About this Collection
Estimated to affect millions of people globally, hearing disorders and deafness can range from congenital impairments to acquired conditions due to age, trauma, and/or environmental factors, and their impact upon communication, social interaction, and quality of life can be profound. The complexity of hearing disorders and deafness arises from their diverse etiology, including genetic mutations, noise exposure, infections, and age-related degeneration of auditory structures. While advancements in diagnostic techniques, genetic research, and therapeutic strategies have improved patient outcomes, significant challenges remain in the provision of effective treatments and fostering inclusive environments for those with hearing disorders and deafness.
Contribution highlights
Listening effort is the mental energy needed to understand speech, especially in noisy environments. This can lead to stress and fatigue, affecting daily life. Many studies rely on people's self-reports to measure this effort, but Davide Simeone and colleagues explored using brain activity to get a clearer picture. They used electroencephalography (EEG), a method to record brain waves, to study how people listen to speech in noise. Twenty-one Italian-speaking adults with normal hearing participated. They listened to meaningless sounds at different noise levels while their brain activity was recorded. The study found that certain brain waves, called alpha waves, changed depending on the listening difficulty. These changes were more noticeable when the task was harder. The study suggests that alpha waves could be a marker for listening effort. This research could help improve hearing aids and other devices by providing a better understanding of how our brains process challenging listening situations.
Active middle ear implants (AMEIs) help people with mixed hearing loss, especially when regular hearing aids aren't enough. The Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) is a popular AMEI, but its success varies among patients. This study, led by Christoph Müller and colleagues, explores factors affecting VSB outcomes to improve patient selection and treatment. Researchers examined 100 patients with chronic ear conditions, using tests like bone conduction (BC) thresholds and speech intelligibility scores. They found that BC thresholds and coupling efficiency (how well the implant connects to the ear) significantly impact results. Coupling efficiency is measured by comparing in-situ thresholds (hearing levels with the implant) to BC thresholds. The study also used patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to assess satisfaction. Results showed that better BC thresholds and coupling efficiency lead to improved speech understanding. The study concludes that combining audiometric tests and patient feedback provides a comprehensive view of AMEI effectiveness. Future research will develop AI models to predict outcomes, enhancing treatment planning.
Who is involved?
Guest Editors:
- Andrea Ciorba, MD, PhD, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Tae Hoon Kong, MD, PhD, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, South Korea
- Yvonne Tran, PhD, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- Barbara Vona, PhD, University Medical Center Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany
Internal Team:
- In-House Editor: Shelby Bollen, Scientific Reports, UK
- Commissioning Editor: Sophie Gray, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK
- Managing Editor: Libby Symons, Fully OA Brands, Springer Nature, UK
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