Volume 4 Issue 1 (2014)

Background: To examine factors influencing satisfaction, perceived disability and handicap and to investigate whether satisfaction correlates with perceived disability and handicap among hearing aid (HA) users in the Turkish population. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study involving 133 patients using unilateral or bilateral HAs was conducted. Data on demographic factors, including age, gender, socioeconomic status, degree of hearing loss, HA experience, HA fitting side, daily HA usage, and HA style were collected. Satisfaction, perceived disability and handicap were assessed using the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit and the Amsterdam Inventory for Auditory Disability and Handicap (AIADH), respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine factors influencing satisfaction, perceived disability and handicap. Pearson correlation test was used to assess the correlation of satisfaction with perceived disability and handicap. Results: Age, degree of hearing loss, and HA side were significant predictors of APHAB satisfaction scores, while only degree of hearing loss predicted AIADH scores (p < 0.05). Gender and HA experience did not consistently predict outcomes (p > 0.05). A weak negative correlation was obtained between APHAB satisfaction scores and the AIADH disability scores among HA users (p < 0.05; r: −0.390). Conclusion: The study highlights age, degree of hearing loss, and HA side as predictive factors for HA satisfaction. Furthermore,the degree of hearing loss influences perceived disability and handicap. HA satisfaction, perceived disability and handicap did not exhibit a notable relationship among HA users. These findings underscore the importance of healthcare professionals in addressing the specific needs of individuals with HA users to enhance their overall quality of life.

Background: Traumatic tympanic membrane (TM) perforations, although not life-threatening, can significantly impair quality of life by causing hearing loss, tinnitus, and discomfort. These perforations often result from blunt trauma, penetrating trauma, barotrauma, or blast trauma and may be managed either conservatively or surgically, depending on clinical characteristics. Methods: Patients with post-traumatic tympanic membrane perforations were retrospectively evaluated. Trauma type, time of hospital presentation post-trauma, otological complaints at presentation, perforation localization on the membrane, shape, size, and audiometric results were assessed. Results: A total of 48 ears from 47 patients with perforations were evaluated. Most patients (58.3%) presented to the hospital on the first day post-trauma, with initial audiometric evaluation conducted on the same day. Perforations were predominantly in the left ear (58%), anteroinferior quadrant (43.8%), medium-sized (72.9%), and oval/round-shaped (70.8%). Forty-two tympanic membranes underwent repair, while six perforations were managed conservatively. There was no significant difference in perforation healing between the repaired and non-repaired groups at one month post-assessment (p = 1); however, early repair showed statistically superior outcomes compared to late repair (p = 0.01). Conclusion: This study contributes to the literature by comprehensively evaluating clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with traumatic tympanic membrane perforations, based on single-center, single-surgeon experience. These findings may assist in determining treatment strategies for managing traumatic tympanic membrane perforations.

Background: Adenotonsillectomy is commonly performed in children. Pathological evaluation of specimens of patients with or without risk factors is generally performed. Our aim is to indicate that it is not necessary to send all adenotonsillectomy specimens routinely for pathological analysis in pediatric age group. Materials and Method: Patients in the pediatric age group who underwent routine tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy (T&A) at a tertiary healthcare center affiliated with XXX University between January 2015 and December 2023 were collected. A retrospective study was designed. The following information was recorded for each included patient: age at surgery, gender, and pathology reports. Demographic and clinical outcomes are reported using means and standard deviations for continuous variables and percentages for categorical variables. Results: Our study of 9817 patients at Medipol University Medipol Mega Hospital revealed no unexpected result in adenotonsillectomy pathology specimens. Conclusions: Our study of 9817 patients at Medipol University Medipol Mega Hospital revealed no unexpected result in adenotonsillectomy pathology specimens. Histopathological analysis may be limited to cases with certain clinical risk factors to protect important healthcare resources in patient care.

Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the nasal and paranasal sinus mucosa with nasal polyp formation. This systematic review evaluated the efficacy and safety of biological therapies, including omalizumab, mepolizumab, and benralizumab, compared with endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in CRSwNP management. A literature search using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases identified five studies that met the inclusion criteria. The studies included randomized controlled trials and observational studies assessing biological therapies or ESS in adults with CRSwNP. The primary outcomes were nasal polyp score (NPS), nasal congestion score, Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), and adverse events. Omalizumab showed significant improvements in NPS, nasal congestion score, and SNOT-22 scores compared to placebo, with sustained effects in an open-label extension study. Mepolizumab significantly reduced SNOT-22 scores, improved lung function, and decreased blood eosinophil counts and systemic corticosteroid use in patients with severe eosinophilic asthma and CRSwNP. Benralizumab improved NPS and nasal blockage scores compared to placebo, with effects varying by comorbidities and baseline characteristics. ESS with medical therapy showed better SNOT-22 scores than medical therapy alone, though not reaching the minimal clinically important difference. Biological therapies and ESS were well tolerated, with adverse events comparable to those of the placebo. This review demonstrates the effectiveness of biological therapies and ESS in managing CRSwNP, particularly in severe cases of the disease. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of these interventions in CRSwNP management.

Ciprofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, plays a crucial role in treating otitis externa, which is a common inflammatory disorder of the outer ear canal. This review examines the effectiveness and safety of ciprofloxacin in managing otitis externa, with a focus on its pharmacological properties, antibacterial effects, and outcomes. This review highlights the potent activity of ciprofloxacin against the primary pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus and its ability to penetrate the auditory canal, making it ideal for treating ear infections. The use of oral ciprofloxacin in severe cases, particularly in malignant otitis externa, is also discussed. This review explores the benefits and drawbacks of topical and oral ciprofloxacin formulations and the rationale for combining these routes in complex cases. Special attention should be given to prescribing ciprofloxacin to vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and pregnant women. The increasing prevalence of ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteria and the importance of antimicrobial stewardship programs in combating resistance are emphasized. This review addresses drug interactions and monitoring strategies. Future directions in otitis externa treatment are discussed, including the development of safer quinolones, advancements in targeted drug delivery systems, and progress in diagnostic tools for antibiotic selection. This review underscores the significance of ciprofloxacin in managing otitis externa while highlighting the need for judicious use and research to optimize outcomes and mitigate resistance risk.