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The text aims to draw attention to the language policy involved in the processes of constructing the cultural identity of minorities. Discussion focuses on the two basic dichotomies of assimilationism-isolationism and empowerment-objectification and indicates selected aspects of language policy and educational practices in France, China and Israel.

Introduction: Chronic otitis media is characterized by tympanic membrane perforation and conductive hearing loss. In the active form of this disease, there will also be periodic or permanent otorrhea. With a number of surgical techniques available depending on intraoperative findings, otosurgery is the treatment of choice in such cases, the extent of which depends on the type and extent of the pathological changes. Material and Method: We carried out an analysis of 79 patients with chronic otitis media undergoing surgery at the Department of Otolaryngology, Jagiellonian University Medical College in Kraków between 2005 and 2014. Total audiometry was used as a part of hearing assessment, before the surgery, 6 months after the surgery and in the distant 10-year observation period. In addition, each patient completed the questionnaire and was examined by an otolaryngologist. Results: The analysis included 79 patients operated on due to chronic otitis media. The mean bone conduction (for frequencies 500,1000 and 2000 Hz) before surgery was 31.8 dB, it did not differ significantly (p = 0.355) after 6 months after surgery (32.8 dB), while it significantly increased (p < 0.001) in a distant 10-year control of 43.4 dB. The mean air conduction (for frequencies 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz) before the procedure was 57.6 dB, it significantly improved in the early control by 50.5 dB, at p < 0.001. In long-term follow-up it increased again to 61.3 dB and was significantly different from the early postoperative period (p < 0.001). The mean air-bone gap for frequencies 500, 1000 and 2000 Hz before surgery was on average 26.4 dB, it was significantly (p < 0.001) reduced in the postoperative period by 17.6 dB. The level of air-bone gap remained at a similar level in distant control. Conclusions: (1) A completely preserved ossicular chain in the absence of active chronic otitis media is the best prognosis for stable hearing improvement over the years with normal inner ear function; (2) Reoperation worsens the long-term results of a hearing test compared to the first operation.

Objectives The primary function of the human auditory system is to ensure proper speech comprehension. Speech audiometry enables the assessment of the conductive and the sensory aspects of the ears, providing some insight into the central auditory processing function. Materials and methods We conducted an analysis of 79 patients with chronic otitis media (COM) undergoing surgery at the Department of Otolaryngology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, in Krakow between 2005 and 2014. Tonal audiometry and speech audiometry were used as part of the hearing assessment. The pre-operative and long-term post-operative findings were compared, focusing mainly on speech audiometry. Results At the end of the mean 10-year follow-up, a significant percentage worsening in speech comprehension from the baseline was demonstrated in group III (hearing loss > 70 dB(decibels)), as compared with the remaining groups. There was a significant (p = 0.017) difference in speech comprehension between the treated and contralateral ears, with the mean maximum speech comprehension rates of 80% in the treated ear versus 92% in the contralateral ear. Conclusion We demonstrated a correlation between the findings of tonal audiometry and speech audiometry. The severe damage caused by chronic middle ear diseases not only leads to conductive hearing loss but also acts as a significant contributor to poor speech comprehension in a long-term follow-up. The speech comprehension in a healthy ear is significantly better than in a diseased ear. Middle ear reconstructive surgery offers the maximum improvement in speech comprehension at the hearing loss of 41 to 70 dB in speech audiometry.

Introduction: Ossiculoplasty can be carried out in a number of ways, depending on the anatomical and functional conditions encountered during otosurgery and the experience of a given centre. The extent of damage to the ossicular chain determines the reconstruction method. Aim: The objective of the study was to analyse treatment effects in terms of postoperative hearing improvement in patients with chronic otitis media, with a particular emphasis on stapedial superstructure preservation. Material and method: The records of 294 consecutive patients undergoing their first ENT surgery due to chronic otitis media at the Department of Otolaryngology of Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University of Kraków in 2009–2013 were analysed. In order to assess the role of preserved stapedial superstructure, 96 patients were eligible for further analysis. Results: The analysis points to a significant hearing improvement after ossiculoplasty with the preserved stapedial superstructure as compared with the patients after footplate mobilisation. On the other hand, the research results point to significantly smaller hearing improvement in those patients, in whom only stapes was preserved, as compared with those, in whom a more extensive reconstruction of the ossicular chain was possible. Conclusions: The air-bone gap measured before otosurgery often fails to reflect the extent of abnormalities and cannot, therefore, be considered as the only prognostic factor for postoperative hearing improvement. Stapes preservation is crucial for hearing improvement after middle ear surgery.

BACKGROUND Otosclerosis is the most common cause of condactive hearing loss between 15 and 50 years old. The most common symptoms are hearinglosss and tinnitus. Surgery is currently the preferred treatment method. AIM The aim of our study was to analyze the outcomes of patients treated surgically due to otosclerosis in terms of the observed changes in pure tone audiometry and speech audiometry Material and methods: We observated 300 patients operated on middle ear for the fist time in the Department of Otolarygology at the Jagiellonian University of Cracow from 2010 to 2011. We used a special questinnaire which includes diagnostics of the ear"s disease,pure tone audiometry, speech audiometrii and longterm effects. RESULTS We discuss 53 operated ears and analyze changes in pure tone audiometry. We divided patients into 2 groups depending on 100% speech understanding in speech auodiometry or not. CONCLUSION 1. Lack of 100% speech understanding in speech audiometry correlated with greater sensorineural hearing loss than in patients who achieved 100% speech understanding prior to surgery. 2. Lack of 100% speech understanding in speech audiometry is a predictive factor for worse prognosis in improving hearing in patients operated on for otosclerosis. 3. Reconstruction of the ossicular chain in patients, regardless of the degree of speech understanding, did not produce significant changes in the average values of bone conduction.

Summary Background Primary inverted papilloma of the sphenoid sinus is rare. The tumor is considered locally aggressive. In selected cases inverted papilloma can be associated with squamous cell carcinoma. Radiologic imaging is a key to an accurate diagnosis. Aim We analyzed patient with inverted papilloma in sphenoid sinus which was removed with endoscopic surgery. Material and methods We discuss patient with isolated inverted papilloma located in the sphenoid sinus. Results Performed endoscopic treatment enabled removal of tumour with no complications. Conclusions Transnasal endoscopic large sphenoidotomy remains an effective modality for mangement of patients with inverted papilloma. This method does not require external approach and it is performed with no scars, with minimal injury of tissues.

BACKGROUND Ear drum perforation is a typical feature in chronic otitis media. It can have posttraumatic etiology or it is observed in acute otitis media too. AIM This paper is intended to evaluate effectiveness of tympanic membrane reconstruction and indicate factors which have an influence on hearing improvement after myringoplasty. MATERIAL AND METHODS Analysis involves ca. 500 individuals operated on ear in Department of Otolaryngology at the Jagiellonian University between 2004 and 2009. RESULTS 120 individuals were operated on for the first time due to chronic otitis media with intact ossicular chain. Statistically significant heating improvement was observed in patients with discharge, without discharge and in group with scars. CONCLUSIONS The presence of granulation changes is an unfavorable prognostic condition in the patients with ear drum perforation. In clinical practice, the criterion which often determines the application of either of the materials in myringoplasty are operator's preferences, as well as the availability of given material for transplanting.

Summary Background The chronic otitis media is a frequent condition in ENT practice. The presence of cholesteatoma can lead to the destruction of bony structures in the middle ear spaces to a different extent. Aim We discuss the way of the patients’ treatment with the chronic cholesteatoma otitis media that were operated on for the first time. Material and methods We analyze the patients with the chronic cholesteatoma otitis media who were diagnosed, operated on and followed up in our Department between 2006 and 2009. 410 operations on ears were performed in that period of time. We discuss the extent of cholesteatoma, the hearing impairment, the type of otosurgery and the distant results of performed therapy. Results We discuss 44 patients operated on chronic cholesteatomatoma otitis media for the first time. It constitutes ca. 10% of all middle ear operations performed in analyzed period of time and 40% of all individuals operated on cholesteatoma. Conclusions There is a group of patients with the chronic cholesteatoma otitis media that have no hearing improvement after the reoperation. The main aim of the therapy in this group is to remove the pathology and therefore obtain the ‘dry ear’ and prevent against otogenous complications.

We perform the middle ear operation to remove pathological tissue and in the next step present ossicular chain reconstruction. Otosurgeon has to also identify bone dehiscences, as a potential way to develop otogenic intracranial and intratemporal complications.We analyzed the patients with bone defects in the middle and/or posterior cranial fossa who present also defects of the bony wall of the facial nerve canal and lateral semicircular canal.We observed 537 patients who were operated on middle ear for the first time in the Department of Otolaryngology at the Jagiellonian University of Cracow from 2008 to 2012. We used a special questionnaire that includes diagnostics of the ear's disease, method of the operation and short- and long-term effects.We discuss 45 patients with the skull base defects in the middle and/or posterior cranial fossa. Dehiscence of the bony wall of the facial nerve canal was present in 7 patients. In 4 cases semicircular canal fistula coexisted. The most common cause of bone dehiscence was granulation tissue, less frequently cholesteatoma.

Purpose Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is one of the most common diseases in the modern society. In recent years endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) has become the treatment of choice for patients with CRS refractory to medical therapy. ESS proved to be successful in most, but not all patients with CRS. Currently there is no direct method available to distinguish between patients who are likely to benefit from ESS and those who are not. The aim of this study was to build multidimensional models (artificial neural networks) to predict early outcomes of ESS in individual patients. Material/methods The study group comprised of 115 patients operated for CRS in the Department of Otolaryngology, Jagiellonian University Collegium Medicum, Cracow. The neural models were created using the Statistica Neural Network computer software package. The models required only information easily achievable for every patient before surgery. Consequently, the models could be readily applicable in everyday clinical practice. To define the results of surgery three different mathematical descriptions were compared. The models’ predictions were compared with the actual results of surgery 3–6 months postoperatively. Results The models were able to predict the early outcome of surgery in 90% of the patients but their quality depended on mathematical representation of the surgery result. The best models were characterized by 93% sensitivity and 86% specificity. Conclusions The results of ESS depend on many factors, so reliable outcome prognoses can be produced only by multidimensional models. Artificial neural networks are a promising multidimensional tool facilitating clinical decision making in patients with CRS.

The pedagogy of commonness might be the art of distinguishing between complementary knowledge and its appearances and communicative masks. Ignorance can create some myths of daily life that sanction mistakes, abuses and misunderstandings as the equivalents or even substitutes of knowledge based on true research, dialogue and exchange of thoughts and ideas. The main thesis of this article is: commonness will not cease – that is why the future reception of the Holocaust depends on the critical thinking skills of people who as users of new media should know why the Holocaust is not only a word. The pedagogy of commonness should prepare every user (who is or will be interested in) of the new media to think critically about the diversity of representations of the Holocaust.

Primary inverted papilloma of the sphenoid sinus is rare. The tumor is considered locally aggressive. In selected cases inverted papilloma can be associated with squamous cell carcinoma. Radiologic imaging is a key to an accurate diagnosis.We analyzed patient with inverted papilloma in sphenoid sinus which was removed with endoscopic surgery.We discuss patient with isolated inverted papilloma located in the sphenoid sinus.Performed endoscopic treatment enabled removal of tumour with no complications.Transnasal endoscopic large sphenoidotomy remains an effective modality for management of patients with inverted papilloma. This method does not require external approach and it is performed with no scars, with minimal injury of tissues.

Ear drum perforation is a typical feature in chronic otitis media. It can have posttraumatic etiology or it is observed in acute otitis media too.This paper is intended to evaluate effectiveness of tympanic membrane reconstruction and indicate factors which have an influence on hearing improvement after myringoplasty.Analysis involves ca. 500 individuals operated on ear in Department of Otolaryngology at the Jagiellonian University between 2004 and 2009.120 individuals were operated on for the first time due to chronic otitis media with intact ossicular chain. Statistically significant heating improvement was observed in patients with discharge, without discharge and in group with scars.The presence of granulation changes is an unfavorable prognostic condition in the patients with ear drum perforation. In clinical practice, the criterion which often determines the application of either of the materials in myringoplasty are operator's preferences, as well as the availability of given material for transplanting.