Performance and reliability evaluation of an improved machine learning-based pure-tone audiometry with automated masking.

Objective: Automated air-conduction pure-tone audiograms through Bayesian estimation and machine learning (ML) classification have recently been proposed in the literature. Although such ML-based audiometry approaches represent a significant addition to the field, they remain unsuited for daily clinical settings, in particular for listeners with asymmetric or conductive hearing loss, severe hearing loss, or cochlear dead zones. The goal here is to expand on previously proposed ML approaches and assess the performance of this improved ML audiometry for a large sample of listeners with a wide range of hearing status.

A new syndromic case of hearing loss and ectodermal anomalies associated with a recurrent missense variation in GJB6 gene.

Unlabelled: GJB2 and GJB6 variants, encoding Cx26 and Cx30 respectively, are the most frequently involved genes commonly contributing to hereditary hearing loss either isolated or in combination with skin abnormalities. GJB6 variations are classically associated with two distinct conditions: non-syndromic hearing loss and hidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, type Clouston, the latter typically not involving deafness.

Method: Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was used to find genetic variants after clinical features of a 13-year-old female patient were recorded.

Automating Speech Audiometry in Quiet and in Noise Using a Deep Neural Network.

In addition to pure-tone audiometry tests and electrophysiological tests, a comprehensive hearing evaluation includes assessing a subject's ability to understand speech in quiet and in noise. In fact, speech audiometry tests are commonly used in clinical practice; however, they are time-consuming as they require manual scoring by a hearing professional. To address this issue, we developed an automated speech recognition (ASR) system for scoring subject responses at the phonetic level.

Cost-utility of cochlear implantation in single-sided deafness and asymmetric hearing loss: results of a randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To determine the Incremental Cost-Utility Ratio (ICUR) of cochlear implantation in the treatment of adult patients with single-sided deafness (SSD) and asymmetric hearing loss (AHL).

Methods: This prospective multicenter pragmatic study including a randomized controlled trial (RCT) enrolled 155 subjects with SSD or AHL. Subjects chose a treatment option between: abstention, Contralateral Routing Of the Signal hearing aids, Bone Conduction Device or Cochlear Implant (CI).

Performance and Reliability Evaluation of an Automated Bone-Conduction Audiometry Using Machine Learning.

To date, pure-tone audiometry remains the gold standard for clinical auditory testing. However, pure-tone audiometry is time-consuming and only provides a discrete estimate of hearing acuity. Here, we aim to address these two main drawbacks by developing a machine learning (ML)-based approach for fully automated bone-conduction (BC) audiometry tests with forehead vibrator placement.

Local versus general anesthesia for stapes surgery: a prospective study of comfort and results on 100 ears.

Aims: To demonstrate the non-inferiority of perioperative comfort in patients undergoing otosclerosis surgery under local anesthesia versus general anesthesia and to compare audiometric results, quality of life and complications.

Materials And Methods: A prospective non-interventional study was performed. Patients undergoing otosclerosis surgery between January 2019 and March 2021 at the University Hospital of Rennes were included consecutively.

Tonotopic and Default Frequency Fitting for Music Perception in Cochlear Implant Recipients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Cochlear implants are an effective technique for enhancing speech perception abilities in quiet environments for people with severe to profound deafness. Nevertheless, complex sound signals perception, such as music perception, remains challenging for cochlear implant users.

Objective: To assess the benefit of a tonotopic map on music perception in new cochlear implant users.

Worldwide Variation in Cochlear Implant Candidacy.

Background: The aim of this study was to find out how candidacy criteria have evolved differently across the globe.

Methods: Candidacy criteria and outcome measurements applied in 19 HEARRING clinics were analyzed.

Results: Candidacy criteria vary between clinics.

One Year Assessment of the Hearing Preservation Potential of the EVO Electrode Array.

Background: A prospective longitudinal multicentre study was conducted to assess the one-year postsurgical hearing preservation profile of the EVO electrode array.

Methods: Fifteen adults presenting indications of electro-acoustic stimulation (pure-tone audiometry (PTA) thresholds ≤70 dB below 750 Hz) were implanted with the EVO™ electrode array. Hearing thresholds were collected at five time-points from CI activation to twelve months (12M) after activation.

Prevention of cerebrospinal fluid leak after vestibular schwannoma surgery: a case-series focus on mastoid air cells' partition.

Background: Petrous bone pneumatization may be related to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak secondary to vestibular schwannoma surgery.

Objective: To assess the association between petrous bone pneumatization and CSF leak in vestibular schwannoma surgery.

Methods: A retrospective study included 222 consecutive vestibular schwannoma patients treated via a retrosigmoid or translabyrinthine approach in a 17-year period in one University Hospital.

Cochlear Implantation and Other Treatments in Single-Sided Deafness and Asymmetric Hearing Loss: Results of a National Multicenter Study Including a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Introduction: Cochlear implantation is a recent approach proposed to treat single-sided deafness (SSD) and asymmetric hearing loss (AHL). Several cohort studies showed its effectiveness on tinnitus and variable results on binaural hearing. The main objective of this study is to assess the outcomes of cochlear implantation and other treatment options in SSD/AHL on quality of life.

Two-phase survey on the frequency of use and safety of MRI for hearing implant recipients.

Purpose: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often used to visualize and diagnose soft tissues. Hearing implant (HI) recipients are likely to require at least one MRI scan during their lifetime. However, the MRI scanner can interact with the implant magnet, resulting in complications for the HI recipient.

Impact of ear protection on occurrence of exostosis in surfers: an observational prospective study of 242 ears.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of ear protection (earplug and surf hood) in preventing the development of external auditory exostosis (EAE) in surfers.

Methods: We performed a prospective observational study. Volunteer surfers were recruited from June 2016 to October 2017 on the Brittany coast in France.

Treatment choice in single-sided deafness and asymmetric hearing loss. A prospective, multicentre cohort study on 155 patients.

Objectives: To describe the treatment choice in a cohort of subjects with single-sided deafness (SSD) and asymmetric hearing loss (AHL). To assess the reliability of the treatment trials.

Design: In this national, multicentre, prospective study, the choice of subjects was made after two consecutive trials of Contralateral Routing Of the Signal (CROS) hearing aids and a Bone Conduction Device (BCD) on a headband.

Functional sparing surgery policy for giant vestibular schwannomas.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the tumour control and facial nerve outcome according to the therapeutic strategy, that is extent of resection and post-operative radiotherapy.

Design: Retrospective study of patients with a giant vestibular schwannoma surgically treated from 4 academic skull base centres.

Setting: Extent of resection, neurological complications, facial nerve function, MRI follow-up and occurrence of complementary treatment were reviewed.

Intratemporal facial nerve schwannomas: multicenter experience of 80 cases.

Purpose: To provide more data on the clinical presentation and natural evolution of facial nerve schwannomas and to provide guidance for therapeutic decision making.

Methods: A retrospective case review of eighty patients diagnosed with a facial nerve schwannoma between 1990 and 2018 in ten tertiary referral centers in Europe was performed. Patients' demographics, symptomatology, audiometry, anatomical site (segments involved), size and whenever possible volume measurement were registered.

Prospective Multicentric Follow-up Study of Cochlear Implantation in Adults With Single-Sided Deafness: Tinnitus and Audiological Outcomes.

Objective: This study investigated the audiological and tinnitus outcomes of cochlear implantation (CI) in adults with single-sided deafness (SSD) and tinnitus.

Study Design: Multicentered prospective, non-randomized intervention study.

Setting: Six French CI centers.

The reliability of hearing implants: report on the type and incidence of cochlear implant failures.

This study presents the data collected through a database on the type and incidence of cochlear implant device failures and major complications and quantifies the risk of failures across time based on the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) CI86:2017 standard. Information on reliability of MED-EL cochlear implants was collected from the MED-EL complaint database between 2003 and2013. Explants were categorized and device reliability was calculated according to the AAMI CI86:2017 standard principles.

[Cochlear implant in children].

Cochlear implant in children. In a newborn, sensitive auditory stimulations allow the progressive central auditory development. In a congenital severe or profound deaf child, a cochlear implantation can be considered if auditory thresholds are too low to provide an efficient auditory stimulation with hearing aids.

Association of the Duration of Antibiotic Therapy With Major Surgical Site Infection in Cochlear Implantation.

Importance: Infection after cochlear implantation is a rare but serious event that can lead to meningitis. There is no consensus on prevention of infection in these patients, and each center applies its own strategy.

Objective: To describe the rates of major surgical site infection for patients undergoing cochlear implantation who receive prolonged antibiotic treatment compared with those who receive a single perioperative dose of antibiotic prophylaxis.

Long-Term Cognitive Prognosis of Profoundly Deaf Older Adults After Hearing Rehabilitation Using Cochlear Implants.

Objectives: To analyze long-term cognitive status and function after cochlear implantation in profoundly deaf individuals.

Design: Prospective observational longitudinal study.

Setting: Ten academic medical centers referent for cochlear implantation.

Quality of life in the management of small vestibular schwannomas: Observation, radiotherapy and microsurgery.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare quality of life (QOL) in small unilateral vestibular schwannoma (VS) patients managed by microsurgery, radiotherapy or observation.

Study Design: A retrospective chart review.

Methods: The study included a total of 142 patients with VS stage 1 or 2 according to the Koos classification and treated between January 2004 and December 2015.

Hearing preservation cochlear implantation in children: The HEARRING Group consensus and practice guide.

Objectives: To provide multidisciplinary cochlear implant teams with a current consensus statement to support hearing preservation cochlear implantation (HPCI) in children, including those children with symptomatic partial deafness (PD) where the intention is to use electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS). The main objectives are to provide guidelines on who is a candidate, how to assess these children and when to implant if Med-El Flex electrode arrays are chosen for implantation.

Methods: The HEARRING group reviewed the current evidence and practice regarding the management of children to be considered for HPCI surgery emphasizing the assessment needed prior to implantation in order to demonstrate the benefits in these children over time.