Effects of Age on the Neural Tracking of Speech in Noise.

Background: Older adults often struggle to comprehend speech in noisy environments, a challenge influenced by declines in both auditory processing and cognitive functions. This study aimed to investigate how differences in speech-in-noise perception among individual with clinically normal hearing thresholds (ranging from normal to mild hearing loss in older adults) are related to neural speech tracking and cognitive function, particularly working memory.

Method: Specifically, we examined delta (1-4 Hz) and theta (4-8 Hz) EEG oscillations during speech recognition tasks to determine their association with cognitive performance in older adults.

PAM-flexible adenine base editing rescues hearing loss in a humanized MPZL2 mouse model harboring an East Asian founder mutation.

Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent sensory disorders, but no commercial biological treatments are currently available. Here, we identify an East Asia-specific founder mutation, the homozygous c.220 C > T mutation in MPZL2, that contributes to a significant proportion of hereditary deafness cases in our cohort study.

Clinical decision support for vestibular diagnosis: large-scale machine learning with lived experience coaching.

Diagnosing vestibular disorders remains challenging due to complex symptoms and extensive history-taking required. While machine learning approaches have shown promise in medical diagnostics, their application to vestibular disorder classification has been limited. We developed a CatBoost machine learning model to classify six common vestibular disorders using a retrospective dataset of patients.

Surgical treatment of first branchial cleft anomalies using retrograde facial nerve dissection technique.

Purpose: First branchial cleft anomalies (FBCAs) are infrequent congenital malformations. In FBCAs removal surgery, due to the previous infection history and the anatomical proximity of the FBCAs tract to the facial nerve, postoperative recurrence and facial paralysis are not uncommon. This study aimed to assess the clinical feasibility and outcomes of FBCAs resection using the retrograde facial nerve dissection technique.

Comprehensive genetic profiling of sensorineural hearing loss using an integrative diagnostic approach.

Despite the advent of next-generation sequencing, diagnosing genetic disorders remains challenging. We perform comprehensive genomic profiling of 394 families (752 individuals) with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) using a systematic multi-tiered approach, from single-gene analysis to whole-genome sequencing (WGS), complemented by functional assays and bioinformatic analysis. Our strategy achieves a cumulative diagnostic yield of 55.

A Position Statement on the Treatment of Hearing Impairment, Focused on Hearing Aids, From the Korean Otological Society Hearing Aid Study Group.

Hearing impairment not only diminishes sound perception but also leads to various secondary disabilities; therefore, proper management is crucial for individual well-being and socioeconomic savings. This study establishes an expert consensus on the treatment of hearing impairment, primarily concentrating on hearing aids (HAs), to assist physicians. A modified nominal group technique was used to collect expert opinions about the management of hearing impairment with HAs.

Gene signatures and genotype-phenotype correlations of sensorineural hearing loss in Noonan syndrome and related RASopathies.

Hearing loss frequently occurs in Noonan syndrome and related RASopathies (NS-RAS), with conductive hearing loss being common. However, the genotypic and phenotypic features of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in NS-RAS, as well as genotype-phenotype correlations, remain unknown. Leveraging in-house database for syndromic deafness (N = 1666), we analyzed the genomic landscape and clinical phenotypes of 94 NS-RAS families with genetically confirmed via targeted panel sequencing.

Genotypes and clinical phenotypes of pediatric patients with NOG variants: Middle ear surgical outcomes from a Tertiary Center in South Korea.

Objective: Although NOG variants are linked to congenital stapes fixation and conductive hearing loss (CHL), little is known about middle ear surgery outcomes and the characteristics of accompanying inner ear anomalies. We explored auditory phenotypes in patients with NOG variants, with a focus on the outcomes of middle ear surgery.

Methods: This study included 11 patients from five unrelated Korean families harboring NOG variants.

Otologic Manifestations in Patients with Achondroplasia: A Multicenter Study.

Background: Achondroplasia, the most prevalent form of skeletal dysplasia involving short stature, necessitates a multidisciplinary approach that includes otology and auditory rehabilitation. Despite this, the clinical characteristics of hearing loss and otologic manifestations in achondroplasia patients remain poorly defined. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and treatment outcomes of otologic disease in individuals with achondroplasia.

Long-Term Surgical Outcome of Canal-Tympanoplasty in Patients With Schuknecht Type B Congenital Aural Stenosis.

Objectives: Congenital aural atresia (CAA) is a complex condition that manifests in various forms, including Schuknecht type B stenosis, which is characterized by a congenitally narrow bony external auditory canal (EAC). This study aims to evaluate the long-term surgical outcomes of canal-tympanoplasty in patients with Schuknecht type B CAA.

Methods: The study included 21 ears diagnosed with Schuknecht type B CAA, all of which underwent canal-tympanoplasty.

Hearing loss phenotypes in Alport syndrome: experience in a tertiary referral center.

Background: Despite previous reports of auditory phenotypes in Alport syndrome (AS), there have been no studies specifically addressing audiological phenotypes in South Korea. Herein, we elaborated on the audiological characteristics associated with AS based on their genotypes.

Methods: We reviewed data from in-house AS patients between March 2014 and February 2023, excluding those without audiological documentation or genetic diagnoses.

Quality of life, physical symptoms, and psychological symptoms according to the status of chronic vestibulopathy.

Objectives: Symptomatic vestibulopathy impairs patients' lives. However, few studies have explored the lives of patients with compensated or asymptomatic vestibulopathy. This study investigated the quality of life (QOL), psychological health, and physical function of patients with vestibulopathy.

Consensus Statement: Postoperative Management After Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube.

Objectives: Balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube (BDET) is widely recognized as a minimally invasive treatment for obstructive Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD). We employed a Delphi consensus methodology to develop recommendations for the clinical management of BDET in cases of obstructive ETD.

Methods: A Delphi panel consisting of 26 expert physicians specializing in otology participated in two rounds of anonymous, iterative questionnaires.

Efficacy of biologics for eosinophilic otitis media.

Background: Eosinophilic otitis media (EOM) is an intractable condition primarily treated with steroids. Recently, biologics targeting IgE or IL-5 have been introduced.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of biologics for EOM.

Functional Outcomes of Single-Stage Facial Reanimation Surgery With Radical Parotidectomy.

Objectives: Facial nerve sacrifice during radical parotidectomy can impair quality of life. This study assessed the effectiveness of single-stage facial reanimation surgery performed concurrently with radical parotidectomy in restoring facial function.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who underwent single-stage facial reanimation combined with radical parotidectomy.

Nationwide Prevalence of Video Head Impulse Test Abnormality and its Risk Factors in South Korea.

Objective: To identify the prevalence of and relevant information for video head impulse test (vHIT) abnormality in a large population.

Study Design: A cross-sectional design.

Setting: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2021.

Higher exposure to 1,3-butadiene is associated with more severe hearing loss.

While volatile organic compounds (VOCs) impair various organs, their influence on hearing loss (HL) has not been extensively researched. We aimed to identify the association between VOCs and HL or high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL). We extracted data on age, sex, pure tone audiometry, hypertension, occupational noise exposure, and creatinine-corrected urine VOC metabolite concentrations from the eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey.

Insufficient nutrient intake in individuals with disabling hearing loss and the restoration of nutritional sufficiency in hearing aid users.

Hearing loss affects some nutrient intake. Disabling hearing loss may exacerbate these issues. We aimed to evaluate nutrient intake and assess deficiencies based on functional hearing status.

Biosafety and potency of high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid with intratympanic dexamethasone delivery for acute hearing loss.

This study evaluated the potential of high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid (HHA) as an intratympanic (IT) drug delivery vehicle for dexamethasone (D) in treating acute hearing loss. We compared the efficacy, safety, and residence time of HHA to the standard-of-care IT drug delivery method. Endoscopic examinations were used to track tympanic membrane (TM) healing post-IT injection.

Endolymphatic hydrops asymmetry distinguishes patients with Meniere's disease from normal controls with high sensitivity and specificity.

Background: Many endolymphatic hydrops (EH) MRI studies in the literature do not include a normal control group. Consequently, it remains unclear which outcome measure in EH MRI can most effectively distinguish between MD patients and normal controls.

Methods: Gadolinium-enhanced EH imaging was performed to quantitatively evaluate the extents of hydrops in MD patients and age-/sex-matched normal controls.

Neural correlation of speech envelope tracking for background noise in normal hearing.

Everyday speech communication often occurs in environments with background noise, and the impact of noise on speech recognition can vary depending on factors such as noise type, noise intensity, and the listener's hearing ability. However, the extent to which neural mechanisms in speech understanding are influenced by different types and levels of noise remains unknown. This study aims to investigate whether individuals exhibit distinct neural responses and attention strategies depending on noise conditions.