Funded Projects

The Association Between Peripheral and Central Auditory Abilities and Protein Energy Malnutrition in Children

2026-03-11T11:20:52Z

The Association Between Peripheral and Central Auditory Abilities and Protein Energy Malnutrition in Children Chandni Jain; Saransh Jain; Chetak, K B Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) affects physical and cognitive development, making it a major health concern in developing nations. Earlier studies have shown that many sensory processes are affected in individuals with PEM. In children, it can impair the development of the auditory system due to nutrient deficiencies, compromised brain and immune function, and increased susceptibility to hearing loss and auditory processing disorders. However, the relationship between PEM and auditory abilities has not been established. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the relationship between PEM and children's peripheral hearing sensitivity and central auditory processing abilities.108 children aged 7-14 were divided into a control group (Group 1) and a PEM group (Group 2). Various auditory tests were conducted, including pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and immittance evaluation for peripheral auditory abilities. Additionally, a battery of tests was used to assess central auditory processing skills, including the binaural fusion test, speech perception in noise test in Kannada, dichotic CV test, gap detection test, sinusoidal amplitude modulation test, and various tests of auditory working memory. The results revealed that although PEM did not significantly affect peripheral hearing sensitivity, there were significant differences between the two groups in central auditory processing abilities. Children with PEM demonstrated poorer performance in tasks assessing binaural interaction, auditory closure, and auditory working memory than the control group. Spearman’s correlation showed that BMI impacted various central auditory tests. The findings suggest malnutrition may impact higher-order auditory processing skills rather than basic auditory sensitivity. Impaired nerve connections, deficient myelination of the auditory pathway, and compromised attention and working memory may collectively contribute to auditory deficits in malnourished children.

Stimulability Assessment as an Outcome Measure of Phonological Intervention in Kannada Speaking Children with Speech Sound Disorders

2026-03-11T11:20:52Z

Stimulability Assessment as an Outcome Measure of Phonological Intervention in Kannada Speaking Children with Speech Sound Disorders Priya, M B; Sreedevi, N Objectives: The objectives of the study were 1) To adapt the revised Scaffolding Scale of Stimulability (SSS) for frequently erred phonemes in Kannada language 2) To document the use of adapted SSS in Kannada as an outcome measure for treatment of Kannada speaking children with Speech Sound Disorder (SSD) and 3) To compare between static and dynamic assessments across the course of treatment of Kannada speaking children with SSD at five time-points. Design: The study used a modified pre-test post-test design. The revised SSS was adapted for six target phonemes in the word-initial and word-medial positions in Kannada language. Participants included ten native Kannada speakers with SSD in the age range of 4-6 years. Each participant attended a maximum of 15 individual intervention sessions by a Speech Language Pathologist. Kannada Diagnostic Photo Articulation Test and adapted SSS was administered on each of the participant at the five time-points considered in the study. Results: The results indicated there was a significant effect of intervention on the scores obtained on the adapted SSS for each of the target phoneme across the five time-points. The scores decreased as the intervention sessions progressed indicating an improvement in the articulatory abilities of the participants with respect to the phonemes targeted. Comparison of scores as revealed by static and dynamic assessment measures revealed significant difference between the scores only at the time –points corresponding to completion of intervention and 3-months post intervention. However, the percentage score obtained was higher on adapted SSS compared to that of KDPAT at each of the five time-points. Conclusions: Overall, dynamic assessments were more effective in documenting the incremental changes occurring during the process of intervention.

Probing Hidden Hearing Loss in Individuals with Different Levels of Noise Exposure

2026-03-11T11:21:45Z

Probing Hidden Hearing Loss in Individuals with Different Levels of Noise Exposure Arunraj, K; Animesh Barman Objectives: Hidden Hearing Loss (HHL) is a type of hearing loss that affects low and mid spontaneous rate nerve fibers, while sparing normal functioning of the outer hair cell. The study investigated the effect of occupational noise exposure and to assess the relationship between individuals with and without noise exposure. The study utilized speech perception tests in presence of broadband noise (BBN), acoustic reflex thresholds (ARTs) and growth functions, and auditory brainstem responses (ABR) in both quiet and varied ipsilateral broadband noise conditions. Methods: A standard group comparison design was employed on 60 normal-hearing participants (119 ears) in the age range of 25 to 50 years without (Group I) and with occupational noise exposure below DRC (Group II) and above DRC (Group III) levels. Speech perception tests at 0 dBSNR, ART and growth function at 500 Hz, 2000 Hz, and BBN, and ABR recordings in quiet and varied ipsilateral masking conditions (50, 70 & 90 dB SPL) to studty the effect of noise exposure on hearing. Raw scores in speech perception tests, acoustic reflex threshold, slope of reflex growth and ABR latency and amplitude measures of I and V peaks were analyzed. Results: Results showed that noise-exposed individuals had poorer speech perception scores, elevated ART, and steeper reflex growth at 2000 Hz and BBN. ABR peak V latency shifts and peak I amplitude were significantly less in noise-exposed individuals compared to those without exposure (p<0.05), highlighting the impact of even moderate noise on suprathreshold hearing. However, no significant differences were observed for ABR latency of peak I and amplitude of peak V in all conditions (p>0.05). Conclusions: Speech perception scores (0 dBSNR) along with ABR Peak V latency shift and peak I amplitude reduction in the ipsilateral masking paradigm, can be considered as a sensitive diagnostic tool to detect HHL.

Prevalence of Misophonia in General Population and those with Complaints of Tinnitus: An Epidemiological Study

2026-03-11T11:20:50Z

Prevalence of Misophonia in General Population and those with Complaints of Tinnitus: An Epidemiological Study Prashanth Prabhu, P Misophonia, characterized by heightened sensitivity to specific sounds, has emerged as a significant auditory and psychological condition impacting quality of life. This study investigated the prevalence of misophonia in the general population and individuals with tinnitus, exploring demographic influences and coexisting factors. Employing a cross-sectional design, the study surveyed 10,000 participants with normal hearing and 500 individuals with tinnitus, utilizing validated tools such as the Amsterdam Misophonia Questionnaire (A-MISO-S) and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). The findings revealed a 26% prevalence of misophonia among the general population, with 17% prevalence among tinnitus patients. Notably, females exhibited higher prevalence rates across both groups, and urban residents were more likely to report misophonia symptoms compared to their rural counterparts. Additionally, individuals with higher educational attainment showed greater awareness of misophonia symptoms.The study highlighted significant differences in the severity of misophonia between normal hearing and tinnitus groups. Among the general population, 66% of individuals experienced mild symptoms, while 33% of tinnitus patients reported severe symptoms, suggesting that misophonia’s coexistence with tinnitus exacerbates its impact. The shared neurophysiological pathways of these conditions, involving the limbic and autonomic nervous systems, likely contribute to this compounding effect. Gender differences were also evident, with females demonstrating higher sensitivity to auditory triggers, potentially due to hormonal and psychological factors. The influence of urbanization on misophonia prevalence underscores the role of environmental triggers, while higher educational levels may enhance symptom recognition and reporting.The coexistence of misophonia and tinnitus poses unique challenges for affected individuals, amplifying emotional distress and reducing quality of life. Both conditions are associated with increased levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, necessitating a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to management. Routine screening for misophonia in tinnitus patients is essential for early identification and intervention. Potential therapeutic strategies include cognitive-behavioral therapy, sound therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions tailored to address the specific needs of individuals with coexisting conditions. Despite its strengths, the study has limitations, including the cross-sectional design, which restricts causal inferences, and the reliance on self-reported data, which may introduce response biases. Future longitudinal studies are recommended to explore the temporal relationship between misophonia and tinnitus and to investigate the genetic and cultural factors influencing prevalence rates. Expanding the study to include younger and older populations could provide a more comprehensive understanding of misophonia’s prevalence across age groups. In conclusion, this study underscores the high prevalence of misophonia in both the general population and tinnitus patients, emphasizing the need for increased awareness, targeted interventions, and further research. Clinicians should consider integrating routine screening and multidisciplinary management approaches to improve outcomes for individuals affected by misophonia and its coexisting conditions. Understanding the underlying mechanisms and demographic influences on misophonia prevalence can inform the development of evidence-based therapeutic strategies, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for those affected.