Mixed Germ Cell Tumour of Ovary WTH Chemotherapy Side Effect

Introduction: Mixed germ cell tumour is a very rare type of aggressive cancer, consisting of more than one type of germ cell components. The most common component reported was dysgerminoma, followed by endodermal sinus tumour, teratoma, choriocarcinoma and embryonal carcinoma respectively. This study focuses on the combination of dysgerminoma and endodermal sinus tumour (yolk sac tumour) along with the hearing loss as the side effect of chemotherapy. Clinical Findings: Pain in the lower abdomen (lump is visible and has occupied hypogastrium along with bilateral iliac region extending 2-3 cm above the umbilicus), backache, fever (100.6 °F). Later after the third chemo cycle, it was found that the patient has progressive mild hearing loss. Diagnostic Evaluation: HB= 9.7gm%, TLC= 10300/cumm, PLT= 5,49 lakhs/cumm, CA 125= 909 U/ML. Histopathology Report: Ascitic fluid along with thirteen containers containing right ovarian mass, right ovary with mass, right fallopian tube, bowel deposits as well as residual nodules and pelvic deposits were sent of which, the reports indicated mixed germ cell tumour of the ovary. Therapeutic Intervention: Packed red blood cells transfusion, Pre-chemo and post-chemo hydration, Pre-chemo and post-chemo drugs, BEP Chemotherapy (Bleomycin, Etoposide, Cisplatin). Conclusion: My patient aged 11 years old female was admitted to Gynaecology Ward No – 16, AVBRH on 27/12/2020 for the first cycle of chemotherapy with the complaints of lower abdominal pain, backache and fever. The patient was diagnosed as the case of mixed germ cell tumour, further had mild hearing loss as the side effect of chemotherapy The patient is on chemo and is advised for follow up care once a month.

Comparison of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss with Tinnitus and Short-Term Tinnitus

Objective. As one of the common symptoms of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSH), tinnitus seriously affects the life and work of SSH patients. The present study is aimed at exploring whether SSH can receive acoustic therapy and the factors that affect the efficacy of SSH acoustic therapy. Methods. A total of 162 patients were outpatients and inpatients, 86 were SSH, and 76 were short-term tinnitus (STT). Both groups received pure tone audiometry, tinnitus matching, and residual inhibition test (RI). The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), visual analog scale with respect to tinnitus loudness (VAS), and RI in each group were evaluated. The effects of age, degree of hearing loss, and tinnitus course on the efficacy of SSH acoustic therapy were also evaluated. Results. In the comparison of RI, THI, and VAS, there was no difference between SSH and STT ( P > 0.05 ). SSH patients with mild hearing loss showed better acoustic therapy efficacy compared with SSH patients with severe hearing loss ( P < 0.05 ), but there is no statistical difference in age and the course of tinnitus ( P > 0.05 ). Conclusion. The present study showed that SSH may improve tinnitus symptom through receiving acoustic therapy and SSH patients with mild hearing loss can get better acoustic therapy effects.

Role of Subtitles in L2 Acquisition and Comprehension: A Pilot Study of Hearing-Impaired Students

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether subtitles can facilitate language processing in English as a second language (L2) and, if so, which subtitles would be more beneficial for hard-of-hearing students with Norwegian as their first language. In total, 14 advanced learners of L2 English were recruited and tested on English comprehension and target vocabulary items based on video material provided with subtitles in English or Norwegian in comparison to no subtitles (control condition). Subtitles aided comprehension of the plot, tested immediately after clip presentation, with an advantage for English subtitles over Norwegian subtitles and no subtitles. Furthermore, subtitles were found to enhance the performance of the participants with moderate hearing loss more than they did for mild hearing loss participants. The inclusion of English subtitles only marginally enhanced vocabulary understanding for both mild and moderate hearing loss students. The findings of this study can be transferred to classrooms and may supplement other methods of adjusting the academic environment, in order to meet the need of students with hearing loss.

Feasibility of smartphone-based hearing-aid apps for patients with mild hearing loss: an exploratory pilot study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Underuse of hearing aids is caused by several factors, including the stigma associated with hearing disability, affordability, and lack of awareness of rising hearing impairment associated with the growing population. Thus, there is a significant opportunity for the development of direct-to-consumer devices. For the past few years, smartphone-based hearing-aid apps have become more numerous and diverse, but few studies have investigated them. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to elucidate the electroacoustic characteristics and potential user benefits of a selection of currently available hearing-aid apps. METHODS We investigated the apps based on hearing-aid control standards (American National Standards Institute) using measurement procedures from previous studies. We categorized the apps and excluded those we considered inefficient. We investigated a selection of user-friendly, low-end apps, EarMachine and Sound Amplifier, with warble-tone audiometry, word recognition testing in unaided and aided conditions, and hearing-in-noise test in quiet and noise-front conditions in a group of users with mild hearing impairment (n = 7) as a pilot for a future long-term investigation. Results from the apps were compared with those of a conventional hearing aid. RESULTS Five of 14 apps were considered unusable based on low scores in several metrics, while the others varied across the range of electroacoustic measurements. The apps that we considered “high end” that provided lower processing latencies and audiogram-based fitting algorithms were superior overall. The clinical performance of the listeners tended to be better when using hearing aid, while the low end hearing-aid apps had limited benefits on the users. CONCLUSIONS Some apps showed the potential to benefit users with limited cases of minimal or mild hearing loss if the inconvenience of relatively poor electroacoustic performance did not outweigh the benefits of amplification.

Remote Microphone Technology for Children with Hearing Loss or Auditory Processing Issues

School classrooms are noisy and reverberant environments, and the poor acoustics can be a barrier to successful learning in children, particularly those with multiple disabilities, auditory processing issues, and hearing loss. A new set of listening challenges have been imposed by the recent global pandemic and subsequent online learning requirements. The goal of this article is to review the impact of poor acoustics on the performance of children with auditory processing issues, mild hearing loss, and unilateral hearing loss. In addition, we will summarize the evidence in support of remote microphone technology by these populations.

Effects of Self-Generated Noise on Quiet Threshold by Transducer Type in School-Age Children and Adults

Purpose Low-frequency detection thresholds in quiet vary across transducers. This experiment tested the hypothesis that transducer effects are larger in young children than adults, due to higher levels of self-generated noise in children. Method Listeners were normal-hearing 4.6- to 11.7-year-olds and adults. Warble-tone detection was measured at 125, 250, 500, and 1000 Hz with a sound-field speaker, insert earphones, and supra-aural headphones. Probe microphone recordings measured self-generated noise levels. Results Thresholds were similar across ages for speaker measurements. Transducer effects were larger for children than adults, with mean child–adult threshold differences at 125 Hz of 3.4 dB (insert earphones) and 6.6 dB (supra-aural headphones). Age effects on threshold were broadly consistent with noise levels measured in the ear canal. Conclusions Self-generated noise appears to elevate children's low-frequency thresholds measured with occluding transducers. These effects could be particularly relevant to the diagnosis of minimal and mild hearing loss in children.