Jair Mendes Marques

Reabilitação auditiva no idoso

One of the most disabling sensorial alterations in the process of growing old is the auditory impairment known as presbyacusis. This alteration reduces social contacts, causing emotional problems, which are frequently overwhelming. In addition to auditory limitation due to acquired auditory impairment, there is auditory handicap related to non-auditory aspects and to emotional and social alterations. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical prospective. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Seven subjects, three male and four female, aged 60 to 77 years old, were studied. They presented bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and used unilateral hearing aids. Seven one-hour hearing rehabilitation sessions were held, once a week and in group. Speech reading of all phonemes of Portuguese language was used. RESULTS: A significant reduction of auditory handicap perception was verified in all subjects at the end of seven sessions. This result was established by using HHIE-S questionnaire pre and post-rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: In order to reduce psychosocial reactions of aged people due to auditory deficit, its is necessary to indicate, select and fit hearing aids, together with an auditory rehabilitation program to help elderly with auditory impairment and their families to deal positively with communication difficulties. Through hearing rehabilitation programs it is possible to reduce the auditory handicap perception of the elderly population. It provides the elderly better quality of life, encourage their social contacts and lessen their loneliness.

Aceitação de protetores auditivos pelos componentes de banda instrumental e vocal

There are barriers to effective hearing protection among musicians. AIM: To investigate the acceptance of hearing protection aids in members of an instrumental and voice music band. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective study of 34 members of the Municipal Indaial Band. Sound pressure levels were measured during a rehearsal, indicating mean levels ranging from 96.4 dB(A) to 106.9 dB(A). Subjects answered questionnaires and underwent audiometry. They attended a lecture in which folders and hearing protection aids were provided; subjects were asked to try using the protectors for 3 months. RESULTS: At the end of the study period, 56.2% reported not liking hearing protection, while 43.7 % accepted such protection. The most common complaints were discomfort with sounds (58.8 %) and tinnitus (47%). 77.1% said that music might cause hearing impairment. A statistically significant difference was observed in the right ear at 4 and 6 kHz and at the left ear in 3, 4 and 6 kHz when median thresholds were compared with those from unexposed controls. CONCLUSION: Although most subjects seemed aware of the risk, few took preventive measures against hearing loss. This suggests the need for periodic educational campaigns and specific legislation tailored to music professionals.

Reabilitação vestibular em idosos com tontura

BACKGROND: the aging of the population is a natural process and is manifested by a decline in the functions of several organs. Vestibular rehabilitation (VR) is a therapeutic process that seeks to promote a significant reduction in the symptoms of the labyrinth. AIM: to verify the benefits of VR exercises through the application of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) questionnaire - Brazilian version - pre and post rehabilitation. METHOD: participants of this study were eight elderly patients with dizziness, ages between 63 and 82 years, three male and five female. The following procedures were carried out: medical history, otologic inspection, vestibular evaluation with vectoelectronystagmography (VENG), application of the DHI questionnaire and of the Cawthorne (1944) and Cooksey (1946) VR exercises. RESULTS: regarding the auditory and vestibular complaints which were referred to in the medical history, the following was observed: presence of tinnitus, hearing loss, postural vertigo and of unbalance. In the evaluation of the vestibular function alterations were observed for all of the participants, mainly in the caloric test, with a prevalence of unilateral and bilateral hypofunction. In the vestibular exam the following was observed: three cases of unilateral peripheral vestibular deficit syndrome, three cases of bilateral peripheral vestibular deficit syndrome, one case of bilateral central vestibular deficit syndrome and one case of irritating bilateral central vestibular syndrome. There was a statistically significant improvement of the following aspects after VR: physical (p=0.00413), functional (p=0.00006) and emotional (p=0.03268). CONCLUSION: the VR protocol favored the improvement of life quality of the participants and was of assistance in the process of vestibular compensation.

A produção do conhecimento em Distúrbios da Comunicação: análise de periódicos (2000-2005)

PURPOSE: To analyze part of the knowledge production in the field of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. METHODS: The articles published in the following journals from the year 2000 to 2005 were analyzed: Revista de Disturbios da Comunicacao; Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Fonoaudiologia; Revista Fonoatual and Revista Pro-fono. The studied variables were: topic, age range of the studied population, type of intervention, and institutional context. RESULTS: Seven hundred and twenty four articles were published during the period analyzed. The prevailing subject, either individually or in combination with other topics, was Oral Language (282), followed by Audiology (232), Orofacial Myology (91) and Voice (62). The prevailing age range studied was children from three to ten years old (145). Diagnosis and/or evaluation was the most mentioned type of intervention (547), in clinical (542), school (63) and hospital (32) contexts. CONCLUSION: Results reflected an increase of publications in the area during the studied period. The need for a more balanced distribution of topics, age groups, types of intervention, and institutional contexts in future publications is discussed. Further studies regarding knowledge production in the area would allow not only the historic registry of what has been investigated by speech-language therapists and audiologists, but also the definition of actions and strategic fields for implementing research in the area.

Brazilian young adults and noise: Attitudes, habits, and audiological characteristics

The objective of this study was to examine behaviors and attitudes of Brazilian teenagers towards noise, and determine their audiological characteristics. Participants were 245 young persons (14 to 18 years old) who attended private school. Behaviors and attitudes were measured using the validated Portuguese version of the Youth Attitude to Noise Scale (YANS). Pure-tone audiometry was used to evaluate the hearing of a sub-sample of 24 participants. Music played through personal media players was the most common exposure reported. A substantial percentage of participants reported temporary tinnitus (69%) after attending discos, music concerts, and listening to music through headphones. Tinnitus complaints were more frequent among females (41%) than males (27%). Four participants (1.6%) reported use of a hearing protector. Among a subsample of 24 participants, two (8%) young women had bilateral audiometric notches. YANS scores in the present study were slightly lower than those obtained in Sweden and the US, indicating a more negative attitude towards noise. Gender, age, country, and/or region are variables that will influence exposure to noise or music and possibly hearing outcomes.

Music exposure and audiological findings in Brazilian disc jockeys (DJs)

The aim of this study was to examine the music exposure and hearing of disc jockeys (DJs). We conducted personal noise dosimetry on 30 DJs and interviewed them regarding their hearing and their job. We conducted pure-tone audiometry, and transient and distortion product otoacoustic emissions before their exposure to music during their work. This first test was preceded by a period of at least 12 hours without exposure to music or noise. We repeated the pure-tone audiometry and otoacoustic emissions after their music exposure, and poorer performances were registered in all retests. The nightclubs’ average sound level ranged between 93.2 to 109.7 dB(A). Statistical analysis showed significant bilateral temporary threshold shifts at all frequencies between audiometry performed pre- and post-exposure to amplified music. Transient otoacoustic emissions showed a significant difference in bilateral amplitude and reproducibility at all frequency bands tested. The comparison of distortion product otoacoustic emissions results pre- and post-music exposure showed there was a significant difference in amplitude. Music exposure was associated with temporary and permanent auditory dysfunction among professional DJs.

Emissões otoacústicas - produto de distorção em indivíduos expostos ao chumbo e ao ruído

Currently, legislations concerning workers health only require periodic monitoring of individuals who are noise-exposed at work, and exposure to chemicals are not taken into consideration. However, the scientific literature indicates a very clear concern regarding the effects of lead on the auditory system, demonstrating that there are negative effects to the auditory system following occupational exposure to this metal. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the amplitude of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) among individuals with a history of exposure to lead and noise. STUDY DESIGN: Transversal Cohort. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We evaluated 69 individuals divided in 3 groups: Group I (GI): composed by 29 workers occupationally exposed to both lead and noise; Group II (GII): composed by 11 noise-exposed workers with no other exposure to ototraumatic, and Group III (GIII): composed by 11 individuals with normal hearing and no history of exposure to noise or lead. RESULTS: The results showed no effect of lead exposure on the otoacoustic emission results, since the smaller EOEPD amplitudes were observed in the noise-exposed group, despite the fact that the lead and noise exposed workers had a long history of lead exposure, and a wide variability in blood lead levels.

Características do zumbido em trabalhadores expostos a ruído

Tinnitus is a common auditory complaint among individuals exposed to noise. AIM: this paper aims to study the characteristics of tinnitus in workers exposed to noise. STUDY DESIGN: this is a descriptive prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Fifty-two individuals averaging 29 years of age were enrolled in a hearing loss prevention program at a meat processing plant. The participants were interviewed and had their hearing tested in 2005 and 2006. RESULTS: seventy-one percent of the participants were found to have normal hearing. Tinnitus was present in 16% of the males and in 9% of the females. Mean noise exposure length was 7 years and noise levels ranged from 86 to 91 dBA (48%). Bilateral tinnitus (46%) of the hissing type (40%) and moderate intensity (49%) was the most prevalent. Symptoms began to be observed within one to five years after initial exposure to noise (67%) and manifested themselves in weekly episodes (41%) that bothered the patients mostly at night (34%). A significant correlation was observed between the frequency of tinnitus episodes and the noise levels to which workers were exposed. CONCLUSION: tinnitus should be included in hearing loss prevention programs in order to more comprehensively promote occupational hearing health.

Ambiente urbano e percepção da poluição sonora

A presente pesquisa avaliou a percepcao da populacao de uma grande cidade em relacao a poluicao sonora (ruido urbano). Buscou-se identificar quais fontes sonoras sao percebidas com maior frequencia pela populacao e quais reacoes psico-sociais relacionadas ao ruido urbano sao identificados por ela. Foi utilizado um questionario composto de questoes fechadas, abrangendo aspectos demograficos e aspectos psico-sociais referentes ao ruido ambiental. Oitocentos e noventa e dois (892) individuos participaram da pesquisa. As principais fontes de ruido citadas pelos moradores como causadoras de incomodo foram: 1) o trafego de veiculos (67 %), 2) os vizinhos (33%), 3) o barulho de sirenes (23%), 4) o barulho de animais (21%) e 5) o barulho gerado pela construcao civil (21 %). As principais reacoes psico-sociais foram: 1) irritabilidade (55%), 2) baixa concentracao (28%), 3) insonia (20%) e 4) dor de cabeca (19%). Os resultados obtidos coincidem com dados obtidos em pesquisas desenvolvidas na Europa, EUA e no Brasil, de que a poluicao sonora ambiental influencia a qualidade de vida da populacao, gerando reacoes psico-sociais importantes, como: 1) irritabilidade e 2) insonia. Estes podem estar na base de outras doencas (disfuncoes cardiovasculares), podendo interferir na saude e no bem estar dos individuos em particular e de uma populacao urbana como um todo, gerando um problema de saude publica.The present study investigated the psychosocial complaints related to urban noise among the population of Curitiba. We used a questionnaire of closed-set questions to collect data on demographics and psychosocial reactions to environmental noise when subjects are at home. Eight hundred and ninety-two individuals (892) participated of the study. The main noise sources associated with discomfort or annoyance were traffic noise (67%), neighbors (33%), sirens (23%), animals (21%), and construction (21%). The main psychosocial complaints were annoyance (55%), disrupted concentration (28%), sleep disorders (20%) and headaches (19%). The data confirm that noise pollution has an influence on the quality of life of the population as manifested by several psychosocial complaints that could have a negative impact on the health and well being of populations.

Acceptance of hearing protection aids in members of an instrumental and voice music band

UNLABELLED There are barriers to effective hearing protection among musicians. AIM To investigate the acceptance of hearing protection aids in members of an instrumental and voice music band. MATERIAL AND METHOD A prospective study of 34 members of the Municipal Indaial Band. Sound pressure levels were measured during a rehearsal, indicating mean levels ranging from 96.4 dB(A) to 106.9 dB(A). Subjects answered questionnaires and underwent audiometry. They attended a lecture in which folders and hearing protection aids were provided; subjects were asked to try using the protectors for 3 months. RESULTS At the end of the study period, 56.2% reported not liking hearing protection, while 43.7 % accepted such protection. The most common complaints were discomfort with sounds (58.8 %) and tinnitus (47%). 77.1% said that music might cause hearing impairment. A statistically significant difference was observed in the right ear at 4 and 6 kHz and at the left ear in 3, 4 and 6 kHz when median thresholds were compared with those from unexposed controls. CONCLUSION Although most subjects seemed aware of the risk, few took preventive measures against hearing loss. This suggests the need for periodic educational campaigns and specific legislation tailored to music professionals.Summary There are barriers to effective hearing protection among musicians. Aim To investigate the acceptance of hearing protection aids in members of an instrumental and voice music band. Material and method A prospective study of 34 members of the Municipal Indaial Band. Sound pressure levels were measured during a rehearsal, indicating mean levels ranging from 96.4 dB(A) to 106.9 dB(A). Subjects answered questionnaires and underwent audiometry. They attended a lecture in which folders and hearing protection aids were provided; subjects were asked to try using the protectors for 3 months. Results At the end of the study period, 56.2% reported not liking hearing protection, while 43.7 % accepted such protection. The most common complaints were discomfort with sounds (58.8 %) and tinnitus (47%). 77.1% said that music might cause hearing impairment. A statistically significant difference was observed in the right ear at 4 and 6 kHz and at the left ear in 3, 4 and 6 kHz when median thresholds were compared with those from unexposed controls. Conclusion Although most subjects seemed aware of the risk, few took preventive measures against hearing loss. This suggests the need for periodic educational campaigns and specific legislation tailored to music professionals.