Introduction: Newborn hearing screening is essential for the early detection of hearing loss, enabling timely intervention that supports communication and academic success. However, some children may develop delayed-onset hearing loss, which can go undetected without ongoing monitoring. Even mild hearing loss can affect educational development, highlighting the importance of preschool hearing screening. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of delayed-onset hearing loss in first-grade students who had previously passed newborn hearing screening, emphasizing the need for early identification.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 130 first-grade students. The screening protocol included otoscopic examination, Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA), tympanometry, and Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAE). Passing criteria were defined as PTA thresholds ≤20 dBHL at 500–4,000 Hz, Type A or Ad tympanogram, and a TEOAE signal-to-noise ratio ≥3 dB.Results: Of the participants, 80 (61.5%) passed the hearing screening, while 50 (38.5%) failed. Among those who failed, 43 (86%) showed abnormal tympanometry results, indicating potential conductive hearing loss, whereas 7 (14%) failed both OAE and PTA despite having normal tympanometry and were confirmed to have sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). The prevalence of delayed-onset SNHL was therefore 5.4%. Among the risk factors examined, consanguinity was significantly associated with the presence of hearing loss.Conclusion: The observed 5.4% prevalence of delayed-onset sensorineural hearing loss among first-grade students underscores the importance of implementing preschool hearing screening to ensure early detection and timely intervention.

Background: Previous studies have shown virtual reality (VR) therapy to effectively manage vestibular dysfunction. However, its effectiveness in managing patients specifically diagnosed with Isolated Otolith Dysfunction (IOD) lacks comprehensive documentation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of VR therapy in the management of patients with IOD. Methods: Twenty-one participants were previously diagnosed with IOD by basic audiological assessment along with normal oculomotor tests and a normal video Head Impulse Test results but abnormality in cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential and/or ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential were included. Participants underwent a VR therapy program comprising 8-10 sessions, each lasting 15-20 minutes, conducted twice a week. The effectiveness of the therapy was assessed by administering the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) pre- and post-VR therapy. Results: The average number of rehabilitation sessions attended by the patients was 8.10. Post-VR therapy, DHI scores decreased by 45% across all aspects. A statistically significant difference was observed between pre- and post-VR DHI scores (p<0.001) for the total sample. Additionally, statistically significant differences were found between pre- and post-VR therapy DHI scores (p<0.001) when participants were grouped by affected otolith organ (Utricle, Saccule, or both). Similarly, both age groups (20-40 and 41-60 years old) and both genders exhibited improved DHI scores post-VR therapy compared to pre-VR therapy scores (p<0.001). Conclusions: VR therapy demonstrates effectiveness in managing patients with IOD, resulting in a reduction of the negative impact on their quality of life. However, the long-term effect remains unknown and requires further investigation.

To assess self-perceived balance function in adults after cochlear implantation and explore factors associated with postoperative vertigo. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among adult cochlear implant recipients (≥18 years). Collected data included demographics, hearing history, vestibular symptoms before and after implantation, and satisfaction with hearing outcomes. Chi-square analysis was used to examine associations between vertigo and clinical variables. A total of 50 adult participants were included. Perception of vertigo was reported by 38% prior to implantation and 48% post-implantation. Among those with post-implant symptoms, 58.3% experienced vertigo daily, and 54.2% rated their symptoms as moderate in severity. The majority of symptoms developed within one month post-surgery. Male sex was significantly associated with a higher incidence of post-implant vertigo (p = 0.049), while no significant associations were observed with other factors. Nearly half of adult cochlear implant recipients reported postoperative vertigo, with many describing symptoms of moderate severity that interfered with daily activities. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating systematic pre- and post-operative vestibular assessment and follow-up into standard cochlear implant care.

Background: Patient satisfaction is a key indicator of healthcare quality, supporting continuity of care and improved health outcomes. Assessing patients’ experiences in audiology clinics is therefore essential to enhance service delivery. This study aimed to evaluate patient satisfaction with audiologists’ services in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured, self-administered electronic questionnaire distributed across social media platforms. The survey collected data on participants’ demographics, satisfaction with service quality, overall patient experience. The satisfaction score was assessed using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = Very Dissatisfied to 5 = Very Satisfied). Overall satisfaction was high, with mean scores for most service elements exceeding 4.12 on this scale. Result: A total of 387 participants completed the survey; most were female (73.9%) and from the Central Region (58.9%). Overall satisfaction was high, with mean scores for most service elements exceeding 4.12. The highest satisfaction was reported for clinic cleanliness and organization (M = 4.58, SD = 0.69), while the lowest was for communication with audiologists (M = 3.71, SD = 1.26). Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) was the most frequently performed test (55.5%), whereas advanced assessments such as balance testing and Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) were rarely conducted. Significant differences were observed by gender, with males reporting higher satisfaction than females ( p = 0.012), and by region, with Central Region participants expressing greater satisfaction compared to other regions ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: While patients generally expressed high satisfaction with audiology services, disparities by gender, region, and test availability highlight the need for region-specific strategies, improved access to advanced diagnostics, and continued efforts to enhance service quality nationwide. Patient or public contribution: Patients participated in this study by completing the survey, which captured their experiences and satisfaction with audiology services. However, patients, caregivers, or members of the public were not directly involved in the design, conduct, analysis, or interpretation of the study. Given the methodological focus on quantitative survey responses, formal patient or public involvement in study design was not deemed appropriate.

Background: Dizziness and vertigo are common and challenging complaints in primary care, yet often remain underdiagnosed or mismanaged. This study aimed to assess primary care physicians’ (PCPs) knowledge, diagnostic practices, satisfaction, and perceived needs related to the management of dizziness and vertigo in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 186 PCPs across Saudi Arabia using an online questionnaire. The survey assessed sociodemographic characteristics, diagnostic and treatment practices, knowledge (7-item Likert scale), satisfaction (single-item scale), and suggested areas for improvement. Results: Most respondents were under 30 years old (53.2%) and had less than 5 years of clinical experience (57.5%). While 54.3% reported seeing more than five dizziness cases monthly, only 39.8% allocated additional consultation time. Basic diagnostic tools were variably available; 13.4% reported having none. The mean knowledge score was 20.9 (SD ± 3.99), with 16.1% showing poor knowledge. Satisfaction with dizziness management was modest (mean score 3.12 ± 0.98), and only 31.2% reported being satisfied. Knowledge positively correlated with satisfaction ( r = 0.495, p < 0.001), years of experience, time per patient, and dizziness case volume. Conclusion: Despite moderate knowledge levels, PCPs face significant limitations in tools, training, and systemic support for managing dizziness. Enhancing PCP education, expanding access to basic diagnostic resources, and strengthening collaboration with vestibular specialists, such as audiologists, could improve diagnostic accuracy, physician satisfaction, and patient outcomes in Saudi primary care.

Objectives: This study explored stigma associated with hearing loss and hearing aid use among adults in Saudi Arabia. It examined the prevalence of hearing loss stigma (HLS) and hearing aid stigma (HAsS) and their associations with hearing aid use and selected demographic characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 403 adults with self-reported hearing loss. Participants completed an online questionnaire, distributed through convenience sampling, that included validated instruments assessing HLS, HAsS, and personal distress/inadequacy related to hearing loss. Results: High levels of HLS and HAsS were reported by 50.12% and 82.93% of participants, respectively. Higher HLS levels were significantly associated with hearing aid use, lower educational attainments, unmarried status, lower incomes, greater self-reported hearing loss severity, and a longer duration of hearing loss. Notably, older individuals with lower incomes reported the highest levels of stigma. Among participants medically indicated for hearing aids, higher HAsS was associated with lower odds of hearing aid use, whereas higher HLS was associated with greater odds of use after adjustment for other model covariates. HLS was also strongly associated with personal distress and inadequacy. Conclusions: High levels of HLS and HAsS were observed within the study sample, highlighting stigma as a prominent psychosocial concern. HLS and HAsS showed different associations with hearing aid use, with higher HAsS associated with lower odds of use and higher HLS associated with greater odds of use. These findings highlight the potential importance of addressing stigma within hearing healthcare and support further investigation of approaches to address HL- and HA-related stigma in the Saudi context.