Karin Ziliotto Dias

Avaliação do processamento auditivo em crianças nascidas pré-termo

OBJETIVO: Verificar o desempenho de criancas nascidas pre-termo na avaliacao do processamento auditivo, correlaciona-lo com os dados da avaliacao comportamental da audicao realizada aos 12 meses, e compara-lo com os resultados da avaliacao do processamento auditivo de criancas nascidas a termo. METODOS: Participaram 30 criancas, com idades entre 4 e 7 anos, que foram divididas em Grupo 1 (nascidas pre-termo) e Grupo 2 (nascidas a termo). Os resultados da avaliacao do processamento auditivo do Grupo 1 foram correlacionados com os dados da Avaliacao Comportamental da Audicao realizada aos 12 meses. Foi realizada comparacao dos resultados obtidos nos dois grupos. RESULTADOS: Os individuos do Grupo 1 apresentaram pelo menos um indicador de risco para alteracao auditiva ao nascimento. Em avaliacao comportamental da audicao, realizada aos 12 meses, 38% das criancas do Grupo 1 apresentaram risco para alteracao auditiva central, e 93,75% apresentaram alteracao do processamento auditivo. Houve diferenca entre os grupos para os resultados dos testes de ordenacao temporal, PSI com competicao ipsilateral e fala com ruido. Verificou-se associacao entre o atraso da habilidade de localizacao sonora e a alteracao do mecanismo de processamento temporal. CONCLUSAO: Criancas nascidas pre-termo apresentam pior desempenho do que criancas nascidas a termo na avaliacao do processamento auditivo. Ha associacao entre o atraso da habilidade de localizacao sonora aos 12 meses e a alteracao do mecanismo fisiologico de processamento temporal na avaliacao do processamento auditivo entre 4 e 7 anos.

A influência dos aspectos cognitivos e dos processos auditivos na aclimatização das próteses auditivas em idosos

PURPOSE To verify the speech recognition processes in a monoaural task and in a binaural integration task with dichotic listening, and to compare them to the cognitive processing in elderly subjects pre and post hearing aid acclimatization. METHODS Participants were 60 elderly subjects of both genders, ranging in age from 61 to 85 years. They were evaluated for cognitive aspects by means of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Alzheimers Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog). To evaluate speech processes in a monoaural task and in a binaural integration task with dichotic listening, the Percentage Index of Speech Recognition Test (PISR) and the Dichotic Digits Test (DDT) were completed before and after using the hearing aid. Data was descriptively presented and compared with non-parametric tests. RESULTS Speech recognition at the PISR was low (mean 69.6%) and the DDT presented better digit recognition on the right ear (mean 74.1%) than on the left ear (mean 61.1%). The sample presented improved performance on speech tests after the use of hearing aids, with relevant difference between the means of the first and the second evaluations. The PISR was not correlated with cognitive aspects. The DDT was associated with both cognitive tests, especially for the left ear. CONCLUSION All subjects were acclimatized, because there was improvement in speech recognition following the use of hearing aids. Subjects with cognitive problems present poorer performance in speech recognition processes with dichotic listening.

Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT) performance of individuals with central auditory processing disorders from 5 to 25 years of age

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to assess the auditory temporal resolution ability in individuals with central auditory processing disorders, to examine the maturation effect and to investigate the relationship between the performance on a temporal resolution test with the performance on other central auditory tests. METHODS Participants were divided in two groups: 131 with Central Auditory Processing Disorder and 94 with normal auditory processing. They had pure-tone air-conduction thresholds no poorer than 15 dB HL bilaterally, normal admittance measures and presence of acoustic reflexes. Also, they were assessed with a central auditory test battery. Participants who failed at least one or more tests were included in the Central Auditory Processing Disorder group and those in the control group obtained normal performance on all tests. Following the auditory processing assessment, the Random Gap Detection Test was administered to the participants. A three-way ANOVA was performed. Correlation analyses were also done between the four Random Gap Detection Test subtests data as well as between Random Gap Detection Test data and the other auditory processing test results. RESULTS There was a significant difference between the age-group performances in children with and without Central Auditory Processing Disorder. Also, 48% of children with Central Auditory Processing Disorder failed the Random Gap Detection Test and the percentage decreased as a function of age. The highest percentage (86%) was found in the 5-6 year-old children. Furthermore, results revealed a strong significant correlation between the four Random Gap Detection Test subtests. There was a modest correlation between the Random Gap Detection Test results and the dichotic listening tests. No significant correlation was observed between the Random Gap Detection Test data and the results of the other tests in the battery. CONCLUSION Random Gap Detection Test should not be administered to children younger than 7 years old because other reduced capacities might influence their performance. Also, Random Gap Detection Test assesses a specific auditory ability, different than the one evaluated with the other auditory tests. Finally, it is suggested to test individuals at only one frequency of the Random Gap Detection Test because results provide similar information than when assessing them on all subtests.

Acoustic stimulation effect on temporal processing skills in elderly subjects before and after hearing aid fitting

UNLABELLED Aging can alter temporal processing and affect speech perception. AIM To compare temporal processing auditory processing in elderly subject to and new hearing aid users. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included 60 elderly patients with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The procedures selected were the Duration Pattern Tests (DPT) and gaps in noise (GIN) test were used to analyze the responses of correct identification, and the temporal acuity threshold before and after the fitting of hearing aids. STUDY DESIGN clinical and experimental research with non-probability sample of convenience. RESULTS There was no statistically significant difference between the responses from GI and GII individuals. The elderly users of hearing aids had a lower gap detection threshold, greater recognition of gaps and of discrimination of the duration pattern in relation to when they were only potential users. CONCLUSION There was a deterioration in temporal processing skills, regardless of hearing loss degrees. Thus, the effect of acoustic stimulation by the use of a hearing aid improved resolution and temporal ordering.

AVALIAÇÃO DA LINGUAGEM ORAL E ESCRITA EM SUJEITOS COM SÍNDROME DE ASPERGER

OBJETIVO: avaliar e caracterizar provas fonoaudiologicas de linguagem oral e escrita de sujeitos com Sindrome de Asperger comparativamente a um grupo de sujeitos com desenvolvimento tipico. METODOS: avaliou-se 44 sujeitos que constituiram dois grupos: o grupo Asperger, composto por 22 sujeitos diagnosticados por equipe multidisciplinar como portadores de Sindrome de Asperger, conforme os criterios do DSM-IV; e o grupo de comparacao, denominado grupo de baixo risco para alteracoes do desenvolvimento, tambem com 22 participantes, pareados com os sujeitos do grupo Asperger segundo a idade cronologica. Todos os sujeitos eram do sexo masculino, com idade cronologica entre 10 e 30 anos e quociente intelectual maior ou igual a 68 e foram submetidos a Prova de Consciencia Fonologica, Teste de Vocabulario por Imagem Peabody, Prova de Leitura de Palavras e Pseudopalavras, Prova de Compreensao de Leitura, Prova de Escrita sob Ditado de Palavras e Pseudopalavras, Prova de Escrita Semidirigida de Textos. RESULTADOS: a analise estatistica revelou diferencas estaticamente significantes entre as medianas da prova de consciencia fonologica e entre as medias do teste de vocabulario por imagem Peabody e prova de compreensao de leitura nos dois grupos estudados (p<0,05). CONCLUSAO: na avaliacao da linguagem oral e escrita, o grupo de sujeitos com Sindrome de Asperger caracterizou-se por um desempenho pior do que o grupo de sujeitos de baixo risco para alteracoes do desenvolvimento nas provas fonoaudiologicas de consciencia fonologica, teste de vocabulario por imagem Peabody e prova de compreensao de leitura, o que caracteriza prejuizo em niveis fonologico, semântico e pragmatico da linguagem.

Temporal resolution with click and pure tone stimuli in youngsters with normal hearing sensitivity

PURPOSE To assess the auditory ability of temporal resolution and to compare the random gap detection test (RGDT) versions with pure tone and clicks stimuli. METHODS Participants were 40 young individuals of both genders with ages between 18 and 25 years, and normal hearing thresholds for the sound frequencies of 250 Hz to 8 kHz. Initially, participants were submitted to the basic audiological evaluation. Then they underwent the RGDT with pure tone and clicks stimuli. Finally, we obtained the temporal acuity threshold, which corresponds to the shorter silence interval in which the patient perceives two sounds, for each type of stimulus, called final temporal acuity threshold for pure tones (mean of the thresholds obtained for 500 Hz, 1k, 2k and 4 kHz), and temporal acuity threshold for clicks. RESULTS The mean temporal acuity threshold for the sound frequency of 500 Hz was 7.25 ms; for the frequency of 1 kHz was 7.25 ms; for 2 kHz was 6.73 ms; for the frequency of 4 kHz was 6.03 ms. The final temporal acuity threshold was 6.72 ms. The mean temporal acuity threshold for clicks was 6.43 ms. No difference was found between the temporal acuity thresholds obtained with pure tone and clicks stimuli. CONCLUSION There is no difference in the performance of individuals on the auditory ability of temporal resolution, regardless of the auditory stimulus used.

Adverse effects of pesticides on central auditory functions in tobacco growers

Abstract Objective: To investigate the effects of exposure to pesticides on the central auditory functions (CAF) of Brazilian tobacco growers. Design: This was a cross-sectional study carried out between 2010 and 2012. Participants were evaluated with two behavioural procedures to investigate CAF, the random gap detection test (RGDT) and the dichotic digit test in Portuguese (DDT). Study sample: A total of 22 growers exposed to pesticides (study group) and 21 subjects who were not exposed to pesticides (control group) were selected. Results: No significant differences between groups were observed for pure-tone thresholds. A significant association between pesticide exposure and the results for RGDT and DDT was found. Significant differences between pesticide-exposed and nonexposed subjects were found for RGDT frequency average and DDT binaural average, when including age and hearing level as covariates. Age was significantly associated with RGDT frequency average, DDT left ear score, DDT binaural average and DDT right ear advantage. Hearing levels were not significantly associated with any of the test scores. The relative risk of failing the DDT and RGDT for the study group was 1.88 (95% CI: 1.10–3.20) and 1.74 (95% CI: 1.06–2.86), respectively, as compared with the control group. Conclusions: The results showed that tobacco growers exposed to pesticides exhibited signs of central auditory dysfunction characterised by decrements in temporal processing and binaural integration processes/abilities.

Critérios de normalidade dos testes de resolução temporal: random gap detection test e gaps-in-noise

PURPOSE: to evaluate temporal resolution of normal hearing individuals from 20 years old to 60 years old. METHODS: individuals of both genders from 20 to 60 years old have been separated by age in four groups of ten individuals per group. Group I: from 20 years old to 30 years old. Group II: from 31 years old to 40 years old. Group III: from 41 years old to 50 years old. Group IV: from 51 years old to 60 years old. All individuals were submitted to procedures of audiological routine in order to evaluate the central and peripheral hearing. After those tests, they were included in the sample and submitted to temporal resolution tests: Randon-gap-detection-test and Gaps-in-noise. RESULTS: the average values obtained for the gap detection threshold on Gaps-in-noise were around 6ms at Group I and II. For the Group III and IV these values were around 8ms. Regarding the gap detection threshold obtained on Random-gap-detection-test the average values were 10ms at Group I and II. At Group III and IV these values were between 10ms and 15ms. CONCLUSION: the temporal resolution ability worsens with increasing age. The normal values of tests with noise segments (GIN - Gaps in Noise) and pure tone (RGDT - Random Gap Detection Test) are increasing according to age range studied.

Estudo das habilidades auditivas de resolução temporal e figura-fundo em dançarinos

OBJETIVO:avaliar a habilidade auditiva de resolucao temporal e de identificacao de sentencas com mensagem competitiva em dancarinos.METODOS:trata-se de um estudo prospectivo em que foram avaliados 40 individuos distribuidos em dois grupos: grupo 1 (dancarinos) e grupo 2 (nao-dancarinos). Os instrumentos de avaliacao do processamento auditivo utilizados foram: teste Gaps-in-noise (GIN) e teste de reconhecimento de sentencas na presenca de mensagem competitiva (SSI).RESULTADOS:os limiares de gap de ambos os grupos variaram de 3 a 6 ms e nao demostraram diferenca estatisticamente significante na comparacao entre os grupos. Houve diferenca estatisticamente significante ao comparar a porcentagem de identificacao de gaps entre os dois grupos, sendo que o grupo de dancarinos apresentou media maior que o grupo de nao dancarinos.O teste de reconhecimento de frases em escuta monotica (rel -10dB) mostrou resultados que variaram de 50% ate 100% para o grupo de dancarinos e de 40% ate 100% para o de nao - dancarinos. A idade de inicio da danca (antes ou depois dos sete anos) nao influenciou no desempenho dos testes estudados. Nao houve correlacao entre as variaveis dos achados obtidos nos testes estudados no grupo de dancarinos considerando o tempo de danca.CONCLUSAO:a danca influenciou positivamente a habilidade auditiva de resolucao temporal, pois o grupo de dancarinos apresentou desempenho melhor do que o grupo de nao-dancarinos. A danca parece nao ter influenciado a habilidade auditiva de figura-fundo.