Biomedical subjects

Joseph Attias

Publications and source records attributed to Joseph Attias.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Magnesium treatment for sudden hearing loss.

Magnesium treatment has been repeatedly shown to reduce the incidence of both temporary and permanent noise-induced hearing loss. We hypothesized that it might also improve the permanent threshold shift in patients with acute-onset hearing loss. In a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 28 patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss were treated with either steroids and oral magnesium (study group) or steroids and a placebo (control group). Compared to the controls, the magnesium-treated group had a significantly higher proportion of patients with improved hearing (>10 dB hearing level) across all frequencies tested, and a significantly greater mean improvement in all frequencies. Analysis of the individual data confirmed that more patients treated with magnesium experienced hearing improvement, and at a larger magnitude, than control subjects. Magnesium is a relatively safe and convenient adjunct to steroid treatment for enhancing the improvement in hearing, especially in the low-tone range, in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Preventing noise induced otoacoustic emission loss by increasing magnesium (Mg2+) intake in guinea-pigs.

This study aimed to explore the effects of increased Mg2+ intake on the activity of the outer hair cells as manifested in Click and Distortion Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (CEOAEs; DPOAEs) in 25 animals. Thirteen animals were fed with high Mg2+ intake (39 mmol Mg2+/l in drinking water) and 12 without the Mg2+ additive. The OAE amplitudes and frequency ranges as well as the DPOAE thresholds were affected significantly less by noise exposure in the animals fed Mg2+-enriched water. Following the exposure, the auditory recovery was faster in the high than the low Mg2+ animals (controls). In addition, a relationship was found between the Mg2+ level and the emission loss. The post-exposure measures may result from the effect of Mg2+ on cochlear metabolic processes and vascular microcirculation. The results demonstrate that pre-existing low Mg2+ levels will exacerbate noise induced hearing loss (NIHL), and increased Mg2+ intake provides a significant biological cochlear protective effect.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed2002

Support for the central theory of tinnitus generation: a military epidemiological study.

Tinnitus is poorly reflected by audiometric (cochlear) data, indicating that central nervous system (CNS) components are involved in its development. This study aimed to provide support for the neurophysiological theory of tinnitus as a result of combined peripheral and central nervous dysfunctions. Our main findings were the sudden. significant, stepwise increase in tinnitus after 10 years of service, as opposed to the almost linear increase in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) with age. Furthermore, the absence of a correlation between the incidence of tinnitus and the severity of tinnitus was linked to the NIHL. We suggest that, in tinnitus, the central screening apparatus which normally inhibits conscious awareness of irrelevant, spurious and non-informative internal and external noise shows a possibly fatigue- or age-related deterioration over time. Further support was provided by low blood levels of vitamin B1 and B12. which are essential to CNS function.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Detection and Clinical Diagnosis of Noise-Induced Hearing Loss by Otoacoustic Emissions.

The purpose of this study was to explore the application of the click-evoked and distortion products otoacoustic emissions (CEOAEs and DPOAEs, respectively) in the diagnosis and detection of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). The study group consisted of 283 noise-exposed subjects and 176 subjects with a history of noise exposure but with a normal audiogram. Findings were also compared with those in 310 young military recruits with no reported history of noise exposure and normal bilateral audiogram. In general, the features of noise-induced emissions loss (NIEL) closely resembled the behavioural NIHL parameters: both were bilateral and both affected primarily the high frequencies, with a "notch" at around 3 kHz in the DPOAEs. On average, CEOAEs were recorded up to 2 kHz, indicating that up to this frequency range (speech area), cochlear functioning is intact and the hearing threshold s better than 25 dBHL. A clear association between the OAEs and the severity of the NIHL was noted. As the severity of NIHL increased, the emissions range became narrower and the amplitude smaller. OAEs were found to be more sensitive to noise damage than behavioural audiometry. NIEL was found in subjects with normal audiograms but with a history of noise exposure. Owing to their objectivity and sensitivity, OAEs may sometimes provide indispensable information in medico-legal cases, in which the configuration of the audiometric threshold is needed to obtain an accurate diagnosis of NIHL and compensation is proportional to the severity of NIHL. Furthermore, OAE testing between ears with and without NIHL revealed a high sensitivity (79 - 95%) and specificity (84 - 87%). This study shows that OAEs provide objectivity and greater accuracy, complementing the behavioural audiogram in the diagnosis and monitoring of the cochlear status following noise exposure.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2000

Noise-induced vestibular dysfunction.

An association between noise exposure and vestibular function has long been suspected. Our wide experience in a major otologic outpatient clinic yielded six patients within the last seven years who presented with Meniere's disease and a history of long-term exposure to noise. Two of the cases are described in detail. Our evaluation in light of the data in the literature suggests that the relationship between vestibular dysfunction and exposure to hazardous noise may be more than coincidental.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Neuropathy in an artist exposed to organic solvents in paints: a case study.

A 61-year-old artist in Israel had been painting for 30 years in his home studio. He had been healthy until he reached the age of 59.5 years, at which time he began complaining of weakness and paresthesia in both hands and legs. He also complained that he had difficulty concentrating, and his memory was impaired. His work was unusual in that he painted large posters (i.e., 2 x 3 m) with different mixtures of organic solvents, including toluene, xylene, benzene, methyl ethyl ketone, toluene diisocyanate, acetone, and thinner. He did not use any protective gloves and did not wear a mask. He was evaluated with several methods and was diagnosed as having peripheral and central neuropathy, including ototoxic hearing loss as a result of long exposures to organic solvents. The authors were unable to find any similar case report in the literature.

Acetone↗