Evaluation of Efferent Auditory System and Hearing Quality in Parkinson's Disease: Is the Difficulty in Speech Understanding in Complex Listening Conditions Related to Neural Degeneration or Aging?

Author(s):  
Nuriye Yıldırım Gökay ◽  
Bülent Gündüz ◽  
Fatih Söke ◽  
Recep Karamert

Purpose The effects of neurological diseases on the auditory system have been a notable issue for investigators because the auditory pathway is closely associated with neural systems. The purposes of this study are to evaluate the efferent auditory system function and hearing quality in Parkinson's disease (PD) and to compare the findings with age-matched individuals without PD to present a perspective on aging. Method The study included 35 individuals with PD (mean age of 48.50 ± 8.00 years) and 35 normal-hearing peers (mean age of 49 ± 10 years). The following tests were administered for all participants: the first section of the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale; pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, tympanometry, and acoustic reflexes; and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and contralateral suppression of DPOAEs. SPSS Version 25 was used for statistical analyses, and values of p < .05 were considered statistically significant. Results There were no statistically significant differences in the pure-tone audiometry thresholds and DPOAE responses between the individuals with PD and their normal-hearing peers ( p = .732). However, statistically significant differences were found between the groups in suppression levels of DPOAEs and hearing quality ( p < .05). In addition, a statistically significant and positive correlation was found between the amount of suppression at some frequencies and the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale scores. Conclusions This study indicates that medial olivocochlear efferent system function and the hearing quality of individuals with PD were affected adversely due to the results of PD pathophysiology on the hearing system. For optimal intervention and follow-up, tasks related to hearing quality in daily life can also be added to therapies for PD.

Revista CEFAC ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 573-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcia da Silva Lopes ◽  
Ailton de Souza Melo ◽  
Ana Paula Corona ◽  
Ana Caline Nóbrega

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe the audiological profile of a group of patients with Parkinson's disease and to investigate the association between hearing loss and the disease. Methods: 50 individuals with and 46 without Parkinson's disease underwent Pure Tone Audiometry, Otoacoustic Emissions by Distortion Product, and auditory processing tests. The results of the patients were compared to those obtained in individuals without the disease, according to clinical and biological variables. Results: in individuals with Parkinson's disease, 82% presented hearing loss, 53.5% alterations in Otoacoustic Emissions by Distortion Product, 78%, alterations in temporal processing, and 12%, changes in binaural integration. Individuals with the disease had a greater impairment in the recognition of duration patterns when compared to those without the disease, with a worse performance in men and in individuals aged between 42 and 65 years old and Hoehn and Yahr I and II stages. Conclusions: the profile found corresponds to descending sensorineural hearing loss and alteration in otoacoustic emissions, temporal ordering and noise gaps detection.Only losses in temporal order are associated with the disease, especially in men, individuals under the age of 65 and in the initial stage.


2013 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samantha Marlanie Govender ◽  
Cyril Devdas Govender ◽  
Glenda Matthews

Objective: To evaluate cochlear functioning in patients (18 - 45 years old) with varying stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Using purposive sampling, 50 participants, 10 in each of the 5 stages of CKD, were selected and underwent pure tone audiometric testing and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs).Results: Significant differences (p<0.05) were found between pure tone audiometry and DPOAEs in detecting early cochlear dysfunction in the high-frequency range in stages 3 (6 000/5 000 Hz; p=0.00), 4 (6 000/5 000 Hz; p<0.03) and 5 (4 000/3 333 Hz; p<0.01, 8 000/6 667 Hz:p<0.05) with DPOAEs being more sensitive in identifying early cochlear dysfunction. Patients in stages 1 and 2 presented with normal puretone thresholds and DPOAEs, suggesting that cochlear functioning in these patients was normal. Early cochlear dysfunction, thereby indicating a subclinical hearing loss, was identified in stages 3, 4 and 5 by DPOAE testing. In addition, blood test results, drug intake and concomitant conditions were recorded and analysed which suggested a relationship between reduced cochlear functioning and increased electrolyte levels, treatment regimens and concomitant conditions.Conclusion: Participants in the later stages of CKD presented with early cochlear dysfunction, presenting with subclinical hearing loss. It was postulated that this subclinical hearing loss resulted from a combination of electrolytic, urea and creatinine imbalances, together with concomitant medical conditions and ototoxic drug intake. It was concluded that audiological monitoring be included in the management of patients with CKD and that DPOAEs be introduced as part of the test battery to monitor cochlear function in patients with varying degrees of CKD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 1354-1368
Author(s):  
Evelien De Groote ◽  
Annelies Bockstael ◽  
Dick Botteldooren ◽  
Patrick Santens ◽  
Miet De Letter

Purpose Several studies have demonstrated increased auditory thresholds in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) based on subjective tonal audiometry. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying auditory dysfunction in PD remain elusive. The primary aim of this study was to investigate cochlear and olivocochlear function in PD using objective measurements and to assess the effect of dopaminergic medication on auditory function. Method Eighteen patients with PD and 18 gender- and age-matched healthy controls (HCs) were included. Patients with PD participated in medication on and off conditions. Linear mixed models were used to determine the effect of PD on tonal audiometry, transient evoked and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), and efferent suppression (ES). Results Tonal audiometry revealed normal auditory thresholds in patients with PD for their age across all frequencies. OAE signal amplitudes demonstrated a significant interaction effect between group (PD vs. HC) and frequency, indicating decreased OAEs at low frequencies and increased OAEs at high frequencies in patients with PD. No significant differences were found between patients with PD and HCs regarding ES. In addition, no significant effect of medication status was found on auditory measurements in patients with PD. Conclusions Altered OAEs support the hypothesis of cochlear alterations in PD. No evidence was found for the involvement of the medial olivocochlear system. Altogether, OAEs may provide an objective early indicator of auditory alterations in PD and should complement subjective tonal audiometry when assessing and monitoring auditory function in PD.


2015 ◽  
Vol 129 (12) ◽  
pp. 1174-1181 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Wooles ◽  
M Mulheran ◽  
P Bray ◽  
M Brewster ◽  
A R Banerjee

AbstractObjective:To examine whether distortion product otoacoustic emissions can serve as a replacement for pure tone audiometry in longitudinal screening for occupational noise exposure related auditory deficit.Methods:A retrospective review was conducted of pure tone audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emission data obtained sequentially during mandatory screening of brickyard workers (n = 16). Individual pure tone audiometry thresholds were compared with distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitudes, and a correlation of these measurements was conducted.Results:Pure tone audiometry threshold elevation was identified in 13 out of 16 workers. When distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitudes were compared with pure tone audiometry thresholds at matched frequencies, no evidence of a robust relationship was apparent. Seven out of 16 workers had substantial distortion product otoacoustic emissions with elevated pure tone audiometry thresholds.Conclusion:No clinically relevant predictive relationship between distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitude and pure tone audiometry threshold was apparent. These results do not support the replacement of pure tone audiometry with distortion product otoacoustic emissions in screening. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions at frequencies associated with elevated pure tone audiometry thresholds are evidence of intact outer hair cell function, suggesting that sites distinct from these contribute to auditory deficit following ototrauma.


2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
pp. 885-895
Author(s):  
Peter Torre ◽  
Mark B. Reed

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine marijuana or other substance use on pure-tone thresholds and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) in young adults. Method Young adults ( n = 243; 182 women, 61 men; M age = 20.9 years, SD = 2.7 years) participated in this study. Survey data included personal music system use, marijuana use, and misuse of prescription medications. Otoscopy, tympanometry, pure-tone audiometry, and DPOAEs were obtained. Pure tones from octave frequencies of 0.25 through 8 kHz were obtained, and DPOAEs were recorded between f 2 frequencies of 1 and 6 kHz using two continuously presented stimulus tones swept in frequency. Results Those who reported marijuana or stimulant use had similar pure-tone averages (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz) compared to those who reported never using marijuana or stimulants. Women who reported marijuana use in the past 30 days > two times had statistically significant higher mean DPOAEs compared to women who reported ≤ two times or no marijuana use in the past 30 days. Men, however, who reported marijuana use in the past 30 days > two times had lower, but not statistically significant, mean DPOAEs compared to men who reported ≤ two times or no marijuana use in the past 30 days. Women who reported ever using stimulants had statistically significant higher mean DPOAEs compared to women who reported never using stimulants; for men, mean DPOAEs were similar between those who reported ever using stimulants and those who never used stimulants. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrate different and contradictory associations between marijuana use, stimulant use, and hearing outcomes as a function of sex. Future research is needed to explore these associations utilizing larger sample sizes while accounting for additional harmful exposures to other noise exposures.


1997 ◽  
Vol 106 (3) ◽  
pp. 220-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Zhong Liu ◽  
Valerie E. Newton

Eight patients with Waardenburg's syndrome (WS) with normal hearing and 3 additional patients exhibiting a low-frequency hearing loss were tested for the level of the acoustic distortion product 2f1-f2 by means of the Otodynamics Distortion Product Analyser (ILO92). Wide notches in distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) between 1,000 and 3,000 Hz were found in 7 (12 ears, 87.5%) examined patients with normal audiograms, which was a significantly higher rate than that found in the control group (10%). The 3 patients with low-frequency hearing loss gave a consistent pattern in audiometric configuration shown by both pure tone audiograms and DPOAEs. It is concluded from these initial results that DPOAEs may be a useful approach to identifying subclinical pathologic aberrations in the inner ear in WS patients, and may be a predictor of low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss.


2008 ◽  
Vol 122 (10) ◽  
pp. 1047-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Gunduz ◽  
Y A Bayazit ◽  
F Celenk ◽  
C Sarıdoğan ◽  
A G Guclu ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:To assess contralateral suppression of transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome and normal hearing.Methods:Twenty-four female patients with fibromyalgia syndrome and 24 healthy female controls with normal hearing were assessed using pure tone audiometry and transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions.Results:All patients with fibromyalgia syndrome and all controls had normal hearing on pure tone audiometry. In the patients with fibromyalgia syndrome, the mean transiently evoked otoacoustic emission amplitude was 15.5 ± 4.8 dB. The mean transiently evoked otoacoustic emission amplitudes after contralateral suppression was 15.5 ± 4.9 dB. There was no statistically significant difference between the transiently evoked otoacoustic emission amplitudes measured before and after contralateral suppression (p > 0.05). In the controls, the mean transiently evoked otoacoustic emission amplitude was 12 ± 5 dB. The mean transiently evoked otoacoustic emission amplitudes after contralateral suppression was 11 ± 4.7 dB. There was a statistically significant decrease in transiently evoked otoacoustic emission amplitudes after contralateral suppression (p < 0.01).Conclusion:The mechanisms related to contralateral suppression of transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions seem dysfunctional in fibromyalgia syndrome. This dysfunction may be at the brain stem level, where the medial superior olivary complex is located, or at the synapses of medial superior olivary complex fibres with the outer hair cells in the cochlea. Demonstration of lack of contralateral suppression of transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions can be used as a diagnostic tool in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.


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