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Biomedical subjects

G Salomon

Publications and source records attributed to G Salomon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The bone-anchored hearing aid. Osseointegration and audiological effect.

The results of treatment of the first 12 Danish patients with the Brånemark titanium implant system and the bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) are reported. All implants were osseointegrated, judged by 99mTC-scintigraphy, X-ray examination and clinical examination. Skin reactions were few, transient and short lasting. The patients experienced the BAHA to be superior to both conventional BC hearing aids and AC hearing aids in practically all respects. Speech discrimination scores in quiet and in noise were similar for the 3 types of hearing aids.

Adult

Transforming growth factor-beta improves healing of radiation-impaired wounds.

Exogenously applied TGF-beta 1 has been shown to increase wound strength in incisional wounds early in the healing process. An impaired wound healing model was first established in guinea pigs by isolating flaps of skin and irradiating the flaps to 15 Gray in one fraction using a 4-MeV linear accelerator. Incisions made 2 d after irradiation were excised 7 d later, and showed decreased linear wound bursting strength (WBS) as compared to non-irradiated control wounds on the contralateral side of each animal (p = 0.001). The effect of TGF-beta on healing of radiation-impaired wounds was studied using this model. Skin on both left and right sides of guinea pigs was irradiated as above. A linear incision was made in each side. Collagen with either 1, 5, or 20 micrograms of TGF-beta was applied to one side prior to closure with staples, whereas the contralateral side received saline in collagen. Wounds given either 1 or 5 micrograms of TGF-beta were found to be stronger than controls at 7 d (p less than 0.05), whereas those receiving the higher 20-micrograms dose were weaker than controls (p less than 0.05). Thus, TGF-beta in lower doses improved healing at 7 d but very large amounts of the growth factor actually impaired healing. In situ hybridization done on wound samples showed increased type I collagen gene expression by fibroblasts in wounds treated with 1 micrograms TGF-beta over control wounds. These results indicate that TGF-beta improved wound healing as demonstrated by increased WBS. This improvement is accompanied by an up-regulation of collagen gene expression by resident fibroblasts.

Animals

Hearing decrease after loss of cerebrospinal fluid. A new hydrops model?

In a prospective study of 12 patients undergoing operation for acoustic neuromas the hearing on the contralateral ear was tested before and systematically day by day after operation. In 11 cases a perceptive loss of at least 20 dB was found at one or more frequencies during the first 2 postoperative weeks. A maximal average threshold decrease of 16.5 dB was found in the treble (2.4, 8 kHz average), while a tendency of a more pronounced decrease of 19.6 dB was seen in the low frequencies (125, 250, 500 Hz average). After 3 months the hearing had normalized in all cases. The explanation for the transitional loss supports the present theory: The loss of cerebro-spinal fluid during operation diminishes the CSF pressure. This decrease is transmitted to the perilymph via the cochlear aqueduct producing a transitory perilymphatic hypotonia, which in turn hydromechanically results in a relative endolymphatic hypertension mimicking an endolymphatic hydrops thus representing a human hydrops model.

Adult

Low-frequency hearing loss after spinal anesthesia. Perilymphatic hypotonia?

Audiological tests were conducted on 34 patients before and after undergoing an operation under spinal anesthesia. One of these patients developed a considerable unilateral hearing loss in the low-frequency range, which persisted until an epidural blood-patch was given. Unexpectedly, we also found a general small significant threshold shift at 500 Hz, which has never before been described in the literature. The biological mechanism is discussed and the results suggest that the explanation of the hearing loss could be an endolymphatic hydrops resulting from perilymphatic hypotonia due to loss of liquor, during and after the spinal anesthesia.

Adult

[Bone-anchored hearing aids. Preliminary results].

The bone conduction hearing aid is employed for patients who cannot tolerate treatment with air conduction hearing aids and for whom operation cannot offer permanent improvement of hearing. Conventional bone conduction hearing aids are, however, uncomfortable to wear, amplification is frequently less effective and sounds are often distorted. A new type of bone conduction hearing aid, the bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) is presented. In this, sound is transferred directly to the cranium via a percutaneous titanium implant. The results of treatment of the first six Danish patients are presented after a therapeutic period of 8-24 months. The subjective effect of treatment was satisfactory in all of the patients. They all employed their BAHA all day and found that the effect was better than the effect of air conduction hearing aids and conventional bone conduction hearing aids on practically all points. Speech discrimination investigations in quiet and noisy surroundings confirmed the subjective assessment although the differences between BAHA and the two other types of hearing aids were not as great as the patients subjective impressions. The bone-anchored hearing aid, BAHA, should, in our opinion, become the bone conduction hearing aid of the future for patients who have a permanent need for this. It represents considerable progress in treatment of a group of patients for whom treatment has hitherto been difficult and unsatisfactory.

Aged

Otospongiosis and sodium fluoride. A clinical double-blind, placebo-controlled study on sodium fluoride treatment in otospongiosis.

The effect of sodium fluoride treatment in patients with otospongiosis has been evaluated in a prospective clinical double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 95 patients. The results showed a statistically significant greater deterioration of hearing loss in the placebo group than in the group actively treated with 40 mg of sodium fluoride daily. These results support the view that sodium fluoride can change otospongiotic, active lesions to more dense, inactive otosclerotic lesions.

Adult

Age-related hearing difficulties. I. Hearing impairment, disability, and handicap--a controlled study.

The study compares the audiological profile of a group of first-time applicants for hearing aids, a group of re-applicants and a group of non-complainers, aged 70-75 years (n = 71). In spite of overlap in range, a significant difference in thresholds and discrimination was found. The lip-reading capacity was well preserved in the elderly, but showed a significant correlation to the general health condition. The audiological benefit of hearing-aids did not increase with early fitting. General satisfaction with life was independent of satisfaction with hearing; two thirds of the patients were satisfied with their aids and used them regularly. The rest were dissatisfied and used them less than once a week. The aids were most systematically used to watch TV. Pure-tone average and handicap scaling were compared as guidelines for hearing-aid fitting. The most powerful tool to identify those in need of hearing-aids was handicap scaling based on interviews concerning self-assessed hearing difficulties.

Aged

Age-related hearing difficulties. II. Psychological and sociological consequences of hearing problems--a controlled study.

71 individuals aged 70-75 years, whose audiological profile has been described in part I' of the study, were subjected to an extensive psychological questionnaire to evaluate the influence of hearing impairment on the psychological and sociological profile and general behaviour. The subjects consisted of three groups: first-time applicants for hearing-aids, re-applicants, and a control group not complaining of hearing problems. Neither hearing deterioration in general, as measured by hearing handicap and communication handicap, nor noise-induced hearing impairment was correlated to social class. The general activity level and the intellectual capacity were independent of hearing level, but a significant correlation was found between activity level and intellectual capacity. Also social class was correlated to activity level and intellectual level. Thus, a highly active life was correlated to preserved intellect and higher social class. Most of the elderly regarded themselves as being active, but this did not correlate with the objective activity score. Decreased activity was not correlated to hearing problems, but rather to physical limitations, decreased number of interests, tiredness. Self-perception was not influenced by the degree of hearing handicap and a stable mood and an optimistic attitude predominated. Only 14% experienced a depressed mood, and this state seemed to be linked to deteriorated hearing.

Aged

Strategies for treatment of the hearing impaired child.

The goal of medical, educational and social intervention in the hearing impaired child is outlined. The results and suitability of the present available strategies are evaluated and it is stressed that a coordinated individualized effort must be planned according to audiological personal and social resources.

Child

Hearing problems and the elderly.

Hearing problems have a profound influence on the lives of the elderly. The ability to communicate is frequently a deciding factor in determining a person's autonomy, independence, and overall well-being and happiness. In the works of Ralph Naunton, in the introduction to the report, "Society is ill-informed about the importance of speech communication and about the devastating effects of communication difficulties, and it is ill-informed about the cost effectiveness of providing communication aids to the elderly and about the cost to society and to the individual of not providing them." This report was written for health and social workers, politicians, planners, and others who care for the elderly. The purpose of the report is to provide insight into some of the most important questions concerning hearing problems of the elderly, to show what can be expected from the rehabilitative audiological services, and to make a case for more attention to the hearing problems of elderly persons. The report is organized around these 13 topics: Which criteria should be used in defining the population of elderly persons with hearing problems? How should hearing loss be described by different professions? Evaluation of present services; Do hearing thresholds differ among those having or applying for a hearing aid and those who do not have a hearing aid? Is early fitting of a hearing aid important for a positive result of hearing aid treatment? Can hearing loss provoke or promote senility? Are hearing and quality of life related factors in old age? Crises in the lives of the elderly provoked by hearing problems; Hearing problems and social class; Is audiovisual perception in the elderly a function of age? Qualitative aspects of hearing problems and influence of tinnitus on hearing; Services which should be available today for the elderly person with a hearing problem; How can we most effectively communicate the available knowledge to the elderly, to the relevant authorities, and to any other group which can be active in relieving hearing problems in the elderly? The report includes a reference list on each of the topics discussed as well as an extensive list of reading that should be useful for further study.

Aged

Hearing disability and communication handicap for compensation purposes based on self-assessment and audiometric testing.

It is reasoned that for compensation or epidemiological studies an evaluation of hearing disability and the concomitant handicap must include the ability to perceive visual cues. A scaling procedure for hearing- and audiovisual communication handicap is presented. The procedure deviates in two ways from previous handicap assessments: (1) It is based on individual self-assessment of semantic speech perception but can be implemented by means of professional audiological test procedures. (2) The system does not make use of pure-tone auditory thresholds as a predominant audiological principle, but is based on speech perception. The interrelationship between auditory and audiovisual handicap is evaluated. A total score including audio- and audiovisual perception handicap is proposed and a suggestion for disability percentages is presented.

Audiometry