Conductive Hearing Loss with Age—A Histologic and Audiometric Evaluation

A retrospective analysis to quantify age-related changes of the incudo-malleolar joint (IMJ) and incudo-stapedial joint (ISJ), and to analyse changes in the air-bone gap (ABG) with age, was performed. Defined histologic parameters of 153 IMJ and 106 ISJ from subjects aged from birth to 70 years were correlated to age. Additionally, audiograms of 1760 ears of 974 other subjects aged 20 to 80 years were retrospectively analysed and the ABG was correlated to age. The joint space (age group from 0 to 10 compared to 61 to 70 years) became significantly wider with age (IMJ: from a mean of 44 µm to 100 µm, p < 0.001; ISJ: from a mean of 28 µm to 69 µm, p < 0.009. The thickness of cartilage of the incus decreased in the first 20 years of life (IMJ, from a mean of 88 µm to 65 µm, p < 0.01; ISJ: from a mean of 44 µm to 35 µm, p < 0.01). The ABGs of younger ears (20–40 years) was significantly larger at 500 Hz compared to older ears (60–80 years) by 2–4 dB, while it was significantly smaller by 3–5 dB at 4000 Hz (p < 0.0017). Interindividual variations in all age groups were large for both analyses. The increased joint spaces could potentially reduce the stiffness in the joints and explain the increase in ABG at 4000 Hz and the drop at 500 Hz. While the average change is small and of minimal clinical relevance, a larger increase of ABG with age is seen in some subjects.

Download Full-text

Differences Between Young and Older Adults in Working Memory and Performance on the Test of Basic Auditory Capabilities†

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.804891 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Larry E. Humes ◽

Gary R. Kidd ◽

Jennifer J. Lentz

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Working Memory ◽

Young Adults ◽

Hearing Loss ◽

Auditory Processing ◽

Local Community ◽

Age Groups ◽

Age Group ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Age Related

The Test of Basic Auditory Capabilities (TBAC) is a battery of auditory-discrimination tasks and speech-identification tasks that has been normed on several hundred young normal-hearing adults. Previous research with the TBAC suggested that cognitive function may impact the performance of older adults. Here, we examined differences in performance on several TBAC tasks between a group of 34 young adults with a mean age of 22.5 years (SD = 3.1 years) and a group of 115 older adults with a mean age of 69.2 years (SD = 6.2 years) recruited from the local community. Performance of the young adults was consistent with prior norms for this age group. Not surprisingly, the two groups differed significantly in hearing loss and working memory with the older adults having more hearing loss and poorer working memory than the young adults. The two age groups also differed significantly in performance on six of the nine measures extracted from the TBAC (eight test scores and one average test score) with the older adults consistently performing worse than the young adults. However, when these age-group comparisons were repeated with working memory and hearing loss as covariates, the groups differed in performance on only one of the nine auditory measures from the TBAC. For eight of the nine TBAC measures, working memory was a significant covariate and hearing loss never emerged as a significant factor. Thus, the age-group deficits observed initially on the TBAC most often appeared to be mediated by age-related differences in working memory rather than deficits in auditory processing. The results of these analyses of age-group differences were supported further by linear-regression analyses with each of the 9 TBAC scores serving as the dependent measure and age, hearing loss, and working memory as the predictors. Regression analyses were conducted for the full set of 149 adults and for just the 115 older adults. Working memory again emerged as the predominant factor impacting TBAC performance. It is concluded that working memory should be considered when comparing the performance of young and older adults on auditory tasks, including the TBAC.

Download Full-text

Simulated Conductive Hearing Loss in Children

Journal of the American Academy of Audiology ◽

10.3766/jaaa.15.4.4 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 15 (04) ◽

pp. 300-310 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Terrey Oliver Penn ◽

D. Wesley Grantham ◽

Judith S. Gravel

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Speech Recognition ◽

Conductive Hearing Loss ◽

Otitis Media With Effusion ◽

Age Groups ◽

Recognition Ability ◽

Monosyllabic Words ◽

The Impact ◽

Conductive Hearing ◽

Nonsense Syllables

Otitis media with effusion (OME) often results in hearing loss for children with the condition. In order to provide appropriate and effective audiologic management, it is important to understand the impact of OME on speech recognition ability when hearing loss is present. This study examined the speech recognition abilities of normal-hearing six- and seven-year-old children (n = 12) and adults (n = 12) using monosyllabic words and nonsense syllables presented at two levels of simulated conductive hearing loss characteristic of OME. Average speech recognition scores decreased as the degree of simulated conductive hearing loss increased. Both age groups scored significantly poorer for nonsense syllables than for monosyllabic words. In general, the children performed more poorly than the adults with the exception of the easiest listening condition for word stimuli. Furthermore, children appeared less able than adults to use their knowledge of familiar words to improve performance. These findings suggest that rehabilitative strategies may best be focused on combining familiarization techniques and amplification options.

Download Full-text

The bioelectric type of the visual area of the cerebral cortex of rats of all ages and sexes

Regulatory Mechanisms in Biosystems ◽

10.15421/021877 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 514-521

Author(s):

V. V. Mizin ◽

V. P. Lyashenko ◽

S. M. Lukashov

Keyword(s):

Cerebral Cortex ◽

Theta Rhythm ◽

Age Groups ◽

Young Age ◽

Visual Area ◽

Age Group ◽

Bioelectric Activity ◽

Absolute Power ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Changes

In the ontogenesis process, the cerebral cortex undergoes age-related changes. So far as, unlike practically all other systems of mammalian organs, the brain continues to develop and receive new functionality in the postnatal period. Thus with age, there are changes in the bioelectric characteristics of the neocortex. The purpose of the research is to determine the age and sex changes in the bioelectric activity of the cerebral visual cortex of male and female rats of different ages. In the article, we examined changes in absolute (μV2) and normalized (%) indicators of electrical activity of the visual area of rats of different sexes in four age groups: juvenile, young, mature, and presenile age. The research was carried out by the method of registration of bioelectric activity of electrocorticograms (ECoG). Results of multifactorial dispersion analysis of absolute and normalized ECoG indicators of the visual area of the cerebral cortex of rats of all ages showed that there were reliable changes in the frequency-amplitude characteristics of bioelectric activity related to age. At a young age, males have probably lower absolute and normalized power of the delta-rhythm and the normalized beta-like rhythm rate. There was a tendency of decrease in the theta-rhythm. As a result of this redistribution of rhythms a desynchronization of the electrical activity of young males was observed. Mature males have lower absolute power indicators than younger age groups. According to normalized indicators, a synchronization of rhythms of males in the mature age group was observed, which together with values of absolute power can indicate a decrease of the functional activity level of the neocortex and an increase of the influence of endogenous mechanisms on neuronal activity of the visual area of the cerebral cortex. In the presenile age, there was a desynchronization of rhythms. The indicators of an absolute and normalized power of females in the young age group pointed to the synchronization of the bioecoactivity of the neocortex. Among the low-frequency waves, theta-rhythm rhythm dominated in the females of young age. In the mature and presenile age females, there was a probable increase in the percentage of normalized parameters of high-frequency beta waves. The predominance of this rhythm may indicate an increase of cortical tone. The correlation of values of absolute and normalized indicators of bioelectric activity affirmed the desynchronization of the ECoG rhythms of females of mature and presenile age. Sex differences are expressed by a decrease in the absolute power of all ECoG rhythms of the visual area of the cerebral cortex of females relative to males. The age-related changes occurred in a different way in rats of different sex. At a young age, males had desynchronization of rhythms, and females had synchronization, in the mature age it was vice versa. The age changes of the electric activity of the cerebral visual cortex of rats in our opinion may be largely associated with involutional changes of various neurotransmitter and hormonal systems.

Download Full-text

Ear Findings and Hearing analysis in cleft palate patients in Nepal

Asian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3126/ajms.v10i2.22762 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 52-57

Author(s):

Sanjeev Thakur ◽

Baleshwar Yadav ◽

Manish Agrawal ◽

Kailash Khaki Shrestha ◽

Raj Kumar Bedajit

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Cleft Palate ◽

Tympanic Membrane ◽

Pure Tone ◽

Cleft Lip ◽

Conductive Hearing Loss ◽

Pure Tone Audiometry ◽

P Value ◽

Age Group ◽

Conductive Hearing

Background: The orofacial cleft is the most common birth anomaly with a prevalence rate ranging from 1/1000 to 2.69/ 1000. The middle ear diseases are known to be associated with cleft palate, however, the prevalence and the magnitude of the condition is usually underestimated. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to find out the various exisiting ear abnormalities, to assess the middle ear function and hearing status in patients with cleft palate and confirm the existence of these manifestations and their significance. Materials and Methods: All the patients with cleft palate with or without cleft lip over a one-year duration from January to December 2018 at the teaching hospital were include after informed consent. The patients with only cleft lip were excluded. General ENT examination and Otoscopy was performed. Tympanometry and Pure tone Audiometry was done (in those above 5 years). The degree of hearing loss was categorized using the WHO guidelines. Results: Out of a total of 56 patients, there were 30(53.6%) male and 26(46.4%) female. The age range was from 2years to 31 years. The mean age was 12.8 years. Maximum number of patients were in the 10-20 years age group 29(51.8%) followed by 22 (39.3%) in the less than 10 years age group. 53 (47.3%) of 112 ears examined had dull tympanic membrane, followed by retraction of tympanic membrane in 42 (37.5%) ears. Other findings were central perforation in 5 (4.5%), bulging tympanic membrane in 2 (1.8%) and atticoantral disease in 1 (0.9%) ear. 8 (7.1%) ears had normal findings. There was one case with right ear atresia (0.9%). In Tympanometry findings, the maximum number of ears, 51 (48.1%) had type B curve, followed by 33 (31.2%) ears with type As curve. 16 (15%) of ears had type C curve. 6 (5.7%) ears had type A curve. B type curve was found more common in less than 10 years age group. A chi Square test was performed and the findings had statistically significant association. (P value: 0.03 for Right ear tympanometry ; P value: 0.043 for left ear tympanometry). In Pure tone audiometry findings of 105 ears, 72 (68.6%) ears had mild conductive hearing loss. 10 (9.5%) ears had moderate conductive hearing loss, while 1 (1%) ear had mixed hearing loss. 22 (20.9%) ears had normal hearing level. Conclusion: This study assessed the common ear problems prevalent in cleft patients, along with the hearing loss. Since, ear disease were quite common in these patients, these patients should be evaluated regularly by an otolaryngologist to detect, treat and prevent such problems in these patients so that long term morbidity could be avoided.

Download Full-text

Benchmarking Typically Developing Children’s Prosodic Performance on the Irish-English Version of the Profiling Elements of Prosody in Speech-Communication (PEPS-C)

Journal of Clinical Speech and Language Studies ◽

10.3233/acs-2011-18105 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 19-40

Author(s):

Michelle Foley ◽

Fiona E. Gibbon ◽

Susan Peppé

Keyword(s):

Old Age ◽

Age Groups ◽

Chance Level ◽

Speech Communication ◽

Age Group ◽

Typically Developing ◽

English Version ◽

Typically Developing Children ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Changes

Objective: To develop the Irish-English version of the Profiling Elements of Prosody in Speech-Communication (PEPS-C) assessment, identify the normal prosodic performance of typically developing children aged 5–11 years on the PEPS-C assessment, and identify significant age-related changes between different age groups. Method: Thirty typically developing children between the ages of 5;9 and 11;1 years completed the PEPS-C assessment, which involved both receptive and expressive tasks. Results: Significant differences were found between the youngest group’s prosodic performance and the two older groups. The 5- to 6-year-old age group performed less well than the 10- to 11-year-old age group (p < 0.05). The 10- to 11-year-old age group performed above chance level on all prosodic tasks. Conclusion: While 5- and 6-year-old children have acquired some functional prosodic skills, there are further developments between the ages of 5;9 and 9;5, with some aspects of prosody continuing to develop up to 11 years.

Download Full-text

Age-Related Changes of the Pineal Gland in Humans: A Digital Anatomo-Histological Morphometric Study on Autopsy Cases with Comparison to Predigital-Era Studies

Medicina ◽

10.3390/medicina57040383 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (4) ◽

pp. 383

Author(s):

Bogdan-Alexandru Gheban ◽

Horațiu Alexandru Colosi ◽

Ioana-Andreea Gheban-Rosca ◽

Bogdan Pop ◽

Ana-Maria Teodora Domșa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pineal Gland ◽

Age Groups ◽

Polarized Light ◽

Morphometric Study ◽

Age Group ◽

Autopsy Study ◽

Pediatric Age Group ◽

Age Related ◽

The Brain ◽

Age Related Changes

Background and objectives: The pineal gland is a photoneuroendocrine organ in the midline of the brain, responsible primarily for melatonin synthesis. It is composed mainly of pinealocytes and glial tissue. This study examined human postmortem pineal glands to microscopically assess age-related changes using digital techniques, and offers a perspective on evolutionary tendencies compared to the past. Materials and Methods: A retrospective autopsy study has been performed on 72 pediatric and adult autopsy cases. The glands have been processed for histological analysis and immunohistochemical staining with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Slides were assessed under polarized light and digitally scanned. Morphometric data were obtained using CaseViewer and ImageJ. Results: Thirty-three females and 39 males were included in the study, grouped under three age groups: 0–25, 46–65, and 66–96 years of age. The peak gland volume was found within the 46–65 age group, the overall mean volume was 519 mm3, the main architectural types were lobular and insular, and the mean percentage of pineal calcification was 15% of the gland, peaking within the 66–96 age group, with a predominantly globular shape. Glial cysts were found in 20.8% of cases. The intensity of GFAP stain was maximal in the pediatric age group, but the extent of glial tissue was much larger in elderly patients. Discussion: The degenerative process of the pineal gland can be quantified by measuring normal parenchyma, calcifications, glial tissue, and glial cysts. Morphometric differences have been observed and compared to a similar studies performed in the published literature. The current study, unfortunately, lacks a 26–45 age group. Digital techniques seemed to offer a more exact analysis, but returned similar results to studies performed over 40 years ago, therefore offering important information on evolutionary tendencies. Conclusions: Increase in glial tissue, calcifications, and glial cysts have a defining role as age-related changes in the pineal gland.

Download Full-text

Correlations between Pathologic Changes in the Stapes and Conductive Hearing Loss in Otosclerosis

Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology ◽

10.1177/000348949810700410 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 107 (4) ◽

pp. 319-326 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Shilpa Reddy Cherukupally ◽

Saumil N. Merchant ◽

John J. Rosowski

Keyword(s):

Hearing Loss ◽

Conductive Hearing Loss ◽

Joint Space ◽

Annular Ligament ◽

Histologic Section ◽

Stapes Footplate ◽

The Relationship ◽

Conductive Hearing ◽

Histologic Changes ◽

Bony Ankylosis

The goal of this temporal bone study was to quantify the relationship between specific histologic changes at the stapes footplate and the magnitude of the air-bone gap in otosclerosis. The study material comprised 26 specimens with otosclerosis and 37 age-matched controls. Detailed anatomic measurements were made on each histologic section through the stapes footplate in each bone, resulting in 30 different measurement parameters for each bone. For frequencies 250 to 2,000 Hz, the conductive hearing loss correlated highly with (p <.01) and appeared to be caused primarily by narrowing and loss of the annular ligament, especially at the posterior stapediovestibular joint space. The size of the air-bone gap appeared to be determined by the extent and degree of this pathologic change. Schuknecht's hypothesis that bony ankylosis of the footplate would be associated with an air-bone gap of >30 dB was supported by our data. However, the degree and extent of bony footplate ankylosis could not be reliably predicted by the size of the air-bone gap.

Download Full-text

Age-Related Changes in the Microvascular Density of the Human Meniscus

The American Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1177/03635465211039865 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 036354652110398

Author(s):

Philipp A. Michel ◽

Christoph J. Domnick ◽

Michael J. Raschke ◽

Anna Hoffmann ◽

Christoph Kittl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Linear Trend ◽

Smooth Muscle Actin ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Tumor Resection ◽

Age Groups ◽

Vascular Density ◽

Age Group ◽

Human Knee ◽

Age Related ◽

Age Related Changes

Background: The microvascular anatomy of the meniscus of the human knee is regarded as a crucial factor in the injury response. Previous studies have investigated the zone-dependent distribution pattern, but no quantitative data exist on vascular density and its age-related changes. Hypothesis/Purpose: The aim of the present study was to histologically analyze the vascular anatomy of the meniscus as a function of age. It was hypothesized that vascular density would decrease with increasing age. Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Human menisci were retrieved from patients who underwent tumor resection or who received total knee replacement because of osteoarthritis. A total of 51 menisci were collected from 28 patients over 9 years (mean age, 25.6 ± 20.4 years; range 3-79 years). Immunohistological staining (alpha–smooth muscle actin) in combination with serial sections and standardized software-based contrast detection were used for the quantitative analysis. Data were analyzed using multiple t tests and the analysis of variance for trends, with a statistical significance level of P < .05. Results: The overall vascular density in the meniscus was lower in the 61- to 80-year age group than in the age groups of 0 to 10, 11 to 20, and 21 to 30 years ( P < .01). A negative linear trend was detected with increasing age (slope, -0.007; P = .016). Within the red-white (RW) zone, a low vessel density was detected for the age groups of 0 to 10 and 11 to 20 years. Beyond these age groups, no vasculature was found in the RW zone. For the white-white (WW) zone, no vessel formations were noted in any age group. Almost 95% of the vessels in the meniscus were located in the capsule. Conclusion: This study reports quantitative histological data for microvascular anatomy as a function of age in a broad cohort of human knee menisci. The overall vascular density decreased with increasing age. No vessel formations were detected in the RW and WW zones after adolescence. Additionally, the capsule is far more densely vascularized than any other part of the meniscus. Clinical Relevance: Vascular density might be an additional factor to consider, along with tear location and patient age, for future treatment options.

Download Full-text