(1) Background: Body composition analysis, particularly the assessment of the amount and distribution of body fat and muscle mass in young people, is of considerable clinical importance for the detection of nutritional disorders. (2) Methods: University students aged 19–25 years had their body composition measured using a bioimpedance (BIA) device InBody 370S. Furthermore, a questionnaire survey was performed using the questionnaires: factors that influence your choice of food (FCQ); food preference questionnaire for adolescents and adults (FPQ); the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ). (3) Results: Body mass index (BMI) values were within a normal range in 89.5% of men and 77.9% of women, while statistically significant differences between the sexes were confirmed for all body parameters (p < 0.001; p = 0.025). The waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and percentage body fat (PBF) were abnormally high in 50.4% and 44.3% of women, respectively. High values of skeletal muscle mass (SMM), protein, minerals, and bone mineral content (BMC) were identified in 36.8% of men. A total of 88 students (66.7% of men and women) had a higher level of physical activity, i.e., achieved metabolic equivalent (MET) values of more than 3000 per week. (4) Conclusions: BMI does not always have explanatory power for assessing body weight, as it does not consider the percentage distribution of fat and non-fat body mass in the total body weight. Physical activity and a varied diet have a positive effect on achieving optimal body weight and are effective in preventing nutritional disorders (such as obesity and malnutrition) and associated health problems.

Introduction: The early detection and diagnosis of dementia are of key importance in treatment, slowing disease progression, or suppressing symptoms. The possible role of changes in the sense of smell is considered with regard to potential markers for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Materials and methods: A literature search was conducted using the electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science between May 30, 2022 and August 2, 2022. The term “dementia” was searched with keyword combinations related to olfaction. Results: A total of 1,288 records were identified through the database search. Of these articles, 49 were ultimately included in the analysis. The results showed the potential role of changes in the sense of smell as potential biomarkers for early detection of AD. Multiple studies have shown that olfactory impairment may be observed in patients with AD, PD, MCI, or other types of dementia. Even though smell tests are able to detect olfactory loss caused by neurodegenerative diseases, they cannot reliably distinguish between certain diseases. Conclusions: In individuals with cognitive impairment or neurodegenerative diseases, olfactory assessment has repeatedly been reported to be used for early diagnosis, but not for differential diagnosis.

For this study, high-frequency audiometry was used to compare the hearing thresholds, with respect to age, among women exposed to noise in their working environment, as well as those not exposed to such noise. The cohort comprised 243 women (average age 36.2 years), of which 88 women were employed in a noisy (L_Aeq,8h 85–105 dB) workplace, while 155 women did not experience noise. Age categories were determined according to the World Health Organization (Geneva, Switzerland). Hearing thresholds were measured at frequencies of 0.125–16 kHz. Higher hearing thresholds were found in the youngest age groups (18–29 and 30–44 years) among those exposed to noise, as compared to those who were not. The difference in hearing thresholds between the exposed and unexposed groups increased with age, as well as with the frequencies. The highest difference in hearing thresholds for these age categories was measured at 11.25 kHz. The oldest age group (45–63 years) exposed to noise showed lower hearing thresholds than the unexposed group at all frequencies from 4 kHz to 16 kHz. High-frequency audiometry can be used for the early detection of increased hearing thresholds at high frequencies. High-frequency audiometry could be included in preventive programs, especially for younger people exposed to noise, in order to enable earlier detection of noise-induced hearing loss.

Introduction: The exposure to unsafe sound levels is considered a risk factor for developing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Personal listening devices (PLDs) represent a common source of recreational noise among young adults. First changes of NIHL could be detected at extended high frequencies (EHFs).Aim: This pilot study aimed to analyze hearing thresholds at conventional frequencies (CFs) and EHFs in young adults due to the PLD use.Methods: Hearing thresholds of 114 otologically normal adults aged 18 to 30 years unexposed to occupational noise were assessed using conventional and extended high-frequency audiometry. Data on PLD use, leisure time noise exposure, health and lifestyle, were acquired using a questionnaire.Results: Differences in hearing thresholds were found at CFs but not at EHFs according to the listening frequency (daily vs less frequent listening); duration of one PLD use of more than 30 minutes; and total listening time ≥7 hours/week. Only the highest frequency was affected by loud volume listening.Conclusions: Changes in hearing thresholds were found at CFs, whereby long duration, high volume and daily use were associated with lower hearing thresholds in otologically healthy adults.

Extended high-frequency audiometry (HFA) is considered an important tool in the detection of hearing loss. However, the values at extended high frequencies (EHF) in older adults (in both men and women) are associated with considerable uncertainty due to limited reference data. The presented review aimed to analyze hearing thresholds at EHF in adults older than 60 years. A literature search for HFA-related keyword combinations was conducted using the electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. A total of 1654 records, published in the last 22 years, were identified through this search, of which only 7 articles were ultimately included in the analysis. Multiple studies have shown that significant hearing loss can be observed at EHF in older adults. Hearing thresholds in the frequency range of 9-20 kHz in the elderly varied widely across the studies. Therefore, further research in this field is needed to complete the normative data. Cite this article as: Gottfriedová N, Kovalová M, Škerková M, Mrázková E. Extended high-frequency audiometry in the elderly: A narrative review. J Int Adv Otol. 2024;20(4):358-364.

Background: Over 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia. The rate of cognitive decline increases with age, and loss of senses may be a contributing factor. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze hearing, olfactory function, and color vision in patients with dementia. Materials and methods: The sample comprised 40 patients with dementia and 37 cognitively normal controls aged 41-85 years. All participants underwent conventional pure-tone audiometry and a screening version of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults, the Odorized Markers Test of olfactory function and the Ishihara color vision test. The effects of comorbidities and lifestyle factors were also assessed. Results: Patients with dementia had significantly worse hearing at almost all frequencies tested and significantly greater olfactory impairment than cognitively normal controls. Color vision impairment was found in less than 8% of the sample, with no significant difference between the groups. Impairment of two senses (hearing and olfaction) was significantly more common in patients with dementia than in controls. Conclusion: Individuals with dementia were found to have sensory decline, namely hearing and olfactory impairment. Color vision was rarely impaired in the sample. Participants with dementia tended to have more multisensory impairments than controls.