Approach to otitis externa.

Objective: To provide family physicians with a practical evidence-based approach to management of otitis externa.

Sources Of Information: The approach described is based on MEDLINE and PubMed literature published between 1993 and 2023.

Main Message: Otitis externa is diffuse inflammation of the external auditory canal and typically occurs from moisture exposure and trauma.

Implantable Hearing Devices in Ontario: A Population-Based Study of Access to Care and Access to Devices.

Introduction: The prevalence of hearing loss in Canada is high, with many patients requiring implantable hearing devices (IHDs) as treatment for their disease severity. Despite this need, many eligible patients do not pursue these interventions. The objective of this study was to examine rates of IHD based on geographic location to understand locoregional variation in access to care.

Approach to sialadenitis.

Objective: To provide family physicians with a practical evidence-based approach to the management of patients with sialadenitis.

Sources Of Information: MEDLINE and PubMed databases were searched for English-language research on sialadenitis and other salivary gland disorders, as well as for relevant review articles and guidelines published between 1981 and 2021.

Main Message: refers to inflammation or infection of the salivary glands and is a condition that can be caused by a broad range of processes including infectious, obstructive, and autoimmune.

Hearing Loss and Dementia: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Introduction: Hearing loss (HL) is considered a potentially modifiable risk factor for dementia. We aimed to examine the relationship between HL and incident dementia diagnosis in a province-wide population-based cohort study with matched controls.

Methods: Administrative healthcare databases were linked to generate a cohort of patients who were aged ≥40 years at their first claimed hearing amplification devices (HAD) between April 2007 and March 2016 through the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) (257,285 with claims and 1,005,010 controls).

Hearing aid utilization in Ontario - a population based study.

Background: Hearing loss is one of the most common sensory impairments and hearing aids are the most common unmet assistive device need among individuals with a disability. The benefits of hearing interventions are well-documented as they are known to deter the sequalae of hearing loss including social isolation, poor mental health, falls and cognitive decline. Identifying trends in hearing aid users can provide valuable information for improving access to hearing loss interventions.

How to identify balance disorders and reduce fall risk.

A multifactorial risk assessment, correction of hearing impairment, exercise, and an optimized home environment can help prevent imbalance-related falls.

The predictive power of geographic health care utilization for unintentional fatal fall rates.

Background: Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among adults over 65 years old. The increase in fall mortality rates is likely multifactorial. With a lack of key drivers identified to explain rising rates of death from falls, accurate predictive modelling can be challenging, hindering evidence-based health resource and policy efforts.

Opioid Prescriptions Following Otologic Surgery: A Population-Based Study.

Objective: To examine postoperative opioid-prescribing patterns following otologic surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective population-based descriptive study.

Setting: All hospitals in the Canadian province of Ontario.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation For The Treatment of Chronic Tinnitus: A Preliminary Study of The Influence of Traumatic Brain Injury on Treatment Response.

This study aims to test whether the efficacy of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) differs between patients who developed tinnitus following a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and those without a history of TBI. This was a parallel pilot, open-label, non-randomized, clinical trial to compare the efficacy of low frequency rTMS on tinnitus symptoms in patients with and without a TBI history. Patients with moderate to severe tinnitus symptoms based on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the Tinnitus Functional Index (TFI) were enrolled in the study.

Preoperative anesthesiology consult utilization in Ontario - a population-based study.

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: Physician consultations are a limited resource. Anesthesiologists provide anaesthesia during surgery and procedures, prepare patients for surgery in preoperative clinics, and provide postoperative care. This study sought to evaluate current consultation usage patterns, with an aim to determine possible opportunities for efficiency.

Predictors of Postoperative Complications in Vestibular Schwannoma Surgery-A Population-Based Study.

Objective: To investigate preoperative patient demographics and comorbidities in relation with postsurgical complications following vestibular schwannoma surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective population-based cohort study.

Setting: All hospitals in the Canadian province of Ontario.

Approach to hearing loss.

Objective: To provide family physicians with a practical evidence-based approach to the management of patients with hearing loss.

Sources Of Information: MEDLINE and PubMed databases were searched for English-language hearing loss research, review articles, and guidelines published between 1980 and 2020. Most of the retrieved articles provided level II or III evidence.

Evaluating the effectiveness of learning ear anatomy using holographic models.

Background: Computer-assisted learning has been shown to be an effective means of teaching anatomy, with 3-D visualization technology more successfully improving participants' factual and spatial knowledge in comparison to traditional methods. To date, however, the effectiveness of teaching ear anatomy using 3-D holographic technology has not been studied. The present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of learning ear anatomy using a holographic (HG) anatomic model in comparison to didactic lecture (DL) and a computer module (CM).

Long-Term Incidence and Predictors of Significant Hearing Loss Requiring Hearing Assistive Devices Among Childhood Cancer Survivors: A Population-Based Study.

Purpose: Hearing loss is a significant late effect among childhood cancer survivors. Recent guidelines note insufficient evidence to quantify its natural history or risk associated with specific exposures. We examined the long-term incidence and predictors of hearing loss requiring hearing amplification devices (HADs) using population-based health care data.

Pharyngitis: Approach to diagnosis and treatment.

Objective: To provide family physicians with an updated approach to diagnosis and treatment of pharyngitis, detailing key symptoms, methods of investigation, and a summary of common causes.

Sources Of Information: The approach described is based on the authors' clinical practice and peer-reviewed literature from 1989 to 2018.

Main Message: Sore throat caused by pharyngitis is commonly seen in family medicine clinics and is caused by inflammation of the pharynx and surrounding tissues.

Association of tympanostomy tubes with future assistive hearing devices-a population based study.

Background: Ear (tympanostomy) tube (TT) placement is a common ambulatory surgery in children. Despite the commonality of this treatment, the long-term effects are unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the rate of permanent hearing loss, as measured by use of a rehabilitative hearing device.

Cerumen Management: An Updated Clinical Review and Evidence-Based Approach for Primary Care Physicians.

To provide family physicians with a practical, evidence-based approach to managing patients with cerumen impaction. Methods: MEDLINE, The Cochrane Library, and the Turning Research Into Practice (TRIP) database were searched for English-language cerumen impaction guidelines and reviews. All such articles published between 1992 and 2018 were reviewed, with most providing level II and III evidence.

Association of Tympanostomy Tubes With Future Risk of Advanced Ear Surgery-A Population Study.

Objective: To investigate future surgery for chronic ear disease in children who underwent tympanostomy tube (TT) placement, compared with non-surgically treated patients and healthy controls.

Study Design: Retrospective population-based cohort study.

Setting: All hospitals in the Canadian province of Ontario.