ORCID Profile
0000-0001-9630-7928
Current Organisations
University of Western Australia
,
Ear Science Institute Australia
,
Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University
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Publisher: BMJ
Date: 04-2022
DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2022-060901
Abstract: Existing research on the potential association between age-related hearing loss (ARHL) and cognitive decline and dementia in tonal language-speaking populations is limited and inconsistent. There is psychophysiological evidence suggesting a tonal language background may be linked to enhanced general cognitive functions. We aim to systematically review the current evidence on the association between hearing loss and cognitive impairment/decline and dementia in older adults who speak a Sinitic tonal language, the most commonly spoken tonal language. This systematic review will consider peer-reviewed articles that employ objective or subjective hearing measurement and cognitive impairment or diagnosis of dementia. All relevant research publications in English or Chinese and published up to March 2022 will be considered for inclusion. Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, PsycINFO Google Scholar, SinoMed and Chinese Biomedical Database will be used, using both medical subject heading terms and keywords. The quality of evidence of an association between ARHL and cognitive impairment and/or dementia will be evaluated by the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. A random-effects meta-analysis will be carried out with the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software. Ethical approval will not be required for this systematic review. The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conferences. CRD42021235310.
Publisher: IEEE
Date: 10-2014
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 05-02-2021
DOI: 10.3389/FNINS.2020.624484
Abstract: Patients with severe profound hearing loss could benefit from cochlear implantation (CI). However, the neural mechanism of such benefit is still unclear. Therefore, we analyzed the electroencephalogram (EEG) and behavioral indicators of auditory function remodeling in patients with CI. Both indicators were s led at multiple time points after implantation (1, 90, and 180 days). First, the speech perception ability was evaluated with the recording of a list of Chinese words and sentences in 15 healthy controls (HC group) and 10 patients with CI (CI group). EEG data were collected using an oddball paradigm. Then, the characteristics of event-related potentials (ERPs) and mismatch negative (MMN) were compared between the CI group and the HC group. In addition, we analyzed the phase lag indices (PLI) in the CI group and the HC group and calculated the difference in functional connectivity between the two groups at different stages after implantation. The behavioral indicator, speech recognition ability, in CI patients improved as the implantation time increased. The MMN analysis showed that CI patients could recognize the difference between standard and deviation stimuli just like the HCs 90 days after cochlear implantation. Comparing the latencies of N1/P2/MMN between the CI group and the HC group, we found that the latency of N1/P2 in CI patients was longer, while the latency of MMN in CI users was shorter. In addition, PLI-based whole-brain functional connectivity (PLI-FC) showed that the difference between the CI group and the HC group mainly exists in electrode pairs between the bilateral auditory area and the frontal area. Furthermore, all those differences gradually decreased with the increase in implantation time. The N1 litude, N1/P2/MMN latency, and PLI-FC in the alpha band may reflect the process of auditory function remodeling and could be an objective index for the assessment of speech perception ability and the effect of cochlear implantation.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 11-10-2022
DOI: 10.3389/FNINS.2022.1011016
Abstract: Automated pure-tone audiometry has been shown to provide similar hearing threshold estimates to conventional audiometry, but lower correlations were reported at high and low frequencies in audiometric tests than those of manual tests, while the correlations were better in the middle frequencies. In this paper, we used the same equipment and different test procedures for automated testing, and compared the results with manual test results. One hundred subjects aged 18–36 years were randomly ided into two groups to perform air-conduction pure-tone audiometry (0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 kHz) using the ascending and shortened ascending protocols built-in to the automated audiometer, respectively. Recorded testing time, the total number of responses and the subject’s preference tests were compared with those of manual tests. Significant difference was found at 250 Hz regarding the distribution of the absolute difference between the two automated and the manual thresholds. The testing time spend in the ascending method (9.8 ± 1.4 min, mean ± SD) was significantly longer than in the shorted ascending method (5.8 ± 0.9 min). The total numbers of responses of the ascending method (90.5 ± 10.8 times) and shorted ascending method (62.0 ± 11.4 times) were significantly different. Finally, no significant difference was found in preferences between automated and manual procedures. The shorted ascending method can save lots of testing time. The difference between the two automated thresholds at 250 Hz is caused by the different test procedures, and the difference at 8,000 Hz between the automated test and the manual test can be due to the transducer types and allowable differences in calibration.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2018
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 26-11-2021
DOI: 10.3389/FNINS.2021.749273
Abstract: Objectives: The objective of the study was to investigate the association between untreated age-related hearing loss and cognitive impairment in Mandarin-speaking older adults living in China. Methods: Older adults (293 111 males, M = 70.33 ± 4.90 years 182 females, M = 69.02 ± 4.08 years) were recruited. All participants completed a pure tone audiometric hearing assessment, Hearing Impairment-Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (HI-MoCA), and a computerized neuropsychology test battery (CANTAB). The Mandarin version of the De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale was used to measure the loneliness, and the Mandarin version of the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) was used to measure the current severity of a range of symptoms common to depression, stress, and anxiety of the participants. Results: A multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the average of four mid-frequency thresholds in the better ear was related to CANTAB Paired Associates Learning (β = 0.20, p = 0.002), and the global cognitive function score (HI-MoCA) (β = −0.25, p & 0.001). The average of three high frequencies in the better ear was significantly associated with CANTAB Delayed Matching to S le (β = −0.16, p = 0.008), and Spatial Working Memory (β = 0.17, p = 0.003). Conclusion: The results revealed a significant relationship between age-related hearing loss and cognitive impairment in Mandarin-speaking older adults. These research outcomes have clinical implications specifically for hearing health care professionals in China and other populations that speak a tonal language, especially when providing hearing rehabilitation.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-07-2019
DOI: 10.1007/S00405-019-05533-2
Abstract: To evaluate the audiological effectiveness of Bonebridge implantation in patients with bilateral congenital malformation of the external and middle ear. Twenty-eight cases [17 boys and 11 girls median age, 12 years (range 8-36 years)] had unilateral Bonebridge implantation. Audiological tests were performed preoperatively and postoperatively, and included the pure-tone audiometry test, speech discrimination score (SDS), and evaluation of the unaided and aided hearing thresholds in sound fields. For the group of patients aged > 12 years, Mandarin Speech Test Materials were used to determine the SDS. For the other cases, the Mandarin Lexical Neighborhood Test was used. The daily life efficacy was assessed using the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB) questionnaire postoperatively. The t and t' tests were used in the statistical analyses. The hearing threshold with the Bonebridge improved by 25-35 dB HL, compared to that of the unaided condition. The SDS of patients aged > 12 years improved by about 50% the SDS also improved by 10-20% in the three patients aged < 12 years. According to the APHAB, the mean Bonebridge scores of ease of communication, background noise, and reverberation decreased by 60.3 ± 15.7, 50.2 ± 11.1, and 59.4 ± 7.8, respectively, compared to the preoperative scores, and the Bonebridge score of aversiveness was higher (69.8 ± 10.8) than the unaided score. The audiological effectiveness of the Bonebridge was significant and noticeable in bilateral congenital malformation of the external and middle ear. The Bonebridge can be an alternative and effective solution for those patients to improve hearing.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 2013
DOI: 10.1155/2013/756012
Abstract: Background . Recent reports suggest that a proportion of tinnitus patients suffer from mental illness. Autonomic nervous system plays a useful role in tinnitus therapy since electrical vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) has been frequently used to alleviate tinnitus-induced depression in clinic. heart rate variability (HRV), which is reflective of autonomic nervous system function, has been proved to be modulated by acupuncture. In the present study, we aim to compare the effect of deqi sensation on heart rate variability in adult tinnitus patients. Methods . Thirty participants are randomly assigned to verum acupuncture (creating deqi) or shallow acupuncture (not creating deqi) at Baihui (Du-20), Shenting (Du-24), Tinghui (GB-2), Waiguan (SJ-5), and Zulinqi (GB-41) for 3 weeks. The primary outcome measure is heart rate variability, which is measured at the first acupuncture, as well as the last acupuncture. Discussion . Completion of this trial will help to identify the role of deqi sensation in acupuncture effect for tinnitus and reveal an autonomic modulation mechanism for acupuncture effect. Trial Registration . This trial is registered with International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number ISRCTN58013563 .
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 20-10-2020
DOI: 10.1155/2020/8836161
Abstract: Second language learning has been shown to impact and reshape the central nervous system, anatomically and functionally. Most of the studies on second language learning and neuroplasticity have been focused on cortical areas, whereas the subcortical neural encoding mechanism and its relationship with L2 learning have not been examined extensively. The purpose of this study was to utilize frequency-following response (FFR) to examine if and how learning a tonal language in adulthood changes the subcortical neural encoding in hearing adults. Three groups of subjects were recruited: native speakers of Mandarin Chinese (native speakers (NS)), learners of the language (L2 learners), and those with no experience (native speakers of foreign languages (NSFL)). It is hypothesized that differences would exist in FFRs obtained from the three language experience groups. Results revealed that FFRs obtained from L2 learners were found to be more robust than the NSFL group, yet not on a par with the NS group. Such results may suggest that in human adulthood, subcortical neural encoding ability may be trainable with the acquisition of a new language and that neuroplasticity at the brainstem level can indeed be influenced by L2 learning.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 12-04-2021
DOI: 10.3389/FNINS.2021.643205
Abstract: Objective: This study was aimed at evaluating improvements in speech-in-noise recognition ability as measured by signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) with the use of wireless remote microphone technology. These microphones transmit digital signals via radio frequency directly to hearing aids and may be a valuable assistive listening device for the hearing-impaired population of Mandarin speakers in China. Methods: Twenty-three adults (aged 19–80 years old) and fourteen children (aged 8–17 years old) with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss were recruited. The Mandarin Hearing in Noise Test was used to test speech recognition ability in adult subjects, and the Mandarin Hearing in Noise Test for Children was used for children. The subjects’ perceived SNR was measured using sentence recognition ability at three different listening distances of 1.5, 3, and 6 m. At each distance, SNR was obtained under three device settings: hearing aid microphone alone, wireless remote microphone alone, and hearing aid microphone and wireless remote microphone simultaneously. Results: At each test distance, for both adult and pediatric groups, speech-in-noise recognition thresholds were significantly lower with the use of the wireless remote microphone in comparison with the hearing aid microphones alone ( P & 0.05), indicating better SNR performance with the wireless remote microphone. Moreover, when the wireless remote microphone was used, test distance had no effect on speech-in-noise recognition for either adults or children. Conclusion: Wireless remote microphone technology can significantly improve speech recognition performance in challenging listening environments for Mandarin speaking hearing aid users in China.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-09-2018
DOI: 10.1038/S10038-018-0507-Y
Abstract: Diabetes-related hearing loss (DRHL) is a complication of diabetes mellitus that is drawing more attention currently. DNA methylation has a critical role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its complications. Therefore, we investigated the genome-wide DNA methylation of peripheral blood of T2DM patients with/without hearing loss in order to explore the susceptibility loci of DRHL. Between DRHL group and control group, 113 gene sites were identified to be differentially methylated regions (DMRs). Among 38 DMRs with whole s les, the classification accuracy is up to 90%. With alignment to T2DM susceptibility genes and deafness genes published, KCNJ11 was found to be the only overlapped gene. The DNA methylation level of KCNJ11 was associated with stroke (t = 2.595, p < 0.05), but not with diabetic nephropathy and diabetic retinopathy. The detective rate of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) from low to high frequencies (0.7-6 kHz) on the right ear was significantly correlated with the methylation level of KCNJ11. The auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold on the right ear was also correlated (r = 0.678, p < 0.05). This DNA methylation profile indicates the susceptibility loci of DRHL. The potassium metabolism may have a critical role in the hearing loss caused by hyperglycemia.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.IJPORL.2016.03.035
Abstract: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the relationship between the presence or absence of cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) to speech stimuli and the performance of speech perception in Chinese pediatric recipients of the Nurotron(®) cochlear implant (CI).We also wanted to determine how the CAEPs might be used as an indicator for predicting early speech perception and could provide objective evidence for clinical applications of CAEPs. 23 pediatric unilateral CI recipients participated in this study. 15 males 8 females, and their ages at implantation ranged from 13 to 68 months, with a mean age of 36 months. CAEPs and Mandarin Early Speech Perception (MESP) tests were used to evaluate the audibility and speech perception of these CI users. The tests were administered at the first, second, third, and fourth year after the CI surgery. All the subjects demonstrated improvements in detection of speech sounds with CI. The percentages of participants who could detect all three stimuli were 26% (6/23) at first year, to 100% (23/23) at the fourth year post-implantation. The percentages of participants who passed the Category 6 of MESP were from 9% (2/23) at first year, to 91% (21/23) at the fourth year post-implantation. Significant correlations (p<0.05) were found between CAEP scores and MESP at the first, second, third year after the CI surgery. The multiple regression equation for prediction of MESP categories from CAEP scores and hearing ages was MESP=1.088+(0.504×CAEP score)+(0.964×hearing ages) (F=72.919, p<0.001, R(2)=0.621). The results of this study suggested that aided cortical assessment was a useful tool to evaluate the outcomes of cochlear implantation. Cortical outcomes had a significant positive relationship with the MESP, which predicted the early speech perception of CI recipients.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 20-12-2023
Abstract: Substantial evidence supports the association between untreated hearing loss, cognitive decline, and dementia in the non-tonal language-speaking population. Whether a similar association between hearing loss and cognitive decline and dementia exists in Sinitic tonal language-speaking people is yet to be elucidated. We aimed to systematically review the current evidence on the association between hearing loss and cognitive impairment/decline, and dementia in older adults who speak a Sinitic tonal language. This systematic review considered peer-reviewed articles that employed objective or subjective hearing measurement and cognitive function, cognitive impairment, or diagnosis of dementia. All articles written in English and Chinese and published before March 2022 were included. Databases including Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Google Scholar, SinoMed, and CBM were utilized using MeSH terms and keywords. Thirty-five articles met our inclusion criteria. Of these, 29 unique studies with an estimated 372,154 participants were included in the meta-analyses. Among all included studies, the effect size of cognitive function with hearing loss, the regression coefficient was −0.26 (95% confidence interval [CI], −0.45 to −0.07). Among cross-sectional and cohort studies, a significant association was found between hearing loss and cognitive impairment and dementia, with odds ratios of 1.85 (95% CI, 1.59–2.17) and 1.89 (95% CI, 1.50–2.38), respectively. Most of the studies included in this systematic review observed a significant association between hearing loss and cognitive impairment and dementia. There was no significant difference to the findings in non-tonal language populations.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 18-01-2018
DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2017.1422084
Abstract: The association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hearing loss has not been fully investigated and there is little information on the effects of pre-diabetes on alterations in auditory function in Chinese subjects. The study recruited 51 patients with T2DM, 55 patients with pre-diabetes and 43 control subjects. Auditory function was assessed by pure tone audiometry (PTA) tests and distortion product of otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). Tinnitus symptoms were recorded using a medical history questionnaire. A significantly larger number of patients with T2DM (45.1%) were affected by hearing loss, compared to pre-diabetes patients (23.6% p = .04) and control subjects (25.6% p = .02), as assessed by PTA. There was no significant difference in PTA between the number of pre-diabetes patients and control subjects. In contrast, mean DPOAEs litudes of the pre-diabetes patients were significantly lower than of the control subjects, at all frequencies investigated, except 0.75 kHz. A significantly greater number of pre-diabetes patients reported tinnitus symptoms. Diabetes is associated with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, especially at high frequencies. While pre-diabetes is not necessarily associated with significant hearing loss, there may be cochlear malfunction, as indicated by DPOAEs. Thus, patients with pre-diabetes who have tinnitus may benefit from DPOAEs and PTA tests.
Publisher: IEEE
Date: 06-2010
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 15-09-2016
DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2016.1223344
Abstract: The distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) litudes in diabetics were significantly lower than those in controls when pure tone audiometry (PTA) was within normal limits, implying cochlear function impairment in the early stage of diabetes mellitus. Retrocochlear damage was suggested by elongated wave latencies and the wave interval of auditory brainstem response (ABR) in diabetics. This study aimed to systematically analyze the application of DPOAE in evaluation of the hearing function of diabetics. Eligible articles were identified through searches of nine different electronic databases. Two investigators reviewed the original articles independently, with pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Meta-analyses were conducted by using Metan module. There were seven articles eligible for the analysis. PTA thresholds were within normal limits in all diabetics at low-middle frequencies. The mean DPOAE litudes of diabetics were significantly lower than those of controls. The standardized mean difference (SMD) (95% CI) was -0.49 (-0.70, -0.27), -0.46 (-0.63, -0.30), and -0.60 (-0.77, -0.43) at 1, 2, and 4 kHz, respectively. The latencies of waves I, III, and V in diabetes were significantly longer than those of controls (0.43 (0.23, 0.64), 0.54 (0.33, 0.75), and 0.56 (0.35, 0.77), respectively). The wave interval I-V was significantly longer in diabetics (p < .001, 0.47 [0.24, 0.70]).
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 06-01-2022
DOI: 10.3389/FNAGI.2021.767570
Abstract: Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the role of the high-frequency cochlear dysfunction in the cognitive-ear link. Methods: Seventy-four presbycusis patients (PC group) and seventy-one age-, sex-, and education-level matched normal hearing controls (NH group) were recruited in this study. Participants underwent a battery of cognitive tests estimated by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Stroop Color-Word Interference Test (Stroop), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), and Trail-Making Test (TMT-A and B), as well as auditory tests including distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), pure tone (PT) thresholds, and speech reception thresholds (SRT). Data were analyzed using the factor analysis, partial correlation analysis, multiple linear regression models, and mediation models. Results: Distortion product otoacoustic emission detection litudes and PT thresholds performed worse gradually from low to high frequencies in both the NH and PC groups. High-frequency DPOAE (H-DPOAE) was significantly correlated with cognitive domains in the PC group (AVLT: r = 0.30, p = 0.04 SDMT: r = 0.36, p = 0.01 Stroop: r = –0.32, p = 0.03 TMT-A: r = –0.40, p = 0.005 TMT-B: r = –0.34, p = 0.02). Multiple linear regression models showed that H-DPOAE predicted cognitive impairment effectively for aspects of memory ( R 2 = 0.27, 95% CI, 0.03 to 1.55), attention ( R 2 = 0.32, 95% CI, –6.18 to –0.40), processing speed ( R 2 = 0.37, 95% CI, 0.20 to 1.64), and executive function (TMT-A: R 2 = 0.34, 95% CI, –5.52 to 1.03 TMT-B: R 2 = 0.29, 95% CI, –11.30 to –1.12). H-DPOAE directly affected cognition and fully mediated the relationship between pure tone average (PTA)/SRT and cognitive test scores, excluding MoCA. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated that the high-frequency cochlear lifier dysfunction has a direct predictive effect on the cognitive decline and makes a large contribution to the cognitive-ear link.
No related grants have been discovered for Xinxing Fu.