Background: One of the greatest difficulties of the hearing impaired is understanding speech, especially in the presence of competitive noise. Speech perception issues are a common difficulty for those who have hearing loss. Poor speech perception is the most frequent cause of seeking hearing treatment. The most extensively used treatment to enhance speech perception is hearing aids or other assistive devices. Aim: To evaluate the effect of hearing aid methods on the speech perception of patients with hearing loss. Methods: We conducted our study based on PRISMA recommendations and guidelines. We searched Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for relevant clinical trials and prospective observational studies. Clinical trials were assessed according to Cochrane’s risk of bias tool, while observational studies were evaluated according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. We involved the following outcomes: speech recognition thresholds, word recognition score (WRS) in noise, and WRS in quiet. Results: Six studies met the eligibility criteria for our meta-analysis. We found that hearing aids can cause an increase in WRS in noise (mean difference [MD]=18.32 [3.08, 33.55], p=0.02) and WRS in quiet (MD=45.13 [7.79, 82.46], p=0.02). In addition, hearing aids lead to a decrease in speech recognition thresholds (MD=45.13 [7.79, 82.46], p=0.02). Conclusions: Hearing aids are an effective treatment for patients with hearing loss. They can significantly improve speech perception (WRS) in quiet and noisy environments and provide other benefits, such as improved communication, increased safety, and better cognitive function. If you or someone you know has hearing loss, it is essential to speak with a healthcare professional about the benefits of using hearing aids.

Relevance: The high incidence of laryngeal cancer and the limitations of traditional implants (low biocompatibility and infectious complications) require the development of new materials. Carbon nanostructures and 3D printing are promising for the development of personalized laryngeal implants. The study aimed to assess the potential of using carbon nanostructures, such as fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and graphene, in 3D-printed laryngeal implants to promote cartilage regeneration and restore laryngeal function by enhancing their biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and anti-bacterial activity. Methods: A literature search for the years 2015-2025 was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using the keywords “carbon nanostructures,” “3D printing,” and “laryngeal implants.” A total of 50 references were included in the systematic analysis. Results: Fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and graphene enhance the biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and antibacterial properties of 3D-printed scaffolds, supporting cartilage regeneration and laryngeal functions (breathing, swallowing, and speech). Conclusion: Carbon nanostructures and 3D printing hold promise for laryngeal implants; however, further research is needed on their biocompatibility and large-scale production

Background: Ongoing healthcare and medical education reforms in Kazakhstan have been accompanied by persistent workforce shortages and reduced inpatient capacity in pediatric care. Therefore, this study aimed to assess and forecast selected healthcare system indicators using acute mastoiditis (AM) as a sentinel condition while also describing its clinical and epidemiological characteristics. Materials and Methods: This study combined an analysis of national healthcare and demographic statistics in Kazakhstan from 1998 to 2024 with a retrospective review of pediatric AM patients treated at a tertiary referral center. Long-term trends in healthcare resources were assessed, and future needs were projected via average annual percentage change (AAPC) and time series forecasting methods. Clinical, laboratory, and radiological data were extracted from medical records. Statistical analyses were performed via SPSS version 24.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: From 1998 to 2024, the number of pediatricians and ENT hospital beds declined, whereas the density of ENT physicians remained relatively stable, and the proportion of ENT surgical procedures increased. Projections to 2030 suggest continued constraints in pediatric and ENT workforce capacity and further reductions in inpatient beds despite sustained growth in surgical demand. Among 95 pediatric AM cases, complications, most commonly subperiosteal abscess and zygomatic abscess, were identified in 40% of patients. Conclusions: AM may be considered a contextual indicator of pressures within specialized pediatric ENT services rather than a direct measure of healthcare system performance. These findings highlight the need for further studies to validate these observations and better inform healthcare planning.

Relevance. Adenoid hypertrophy is a leading cause of chronic nasal obstruction in children and significantly affects quality of life. Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of selective endoscopic laser adenoidectomy compared with conventional curettage adenoidectomy. Materials and Methods. A single-center comparative study (Almaty, Kazakhstan) included 58 patients: 46 underwent laser adenoidectomy and 12 curettage adenoidectomy. Recurrence rates, subjective symptoms, rhinomanometry and tympanometry results, and late complications were assessed at 3 and 6 months. Results. Recurrence rates were significantly lower after laser adenoidectomy (2.2% and 4.3%) compared to curettage (50.0% and 41.7%) at 3 and 6 months, respectively (p < 0.01). Subjective symptoms and functional impairments were less frequent in the laser group. No significant differences in complication rates were observed. Conclusions. Endoscopic laser adenoidectomy is a more effective and safe alternative to conventional curettage adenoidectomy in children with chronic nasal obstruction.

Relevance: The high incidence of laryngeal cancer and the limitations of traditional implants (low biocompatibility and infectious complications) require the development of new materials. Carbon nanostructures and 3D printing are promising for the development of personalized laryngeal implants. The study aimed to assess the potential of using carbon nanostructures, such as fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and graphene, in 3D-printed laryngeal implants to promote cartilage regeneration and restore laryngeal function by enhancing their biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and anti-bacterial activity. Methods: A literature search for the years 2015-2025 was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using the keywords “carbon nanostructures,” “3D printing,” and “laryngeal implants.” A total of 50 references were included in the systematic analysis. Results: Fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and graphene enhance the biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and antibacterial properties of 3D-printed scaffolds, supporting cartilage regeneration and laryngeal functions (breathing, swallowing, and speech). Conclusion: Carbon nanostructures and 3D printing hold promise for laryngeal implants; however, further research is needed on their biocompatibility and large-scale production