• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.153-159
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: We aim to explore the effects of residual auditory steady state response (ASSR) on cochlear implantation (CI) outcomes in children lacking auditory brainstem responses (ABRs). Subjects and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of child CI recipients lacking ABRs. All ears were divided into two groups: with residual ASSR and without ASSR. For each frequency, the T- and C-levels and the electrical dynamic ranges of postoperative 3-month and 1-year mappings were compared between the groups. To evaluate speech perception, patients who received simultaneous bilateral CIs were divided into two groups: group 1 exhibited responses at all frequencies in both ears; in group 2, at least one ear evidenced no response. The Categories of Auditory Perception (CAP) and Infant-Toddler Meaningful Auditory Integration Scale (IT-MAIS) scores were compared between the groups. Results: We enrolled 16 patients. At 2 kHz, the postoperative 3-month and 1-year T-levels of patients with residual hearing were lower than those of hearing loss group (p=0.001, p=0.035). In residual hearing group, the ASSR threshold correlated positively with the postoperative 1-year T-level (p=0.012, R²=0.276) and C-level (p=0.002, R²=0.374). Of 10 simultaneous bilateral CI recipients, 5 exhibited ASSRs at all frequencies and the other 5 showed no response at ≥1 frequency. The latter had higher CAP scores at the postoperative 1-year (p=0.018). Conclusions: In children exhibiting hearing loss in ABR testing, residual hearing at 2 kHz ASSR correlated positively with the post-CI T-level. Those with ASSRs at all frequencies had significantly lower CAP scores at the postoperative 1year. CI should not be delayed when marginal residual hearing is evident in ASSR.

• 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 Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.137-146
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• 2003

Objectives : Impaired hearing is a prevalent occupational hazard, not only in industry, but also in the armed forces. In military life, noise has unusual characteristics, and constitutes a serious hazard to hearing. The aim of this study was to analyze the hearing threshold data in order to compare the hearing loss among shipyard workers, representing different workers, and a military service background. Methods : A cross-sectional audiological survey, combined with a questionnaire study, was conducted on a stratified random sample of 440 shipyard workers, with long-term exposure to noise. The employees were divided into four groups, according to their working and military service backgrounds, in relation to their exposure to noise. Results : As expected, the working and military noise exposure group (Group I) had significantly poorer hearing than the other groups. The high frequencies (2-8 kHz) showed the greatest difference in terms of poorer fearing in both ears. The prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) was highest in Group I. A logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the dependence of the NIHL in relation to age, smoking, drinking, working duration, ear protection, past history of ear diseases, and working and military sonics backgrounds, on the noise exposure The important factors found to be related to the NIHL, in relation to noise exposure were: age, work duration, and working and military service backgrounds. The adjusted odds ratio estimates for NIML in the right ear were 4.5 times greater (95% CI 1.7-11.6) for the military noise exposed group, and 7.9 times greater (95% CI 2.0-31.3) for the working noise exposed group than in the controls. The hearing thresholds at the pure-tone average and 4 kHz were significantly increased with age and work duration with both the working and military service backgrounds. Conclusions : From these results, specific preventive programs were planned, which should be assessed by epidemiological surveillance of the military noise exposed population.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.104-110
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• 2009

It is well known that the saponin of Korean red ginseng (KRG) has an anti-oxidant effect and could suppress the accumulation of lipid peroxidation. The aim of the present study was to observe the inhibitory effect of KRG on mice with noise-induced hearing loss, and to determine its optimal dose. BALB/c mice with a normal hearing level and normal Preyer's reflexes were used in the study. The mice in the permanent-threshold-shift (PTS) group were exposed to noise (120-dB SPL, white noise band) in a noise booth for 3 h a day, for three consecutive days. The mice in the experimental group were given heat-processed red-ginseng extract (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg), and those in the control group were given normal saline alone during their noise exposure. The mice in the temporary-threshold-shift (TTS) group were exposed to noise (120 dBSPL, white noise band) in a noise booth for 3 h. The mice in the experimental group were given heat-processed red-ginseng extract (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 200 mg/kg), and those in the control group were given normal saline alone before their noise exposure. The hearing levels of the mice were measured through auditory brainstem response (ABR) immediately and I, 3, 5, 7, and 14 days after their noise exposure. Cochleae were removed from the mice 14 days after their noise exposure. lmmunochemical and immunofluorescent staining were performed to observe the expression of 8-oxoG in cochlea. In the PTS group, the hearing function of the mice in all the groups was not recovered after their noise exposure. In the TTS group, however, the hearing function of the mice in all the groups was recovered within 14 days. Reduced hearing impairment and early recovery were observed in the mice that were given 200 mg/kg KRG, and early recovery was observed in the mice that were given 100 mg/kg KRG The immunopositive staining of 8-oxoG was detected in the stria vascularis in the control group but was diminished in the mice that were given 200 mg/kg KRG The ingestion of more than 100 mg/kg KRG demonstrated a protection and recovery effect on the noiseinduced-TTS group. Since KRG has been reported to be a safe compound even up to hundreds of mg/kg, a higher concentration of it may effectively protect and recover TTS.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.59-68
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• 1998

Digital hearing aids offer many advantages over conventional analog hearing aids. With the advent of high speed digital signal processing chips, new digital techniques have been introduced to digital hearing aids. In addition, the evaluation of new ideas in hearing aids is necessarily accompanied by intensive subject-based clinical tests which requires much time and cost. In this paper, we present an objective method to evaluate and predict the performance of hearing aid systems without the help of such subject-based tests. In the hearing impairment simulation(HIS) algorithm, a sensorineural hearing impairment medel is established from auditory test data of the impaired subject being simulated. Also, the nonlinear behavior of the loudness recruitment is defined using hearing loss functions generated from the measurements. To transform the natural input sound into the impaired one, a frequency sampling filter is designed. The filter is continuously refreshed with the level-dependent frequency response function provided by the impairment model. To assess the performance, the HIS algorithm was implemented in real-time using a floating-point DSP. Signals processed with the real-time system were presented to normal subjects and their auditory data modified by the system was measured. The sensorineural hearing impairment was simulated and tested. The threshold of hearing and the speech discrimination tests exhibited the efficiency of the system in its use for the hearing impairment simulation. Using the HIS system we evaluated three typical hearing aid algorithms.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.1 s.56
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• pp.61-67
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• 1997

This study was performed to evaluate the effects on hearing of video tape manufacturing workers exposed to organic solvents. The experimental groups included solvents exposed group 51 and unexposed group 57 workers. All workers was examined air and bone conduction sensitivity by pure tone audiometer. The mean age of solvents exposed group was 34.1 and nonexposed group was 35.8. The mean duration of solvents exposed group was 7.3years. High frequency hearing loss prevalence of both groups was 23.5% in the group exposed to organic solvents and 17.5% in nonexposed group. There is no statistical significants in the prevalence of high frequency hearing loss. According to comparison of mean auditory threshold value by frequencies, on the air conduction test, right was statistically significant in the 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000Hz, except 8000Hz. Left 250, 500, 1000Hz was statistically significant. On the bone conduction test, left 250, both 500, 1000, 2000, 4000Hz, except right 250Hz, was statistically significant difference. Generally, auditory sensitivity threshold of the exposed group was higher than the nonexposed group.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.384-390
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• 2016

The purpose of this paper is to improve the availability of underwater sound by the fundamental data on the hearing ability of Redlip croaker Pseudosciaena polyactis, which is cultured according to the cultivation technology, recently. The auditory thresholds of Redlip croaker were determined at 6 frequencies from 80Hz to 800Hz by heartbeat conditioning method using pure tones coupled with a delayed electric shock. The audible range of the Redlip croaker extended from 80Hz to 800Hz with the best sensitive frequency range including little difference in hearing ability from 80Hz to 500Hz. In addition, the auditory thresholds over 800Hz increased rapidly. The mean auditory thresholds of the Redlip croaker at the test frequencies from 80Hz to 800Hz were 90.7dB, 93.4dB, 92.9dB, 94.4dB, 95.5dB and 108dB, respectively. Auditory masking for the redlip croaker was measured using masking stimuli with the spectrum level range of about 66, 71, 75dB (0dB re $1{\mu}Pa/{\sqrt{Hz}}$). According to white noise level, the auditory thresholds increased as compared with thresholds in a quiet background noise. The Auditory masking by the white noise spectrum level was stared over about 70dB within 80~500Hz. Critical ratio ranged from minimum 20.7dB to maximum 25.5dB at test frequencies of 80Hz~500Hz.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.172-180
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• 2022

Objectives : This study reports a 61-year-old man with sudden hearing loss and tinnitus whose symptoms improved remarkably after treatment with Korean medicine. Methods : The patient was treated with herbal medicine(gamisoyo-san, samul-tang gagambang, gongjindan, and yukmijihwang-hwan), acupuncture and moxibustion. Puretone audiometry(PTA), speech audiometry(SA), Korean tinnitus handicap inventory(K-THI), patient self-report, numeric rating scale(NRS) 11, and review of system(ROS) were performed. Results : After a month of treatment, PTA was improved from profound to mild and audiometric findings were improved in speech reception threshold and word recognition score. After 2 months of treatment, K-THI decreased from 92 to 28 and NRS 11 score decreased more than 6 in every item. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that Korean medicine could be effective sudden hearing loss and tinnitus.

• Speech Sciences
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2005

Electrodermal activity(EDA) is a bio-electric signal which occurs at the skin surface during the sweating. EDA reflects the activity of the sympathetic axis of the autonomic nervous system. EDA is associated with the eccrine sweat gland at the palmar and plamar surface. This study was aimed to characterize the relationship between EDA and auditory stimulus intensities. Acoustic stimulus used in this study were 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz of narrow band noise, which were representative of speech frequencies in audible range. Stimulus intensity between 90 and 30 dB in 10 dB within dynamic range. After deriving the minimum stimulus intensity(threshold of skin potential) which elicited skin potential, and then the latency and amplitude were derived from waveform of skin potential, each latency and amplitude were compared to stimulus intensity. The waveform of skin potential were recorded stably, and the threshold of skin potential appeared nearly the hearing threshold level of the participant. The latency was decreased and the amplitude was increased according to the increase of the stimulus intensity. These results suggest that auditory evoked skin potential can be applicable to auditory assessment and audiological diagnosis tool.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Fisheries and Ocean Technology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.156-160
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• 1999

This experiment was carried out to investigate the auditory threshold of the scorpion fish Sebastiscus marmoratus which was suitable for Marine ranching by a classical respiatory conditioning technique using a sound coupled with a delayed electric shock. The thresholds were determined by analyzing the electrocardiogram. The auditory thresholds were observed among the 12 fish with much difference from 100Hz to 300Hz. The audible range of the scorpion fish extended from 80 to 800Hz with a peak sensitivity of 90㏈(0㏈= $1\mu$Pa) at 100Hz. As the frequency became higher than 300Hz, the auditory threshold increased rapidly. The scorpion fish was least sensitive to sound of 500Hz among 6 frequency points and the value was about 12㏈.