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Abstract The aim of the study was to assess the number of children diagnosed with hearing loss at Assiut University Hospital, which gives an idea about the magnitude of the problem, and a step for establishing a neonatal hearing screening program in Upper Egypt. The total number of diagnosed children with hearing loss was 1150 children in the year 2014. About 81 % of cases aged above 5 years. It is obvious that flow from urban areas (87%) is higher than rural areas, and most of the cases were from Assiut governorate. The total number of children suffering from SNHL was 641 which represents 55.74% of all diagnosed subjects, of which 79% had symmetrical hearing loss. Most SNHL (about 75%) cases had severe, profound, or severe to profound degrees of hearing loss. Regarding the etiology, 77% of cases had genetic etiology of hearing loss. Most of cases (41%) aged from 5-10 years which mean that detection of hearing loss is more later than expected, so we need to overcome this problem by implementation a screening program, that should be established for early detection, intervention, and improving quality of life for children.

Abstract The aim of the study was to assess the number of children diagnosed with hearing loss at Assiut University Hospital, which gives an idea about the magnitude of the problem, and a step for establishing a neonatal hearing screening program in Upper Egypt. The total number of diagnosed children with hearing loss was 1150 children in the year 2014. About 81 % of cases aged above 5 years. It is obvious that flow from urban areas (87%) is higher than rural areas, and most of the cases were from Assiut governorate. The total number of children suffering from SNHL was 641 which represents 55.74% of all diagnosed subjects, of which 79% had symmetrical hearing loss. Most SNHL (about 75%) cases had severe, profound, or severe to profound degrees of hearing loss. Regarding the etiology, 77% of cases had genetic etiology of hearing loss. Most of cases (41%) aged from 5-10 years which mean that detection of hearing loss is more later than expected, so we need to overcome this problem by implementation a screening program, that should be established for early detection, intervention, and improving quality of life for children.

Abstract Elderly individuals often have more difficulty in understanding speech than younger adults, particularly in noisy environments. Three models that attempt to explain this are as follows: (a) deterioration in the peripheral hearing; (b) structural changes to the central auditory system; and (c) changes in normal cognitive processes. The aim of this study was to assess the central auditory functions in an elderly population and compare them with those of an adult population. Participants and methods The study group included 60 elderly individuals; they were older than 60 years of age and were divided into two subgroups: the first subgroup A included 24 elderly individuals with normal peripheral hearing and the second subgroup B included 36 elderly individuals with presbycusis with a mild degree of hearing loss. The control group included 30 individuals ranging in age from 18 to 30 years. Both the study and the control group were subjected to an otological examination, immittancemetry, pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and central auditory processing assessment using the following selected few behavioral central auditory tests: synthetic sentence identification test with ipsilateral competing message (SSI-ICM), dichotic digits test (DDT), auditory fusion test-revised (AFT-R), and pitch pattern sequences test (PPT). Results There were elevated hearing thresholds at mostly all frequencies with statistically significant differences on comparing both study subgroups A and B with the control group. On using SSI-ICM, in the competition ratio (– 15 dB), there were statistically significantly low scores in subgroups A and B compared with the control group. Results of DDT showed statistically significantly low scores on comparing the results between the left ear and the right ear in both subgroups A and B. There was a statistically significant elevated gap threshold for tonal stimuli in the AFT-R test on comparing both subgroups A and B with the control group. The results of PPT showed that subgroup B obtained a statistically significantly lower score compared with the control group. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between age and the results of SSI-ICM in the competition ratio 0 dB when presented to the left ear, DDT, and PPT. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between age and the results of AFT-R when presented at 4000 Hz. Conclusion Age-related changes to auditory processing will occur in most adults 60 years of age and older that may or may not be concomitant with peripheral hearing loss. Aging decreases the capacity of digit recognition and also increases interaural asymmetries. Many older listeners show reduced temporal resolution even when potential influences of hearing loss are absent. Temporal ordering abilities decrease with age. Recommendation It is important to include central auditory tests in the audiological assessment protocol of the elderly. The utilization of these tests in the assessment of the elderly enables us to improve the quality of therapeutic-rehabilitative interventions

Abstract Elderly individuals often have more difficulty in understanding speech than younger adults, particularly in noisy environments. Three models that attempt to explain this are as follows: (a) deterioration in the peripheral hearing; (b) structural changes to the central auditory system; and (c) changes in normal cognitive processes. The aim of this study was to assess the central auditory functions in an elderly population and compare them with those of an adult population. Participants and methods The study group included 60 elderly individuals; they were older than 60 years of age and were divided into two subgroups: the first subgroup A included 24 elderly individuals with normal peripheral hearing and the second subgroup B included 36 elderly individuals with presbycusis with a mild degree of hearing loss. The control group included 30 individuals ranging in age from 18 to 30 years. Both the study and the control group were subjected to an otological examination, immittancemetry, pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and central auditory processing assessment using the following selected few behavioral central auditory tests: synthetic sentence identification test with ipsilateral competing message (SSI-ICM), dichotic digits test (DDT), auditory fusion test-revised (AFT-R), and pitch pattern sequences test (PPT). Results There were elevated hearing thresholds at mostly all frequencies with statistically significant differences on comparing both study subgroups A and B with the control group. On using SSI-ICM, in the competition ratio (– 15 dB), there were statistically significantly low scores in subgroups A and B compared with the control group. Results of DDT showed statistically significantly low scores on comparing the results between the left ear and the right ear in both subgroups A and B. There was a statistically significant elevated gap threshold for tonal stimuli in the AFT-R test on comparing both subgroups A and B with the control group. The results of PPT showed that subgroup B obtained a statistically significantly lower score compared with the control group. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between age and the results of SSI-ICM in the competition ratio 0 dB when presented to the left ear, DDT, and PPT. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between age and the results of AFT-R when presented at 4000 Hz. Conclusion Age-related changes to auditory processing will occur in most adults 60 years of age and older that may or may not be concomitant with peripheral hearing loss. Aging decreases the capacity of digit recognition and also increases interaural asymmetries. Many older listeners show reduced temporal resolution even when potential influences of hearing loss are absent. Temporal ordering abilities decrease with age. Recommendation It is important to include central auditory tests in the audiological assessment protocol of the elderly. The utilization of these tests in the assessment of the elderly enables us to improve the quality of therapeutic-rehabilitative interventions

Abstract Elderly individuals often have more difficulty in understanding speech than younger adults, particularly in noisy environments. Three models that attempt to explain this are as follows: (a) deterioration in the peripheral hearing; (b) structural changes to the central auditory system; and (c) changes in normal cognitive processes. The aim of this study was to assess the central auditory functions in an elderly population and compare them with those of an adult population. Participants and methods The study group included 60 elderly individuals; they were older than 60 years of age and were divided into two subgroups: the first subgroup A included 24 elderly individuals with normal peripheral hearing and the second subgroup B included 36 elderly individuals with presbycusis with a mild degree of hearing loss. The control group included 30 individuals ranging in age from 18 to 30 years. Both the study and the control group were subjected to an otological examination, immittancemetry, pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and central auditory processing assessment using the following selected few behavioral central auditory tests: synthetic sentence identification test with ipsilateral competing message (SSI-ICM), dichotic digits test (DDT), auditory fusion test-revised (AFT-R), and pitch pattern sequences test (PPT). Results There were elevated hearing thresholds at mostly all frequencies with statistically significant differences on comparing both study subgroups A and B with the control group. On using SSI-ICM, in the competition ratio (– 15 dB), there were statistically significantly low scores in subgroups A and B compared with the control group. Results of DDT showed statistically significantly low scores on comparing the results between the left ear and the right ear in both subgroups A and B. There was a statistically significant elevated gap threshold for tonal stimuli in the AFT-R test on comparing both subgroups A and B with the control group. The results of PPT showed that subgroup B obtained a statistically significantly lower score compared with the control group. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between age and the results of SSI-ICM in the competition ratio 0 dB when presented to the left ear, DDT, and PPT. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between age and the results of AFT-R when presented at 4000 Hz. Conclusion Age-related changes to auditory processing will occur in most adults 60 years of age and older that may or may not be concomitant with peripheral hearing loss. Aging decreases the capacity of digit recognition and also increases interaural asymmetries. Many older listeners show reduced temporal resolution even when potential influences of hearing loss are absent. Temporal ordering abilities decrease with age. Recommendation It is important to include central auditory tests in the audiological assessment protocol of the elderly. The utilization of these tests in the assessment of the elderly enables us to improve the quality of therapeutic-rehabilitative interventions

Abstract Sexual dysfunction is more prevalent in psychotic patients than in the nonpsychotic population. The objective of this study was to identify correlations between serum prolactin levels, testosterone levels and erectile dysfunction in patients with firstepisode psychosis (n = 40) compared to age-matched healthy controls (n = 40). All subjects underwent clinical evaluation, international index of erectile function (IIEF5) score assessment and measurement of serum prolactin and total testosterone levels. In first-episode psychotic patients, the IIEF-5 score and total testosterone levels were significantly lower, while serum prolactin levels were higher. We concluded that men with first-episode psychosis are at an increased risk for development of erectile dysfunction, and increased duration of untreated psychosis leads to a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction and hyperprolactinemia.

Abstract Sexual dysfunction is more prevalent in psychotic patients than in the nonpsychotic population. The objective of this study was to identify correlations between serum prolactin levels, testosterone levels and erectile dysfunction in patients with firstepisode psychosis (n = 40) compared to age-matched healthy controls (n = 40). All subjects underwent clinical evaluation, international index of erectile function (IIEF5) score assessment and measurement of serum prolactin and total testosterone levels. In first-episode psychotic patients, the IIEF-5 score and total testosterone levels were significantly lower, while serum prolactin levels were higher. We concluded that men with first-episode psychosis are at an increased risk for development of erectile dysfunction, and increased duration of untreated psychosis leads to a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction and hyperprolactinemia.

Pemphigus is a group of immune‐mediated blistering diseases of skin and mucus membrane caused by destruction of the intercellular junction (desmosomes) by autoantibodies. Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is considered the most common type of all pemphigus family. Various cytokines play a major role in pemphigus pathogenesis. Interleukin‐33 (IL‐33) role has been studied in various autoimmune diseases as; psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, yet it has not been studied in Egyptian patients with PV. The study aimed to evaluate the possible role of IL‐33 in PV by assessing its level in the serum using ELISA and to detect its correlation with activity score using Pemphigus Disease Area Index (PDAI). Forty‐four patients with PV and 36 age and sex‐matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. After full history taking and complete dermatological examination, the severity score was calculated using PDAI, then serum samples were taken from each patient and control subjects and subjected to quantitative measurement of serum IL‐33 using ELISA. Serum level of IL‐33 is significantly raised in PV patients compared to control subjects (P‐value = .007). The level of IL‐33 was found to be strongly correlated with the activity of the disease measured by PDAI. IL‐33 might have a role in PV pathogenesis as shown by its rising level in PV patients. In addition, serum level of IL‐33 is strongly correlated with the activity of PV. Thus, we suspect that IL‐33 can be used as marker for monitoring PV severity and measuring treatment efficacy.

Pemphigus is a group of immune‐mediated blistering diseases of skin and mucus membrane caused by destruction of the intercellular junction (desmosomes) by autoantibodies. Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is considered the most common type of all pemphigus family. Various cytokines play a major role in pemphigus pathogenesis. Interleukin‐33 (IL‐33) role has been studied in various autoimmune diseases as; psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis, yet it has not been studied in Egyptian patients with PV. The study aimed to evaluate the possible role of IL‐33 in PV by assessing its level in the serum using ELISA and to detect its correlation with activity score using Pemphigus Disease Area Index (PDAI). Forty‐four patients with PV and 36 age and sex‐matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. After full history taking and complete dermatological examination, the severity score was calculated using PDAI, then serum samples were taken from each patient and control subjects and subjected to quantitative measurement of serum IL‐33 using ELISA. Serum level of IL‐33 is significantly raised in PV patients compared to control subjects (P‐value = .007). The level of IL‐33 was found to be strongly correlated with the activity of the disease measured by PDAI. IL‐33 might have a role in PV pathogenesis as shown by its rising level in PV patients. In addition, serum level of IL‐33 is strongly correlated with the activity of PV. Thus, we suspect that IL‐33 can be used as marker for monitoring PV severity and measuring treatment efficacy.