Jinsei Jung

Introduction Previous studies have reported that hearing loss (HL) is associated with dementia, although the mechanistic underpinnings remain elusive. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in brain metabolism in patients with HL and different types of dementia. Methods Patients with cognitive impairment (CI) and HL treated at the university‐based memory clinic from May 2016 to October 2021 were included. In total, 108 patients with CI and HL prospectively underwent audiometry, neuropsychological test, magnetic resonance imaging, and 18 F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. Twenty‐seven individuals without cognitive impairment and hearing loss were enrolled as a control group. Multivariable regression was performed to evaluate brain regions correlated with each pathology type after adjusting for confounding factors. Results Multivariable regression analyses revealed that Alzheimer's disease‐related CI (ADCI) was associated with hypometabolic changes in the right superior temporal gyrus (STG), right middle temporal gyrus (MTG), and bilateral medial temporal lobe. Lewy body disease‐related CI (LBDCI) and vascular CI were associated with hypermetabolic and hypometabolic changes in the ascending auditory pathway, respectively. In the pure ADCI group, the degree of HL was positively associated with abnormal increase of brain metabolism in the right MTG, whereas it was negatively associated with decreased brain metabolism in the right STG in the pure LBDCI group. Conclusion Each dementia type is associated with distinct changes in brain metabolism in patients with HL.

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of a novel active transcutaneous bone conduction implant (BCI) device for patients with single‐sided deafness (SSD). Study Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary referral hospitals. Methods This prospective multicenter study was conducted at 15 institutions nationwide. Thirty adult (aged ≥19 years) SSD patients were recruited. They underwent implantation of an active transcutaneous BCI device (Bonebridge BCI602). Objective outcomes included aided pure‐tone thresholds, aided speech discrimination scores (SDSs), and the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) and sound localization test results. The Bern Benefit in Single‐Sided Deafness (BBSS) questionnaire, the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaire, and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) were used to measure subjective benefits. Results The mean aided pure‐tone threshold was 34.2 (11.3), mean (SD), dB HL at 500 to 4000 Hz. The mean total BBSS score was 27.5 (13.8). All APHAB questionnaire domain scores showed significant improvements: ease of communication, 33.6 (23.2) versus 22.6 (21.3), P = .025; reverberation, 44.8 (16.6) versus 32.8 (15.9), P = .002; background noise, 55.5 (23.6) versus 35.2 (18.1), P < .001; and aversiveness, 36.7 (22.8) versus 25.8 (21.4), P = .028. Moreover, the THI scores were significantly reduced [47.4 (30.1) versus 31.1 (27.0), P = .003]. Congenital SSD was a significant factor of subjective benefit (−11.643; 95% confidence interval: −21.946 to −1.340). Conclusion The BCI602 active transcutaneous BCI device can provide functional hearing gain without any adverse effects and is a feasible option for acquired SSD patients with long‐term deafness.