PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

T Rahko

Publications and source records attributed to T Rahko.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Audiological and vestibular findings in 219 cases of meningitis.

The audiological and electronystagmographic follow-up results of 219 children with different forms of meningitis are presented. The findings for hearing loss are roughly comparable with those of earlier reports. There have been no previous systematic studies on children with meningitis. Our electronystagmographic results show continuous nystagmus, evenly distributed in different aetiological groups, in 26 patients (12%), directional preponderance in 11 patients (5%) and canal paresis in three patients (1.5%). Disconjugate eye movements indicating a possible brain-stem lesion were observed in seven patients (3%). Eye movements were registered individually for both eyes. None of our patients had clinically significant vertigo. The electronystagmographic findings did not appear with hearing loss, indicating that vestibular disorders may develop independently. Our results support the view that electronystagmography should be performed routinely on every child who has had meningitis.

Audiometry↗
PubMed1984

Optokinetic nystagmus.

Optokinetic nystagmus (OKN), one of the phenomena examined in order to analyse balance and sight disturbances, is manifest in two types: The cortical and the subcortical OKN. Their main distinction is in the velocities. They are also transmitted via different nervous pathways. This paper introduces a method to record the OKN of the two eyes individually. While joint OKN-recordings of both eyes together may mask disturbances of one eye, the separate recordings could reveal them. The discussion deals with applications of OKN-examination to ergophthalmology e.g. in cases of industrial solvent intoxications.

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed1983

A method to break the cognitive barrier between a deaf child and a hearing parent.

A deaf child actively uses about 1000 concepts in common with the hearing world. The rest of his up to 10,000 concepts belong to sign language and cannot be accurately translated into written language. This makes it difficult for the deaf to understand a normal written text, especially its abstractions. We have developed a new communication system in order to break the barrier between the hearing and the deaf. In this system a deaf child speaks with a writing hand-piece terminal through an FM route to a small unlimited text-to-speech synthesizer carried by the parent. The parent answers similarly to a 48-grapheme alphanumerical display carried by the child on a rack in front of him. The parent's unit with a speech synthesizer weighs about 2 kg and its size is about 7 X 20 X 25 cm; the size of the child's unit is one half of that and it weighs, with the display, 2 kg. Even a 4-year-old child carries the apparatus easily; nevertheless a still lighter unit is under construction. The system takes the learning process to everyday situations and makes it possible for a deaf child to converse in the normal written and spoken language. Thus, his concept capacity in the spoken language can be increased.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Audiological and vestibular findings in long-term hormonal treatment.

93 patients receiving long-term hormonal treatment at the Hormonal Outpatient Clinic of the Department of Gynecology were examined audiologically and electronystagmographically. The patients had different hormonal disturbances including Turner's syndrome. Electronystagmography showed normal values with the exception of lower slow-component speeds in Turner syndrome patients and a shift of all directional preponderances to the left. Audiologically 13% showed pathological values in the filtered speech test. This phenomenon may be partially connected to a central gnostic hearing lesion. More studies on sensitized speech tests are necessary in patients using steroid hormones.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

The cochlear component in operated otosclerosis after a mean period of 16 years. A follow-up study.

107 patients operated on for otosclerosis were studied after an average of 16 years after the operation. The mean age-corrected bone thresholds measured after the postoperative stabilization period and at the follow-up examination did not differ significantly. Our results support the opinion that, in cases of operated otosclerosis, the sensorineural component follows the clinical course of presbyacusis.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Speech audiometry by a speech synthesizer. I. A preliminary report.

A preliminary report on speech test results with a portable, text-to-speech synthesizer is presented. The differentiation scores achieved at speed 80 words/min vary. So far the best mean differentiation scores in normal material are 75%. The increase of the presentation level improves the differentiation score, as does the decrease of word speed and training. The future and present uses of this system are discussed. These include: devices for the handicapped, e.g. to produce speech for the mute, man-machine communication through speech in industry control, data processing systems and uses in audiological diagnostics. The study is continued.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Carbamazepine in the treatment of objective myoclonus tinnitus.

Three patients have had objective clicking tinnitus which was demonstrated by using impedance audiometry. Additionally EMG studies to localize the contracting muscle were performed, and EEG recordings to find the possible focal cortical activity. One patient had central nervous degenerative lesions. Carbamazepine was given as the treatment. The results are encouraging: in all cases the clicks have almost totally disappeared, making normal living possible. When medication was discontinued, the symptoms reappeared.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

The occurrence of secretory otitis media in allergic children.

One hundred and forty-four ears (72 patients), forming part of the computer controlled respiratory allergy group of the University of Turku, were analyzed with tympanometry and audiometry to diagnose secretory otitis media. Effusion was found in 3 ears (2 patients) and a pathological tympanogram in a total of 15 ears (10 patients). The incidence of secretory otitis media was 3% and of pathological tympanograms 14%. This study supports the opinion that immediate allergy is not an aetiological factor in secretory otitis media.

Acoustic Impedance Tests↗
PubMed1978

Results of hearing testing at 7-year follow-up of kanamycin-treated newborn infants.

A follow-up study 7--8 years after kanamycin treatment of 83 newborn infants in the Tampere University Central Hospital is described. The Apgar scores ranged from 1 to 10, about half of the patients being premature. Only in 1 case (1.2%) a slight bilateral high-tone loss was found. This patient's birth had been complicated by ablation of the placenta with subsequent cesarean section and he had neonatal sepsis as well. The cause of this hearing defect is thus not necessarily the use of kanamycin. Because of the extended use of reserve antibiotics, microorganisms resistant to modern antibiotics may necessitate in some vital cases the use of kanamycin. Our results indicate that, if serum concentrations are monitored adequately, the use of kanamycin does not necessarily result in a hearing defect.

Audiometry↗
PubMed1977

Equilibrial disturbances caused by hearing aids in hard of hearing children.

To 22 hard-of-hearing school pupils a 2 sec. tone pip of 1500 Hz was presented at 120 to 130 dB SPL's (equals 113-123 dB ISO) to both (=44) ears. In 32 of the ears (?) the sound stimulus elicited an ENG change and thus a possible disturbance of equilibrium, 2 cases of type A, 3-10 sec. nystagmus; I case of type B, with continuing nystagmus; 3 cases of type C, with strengthening nystagmus; and I case of type D, with direction-changing nystagmus, were found. We conclude that, in perceptive hearing defects, the maximum output of hearing aids should be limited to 120 dB, not only because of the effect on hearing thresholds. but also on the equilibrial sense. Again we recommend that hearing aids should not be used in those surroundings where loss of equilibrium is dangerous.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

The eustachian tube function in secretory otitis media in children: a follow-up study.

Twenty-three patients suffering from secretory otitis media were examined. The mean age of the group was 6 years. Adenoidectomy and insertion of polyethylene tympanostomy tubes was made. The tubal function was studied by measuring the middle ear pressure on the morning after operation and once a month during the following five months by using the air pressure equilibration technique. In 23 ears (79%) the pressure was considered to be normal and in 10 ears (30%) abnormal at the first measurement. After 5 months the corresponding groups were 26 (79%) and 7 (21%).

Adenoidectomy↗
PubMed1977

The effect of loud noise on the vestibular system.

The effect of a 2 sec 113--123 dB ISO pure tone stimulus on ENG was studied. The material consisted of patients with operated and unoperated otosclerosis, normal ears, patients with sensorineural defects, and cases of chronic otitis media. ENG changes were found in 45% of patients with sensorineural hearing loss, in 35% of operated otosclerotics, in 15% of unoperated otosclerotics, in 15% of patients with chronic media, but in none of the normal-hearing patients. Most of the patients showing ENG changes felt dizzy. These results seem to imply a possible risk to patients with sensorineural hearing loss working in high noise levels.

Adult↗