@article{HofrichterMojaradDolletal.2018,
  author    = {Hofrichter, Michaela A. H. and Mojarad, Majid and Doll, Julia and Grimm, Clemens and Eslahi, Atiye and Hosseini, Neda Sadat and Rajati, Mohsen and M{\"u}ller, Tobias and Dittrich, Marcus and Maroofian, Reza and Haaf, Thomas and Vona, Barbara},
  title     = {The conserved p.Arg108 residue in S1PR2 (DFNB68) is fundamental for proper hearing: evidence from a consanguineous Iranian family},
  series = {BMC Medical Genetics},
  volume    = {19},
  journal   = {BMC Medical Genetics},
  number    = {81},
  doi       = {10.1186/s12881-018-0598-5},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-175755},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {Background: Genetic heterogeneity and consanguineous marriages make recessive inherited hearing loss in Iran the second most common genetic disorder. Only two reported pathogenic variants (c.323G>C, p.Arg108Pro and c.419A>G, p.Tyr140Cys) in the S1PR2 gene have previously been linked to autosomal recessive hearing loss (DFNB68) in two Pakistani families. We describe a segregating novel homozygous c.323G>A, p.Arg108Gln pathogenic variant in S1PR2 that was identified in four affected individuals from a consanguineous five generation Iranian family. Methods: Whole exome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of 116 hearing loss-associated genes was performed in an affected individual from a five generation Iranian family. Segregation analysis and 3D protein modeling of the p.Arg108 exchange was performed. Results: The two Pakistani families previously identified with S1PR2 pathogenic variants presented profound hearing loss that is also observed in the affected Iranian individuals described in the current study. Interestingly, we confirmed mixed hearing loss in one affected individual. 3D protein modeling suggests that the p.Arg108 position plays a key role in ligand receptor interaction, which is disturbed by the p.Arg108Gln change. Conclusion: In summary, we report the third overall mutation in S1PR2 and the first report outside the Pakistani population. Furthermore, we describe a novel variant that causes an amino acid exchange (p.Arg108Gln) in the same amino acid residue as one of the previously reported Pakistani families (p.Arg108Pro). This finding emphasizes the importance of the p.Arg108 amino acid in normal hearing and confirms and consolidates the role of S1PR2 in autosomal recessive hearing loss.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{ZahnertLoewenheimBeutneretal.2016,
  author    = {Zahnert, Thomas and L{\"o}wenheim, Hubert and Beutner, Dirk and Hagen, Rudolf and Ernst, Arneborg and Pau, Hans-Wilhelm and Zehlicke, Thorsten and K{\"u}hne, Hilke and Friese, Natascha and Tropitzsch, Anke and L{\"u}ers, Jan-Christoffer and Mlynski, Robert and Todt, Ingo and H{\"u}ttenbrink, Karl-Bernd},
  title     = {Multicenter Clinical Trial of Vibroplasty Couplers to Treat Mixed/Conductive Hearing Loss: First Results},
  series = {Audiology and Neurotology},
  volume    = {21},
  journal   = {Audiology and Neurotology},
  number    = {4},
  issn      = {1420-3030},
  doi       = {10.1159/000444616},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-199129},
  pages     = {212-222},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {Objective: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of round window (RW), oval window (OW), CliP and Bell couplers for use with an active middle ear implant. Methods: This is a multicenter, long-term, prospective trial with consecutive enrollment, involving 6 university hospitals in Germany. Bone conduction, air conduction, implant-aided warble-tone thresholds and Freiburger monosyllable word recognition scores were compared with unaided preimplantation results in 28 moderate-to-profound hearing-impaired patients after 12 months of follow-up. All patients had previously undergone failed reconstruction surgeries (up to 5 or more). In a subset of patients, additional speech tests at 12 months postoperatively were used to compare the aided with the unaided condition after implantation with the processor switched off. An established quality-of-life questionnaire for hearing aids was used to determine patient satisfaction. Results: Postoperative bone conduction remained stable. Mean functional gain for all couplers was 37 dB HL (RW = 42 dB, OW = 35 dB, Bell = 38 dB, CliP = 27 dB). The mean postoperative Freiburger monosyllable score was 71\% at 65 dB SPL. The postimplantation mean SRT<sub>50</sub> (speech reception in quiet for 50\% understanding of words in sentences) improved on average by 23 dB over unaided testing and signal-to-noise ratios also improved in all patients. The International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA)quality-of-life questionnaire was scored very positively by all patients. Conclusion: A significant improvement was seen with all couplers, and patients were satisfied with the device at 12 months postoperatively. These results demonstrate that an active implant is an advantage in achieving good hearing benefit in patients with prior failed reconstruction surgery.},
  language  = {en}
}