198 results on '"Guest, Hannah"'
Search Results
2. Chasing the Conversation: Autistic Experiences of Speech Perception
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Sturrock, Alexandra, Guest, Hannah, Hanks, Graham, Bendo, George, Plack, Christopher J., and Gowen, Emma
- Abstract
Background and aims: Humans communicate primarily through spoken language and speech perception is a core function of the human auditory system. Among the autistic community, atypical sensory reactivity and social communication difficulties are pervasive, yet the research literature lacks in-depth self-report data on speech perception in this population. The present study aimed to elicit detailed first-person accounts of autistic individuals' abilities and difficulties perceiving the spoken word. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine autistic adults. The interview schedule addressed interviewees' experiences of speech perception, factors influencing those experiences, and responses to those experiences. Resulting interview transcripts underwent thematic analysis. The six-person study team included two autistic researchers, to reduce risk of neurotypical 'overshadowing' of autistic voices. Results: Most interviewees reported pronounced difficulties perceiving speech in the presence of competing sounds. They emphasised that such listening difficulties are distinct from social difficulties, though the two can add and interact. Difficulties were of several varieties, ranging from powerful auditory distraction to drowning out of voices by continuous sounds. Contributing factors encompassed not only features of the soundscape but also non-acoustic factors such as multisensory processing and social cognition. Participants also identified compounding factors, such as lack of understanding of listening difficulties. Impacts were diverse and sometimes disabling, affecting socialising, emotions, fatigue, career, and self-image. A wide array of coping mechanisms was described. Conclusions: The first in-depth qualitative investigation of autistic speech-perception experiences has revealed diverse and widespread listening difficulties. These can combine with other internal, interpersonal, and societal factors to induce profound impacts. Lack of understanding of such listening difficulties -- by the self, by communication partners, by institutions, and especially by clinicians -- appears to be a crucial exacerbating factor. Many autistic adults have developed coping strategies to lessen speech-perception difficulties or mitigate their effects, and these are generally self-taught due to lack of clinical support. Implications: There is a need for carefully designed, adequately powered confirmatory research to verify, quantify, and disentangle the various forms of listening difficulty, preferably using large samples to explore heterogeneity. More immediate benefit might be obtained through development of self-help and clinical guidance materials, and by raising awareness of autistic listening experiences and needs, among the autistic community, communication partners, institutions, and clinicians.
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- 2022
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3. The Psychology of Hearing Loss
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Plack, Christopher J. and Guest, Hannah H.
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- 2022
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4. Relations between cochlear synaptopathy and auditory deficits in humans with normal audiograms
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Guest, Hannah, Munro, Kevin, and Plack, Chris
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617.8 - Abstract
In animals, noise exposure can destroy synapses between inner hair cells and auditory nerve fibres, without widespread loss of hair cells. This 'cochlear synaptopathy' does not permanently elevate cochlear thresholds, but does permanently reduce brainstem-response amplitudes at medium-to-high stimulus levels. If this pathophysiology manifests in humans, it might constitute a 'hidden' hearing loss, leading to auditory deficits despite normal audiometric thresholds. We recruited a cohort of adults with tinnitus and normal audiograms, and compared them with controls matched for age, sex, and audiometric thresholds. We also conducted a parallel study in adults with impaired speech perception in noise (SPiN) and normal audiograms. Measures of synaptopathy in both studies were the auditory brainstem response (ABR) and envelope-following response (EFR). Lifetime noise exposure was estimated using a detailed structured interview, which has since been developed into an instrument for use by other researchers. Neither study revealed any association of auditory deficits with measures of synaptopathy, although tinnitus was associated with greater lifetime noise exposure. Finally, we conducted a study assessing the reliability and interrelations of seven proxy measures of synaptopathy. Raw amplitude and threshold measures were highly reliable, but likely reflect myriad factors besides synaptopathy. Differential ABR and EFR measures were unreliable, and purported measures of synaptopathy did not correlate. Taken together, the results of the project provide no evidence that cochlear synaptopathy is a significant aetiology of tinnitus or impaired SPiN in humans with normal audiograms. However, in light of the uncertain validity of measures of synaptopathy, absence of evidence cannot be taken as evidence of absence.
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- 2018
5. Can Activity Projects Improve Children's Wellbeing during the Transition to Secondary Education?
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Akister, Jane, Guest, Hannah, and Burch, Sarah
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Promoting child mental wellbeing is an important part of UK early intervention policy. Children with poor physical or mental health have significantly lower educational attainment and lower social status as adults. "Activity" projects are one form of early intervention used to try and help vulnerable children. Evidence relating to the effectiveness of activity programmes is limited and there is little to say which children benefit most. This paper reports on a summer activity project for children identified as vulnerable in the transition from primary to secondary school and is a repeat measures, longitudinal design. Reasons that children were referred to the transition project included concerns about their behaviour, school attendance, self-confidence and self-esteem. Pre-project Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires show that most of these children have borderline or high Overall Stress scores, suggesting teachers are right to be concerned about them. The most significant improvement following the project was for children with high scores for emotional distress. There were no improvements for children referred for behavioural concerns.
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- 2016
6. Pre-registered controlled comparison of auditory function reveals no difference between hospitalised adults with and without COVID-19
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Visram, Anisa, Jackson, Iain, Guest, Hannah, Plack, Christopher, Brij, Seema, Chaudhuri, Nazia, Munro, Kevin, Visram, Anisa, Jackson, Iain, Guest, Hannah, Plack, Christopher, Brij, Seema, Chaudhuri, Nazia, and Munro, Kevin
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Several viruses are known to have a negative impact on hearing health. The global prevalence of COVID-19 means that it is crucial to understand whether and how SARS-CoV2 affects hearing. Evidence to date is mixed, with studies frequently exhibiting limitations in the methodological approaches used or the populations sampled, leading to a substantial risk of bias. This study addressed many of these limitations. A comprehensive battery of measures was administered, including lab-based behavioural and physiological measures, as well as self-report instruments. Performance was thoroughly assessed across the auditory system, including measures of cochlear function, neural function and auditory perception. Hypotheses and analyses were pre-registered. Participants who were hospitalised as a result of COVID-19 ( = 57) were compared with a well-matched control group ( = 40) who had also been hospitalised but had never had COVID-19. We find no evidence to support the hypothesis that COVID-19 is associated with deficits in auditory function on any auditory test measure. Of all the confirmatory analyses, only the self-report measure of hearing decline indicated any difference between groups. Results do not support the hypothesis that COVID-19 infection has a significant long-term impact on the auditory system.
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- 2024
7. The diversity of speech perception difficulties among autistic individuals
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Bendo, George, Sturrock, Alexandra, Hanks, Graham, Plack, Christopher, Gowen, Emma, Guest, Hannah, Bendo, George, Sturrock, Alexandra, Hanks, Graham, Plack, Christopher, Gowen, Emma, and Guest, Hannah
- Abstract
Background & aims Communicative and sensory differences are core autistic traits, yet speech-perception abilities and difficulties among autistic individuals remain poorly understood. Laboratory studies have produced mixed and inconclusive results, in part because of the lack of input from autistic individuals in defining the hypotheses and shaping the methods used in this field of research. Little in-depth qualitative research on autistic experiences of speech perception has been published, yet such research could form the basis for better laboratory research, for improved understanding of autistic experiences, and for the development of interventions. Existing qualitative research describes widespread autistic listening differences with significant impacts, but these results rely on data gathered via oral interviews in a small sample. The present study addresses these limitations and employs a mixed-methods approach to explore autistic listening experiences. Methods We gathered survey data from 79 autistic individuals aged 18–55 without diagnosed hearing loss. The questionnaire included 20 closed-set questions on listening abilities and difficulties and three free-text questions on listening experiences. The free-text questions underwent deductive content analysis using a framework composed of themes from previous interview data on listening experiences (including auditory differences, contributing factors, impacts, and coping strategies). Concepts in the free-text data that were not part of the analysis framework were analyzed inductively. Results In the closed-set data, participants reported listening difficulties in most specified environments, but complex background sounds and particularly background voices caused the most difficulty. Those who reported listening difficulties expressed having substantially greater difficulties than other people the same age. Participants indicated multiple impacts from listening difficulties, most prominently in their social l
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- 2024
8. The association between subcortical and cortical fMRI and lifetime noise exposure in listeners with normal hearing thresholds
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Dewey, Rebecca S., Francis, Susan T., Guest, Hannah, Prendergast, Garreth, Millman, Rebecca E., Plack, Christopher J., and Hall, Deborah A.
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- 2020
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9. Patient and public involvement in hearing research: opportunities, impact and reflections with case studies from the Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness.
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Dawes, Piers, Arru, Paolo, Corry, Rachel, McDermott, John Henry, Garlick, Julia, Guest, Hannah, Howlett, Emily, Jackson, Iain, James, Rachel, Keane, Annie, Murray, Carlyn, Newman, William, Visram, Anisa, and Munro, Kevin J.
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SPEECH perception ,PATIENT participation ,AUDIOLOGY ,DEAFNESS ,NOISE ,COMMUNICATIVE disorders research ,VIDEOCONFERENCING ,CRITICAL thinking ,EXPERIENCE ,TREATMENT of communicative disorders ,CASE studies ,ENVIRONMENTAL exposure ,HEALTH promotion ,ADULTS - Abstract
Patient and public involvement (PPI) in research improves relevance to end users and improves processes including recruitment participants. PPI in our research has gone from being non-existent to ubiquitous over a few years. We provide critical reflections on the benefits and challenges of PPI. Case studies are reported according to a modified GRIP2 framework; the aims, methodology, impact of PPI and critical reflections on each case and our experiences with PPI in general. We report five UK projects that included PPI from teenagers, families, people living with dementia, autistic people, and people from South Asian and d/Deaf communities. Our experience has progressed from understanding the rationale to grappling methodologies and integrating PPI in our research. PPI took place at all stages of research, although commonly involved input to design including recruitment and development of study materials. Methodologies varied between projects, including PPI co-investigators, advisory panels and online surveys. On-going challenges include addressing social exclusion from research for people that lack digital access following increasing on-line PPI and involvement from underserved communities. PPI was initially motivated by funders; however the benefits have driven widespread PPI, ensuring our research is relevant to people living with hearing loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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10. Corrigendum: The effect of lifetime noise exposure and aging on speech-perception-in-noise ability and self-reported hearing symptoms: an online study
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Shehabi, Adnan M., primary, Prendergast, Garreth, additional, Guest, Hannah, additional, and Plack, Christopher J., additional
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- 2023
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11. The diversity of speech-perception difficulties among autistic individuals.
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Bendo, George J, Sturrock, Alexandra, Hanks, Graham, Plack, Christopher J, Gowen, Emma, and Guest, Hannah
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SPEECH perception ,RESEARCH methodology ,PATIENTS' attitudes ,EXPERIENCE ,AUTISM ,QUALITY of life ,LISTENING ,CONTENT analysis ,THEMATIC analysis - Abstract
Background & aims: Communicative and sensory differences are core autistic traits, yet speech-perception abilities and difficulties among autistic individuals remain poorly understood. Laboratory studies have produced mixed and inconclusive results, in part because of the lack of input from autistic individuals in defining the hypotheses and shaping the methods used in this field of research. Little in-depth qualitative research on autistic experiences of speech perception has been published, yet such research could form the basis for better laboratory research, for improved understanding of autistic experiences, and for the development of interventions. Existing qualitative research describes widespread autistic listening differences with significant impacts, but these results rely on data gathered via oral interviews in a small sample. The present study addresses these limitations and employs a mixed-methods approach to explore autistic listening experiences. Methods: We gathered survey data from 79 autistic individuals aged 18–55 without diagnosed hearing loss. The questionnaire included 20 closed-set questions on listening abilities and difficulties and three free-text questions on listening experiences. The free-text questions underwent deductive content analysis using a framework composed of themes from previous interview data on listening experiences (including auditory differences, contributing factors, impacts, and coping strategies). Concepts in the free-text data that were not part of the analysis framework were analyzed inductively. Results: In the closed-set data, participants reported listening difficulties in most specified environments, but complex background sounds and particularly background voices caused the most difficulty. Those who reported listening difficulties expressed having substantially greater difficulties than other people the same age. Participants indicated multiple impacts from listening difficulties, most prominently in their social lives. Concepts in the free-text data strongly supported previous interview data on listening differences and factors that affect listening ability, especially the diversity of types of listening difficulties. Consistent with the closed-set data, background-sound complexity and concurrent voices were especially troubling. Some concepts in the free-text data were novel, particularly difficulties with remote, broadcast, and recorded audio, prompting the creation of new themes. Conclusions: Both forms of data indicate widespread listening differences—predominantly listening difficulties—affecting most autistic adults. Diverse types of listening difficulty are evident, potentially indicating heterogeneous underlying mechanisms, and complexity of background noise is consistently identified as an important factor. Listening difficulties are said to have substantial and varied impacts. Autistic adults are keen to share coping strategies, which are varied and usually self-devised. Implications: Based on both the quantitative and qualitative results, we provide recommendations to improve future research and support the autistic community. The data-revealing types of listening difficulties can guide better quantitative research into underlying mechanisms. Such research should take into account potential heterogeneity in listening difficulties. Suggestions for optimized collection of self-report data are also offered. Additionally, our results could be used to improve societal understanding of autistic listening differences and to create beneficial interventions for and with autistic individuals. Moreover, given the willingness of the autistic community to share coping strategies, systematic collation of these strategies could form the basis for self-help and clinical guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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12. Noise Exposure in Palestinian Workers Without a Diagnosis of Hearing Impairment: Relations to Speech-Perception-in-Noise Difficulties, Tinnitus, and Hyperacusis
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Shehabi, Adnan M., primary, Prendergast, Garreth, additional, Guest, Hannah, additional, and Plack, Christopher J., additional
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- 2023
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13. Listening effort and downstream effects due to hearing loss in children and young people: an online quantitative questionnaire-based observational study
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Shields, Callum Andrew, primary, Sladen, Mark, additional, Rajai, Azita, additional, Guest, Hannah, additional, Bruce, Iain, additional, Kluk, Karolina, additional, and Nichani, Jaya, additional
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- 2023
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14. Pre-registered controlled comparison of auditory function reveals no difference between hospitalised adults with and without COVID-19
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Visram, Anisa, Jackson, Iain, Guest, Hannah, Plack, Christopher, Brij, Seema, Chaudhuri, Nazia, Munro, Kevin, Visram, Anisa, Jackson, Iain, Guest, Hannah, Plack, Christopher, Brij, Seema, Chaudhuri, Nazia, and Munro, Kevin
- Published
- 2023
15. Binaural temporal coding and the middle ear muscle reflex in audiometrically normal young adults
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Shehabi, Adnan, Prendergast, Garreth, Guest, Hannah, Plack, Christopher, Shehabi, Adnan, Prendergast, Garreth, Guest, Hannah, and Plack, Christopher
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Noise exposure may damage the synapses that connect inner hair cells with auditory nerve fibers, before outer hair cells are lost. In humans, this cochlear synaptopathy (CS) is thought to decrease the fidelity of peripheral auditory temporal coding. In the current study, the primary hypothesis was that higher middle ear muscle reflex (MEMR) thresholds, as a proxy measure of CS, would be associated with smaller values of the binaural intelligibility level difference (BILD). The BILD, which is a measure of binaural temporal coding, is defined here as the difference in thresholds between the diotic and the antiphasic versions of the digits in noise (DIN) test. This DIN BILD may control for factors unrelated to binaural temporal coding such as linguistic, central auditory, and cognitive factors. Fifty-six audiometrically normal adults (34 females) aged 18 – 30 were tested. The test battery included standard pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, MEMR using a 2 kHz elicitor and 226 Hz and 1 kHz probes, the Noise Exposure Structured Interview, forward digit span test, extended high frequency (EHF) audiometry, and diotic and antiphasic DIN tests. The study protocol was pre-registered prior to data collection. MEMR thresholds did not predict the DIN BILD. Secondary analyses showed no association between MEMR thresholds and the individual diotic and antiphasic DIN thresholds. Greater lifetime noise exposure was non-significantly associated with higher MEMR thresholds, larger DIN BILD values, and lower (better) antiphasic DIN thresholds, but not with diotic DIN thresholds, nor with EHF thresholds. EHF thresholds were associated with neither MEMR thresholds nor any of the DIN outcomes, including the DIN BILD. Results provide no evidence that young, audiometrically normal people incur CS with impacts on binaural temporal processing.
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- 2023
16. Noise Exposure in Palestinian Workers Without a Diagnosis of Hearing Impairment:Relations to Speech-Perception-in-Noise Difficulties, Tinnitus, and Hyperacusis
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Shehabi, Adnan, Prendergast, Garreth, Guest, Hannah, Plack, Christopher, Shehabi, Adnan, Prendergast, Garreth, Guest, Hannah, and Plack, Christopher
- Abstract
Purpose: Many workers in developing countries are exposed to unsafe occupational noise due to inadequate health and safety practices. We tested the hypotheses that occupational noise exposure and aging affect speech-perception-in-noise (SPiN) thresholds, self-reported hearing ability, tinnitus presence, and hyperacusis severity among Palestinian workers. Method: Palestinian workers (N = 251, aged 18–70 years) without diagnosed hearing or memory impairments completed online instruments including a noise exposure questionnaire; forward and backward digit span tests; hyperacusis questionnaire; the short-form Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ12); the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory; and a digits-in-noise (DIN) test. Hypotheses were tested via multiple linear and logistic regression models, including age and occupational noise exposure as predictors, and with sex, recreational noise exposure, cognitive ability, and academic attainment as covariates. Familywise error rate was controlled across all 16 comparisons using the Bonferroni–Holm method. Exploratory analyses evaluated effects on tinnitus handicap. A comprehensive study protocol was preregistered. Results: Nonsignificant trends of poorer SPiN performance, poorer self-reported hearing ability, greater prevalence of tinnitus, greater tinnitus handicap, and greater severity of hyperacusis as a function of higher occupational noise exposure were observed. Greater hyperacusis severity was significantly predicted by higher occupational noise exposure. Aging was significantly associated with higher DIN thresholds and lower SSQ12 scores, but not with tinnitus presence, tinnitus handicap, or hyperacusis severity. Conclusions: Workers in Palestine may suffer from auditory effects of occupational noise and aging despite no formal diagnosis. These findings highlight the importance of occupational noise monitoring and hearing-related health and safety practices in developing countries.
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- 2023
17. Noise Exposure in Palestinian Workers Without a Diagnosis of Hearing Impairment : Relations to Speech-Perception-in-Noise Difficulties, Tinnitus, and Hyperacusis
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Shehabi, Adnan, Prendergast, Garreth, Guest, Hannah, Plack, Christopher, Shehabi, Adnan, Prendergast, Garreth, Guest, Hannah, and Plack, Christopher
- Abstract
Purpose: Many workers in developing countries are exposed to unsafe occupational noise due to inadequate health and safety practices. We tested the hypotheses that occupational noise exposure and aging affect speech-perception-in-noise (SPiN) thresholds, self-reported hearing ability, tinnitus presence, and hyperacusis severity among Palestinian workers. Method: Palestinian workers (N = 251, aged 18–70 years) without diagnosed hearing or memory impairments completed online instruments including a noise exposure questionnaire; forward and backward digit span tests; hyperacusis questionnaire; the short-form Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ12); the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory; and a digits-in-noise (DIN) test. Hypotheses were tested via multiple linear and logistic regression models, including age and occupational noise exposure as predictors, and with sex, recreational noise exposure, cognitive ability, and academic attainment as covariates. Familywise error rate was controlled across all 16 comparisons using the Bonferroni–Holm method. Exploratory analyses evaluated effects on tinnitus handicap. A comprehensive study protocol was preregistered. Results: Nonsignificant trends of poorer SPiN performance, poorer self-reported hearing ability, greater prevalence of tinnitus, greater tinnitus handicap, and greater severity of hyperacusis as a function of higher occupational noise exposure were observed. Greater hyperacusis severity was significantly predicted by higher occupational noise exposure. Aging was significantly associated with higher DIN thresholds and lower SSQ12 scores, but not with tinnitus presence, tinnitus handicap, or hyperacusis severity. Conclusions: Workers in Palestine may suffer from auditory effects of occupational noise and aging despite no formal diagnosis. These findings highlight the importance of occupational noise monitoring and hearing-related health and safety practices in developing countries.
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- 2023
18. Binaural temporal coding and the middle ear muscle reflex in audiometrically normal young adults
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Shehabi, Adnan M., primary, Prendergast, Garreth, additional, Guest, Hannah, additional, and Plack, Christopher J., additional
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- 2023
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19. Patient and public involvement in hearing research: opportunities, impact and reflections with case studies from the Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness
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Dawes, Piers, primary, Arru, Paolo, additional, Corry, Rachel, additional, McDermott, John Henry, additional, Garlick, Julia, additional, Guest, Hannah, additional, Howlett, Emily, additional, Jackson, Iain, additional, James, Rachel, additional, Keane, Annie, additional, Murray, Carlyn, additional, Newman, William, additional, Visram, Anisa, additional, and Munro, Kevin J., additional
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- 2022
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20. The Effects of Occupational Noise Exposure and Ageing on Standard and Extended High-Frequency Audiometric Thresholds and Speech Perception in Noise
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Shehabi, Adnan, Guest, Hannah, Plack, Chris, and Prendergast, Garreth
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Medicine and Health Sciences ,Social and Behavioral Sciences - Abstract
Evidence from animal studies has shown that noise exposure may exacerbate age-related hearing threshold loss. In humans, studies have tended to investigate the effects of noise exposure and ageing on hearing thresholds in isolation and have shown that both factors are associated with higher (worse) hearing thresholds in the standard and/or extended high-frequency audiometric ranges. Moreover, both noise exposure and ageing are associated with higher (worse) speech-perception-in-noise thresholds. Occupational noise exposure is a major public uncontrolled public health issue in Palestine. Moreover, many people with age-related and/or noise-induced hearing problems lack a formal diagnosis. The current study primarily investigates the effects of lifetime noise exposure and the interaction of ageing and noise exposure in Palestinian workers on (1) standard pure-tone audiometric thresholds, (2) extended high-frequency audiometric thresholds, and (3) speech-perception-in-noise thresholds. Secondary outcome measures include tinnitus and binaural unmasking of speech stimuli in noise.
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- 2023
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21. The Relation Between Middle Ear Muscle Reflex Strength and Speech-Perception-in-Noise Ability in Audiometrically Normal Young Adults
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Adnan, Prendergast, Garreth, Guest, Hannah, and Plack, Chris
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otorhinolaryngologic diseases ,Medicine and Health Sciences ,sense organs ,Social and Behavioral Sciences - Abstract
Evidence from animal studies suggests that the middle ear muscle reflex test can provide a measure of the loss of the connections (synapses) between the hearing nerve and inner hair cells of the inner ear that occur secondary to noise exposure (Valero et al. 2016, 2018). In humans, this cochlear synaptopathy (CS) may translate into difficulties hearing speech in noise even though hearing is normal in a standard clinical test (Plack et al., 2014). This study is part of a PhD project that aims to better understand the relation between the middle ear muscle reflex thresholds and speech-perception-in-noise ability in young adults with normal hearing within the standard clinical range. It will also contribute to the effort of improving the diagnosis of hearing difficulties. Since CS is thought to affect the temporal coding of supra-threshold stimuli at moderate-to-high levels such as speech (Plack et al.,2014), this study employs a novel speech-perception-in-noise measure that is thought to be more sensitive to deficits in the temporal coding of speech stimuli (i.e., the measure is difference between the digits in noise thresholds obtained using two conditions: diotically and anti-phasic).
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- 2022
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22. SPAACE Project pilot study
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Guest, Hannah and Plack, Chris
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- 2022
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23. Persistent auditory consequences of COVID-19: A Manchester research study (PACCMan)
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Guest, Hannah, Jackson, Iain, Munro, Kevin, Plack, Chris, and Visram, Anisa
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Medicine and Health Sciences - Abstract
Some studies suggest that more than 1 in 10 patients hospitalised for treatment of COVID-19 report persistent auditory symptoms following recovery from the acute phase of the illness. However, these studies are mostly based on self-report. Our aim in this study is to better understand the longer-term impact of COVID-19 on the auditory system of adults using sensitive audiometric and objective measures. Specific objectives are to: (i) Obtain an estimate of the prevalence of COVID-19 related auditory disorders. (ii) Identify the anatomical location and severity of COVID-19 related auditory disorders. (iii) Explore the association between COVID-19 related auditory disorders and potential biomarkers, e.g. lifestyle, co-morbidities, and critical care interventions.
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- 2022
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24. Effects of inter-stimulus interval on acoustic reflex thresholds
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Guest, Hannah
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- 2022
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25. Tinnitus with a normal audiogram: Role of high-frequency sensitivity and reanalysis of brainstem-response measures to avoid audiometric over-matching
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Guest, Hannah, Munro, Kevin J., and Plack, Christopher J.
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- 2017
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26. Effects of noise exposure on young adults with normal audiograms II: Behavioral measures
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Prendergast, Garreth, Millman, Rebecca E., Guest, Hannah, Munro, Kevin J., Kluk, Karolina, Dewey, Rebecca S., Hall, Deborah A., Heinz, Michael G., and Plack, Christopher J.
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- 2017
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27. After The Music
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Murray, Carlyn, Guest, Hannah, Plack, Chris, and Prendergast, Garreth
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Medicine and Health Sciences - Abstract
Prolonged exposure to sounds at high levels causes temporary auditory shifts: reductions in outer-hair-cell function and elevations in audiometric thresholds that typically return to baseline in the hours or days following exposure. The degree of auditory shift is variable, seemingly depending not only on level and duration of exposure but other factors. One factor may be the degree of long-term "conditioning" noise exposure experienced by the individual, which may "toughen up" their ears and reduce the extent of temporary auditory shift. The ATM study measures temporary auditory shifts immediately following exposure to amplified music, and tests for relations with a range of potential predictor variables. The main outcome variable is shift in pure-tone audiometric (PTA) thresholds and the main predictor variable is total energy of "conditioning" noise exposure over the past 10 weeks. Alternative outcome variables are shifts in distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) amplitude, extended high-frequency (EHF) audiometric thresholds, and presence/loudness of tinnitus. Alternative predictor variables are sex, skin tone, and alternative metrics of “conditioning” noise exposure. To aid brevity and clarity, we have attached a table, "Table of variables", to the "Design Plan" page of this registration. This summarises all study variables, incorporating abbreviations, descriptions, calculations, and units. The abbreviations defined in this table will be used throughout the present protocol.
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- 2022
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28. The Effect of Lifetime Noise Exposure and Aging on Speech-Perception-in-Noise Ability and Self-Reported Hearing Symptoms: An Online Study
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Shehabi, Adnan M., primary, Prendergast, Garreth, additional, Guest, Hannah, additional, and Plack, Christopher J., additional
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- 2022
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29. The Effect of Lifetime Noise Exposure and Aging on Speech-Perception-in-Noise Ability and Self-Reported Hearing Symptoms:An Online Study
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Shehabi, Adnan, Prendergast, Garreth, Guest, Hannah, Plack, Christopher, Shehabi, Adnan, Prendergast, Garreth, Guest, Hannah, and Plack, Christopher
- Abstract
Animal research shows that aging and excessive noise exposure damage cochlear outer hair cells, inner hair cells, and the synapses connecting inner hair cells with the auditory nerve. This may translate into auditory symptoms such as difficulty understanding speech in noise, tinnitus, and hyperacusis. The current study, using a novel online approach, assessed and quantified the effects of lifetime noise exposure and aging on (i) speech-perception-in-noise (SPiN) thresholds, (ii) self-reported hearing ability, and (iii) the presence of tinnitus. Secondary aims involved documenting the effects of lifetime noise exposure and aging on tinnitus handicap and the severity of hyperacusis. Two hundred and ninety-four adults with no past diagnosis of hearing or memory impairments were recruited online. Participants were assigned into two groups: 217 “young” (age range: 18–35 years, females: 151) and 77 “older” (age range: 50–70 years, females: 50). Participants completed a set of online instruments including an otologic health and demographic questionnaire, a dementia screening tool, forward and backward digit span tests, a noise exposure questionnaire, the Khalfa hyperacusis questionnaire, the short-form of the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing scale, the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, a digits-in-noise test, and a Coordinate Response Measure speech-perception test. Analyses controlled for sex and cognitive function as reflected by the digit span. A detailed protocol was pre-registered, to guard against “p-hacking” of this extensive dataset. Lifetime noise exposure did not predict SPiN thresholds, self-reported hearing ability, or the presence of tinnitus in either age group. Exploratory analyses showed that worse hyperacusis scores, and a greater prevalence of tinnitus, were associated significantly with high lifetime noise exposure in the young, but not in the older group. Age was a significant predictor of SPiN thresholds and the presence of tinnitus, but not of sel
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- 2022
30. Chasing the conversation:Autistic experiences of speech perception
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Sturrock, Alexandra, Guest, Hannah, Hanks, Graham, Bendo, George, Plack, Christopher, Gowen, Emma, Sturrock, Alexandra, Guest, Hannah, Hanks, Graham, Bendo, George, Plack, Christopher, and Gowen, Emma
- Abstract
Background and aims: Humans communicate primarily through spoken language and speech perception is a core function of the human auditory system. Among the autistic community, atypical sensory reactivity and social communication difficulties are pervasive, yet the research literature lacks in-depth self-report data on speech perception in this population. The present study aimed to elicit detailed first-person accounts of autistic individuals’ abilities and difficulties perceiving the spoken word. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine autistic adults. The interview schedule addressed interviewees’ experiences of speech perception, factors influencing those experiences, and responses to those experiences. Resulting interview transcripts underwent thematic analysis. The six-person study team included two autistic researchers, to reduce risk of neurotypical ‘overshadowing’ of autistic voices. Results: Most interviewees reported pronounced difficulties perceiving speech in the presence of competing sounds. They emphasised that such listening difficulties are distinct from social difficulties, though the two can add and interact. Difficulties were of several varieties, ranging from powerful auditory distraction to drowning out of voices by continuous sounds. Contributing factors encompassed not only features of the soundscape but also non-acoustic factors such as multisensory processing and social cognition. Participants also identified compounding factors, such as lack of understanding of listening difficulties. Impacts were diverse and sometimes disabling, affecting socialising, emotions, fatigue, career, and self-image. A wide array of coping mechanisms was described. Conclusions: The first in-depth qualitative investigation of autistic speech-perception experiences has revealed diverse and widespread listening difficulties. These can combine with other internal, interpersonal, and societal factors to induce profound impacts. Lack of understandin
- Published
- 2022
31. The Effect of Lifetime Noise Exposure and Aging on Speech-Perception-in-Noise Ability and Self-Reported Hearing Symptoms : An Online Study
- Author
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Shehabi, Adnan, Prendergast, Garreth, Guest, Hannah, Plack, Christopher, Shehabi, Adnan, Prendergast, Garreth, Guest, Hannah, and Plack, Christopher
- Abstract
Animal research shows that aging and excessive noise exposure damage cochlear outer hair cells, inner hair cells, and the synapses connecting inner hair cells with the auditory nerve. This may translate into auditory symptoms such as difficulty understanding speech in noise, tinnitus, and hyperacusis. The current study, using a novel online approach, assessed and quantified the effects of lifetime noise exposure and aging on (i) speech-perception-in-noise (SPiN) thresholds, (ii) self-reported hearing ability, and (iii) the presence of tinnitus. Secondary aims involved documenting the effects of lifetime noise exposure and aging on tinnitus handicap and the severity of hyperacusis. Two hundred and ninety-four adults with no past diagnosis of hearing or memory impairments were recruited online. Participants were assigned into two groups: 217 “young” (age range: 18–35 years, females: 151) and 77 “older” (age range: 50–70 years, females: 50). Participants completed a set of online instruments including an otologic health and demographic questionnaire, a dementia screening tool, forward and backward digit span tests, a noise exposure questionnaire, the Khalfa hyperacusis questionnaire, the short-form of the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing scale, the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, a digits-in-noise test, and a Coordinate Response Measure speech-perception test. Analyses controlled for sex and cognitive function as reflected by the digit span. A detailed protocol was pre-registered, to guard against “p-hacking” of this extensive dataset. Lifetime noise exposure did not predict SPiN thresholds, self-reported hearing ability, or the presence of tinnitus in either age group. Exploratory analyses showed that worse hyperacusis scores, and a greater prevalence of tinnitus, were associated significantly with high lifetime noise exposure in the young, but not in the older group. Age was a significant predictor of SPiN thresholds and the presence of tinnitus, but not of sel
- Published
- 2022
32. Chasing the conversation : Autistic experiences of speech perception
- Author
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Sturrock, Alexandra, Guest, Hannah, Hanks, Graham, Bendo, George, Plack, Christopher, Gowen, Emma, Sturrock, Alexandra, Guest, Hannah, Hanks, Graham, Bendo, George, Plack, Christopher, and Gowen, Emma
- Abstract
Background and aims: Humans communicate primarily through spoken language and speech perception is a core function of the human auditory system. Among the autistic community, atypical sensory reactivity and social communication difficulties are pervasive, yet the research literature lacks in-depth self-report data on speech perception in this population. The present study aimed to elicit detailed first-person accounts of autistic individuals’ abilities and difficulties perceiving the spoken word. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine autistic adults. The interview schedule addressed interviewees’ experiences of speech perception, factors influencing those experiences, and responses to those experiences. Resulting interview transcripts underwent thematic analysis. The six-person study team included two autistic researchers, to reduce risk of neurotypical ‘overshadowing’ of autistic voices. Results: Most interviewees reported pronounced difficulties perceiving speech in the presence of competing sounds. They emphasised that such listening difficulties are distinct from social difficulties, though the two can add and interact. Difficulties were of several varieties, ranging from powerful auditory distraction to drowning out of voices by continuous sounds. Contributing factors encompassed not only features of the soundscape but also non-acoustic factors such as multisensory processing and social cognition. Participants also identified compounding factors, such as lack of understanding of listening difficulties. Impacts were diverse and sometimes disabling, affecting socialising, emotions, fatigue, career, and self-image. A wide array of coping mechanisms was described. Conclusions: The first in-depth qualitative investigation of autistic speech-perception experiences has revealed diverse and widespread listening difficulties. These can combine with other internal, interpersonal, and societal factors to induce profound impacts. Lack of understandin
- Published
- 2022
33. Tinnitus with a normal audiogram: Relation to noise exposure but no evidence for cochlear synaptopathy
- Author
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Guest, Hannah, Munro, Kevin J., Prendergast, Garreth, Howe, Simon, and Plack, Christopher J.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Effects of noise exposure on young adults with normal audiograms I: Electrophysiology
- Author
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Prendergast, Garreth, Guest, Hannah, Munro, Kevin J., Kluk, Karolina, Léger, Agnès, Hall, Deborah A., Heinz, Michael G., and Plack, Christopher J.
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
35. The Effects of Noise Exposure and Ageing on Physiological and Behavioural Measures of Peripheral Auditory Function
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Shehabi, Adnan M., Prendergast, Garreth, Guest, Hannah, and Plack, Christopher
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
36. sj-docx-1-dli-10.1177_23969415221077532 - Supplemental material for Chasing the conversation: Autistic experiences of speech perception
- Author
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Sturrock, Alexandra, Guest, Hannah, Hanks, Graham, Bendo, George, Plack, Christopher J, and Gowen, Emma
- Subjects
FOS: Psychology ,FOS: Clinical medicine ,FOS: Languages and literature ,170199 Psychology not elsewhere classified ,FOS: Educational sciences ,130312 Special Education and Disability ,110904 Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases ,200399 Language Studies not elsewhere classified - Abstract
Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-dli-10.1177_23969415221077532 for Chasing the conversation: Autistic experiences of speech perception by Alexandra Sturrock, Hannah Guest, Graham Hanks, George Bendo, Christopher J Plack and Emma Gowen in Autism & Developmental Language Impairments
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- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
37. Chasing the conversation: Autistic experiences of speech perception
- Author
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Sturrock, Alexandra, primary, Guest, Hannah, additional, Hanks, Graham, additional, Bendo, George, additional, Plack, Christopher J, additional, and Gowen, Emma, additional
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
38. BSR guideline on the management of adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) 2018: Baseline multi-centre audit in the UK
- Author
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Pearce, Fiona A., Rutter, Megan, Sandhu, Ravinder, Batten, Rebecca L, Garner, Rozeena, Little, Jayne, Narayan, Nehal, Sharp, Charlotte A., Bruce, Ian N., Erb, Nicola, Griffiths, Bridget, Guest, Hannah, Macphie, Elizabeth, Packham, Jon, Hiley, Chris, Obrenovic, Karen, Rivett, Ali, Gordon, Caroline, and Lanyon, Peter C.
- Subjects
Rheumatology ,Pharmacology (medical) - Abstract
Objectives: To assess the baseline care provided to patients with SLE attending UK Rheumatology units, audited against standards derived from the recently published BSR guideline for the management of adults with SLE, the NICE technology appraisal for belimumab, and NHS England's clinical commissioning policy for rituximab. Methods: SLE cases attending outpatient clinics during any 4-week period between February and June 2018 were retrospectively audited to assess care at the preceding visit. The effect of clinical environment (general vs dedicated CTD/vasculitis clinic and specialized vs non-specialized centre) were tested. Bonferroni's correction was applied to the significance level. Results: Fifty-one units participated. We audited 1021 episodes of care in 1003 patients (median age 48 years, 74% diagnosed >5 years ago). Despite this disease duration, 286 (28.5%) patients had active disease. Overall in 497 (49%) clinic visits, it was recorded that the patient was receiving prednisolone, including in 28.5% of visits where disease was assessed as inactive. Low documented compliance (
- Published
- 2021
39. Investigating the effects of noise exposure on self-report, behavioral and electrophysiological indices of hearing damage in musicians with normal audiometric thresholds
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Couth, Samuel, Prendergast, Garreth, Guest, Hannah, Munro, Kevin, Moore, David, Plack, Christopher, Ginsborg, Jane, Dawes, Piers, Couth, Samuel, Prendergast, Garreth, Guest, Hannah, Munro, Kevin, Moore, David, Plack, Christopher, Ginsborg, Jane, and Dawes, Piers
- Abstract
Musicians are at risk of hearing loss due to prolonged noise exposure, but they may also be at risk of early sub-clinical hearing damage, such as cochlear synaptopathy. In the current study, we investigated the effects of noise exposure on electrophysiological, behavioral and self-report correlates of hearing damage in young adult (age range = 18–27 years) musicians and non-musicians with normal audiometric thresholds. Early-career musicians (n = 76) and non-musicians (n = 47) completed a test battery including the Noise Exposure Structured Interview, pure-tone audiometry (PTA; 0.25–8 kHz), extended high-frequency (EHF; 12 and 16 kHz) thresholds, otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), auditory brainstem responses (ABRs), speech perception in noise (SPiN), and self-reported tinnitus, hyperacusis and hearing in noise difficulties. Total lifetime noise exposure was similar between musicians and non-musicians, the majority of which could be accounted for by recreational activities. Musicians showed significantly greater ABR wave I/V ratios than non-musicians and were also more likely to report experience of - and/or more severe - tinnitus, hyperacusis and hearing in noise difficulties, irrespective of noise exposure. A secondary analysis revealed that individuals with the highest levels of noise exposure had reduced outer hair cell function compared to individuals with the lowest levels of noise exposure, as measured by OAEs. OAE level was also related to PTA and EHF thresholds. High levels of noise exposure were also associated with a significant increase in ABR wave V latency, but only for males, and a higher prevalence and severity of hyperacusis. These findings suggest that there may be sub-clinical effects of noise exposure on various hearing metrics even at a relatively young age, but do not support a link between lifetime noise exposure and proxy measures of cochlear synaptopathy such as ABR wave amplitudes and SPiN. Closely monitoring OAEs, PTA and EHF thresholds when co
- Published
- 2020
40. The association between subcortical and cortical fMRI and lifetime noise exposure in listeners with normal hearing thresholds
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Dewey, Rebecca, Francis, Susan, Guest, Hannah, Prendergast, Garreth, Rebecca, Millman, Plack, Christopher, Hall, Deborah A., Dewey, Rebecca, Francis, Susan, Guest, Hannah, Prendergast, Garreth, Rebecca, Millman, Plack, Christopher, and Hall, Deborah A.
- Abstract
In animal models, exposure to high noise levels can cause permanent damage to hair-cell synapses (cochlear synaptopathy) for high-threshold auditory nerve fibers without affecting sensitivity to quiet sounds. This has been confirmed in several mammalian species, but the hypothesis that lifetime noise exposure affects auditory function in humans with normal audiometric thresholds remains unconfirmed and current evidence from human electrophysiology is contradictory. Here we report the auditory brainstem response (ABR), and both transient (stimulus onset and offset) and sustained functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) responses throughout the human central auditory pathway across lifetime noise exposure. Healthy young individuals aged 25–40 years were recruited into high (n = 32) and low (n = 30) lifetime noise exposure groups, stratified for age, and balanced for audiometric threshold up to 16 kHz fMRI demonstrated robust broadband noise-related activity throughout the auditory pathway (cochlear nucleus, superior olivary complex, nucleus of the lateral lemniscus, inferior colliculus, medial geniculate body and auditory cortex). fMRI responses in the auditory pathway to broadband noise onset were significantly enhanced in the high noise exposure group relative to the low exposure group, differences in sustained fMRI responses did not reach significance, and no significant group differences were found in the click-evoked ABR. Exploratory analyses found no significant relationships between the neural responses and self-reported tinnitus or reduced sound-level tolerance (symptoms associated with synaptopathy). In summary, although a small effect, these fMRI results suggest that lifetime noise exposure may be associated with central hyperactivity in young adults with normal hearing thresholds.
- Published
- 2020
41. BSR guideline on the management of adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) 2018: baseline multi-centre audit in the UK
- Author
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Pearce, Fiona A, primary, Rutter, Megan, additional, Sandhu, Ravinder, additional, Batten, Rebecca L, additional, Garner, Rozeena, additional, Little, Jayne, additional, Narayan, Nehal, additional, Sharp, Charlotte A, additional, Bruce, Ian N, additional, Erb, Nicola, additional, Griffiths, Bridget, additional, Guest, Hannah, additional, Macphie, Elizabeth, additional, Packham, Jon, additional, Hiley, Chris, additional, Obrenovic, Karen, additional, Rivett, Ali, additional, Gordon, Caroline, additional, and Lanyon, Peter C, additional
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
42. Estimation of the burden of shielding among a cross-section of patients attending rheumatology clinics with SLE—data from the BSR audit of systemic lupus erythematosus
- Author
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Rutter, Megan, primary, Lanyon, Peter C, additional, Sandhu, Ravinder, additional, Batten, Rebecca L, additional, Garner, Rozeena, additional, Little, Jayne, additional, Narayan, Nehal, additional, Sharp, Charlotte A, additional, Bruce, Ian N, additional, Erb, Nicola, additional, Griffiths, Bridget, additional, Guest, Hannah, additional, Macphie, Elizabeth, additional, Packham, Jon, additional, Hiley, Chris, additional, Obrenovic, Karen, additional, Rivett, Ali, additional, Gordon, Caroline, additional, and Pearce, Fiona A, additional
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
43. Investigating the effects of noise exposure on self-report, behavioral and electrophysiological indices of hearing damage in musicians with normal audiometric thresholds
- Author
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Couth, Samuel, primary, Prendergast, Garreth, additional, Guest, Hannah, additional, Munro, Kevin J., additional, Moore, David R., additional, Plack, Christopher J., additional, Ginsborg, Jane, additional, and Dawes, Piers, additional
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. Acoustic middle-ear-muscle-reflex thresholds in humans with normal audiograms:No relations to tinnitus, speech perception in noise, or noise exposure
- Author
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Guest, Hannah, Munro, Kevin, and Plack, Chris
- Subjects
otorhinolaryngologic diseases - Abstract
The acoustic middle-ear-muscle reflex (MEMR) has been suggested as a sensitive non-invasive measure of cochlear synaptopathy, the loss of synapses between inner hair cells and auditory nerve fibers. In the present study, clinical MEMR thresholds were measured for 1-, 2-, and 4-kHz tonal elicitors, using a procedure shown to produce thresholds with excellent reliability. MEMR thresholds of 19 participants with tinnitus and normal audiograms were compared to those of 19 age- and sex-matched controls. MEMR thresholds did not differ significantly between the two groups at any frequency. These 38 participants were included in a larger sample of 70 participants with normal audiograms. For this larger group, MEMR thresholds were compared to a measure of spatial speech perception in noise (SPiN) and a detailed self-report estimate of lifetime noise exposure. MEMR thresholds were unrelated to either SPiN or noise exposure, despite a wide range in both measures. It is possible that thresholds measured using a clinical paradigm are less sensitive to synaptopathy than those obtained using more sophisticated measurement techniques; however, we had good sensitivity at the group level, and even trends in the hypothesized direction were not observed. To the extent that MEMR thresholds are sensitive to cochlear synaptopathy, the present results provide no evidence that tinnitus, SPiN, or noise exposure are related to synaptopathy in the population studied.
- Published
- 2019
45. Reliability and interrelations of seven proxy measures of cochlear synaptopathy
- Author
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Guest, Hannah, Munro, Kevin, Prendergast, Garreth, and Plack, Chris
- Subjects
Envelope-following response ,Cochlear synaptopathy ,Auditory nerve ,Hidden hearing loss ,Middle-ear-muscle reflex ,otorhinolaryngologic diseases ,Auditory brainstem response - Abstract
Investigations of cochlear synaptopathy in living humans rely on proxy measures of auditory nerve function. Numerous procedures have been developed, typically based on the auditory brainstem response (ABR), envelope-following response (EFR), or middle-ear-muscle reflex (MEMR). Validation is challenging, due to the absence of a gold-standard measure in humans. Some metrics correlate with synaptic survival in animal models, but translation between species is not straightforward; measurements in humans are likely to reflect greater error and greater variability from non-synaptopathic sources. The present study assessed the reliability of seven measures, as well as testing for correlations between them. Thirty-one young women with normal audiograms underwent repeated measurements of ABR wave I amplitude, ABR wave I growth, ABR wave V latency shift in noise, EFR amplitude, EFR growth with stimulus modulation depth, MEMR threshold, and an MEMR across-frequency difference measure. Intraclass correlation coefficients for ABR wave I amplitude, EFR amplitude, and MEMR threshold ranged from 0.85 to 0.93, suggesting that such tests can yield highly reliable results, given careful measurement techniques. The ABR and EFR difference measures exhibited only poor-to-moderate reliability. No significant correlations, nor any consistent trends, were observed between the various measures, providing no indication that these metrics reflect the same underlying physiological processes. Findings suggest that many proxy measures of cochlear synaptopathy should be regarded with caution, at least when employed in young adults with normal audiograms.
- Published
- 2019
46. Understanding Extended High-Frequency Hearing Thresholds
- Author
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Plack, Chris, Guest, Hannah, and Carcagno, Samuele
- Abstract
Proceedings of the ICA 2019 and EAA Euroregio : 23rd International Congress on Acoustics, integrating 4th EAA Euroregio 2019 : 9-13 September 2019, Aachen, Germany / proceedings editor: Martin Ochmann, Michael Vorländer, Janina Fels 23rd International Congress on Acoustics, integrating 4th EAA Euroregio 2019, ICA 2019, Aachen, Germany, 9 Sep 2019 - 13 Sep 2019; Aachen (2019)., Published by Aachen
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
47. Time to Face the Music: Analysis of Baseline Data from a Longitudinal Study of Musicians' Hearing Health and Use of Hearing Protection
- Author
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Couth, Samuel, Loughran, Michael, Guest, Hannah, Prendergast, Garreth, Millman, Rebecca, Munro, Kevin J., Armitage, Christopher J., Plack, Christopher J., Moore, David R., Ginsborg, Jane, and Dawes, Piers Douglas
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
48. Effects of Age and Noise Exposure on Proxy Measures of Cochlear Synaptopathy
- Author
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Prendergast, Garreth, Couth, Samuel, Rebecca, Millman, Guest, Hannah, Kluk, Karolina, Munro, Kevin, Plack, Christopher, Prendergast, Garreth, Couth, Samuel, Rebecca, Millman, Guest, Hannah, Kluk, Karolina, Munro, Kevin, and Plack, Christopher
- Abstract
Although there is strong histological evidence for age-related synaptopathy in humans, evidence for the existence of noise-induced cochlear synaptopathy in humans is inconclusive. Here, we sought to evaluate the relative contributions of age and noise exposure to cochlear synaptopathy using a series of electrophysiological and behavioral measures. We extended an existing cohort by including 33 adults in the age range 37 to 60, resulting in a total of 156 participants, with the additional older participants resulting in a weakening of the correlation between lifetime noise exposure and age. We used six independent regression models (corrected for multiple comparisons), in which age, lifetime noise exposure, and high-frequency audiometric thresholds were used to predict measures of synaptopathy, with a focus on differential measures. The models for auditory brainstem responses, envelope-following responses, interaural phase discrimination, and the co-ordinate response measure of speech perception were not statistically significant. However, both age and noise exposure were significant predictors of performance on the digit triplet test of speech perception in noise, with greater noise exposure (unexpectedly) predicting better performance in the 80 dB sound pressure level (SPL) condition and greater age predicting better performance in the 40 dB SPL condition. Amplitude modulation detection thresholds were also significantly predicted by age, with older listeners performing better than younger listeners at 80 dB SPL. Overall, the results are inconsistent with the predicted effects of synaptopathy.
- Published
- 2019
49. Acoustic middle-ear-muscle-reflex thresholds in humans with normal audiograms : No relations to tinnitus, speech perception in noise, or noise exposure
- Author
-
Guest, Hannah, Munro, Kevin, Plack, Christopher John, Guest, Hannah, Munro, Kevin, and Plack, Christopher John
- Abstract
The acoustic middle-ear-muscle reflex (MEMR) has been suggested as a sensitive non-invasive measure of cochlear synaptopathy, the loss of synapses between inner hair cells and auditory nerve fibers. In the present study, clinical MEMR thresholds were measured for 1-, 2-, and 4-kHz tonal elicitors, using a procedure shown to produce thresholds with excellent reliability. MEMR thresholds of 19 participants with tinnitus and normal audiograms were compared to those of 19 age- and sex-matched controls. MEMR thresholds did not differ significantly between the two groups at any frequency. These 38 participants were included in a larger sample of 70 participants with normal audiograms. For this larger group, MEMR thresholds were compared to a measure of spatial speech perception in noise (SPiN) and a detailed self-report estimate of lifetime noise exposure. MEMR thresholds were unrelated to either SPiN or noise exposure, despite a wide range in both measures. It is possible that thresholds measured using a clinical paradigm are less sensitive to synaptopathy than those obtained using more sophisticated measurement techniques; however, we had good sensitivity at the group level, and even trends in the hypothesized direction were not observed. To the extent that MEMR thresholds are sensitive to cochlear synaptopathy, the present results provide no evidence that tinnitus, SPiN, or noise exposure are related to synaptopathy in the population studied.
- Published
- 2019
50. The Noise Exposure Structured Interview (NESI): an\ud instrument for the comprehensive estimation of lifetime\ud noise exposure
- Author
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Guest, Hannah, Dewey, Rebecca S., Plack, Christopher J., Couth, Samuel, Prendergast, Garreth, Bakay, Warren, and Hall, Deborah A.
- Abstract
Lifetime noise exposure is generally quantified by self report. The accuracy of retrospective self report is limited by respondent recall, but is also bound to be influenced by reporting procedures. Such procedures are of variable quality in current measures of lifetime noise exposure, and off-the-shelf instruments are not readily available. The Noise Exposure Structured Interview (NESI) represents an attempt to draw together some of the stronger elements of existing procedures and to provide solutions to their outstanding limitations. Reporting is not restricted to pre-specified exposure activities, and instead encompasses all activities that the respondent has experienced as noisy (defined based on sound level estimated from vocal effort). Changing exposure habits over time are reported by dividing the lifespan into discrete periods in which exposure habits were approximately stable, with life milestones used to aid recall. Exposure duration, sound level, and use of hearing protection are reported for each life period separately. Simple-to-follow methods are provided for the estimation of free-field sound level, the sound level emitted by personal listening devices, and the attenuation provided by hearing protective equipment. An energy-based means of combining the resulting data is supplied, along with a primarily energy-based method for incorporating firearm-noise exposure. Finally, the NESI acknowledges the need of some users to tailor the procedures; this flexibility is afforded and reasonable modifications are described. Competency needs of new users are addressed through detailed interview instructions (including troubleshooting tips) and a demonstration video. Limited evaluation data are available and future efforts at evaluation are proposed.
- Published
- 2018
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