The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into medical disciplines is rapidly transforming healthcare delivery, with audiology being no exception. By synthesizing the existing literature, this review seeks to inform clinicians, researchers, and policymakers about the potential and challenges of integrating AI into audiological practice. The PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases were searched for articles published in English from 1990 to 2024 with the following query: “(audiology) AND (“artificial intelligence” OR “machine learning” OR “deep learning”)”. The PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) was followed. The database research yielded 1359 results, and the selection process led to the inclusion of 104 manuscripts. The integration of AI in audiology has evolved significantly over the succeeding decades, with 87.5% of manuscripts published in the last 4 years. Most types of AI were consistently used for specific purposes, such as logistic regression and other statistical machine learning tools (e.g., support vector machine, multilayer perceptron, random forest, deep belief network, decision tree, k-nearest neighbor, or LASSO) for automated audiometry and clinical predictions; convolutional neural networks for radiological image analysis; and large language models for automatic generation of diagnostic reports. Despite the advances in AI technologies, different ethical and professional challenges are still present, underscoring the need for larger, more diverse data collection and bioethics studies in the field of audiology.

This study examines the last 10 years of medical literature on the benefits of cochlear implantation in children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) with additional disabilities. The most recent literature concerning cochlear implants (CIs) in DHH children with additional disabilities was systematically explored through PubMed, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science from January 2012 to July 2023. Our two-stage search strategy selected a total of 61 articles concerning CI implantation in children with several forms of additional disabilities: autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, visual impairment, motor disorders, developmental delay, genetic syndromes, and intellectual disability. Overall, many children with additional disabilities benefit from CIs by acquiring greater environmental sound awareness. This, in turn, improves non-verbal communication and adaptive skills, with greater possibilities to relate to others and to be connected with the environment. Instead, despite some improvement, expressive language tends to develop more slowly and to a lesser extent compared to children affected by hearing loss only. Further studies are needed to better appreciate the specificities of each single disability and to personalize interventions, not restricting the analysis to auditory and language skills, but rather applying or developing cross-culturally validated instruments able to reliably assess the developmental trajectory and the quality of life of DHH children with additional disabilities before and after CI.

Increased noise sensitivity refers to the abnormal subjective response to external sounds, with a prevalence of between 8% and 15.2% in the adult population as suggested by epidemiological studies. The basic neural mechanism of hyperacusis still remains obscure, so therapies for this often-devastating symptom remain elusive. The aim of this study was to assess psychological profiles in patients with presbycusis without tinnitus in a perspective case-control design. All subjects were initially submitted to audiological evaluation (tympanometry, recordings of the acoustic reflex thresholds, pure tone audiometry) and subsequently were administered the following questionnaires: the hyperacusis questionnaire (HQ), the brief symptom inventory (BSI), and the modified somatic perception questionnaire (MSPQ). Patients with hyperacusis reported a total score and subscales (attentional, social, and emotional) of the HQ significantly higher than controls. They also reported higher scores of the MSPQ and significantly higher mean values with concern to the somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, and anxiety subscales of the BSI. These results show that psychological distress, as expressed by higher level of somatic attention, somatization, anxiety, and depression, is a significant factor to consider for a complete diagnosis and effective treatment of hyperacusis. For a correct diagnosis of patients seeking help for hyperacusis, their psychological distress should also be assessed, regardless of their hearing abilities. Further studies are required to investigate the pathological mechanisms that are involved in the onset of hyperacusis in patients with normal hearing and those with sensorineural hearing loss.

Audio-vestibular symptoms can arise from vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) and basilar dolichoectasia (BD). Given the dearth of available information, herein we reported our experience with different audio-vestibular disorders (AVDs) observed in a case series of VBD patients. Furthermore, a literature review analyzed the possible relationships between epidemiological, clinical, and neuroradiological findings and audiological prognosis. The electronic archive of our audiological tertiary referral center was screened. All identified patients had a diagnosis of VBD/BD according to Smoker’s criteria and a comprehensive audiological evaluation. PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for inherent papers published from 1 January 2000 to 1 March 2023. Three subjects were found; all of them had high blood pressure, and only the patient with high-grade VBD showed progressive sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Seven original studies were retrieved from the literature, overall including 90 cases. AVDs were more common in males and present in late adulthood (mean age 65 years, range 37–71), with symptoms including progressive and sudden SNHL, tinnitus, and vertigo. Diagnosis was made using different audiological and vestibular tests and cerebral MRI. Management was hearing aid fitting and long-term follow-up, with only one case of microvascular decompression surgery. The mechanism by which VBD and BD can cause AVD is debated, with the main hypothesis being VIII cranial nerve compression and vascular impairment. Our reported cases suggested the possibility of central auditory dysfunction of retro-cochlear origin due to VBD, followed by rapidly progressing SNHL and/or unnoticed sudden SNHL. More research is needed to better understand this audiological entity and achieve an evidence-based effective treatment.

Background: Gestational SARS-CoV-2 infection can impact maternal and neonatal health. The virus has also been reported to cause newborn sensorineural hearing loss, but its consequences for the auditory system are not fully understood. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy on newborn’ hearing function during the first year of life. Methods: An observational study was conducted from 1 November 2020 to 30 November 2021 at University Modena Hospital. All newborns whose mother had been infected by SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy were enrolled and underwent audiological evaluation at birth and at 1 year of age. Results: A total of 119 neonates were born from mothers infected by SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy. At birth, five newborns (4.2%) presented an increased threshold of ABR (Auditory Brainstem Evoked Response), but the results were confirmed only in 1.6% of cases, when repeated 1 month later, while the ABR thresholds in all other children returned to normal limits. At the 1-year follow-up, no cases of moderate or severe hearing loss were observed, while concomitant disorders of the middle ear were frequently observed. Conclusions: Maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection, regardless of the trimester in which it was contracted, appears not to induce moderate or severe hearing loss in infants. It is important to clarify the possible effect of the virus on late-onset hearing loss and future research is needed.

Takenouchi–Kosaki syndrome (TKS) is a rare congenital disease caused by a de novo mutation in the Cell Division Cycle 42 (CDC42) gene. Patients with TKS present facial and body dysmorphisms, hematologic and immune dysregulation, intellectual disability, neurodevelopmental delay and hearing loss. The aim of this study is to review the literature, focusing on hearing and language abilities in children with TKS. A systematic search on PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases was performed, including twelve studies for a total of 13 patients. Hearing loss (HL) occurs in a great percentage of patients (84.6%); nonetheless, auditory threshold, severity of HL and language abilities were reported in a few cases. In two studies, auditory rehabilitation strategies were described. Although several studies have investigated the hematological features of TKS, still only a few authors have focused on the audiological and language abilities of these children. Given the fact that HL has a significant impact on behaviors, communications skills, and quality of life, it is important to adequately assess and rehabilitate patients early with this syndrome. Further studies are needed to improve the knowledge about this topic and improve the quality of life of patients with TKS.