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Importance Hearing impairment (HI) is a common problem in adults but there have been few studies of hearing in the U.S. Hispanic/Latino population. Little is known about factors associated with HI among Hispanics/Latinos. Objective To determine the prevalence of HI among U.S. Hispanic/Latino adults of diverse backgrounds and determine associations with sociodemographic factors, noise exposure, diabetes, smoking, cardiovascular disease, and other potential risk factors. Design and Setting The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) is a population-based sample of Hispanics/Latinos in four U.S. communities (Bronx, NY, Chicago, IL, Miami, FL, and San Diego, CA). Examinations were conducted in 2008–2011. Participants The HCHS/SOL examined 16,415 self-identified Hispanic/Latino persons aged 18 to 74 years recruited from randomly selected households using a stratified 2-stage area probability sample design based on census block groups and households within block groups. Intervention(s) None Main Outcome(s) and Measures Hearing thresholds were measured by pure-tone audiometry. HI was defined as a pure-tone average (PTA) of thresholds at 0.5,1,2,4 kHz >25 dB HL. Bilateral hearing impairment (BHI) required a PTA>25 dB HL in both ears. Multivariable analyses included adjustments for sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, body mass index, and medical conditions. Results The prevalence of HI was 15.1% overall and 8.2% had BHI. The prevalence of HI was higher among people aged 45 and older, ranging by Hispanic/Latino background from 29–41% among men and 18–31% among women. The multivariable-adjusted odds of HI was greater for participants of Puerto Rican background compared to Mexican background (OR =1.57, 95%CI=1.10, 2.25). The odds of HI were lower with more education and higher income. People with noise exposure were about 30% more likely to have HI. Diabetes (OR=1.57, 95%CI= 1.27, 1.94) and pre-diabetes (OR=1.37, 95%CI= 1.12, 1.67) were associated with higher odds of HI. Conclusions and Relevance HI is a common problem for older Hispanics/Latinos in these communities and is associated with socioeconomic factors, noise exposure and abnormal glucose metabolism. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine if these factors are involved in the etiology of HI and to identify ways to prevent or delay age-related changes in hearing.

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Labyrinthine ossification can be found in a high percentage of patients with profound deafness resulting from bacterial meningitis. Radiographic evidence of ossification can be found as early as 2 months after the acute infection, indicating that the intracochlear process probably begins much earlier. If long, intracochlear cochlear implants are to be most successfully used in these patients, an aggressive approach to clinical management following the meningitis should be taken. Illustrative case reports and suggested guidelines for evaluation and treatment are given.

In a patient with a multichannel cochlear implant, it was possible to demonstrate stapedius reflex contraction to intracochlear electrical stimulation. Using a standard immittance measurement technique, characteristics of the electrically evoked reflex were compared to analogous characteristics of the acoustically evoked reflex. Latency-intensity functions were similar for the two modes of excitation, but reflex waveform morphology and amplitude growth functions were different.

mechanism of HL associated with ZIKV infection, there is a need to test the hearing and observe children who have been exposed to ZIKV during pregnancy but do not show clinical manifestations in-cluding microcephaly. The early diagnosis and detection of HL in ZIKV-exposed infants will improve auditory rehabilitation, leading to improved long-term developmental outcomes.

Purpose Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the most common congenital infection worldwide and a leading environmental cause of pediatric hearing loss (HL). The objective of this study was to evaluate audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) on awareness and knowledge of cCMV. Method A multiple-choice survey assessing awareness, knowledge, and practice patterns was sent electronically to audiologists and SLPs of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Results were compared between audiologists and SLPs and within stratified groups of audiologists. Data were collected, and descriptive analysis was performed. Results Ninety-four audiologists and 317 SLPs responded. Most audiologists were somewhat or very familiar with cCMV (85.9%), while only 26% of SLPs responded that they were at least somewhat familiar with cCMV ( p < .0001). When comparing audiologists' and SLPs' knowledge of symptoms, transmission, and diagnostic age for cCMV, audiologists had higher scores in all categories ( p < .0001). Audiologists were then stratified into subgroups to evaluate the association of the given subgroup with their overall knowledge. The more advanced audiology training, the more knowledgeable the respondent was regarding HL progression ( p = .002). Audiologists who were more familiar with cCMV scored better in most categories compared to those reporting somewhat or less familiar; these findings were only significant for knowledge of symptoms ( p < .0001). Audiologists who were sometimes or frequently evaluating children less than 5 years of age had a better understanding of HL presentation among cCMV patients than those who rarely saw this patient population. Those who were in practice for < 20 years frequently knew the time-sensitive age of diagnosis than respondents in practice longer. Conclusions As a leading environmental cause of pediatric HL, cCMV is frequently encountered by audiologists and SLPs. This study highlights knowledge gaps and areas where targeted education is needed for both groups.