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Background and Aim: Real-Ear-to-Coupler Difference (RECD) is affected by the type of transducer and its coupling method. This study aimed to investigate the effect of receiver type used in Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) hearing aids on RECD and Coupler Response for Flat Insertion Gain (CORFIG) obtained by the same coupling method. Methods: In this study, the right ears of 30 normal-hearing adults (25 men and 5 women, with a mean age of 28.13±5.62 years) were studied. We used the RIC hearing aids with two standard and power receivers. The foam of the ER-3A insert earphone was used as a coupling system in both receivers. By using the Audiogram Direct test within Phonak's fitting software, 70 dB HL intensity was produced at different frequencies, once in the realear and again in the HA-1 coupler. By assessing the difference between real-ear and HA-1 coupler measurements, the RECD was first obtained. Then, the CORFIG was obtained at different frequencies by subtracting the Microphone Location Effect (MLE) and RECD from Real-Ear Unaided Gain (REUG). Results: The RECD and CORFIG values obtained from the standard receiver at all frequencies were significantly different from those from the power receiver (p<0.05), where the use of the power receiver resulted in lower RECD and higher CORFIG. With the increase in frequency, the RECD increased. A small frequency changes of 50 Hz had a significant effect on RECD and CORFIG. Conclusion: The type of receiver used in RIC hearing aids has a significant effect on the RECD and CORFIG values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The Acceptable Noise Level (ANL), which is an effective clinical tool for quantitative assessment of noise tolerance, is affected by some known variables related to both subject and testing materials. The present study examined how the characteristics of different babble noises may affect the ANL results in normal adult listeners. Methods: Forty Persian listeners with normal hearing participated. In addition to typical ANL testing with 12-talker noise, the ANL was obtained in 8 different conditions varying in number of talkers from 2 to 10 in the babble noises presenting forward and backward. Results: There was a significantly lower ANL for 2-talker babble compared to 4, 8, 10, and 12-talker babble in both forward and backward noise conditions. With the increase in talkers in noise, the ANL becomes worse but reaches almost a plateau with more than 4 talkers in babble noise. There was a statistically significant difference between 2-talker forward and 2-talker backward noises, with no difference for the other conditions. Conclusion: This finding that the ANL is affected by the number of talkers in babble noise and by the forward and backward background noise suggests that informational masking and listening in dip mechanisms are involved in ANL for normal hearing people at least. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Experiencing dizziness/vertigo is often an indication of dysfunction in the vestibular system. Recent findings show a connection between peripheral vestibular dysfunction and cognitive impairments. The Neuropsychological Vertigo Inventory (NVI) can assess physical, emotional, and cognitive issues in individuals with dizziness/vertigo. The aim of this research was to translate, cultural adaptation and evaluation of the reliability and validity of NVI to Persian. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, the NVI scale was translated and adapted to the Iranian cultural context following the international quality of life assessment protocol for translation and equivalence. After obtaining face validity, the scale was administered to 140 patients with peripheral vestibular system dysfunction and 70 control group (age between 25 and 80 years). After one week, 50 participants were asked to complete the questionnaire again. Eventually, reliability was evaluated with both methods of internal consistency and test-retest reproducibility. Results: Out of the 28 items in the NVI scale, 3 items were modified to better align with the cultural conditions of Iranians. The impact scores for most items in this scale were found to be higher than 1.5. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient values for the overall scale (0.90) and test-retest reliability with intra-class correlation coefficient for the overall scale (0.91) were confirmed. Conclusion: The Persian version of NVI scale demonstrates excellent validity and reliability, and it exhibits a high level of content alignment with the original version. Therefore, it can be a useful tool to better understand the physical, emotional and cognitive disturbances in patients with vertigo/dizziness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Questionnaires are useful tools for clinicians. This study aimed to translate the Dizziness Handicap Inventory for Patient Caregivers (DHI-PC) into Persian (DHI-PC-P) and assess its psychometric properties for children aged 5-12 years. Methods: This is a descriptive-analytical psychometrics study. After obtaining permission from the developers of the DHI-PC, translation into Persian and cross-cultural adaptation were done according to the international guidelines for self-assessment tools recommended by the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons. Participants were 21 parents (mean age: 38.05 years, SD=6.1 years, 18 female) and their children with dizziness (mean age 8.69 years, SD=2.41 years, 9 female) between the ages of 5-12 years old. Face validity, content validity, and test-retest reliability at an interval of 14-21 days were evaluated for the DHI-PC-P. Results: The face validity was confirmed qualitatively by the experts' opinions and quantitatively by calculating the item impact score. Content validity was confirmed by calculating the content validity index and the content validity ratio (0.97 and 0.86, respectively). The internal consistency was good (Cronbach's alpha=0.90). For the testretest reliability, the intraclass correlation coefficient was obtained 0.94, indicating an excellent reliability. Conclusion: The DHI-PC-P can be used clinically as a valid and reliable tool for children with dizziness aged 5-12 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The Acceptance Noise Level (ANL) which determines the tolerable noise level while listening to running speech, is related to factors such as hearing loss and speech presentation level. This study aims to investigate the effect of speech presentation level on the ANL in people with unilateral Meniere's Disease (MD) compared to the normal-hearing people. Methods: In this study, 33 people aged 32-60 years with unilateral MD and 38 normal-hearing people aged 20-46 years participated. The ANL growth was evaluated unilaterally at four different speech presentation levels: Most Comfortable Level (MCL), -10 dB lower than the MCL, +10 dB higher than the MCL, and a range between MCL and uncomfortable level. Results: In MD patients, the ANL of the affected ear was significantly different from that of the contralateral ear (p<0.010). Compared to the normal-hearing people, the pattern of ANL growth in MD patients was significantly different, but the ANL growth patterns were similar between the affected and contralateral ears. Conclusion: ANL and its growth pattern are different between the affected and contralateral ears of patients with unilateral MD, but are similar compared to normal-hearing people. Despite the apparently normal hearing thresholds, the performance of the contralateral ear in noise at various speech presentation levels in patients with unilateral MD seems to be similar to that of the affected ear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Each year, millions of older people experience falling which can cause serious injuries such as broken bones, head injuries, or even death. Since Diabetes Mellitus can disrupt the balance system and increase falling, and given that fear of falling and balance confidence are critical fall-related psychological concerns that can be the risk factors of falls in the diabetic elderly, this study aimed to compare fear of falling and balance confidence of diabetic and non-diabetic older adults in Iran. Methods: Participants were 63 diabetic older patients and 59 non-diabetic peers aged 60 years and over. Data were collected using the Persian versions of falling efficacy scale-international and activities-specific balance confidence-short form questionnaires. In addition, modified Romberg and timed up and go tests were performed to assess subjective balance performance. Results: The scores of falling efficacy scale-international questionnaire and timed up and go test were significantly higher in diabetic group while the scores of activities-specific balance confidence-short form questionnaire were lower (p<0.001). No significant differences were observed in the modified Romberg test scores between two groups. Conclusion: Fear of falling and low balance confidence are more common in diabetic older adults compared to non-diabetic peers. They have poor performance in timed up and go test and have more falls during the last 12 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Many aspects and features of auditory system can be improved by musical training. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a stringed musical instrument playing course on temporal resolution and temporal fine structure (TFS) processing. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 44 normal-hearing adults aged 20-40 years divided to two groups. The first group included 22 stringed musical instruments players (13 males) with at least three years of experience, and the second group were 22 non-players (13 males). The random gap detection test (RGDT) was used to measure temporal resolution aspect of hearing. For TFS processing, latest version of temporal fine structure-adaptive frequency (TFS-AF) test was used. Results: The TFS-AF results showed no statistically significant difference between groups in different interaural phase differences (IPDs). The RGDT results showed significant differences between groups at 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz, but not at 4000 Hz. Spearman correlation test results showed no statistically significant correlation between the results of TFS-AF and RGDT. Conclusion: Musical training has no effect on TFS processing but considerably enhances gap detection ability. Their underlying mechanisms for TFS processing and gap detection are different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Spatial hearing is a prerequisite for the proper function of the listener in complex auditory environments. In the present study, a Persian version of the dynamic spatial-quick speech in noise (DS-QSIN) has been developed with respect to all possible factors affecting the test and to run five lists for normal hearing subjects and assessment of reliability. Methods: To construct five new lists according to the original quick speech in noise (QSIN) test, we used frequent, familiar, and difficult words to construct unpredictable sentences. After determining the content and face validity of the sentences, 30 selected sentences were played using a DS-QSIN software for 35 subjects aged 18-25 years. The reliability of the test was assessed after repeating the test after two weeks. Results: According to expert judges, these 30 sentences showed acceptable content and face validity with the changes. The average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) loss of five lists was -5.2 dB. No significant difference was seen between men and women in all lists. The results indicate no difference in the average SNR loss between the five lists. Regarding the reliability assessment, the test-retest correlation coefficient was 0.5 to 0.7 (p<0.05). The intra-class correlation coefficient between test-retest was statistically significant (p>0.001) and confirmed that the lists have high reliability and repeatability. Conclusion: DS-QSIN test showed good validity and reliability and can be helpful in diagnosis and selecting the best method for rehabilitation of people with a spatial hearing disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Noise tolerance and performance in noisy environments are influential factors of hearing aid use in people with hearing loss. One of the causes of hearing loss is Meniere's disease (MD), which affects speech perception in noise. Acceptable noise level (ANL) is a test that measures the maximum tolerated background noise level (BNL) while listening to the running speech. Since the effect of MD on ANL needs further study, the present study aims to examine the ANL test results in people with unilateral MD, and compare the results between the two ears. Methods: This cross sectional study conducted on 33 individuals with unilateral MD (21 females and 12 males) aged 32-60 years who had the disease for at least one year, who participated in this study. Their most comfortable level (MCL), BNL, and ANL in both ears were then evaluated. Results: The mean MCL and BNL were significantly different between the two ears, where they were higher in the affected ear than in the contralateral ear. There was also a significant difference in the ANL results between the two ears. In the affected ear, a statistically significant relationship was reported between the ANL and the average hearing thresholds at frequencies of250, 500, and 1000 Hz. Conclusion: MD affects the ANL in the affected ear and causes a deterioration in its level and speech perception in noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Amblyaudia is a diagnostic issue in central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), which is characterized by asymmetry in dichotic listening performance. This disorder negatively affects the academic performance of children by influencing their information processing, reading, attention, etc. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the dichotic interaural intensity difference (DIID) training on all auditory processing categories of the Buffalo Model using the Persian staggered spondaic word (P-SSW) test. Methods: The study was conducted on 17 children (11 girls and 6 boys) aged 8-12 years old diagnosed with amblyaudia. All children were first evaluated by the P-SSW test, and then participated in 10-12 sessions of the DIID training. The P-SSW test was taken again after completing the training program in order to evaluate the training effect. Results: The paired t-test results showed a significant reduction in the mean scores of decoding (p < 0.001) and tolerance fading memory (p < 0.004) categories as well as the total mean score of P-SSW test after training. The Wilcoxon test also showed the effect of this training on the integration category (p < 0.025). The McNemar test, however, showed no statistically significant effect of the DIID training on the organization category. Conclusion: The DIID training causes significant improvement in some central auditory processing categories of the Buffalo Model, including decoding, tolerance fading memory and integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]