Biomedical subjects

Jaclyn B Spitzer

Publications and source records attributed to Jaclyn B Spitzer.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Localization by unilateral BAHA users.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with unilateral hearing loss report difficulty hearing conversation on their impaired side, localizing sound, and understanding of speech in background noise. The bone-anchored cochlear stimulator (BAHA) (Entific, Gothenburg, Sweden) has been shown to improve performance in persons with unilateral severe-profound sensorineural loss (USNHL). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of BAHA in sound localization for USNHL listeners. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study of 12 USNHL subjects, 9 of whom received implants on the poorer hearing side. A control group of 10 normal hearing subjects were assessed for comparison. Localization with and without BAHA was assessed using an array of 8 speakers at head level separated by 45 degrees. Error analysis matrix was generated to evaluate the confusions, accuracy in response, and laterality judgment. RESULTS: The average accuracy of speaker localization was 16% in the unaided condition, with no improvement with BAHA use. Laterality judgment was poorer than 43% in both aided and nonaided conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with UNSNHL had poor sound localization and laterality judgment abilities that did not improve with BAHA use.

Aged↗

PubMed2005

Newborn hearing screening in the NICU: profile of failed auditory brainstem response/passed otoacoustic emission.

OBJECTIVE: Incidence of a specific pattern of auditory responses, absent auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) and present otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), in newborn hearing screening in a regional perinatal center neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is described. This profile, labeled auditory neuropathy or auditory dyssynchrony (AN/AD), is a dysfunction in neural/brainstem transmission that occurs in individuals whose outer hairs cells are functioning normally. Although the AN/AD profile has been associated with various risk factors, incidence and prediction are unknown. METHOD: Analysis of electrophysiologic measures and medical record reviews of the first 22 months of the universal newborn hearing-screening program was conducted. Association of the AN/AD profile was evaluated with the following factors: gender, gestational age, ototoxic drug regimen, low birth weight, hyperbilirubinemia, hydrocephalus, low Apgar score, anoxia, respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, intraventricular hemorrhage, multiple birth, seizure activity, and family history. RESULTS: One hundred fifteen (24.1%) of the 477 infants failed the ABR in 1 or both ears and passed OAEs bilaterally. Comparisons of infants fitting the AN/AD profile with those not fitting the AN/AD profile were negative with 3 exceptions: those with hyperbilirubinemia and those who were administered vancomycin or furosemide. A logistic-regression analysis model failed to predict which infants would be at risk for the AN/AD profile either unilaterally or bilaterally. CONCLUSIONS: Screening of NICU infants should be conducted with ABR first, followed by OAE after failure on ABR. Because the incidence of the AN/AD profile was found to be 24% in this at-risk population, additional study is warranted.

Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem↗

PubMed2004

High-frequency pulsed electromagnetic energy in tinnitus treatment.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Electromagnetic therapy has been used with reported success in multiple clinical settings, including the treatment of seizure disorders, brain edema, migraine headaches, revascularization of burn wounds, and diabetic ulcers. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic therapy on chronic tinnitus. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of high-frequency pulsed electromagnetic energy using the Diapulse device in the treatment of chronic tinnitus. Thirty-seven adult patients with chronic tinnitus of at least 6 months' duration were recruited and randomly assigned to either a treatment or a placebo group. METHODS: Patients received 30-minute treatments with the Diapulse device three times a week for 1 month. The unit was set to deliver electromagnetic energy at a frequency of 27.12 MHz at a repetition rate of 600 pulses per second. All subjects had pretreatment and post-treatment audiological testing, including tinnitus frequency and intensity matching. They responded to a tinnitus rating questionnaire and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory before and after treatment. RESULTS: There was no significant change in the pretreatment and post-treatment audiometric thresholds in either group. There were no significant differences between the pretreatment and post-treatment Tinnitus Handicap Inventory scores or the tinnitus rating scores in either subject group (Student t test). No diagnosis-specific differences were identified. CONCLUSION: High-frequency pulsed electromagnetic energy (Diapulse) at the settings used in the study showed no role in the therapy of patients with chronic tinnitus.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Transcranial contralateral cochlear stimulation in unilateral deafness.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Bone Anchored Cochlear Stimulator (BAHA) in transcranial routing of signal by implanting the deaf ear. Study design and settings Eighteen patients with unilateral deafness were included in a multisite study. They had a 1-month pre-implantation trial with a contralateral routing of signal (CROS) hearing aid. Their performance with BAHA was compared with the CROS device using speech reception thresholds, speech recognition performance in noise, and the Abbreviated Profile Hearing Benefit and Single Sided Deafness questionnaires. RESULTS: Patients reported a significant improvement in speech intelligibility in noise and greater benefit from BAHA compared with CROS hearing aids. Patients were satisfied with the device and its impact on their quality of life. No major complications were reported. Conclusion and significance BAHA is effective in unilateral deafness. Auditory stimuli from the deaf side can be transmitted to the good ear, avoiding the limitations inherent in CROS amplification.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed2003

Diagnosis and treatment of sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss: a study of 51 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The study purpose was to determine the efficacy of steroid and antiviral therapy in the management of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: We conducted a retrospective study of patients presenting to an academic tertiary care center. Fifty-one patients were evaluated. All patients were placed on the same treatment protocol. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients (73%) had recovery of hearing. Ninety-one percent of patients with vertigo and all patients with mid-frequency hearing loss and up-sloping hearing loss recovered with treatment (P < 0.05). Recovery was significantly related to age, onset of hearing loss, and audiogram type; however outcome was not significantly related to gender, vertigo, tinnitus, or laterality (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our treatment protocol produced a recovery rate, which exceeds the spontaneous recovery rate. Unlike prior studies, all patients with up-sloping and mid-frequency SSNHL had recovery. In addition, vertigo did not indicate a poor prognosis. SIGNIFICANCE: Antiviral therapy and increased length of steroid treatment may play a role in the improved recovery rates.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Evolving applications in the use of bone-anchored hearing aids.

The bone-anchored hearing aid (BAHA) is an effective means of intervention, its use being well documented in persons with chronic conductive pathology and congenital aural anomalies. This article describes the standard guidelines (both auditory and extraauditory aspects) for patient selection and expands the criteria to include bilateral BAHA implantation, unilateral conductive hearing loss, and unilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss. The BAHA's development, design features, and patient outcomes are also reviewed. Suggestions are presented for fitting, counseling, and following BAHA users.

Acoustic Stimulation↗