• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.12
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• pp.1301-1307
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• 2006

Purpose : Hearing loss is one of the most common birth defects, and early detection and intervention positively impact language/speech and cognitive development. It has been reported that NICU graduates have a high incidence of hearing loss. So we investigated the incidence, risk factors and clinical outcome of hearing loss in NICU graduates. Methods : This study involved neonatal auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing of newborn infants who graduated from the NICU of Kyungpook National University Hospital during a 3-year period (between July 2002 and June 2005) and subsequent follow-up of these infants. Results : ABR evaluations were performed on 474 infants. Of these infants, 64 showed abnormal ABR (13.5 percent). Of 128 ears from these 64 infants, two ears (1.6 percent) and 10 ears (7.8 percent) were classified as severe and profound hearing loss, respectively. The infants with abnormal ABR had higher incidence of prematurity, low birth weight, very low birth weight, neonatal asphyxia, cranio-facial malformation and amikacin treatment over 15 days (P<0.05). In infants with hyperbilirubinemia, the peak level of serum bilirubin, duration of phototherapy and exchange transfusion were not associated with the higher incidence of hearing loss. Follow-up ABR evaluation was performed on 15 infants with abnormal ABR at $8.8{\pm}4.4months$. In follow-up ABR, 80.0% showed improvement or normalization of threshold sensitivity. Conclusion : NICU graduates exhibit high risk for hearing loss. Systemic and effective hearing assessment program is needed for these high risk infants.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.248-256
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• 2024

The purpose of this study was to identify the household air pollutants most significantly impacting hearing loss, using data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Of the 1,980 participants, those with missing data were excluded from the study population, resulting in the final inclusion of 298 participants. Mild hearing loss is defined as a unilateral or bilateral pure-tone threshold average (PTA) of 26~40 dB, and moderate hearing loss is defined as a unilateral or bilateral PTA of 41 dB or higher. The mean of the PTAs for both ears is defined as the sum of the PTAs of the left and the right ears divided by 2. Complex samples multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that formaldehyde exposure independently significantly increased the risk of moderate hearing loss (odds ratio=1.050, P<0.001). Additionally, in the complex samples general linear model, toluene exposure (B=0.026, P<0.001) was found to be independently significantly associated with an increase in the mean of PTAs for both ears, where a higher mean of the PTAs for both ears indicates a decrease in hearing ability. These results suggest a strong association between hearing loss and the presence of toluene or formaldehyde in indoor air.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.732-743
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• 2007

Background noise is one of the major complaints of not only hearing impaired persons but also normal listeners. This paper describes the results of two experiments in which speech recognition performance was determined for listeners with normal hearing and sensorineural hearing loss in noise environment. First, we compared speech enhancement algorithms by evaluation speech recognition ability in various speech-to-noise ratios and types of noise. Next, speech enhancement algorithms by reducing background noise were presented and evaluated to improve speech intelligibility for sensorineural hearing impairment listeners. We tested three noise reduction methods using single-microphone, such as spectrum subtraction and companding, Wiener filter method, and maximum likelihood envelop estimation. Their responses in background noise were investigated and compared with those by the speech enhancement algorithm that presented in this paper. The methods improved speech recognition test score for the sensorineural hearing impaired listeners, but not for normal listeners. The results suggest the speech enhancement algorithm with the loudness compression can improve speech intelligibility for listeners with sensorineural hearing loss.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1972.03a
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• pp.2.2-2
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• 1972

Recently author have experienced three cases of familial sensori-neural hearing loss bilaterally which were complaints of hearing gradually for 6 years.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.31-46
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• 2022

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze outpatients who visited for treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss in ophthalmology & otolaryngology & dermatology clinic of Daejeon Korean medical hospital from January 1st, 2013 to December 31th, 2021. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed outpatients who visited for treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss in ophthalmology & otolaryngology & dermatology clinic of Daejeon Korean medical hospital from January 1st, 2013 to December 31th, 2021. according to year, season, gender, age, clinical symptoms, number of visits and initial degree of hearing loss. The statistical analysis performed using IBM SPSS 25.0 for Windows. Results : The results of analyzing the medical records of 194 patients are as follows. 1. The number of patients showed a gradual increase from 2014 to 2021 and spring was highest in season. Acc ording to gender, women visited more than men and the age group that visited the most was middle-aged, including 40s and 50s. 2. Patients experienced 13 symptoms and the average number was 4.06. In the analysis of the major symptoms according to gender, hyperacusis and headache were found to be more common in female. 3. The average of initial hearing loss was 52.54dB and was higher in male. The loss was relatively higher in 60s or older than in the younger age group. Conclusions : If treatment and management methods that reflect these symptoms are developed, it is thought that it will greatly helpful to improve the quality of life of patients with sudden hearing loss.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.181-186
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• 2024

Background: This study aimed to analyze the trend of occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) in Brazilian workers at a metallurgical plant with a hearing conservation program (HCP), which has been addressed in a previous study. Methods: All 152 workers in this time series (20032018) participated in the HCP and used personal protective equipment. All annual audiometry records in the company's software were collected from the electronic database. The trend of ONIHL was analyzed with the joinpoint regression model. The hearing thresholds of ONIHL cases at the end of the series were compared with those found in a national reference study. Results: The binaural mean hearing thresholds at 3, 4, and 6 kHz at the end of the series were higher for ages ≥50 years, exposures ≥85 dB (A), time since admission >20 years, and maintenance workers. Significance was found only in the group divided by age. There was an increasing time trend of ONIHL, though with a low percentage variation for the period (AAPC = 3.5%; p = 0.01). Hearing thresholds in this study differed from the reference one. Conclusion: Despite the unmet expectation of a stationary trend in the study period, the time pace of ONIHL evolution did not follow what was expected for a population exposed to noise. These findings signal to the scientific community and public authorities that good ONIHL control is possible when HCP is well implemented.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2020

Background and Objectives: Bilateral microphones with contralateral routing of signal (BiCROS) hearing aid is an option for hearing rehabilitation in individuals with asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss (ASNHL). The clinical factors influencing the trial and purchase of BiCROS were investigated. Subjects and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 78 patients with ASNHL who were recommended to use BiCROS and analyzed the demographic and audiological factors influencing the trial and purchase of BiCROS. Results: Among the 78 patients, 52 (66.7%) availed of the free BiCROS trial and 21 (26.9%) purchased BiCROS. The mean pure tone audiometry (PTA) air conduction (AC) threshold of the better- and worse-hearing ears were 44.2±12.8 dB and 90.7±22.5 dB HL, respectively. The decision for trial or purchase of BiCROS was not influenced by age, sex, duration of hearing loss of the worse-hearing ear, or PTA AC threshold or speech discrimination score of both ears. The first and third quartiles of the PTA AC thresholds for the better-hearing ear of BiCROS buyers were 38.75 dB and 53.75 dB HL, respectively. The counterpart values for the worse-hearing ear were 72.50 dB and 118.75 dB HL, respectively. Conclusions: The clinical factors analyzed in this study were found to be irrelevant to the trial and purchase of BiCROS in patients with ASNHL. Nevertheless, the distribution range of the auditory thresholds of the subjects using BiCROS can be a useful basis for the counseling of patients with ASNHL and selection of candidates for BiCROS use.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.261-270
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• 2018

Hearing-impaired people are increasing rapidly due to the global aging trend. Early detection of hearing loss requires an easy-to-use audiometry device for the public. Existing audiometry systems were developed as PC-based, PDA-based, or smartphone apps. These devices were often dependent on specific software platforms and hardware platforms. In this paper, we tried to improve software platform compatibility by using cross platform, and tried to implement IoT-based pure tone audiometry device which does not require sound pressure level correction due to hardware differences. Pure tone audiometry is available in a variety of ways depending on the type of hearing loss and age. Using the IoT-based audiometry device implemented in this paper, it will be possible for an app developer who lacks hardware knowledge to easily develop an app with various scenarios for hearing screening. The results of this study will contribute to overcoming the software and hardware dependency in the development of IoT-based healthcare device.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.186-195
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the efficacy of using oriental medical treatment withMelonis Calyxvomiting therapy for sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSNHL).Methods : We experienced one case of SSNHL treated with oriental medical treatment(acupuncture, herbal medicine) andMelonis Calyxvomiting therapy(MCVT). MCVT is a traditional treatment, which induces vomiting by eatingMelonis Calyxpowder with water. To evaluate the results of this treatment, we measured the hearing recovery, decrease of tinnitus and vertigo. The degree of hearing improvement was evaluated by Siegel's Criteria. Decrease of tinnitus and vertigo was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale(VAS).Results : The pure tone 5 frequency average improved by 39㏈(marked recovery, from 64㏈ to 25㏈). VAS of tinnitus decreased from 10 to 1, and vertigo decreased from 4 to 0.Conclusions : This study suggests that using MCVT with oriental medical treatment is effective on SSNHL.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.204-212
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• 2019

Introduction : Patients with temporomandibular disorder may have various ear-related symptoms. If an excessive load is applied to the ear area due to the skeletal shape of the mandibular condyle or malposition of the disc, an auditory problems may occur. Case report : The patient was referred to our clinic due to the suspicion of temporomandibular disorder from the local otorhinolaryngology clinic. A few days ago, his right ear could not be heard. MRI showed that the left TMJ disc was anterior displacement with reduction, the right TMJ disc was anteromedial displacement without reduction. Also Right mandibular condyle showed sclerotic bone change, subchondral cyst and was compressing the frontal wall of the ear on MRI view. Right TMJ arthroplasty was done under the diagnosis of right TMJ osteoarthritis and osteochondroma. Postoperative intermaxillary fixation was done with SAS screw and elastics for 2 weeks. One month after the operation, hearing and TMJ discomfort were recovered without any complications. Conclusions As seen in this case, hearing loss due to benign tumor-like lesions of the temporomandibular joint should be treated surgically to restore the TMJ function and hearing.