From research to clinical practice: An analysis of 226 Hz-probe tone tympanometry to identify otitis media with effusion in children

OBJECTIVES

(1) To calculate the sensitivity and specificity of tympanometry with a 226 Hz probe to identify middle ear condition in children; (2) To propose the intersection range of static compliance and tympanometric peak pressure values obtained in ears with and without middle ear effusion.

METHODS

224 children's ears without middle ear alteration, with a mean age of 1 year and 4 months (GI), and 56 children's ears with middle ear effusion (GII), with a mean age of two years, were analyzed. For analysis, the static compliance and tympanometric peak pressure values obtained in the tympanometry with a 226 Hz probe were considered.

RESULTS

In the group with no alteration, the Mann Whitney Test showed no significant difference between the sexes for the static compliance (p = 0.085) and tympanometric peak pressure (p = 0.782). No difference was seen, either, for compliance (p = 0.079) and pressure (p = 0.678) values, according to age. When applying the optimal criterion of the ROC curve, the cutoff value obtained was ≤0.26 ml for static compliance (sensitivity= 83.9 %; specificity= 86.6 %) and ≤-56 daPa for peak pressure (sensitivity= 82.1 %; specificity= 84.8 %). When comparing the values obtained for the two groups, it is noted that the data overlap, that is, they create an inconclusive intersection range between the normal middle ear and the altered one.

CONCLUSION

The tympanometry cut-off with greater sensitivity and specificity was, respectively, 83.9 and 86.6 % for static compliance and 82.1 and 84.8 % for tympanometric peak pressure. The ranges from 0.16 to 0.43 ml for static compliance and from -109 to 25 daPa for tympanometric peak pressure do not allow defining the presence or absence of alteration in the middle ear, in children aged 6 to 36 months.

How should hyperbilirubinemia be considered in the definition of the hearing screening protocol for neonates at risk?

PURPOSE

To analyze hyperbilirubinemia as an indicator for the definition of risk protocol in newborn hearing screening (NHS) and in auditory monitoring in full-term and preterm neonates.

METHODS

This is an observational, cross-sectional and retrospective study. A total of 554 children born in a public maternity hospital were included and divided into two groups: (G1) with 373 full-terms neonates; (G2) with 181 preterm neonates. Data were collected from the participant's medical records to obtain information regarding the result of the NHS, performed by recording the automated auditory brainstem response (AABR), birth conditions, clinical characteristics, interventions performed, and results of the first test of total bilirubin (TB) and indirect bilirubin (IB) as well as the peak of TB and IB. A descriptive statistical analysis of the results was performed, and the level of significance adopted was 5%.

RESULTS

On the NHS test, quotes of retest referral rates were smaller in G1 when compared to G2. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding type of delivery, gender, presence of Rh and ABO incompatibility, G6PD enzyme deficiency, and performance of phototherapy. TB and IB levels at the first exam and at peak time did not differ between neonates with "pass" and "fail" results on the NHS test in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Bilirubin levels in the neonatal period below the recommended values for indication of exchange transfusion are not directly related to the "fail" result on the NHS tests in term and preterm neonates.

Hearing rehabilitation with Baha® transcutaneous and percutaneous systems

PURPOSE

Longitudinally verify the influence of auditory tonal thresholds obtained with transcutaneous and percutaneous bone-anchored hearing aids on speech perception in individuals with external and/or middle ear malformation and chronic otitis media.

METHODS

Observational, retrospective, longitudinal follow-up study of 30 unilateral users of the transcutaneous and percutaneous Baha® system for the collection of secondary data on pure tone thresholds obtained through free field audiometry and sentence recognition threshold in silence and noise in conditions: without the prosthesis; at the time of activation; in the first month of use (post 1); and in the third month (post 2).

RESULTS

There was a significant difference between pure tone thresholds obtained at frequencies of 3 and 4kHz with better results for the percutaneous technique at all evaluation moments. For both systems, better performance was observed in sentence recognition in silence and in noise, with a significant difference in activation (p<0.001), but it remained stable during the other evaluation moments. The percutaneous system showed better benefit in recognizing sentences in noise only on activation (p=0.036), when compared to the transcutaneous system.

CONCLUSION

The percutaneous system provided better audibility for high frequencies; however, such audibility did not influence sentence recognition in the silent situation for both systems. For the noise situation, better responses were observed in the percutaneous system, however, the difference was not maintained over time.

Usability evaluation of the Agente Escuta application: translational research

PURPOSE

To evaluate the usability and satisfaction of users with the interface of the 'Agente Escuta' application, in addition to identifying problems and possibilities for improvement.

METHODS

Descriptive exploratory translational study, characterized by a usability test with a quantitative and qualitative approach, subdivided into three stages: (I) prior evaluation of usability by 10 judges, including students, primary care professionals, professors and researchers in Information Technology and Speech Therapy; (II) evaluation of the application by the target audience, that is, community health agents from six municipalities in Rio Grande do Norte; (III) evaluation of the satisfaction of the agents who used the application in their work routine. The System Usability Scale and the Net Promoter Score were used, in addition to a qualitative evaluation of the opinions.

RESULTS

Usability was rated as excellent by judges, regardless of category. In the evaluation by community health agents, usability was considered good and there was no effect of the city of origin. It was found that the perception of the judges and the target audience were different, with a lower score for the participants in the second stage. However, most would give positive publicity to the product. The heuristic with the highest score was ease of memorization and participants in the third stage were interested in continuing to use the tool in practice, even after the end of the study.

CONCLUSION

The Agente Escuta prototype showed good usability and satisfaction and aspects that could be improved in future solutions were identified.

Wideband absorbance for the assessment of pressure equalizing tubes patency in children

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the feasibility of using wideband absorbance to verify the patency of pressure equalizing tubes (PETs) in clinical practice and to present the response pattern of this measure for ears with patent PET.

METHODS

This observational case-control type study evaluated 48 ears of 30 children with severe or profound hearing loss, aged 10-44 months, of both sexes. The subjects were subdivided into two groups: 24 ears with Sheppard type PET (experimental group - EG) and 24 ears with normal middle ear (control group - CG), paired with the EG, according to age, sex, and ear evaluated. To obtain the wideband absorbance, a Middle-Ear Power Analyzer, version 5.0 (Mimosa Acoustics), was used, and absorbance values for pure tone and chirp stimuli were analyzed.

RESULTS

There was no influence of ear (right or left) on the measurements obtained. The EG showed higher absorbance values at low frequencies. Although the two stimuli made it possible to identify the difference in acoustic transfer function between the groups studied, compared to pure tone, the chirp stimulus allowed identification of differences in a higher number of frequencies.

CONCLUSIONS

Ears with a patent PET present an acoustic transfer pattern that differs from that obtained for normal middle ears, with a higher absorbance at low frequencies. Both pure tone and chirp stimuli can be used to identify such differences, nevertheless, the use of chirp stimulus is recommended, since it allows differentiation over a wider frequency range.

Effectiveness of an online continuing education course in infant hearing health for primary care professionals

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of an online continuing education course on infant hearing health for primary care professionals.

DESIGN

A prospective longitudinal study with interrupted time series pre-test/post-test design. The effectiveness of the online course was assessed by comparing pre- vs. post-training performance and analysing responses to evaluations of the quality of the course.

STUDY SAMPLE

The sample comprised individuals enrolled between September 2018 and August 2019 in a Ministry of Health course, "Actions in primary care for the early identification of hearing impairment" offered on the AVASUS platform.

RESULTS

Of the 2908 individuals registered, 1842 (63.3%) completed the course. Their ages ranged from 18 to 77 years, and 67.4% of them were females. Students and doctors were overrepresented among the enrollees. All Brazilian states were included in the sample. Comparisons of pre- and post-training performances showed a significant improvement in knowledge, and 99.3% of the participants provided positive comments regarding the quality of the course.

CONCLUSIONS

The course is an effective distance learning tool on infant hearing health for primary care professionals. The online course circumvents the limitations posed by geographical barriers and also facilitates decentralisation.

Contralateral Masking in the Measurement of Auditory Brainstem Responses with Air-Conducted Tone Burst Stimuli in Individuals with Unilateral Hearing Loss

BACKGROUND

 Contralateral noise masking is an important aspect of auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurements.

PURPOSE

 The primary aim of this study is to determine how contralateral white noise (WN) masking influences the amplitude and the latency of V wave generated during ABR measurements, using tone burst (TB), in adult ears with normal hearing (NH). The secondary aim of this study is to ascertain the need of contralateral masking in ABR measurements with the TB stimuli using a 3A insertion earphone, and to propose the applicability of WN masking in unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (USNHL).

RESEARCH DESIGN

 It is a cross-sectional observational and descriptive study.

STUDY SAMPLE

 Experiment 1: Thirty individuals, without any otologic, psychological, or neurological dysfunction, were selected. Experiment 2: Fifteen individuals with previous audiological diagnoses of severe and profound USNHL were considered.

INTERVENTION

 The study involves ABR TB at specific frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

 Experiment 1: The evaluation was performed at the fixed intensity of 80 dB nHL (decibel normalized hearing level) on the tested ear, followed by the application of simultaneous masking to the nontested ear, intensity ranged from 0 to 80 dB. Experiment 2: ABR threshold measurements were first performed on the ear with hearing loss (HL) at the frequencies of 1, 2, and 4 kHz. The results were subsequently confirmed using contralateral masking.

RESULTS

 Experiment 1: At any given frequency, there were no statistically significant differences in the amplitude and latency of V wave with increase in the intensities of WN masking. Experiment 2: Cross-hearing was observed at least once in all frequencies analyzed through the occurrence of V wave.

CONCLUSION

 In conclusion, the contralateral WN masking at the maximum intensity of 80 dB does not affect the amplitude and latency of V wave of the ABR TB at 1, 2, and 4 kHz. Contralateral masking for the ABR TB presented using 3A insertion earphones is necessary at 1, 2, and 4 kHz in individuals with severe or profound degrees of USNHL and at intensities of 15, 20, and 10 dB above the ABR threshold of the nontested ear.

Early exposure to environment sounds and the development of cortical auditory evoked potentials of preterm infants during the first 3 months of life

OBJECTIVE

Preterm infants are exposed earlier than their term counterparts to unattenuated sounds from the external environment during the sensitive period of the organization of the auditory cortical circuitry. In the current study, we investigate the effect of preterm birth on the course of development of auditory cortical areas by evaluating how gestational age (GA) correlates with the latency of the P1 component of the cortical auditory evoked potential (CAEP) of two experimental groups measured at 1 or 3 months of age.

RESULTS

Our sample consisted of 23 infants delivered at GA ranging from 31.28 to 41.42 weeks and separated into two groups evaluated transversally at 1 or 3 months of corrected age (CA). In the group evaluated at 1-month CA, the latency of the component P1 was similar in both terms and infants classified as late-preterm (GA > 32 weeks). However, in the group evaluated at 3 months CA, P1 latency was significantly smaller in preterms. These preliminary results suggest an acceleration of the development of auditory cortical pathways in preterms, probably due to their early exposure to socially relevant auditory stimuli from the external environment.

Language evaluation in children with pre-lingual hearing loss and cochlear implant

Introduction

The cochlear implant is an effective device for children with severe and/or profound prelingual hearing loss, since it provides considerable improvement in oral language acquisition through the auditory pathway. The use of a cochlear implant contributes to the development of auditory perception, favoring the acquisition of the linguistic processes related to communication skills, which might have a positive effect on other areas of development.

Objective

The aim of this study was to verify the performance of children using cochlear implants for expressive and receptive oral language.

Methods

This was a prospective cross-sectional study that used the following tests: Child language test in the phonology, vocabulary, fluency and pragmatics areas, and the Peabody picture vocabulary test. Thirty children participated in this study, of both genders, aged between 36 and 72 months, with severe and/or profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, without other impairments and users of unilateral cochlear implant with full electrode insertion for a minimum of 12 months.

Results

The longer duration of the cochlear implant use, the younger age at surgery and the better performance in the auditory perception of speech influenced the performance in expressive and receptive oral language. Even though when compared to the normative language acquisition process, the results showed that these children had patterns of linguistic skills that are below their chronological age; the results indicate that these children are developing expressive and receptive oral language skills, and this is the outcome that should be taken into account in this study.

Conclusion

The longer duration of the cochlear implant use, the younger age at surgery and the better performance in the auditory perception of speech influenced the performance in expressive and receptive oral language skills, but not in all the studied semantic categories.

Perda auditiva unilateral e assimétrica na infância

RESUMO Objetivo Descrever a perda auditiva sensorioneural unilateral e bilateral assimétrica em crianças quanto às características etiológicas, audiológicas e demográficas. Método Estudo retrospectivo transversal, desenvolvido na Seção de Implante Coclear do Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais, por meio da análise de prontuários. Resultados Foram analisados os dados de 1152 pacientes, sendo 424 (37%) adolescentes, adultos ou idosos e 728 (63%) crianças, dentre as quais, 691 (95%) apresentavam perda auditiva bilateral simétrica e 37 (5%) perda auditiva sensorioneural unilateral (n=10) ou bilateral assimétrica (n=27). A idade média ao diagnóstico na perda auditiva sensorioneural unilateral foi de 33,58±21,69 meses e na bilateral assimétrica de 33,12±21,69 meses, com prevalência de 1,4% e 3,7%, respectivamente. O indicador de risco para a deficiência auditiva de maior ocorrência para ambos os grupos foi o de antecedente familiar. A maioria dos familiares das crianças com perda auditiva sensorioneural unilateral apresentaram a classificação socioeconômica baixa superior (50%), enquanto que as crianças com perda auditiva sensorioneural bilateral assimétrica se subdividiram igualmente em baixa superior (37%) e média inferior (37%). Conclusão Houve uma maior prevalência da perda auditiva sensorioneural bilateral assimétrica em relação à unilateral, bem como do indicador de risco de hereditariedade, com predomínio do grau profundo na pior orelha e preponderância do sexo feminino, em ambos os grupos. Apesar de a triagem auditiva neonatal propiciar a identificação precoce da perda auditiva sensorioneural unilateral, a idade no diagnóstico audiológico ainda se encontra acima do recomendado. Adicionalmente, a maioria dos familiares das crianças apresentou nível de rendimento baixo.

Glendonald Auditory Screening Procedure (GASP): clinical markers of the development of auditory recognition and comprehension abilities in children using cochlear implants

PURPOSE

To verify the influence of the age of implantation in the development of closed-set auditory recognition and auditory comprehension abilities in children using unilateral cochlear implants (CI), comparing distinct groups and determining clinical markers.

METHODS

Participants were 180 children operated and activated until 36 months of age and who used a CI for at least 60 months. Abilities of auditory recognition in closed-set and auditory comprehension were analyzed through the GASP Tests 5 and 6. The influence of age of implantation was investigated with three groups of children: implanted before 18 months (G1), between 19 and 24 months (G2) and between 25 and 36 months of age (G3).

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference when comparing the three groups. Children progressively developed auditory abilities, presenting auditory recognition ability together at approximately 41±4 months of CI use and auditory comprehension at 53±4 months.

CONCLUSION

There was no correlation between hearing performance and age of implantation for children implanted before 36 months of age. For the abilities of auditory recognition and comprehension, the clinical marker was 41±4 and 53±4 months of auditory age, respectively. Therefore, it is expected that, around 60 months of CI use, children implanted during the sensitive period can understand speech without the aid of orofacial reading, reaching the most complex hearing abilities.

O uso do mascaramento contralateral na pesquisa do potencial evocado auditivo de tronco encefálico por condução aérea: revisão sistemática

RESUMO Objetivos analisar criticamente a necessidade do uso do mascaramento contralateral na pesquisa do potencial evocado auditivo de tronco encefálico (PEATE) por condução aérea, na perda auditiva sensorioneural unilateral ou bilateral assimétrica, por meio de uma revisão sistemática da literatura. Estratégia de pesquisa foram consultadas as bases de dados eletrônicas PubMed/MEDLINE, LILACS, ADOLEC, IBECS, SciELO, Web of Science, Scopus e Embase, bem como os anais do Encontro Internacional de Audiologia e do Congresso Brasileiro de Fonoaudiologia, além das bases de instituições com pós-graduação em Fonoaudiologia, utilizando os descritores Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem, Perceptual Masking e Hearing Loss, Sensorineural. Critérios de seleção foram selecionados os estudos com níveis de evidência de 1 a 5, publicados em português, inglês ou espanhol, até janeiro de 2018. Os artigos deveriam abordar a necessidade do uso do mascaramento contralateral na pesquisa do PEATE por condução aérea, em indivíduos com perda auditiva sensorioneural unilateral ou bilateral assimétrica. Resultados foram encontrados 334 estudos, sendo que oito artigos contemplaram os critérios preestabelecidos. Os estudos incluídos foram controversos quanto ao uso do mascaramento contralateral. Conclusão não existe um consenso quanto à necessidade do uso do mascaramento contralateral no PEATE por condução aérea, em indivíduos com perda auditiva sensorioneural unilateral. No entanto, a maioria dos estudos direcionou para a sua utilização na pesquisa do PEATE com estímulo clique em indivíduos com perda auditiva sensorioneural unilateral de graus severo e profundo.

Acoustic Reflex Testing in Neonatal Hearing Screening and Subsequent Audiological Evaluation

PURPOSE

The aims of the study were to examine the acoustic reflex screening and threshold in healthy neonates and those at risk of hearing loss and to determine the effect of birth weight and gestational age on acoustic stapedial reflex (ASR).

METHOD

We assessed 18 healthy neonates (Group I) and 16 with at least 1 risk factor for hearing loss (Group II); all of them passed the transient evoked otoacoustic emission test that assessed neonatal hearing. The test battery included an acoustic reflex screening with activators of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz and broadband noise and an acoustic reflex threshold test with all of them, except for the broadband noise activator.

RESULTS

In the evaluated neonates, the main risk factors were the gestational age at birth and a low birth weight; hence, these were further analyzed. The lower the gestational age at birth and birth weight, the less likely that an acoustic reflex would be elicited by pure-tone activators. This effect was significant at the frequencies of 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz for gestational age at birth and at the frequencies of 1 and 2 kHz for birth weight. When the broadband noise stimulus was used, a response was elicited in all neonates in both groups. When the pure-tone stimulus was used, the Group II showed the highest acoustic reflex thresholds and the highest percentage of cases with an absent ASR. The ASR threshold varied from 50 to 100 dB HL in both groups. Group II presented higher mean ASR thresholds than Group I, this difference being significant at frequencies of 1, 2, and 4 kHz.

CONCLUSIONS

Birth weight and gestational age at birth were related to the elicitation of the acoustic reflex. Neonates with these risk factors for hearing impairment were less likely to exhibit the acoustic reflex and had higher thresholds.

Tele-health: assessment of websites on newborn hearing screening in Portuguese Language

PURPOSE

To verify the aspects of technical quality and the content of websites on neonatal hearing screening in Portuguese.

METHODS

Eighteen audiologists, invited to participate according to the inclusion criteria, selected descriptors of websites for research using the Delphi technique. Later, they were fed into Google Trends to get the possible terms to be used by parents in finding information on the Internet about the subject. They were then fed into Google to search the websites. The following assessment instruments were used: list of topics on newborn hearing screening, Flesch Reading Ease Score Formula, Health-Related Web Site Evaluation Emory Form, and PageRank.

RESULTS

The most discussed topics in the 19 websites were on the objectives and benefits of neonatal hearing screening, as well as the process of audiological diagnosis. The least discussed were about the false-negative result, development of hearing and language, false-positive results, audiologic, interpretation of results - "Pass"/"Do not pass", retest, and protocol. Difficult reading level was prevalent, with aspects of technical quality considered the best quality-related content, audience, navigation, and structure. The results also showed there is no culture of inserting links on Brazilian national websites, so they had little relevance on Google.

CONCLUSIONS

The sites differed in the aspects addressed because there is a need to revise the reading level of the content and quality of the technical aspects regarding the accuracy and timeliness of information, authorship, and links.

Acoustic reflex on newborns: the influence of the 226 and 1,000 Hz probes

PURPOSE

To analyze the occurrence of acoustic reflex and its threshold on newborns using the 226 and 1,000 Hz probes.

METHODS

Thirty-six newborns with "PASS" results in newborn hearing screening and tympanogram with one or two peaks for both probe tones were included. Group I comprised 20 full-term newborns without risk indicator for hearing loss, and Group II comprised 16 newborns with at least one risk indicator. The study about ipsilateral acoustic reflex thresholds was conducted in 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 Hz.

RESULTS

The groups presented the acoustic reflex thresholds between 50 and 100 dB for both probe tones. In the comparison between the probes, there were differences in all frequencies evaluated in Group I, with the lowest threshold mean for the 1,000 Hz probe. In Group II, differences were detected at 2,000 Hz. The mean acoustic reflex thresholds were similar in both groups for the 226 Hz probe. There was a difference for the 1,000 Hz probe in all tested frequencies. The percentage of response was higher in both groups for the 1,000 Hz probe. The kappa test showed extremely poor agreement in the comparison of results between both probes.

CONCLUSION

The occurrence of acoustic reflex was higher in newborns and its thresholds were lower with the 1,000 Hz probe both for healthy newborns and for newborns at risk.

Capacitação de agentes comunitários de saúde na área de saúde auditiva infantil: retenção da informação recebida

OBJETIVO:verificar a retenção das informações sobre saúde auditiva infantil por agentes comunitários de saúde que participaram de um curso de capacitação.MÉTODOS:participaram do estudo 24 agentes comunitários de saúde que haviam sido capacitados por meio de um Cybertutor, sistema de ensino baseado na web. O conteúdo programático desta capacitação envolveu informações que versaram desde a prevenção à reabilitação da deficiência auditiva. Imediatamente após a capacitação, os agentes comunitários de saúde responderam um questionário de múltipla escolha contendo 20 questões, divididas em domínios (1: conceitos gerais; 2: tipo, prevenção e causas da deficiência auditiva; 3: técnicas de detecção e identificação da deficiência auditiva; 4: aspectos gerais da deficiência auditiva). Os agentes comunitários de saúde responderam novamente o questionário decorridos 15 meses da capacitação. O nível de retenção das informações foi analisado comparando o desempenho nos dois momentos por meio do teste de Wilcoxon e adotando-se nível de significância de 5%.RESULTADOS:houve uma redução significante (p=0,03) em percentual, do conhecimento geral dos agentes comunitários de saúde sobre saúde auditiva infantil (73,5±8,4/66,7±12,5). Na análise por domínios foi possível constatar uma piora nos domínios 1(76,4±14,7/58,3±22,5), 2 (72,9±30,3/64,6±19,4) e 3 (69,4±14,5/68,8±17,2), sendo significante para o domínio 1 (p=0,012). No que se refere ao domínio 4, observou-se discreta melhora (76,0±11,6/78,1±11,2).CONCLUSÃO:houve redução significante, em percentual, do conhecimento geral dos agentes comunitários de saúde sobre saúde auditiva infantil, demonstrando a importância da educação continuada para estes profissionais.

Questionnaire for monitoring auditory and language development in the first year

PURPOSE

To validate a monitoring questionnaire about hearing and language development applied by community health agents in the first year of life.

METHODS

Seventy six community health agents, previously trained on infant hearing health, administered a questionnaire to the families of 304 children with ages from 0 to 1 year. The questionnaire contains questions regarding hearing and language development and, for all age groups, the question "Does your child hear well?" was presented. The validity of the questionnaire was assessed by analyzing false positive and false negative rates of the identified children. A double-blind study was conducted so that all children assessed by the questionnaire were submitted to hearing evaluation performed by audiologists.

RESULTS

Four children (1.32%) were diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss (two unilateral), and 69 (22.7%) with conductive hearing loss. The monitoring questionnaire showed specificity of 96% and sensitivity of 67%, with a false-negative rate of 33% for not identifying the unilateral hearing loss, and a false-positive rate of 4%.

CONCLUSION

The questionnaire used has shown to be feasible and relevant to actions of the community health agents of the Family Health Strategy program, with high specificity and moderate sensitivity. The use of the validated instrument should be considered to complement Newborn Hearing Screening Programs, in order to identify late onset or acquired hearing loss.

Potencial evocado auditivo de longa latência para estímulo de fala apresentado com diferentes transdutores em crianças ouvintes

Objetivo: analisar, de forma comparativa, a influência do transdutor no registro dos componentes P1, N1 e P2 eliciados por estímulo de fala, quanto à latência e à amplitude, em crianças ouvintes. Método: 30 crianças ouvintes de quatro a 12 anos de idade, de ambos os sexos. Os potenciais evocados auditivos de longa latência foram pesquisados por meio dos transdutores, fone de inserção e caixa acústica, eliciados por estímulo de fala /da/, sendo o intervalo interestímulos de 526ms, a intensidade de 70dBNA e a taxa de apresentação de 1,9 estímulos por segundo. Foram analisados os componentes P1, N1 e P2 quando presentes, quanto à latência e à amplitude. Resultados: constatou-se um nível de concordância forte entre a pesquisadora e o juiz. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante ao comparar os valores de latência e amplitude dos componentes P1, N1 e P2, ao considerar sexo e orelha, assim como para a latência dos componentes quando analisado os tipos de transdutores. Entretanto, houve diferença estatisticamente significante para a amplitude dos componentes P1 e N1, com maior amplitude para o transdutor caixa acústica. Conclusão: os valores de latência dos componentes P1, N1 e P2 e amplitude de P2 obtidos com fone de inserção podem ser utilizados como referência de normalidade independente do transdutor utilizado para a pesquisa dos potenciais evocados auditivos de longa latência.

Community health worker training for infant hearing health: effectiveness of distance learning

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a distance training program in infant hearing health to community health workers (CHWs).

DESIGN

Pre- and post- tests were administered to two groups of subjects following the use of an interactive CD-ROM for tele-educational training.

STUDY SAMPLE

Two groups of subjects were used: Group I (GI) consisted of 43 CHWs who had previously participated in at least one training activity involving hearing health, and Group II (GII) were 47 CHWs who had received no prior training in hearing health.

RESULTS

CHWs retained a significant amount of training content. There was not significant correlation between the global post-training questionnaire score and performance on the simulation activity (GI: r = 0.11, p = 0.698 and GII: r = 0.29, p = 0.074), and the simulation activity performance was significantly better among GI CHWs (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The CHWs' training in infant hearing health using an interactive tele-educational tool was effective, as the CHW demonstrated significant short-term information retention and applied such data in hypothetical situations representative of their daily activities.

The influence of speech stimuli contrast in cortical auditory evoked potentials

Objective

Method

Results

Conclusion

Auditory complaints and audiologic assessment in children with surgically repaired cleft lip and palate

Introduction: At the initial consultation, the speech–language pathologist and audiologist may consider possible diagnostic hypotheses based on the child's history and the parents' complaint.

Aim: To investigate the association of hearing complaints with the findings obtained in the conventional audiologic assessment in children with cleft lip and palate. Retrospective study.

Methods: We analyzed medical charts of 1000 patients with cleft lip and palate who underwent surgical repair between 1988 and 1995 at a mean age of 6 years 8 months. We excluded charts with records of inconsistent audiological responses and charts with missing data for any of the audiologic evaluations considered. Thus, the sample consisted of 393 records.

Results: Two hundred thirty-nine patients presented hearing loss in one or both ears, but only 3.8% reported hearing complaints. The most frequent were otorrhea followed by otalgia. There was no statistical significance between the complaint and gender (p = 0.26) nor between the complaint and hearing loss (p = 0.83).

Conclusion: This study showed no association between the hearing complaint and the conventional audiologic assessment.

Correlation analysis of the long latency auditory evoked potential N2 and cognitive P3 with the level of lead poisoning in children

INTRODUCTION

 The effects of lead on children's health have been widely studied.

AIM

 To analyze the correlation between the long latency auditory evoked potential N2 and cognitive P3 with the level of lead poisoning in Brazilian children.

METHODS

 This retrospective study evaluated 20 children ranging in age from 7 to 14 years at the time of audiological and electrophysiological evaluations. We performed periodic surveys of the lead concentration in the blood and basic audiological evaluations. Furthermore, we studied the auditory evoked potential long latency N2 and cognitive P3 by analyzing the absolute latency of the N2 and P3 potentials and the P3 amplitude recorded at Cz. At the time of audiological and electrophysiological evaluations, the average concentration of lead in the blood was less than 10 ug/dL.

RESULTS

 In conventional audiologic evaluations, all children had hearing thresholds below 20 dBHL for the frequencies tested and normal tympanometry findings; the auditory evoked potential long latency N2 and cognitive P3 were present in 95% of children. No significant correlations were found between the blood lead concentration and latency (p = 0.821) or amplitude (p = 0.411) of the P3 potential. However, the latency of the N2 potential increased with the concentration of lead in the blood, with a significant correlation (p = 0.030).

CONCLUSION

 Among Brazilian children with low lead exposure, a significant correlation was found between blood lead levels and the average latency of the auditory evoked potential long latency N2; however, a significant correlation was not observed for the amplitude and latency of the cognitive potential P3.

Avaliação audiológica em crianças com baixo nível de exposição cumulativa ao chumbo

Objetivo verificar a ocorrência de perda auditiva sensorioneural em crianças com baixo nível de exposição cumulativa ao chumbo. Métodos 156 crianças intoxicadas por chumbo, 94 do sexo masculino e 62 do sexo feminino, na faixa etária entre 18 meses a 14 anos e 5 meses, foram submetidas a análise longitudinal do nível de Plumbemia em sangue, bem como audiometria tonal liminar e emissões otoacústicas evocadas por estímulo transiente. Resultados a população pesquisada apresentou um valor médio de Plumbemia estimada de 12,2±5,7mg/dL (faixa entre 2,4-33mg/dL); todas as crianças apresentaram resposta normal na audiometria tonal liminar em 20 dBNA nas frequências testadas, 0,5; 1; 2 e 4 kHz, para ambas as orelhas; as emissões otoacústicas evocadas por estímulo transiente estiveram presentes para todas as frequências bilateralmente, nas 79 crianças pesquisadas. Conclusão não foi constatada perda auditiva sensorioneural em crianças com histórico de baixo nível de exposição cumulativa por chumbo, assim como não foi encontrada lesão de células ciliadas externas na cóclea, mesmo que subclínicas.

Inclusion of individuals with special needs in regular education: a literature review

PURPOSE

To critically analyze the inclusion of individuals with special needs in regular education in Brazil, considering social and legal aspects, through literature review.

RESEARCH STRATEGY

The literature search was conducted in open access databases: LILACS, SciELO, Portal Cochrane and IUSDATA, the latter belonging to the Library of the Law School of the University of São Paulo, considering all articles published until December 2010. The search strategy used the following keywords: inclusive education; special education; inclusive proposal; individuals with special needs.

SELECTION CRITERIA

In the search, only studies in which the summary or the body of the article were related to the purpose of the study were evaluated and selected.

DATA ANALYSIS

The potentially relevant articles for review were presented in a protocol form containing the eligibility criteria of the study, methods used, characteristics of the analyzed group or manuscripts, type of intervention used in the study, and results obtained. Articles classified as expert opinions, despite their low level of scientific evidence, were considered in this work, since they are often found in the literature on the issue.

RESULTS

A total of 1,399 articles was found and 120 potentially relevant articles were selected after reading their abstracts. From these, 67 articles were cited in more than one database, which resulted in 53 articles to be fully read. Fifteen of these articles were excluded after reading because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. Thus, 38 studies were included and analyzed.

CONCLUSION

Following a critical analysis of the literature in the field, it was concluded that, so far, in general, the school receives individuals with special needs; however, there is a long way to go to actually include these individuals, although Brazil has the scope of inclusion. Therefore, it is necessary to establish public policies and guidelines aimed at effective inclusion.

Monitoramento de crianças com indicadores de risco para a deficiência auditiva

OBJETIVO: descrever uma proposta de monitoramento de crianças, no primeiro ano de vida, que não foram identificadas na triagem auditiva neonatal, mas apresentavam indicadores de risco para deficiência auditiva. MÉTODO: participaram do estudo 258 crianças de risco que haviam obtido o resultado "passa" no Programa de Triagem Auditiva Neonatal Universal da Maternidade Santa Isabel - Bauru/SP no período de junho a novembro de 2008. Foi aplicado, via telefone, um questionário de acompanhamento do desenvolvimento da audição e da linguagem, validado em estudo anterior, contendo questões sobre a audição e a linguagem. Para cada questão havia duas possibilidades de resposta "sim" ou "não" e considerou-se como "falha", a obtenção de pelo menos uma resposta "não". Tal resultado refletia no agendamento da criança para realização de uma avaliação audiológica imediata. RESULTADOS: o questionário foi aplicado com 169 famílias, com as demais não foi obtido contato. Deste total, 164 (97,04%) apresentaram resultado "passa" e cinco (2,96%) resultado "falha". Dentre as cinco crianças, apenas três compareceram para avaliação audiológica e destas, uma não apresentava alterações e duas apresentavam perda auditiva condutiva. Observou-se prevalências distintas entre os fatores de risco e não houve relação (p>0,05) dos mesmos com a evasão no processo de monitoramento. CONCLUSÃO: o monitoramento por meio de aplicação de questionário via telefone mostrou-se viável, entretanto, é necessário o desenvolvimento de estratégias que favoreçam sua execução.

Hearing loss and acquired immune deficiency syndrome: systematic review

PURPOSE: To investigate the occurrence of hearing loss in individuals with HIV/AIDS and their characterization regarding type and degree. RESEARCH STRATEGY: It was conducted a systematic review of the literature found on the electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE, ADOLEC, IBECS, Web of Science, Scopus, Lilacs and SciELO. SELECTION CRITERIA: The search strategy was directed by a specific question: "Is hearing loss part of the framework of HIV/AIDS manifestations?", and the selection criteria of the studies involved coherence with the proposed theme, evidence levels 1, 2 or 3, and language (Portuguese, English and Spanish). DATA ANALYSIS: We found 698 studies. After an analysis of the title and abstract, 91 were selected for full reading. Out of these, 38 met the proposed criteria and were included on the review. RESULTS: The studies reported presence of conductive, sensorineural, and mixed hearing loss, of variable degrees and audiometric configurations, in addition to tinnitus and vestibular disorders. The etiology can be attributed to opportunistic infections, ototoxic drugs or to the action of virus itself. The auditory evoked potentials have been used as markers of neurological alterations, even in patients with normal hearing. CONCLUSION: HIV/AIDS patients may present hearing loss. Thus, programs for prevention and treatment of AIDS must involve actions aimed at auditory health.

The maturational process of the auditory system in the first year of life characterized by brainstem auditory evoked potentials

The study of brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) allows obtaining the electrophysiological activity generated in the cochlear nerve to the inferior colliculus. In the first months of life, a period of greater neuronal plasticity, important changes are observed in the absolute latency and inter-peak intervals of BAEP, which occur up to the completion of the maturational process, around 18 months of life in full-term newborns, when the response is similar to that of adults.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to establish normal values of absolute latencies for waves I, III and V and inter-peak intervals I-III, III-V and I-V of the BAEP performed in full-term infants attending the Infant Hearing Health Program of the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Course at Bauru School of Dentistry, Brazil, with no risk history for hearing impairment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The stimulation parameters were: rarefaction click stimulus presented by the 3ª insertion phone, intensity of 80 dBnHL and a rate of 21.1 c/s, band-pass filter of 30 and 3,000 Hz and average of 2,000 stimuli. A sample of 86 infants was first divided according to their gestational age in preterm (n=12) and full-term (n=74), and then according to their chronological age in three periods: P1: 0 to 29 days (n=46), P2: 30 days to 5 months 29 days (n=28) and P3: above 6 months (n= 12).

RESULTS

The absolute latency of wave I was similar to that of adults, generally in the 1st month of life, demonstrating a complete process maturity of the auditory nerve. For waves III and V, there was a gradual decrease of absolute latencies with age, characterizing the maturation of axons and synaptic mechanisms in the brainstem level.

CONCLUSION

Age proved to be a determining factor in the absolute latency of the BAEP components, especially those generated in the brainstem, in the first year of life.

Opinião dos agentes comunitários de saúde sobre o uso da videoconferência na capacitação em saúde auditiva infantil

OBJETIVO: avaliar a videoconferência como ferramenta instrucional na capacitação dos agentes comunitários de saúde, em saúde auditiva infantil, sob a perspectiva destes profissionais. METODOLOGIA: a casuística foi composta por 50 agentes comunitários de saúde, divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos de acordo com a metodologia de ensino: 31 profissionais participaram da capacitação de forma presencial e 19 por meio de videoconferência. A atividade ocorreu em um encontro de oito horas, por meio de aulas expositivas e utilizando material didático adaptado e validado para o português proposto pela Organização Mundial da Saúde de forma simultânea para ambos os grupos. A avaliação da videoconferência como ferramenta instrucional foi realizada por meio de questionário elaborado para o presente estudo. RESULTADOS: a avaliação da videoconferência foi muito semelhante em ambos os grupos, sendo que a ferramenta de ensino foi considerada como de fácil entendimento e permitindo a interação com o ministrante. CONCLUSÃO: a videoconferência foi uma ferramenta válida e aceita pelos profissionais estudados para ser utilizada em programas de capacitação em saúde auditiva infantil.

Protocol to collect late latency auditory evoked potentials

Long Latency Auditory Evoked Potentials (LLAEP) represents a number of electrical changes occurring in the central nervous system, resulting from stimulation of the auditory sensorial pathways. Many studies approach the use of these potentials controlling the artifact created by eye movement with the use of equipment with a large number of channels. However, what happens is very different in Brazilian clinical practice, where the equipment used has a very limited number of channels.

Aim

to compare the two methods used to control the artifacts created by eye movements during LLAEP capture using two recording channels.

Materials and Methods

this is a prospective study with the application of two LLAEP capturing methods (eye artifact subtraction and rejection limit control) in 10 normal hearing individuals.

Results

we did not observe statistically significant differences concerning the latency values obtained with the use of both methods, only concerning amplitude values.

Conclusion

both methods were efficient to capture the LLAEP and to control the eye movement artifact. The rejection limit control method produced greater amplitude values.

Capacitação de agentes comunitários de saúde em saúde auditiva: efetividade da videoconferência

TEMA: capacitação de agentes comunitários de saúde na área de saúde auditiva por meio de videoconferência. OBJETIVO: avaliar a efetividade da capacitação dos agentes comunitários de saúde, por meio da videoconferência, na área de saúde auditiva infantil. MÉTODOS: participaram da pesquisa 50 profissionais divididos aleatoriamente em dois grupos de acordo com a metodologia de ensino: 31 agentes comunitários de saúde participaram da capacitação de forma presencial e 19 por meio de videoconferência. A atividade ocorreu em um encontro de oito horas, por meio de aulas expositivas sobre o conteúdo ministrado e a utilização do material adaptado Primary ear and hearing care training resource - basic, intermediate and advanced levels, de forma simultânea para ambos os grupos. A capacitação foi organizada e avaliada de acordo com a proposta de estudo anterior. RESULTADOS: ambos os grupos apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significante quando considerado o desempenho apresentado no instante pré e póscapacitação, de forma mais expressiva para o grupo que participou da capacitação de forma presencial, tanto na análise do escore total como quando considerado os temas abordados separadamente. CONCLUSÃO: a videoconferência como ferramenta de ensino foi efetiva para a capacitação dos agentes comunitários de saúde na área de saúde auditiva, porém deve ser utilizada de forma complementar à capacitação realizada de forma presencial.

Avaliação da função auditiva receptiva, expressiva e visual em crianças prematuras

TEMA: prematuridade como fator de risco para atraso no desenvolvimento da linguagem. OBJETIVO: verificar o desempenho de crianças prematuras quanto às áreas auditiva receptiva, expressiva e visual. MÉTODO: participaram da amostra 40 crianças de idade cronológica entre 12 e 24 meses. O grupo experimental (G1) foi composto por 20 crianças que apresentaram em seu histórico de vida os fatores de risco prematuridade e baixo peso ou muito baixo peso. A idade gestacional das crianças variou de 22 a 34, semanas todas com peso abaixo de 2500g; este grupo foi dividido em função do peso, ou seja, crianças de baixo peso e de muito baixo peso. O grupo controle (G2) foi composto por 20 crianças nascidas a termo com peso superior a 2500g, sem histórico para atraso do desenvolvimento. Os procedimentos constaram de entrevista com os pais e aplicação da Escala Early Language Milestone Scale (ELM). RESULTADOS: na comparação entre grupos, os resultados mostraram ser estatisticamente significativos. As crianças do G1 apresentaram prejuízo na área auditiva expressiva, auditiva receptiva e visual, embora algumas crianças tivessem apresentado resultados esperados para sua faixa etária, em alguma das funções avaliadas. A área mais prejudicada foi a área expressiva. CONCLUSÃO: as crianças do G1 apresentaram alteração nas áreas auditiva receptiva, auditiva expressiva e visual. As crianças prematuras com muito baixo peso apresentaram maiores prejuízos nas áreas avaliadas.

Emissões otoacústicas evocadas transientes em recém-nascidos a termo e pré-termo

OBJETIVO: analisar a amplitude absoluta e nível de Response das emissões otoacústicas evocadas transientes em recém-nascidos pré-termo e a termo. MÉTODOS: participaram deste estudo 50 recém-nascidos a termo e 50 pré-termo, os quais foram submetidos à triagem auditiva neonatal por meio da pesquisa das emissões otoacústicas evocadas transientes, realizada entre 24 horas e 11 semanas de vida. Todos os recém-nascidos apresentaram presença de emissões otoacústicas evocadas por clique no teste da triagem auditiva neonatal. RESULTADOS: não houve diferença estatisticamente significante da amplitude e nível de Response entre os recém-nascidos a termo e pré-termos. Não houve correlação significante entre os fatores prematuridade, idade do recém-nascido no teste e tempo de estimulação auditiva com os resultados obtidos. CONCLUSÃO: as emissões otoacústicas evocadas transientes registradas em recém-nascidos a termos e pré-termos apresentam semelhante amplitude absoluta e nível de Response.

Análise crítica de três protocolos de triagem auditiva neonatal

TEMA: conhecer a validade dos procedimentos para triagem auditiva neonatal (TAN) é fundamental, visto que a meta desses programas é identificar todos os recém-nascidos com deficiência auditiva, com um custo aceitável. OBJETIVO: estimar a especificidade e taxa de falso-positivo de protocolos de TAN, realizados com emissões otoacústicas evocadas transientes (EOET) e potenciais evocados auditivos de tronco encefálico automático (PEATEa). MÉTODOS: 200 recém-nascidos foram submetidos à TAN entre março e julho de 2006. Foram analisados três protocolos: protocolo 1, TAN realizada em duas etapas com EOET; protocolo 2, TAN realizada em duas etapas com PEATEa; e protocolo 3, TAN realizada em uma etapa com dois procedimentos - teste com EOET seguido de reteste com PEATEa para os recém-nascidos que não passaram nas EOET. RESULTADOS: apesar de não ter havido diferença estatisticamente significante quando comparadas as taxas de encaminhamento para diagnóstico audiológico obtidos nos protocolos com EOAET e PEATEa, o protocolo com EOET encaminhou quatro vezes mais recém-nascidos. O protocolo 3 apresentou a maior taxa de encaminhamento, com diferença estatisticamente significante ao ser comparado com os protocolos 1 e 2. Conclusões: a taxa de falso-positivo e conseqüentemente a especificidade foram melhores no protocolo com PEATEa, seguido dos protocolos com EOET e com EOET e PEATEa.

Central hearing system maturation in normally hearing children

BACKGROUND

the long latency auditory evoked potentials (LLAEP) provide objective data about the function of hearing cortical structures.

AIM

to characterize the maturation of the central hearing system in normally hearing children.

METHOD

record of LLAEP of fifty-six subjects with hearing tresholds within normal limits, of both genders, being 46 children and 10 adults. With the availability of two recording channels, one was directed to register the LLAEP and the other, to record the artifact generated by ocular movement, aiming at its control. The potentials were recorded with subjects in an alert state, through electrodes positioned in Cz (active) and A2 (reference), and the ocular movements, through electrodes in the left supra and infra-orbital positions; the ground electrode was placed in A1. The morphology and the values of latency and of amplitude for components P1, N1 and P2, according to age, were analyzed. In order to verify the reproducibility of the recorded potentials, a double blind study was carried out, by introducing the analysis of another evaluator.

RESULTS

the double blind study did not present statistically significant differences between the analyses. With the increase in age there was an improvement in the morphology and a decrease in the latency values of components P1, N1 and P2. Also there was a decrease in the amplitude of component P1 and no variation in the amplitude values was observed for components N1 and P2. No statistically significant difference was observed between genders.

CONCLUSION

the maturational process of the central hearing system occurs gradually, being the greatest changes observed when comparing children and adults.

Alterações auditivas em trabalhadores de indústrias madeireiras do interior de Rondônia

O ruído ocupacional é considerado um risco físico bastante freqüente em quase todos os segmentos industriais e, desse modo, merece atenção especial por parte dos profissionais da saúde e segurança do trabalho. O presente estudo investigou a presença de queixas e alterações audiométricas em trabalhadores de indústrias madeireiras do interior de Rondônia. Participaram do estudo 16 trabalhadores de três indústrias, os quais foram submetidos a uma entrevista sobre a audição, bem como ao exame audiológico por meio da audiometria tonal liminar e da imitanciometria. Todos os participantes eram do gênero masculino, sendo que a maioria apresentava idade inferior a 25 anos e referiu não haver concluído o Ensino Fundamental. Queixas auditivas e uso de protetor auricular foram referidos pela metade da amostra. Os traçados audiométricos revelaram alteração na metade da amostra.

P300- long-latency auditory evoked potential in normal hearing subjects: simultaneous recording value in Fz and Cz

The P300 is and auditory Evoked Potential, called endogenous potential because it reflects the functional use the individual makes of the auditory stimulus, being highly dependent on cognitive skills; among them we list attention and auditory discrimination. It is a procedure of objective evaluation; however, one that depends on the examiner's experience to detect wave peaks, and it is important to use recording methods that facilitate the response presence analysis and result interpretation.

Aim

to analyze the P300 Long Latency Auditory Evoked Potential obtained through the use of two active electrodes positioned on Fz and Cz.

Materials and Methods

330 individuals from both genders and age ranging between 7 and 34 years participated in this study, they all had normal hearing and did not have any risk factor for mental problems.

Results

Results show that there was no statistically significant difference for N2 and P3 latency and P3 amplitude as far as gender is concerned, nor correlation with the individual's age. There was a strong correlation of these measures with Fz and Cz electrode positioning.

Conclusion

Fz and Cz active electrodes positioning can be considered one more resource to help in the P300 clinical analysis.

Habilidades de ordenação temporal em usuários de implante coclear multicanal

O processamento das pistas acústicas dos sons da fala depende da adequada percepção da freqüência e da duração dos estímulos enquanto seqüência de eventos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar as habilidades de ordenação temporal em usuários de IC multicanal. MÉTODO: 14 indivíduos com audição normal, formadores do grupo controle equiparados em idade e gênero com 14 usuários de IC, que formaram o grupo experimental, foram avaliados e comparados quanto ao Teste de Padrões de Freqüência (TPF) e Teste de Padrões de Duração (TPD). RESULTADOS: Os usuários de IC apresentaram bom desempenho nas tarefas de ordenação temporal, com resultados médios de 48,7% no TPF e 59,6% no TPD. Para o grupo controle, o desempenho médio no TPF foi de 63,4% e no TPD de 64,6%. Não foi obtida diferença significativa estatisticamente entre os resultados dos grupos controle e experimental. CONCLUSÃO: O IC proporcionou desempenho favorável nas tarefas que exigem habilidades de ordenação temporal para os indivíduos avaliados neste estudo.

Temporal organization skills in cochlear implants recipients

Processing acoustic clues from the sounds of speech depends on the proper perception of the frequency and duration of stimuli as a sequence of events. Aim: To assess the capacity for temporal organization in users of multichannel CI. Method: 14 normal hearing individuals formed the control group, matching in age and gender other 14 users of multichannel CI, who made up the study group, and they were assessed and compared as to the Frequency Patterns Test (FPT) and Duration Patterns Test (DPT). Results: CI users had good performance in temporal organization tasks, with mean results of 48.7% in the FPT and 59.6% in the DPT. For the control group, mean performance at the FPT was of 63.4% and in the DPT of 64.6%. We did not see statistically significant difference between the results from the control and study groups. Conclusion: the CI provided favorable performance in the tasks that required temporal organization skill for individuals evaluated in this study.

Polarity stimulation effects on brainstem auditory evoked potentials

Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials are considered exogenous potentials, that is, the responses obtained are highly dependent upon the characteristic of the stimulus used to evoke them.

Aim

To investigate the influence of the click stimulus polarity in the study of Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA) at different intensities, using insertion-canal earphones.

Type of Study

Clinical.

Materials and methods

33 individuals, aged between 18 and 28, with no auditory alteration were submitted to BERA testing, with click stimulus on the rarefaction, condensation and alternate polarities, in different intensities.

Results

The absolute latencies of the V wave proved to be lower in the rarefaction polarity when compared to the others and, at 80 dBnHL, there was a significant difference between rarefaction and the other polarities for interpeak latencies III-V and I-V. There was a high correlation between the condensation and alternating polarities for absolute and interpeak latencies at 80 dBnHL.

Conclusion

the click stimulus polarity has a significant influence on BERA. In the routine use of the TDH 39 earphone, with alternating polarity, we suggest that condensation polarity is more adequate for standardized comparison purposes, due to the higher similarity of the latencies found in this insertion earphone study.

Vestibular function in cochlear implant users

Balance alterations in the postoperative of cochlear implant surgeries varies from 31 to 75%.

AIM

to analyze vestibular function in the pre and postoperative periods of cochlear implanted individuals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

the vestibular function was assessed, through electronystagmography, in 38 patients, in the pre and postoperative of cochlear implant procedures.

RESULTS

The main complaint of unbalance reported by patients was dizziness, followed by postural vertigo and non-postural vertigo. Results: 13% of the patients did not show any balance disorder following cochlear implant surgery and just 5% showed symptoms worsening. 13 % of the patients showed an improvement, and this could be related to the vestibular compensation phenomenon and to electric stimulation. However, it was observed, in the caloric responses, a worsening in the vestibular system function, for both implanted and non-implanted ears. Thus, there is no evidence of more damage to the implanted ear.

CONCLUSION

the study showed that cochlear implant surgeries could injure the vestibular system in both ears. However, the vestibular symptoms take place in a smaller proportion, and can improve after cochlear implant surgery.

A resposta auditiva de estado estável na avaliação auditiva: aplicação clínica

TEMA: a resposta auditiva de estado estável (RAEE) é um procedimento eletrofisiológico que permite avaliar ao mesmo tempo os limiares auditivos de várias freqüências em ambas às orelhas, reduzindo assim o tempo de teste, e permite estimular até níveis próximos a 125dB HL, caracterizando assim a audição residual. OBJETIVO: verificar a aplicabilidade da RAEE para determinar os limiares auditivos nos diferentes graus de perda auditiva neurossensorial coclear. MÉTODO: foram avaliados 48 indivíduos com idade entre sete e trinta anos e diferentes graus de perdas auditivas. A Audiometria Tonal Liminar (ATL) e a RAEE foram avaliadas nas seguintes freqüências portadoras, 0,5; 1; 2 e 4k Hz. As freqüências portadoras na RAEE foram moduladas em amplitude e freqüência, com estimulação múltipla e dicótica nas perdas auditivas de grau leve e moderado. Estimulação simples foi utilizada nos outros graus de perdas auditivas. RESULTADOS: houve associação significante (p < 0,01) entre os limiares obtidos na ATL e RAEE para todas as freqüências testadas, principalmente para perdas auditivas de grau profundo. Contudo em alguns pacientes o grau da perda auditiva pode ser super-estimado. CONCLUSÃO: a RAEE pode ser utilizada para predizer os limiares auditivos da ATL, porém não deve ser analisada de forma isolada, mas de forma complementar a avaliação audiológica comportamental.

Auditory assessment of alcoholics in abstinence

Alcoholism is considered the most relevant addiction in the international arena and few investigations have examined the association between sensorineural hearing loss and alcohol abuse, with conflicting results.

AIM

To analyze the effects of alcohol abuse on the auditory system of alcoholics in abstinence taking into account the duration of alcohol abuse and associated noise exposure.

METHOD

our series comprehended 75 individuals, divided into two groups: trial and control. The audiological assessment was made by means of: pure-tone audiometry, transient evoked otoacoustic emissions, tympanometry. The Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests were used in the statistical analysis of the data.

RESULTS

the groups of patients who had been alcoholics evidenced a statistically significant worse performance in the audiological assessment. The combined exposure to alcohol and noise was not synergic on the auditory system.

CONCLUSION

long-term alcohol abuse can damage the cochlear function, specifically the outer hair cells.

Extratympanic electrocochleography in the diagnosis of auditory neuropathy/auditory dyssynchrony

The brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) is being extensively used as a method for the evaluation of cochlear function in individuals with diagnosis of auditory neuropathy/auditory dyssynchrony (AN/AD). In the absence of otoacoustic emissions, many cases of AN/AD have been diagnosed by the presence of CM identified in the BAEP.

Aim

to demonstrate the clinical applicability of extratympanic electrocochleography (ET-Ecochg) in the differential diagnosis of AN/AD compared to the BAEP.

Method

a 4-year-old child with a diagnosis of AN/AD seen at the Audiological Research Center was submitted to ET-Ecochg with a 2000 Hz tone burst in rarefaction and condensation polarities.

Results

the ET-Ecochg exam was illustrated. Using an appropriate protocol, it was possible to demonstrate CM and to confirm it in the Ecochg, with a recording quality superior to that obtained in the BAEP.

Conclusion

ET-Ecochg permitted a more detailed analysis of CM compared to the BAEP, thus showing clinical applicability for the investigation of cochlear function in AN/AD.

[Electrophysiological study of the central and peripheral hearing system of aphasic individuals]

SUBJECT

Electrophysiology of the auditory system.

OBJECTIVE

Electrophysiological evaluation of the peripheral and central auditory system of brain injured patients.

METHOD

Experimental group: eleven brain injured and aphasic subjects, both genders and with ages ranging from 43 to 75; control group: eleven individuals without hearing complaints, equalized as to gender and age. The subjects were evaluated through auditory brainstem response (ABR); auditory middle latency response (AMLR) and auditory P300 response.

RESULTS

An increase in the V wave latency and I-V interpeak in both groups, due to the age factor. The presence of statistically significant hemispheric differences when compared to the Pa component in MLAEP research, registered in the C3 (left hemisphere) and the C4 (right hemisphere). In researching the P300 Cognitive Potential, there was an absence or increase in P300 latency and a decrease in P300 amplitude in the presence of the N2 component.

CONCLUSION

The AMLR and auditory P300 response have proven to be effective instruments for evaluating aphasic individuals.

Potencial cognitivo P300 em indivíduos com diabetes mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus pode acarretar complicações nos olhos, rins, nervos cranianos, nervos periféricos, ouvidos, etc. A função cognitiva também parece estar prejudicada em indivíduos portadores de Diabetes Mellitus, visto que as estruturas corticais e subcorticais responsáveis por esta função estão prejudicadas em alguns pacientes dependentes de insulina. O potencial cognitivo P300 tem sido usado como um procedimento objetivo para avaliar a função cognitiva cerebral. OBJETIVO: Analisar a sensibilidade do potencial cognitivo P300 para detectar alterações no córtex auditivo decorrentes do Diabetes Mellitus. FORMA DE ESTUDO: coorte transversal. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Participaram deste estudo 16 indivíduos diabéticos de ambos os sexos, com idade variando de 7 a 71 anos, e 17 indivíduos não-diabéticos equiparados quanto ao sexo, idade e limiar auditivo. Os procedimentos de avaliação foram: Audiometria Tonal Liminar (ATL) e potencial cognitivo P300. No grupo diabético foi realizada a medida do valor glicêmico antes da realização do P300. RESULTADOS: Os resultados obtidos na ATL não mostraram diferença estatisticamente significante. Foi observado diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos, quando analisado a latência do componente P3, medido em Fz. Houve correlação entre a glicemia e a latência e amplitude do P300. CONCLUSÃO: A pesquisa do potencial cognitivo P300 é um importante procedimento para prevenir e diagnosticar precocemente de alterações neurológicas em indivíduos com Diabetes Mellitus.

Cognitive P300 potential in subjects with diabetes mellitus

Diabetes Mellitus may lead to alterations in the eyes, kidneys, cranial nerves, peripheral nerves, ears etc. The cognitive function also seems to be compromised in subjects presented with Diabetes Mellitus, since the cortical and subcortical structures responsible for this function are hindered in some insulin-dependent patients. The cognitive potential P300 has been used as an objective procedure to assess cerebral cognitive functions.

AIM

To analyze the sensitivity of P300 cognitive potential for the detection of alterations on the auditory cortex secondary to Diabetes Mellitus.

STUDY DESIGN

transversal cohort.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Sixteen diabetic subjects of both genders aged 7 to 71 years, and seventeen non-diabetic individuals at the same age range participated in this study. The evaluation procedures were pure tone audiometry (PTA) and P300 cognitive potential. Glycemia of the group presented with Diabetes was assessed prior to applying P300.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference was shown for PTA results. A statically significant difference was observed between groups when analyzing the latency of P300 component measured in Fz. There was a correlation between glycemia and latency and amplitude of P300.

CONCLUSION

The investigation of the cognitive potential of P300 is an important procedure for prevention and early diagnosis of neurological changes in individuals presented with Diabetes Mellitus.

Potencial cognitivo P300 realizado em campo livre: aplicabilidade do teste

Avaliar a função auditiva em usuários de dispositivos eletrônicos aplicados a surdez é muito importante para o processo de reabilitação. Entretanto, nestes indivíduos os procedimentos devem ser realizados em campo livre. OBJETIVO: Analisar a aplicabilidade do potencial cognitivo P300 pesquisado em campo livre. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Clínico prospectivo. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foram avaliados 33 indivíduos de ambos os sexos com idade entre 7 e 34 anos, com audição normal e sem fator de risco para problemas mentais. O potencial cognitivo P300 foi realizado por meio do equipamento Biologic's Evoked Potential System (EP), com fones de inserção (3A) e em campo livre (0º Azimute e 45º Azimute). RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante para a latência do N2 e P300 e amplitude do P300 quando analisado o sexo e o modo de realização do teste (fone e campo livre), assim como não houve diferença ao comparar as medidas em campo livre a 0º e 45º Azimute. CONCLUSÃO: A pesquisa do potencial cognitivo P300 em campo livre é um procedimento viável de ser realizado.