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To examine associations between non-otologic medical conditions and auditory dysfunction. Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Noise Outcomes in Service members Epidemiology (NOISE) study. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between medical conditions (0, 1, and 2 or more conditions) and auditory dysfunction (hearing loss pure tone average ≥20 dB HL and tinnitus), adjusting for key confounders including noise exposure. Secondarily, the association between specific medical conditions and auditory dysfunction was examined. All variables were self-reported. United States military Veterans (n = 580) with mean age 34.1 years (standard deviation = 9.2), who were within approximately 2.5 years of separation from service. Compared to Veterans reporting no medical conditions, Veterans reporting two or more had increased odds on low-frequency hearing loss and on tinnitus but not on high or extended-high frequency hearing loss. Furthermore, specific conditions sleep disorder and arthritis were associated with auditory dysfunction. Non-otologic medical conditions were associated with low-frequency hearing loss and tinnitus in this sample of young Veterans. This suggests medical conditions may play a role in Veterans' hearing health. Whether management of medical conditions earlier in life reduces the risk of hearing loss and tinnitus requires further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reviews existing hearing conservation education programs and materials designed for children that could be adapted for classroom use, presenting recommendations for hearing conservation education and concluding that this topic is as important in the public schools as are such health issues as smoking, teen pregnancy, and substance abuse. (SM)

Objective: To determine which features make a computer-based hearing health education intervention effective, easy to use, and enjoyable. The study examined which features of a multimedia self-administered computerized hearing loss prevention program, developed by the National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research (referred to as the NCRAR-HLPP), users liked and disliked, and the reasons why. Design: A formative evaluation was conducted in which participants completed a questionnaire to assess knowledge and attitudes towards hearing and hearing loss prevention, used the NCRAR-HLPP, completed the questionnaire for a second time, and were interviewed to learn their opinions about the NCRAR-HLPP. Study sample: Twenty-five male and four female Veterans recruited from the Portland VA Medical Center who were aged between 25 and 65 years. Results: Participants reported that using the NCRAR-HLPP was a positive experience. Ease of use, multimedia content, personal relevance, and use of emotion were positive features of the program. The questionnaire showed increased knowledge and improved attitude scores following use of the program. Conclusion: This formative evaluation showed changes designed to target user preferences and improve user instructions will be made in future versions of the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, there are more than 445,000 veterans receiving compensation for hearing loss associated with military service, and 395,000 receiving compensation for service-related tinnitus. In addition to compensation payments, service-related hearing disorders cost the US Department of Veterans Affairs in terms of provision of hearing aids, hearing aid-related services, and clinical services at its 220 facilities nationwide. It is imperative that hearing conservation among military personnel and veterans be addressed. In this paper, we describe the rationale for and the development of a multimedia Hearing Loss Prevention Program aimed at preventing the progression of hearing loss among veterans associated with social, recreational, and nonmilitary occupational noise exposure. The program was developed based on the principles outlined in the Health Belief Model of Rosenstock (1966) and the Health Promotion Model of Pender et al. (2002). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to use the Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI) to assess obsessive-compulsiveness in a population of 196 tinnitus patients and to correlate MOCI scores with measures of anxiety, depression, and tinnitus severity. Tinnitus severity was positively correlated with measures of anxiety and depression. Depression was positively correlated with MOCI and anxiety scores. MOCI scores exhibited weaker positive correlations with tinnitus severity and anxiety. Effective management of tinnitus requires identification of psychological disorders or symptoms when they are present so that patients can receive appropriate treatment as soon as possible. The MOCI can be used to assess obsessive-compulsiveness in tinnitus patients.

Objective: In 1997, the Task Force on Rhinosinusitis (TFR) set forth symptom-based diagnostic guidelines for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). In the present study, we examined radiologic correlates of the TFR diagnostic criteria for rhinosinusitis., Study Design and Setting: One hundred twenty-five consecutive patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) scans of the sinuses were studied at Oregon Health and Science University. Patients were evaluated prospectively with a questionnaire based on the TFR criteria, and their CT scans were graded according to the Lund-Mackay scoring system., Results: Of the 125 patients, 115 met the symptom criteria for CRS. However, 40 of 115 had negative scans (Lund-McKay score, 0) despite meeting the diagnostic criteria for rhinosinusitis. Of 115, 75 had positive scans (Lund-McKay score, >1). Of the 10 patients who had negative diagnoses for rhinosinusitis, 9 had a positive CT scan. The Kappa coefficient was -0.103 (+/-95% confidence interval, -0.201 to -0.004), indicating poor agreement between CRS positivity and CT positivity. The sensitivity of TFR criteria for detecting a positive scan was 89%, but the specificity was poor at only 2%., Conclusion and Significance: Based on these pilot data, it appears that the specificity and predictive value of the current TFR criteria may not be adequate to serve as a diagnostic standard for rhinosinusitis. Additional validating data may provide guidance for improving the sensitivity and specificity of symptom-based diagnostic instruments for rhinosinusitis.