• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.53-60
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• 2020

Several novel animal models that represent the pathophysiological process of endolymphatic hydrops (ELH) of Meniere's disease (MD) have been developed. Animal models are important to identify and characterize the pathophysiology of ELH and to corroborate molecular and genetic findings in humans. This review of the current animal models will be useful in understanding the pathophysiology of and developing proper treatments for MD. Surgical animal models will be replaced by medication-induced animal models. Study models previously developed in guinea pigs will be developed in several smaller animals for ease of conducting molecular analysis. In this review, we provided updated resources including our previous studies regarding the current and desirable animal models for MD.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.110-114
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• 2021

We report a case of hearing rehabilitation following combined cochlear implantation and ossiculoplasty. A 71-year-old patient visited the clinic for right-sided mixed hearing loss. We targeted neural and conductive components, performing two different operations simultaneously. At two months post-operative, the patient showed satisfactory results with respect to hearing threshold and speech comprehension. Our experience suggests that careful evaluation of patients and consideration of the diverse array of available treatment strategies can be used to provide personalized rehabilitation with maximal effectiveness. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to take such an integrated approach to treat hearing impairment and is thus likely to have clinical importance for otologists.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.235-240
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• 2021

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a common disorder; however, sequential, bilateral presentation of the disease is rarer than unilateral presentation. Clinical otologists usually focus on treating the side with impaired hearing when patients first present with unilateral SSNHL, and therefore, may not warn patients of the possibility of subsequent hearing impairment in the contralateral ear. Furthermore, it is professionally discouraging when a patient presents with profound, sequential SSNHL after initial treatment. This may adversely impact the doctor-patient relationship, even if the patient is offered the best possible care from their first visit. Herein, we report the case of a patient with profound, idiopathic, bilateral SSNHL with a time interval of 37 days between involvement of both ears. Even though high-dose steroids were administered intraorally and intratympanically, the patient's hearing was not restored, and the patient eventually required bilateral cochlear implant surgery. Our report demonstrates that sequential, profound, bilateral SSNHL may manifest without any specific signs.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.135-139
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: This study was undertaken to investigate the educational status in bilateral prelingual deaf children with a cochlear implant (CI), also known as early cochlear implantees (CIs). Type of schooling and enrollment rate of tertiary education were analyzed as primary results. Subjects and Methods: Participants in this study comprised a highly homogeneous group of deaf patients who underwent cochlear implantation at a similar age. Sixty-four Korean patients were enrolled. Statistical data for disabled populations and the general population were obtained from the National Statistics Korea. Results: Among 64 patients, 46, 8, and 10 attended mainstream, integrated, and special schools, respectively. Notably, there was a significant difference in the type of school between hearing-impaired and CI groups (p=0.007). Ten of 13 patients enrolled in tertiary education. Conclusions: CI users were more likely than hearing impaired students to attend mainstream school. The enrollment rate of CI users in tertiary education was the same as that of the general population.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.59-62
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• 2019

Primary tumors arising from the external auditory canal (EAC) are rare. We describe two cases of mass lesions within the EAC causing slowly progressive hearing loss without otorrhea or otalgia. Otoendoscopic examination demonstrated total obstruction of the EAC, and pure tone audiometry revealed conductive hearing loss. Based on the findings of the histopathologic examination, one patient was diagnosed with venous hemangioma that was treated using surgical resection, and the other patient was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) that was treated using external-beam radiation therapy. Although primary tumors in the EAC are rare, both benign tumors such as venous hemangiomas and malignant lesions such as DLBCL should be considered as possible differential diagnoses of mass lesions in the EAC.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.160-166
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• 2019

Lots of neuroimaging and animal studies have revealed that tinnitus and hyperacusis share the same patterns in the bottom up central auditory process. The aim was to identify the abnormal central patterns commonly observed in both tinnitus and hyperacusis in humans. We investigated two cases of normal hearing: a tinnitus patient and a hyperacusis patient. We compared the differences between the severe temporal hyper-activated state (STHS), with spikes, fast beta and gamma frequencies after noise exposure, and the mild temporal hyperactivated state (MTHS), in no sound exposed condition. The power of the gamma band in the two cases was increased in both auditory cortices compared to the other brain regions. Our results of human with normal hearing were the first to identify how tinnitus and hyperacusis caused by sound are abnormally active and how they maintain constant pathological states.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.167-172
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• 2019

Differentiating central vestibulopathy from more common vestibular disorders is crucial because it often necessitates different treatment strategies, and early detection can help to minimize potential complications. Isolated nodular infarct is one of the central brain lesions that can mimic peripheral vertigo. We present a case of isolated nodular infarct that had been misdiagnosed as vestibular neuritis on the contralateral side at the initial evaluation. The patient was successfully treated with anticoagulants and antihyperlipidemic agents. Clinicians should keep in mind that some causes of central vertigo mimic peripheral vestibulopathy at the early stage.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.210-213
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• 2019

The auricle is a three-dimensional cartilaginous frame covered with thin overlying skin. Due to its complex features, reconstructing helical rim defects after the excision of an auricular mass is challenging. Shortage of subcutaneous tissue and the presence of a tightly bound epithelium further hamper the primary closure of lateral (anterior) auricular skin defects. We present herein a case in which we used a helical rim advancement flap along with an additional postauricular skin flap. We achieved a satisfactory esthetic result with minimal loss of helical diameter and a low risk of flap necrosis by preserving the vascular network of the flap. This technique is less traumatic and will facilitate faster healing as well as improved patient recovery.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: To determine the efficacy of filling the external auditory meatus with 1% clotrimazole at a single visit for the treatment of otomycosis. Subjects and Methods: This prospective study included 40 patients who were referred to our clinic with complaints of ear itching, pain, and fullness, and were diagnosed with unilateral otomycosis. After cleaning the mycotic hyphae from the external auditory meatus, the ear canal was filled with 1% clotrimazole, using an intravenous catheter and syringe. The patients received follow-up examinations on post-treatment days 7, 15, and 45. Results: The follow-up otomicroscopic examinations revealed that 95% of the ear canals were entirely clean and that all symptoms had resolved. The post-treatment scores of pain, aural fullness and itching were significantly lower than the pre-treatment scores (p<0.01). Conclusions: Filling the external auditory meatus with 1% clotrimazole at a single visit is an easy, efficient, and cost-effective treatment for otomycosis. Additionally, high patient compliance makes this treatment superior to long-term topical therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.51-61
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• 2005

We analyzed statistics study in 1394 patients, who had visited to the Dept. of dermatology, ophthalmology & otorhinolaryngology Hospital of Oriental Medicine Sangji University from July, 2003 to December, 2004. The results were as follows. 1. Distribution of ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology and dermatology classification was 14.23% in ophthalmology, 13.92% in rhinology, 4.79% in laryngology, 23.05% in dermatology, 8.25% in otology, 2.14% in stomatology and 33.63% in other. 2. Ophthalmology group were 12.39% males and 14.16% females in 61years old over. In treatment term, opthalmology patients who had treated for 2 weeks within were 85.84%. Blepharism and asthenopia were the most common ophthalmologic disease. 3. Rhinology group were 18.10% males in 11-20 years old and 14.48% females in 10 years old within. In treatment term, rhinology patients who had treated for 2 weeks within were 70.59%. Rhinitis and sinusitis were the most common rhiniologic disease. 4. Otology group were 19.08% males and 16.80% females in 61years old over. In treatment term, otologic patients who had treated for 2 weeks within were 64.89%. Tinnitus and vertigo were the most common otologic disease. 5. Laryngology group were 10.53% males and 17.11% females 41-50 years old. In treatment term, laryngology patients who had treated for 2 weeks within were 85.53%. pharyngitis and abnormal pharyngolarylgeal region sensation were the most common laryngologic disease. 6. Stomatology group were 11.76% males in 31-40, 41-50 years old and 17.65% females in 61 years old over. In treatment term, stomatology patients who had treated for 2 weeks within were 82.35%. Stomatitis and labium spasm were the most common stomatologic disease. 7. Dermatology group were 11.75% males and 15.30% females in 21-30 years old. In treatment term, dermatology patients who had treated for 2 weeks within were 72.95%. Acne and urticaria were the most common dermatologic disease. 8. Other group were 8.99% males in 41-50 years old and 14.04% female in 61 years old over. In treatment term, other group patients who had treated for 2 weeks within were 69.29%. Bell's palsy and common cold were the most common other disease.