PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

René Dauman

Publications and source records attributed to René Dauman.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Behavioral audiometry: validity of audiometric measurements obtained using the "Delaroche protocol" in babies aged 4--18 months suffering from bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the validity of the audiometric measurements obtained in babies aged from 4 to 18 months suffering from bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) using an original behavioral audiometry (BA) protocol called the "Delaroche protocol" [IJPORL 68 (2004) 1233-1243]. METHODS: (1) We compared the auditory brainstem (ABR) threshold in the better ear with the mean of the BA thresholds obtained, bilaterally, at 2000 and 4000 Hz, both measurements being performed in the diagnostic phase. (2) We compared the BA thresholds obtained prior to the age of 18 months, bilaterally, at the frequencies of 500,1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz, with the thresholds of the better ear obtained at the same frequencies at the age of 3--4 years by BA. RESULTS: (1) Cross- sectional study (78 children). When there was no ABR at 100 db, there was no BA response at 100 dB in 84.2% of cases, resulting in a kappa coefficient of 0.72. When there were ABR, the difference between the ABR and the BA thresholds was equal to or less than 10 dB in 67% of cases and equal to or less than 20 dB in 95% of cases. (2) Longitudinal study (50 children). The difference between the behavioral thresholds obtained within 4 and 18 months (median age=12 months) and those obtained at 3 or 4 years old in the same children (median age=39 months) was equal to or less than 10 dB in 94% of cases at the frequencies of 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz and in 78% of cases at 500 Hz. CONCLUSION: The two analysis evidence the validity of the behavioral measurements obtained at an early age using the protocol described.

Acoustic Impedance Tests↗

Assessment and amelioration of hyperacusis in tinnitus patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Tinnitus can be bothersome even without hyperacusis. The good correlation found in this study between the multiple-activity scale for hyperacusis (MASH) score and the overall annoyance of hyperacusis score supports the reliability of self-rating of hyperacusis. Objectives. A prospective study was undertaken to investigate the relationships between hyperacusis and tinnitus and to determine whether hyperacusis can be rapidly controlled over time. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All tinnitus patients seen over a period of 16 months with surnames beginning with the letters A L (n = 249) were assessed during a structured interview using (i) a scale ranging from 0 to 10 for assessing the annoyance of tinnitus and the overall annoyance of hyperacusis and (ii) the newly introduced MASH. RESULTS: The annoyance of tinnitus was greater in females. The prevalence of hyperacusis was high (79%). The annoyance of hyperacusis varied. Patients were categorized into five groups according to the hyperacusis annoyance score, as follows: no hyperacusis; mild hyperacusis (< or = 3); moderate hyperacusis (3.1-5.0); substantial hyperacusis (5.1-7.0); and severe hyperacusis (> or = 7.1). Individuals with severe hyperacusis were younger than those in the other groups. The correlation between the annoyance of tinnitus and the annoyance of hyperacusis was poor (r = 0.35). No audiometric difference was found between categories, whereas self-rated hearing deficiency increased with the annoyance of hyperacusis. A good correlation (r = 0.89) was found between the overall annoyance of hyperacusis and the MASH score. Changes over time, assessed in 32 patients investigated at least 3 times, showed more frequent improvement in hyperacusis (63%) than tinnitus (47%).

Adult↗

Behavioral audiometry: protocols for measuring hearing thresholds in babies aged 4-18 months.

OBJECTIVE: This paper provides the first report in English of original behavioral audiometry protocols for measuring hearing thresholds in very young children, including the multiply handicapped. METHODS: Based on reactions to one or two well-calibrated acoustic stimulations delivered in the sound field, the protocol first involves the use of a vibrator to measure hearing levels by bone conduction. This measurement technique, which is not affected by middle ear infections, is the key diagnostic step. Moreover, in profoundly hearing loss children, it triggers reactions through vibratory stimulation and sets the scene for the conditioning of responses. Next, hearing levels are assessed by air conduction with the aid of headphones, in order to measure hearing levels in each ear as early as possible. A unique set-up is used to facilitate the emergence of reliable "surprise reactions", which may be interpreted by a sole examiner. Classical visual reinforcement is replaced by a highly interactive, dynamic and playful exchange between child and examiner, which gives meaning to the perception of stimuli and heralds the learning of hearing. RESULTS: The results concern 105 babies suffering from bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and aged 4-18 months at the first behavioral test. Group 1 comprised 91 babies with no other handicap, in whom full bilateral air conduction was obtained in 82.4% before 12 months and in 98.9% before 18 months. In this group, air conduction in each ear was obtained in 47.0% before 12 months and in 70.3% before 18 months. In Group 2, which included 14 multiply handicapped babies, full bilateral air conduction was obtained in 37.5% before 12 months and in 78.6% before 18 months. Air conduction in both ears was obtained in 28.6% before 18 months. CONCLUSION: The protocols described make it possible, in a minimum number of sessions, to measure hearing thresholds early over the whole range of hearing frequencies, even in multiply handicapped babies and those suffering from developmental retardation.

Acoustic Impedance Tests↗

Further validation of the Iowa tinnitus handicap questionnaire.

The ease of use of the French version of the Tinnitus Handicap Questionnaire was assessed in a group of 100 unselected individuals with tinnitus, 57 of whom agreed to take part in the survey. In addition to the instructions commonly used with this inventory, participants were invited to make any comments they wished about each item and to give their opinion of the content and presentation of the questionnaire. Nineteen subjects (33.3%) experienced difficulties with assigning a score to at least one item and one particular item was largely responsible for this problem. Increased systematic use of quantitative and qualitative data with this type of questionnaire is advocated.

Adolescent↗

Pharmacological strategies for preventing cochlear damage induced by noise trauma.

Hearing loss induced by noise, as well as in combination with other environmental factors, is a significant health problem throughout the world. Although most structures in the inner ear can be harmed by excessive sound exposure, the sensory cells are the most vulnerable. Damage to the stereocilia bundle is often the first structural alteration noted. Once a large number of hair cells are lost, the nerve fibres to that region also degenerate resulting in an irreversible hearing loss. At present, the underlying mechanism for cochlear damage induced by noise is not fully understood. The failure of the adult peripheral auditory system to regenerate after injury is a major clinical problem. However, a number of experimental applications have recently become available and are effective in reducing the damaging effects of noise. Current experimental designs include strategies for protecting against injury and are primarily based on the fact that the metabolic state of the cochlea can determine the overall degree of hearing loss induced by noise. The purpose of the present article is to review the current literature dealing with strategies for protecting against noise trauma.

Journal Article↗