Patrick Zorowka - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Patrick Zorowka

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

This study investigated the effect of a new type of ear pads for ski helmets on the hearing perfo... more This study investigated the effect of a new type of ear pads for ski helmets on the hearing performance of 13 young adults (mean age: 22 years). Free-field hearing thresholds and sound localization performance of the subjects were assessed in three conditions: without helmet, with a conventional helmet and with the modified helmet. Results showed that the modified helmet was superior to the conventional helmet in all respects, but did not allow for a performance level observed without a helmet. Considering the importance of precise hearing and sound localization during alpine skiing, acoustically improved ear pads of ski helmets, as demonstrated in this study, can essentially contribute to enhancing the safety on ski slopes.

Laryngo-Rhino-Otologie, 1991

In 1987 and 1988 Nickisch et al. discussed the effect of infusions of prednisolone, pentoxifyllin... more In 1987 and 1988 Nickisch et al. discussed the effect of infusions of prednisolone, pentoxifylline and, partially, piracetam in Ringer lactate solvent on progressive sensorineural hearing loss in childhood and adolescence. Time of observations was 4 years. Unfortunately long-term investigations could not confirm the initially good therapeutic results of 1987/88. In 35% were found permanently and in 12.5% temporarily better auditory thresholds after infusion. The loss of progressive sensorineural hearing in childhood usually takes a fateful course that can hardly be influenced. As is the case with adults, good therapeutic results can most probably be achieved by infusions starting close to the event, i.e. within 48 hours.

On the basis of certain fundamental data for pathological hearing in children and its effects on ... more On the basis of certain fundamental data for pathological hearing in children and its effects on speech development an attempt is made to summarise the most important considerations regarding the primary choice of a device and the subsequent procedures of fitting to optimise the benefits over a range of ages, from the small infant to school age children. Selection criteria and adjustment parameters are discussed, showing that the hearing aid fitting procedure must be embedded in a complex matrix of requirements related to the development of speech as well as to the cognitive, emotional and social development of the children

Otology & Neurotology, 2021

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Objective: Investigation of long-term safet... more Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Objective: Investigation of long-term safety and performance of an active, transcutaneous bone conduction implant in adults and children up to 36 months post-implantation. Study Design: Prospective, single-subject repeated-measures design. Setting: Otolaryngology departments of eight German and Austrian hospitals.∗†‡§||¶#∗∗†† Affiliations listed above that did not participate in the study.‡‡§§||||¶¶. Patients: Fifty seven German-speaking patients (49 adults and eight children) suffering from conductive or mixed hearing loss, with an upper bone conduction threshold limit of 45 dB HL at frequencies between 500 and 3000 Hz. Intervention: Implantation of the Bonebridge transcutaneous bone conduction hearing implant (tBCI). Main Outcome Measures: Patients’ audiometric pure tone averages (PTA4) (0.5, 1, 2, 4 kHz) thresholds (air conduction, bone conduction, and sound field) and speech perception (word recognition scores [WRS] and speech reception thresholds [SRT50%]) were tested preoperatively and up to 36 months postoperatively. Patients were also monitored for adverse events and administered quality-of-life questionnaires. Results: Speech perception (WRS: pre-op: 17.60%, initial activation [IA]: 74.23%, 3M: 83.65%, 12M: 83.46%, 24M: 84.23%, 36M: 84.42%; SRT50%: pre-op: 65.56 dB SPL, IA: 47.67 dB SPL, 3M: 42.61 dB SPL, 12M: 41.11 dB SPL, 24M: 41.74 dB SPL, 36M: 42.43 dB SPL) and sound field thresholds (pre-op: 57.66 dB HL, IA: 33.82 dB HL, 3M: 29.86 dB HL, 12M: 28.40 dB HL, 24M: 28.22 dB HL, 36M: 28.52 dB HL) improved significantly at all aided postoperative visits. Air and bone conduction thresholds showed no significant changes, confirming preservation of patients’ residual unaided hearing. All adverse events were resolved by the end of the study. Conclusions: Safety and performance of the tBCI was demonstrated in children and adults 36 months postoperatively.

Circulation, 2015

Introduction: The 2014 ACC/AHA valvular disease guidelines recommend estimation of stroke volume ... more Introduction: The 2014 ACC/AHA valvular disease guidelines recommend estimation of stroke volume index (SVI) by echocardiography in patients with suspected low-gradient severe aortic stenosis (SAS)...

Journal of hearing science, 2012

Otology & Neurotology, 2020

OBJECTIVE This study compared the quality of life in patients with bilateral active middle ear im... more OBJECTIVE This study compared the quality of life in patients with bilateral active middle ear implants to their quality of life when they were unilaterally implanted. DESIGN Twenty-one patients implanted sequentially with the Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) active middle ear implant completed quality-of-life surveys. The patients were asked to rate whether and to what extent their quality of life has changed upon receiving a second VSB. Hearing-specific quality of life was assessed with the Speech, Spatial, and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ12-B), and general quality of life was with the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI). In addition, the patients completed a health-related quality-of-life questionnaire (AQoL-8D). Finally, the changes in hearing-related and general quality of life were correlated to the change in word recognition ability after implantation of the second VSB (Freiburg monosyllabic word test; unilateral VSB versus bilateral VSB at 65 dB SPL). RESULTS On the SSQ12, subjects scored a median of + 2.73 (p < 0.001; significantly different from zero) on a scale of -5 to + 5 where 0 indicates no change. All three subscores showed significant improvement. On the GBI, patients reached a median overall score of + 23.6 (p < 0.001; significantly different from zero) on a scale of -100 to + 100 where 0 indicates no change. Here, the improvement was mainly visible in the general subscore, whereas the social support and physical health subscores did not change due to the intervention. Both subjective benefit rating scores strongly correlated with the change in word recognition scores, suggesting that both hearing and general quality of life improved with increased word recognition due to bilateral VSB use. No significant correlation was found between the subjects' general health (as measured by AQoL-8D utility scores) and SSQ12-B or GBI overall scores. CONCLUSION Usage of a second active middle ear implant substantially improved our patients' subjective hearing and general quality of life compared with unilateral use. The increase in quality of life may be linked to improved speech understanding due to bilateral use of a middle ear implant. Furthermore, these outcomes were not influenced by our patients' general health state at the time of survey.

Tanta Medical Journal, 2017

Objective: Transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) monitor cochlear function. High pass r... more Objective: Transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) monitor cochlear function. High pass rates have been reported for industrialized countries. Pass rates in low and middle income countries such as Sub-Saharan Africa are rare, essentially lower and available for children up to 4 years of age and frequently based on hospital recruitments. This study aims at providing additional TEOAE pass rates of a healthy Sub-Saharan cohort aged 1e10 years with data from Gabon, Ghana and Kenya. Potentially confounding factors (recruitment site, age) are taken into consideration. Methods: Healthy children were recruited in hospitals, schools and kindergartens. Inclusion criteria were age 1e10 years and normal otoscopic findings. Exclusion criteria were any sickness or physical ailment potentially impairing the hearing capacity. Five measurements per ear were performed with Capella Cochlear Emission Analyzer (MADSEN, Germany). An overall wave reproducibility of above 60% served as pass-criterion. Pass rates were compared between recruitment sites and age groups (1e5 and 6e10 years). Results: Overall pass rate was 87.5% (n ¼ 264; 231 passes vs. 33 fails). Of these 84.0% of hospital recruited children passed (n ¼ 156; 131 passes vs. 25 fails), compared to 92.6% of community recruitments (n ¼ 108; 100 passes vs. 8 fails), which was significantly different p ¼ 0.039). If analyzed by age groups, this difference was only observed in children younger than 6 years (p ¼ 0.007). Conclusion: Hospitals as recruitment sites for healthy controls seem to affect TEOAE pass rates. We advise for a cautious approach when recruiting healthy TEOAE control collectives under the age of 6 in a hospital setting. In children older than 6 years conventional pure-tone audiometry remains the standard method for hearing screening.

Cochlear implants international, Nov 1, 2016

One of the many parameters that can affect cochlear implant (CI) users' performance is the si... more One of the many parameters that can affect cochlear implant (CI) users' performance is the site of presentation of electrical stimulation, from the CI, to the auditory nerve. Evoked compound action potential (ECAP) measurements are commonly used to verify nerve function by stimulating one electrode contact in the cochlea and recording the resulting action potentials on the other contacts of the electrode array. The present study aimed to determine if the ECAP amplitude differs between the apical, middle, and basal region of the cochlea, if double peak potentials were more likely in the apex than the basal region of the cochlea, and if there were differences in the ECAP threshold and recovery function across the cochlea. ECAP measurements were performed in the apical, middle, and basal region of the cochlea at fixed sites of stimulation with varying recording electrodes. One hundred and forty one adult subjects with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss fitted with a Stan...

Monatsschr Kinderheilk, 2001

Sprache Stimme Gehor, 1991

Acta Oto-Laryngologica, 2016

Otology & Neurotology, 2016

Objectives: Sequential and simultaneous bilateral cochlear implants are emerging as appropriate t... more Objectives: Sequential and simultaneous bilateral cochlear implants are emerging as appropriate treatment options for Australian adults with sensory deficits in both cochleae. Current funding of Australian public hospitals does not provide for simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation (CI) as a separate surgical procedure. Previous cost-effectiveness studies of sequential and simultaneous bilateral CI assumed 100% of unilaterally treated patients' transition to a sequential bilateral CI. This assumption does not place cochlear implantation in the context of the generally treated population. When mutually exclusive treatment options exist, such as unilateral CI, sequential bilateral CI, and simultaneous bilateral CI, the mean costs of the treated populations are weighted in the calculation of incremental costutility ratios. The objective was to evaluate the cost-utility of bilateral hearing aids (HAs) compared with unilateral, sequential, and simultaneous bilateral CI in Australian adults with bilateral severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. Research Design: Cost-utility analysis of secondary sources input to a Markov model. Setting: Australian health care perspective, lifetime horizon with costs and outcomes discounted 5% annually. Intervention: Bilateral HAs as treatment for bilateral severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss compared with unilateral, sequential, and simultaneous bilateral CI. Main Outcome Measures: Incremental costs per quality adjusted life year (AUD/QALY). Results: When compared with bilateral hearing aids the incremental cost-utility ratio for the CI treatment population was AUD11,160/QALY. The incremental cost-utility ratio was weighted according to the number of patients treated unilaterally, sequentially, and simultaneously, as these were mutually exclusive treatment options. Conclusion: No peer-reviewed articles have reported the incremental analysis of cochlear implantation in a continuum of care for surgically treated populations with bilateral severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. Unilateral, sequential, and simultaneous bilateral CI were cost-effective when compared with bilateral hearing aids. Technologies that reduce the total number of visits for a patient could introduce additional cost efficiencies into clinical practice.

Oto Rhino Laryngol Nova, 1994

Teil II: Sitzungsbericht, 1988

Die Antwort auf die Frage, ob eine Antibiotikaprophylaxe oder -therapie in der Chirurgie sinnvoll... more Die Antwort auf die Frage, ob eine Antibiotikaprophylaxe oder -therapie in der Chirurgie sinnvoll ist oder nicht, richtet sich nach Art und Ort des Eingriffes und nach der vermuteten Infektionsrate. Letztere hangt jedoch wiederum von den individuellen Gegebenheiten einer Klinik und den Operateuren ab. Nach einer Standardklassifizierung werden chirurgische Wunden im Hinblick auf das zu erwartende postoperative Infektionsrisiko in 4 Kategorien eingeteilt, und zwar in sauber, sauber-kontaminiert, kontaminiert und schmutzig. Der Begriff „saubere“ Wunden gibt es lediglich in der gezielten, also elektiven Chirurgie, d. h. es liegt keine Entzundung vor und die Sterilitat wahrend des Eingriffes wurde nicht durchbrochen. Die bei derartigen Masnahmen zu erwartende Infektionsrate liegt unter 5%.

Acta Acustica united with Acustica, 2015

ABSTRACT The effect of wearing a ski helmet or a ski cap on the localisation of sounds was invest... more ABSTRACT The effect of wearing a ski helmet or a ski cap on the localisation of sounds was investigated in 21 normal hearing students using localization tests performed in an anechoic chamber. Prior to localisation measurements, the impact of the headgear on free field hearing thresholds was determined. Localisation of sound sources was tested with broad band noises delivered randomly from 12 loudspeakers mounted in a circle on a horizontal plane. Results showed that wearing a ski helmet significantly degrades the ability of localizing sound sources. While subjects without helmet achieve 80 to 100% correct localisation estimates, this percentage drops to 30% at certain azimuth positions, when wearing a ski helmet. Sources lying in the rear left and rear right quadrant of the horizontal plane have a > 50% chance to be mislocalized. Further analysis of error types involved in wrong localisations showed that both front-back confusions and angular misjudgments increased significantly when subjects wore a headgear. It is conjectured that degradation of localisation ability is due to the observed elevation of free field hearing threshold between 3 and 6 kHz (5 to 20 dB HL) in subjects when wearing a ski helmet, probably caused by distortions of pinna resonances.

Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde, 1997

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, 1993

Eight children and young adults with cancer were evaluated serially using pure tone audiometry as... more Eight children and young adults with cancer were evaluated serially using pure tone audiometry as well as registration of click-evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOAE) 1 day prior to therapy as well as after various numbers of doses of cisplatinum. A reduction of EOAE-amplitudes following cisplatinum therapy was observed in all patients. This reduction tended to recover after the end of cisplatinum administration. Since EOAE are believed to result from cochlear bio-mechanical processes, the reduced emissions are interpreted as signs of cochlear dysfunction. We conclude, that EOAE testing may be a simple, non-invasive method that may detect early, transient functional impairment of hearing due to ototoxic agents such as cisplatinum, even in children. Further controlled trials are needed.

HNO, 2005

Ori gi na li en V. Weich bold • P. Zo row ka Kli ni sche Ab tei lung für Hör-, Stimm-und Sprach s... more Ori gi na li en V. Weich bold • P. Zo row ka Kli ni sche Ab tei lung für Hör-, Stimm-und Sprach stö run gen, HNO-Uni ver si täts kli nik der Me di zi ni schen Uni ver si tät Inns bruck