UNASSIGNED: Globally, the use of multiple psychoactive substances (MPS), either together or at different times, is on the rise. It is associated with a significant public health burden, including an increased risk for hearing impairment. This study aimed to determine the hearing thresholds among individuals with dependence on multiple psychoactive substances.
UNASSIGNED: It was a comparative cross-sectional study of 41 subjects with dependence on multiple substances and an equal number of age and sex-matched comparison groups. The test group further had three subgroups, based on their predominant substances of dependence; Group I: Cigarettes, Cannabis, and Codeine; Group II: Group I substances and intravenous Pentazocine. Group III: Group II substances and intravenous Ketamine. Specific Substance Involvement scores for each of the psychoactive substances and their associated level of risk were determined, based on the ASSIST V3 questionnaire. All participants had tympanometry and pure tone audiometry. A Pure Tone Average (PTAv) was calculated. Data were analysed using SPSS 25 and statistical significance was set at a p-value 0.05.
UNASSIGNED: There were 36 (87.8%) males and 5 (12.2%) females. The mean age of the test and comparison groups was 27.93 5.47 years and 27.98 5.70 years (p = 0.969). The mean PTAv of the test and comparison groups were 16.07 ± 5.53 dBHL and 11.01± 3.52 dBHL: (p 0.001). The p-value for the difference in the mean PTAv between sub-groups of the test group was 0.173, 0.037, and 0.719, respectively, between Group I and II, Group I and III, and Group II and III, respectively.
UNASSIGNED: Hearing thresholds were higher among individuals with dependence on MPS and statistically significant in those that were dependent on cigarettes, cannabis, and codeine. Further studies are needed on the relationship between PS and hearing loss.

Hearing loss is a highly prevalent condition worldwide, affecting over 5% of the global population. Determining disability and eligibility for rehabilitation services due to hearing loss is complex, as countries employ differing audiometric criteria and methods. This report reviews current literature on audiometric thresholds used globally to determine hearing disability, highlighting challenging cases worldwide. Databases PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for articles on hearing disability criteria published from 2010-present in English. Overall, developed countries employ a pure-tone average (PTA) of ≥ 40 dB as disability criteria, while developing countries use ≥ 41 dB PTA. The World Health Organization uses ≥ 41 dB disabling hearing loss in better ear. Studies show widespread use of a single frequency threshold in some countries can exclude milder losses. Individualized approaches accounting for communication function, rather than fixed PTA cut-offs alone, enable more accurate disability determination. Further research on optimal, equitable criteria accounting for resource availability is needed. Standardized guidelines balancing sensitivity and specificity in disability determination worldwide would enable improved rehabilitation access and outcomes.

UNASSIGNED: In this study, we attempt to compare the pure tone audiometry findings with ossicular chain status intraoperatively in patients of chronic otitis media.
UNASSIGNED: 102 patients who presented with COM during a period of one year and met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. All patients underwent preoperative pure tone Audiometry and findings were tabulated. All patients were evaluated intraoperatively by the same surgeon and observations were made regarding ossicular chain integrity.
UNASSIGNED: Small central perforation was noted in 10%, medium central perforation in 38.57%, large central perforation in 27.14% and subtotal perforation in 24.28%. 71.56% patients had an intact ossicular chain, of which 94.5% was mucosal disease and 5.5% were squamous disease. 29 cases showed eroded/absent ossicles, out of which, 28 had squamous type and 1 case had central perforation. Ossicular status was classified based on Austin Classification. Conductive hearing loss was found to be maximum where all 3 ossicles were eroded/absent, with a mean AB gap of 45.33 and mean air conduction threshold of 60.33.
UNASSIGNED: There is a good correlation between the hearing threshold of the patient and the status of ossicular chain. Preoperative knowledge of the degree of hearing loss and status of ossicular chain would allow the surgeon to plan proper ossicular reconstruction and give the patient a better advice regarding prognosis of hearing improvement after surgery.

UNASSIGNED: Varied noise environments, such as impulse noise and steady-state noise, may induce distinct patterns of hearing impairment among personnel exposed to prolonged noise. However, comparative studies on these effects remain limited.
UNASSIGNED: This study aims to delineate the different characteristics of hearing loss in workers exposed to steady-state noise and impulse noise.
UNASSIGNED: As of December 2020, 96 workers exposed to steady-state noise and 177 workers exposed to impulse noise were assessed. Hearing loss across various frequencies was measured using pure tone audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) audiometry.
UNASSIGNED: Both groups of workers exposed to steady-state noise and impulse noise exhibited high frequencies hearing loss. The steady-state noise group displayed significantly greater hearing loss at lower frequencies in the early stages, spanning 1- 5 years of work (P < 0.05). Among individuals exposed to impulse noise for extended periods (over 10 years), the observed hearing loss surpassed that of the steady-state noise group, displaying a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05).
UNASSIGNED: Hearing loss resulting from both steady-state noise and impulse noise predominantly occurs at high frequencies. Early exposure to steady-state noise induces more pronounced hearing loss at speech frequencies compared to impulse noise.

UNASSIGNED: Anaemia is a prevalent medical condition that impacts a significant proportion of the worldwide populace. While the cardiovascular and respiratory systems\' influence on anaemia has been extensively researched, its effect on the auditory system remains unclear. The objective of this investigation was to assess the pure tone audiometry of individuals with anaemia and establish a connection between the type of hearing impairment and the level of anaemia, if any.
UNASSIGNED: This cross-sectional study comprised 100 patients who were diagnosed with anaemia. All study participants underwent a thorough general examination and hearing assessment, which encompassed tuning fork tests, and pure-tone audiometry. Statistical analysis was utilized to determine the type and severity of hearing loss and its correlation with the degree of anaemia.
UNASSIGNED: Our research findings indicate that 46.8% of moderately anaemic patients and 62.9% of patients with severe anaemia exhibited sensorineural hearing loss. A significant correlation was observed between the degree of anaemia (p < 0.05) and hearing loss. Our research findings indicate that individuals with moderate and severe anaemia exhibit a notably greater incidence of hearing impairment in comparison to those with mild anaemia.
UNASSIGNED: The research findings thus suggest a potential correlation between anaemia and auditory impairment. The timely identification and management of anaemia could potentially play a crucial role in preventing or reducing hearing impairment among individuals with anaemia. Additional research is required to clarify the mechanisms that underlie this association and to investigate possible interventions for mitigating the risk of hearing impairment in individuals with anaemia.

Hearing loss (HL) is associated with poorer language development and school performance. Ototoxic substances such as metals and solvents, including benzene, are a risk factor associated with HL. This study examines potential associations between the benzene metabolite trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) and HL in youth of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Logistic regression calculated adjusted odds ratio (aOR) associations between HL and urinary t,t-MA quartiles, natural-log transformed, and doubled urinary t,t-MA. Hearing threshold pure-tone average (PTA) at speech frequencies (SF) 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz and high frequencies (HF) 3, 4, and 6 kHz were analyzed for slight HL (PTA > 15 dB) and mild HL (PTA > 20 dB). Urinary t,t-MA was statistically significantly associated with both slight SF and HF HL. For each doubling of t,t-MA there were increased odds of having slight SFHL (aOR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.92), slight HFHL (aOR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.66), mild SFHL (aOR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.32), and mild HFHL (aOR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.04). To our knowledge, this is the first population-based report of an association between SFHL, HFHL, and the benzene metabolite t,t-MA in youth 6 to 19 years old.

BACKGROUND: Despite numerous studies, the true scenario of hearing loss in beta-thalassaemia remains rather nebulous.
METHODS: Pure tone audiometry, chelation therapy, demographics and laboratory data of 376 patients (mean age 38.5 ± 16.6 years, 204 females, 66 non-transfusion-dependent) and 139 healthy controls (mean age 37.6 ± 17.7 years, 81 females) were collected.
RESULTS: Patient and control groups did not differ for age (p = 0.59) or sex (p = 0.44). Hypoacusis rate was higher in patients (26.6% vs. 7.2%; p < 0.00001), correlated with male sex (32.6% in males vs. 21.8% in females; p = 0.01) and it was sensorineural in 79/100. Hypoacusis rate correlated with increasing age (p = 0.0006) but not with phenotype (13/66 non-transfusion-dependent vs. 87/310 transfusion-dependent patients; p = 0.16). Sensorineural-notch prevalence rate did not differ between patients (11.4%) and controls (12.2%); it correlated with age (p = 0.01) but not with patients\' sex or phenotype. Among adult patients without chelation therapy, the sensorineural hypoacusis rate was non-significantly lower compared to chelation-treated patients while it was significantly higher compared to controls (p = 0.003).
CONCLUSIONS: Sensorineural hypoacusis rate is high in beta-thalassaemia (about 21%) and it increases with age and in males while disease severity or chelation treatment seems to be less relevant. The meaning of sensorineural-notch in beta-thalassaemia appears questionable.