Tehran University of Medical Sciences Auditory and Vestibular Research 2423-480X 31 3 2022 07 05 148 157 Seyyed Mohanmmad Reza Taghavi Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ghassem Mohammadkhani Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hamid Jalilvand Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2021 10 26 2021 12 12 Background and Aim: Speech is known as the most important auditory signal that humans deal with it. Noise can mask speech and prevent spoken information from reaching us. Researchers have been trying to develop indexes to assess speech intelligibility. Speech Intelligibility Index (SII) is one of these indicators and we intend to introduce its nature and applications. Recent Findings: SII is a method that numerically demonstrates the ability to hear speech in difficult listening situations. The number 1.0 indicates that all spoken information is available, while 0.0 indicates that the person does not have access to any information. Hearing loss changes a person’s scores on this index, so we need to use corrective factors to more accurately estimate speech intelligibility. In children, the SII score is different from adults. This indicator can be used in the improvement of hearing aid fitting and more accurate adjustment of cochlear implants. The frequency importance function used to calculate SII has a unique shape in each language. Therefore, SII will also differ in different languages, depending on the nature of each language. Conclusion: SII has emerged as a practical indicator among objective assessments of speech intelligibility. Many have tried to extend and prepare it for use in different groups. Therefore, care should be taken about the use of this index in hearing-impaired people, children, with hearing aids or cochlear implant patients, etc. Evaluation of this index in other languages can help to better adjust the hearing aid based on the characteristics of each language. https://avr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/avr/article/view/1017 https://avr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/avr/article/download/1017/454

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Auditory and Vestibular Research 2423-480X 31 3 2022 07 05 158 164 Ghufran Ghuzlan Department of Medical Engineering, Faculty of Electricity, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria Samer Mohamad Mohsen Department of Audiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria AND Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria 2021 09 23 2021 11 09 Background and Aim: Central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) is seen in a wide array of populations, including children and adults. CAPD is characterized by deficits in one or more auditory abilities, causes difficulties in auditory discrimination, temporal and binaural processing although hearing thresholds are in the normal range. Children’s auditory performance scale (CHAPS) is a screening instrument. This study examined the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of children’s auditory performance scale. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 50 healthy children were included. The children’s ages ranged from seven to nine years, and they passed the screening test using distortion product otoacoustic emissions before administering the scale in the translation process, the backtranslation method was used, in addition to the face validity procedure. Teachers fulfilled the questionnaire in the presence of an audiologist. After two weeks, the scale was re-administrated, and then the statistical analysis was done to examine the reliability and validity of Arabic version of CHAPS (CHAPS-AR). Results: The internal consistency was examined with Cronbach’s α (α=0.997), for testretest reliability, Pearson›s (r) was examined (r=0.994) and when executing the face validity, five experts agreed that the CHAPS-AR has a clear structure, syntax and it is easy to understand and use. Conclusion: The Arabic version of CHAPS can be considered a reliable and valid screening instrument for clinical and research use. https://avr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/avr/article/view/1000

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Auditory and Vestibular Research 2423-480X 31 3 2022 07 05 165 174 EN Hamed Nadri Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Ali Khavanin Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran In-Ju Kim Department of Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, College of Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates Mehdi Akbari Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Gholami-Fesharaki Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran 2021 10 09 2021 11 10 Background and Aim: Occupational noise exposure is considered the second most common risk factor in the industry, which results in auditory and non-auditory health effects. The possibility of cognitive decline as one of the non-auditory health effects may be associated with noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). This study aimed to investigate the cognitive decline among textile workers with NIHL. Methods: A total of 30 male textile workers (mean age: 41.2±4.1 years and mean years of noise exposure: 18.9±5.4 years) with symmetrical NIHL (mean 49.3±4.5 dB at 4 kHz) and 30 healthy male textile office staff (aged-matched) with normal hearing and no history of noise exposure were included in this study. Exclusion criteria were included any deficit in ear function, neurological problems, and head trauma. Hearing thresholds were obtained by air and bone conduction audiometry. Workers’ cognitive performance was investigated by two psychological tests: Corsi block and Stroop tests. Results: The Corsi block indicators including block span (p=0.022) and visuospatial working memory (p=0.002) showed a significant difference between the two groups. Also, the Stroop test indicators including total test time (p<0.001) and response time (p<0.001) showed a significant difference between the two groups. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that workers with a higher hearing threshold at 3 kHz had a lower cognitive performance from both tests. Conclusion: Our findings support the role of NIHL as a risk factor of developing cognitive decline in textile workers. https://avr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/avr/article/view/1012

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Auditory and Vestibular Research 2423-480X 31 3 2022 07 05 175 179 Mohammadsaleh Moosapour Bardsiri Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Ebrahim Mahdavi Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2021 09 18 2021 11 13 Background and Aim: The psychometric function characteristics (e.g. threshold and slope) of the time-compressed words have not been investigated in previous studies to compile psychometrically homogeneous word lists. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate psychometric function characteristics of monosyllabic time-compressed Persian words to develop psychometrically equivalent time-compressed word lists. Methods: Two hundred most common monosyllabic words in Persian language were timecompressed at a rate of 40%-85% and presented to 21 participants with normal hearing at a fixed intensity level. The threshold and slope of the psychometric function for all words were determined using the logistic regression. The compression ratio (CR) for 5%-95% correct recognition was predicted based on the psychometric function fitted to the measured correct recognition score. Results: Mean CR 50% of the words was in a range of 53%-78%. The mean CR 50% and slope were not significantly different between consonant-vowel-consonant and consonantvowel-consonant-consonant words. The predicted CR for 5%-95% correct recognition varied from 61.5% to 88.4%. The final result was two 50-word lists of monosyllabic words with the same mean threshold and slope. Conclusion: Persian time-compressed monosyllabic words have different CR 50% and slope that may interact with their intelligibility. https://avr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/avr/article/view/997

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Auditory and Vestibular Research 2423-480X 31 3 2022 07 05 180 188 Karim Gharashi Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran Reza Abdi Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, Iran 2021 10 08 2021 11 27 Background and Aim: Today, hearing loss affects various aspects of executive functions and cognitive rehabilitation is important in increasing planning capacity and working memory. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation on planning and working memory of executive functions in cochlear implanted children. Methods: This study was a semi-experimental clinical trial. Using the purposive sampling method, 24 hearing-impaired children with cochlear implants were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (12 subjects) and a control group (12 subjects). The experimental group received 12 treatment sessions based on a protocol of cognitive rehabilitation program for executive functions (spatial planning and working memory), while the control group did not participate in this program. We assessed executive function using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), which assessed the Stockings of Cambridge (SOC) and Attention switching task (AST). Results: The results of MANCOVA were shown to be effective at the post-test stage for improving executive function in the experimental group (p≤0.001). But there was no significant difference in stockings of Cambridge problem solve and stockings of Cambridge move 4 between two groups after the intervention. Conclusion: There was a significant increase in spatial planning and spatial working memory of the experimental group. Cognitive rehabilitation can be a useful intervention to improve spatial planning and spatial working memory in cochlear implanted hearing-impaired children. https://avr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/avr/article/view/1010

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Auditory and Vestibular Research 2423-480X 31 3 2022 07 05 189 195 EN Zahra Sadat Moossavi Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hamid Jalilvand Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ahmadreza Nazeri Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Seyed Mehdi Tabatabaee Department of Basic Sciences, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2021 10 06 2021 12 04 Background and Aim: When analyzing the gain-frequency response of a hearing aid, data can be analyzed both clinically and statistically. This study aimed to investigate and compare the gain-frequency responses using statistical and clinical analyses under active digital noise reduction (DNR-on) and inactive digital noise reduction (DNR-off) conditions. Methods: The gain-frequency responses of a hearing aid for one of the most well-known commercial digital hearing aid manufacturers were measured using the FP35 hearing aid analyzer (Frye Electronics Inc., USA) by presenting two types of signals (digital speech and composite noise) at input levels of 65 and 80 dB SPL under the DNR-on and DNR-off conditions. Data analysis was performed both statistically (using Wilcoxon signed rank test) and clinically (using 3 dB difference criterion). Results: A statistically significant difference was found in the gain-frequency responses for all speech and noise input levels between the two conditions; while a clinically significant difference was observed only at noise input levels of 65 and 80 dB SPL. Conclusion: For analyzing the hearing aid performance, both clinical and statistical analyses should be considered. https://avr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/avr/article/view/1009 https://avr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/avr/article/download/1009/465

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Auditory and Vestibular Research 2423-480X 31 3 2022 07 05 196 207 Geetha Chinnaraj Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru, India Keerthi Sringari Parmeshwara Australian College of Audiology, Spring Hill, Australia Chandni Jain Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru, India 2021 09 27 2021 12 11 Background and Aim: Cognitive and auditory processing deficits are seen in older individuals with normal hearing sensitivity. Studies on older individuals with hearing impairment have assessed the cognitive function and correlated with hearing devices benefit. Since auditory processing can also affect speech perception abilities, and there is a possible relationship between cognition and some of the auditory processing abilities, it is essential to assess the relationship between auditory processing abilities and hearing aid benefit in naïve and experienced hearing aid users in older adults. Methods: Fifty individuals in the age range of 51 to 70 years with mild to moderate hearing loss participated in the study. There were 30 participants without any hearing aid experience and 20 participants with hearing aid experience for at least six weeks. Their auditory processing abilities were tested using gap detection test, duration pattern test, speech perception in noise, dichotic consonant-vowel test, masking level difference, forward and backward span tests. The hearing aid benefit was assessed using aided speech perception in noise measures and International Outcome Inventory-Hearing Aids questionnaire in Kannada. Results: Spearman’s correlation showed only correlation between auditory closure ability and binaural integration abilities with hearing aid benefit in experienced users. There was no correlation between any other auditory processing abilities and hearing aid benefit. Conclusion: There is a correlation between a few auditory processes and hearing aid use in elderly individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. https://avr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/avr/article/view/1004 https://avr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/avr/article/download/1004/451

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Auditory and Vestibular Research 2423-480X 31 3 2022 07 05 53 59 Hamed Fanaei Pregnancy Health Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran AND Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran Akram Pourbakht Rehabilitation Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Sadegh Jafarzadeh Department of Audiology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran 2021 06 26 2021 08 22 Background and Aim: Ischemic injury is a major cause of hearing loss and oxidative stress is an important part of ischemic injury. The goal of this study was to evaluate the cochlear oxidative stress effect on auditory responses in male rats. Methods: Cochlear oxidative stress was induced by bilateral carotid artery occlusion for 20 minutes. The rats were evaluated by biochemical inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α] and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the day before and 1st, 4th, and 7th days following surgery. The auditory brainstem response (ABR) and electrocochleography (ECochG) were evaluated on the day before surgery and 14th, 21th and 28th days after surgery. Results: TNF-α and CRP levels concentrations increased one day after ischemia and subsequently decreased on the 7th day. The click and tone burst evoked ABR showed increased thresholds on day14th, 21th, and 28th. The highest threshold was recorded on day14th. The ECochG results also were abnormal for 55%, 70%, and 45% of cases on day 14th, 21th, and 28th, respectively. Conclusion: Cochlear oxidative stress affects hearing sensitivity. The ABR shows elevated thresholds and abnormal ECochG was found in many cases. https://avr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/avr/article/view/969 https://avr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/avr/article/download/969/439

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Auditory and Vestibular Research 2423-480X 31 1 2022 01 01 60 68 Fatemeh Khodaei Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Farzaneh Fatahi Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Nematollah Rouhbakhsh Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Shohreh Jalaie School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Amineh Koravand Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Program, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada 2021 07 17 2021 08 23 Background and Aim: Hearing loss in children leads to speech and language delays, low academic achievement, literacy delays, and psychosocial difficulties. Screening instrument for targeting educational risk (SIFTER) is one of the questionnaires used for evaluation of students’ performance in schools. The current study aims to develop Persian versions of primary and secondary SIFTER questionnaires and assessing their validity and reliability. Methods: The main English versions of primary and secondary SIFTER questionnaires were translated into Persian named as P-SIFTER and secondary P-SIFTER. Then, their face validities were determined based on the options of related experts. The final versions were completed by 55 teachers of 150 students (64 primary and 86 secondary school students) divided into two groups of hearing-impaired (HI) and normal-hearing (NH) students. The testretest reliabilities were assessed in 117 students (64 primary and 53 secondary school students). Results: The results revealed that these questionnaires had high face validity. The content validity index for P-SIFTER and secondary P-SIFTER were obtained 0.94 and 0.92, respectively. The total score of P-SIFTER was 51.85 and 65.41 in HI and NH students, respectively. For the secondary P-SIFTER, it was 58.75 and 67.48, respectively. The test-retest reliability showed high correlation for NH and HI students between P-SIFTER and secondary P-SIFTER scores. The Cronbach’s alpha value for the overall score of P-SIFTER was 0.96 for both HI and NH students; for secondary P-SIFTER, the values were 0.94 and 0.93, respectively. Conclusion: The Persian versions of primary and secondary SIFTER questionnaires have acceptable validity and reliability. https://avr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/avr/article/view/976 https://avr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/avr/article/download/976/440

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Auditory and Vestibular Research 2423-480X 31 1 2022 01 01 69 73 EN Yazdan Pirouzmand Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ahmadreza Nazeri Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Leyla Jalilvand Karimi Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Alireza Akbarzadeh Baghban Department of Biostatistics, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Amir Majidpour Department of Audiology, School of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of M