[Role of hypnotherapy in the treatment of debilitating tinnitus]

OBJECTIVE

Hypnotherapy is currently used for tinnitus therapy in our university hospital. The aim of this study was to evaluate its efficacy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study was performed on 110 patients suffering from distressing tinnitus. They were treated during five sessions with hypnotherapy, supplemented by instruction on self-hypnotherapy. A subjective evaluation was done by the practitioner at the end of the sessions of hypnotherapy. Then a questionnaire on psychologic distress (Wilson 1991) was sent retrospectively to the patients.

RESULTS

We received 65 responses which were used for this study. Before treatment, the mean value of the Wilson score was 54 (28-104). After treatment, it was: 31 (0-86). 69% of the patients felt an improvement > or = 5 points Wilson score. These results were compared with the evaluation carried out by the practitioner at the end of the sessions of hypnosis. There was a "significant correlation" between the evaluation of the felt benefice, analyzed by the practitioner at the end of the sessions of hypnosis, and by the patient questioned long after the treatment. These results had significant correlation with the evaluation made by the therapist at the end of the five sessions of hypnotherapy. They show, how effective (68% improvement) this therapeutic approach can be.

CONCLUSION

Hypnotherapy can be regarded as an effective treatment against distressing tinnitus.

Expérience du dépistage auditif néo-natal systématique dans le département de l’Eure

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate Universal Screening using transient evoked otoacoustic emisions (TEOAE) in the geographical Department of Eure -France.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This hearing screening was initially developed at a single maternity ward (September 1999 to December 2002), and then throughout the Department (January 2003 to December 2003). One or two successive TEOAE tests were recorded. In cases of a positive test, a new TEAO was recorded at otolaryngology consultation one month later. If this test was again positive, a new consultation with brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) was scheduled. If hearing loss was suspected following BAEP, an audiometric test was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 10,770 newborns were screened (99.38%), 65 newborns were lost to follow-up (0.59%), 18 bilateral hearing losses were identified (1.6/1000), and 5 of them had hearing loss risk factors.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that a hearing screening program in the maternity ward using TEOAE is recommended and provides optimal results.

[Management of cleft lip and palate in university hospital of Rouen]

Cleft lips and cleft palates are managed in the department of Pediatric surgery in Rouen for the last 30 years. From the antenatal diagnosis, the parents got in touch with the surgeon who will coordinate this management. Around thirty new patients are treated every year. The chronology of the treatment is of "classic" manner. The cleft lip is repaired at about 3 weeks of age and the palatoplasty is performed after the age of 1 year. In view to maintain the intimacy of the consultation we did not institute multidisciplinary consultations. The other members of the interdisciplinary team will intervene during the follow up depending on the form of the cleft and the encountered problems. The information and the files circulate freely and are discussed together.

[Aging and deafness]

The hearing loss that appears with ageing or presbyacusis should not lead to withdrawal from communication an elderly person. The disorder should be recognised early. The first warning sign is difficulty for understanding in a noisy environment. When an individual indicates this problem, measurements of auditory functions should first be made and regular followed-up should be scheduled or therapeutic measures taken. Such measures generally include a hearing aid that amplifies the affected frequencies and speech therapy to learn lip reading. Some patients may profit from psychological follow-up during this new learning process. The family physician is crucial in the rehabilitation in encouraging the patient to seek medical help as soon as hearing loss begins.