Auditio

Colombian Spanish design of the speech-in-noise discrimination test

Laura Melisa Buitrago Roa — 2023-07-17

Context: Difficulty understanding speech in noise is a common symptom of auditory processing disorders that impairs communication and affects different age groups. Objective: To design a first version of a speech-in-noise (SIN) discrimination test with contralateral and ipsilateral noise and pilot the test in the normal-hearing Colombian population. Method: Descriptive, exploratory study for test design and piloting. The pilot sample consisted of 10 men and 10 women aged 18-50 years without a neurotological history. For the statistical analysis, intelligibility of stimuli was measured and three interrelated categories were defined: Mode (contralateral or ipsilateral presentation of stimulus), Ear (left or right) and Noise (signal-noise ratio [SNR] of −5 dB and −10 dB). Results: The highest intelligibility was observed at −5 dB SNR, and stimuli were categorized as very easy; intelligibility at −10 dB SNR was 0.95 for words and 0.97 for sentences. The lowest intelligibility for words was 0.76 for the left ear, with ipsilateral noise at −10 dB SNR. Conclusions: According to our pilot test, the most suitable SNR is −10 dB. In the next stage of this test validation macroprocess, stimuli that were found to have very high or very low intelligibilities should be modified because they may hinder the interpretation of the test results.

Do complications of percutaneous osseointegration justify a switch to transcutaneous devices? A retrospective longitudinal study on complications

Marta Núñez — 2023-11-02

Introduction: Percutaneous bone conduction implants are the standard osseointegration model used to provide an alternative treatment option for conductive and mixed hearing loss. In recent years, the indications for these implants have increased, despite concerns about their use because of local complications. The aim of this study was to describe the complications of percutaneous osseointegrated devices implanted at our hospital.
Material and methods: A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted in 57 consecutive patients who received a Baha®-type percutaneous bone conduction implantation. The main clinical indications were chronic otitis media and ear malformations. Local periimplant complications were described using the Holgers classification.
Results: After a mean follow-up of 12 months (range: 4-48 months), 26.31% of patients had some type of peri-implant soft tissue complication. Only one patient (1.75%) had major reactions requiring removal of the implant. Complications in the paediatric age group were notably higher, affecting 42.85% of the children.
Conclusions: The local complication rate in our study was at the lower end of the range described in the literature, which reports a very wide range of rates, even reaching 70%. Most complications are minor and resolve with topical antibiotic treatment. However, the rate is higher in children.

The 12-item Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale questionnaire: administration suggestions and guidance

Oscar M. Cañete — 2023-06-07

Hearing questionnaires are extremely useful tools for describing people's hearing abilities and for measuring and documenting hearing device fitting outcomes. The Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ) questionnaire is often used and is even available in different versions and formats. However, detailed instructions and guidance for the clinician administering the questionnaire are limited. Below are some suggestions and guidance for reducing variability when administering the questionnaire, thereby maintaining consistency in both clinical and research settings alike.

AUDITIO: progress, transformations, and ambitions for 2023 and beyond

Helia Relaño-Iborra — 2023-06-09

Posicionamiento de la Asociación Española de Audiología acerca del grado universitario en audiología en España

Asamblea de la Asociación Española de Audiología (AEDA) — 2023-06-13