This study aimed to investigate the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in patients presenting with only sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHNL) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The study included five male patients who presented with the sole complaint of unilateral SSNHL to the otolaryngology outpatient clinic between 03-12 April 2020. The patients were referred to the infectious diseases clinic to be evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing. Results: RT-PCR testing for SARS-CoV-2 was positive in one of the patients and negative in the other four patients. A positive response to COVID-19-specific treatment in the SARS-CoV-2 positive SSNHL patient was noted. Conclusion: It should be remembered that non-specific symptoms such as SSNHL could be the only sign with which to recognize a COVID-19 case. Awareness of such a non-specific presentation of COVID-19 patients is crucial during this pandemic period for preventing infectious spread through isolation and early initiation of COVID-19 targeted treatment.

The widespread use of mobile telephones has given rise to concern about the potential influences of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on human health. Anatomically, the ear is in close proximity to the mobile telephone during use. Hearing loss due to mobile telephone use has not been described in the medical literature; however, if there is a subtle cochlear involvement, it might be detected by means of changes in evoked otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). Thirty volunteers with normal hearing were exposed to mobile telephone EMFs for 10 min and evoked OAEs were measured before and after exposure. No measurable change in evoked OAEs was detected and none of the subjects reported a deterioration in hearing level. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the effects of EMFs emitted by mobile telephones on hearing. It was concluded that a 10-min exposure to the EMF emitted from a mobile telephone had no effect on hearing, at least at outer ear, middle ear and cochlear levels.

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The scope of the Journal is limited with otology, neurotology, audiology (excluding linguistics) and skull base medicine.The Journal of International Advanced Otology aims to publish manuscripts at the highest clinical and scientific level. J Int Adv Otol publishes original articles in the form of clinical and basic research, review articles, short reports and a limited number of case reports. Controversial patient discussions, communications on emerging technology, and historical issues will also be considered for publication.Target audience of J Int Adv Otol includes physicians and academics who work in the fields of otology, neurotology, audiology and skull base medicine.The editorial and publication processes of the journal are shaped in accordance with the guidelines

The elimination of cisplatin ototoxicity is an ongoing concern. This experimental study was undertaken to investigate the effect of oral erdosteine in ameliorating cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Twenty-eight adult female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four equal groups. Group A received an oral carrier vehicle of the drug erdosteine with 0.2 ml of 0.9% saline. Group B was administered only erdosteine (per oral 10 mg/kg twice a day) for 6 days. Group C was injected with cisplatin intraperitoneally (i.p.) on day 0 (16 mg/kg body weight), once only. Group D was given erdosteine (per oral 10 mg/kg/day) 1 day before and for 5 days consecutively after cisplatin injection (16 mg/kg, i.p.). Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were elicited in different frequency regions, ranging from 1,001 to 6,299 Hz as DPgram and input/output (I/O) functions from the control and experimental animals. All experimental animals were killed under general anesthesia on day 5, following the last otoacoustic emission measurements. Prior to death, blood samples were drawn for measurement of superoxide dismutase, xanthine oxidase (XO), malondialdehyde and nitric oxide. Initial DPgram and I/O function baseline measurements were similar in all groups prior to any drug administration ( P>0.05). On day 5, intra-subject measurement parameters of DPgrams and I/O functions in the cisplatin group showed significant deterioration ( P <0.05). The other groups revealed no differences between their pre- and post-test drug administration DPgrams and I/O functions at any test frequency ( P>0.05). Comparison of the amplitudes of DPgrams and I/O functions between the cisplatin and control groups showed significant changes ( P <0.05). Biochemical studies noted an increased XO activity following cisplatin administration ( P <0.007). The other biochemical results did not show significant differences between the study and control groups. This study demonstrates that, in rats, erdosteine is protective for cochlear function against the disruptive effects of cisplatin as measured by DPOAEs.

Congenital hearing impairment affects nearly 1 in every 1000 live births and is the most frequent birth defect in developed societies. Hereditary types of hearing loss account for more than 50% of all congenital sensorineural hearing loss cases and are caused by genetic mutations. HL can be either nonsyndromic, which is restricted to the inner ear, or syndromic, a part of multiple anomalies affecting the body. Nonsyndromic HL can be categorised by mode of inheritance, such as autosomal dominant (called DFNA), autosomal recessive (DFNB), mitochondrial, and X-linked (DFN). To date, 125 deafness loci have been reported in the literature: 58 DFNA loci, 63 DFNB loci, and 4 X-linked loci. Mutations in genes that control the adhesion of hair cells, intracellular transport, neurotransmitter release, ionic hemeostasis, and cytoskeleton of hair cells can lead to malfunctions of the cochlea and inner ear. In recent years, with the increase in studies about genes involved in congenital hearing loss, genetic counselling and treatment options have emerged and increased in availability. This paper presents an overview of the currently known genes associated with nonsyndromic congenital hearing loss and mutations in the inner ear.

Using multiplex PCR can help to increase detection rates of bacterial etiology. Healthy sinuses are not sterile. A. otitidis may be one of the pathogens causing sinusitis.

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