure during explosions. The leading manifestation of otorhinolaryngological contusion syndrome is vestibular and auditory disorders, decreased hearing acuity with a whole eardrum, which occurred in all victims. There were also neurological abnormalities such as short-term loss of consciousness, dizziness, fading nystagmus, stuttering, etc., which subsided a few days after the start of conservative therapy.

Auditory Hallucinations: An Audiological Horizon?

Background Interesting data and theories have emerged regarding auditory hallucinations (AHs) in patients with schizophrenia. The possibility that these patients may have changes in the anatomy of the auditory cortex and/or subcortical structures of the central auditory nervous system and present with deficits on audiological tests is important information to the audiology community. However, it seems clear that, in general, audiologists are not sufficiently aware of these findings. Purpose There are two main purposes of this article: (1) to educate audiologists about AHs related to schizophrenia and related issues, and (2) to encourage audiologists and hearing scientists to become involved in the evaluation and research of AHs. This fascinating disorder is one in which audiologists/hearing scientists are well suited to make a significant contribution. Research Design A review and synthesis of the literature was conducted. Relevant literature was identified through PubMed, Google Scholar, as well as independent book chapters and article searches. Keywords driving the searches were AHs, auditory illusions, verbal and musical hallucinations, schizophrenia, and central auditory disorders. Given the currency of the topic, the information collected was primarily between 1990 and 2020. Study Sample The review is organized around categorization, prevalence, models, mechanisms, anatomy, pathophysiology, and audiological correlates related to AHs. Data Collection and Analysis Searches were conducted using well-known search engines and manual searches by each author. This information on AHs was then analyzed collectively by the authors for useful background and relevance, as well as important for the field of audiology. Results Several anatomical, physiological, and functional imaging studies have shown compromise of the auditory cortex in those with schizophrenia and AHs. Potentially related to this, are studies that demonstrated sub-par performance on behavioral audiologic measures for this unique clinical population. These findings align well with the kind of hearing disorder for which audiologists are well-trained to make significant contributions. Conclusion Neurobiological and audiological evidence is accumulating on patients with schizophrenia and AH potentially rendering it as both an auditory and psychiatric disorder. Audiologists should consider expanding their horizon and playing a role in the clinical investigation of this disorder.

Verbal and Nonverbal Mismatch Negativity in Children with Typical Development: Variables Analysis

Introduction Mismatch negativity (MMN) is a promising instrument for the investigation of different auditory disorders, as it does not need behavioral responses. Objective To analyze the influence of the ear, gender and age variables in the MMN in children with typical development; and to compare the different measures of this potential, using verbal and nonverbal stimuli in the sample studied, providing reference values. Methods Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative study, with 23 children, aged from 5 to 11 years and 11 months old, divided by age group. Mismatch negativity was performed using verbal and nonverbal stimuli, and the data was analyzed by means of the statistical Student t-test. Results No significant differences were noted for the ear, gender and age variables in the MMN with both stimuli. There were significant differences for the latency, duration and area variables when the stimuli were compared. The reference values established for nonverbal stimuli were: latency 249.8 milliseconds, amplitude 2.28 µv, duration 82.97 milliseconds, and area 137.3 microvolt x microseconds (μVx μs); as for the verbal stimuli, they were: latency 265.3 milliseconds, amplitude - 2.82 µv, duration 110.5 milliseconds, and area 225.5 microvolt x microseconds (μVx μs). Conclusion The variables studied did not influence the recordings of the MMN. Latency, duration and area of the MMN with verbal stimuli were higher. It was possible to furnish reference values for children with typical development in the age group studied.

Features of objective audiometry tests and their diagnostic value in the research of hearing in children

The article highlights the features of the conduct and interpretation of data on audiological tests at the children in order to identify the degree, type and level of damage of the auditory disorders. According to a survey of 121 children with a diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss, it was confirmed that using a complex algorithm of audiological tests such as OAE, DPOAE, BERA and ASSR in hearing diagnosis of the children allows to obtain more accurate and detailed information and avoid possible errors in determining various forms of hearing disorders.