Approximately 2-4 % of newborns with perinatal risk factors present hearing loss. The aim of this study was to analyse the auditory function in infants with perinatal brain injury (PBI). Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs), auditory steady state responses (ASSRs), and tympanometry studies were carried out in 294 infants with PBI (586 ears, two infants had unilateral microtia-atresia). BAEPs were abnormal in 158 (27%) ears, ASSRs in 227 (39%), and tympanometry anomalies were present in 131 (22%) ears. When ASSR thresholds were compared with BAEPs, the assessment yielded 92% sensitivity and 68% specificity. When ASSR thresholds were compared with tympanometry results as an indicator of middle-ear pathology, the assessment gave 96% sensitivity and 77% specificity. When BAEP thresholds were compared with tympanometry results, sensitivity was 35% and specificity 95%. In conclusion, BAEPs are useful test for neonatal auditory screening; they identify with more accuracy sensorineural hearing losses. ASSRs are more pertinent for identifying conductive hearing loss associated with middle-ear pathology. The consistency and accuracy of these results could be considered in additional studies.

BackgroundApproximately 2–4% of newborns with perinatal risk factors present with hearing loss. Our aim was to analyze the effect of hearing aid use on auditory function evaluated based on otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), auditory brain responses (ABRs) and auditory steady state responses (ASSRs) in infants with perinatal brain injury and profound hearing loss.Methodology/Principal FindingsA prospective, longitudinal study of auditory function in infants with profound hearing loss. Right side hearing before and after hearing aid use was compared with left side hearing (not stimulated and used as control). All infants were subjected to OAE, ABR and ASSR evaluations before and after hearing aid use. The average ABR threshold decreased from 90.0 to 80.0 dB (p = 0.003) after six months of hearing aid use. In the left ear, which was used as a control, the ABR threshold decreased from 94.6 to 87.6 dB, which was not significant (p>0.05). In addition, the ASSR threshold in the 4000-Hz frequency decreased from 89 dB to 72 dB (p = 0.013) after six months of right ear hearing aid use; the other frequencies in the right ear and all frequencies in the left ear did not show significant differences in any of the measured parameters (p>0.05). OAEs were absent in the baseline test and showed no changes after hearing aid use in the right ear (p>0.05).Conclusions/SignificanceThis study provides evidence that early hearing aid use decreases the hearing threshold in ABR and ASSR assessments with no functional modifications in the auditory receptor, as evaluated by OAEs.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at low frequencies (≤1 Hz) delivered to the primary motor cortex for 15 min or longer has been shown to reduce motor cortex excitability. Over the visual cortex, 1 Hz rTMS led to increased phosphene thresholds and over the auditory cortex rTMS reduced auditory evoked potentials. rTMS above the auditory or temporo-parietal cortex has also been reported to reduce the severity of auditory hallucinations and the perception of tinnitus. However, possible unwanted effects on hearing function have not yet been investigated systematically. 12 right-handed normal hearing subjects (5 male, mean age 28.2 ± 4.3) received a single session of 18 min 1 Hz rTMS at 90% resting motor threshold intensity using an established coil positioning method targeting the Heschl's area of the left superior temporal gyrus. Standard pure tone audiometry and distortion-products otoacustic emissions (DPOAE) were performed before and immediately after stimulation. The main finding was that one session of 1 Hz rTMS over the temporal cortex modified neither the auditory threshold meaningfully nor the presence of DPOAE in healthy subjects. In conclusion, we found in this pilot approach no obvious indication for auditory dysfunctions due to direct electromagnetic stimulation of the superior temporal gyrus after one session of rTMS in healthy controls that may be interpreted as unwanted side effects. Nevertheless monitoring of auditory functions is strongly recommended in future clinical trials stimulating the auditory cortex, as this has not been done systematically in the past.

ResumenOtorgar una importancia excesiva a la apariencia física puede convertirse en un factor de riesgo para desarrollar actitudes y conductas poco saludables, por lo que es necesario contar con un instrumento válido y confiable que la evalúe. El objetivo de este trabajo fue adaptar el Appearance Schemas Inventory (ASI-R) desarrollado por Cash, Melnyk & Hrabosky (2004a) para población de habla hispana, para lo cual participaron 579 jóvenes con edades entre 17 y 28 años. Los resultados muestran que la consistencia interna del instrumento es adecuada (α=.920), lo mismo que la de sus dos factores, Importancia Autoevaluativa (α=.891) e Importancia Motivacional (α=.864), que en conjunto explican el 55.0% de la varianza. Se concluye que el instrumento adaptado es apropiado para evaluar a jóvenes mexicanos.Palabras clave: apariencia física, autoesquemas de la apariencia, actitudes AbstractThe importance given to the physical appearance may be a risk factor for unhealthy attitudes and behaviors, so it is necessary to have a valid and reliable instrument to assess it. The aim of this study was to adapt the Appearance Schemas Inventory (ASI-R) developed by Cash, Melnyk & Hrabosky (2004a), for the Spanish speaking population. 579 young men and women aged between 17 and 28 years participated. The results show that the internal consistency of the instrument is adequate (α=.920), as did its two factors, Self-assessed Significance (α=.891) and Motivational Significance (α=.864), and together account for 55.0% of the variance. We conclude that the adapted instrument is appropriate for evaluating young Mexicans.

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