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Abstract Tinnitus is a conscious attended awareness perception of sourceless sound. Widespread theoretical and evidence-based neurofunctional and psychological models have tried to explain tinnitus-related distress considering the influence of psychological and cognitive factors. However, tinnitus models seem to be less focused on causality, thereby easily misleading interpretations. Also, they may be incapable of individualization. This study proposes a Conceptual Cognitive Framework (CCF) providing insight into cognitive mechanisms involved in the predisposition, precipitation, and perpetuation of tinnitus and consequent cognitive-emotional disturbances. The current CCF for tinnitus relies on evaluative conditional learning and appraisal, generating negative valence (emotional value) and arousal (cognitive value) to annoyance, distress, and distorted perception. The suggested methodology is well-defined, reproducible, and accessible, which can help foster future high-quality clinical databases. Perceived tinnitus through the perpetual-learning process can always lead to annoyance, but only in the clinical stage directly cause annoyance. In the clinical stage, tinnitus perception can lead indirectly to distress only with experiencing annoyance either with (“ $${\underset{{\mathcal {C}}}{{{\varvec{Ind-1}}}}}$$ I n d - 1 C ” = 1.87; 95% CI 1.18–2.72)[“1st indirect path in the Clinical stage model”: Tinnitus Loudness $$\rightarrow$$ → Attention Bias $$\rightarrow$$ → Cognitive-Emotional Value $$\rightarrow$$ → Annoyance $$\rightarrow$$ → Clinical Distress]or without (“ $${\underset{{\mathcal {C}}}{{{\varvec{Ind-2}}}}}$$ I n d - 2 C ”= 2.03; 95% CI 1.02–3.32)[ “2nd indirect path in the Clinical stage model”: Tinnitus Loudness $$\rightarrow$$ → Annoyance $$\rightarrow$$ → Clinical Distress] the perpetual-learning process. Further real-life testing of the CCF is expected to express a meticulous, decision-supporting platform for cognitive rehabilitation and clinical interventions. Furthermore, the suggested methodology offers a reliable platform for CCF development in other cognitive impairments and supports the causal clinical data models. It may also enhance our knowledge of psychological disorders and complicated comorbidities by supporting the design of different rehabilitation interventions and comprehensive frameworks in line with the “preventive medicine” policy.

Objective: To review key evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral facial palsy in children and adults. Methods: Task force members were educated on knowledge synthesis methods, including electronic database search, review and selection of relevant citations, and critical appraisal of selected studies. Articles written in English or Portuguese on peripheral facial palsy were eligible for inclusion. The American College of Physicians’ guideline grading system and the American Thyroid Association’s guideline criteria were used for critical appraisal of evidence and recommendations for therapeutic interventions. Results: The topics were divided into 2 main parts: (1) Evaluation and diagnosis of facial palsy: electrophysiologic tests, idiopathic facial palsy, Ramsay Hunt syndrome, traumatic peripheral facial palsy, recurrent peripheral facial palsy, facial nerve tumors, and peripheral facial palsy in children; and (2) Rehabilitation procedures: surgical decompression of the facial nerve, facial nerve grafting, surgical treatment of long-term peripheral facial palsy, and non-surgical rehabilitation of the facial nerve. Conclusions: Peripheral facial palsy is a condition of diverse etiology. Treatment should be individualized according to the cause of facial nerve dysfunction, but the literature presents better evidence-based recommendations for systemic corticosteroid therapy.

Abstract Objectives To investigate the use of a novel technique to estimate the symmetrical placement of percutaneous bone‐anchored hearing systems (BAHS) with a guide‐marker in patients undergoing bilateral surgery with this device. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Methods A guide‐marker and anatomical landmarks were used to estimate the implant placement and transferred to the contralateral ear in 12 subjects eligible for bilateral BAHS surgery. To investigate the bilateral symmetry, preoperative tri‐dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) image reconstruction was used to compare the distances between the mandibular condyle and implant placement estimation (mandible‐implant distance) in both the right and left ears of the subjects. Results The guide‐marker could be used to estimate the bilateral implant placement in all subjects included in this study, simply and easily, including one subject with craniofacial malformation. The mean mandible‐implant distances were 5.37 and 5.38 cm, in the right and left ears of the subjects, respectively, and no differences were observed between them, thereby indicating optimal bilateral symmetry. Conclusion The use of the guide‐marker proved to be an effective tool to provide symmetrical placement of bilateral BAHS. We propose a novel method employing a simple guide‐marker and tracing based on symmetrical anatomical landmarks to achieve precise placement and optimal symmetry and which may be easily adopted in the surgical routine of BAHS. Level of Evidence 3.

Objective: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of The New Reynell Developmental Language Scales (NRDLS) to Portuguese spoken in Brazil. Method: We followed the steps recommended in the manual Multilingual Toolkit da NRDLS: translation of the test, adaptation of items from the scales, and use of NRDLS in a pilot study with Brazilian children. It was included a back-translation and analysis by a group of specialists in the area that helped to review the adapted version. A quantitative descriptive analysis of results from the pilot group was performed, and we used a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the NRDLS seems very similar to the original NRDLS in terms of conceptual equivalence. The children understood well the translated and adapted words, and they had more difficulty in the last sessions. Some of the mistakes made by the children helped us to adapt specific items for a better evaluation of the abilities of Brazilian children. Conclusion: The suggestions in the Multilingual Toolkit, the input from the group of specialists, and the experience with the children in the pilot group helped the adaptation of the NRDLS to Brazilian Portuguese. The adapted version of NRDLS was effective, it reflected the gradual evolution of complexity in the scales. We suggest the application of the adapted version in a large group of children with normal development to validate it.

Objectives: To provide an overview of the main evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis of hearing loss in children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years. Methods: Task force members were educated on knowledge synthesis methods, including electronic database search, review and selection of relevant citations, and critical appraisal of selected studies. Articles written in English or Portuguese on childhood hearing loss were eligible for inclusion. The American College of Physicians’ guideline grading system and the American Thyroid Association’s guideline criteria were used for critical appraisal of evidence and recommendations for therapeutic interventions. Results: The evaluation and diagnosis of hearing loss: universal newborn hearing screening, laboratory testing, congenital infections (especially cytomegalovirus), genetic testing and main syndromes, radiologic imaging studies, vestibular assessment of children with hearing loss, auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and noise-induced hearing loss. Conclusions: Every child with suspected hearing loss has the right to diagnosis and appropriate treatment if necessary. This task force considers 5 essential rights: (1) Otolaryngologist consultation; (2) Speech assessment and therapy; (3) Diagnostic tests; (4) Treatment; (5) Ophthalmologist consultation.

Objectives: To provide an overview of the main evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis of hearing loss in children and adolescents aged 0–18 years. Methods: Task force members were educated on knowledge synthesis methods, including electronic database search, review and selection of relevant citations, and critical appraisal of selected studies. Articles written in English or Portuguese on childhood hearing loss were eligible for inclusion. The American College of Physicians’ guideline grading system and the American Thyroid Association’s guideline criteria were used for critical appraisal of evidence and recommendations for therapeutic interventions. Results: The topics were divided into 2 parts: (1) treatment of sensorineural hearing loss: individual hearing aids, bilateral cochlear implants, cochlear implants in young children, unilateral hearing loss, and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder; and (2) treatment of conductive/mixed hearing loss: external/middle ear malformations, ventilation tube insertion, and tympanoplasty in children. Conclusions: In children with hearing loss, in addition to speech therapy, Hearing AIDS (HAs) or implantable systems may be indicated. Even in children with profound hearing loss, both the use of HAs and behavioral assessments while using the device are important.

RESUMO Objetivo verificar se existe associação entre a avaliação clínica do equilíbrio e o ganho do reflexo vestíbulo-ocular com o avanço da idade em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca. Métodos estudo transversal analítico-descritivo, de caráter observacional, que incluiu pacientes com diagnóstico de insuficiência cardíaca, divididos em dois grupos, por idade (G1, menos de 60 anos e G2, 60 anos ou mais). Os pacientes foram avaliados por meio de anamnese, avaliação cardiológica, avaliação clínica do equilíbrio corporal (triagem da função cerebelar e avaliação do equilíbrio estático e dinâmico) e instrumental da função vestibular (Video Head Impulse Test-vHIT). Os achados obtidos foram descritos e comparados por meio de análise estatística inferencial. Resultados foram avaliados 34 pacientes com média de idade de 55 anos e 9 meses, a maioria homens (71,49%). Não houve associação do ganho do reflexo vestíbulo-ocular, simetria dos canais semicirculares e avaliações do equilíbrio corporal com o avanço da idade. Observaram-se associações entre os resultados da prova de Unterberger-Fukuda com o ganho do reflexo vestíbulo-ocular do canal semicircular lateral direito e posterior esquerdo e com os percentuais de simetria dos canais semicirculares anteriores para os pacientes do Grupo 2. Para os indivíduos do Grupo 1, foi observada associação entre os resultados da prova de Unterberger-Fukuda com os valores de simetria dos canais semicirculares anteriores e do ganho de reflexo vestíbulo-ocular dos canais semicirculares anterior esquerdo e posterior direito. Conclusão não houve associação entre os resultados da avaliação clínica do equilíbrio corporal e dos achados do vHIT com o avanço da idade, em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca. Entretanto, observou-se diferença entre o ganho do reflexo vestíbulo-ocular específico para alguns canais semicirculares, com maiores índices de alteração na prova de equilíbrio dinâmico, em ambos os grupos. Os resultados dos testes aplicados permitiram caracterizar o predomínio da hipofunção vestibular crônica de origem periférica nos pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca, independentemente da faixa etária.

PurposeTo explore the clinical practice development of different surgical techniques when installing bone-anchored hearing implants and their associated trends in outcomes.DesignRetrospective study of 228 bone-anchored hearing implants in 200 patients, performed over a 10-year period between 2012 and 2022 in a referral hospital.MethodReal-world data of demography, etiology, surgical setup, complications, and audiological outcomes were collected. Eligibility criteria from clinical practice were applied.ResultsThe minimally invasive technique is associated with shorter surgery duration, 20 vs. 44 min as compared to a linear incision technique. The minimally invasive technique was also associated with a lower occurrence of complications when compared to linear incision techniques (intraoperative; 1.8% vs. 4.9%, postoperative; 49% vs. 66%). Most differences were seen in complications relating to skin and wound healing.ConclusionAdoption of a minimally invasive surgical technique for the installations of bone-anchored hearing implants can reduce surgical complexity without compromising safety aspects or clinical benefits.

Introduction The P300 auditory evoked potential is a long-latency cortical potential evoked with auditory stimulation, which provides information on neural mechanisms underlying the central auditory processing.

Introduction: The bone-anchored hearing system has become the most viable treatment option for subjects with conductive or mixed hearing loss, who are unable to benefit from conventional hearing aids or middle ear surgery. Objective: To compare the surgical and audiological outcomes between the minimally-invasive Ponto surgery and a linear incision with soft tissue preservation techniques in bone-anchored hearing system recipients. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out from January 2017 to June 2018. Forty-two adult patients eligible for unilateral bone-anchored hearing system surgery with the Ponto system were included in the study. The implant and abutment lengths used varied from 3 to 4 mm and from 6 to 14 mm, according to the bone and skin thickness of the participants, respectively. Results: Twenty-two surgeries were performed using the minimally invasive Ponto surgery technique (52.4%) and 20 (47.6%) using the linear incision. The mean age of the subjects implanted with minimally invasive Ponto surgery and linear incision techniques were 42.0 and 33.3 years old, respectively. Ten male (45,5%) and 14 (70%) female patients were implanted using minimally invasive Ponto surgery and the linear incision techniques, respectively. There were no differences between pure tone audiometric thresholds and monosyllabic word recognition scores of the subjects, when comparing both surgical techniques. The minimally invasive Ponto surgery technique significantly reduced the surgical time compared to the linear incision technique. There were no differences between both surgical techniques for skin-related complications; (Holgers 3 and 4) which occurred in 18.8% for MIPS and in 25% for linear incision. Subjects included in the minimally invasive Ponto surgery technique group showed a superior cosmetic outcome, with no surgical scar or additional sutures. Conclusion: The surgical and audiological outcomes were satisfactory and were not correlated to the surgical technique selected in all subjects. When compared to the linear incision, the minimally invasive Ponto surgery technique showed reduced surgical time and superior esthetic outcomes in the postoperative follow-up.

Resumo: Introdução: A avaliação do estudante deve induzir aprendizagem e ser baseada em competência, ou seja, avaliar (habilidades cognitivas, psicomotoras e afetivas). Para avaliar conhecimento e a habilidade para sua utilização no contexto profissional, o Teste de Progresso (TP) tem sido usado em larga escala, com finalidade somativa e principalmente formativa. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a adequação e qualidade de itens que compõem os TP realizados pelos estudantes. Método: Trata-se de estudo exploratório descritivo e retrospectivo que analisou todos os itens de seis provas do TP aplicado a estudantes de Medicina do primeiro ao sexto ano da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto/USP, no período de 2013 a 2018. Os sete indicadores de boas práticas foram: 1. abordar tema relevante na formação médica; 2. ter enunciado maior que as alternativas; 3. avaliar aplicação do conhecimento; 4. definir pergunta clara para o item no enunciado; 5. avaliar apenas um domínio do conhecimento em cada item; 6. ter resposta correta e distratores homogêneos e plausíveis; 7. ausência de erros no item que acrescentam dificuldade desnecessária ou dão pistas da resposta correta. Dois avaliadores independentes analisaram as questões e, quando necessário, revisavam em conjunto os itens discordantes. Resultado: A análise das provas permitiu identificar boa qualidade técnica na maioria dos itens das seis provas, além de indicar que a não adesão foi mais frequente nos indicadores 4 e 5, que podem comprometer tanto a validade quanto a interpretação dos resultados da prova em termos de lacunas do conhecimento por parte dos estudantes. Conclusão: A qualidade das questões das provas analisadas é muito boa, mas foi possível identificar oportunidades de melhoria no processo de elaboração de itens, que servem de base para o desenvolvimento docente dos elaboradores da instituição.

Objective: There are few studies on long-latency auditory evoked potential (P300) in people with hearing loss who use a cochlear implant. Central auditory system evaluation with behavioral and electrophysiological tests is believed to help understand the neuroplasticity mechanisms involved in auditory functioning after cochlear implant surgery. This study investigated the electrophysiological processing of cortical level acoustic signals in a group of 21 adult individuals with postlingual bilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss who were submitted to cochlear implant surgery. Methods: Data were collected in three phases: pre-cochlear implant surgery, at cochlear implant activation, and 6 months after surgery. P300 measures were also registered during all phases. Tone-burst and speech stimuli were used to elicit P300 and were presented in free field. Results: Mean P3 component latency with tone-burst and speech stimuli were 352.9 and 321.9 ms in the pre-cochlear implant phase, 364.9 and 368.7 ms in the activation phase, 336.2 and 343.6 ms 6 months after the surgery. The P3 component mean latency values using tone-burst at activation were significantly different from those 6 months after cochlear implant. They were also significantly different using speech, between pre-cochlear implant and activation phases. Lower P3 component latency occurred 6 months after cochlear implant activation with tone-burst and pre-cochlear implant with speech stimulus. There was a weak correlation between mean P3 component latency with speech stimulus and time of hearing loss. There was no difference in amplitude between phases or in the comparison with the other variables. Conclusion: There were changes in P3 component latency during the period assessed, for both speech and pure-tone stimuli, with increased latency in the activation phase and similar lower results in the two other phases, Pre-CI and 6 months after CI use. Mean amplitude measures did not vary in the three phases.

Insomnia is a widespread neuropsychological sleep-related disorder known to result in various predicaments including cognitive impairments, emotional distress, negative thoughts, and perceived sleep insufficiency besides affecting the incidence and aggravation of other medical disorders. Despite the available insomnia-related theoretical cognitive models, clinical studies, and related guidelines, an evidence-based conceptual framework for a personalized approach to insomnia seems to be lacking. This study proposes a conceptual cognitive framework (CCF) providing insight into cognitive mechanisms involved in the predisposition, precipitation, and perpetuation of insomnia and consequent cognitive deficits. The current CCF for insomnia relies on evaluative conditional learning and appraisal which generates negative valence (emotional value) and arousal (cognitive value). Even with the limitations of this study, the suggested methodology is well-defined, reproducible, and accessible can help foster future high-quality clinical databases. During clinical insomnia but not the neutral one, negative mood (trait-anxiety) causes cognitive impairments only if mediating with a distorted perception of insomnia (Ind-1 = 0.161, 95% CI 0.040–0.311). Further real-life testing of the CCF is intended to formulate a meticulous, decision-supporting platform for clinical interventions. Furthermore, the suggested methodology is expected to offer a reliable platform for CCF-development in other cognitive impairments and support the causal clinical data models. It may also improve our knowledge of psychological disturbances and complex comorbidities to help design rehabilitation interventions and comprehensive frameworks in line with the “preventive medicine” policies.

Introduction: The surgery during which the cochlear implant internal device is implanted is not entirely free of risks and may produce problems that will require revision surgeries. Objective: To verify the indications for cochlear implantation revision surgery for the cochlear implant internal device, its effectiveness and its correlation with certain variables related to language and hearing. Methods: A retrospective study of patients under 18 years submitted to cochlear implant surgery from 2004 to 2015 in a public hospital in Brazil. Data collected were: age at the time of implantation, gender, etiology of the hearing loss, audiological and oral language characteristics of each patient before and after cochlear implant surgery and any need for surgical revision and the reason for it. Results: Two hundred and sixty-five surgeries were performed in 236 patients. Eight patients received a bilateral cochlear implant and 10 patients required revision surgery. Thirty-two surgeries were necessary for these 10 children (1 bilateral cochlear implant), of which 21 were revision surgeries. In 2 children, cochlear implant removal was necessary, without reimplantation, one with cochlear malformation due to incomplete partition type I and another due to trauma. With respect to the cause for revision surgery, of the 8 children who were successfully reimplanted, four had cochlear calcification following meningitis, one followed trauma, one exhibited a facial nerve malformation, one experienced a failure of the cochlear implant internal device and one revision surgery was necessary because the electrode was twisted. Conclusion: The incidence of the cochlear implant revision surgery was 4.23%. The period following the revision surgeries revealed an improvement in the subject's hearing and language performance, indicating that these surgeries are valid in most cases. Resumo: Introdução: A cirurgia para a implantação do dispositivo interno do implante coclear não é inteiramente livre de riscos e pode apresentar problemas que exigem cirurgias revisionais. Objetivo: Verificar a incidência das indicações de cirurgias revisionais para a implantação do dispositivo interno do implante coclear, sua efetividade e correlacionar às variáveis relacionadas às categorias de linguagem e audição. Método: Estudo retrospectivo de pacientes menores de 18 anos submetidos à cirurgia de implante coclear de 2004 a 2015 em um hospital público no Brasil. Os dados coletados foram: idade no momento da implantação, sexo, etiologia da surdez, características audiológicas e da linguagem oral de cada paciente no pré e pós-operatório, necessidade de revisão cirúrgica e razão para ela. Resultados: Foram feitas 265 cirurgias em 236 pacientes. Oito pacientes foram submetidos ao implante coclear bilateral e 10 necessitaram de cirurgia de revisão. Foram necessárias 32 cirurgias para essas 10 crianças (um implante coclear bilateral), das quais 21 foram cirurgias de revisão. Em duas crianças, a remoção do implante coclear foi necessária, sem realização de reimplante; sendo que uma delas apresentava malformação coclear, por partição incompleta tipo I; e aoutra, devido a trauma. Quanto à causa da necessidade da cirurgia revisional, das oito crianças que permaneceram com implante coclear, quatro apresentaram calcificação coclear após meningite, seguida de trauma (1), malformação do nervo facial (1), falha do dispositivo interno da IC (1) e torção do feixe de eletrodos (1). Conclusão: A incidência de cirurgias revisionais foi de 4,23%. O pós-operatório das cirurgias revisionais permite uma melhoria no desempenho de audição e na linguagem dos pacientes, indicando que essas cirurgias são válidas na maioria dos casos. Keywords: Cochlear implant, Sensorineural hearing loss, Hearing loss, Palavras-chave: Implante coclear, Perda auditiva neurossensorial, Surdez

Introduction: Cochlear Implant is a sensory prosthesis capable of restoring hearing in patients with severe or profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Objective: To evaluate if there is a better side to be implanted in post-lingual patients. Methods: Retrospective longitudinal study. Participants were 40 subjects, of both sex, mean age of 47 years, with post-lingual hearing loss, users of unilateral cochlear implant for more than 12 months and less than 24 months, with asymmetric auditor reserve between the ears (difference of 10 dBNA, In at least one of the frequencies with a response, between the ears), divided into two groups. Group A was composed of individuals with cochlear implant in the ear with better auditory reserve and Group B with auditory reserve lower in relation to the contralateral side. Results: There was no statistical difference for the tonal auditory threshold before and after cochlear implant. A better speech perception in pre-cochlear implant tests was present in B (20%), but the final results are similar in both groups. Conclusion: The cochlear implant in the ear with the worst auditory residue favors a bimodal hearing, which would allow the binaural summation, without compromising the improvement of the audiometric threshold and the speech perception. Resumo: Introdução: O implante coclear é uma prótese sensorial capaz de restaurar a audição em pacientes com perda auditiva neurossensorial bilateral severa ou profunda. Objetivo: Avaliar se há um melhor lado para o implante coclear em pacientes pós-linguais. Método: Estudo longitudinal retrospectivo; incluiu 40 indivíduos, de ambos os sexos, idade média de 47 anos, com perda auditiva pós-lingual, usuários de implante coclear unilateral por mais de 12 meses e menos de 24 meses, com perda auditiva assimétrica entre as orelhas (diferença de 10 dBNA, em pelo menos uma das frequências), divididos em dois grupos. O Grupo A foi composto por indivíduos com implante coclear na orelha com melhor audição residual e Grupo B com menor audição residual em relação ao lado contralateral. Resultados: Não houve diferença estatística entre o limiar auditivo tonal antes e depois do implante coclear. Uma melhor percepção da fala nos testes pré-implante coclear foi observada no grupo B (20%), mas os resultados finais foram semelhantes em ambos os grupos. Conclusão: O implante coclear na orelha com pior audição residual favorece uma audição bimodal, o que possibilitaria a somação binaural, sem comprometer a melhora do limiar audiométrico e a percepção da fala. Keywords: Cochlear implant, Hearing, Speech perception, Sound deprivation, Auditory residue, Palavras-chave: Implante coclear, Audição, Percepção da fala, Privação de som, Resíduo auditivo

Abstract Introduction Hearing difficulties can be minimized by the use of hearing aids. Objective The objective of this study is to assess the speech perception and satisfaction of hearing aids users before and after aid adaptation and to determine whether these measures are correlated. Methods The study was conducted on 65 individuals, 54% females and 46% males aged 63 years on average, after the systematic use of hearing aids for at least three months. We characterized subjectś personal identification data, the degree, and configuration of hearing loss, as well as aspects related to adaptation. We then applied a satisfaction questionnaire and a speech perception test (words and sentences), with and without the use of the hearing aids. Results Mean speech recognition with words and sentences was 69% and 79%, respectively, with hearing aids use; whereas, without hearing aids use the figures were 43% and 53%. Mean questionnaire score was 30.1 points. Regarding hearing loss characteristics, 78.5% of the subjects had a sensorineural loss, 20% a mixed loss, and 1.5% a conductive loss. Hearing loss of moderate degree was present in 60.5% of cases, loss of descending configuration in 47%, and plain loss in 37.5%. There was no correlation between individual satisfaction and the percentages of the speech perception tests applied. Conclusion Word and sentence recognition was significantly better with the use of the hearing aids. The users showed a high degree of satisfaction. In the present study, there was no correlation observed between the levels of speech perception and levels of user satisfaction measured with the questionnaire.

Abstract Introduction A cochlear implant in adolescent patients with pre-lingual deafness is still a debatable issue. Objective The objective of this study is to analyze and compare the development of auditory speech perception in children with pre-lingual auditory impairment submitted to cochlear implant, in different age groups in the first year after implantation. Method This is a retrospective study, documentary research, in which we analyzed 78 reports of children with severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, unilateral cochlear implant users of both sexes. They were divided into three groups: G1, 22 infants aged less than 42 months; G2, 28 infants aged between 43 to 83 months; and G3, 28 older than 84 months. We collected medical record data to characterize the patients, auditory thresholds with cochlear implants, assessment of speech perception, and auditory skills. Results There was no statistical difference in the association of the results among groups G1, G2, and G3 with sex, caregiver education level, city of residence, and speech perception level. There was a moderate correlation between age and hearing aid use time, age and cochlear implants use time. There was a strong correlation between age and the age cochlear implants was performed, hearing aid use time and age CI was performed. Conclusion There was no statistical difference in the speech perception in relation to the patient's age when cochlear implant was performed. There were statistically significant differences for the variables of auditory deprivation time between G3 - G1 and G2 - G1 and hearing aid use time between G3 - G2 and G3 - G1.

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: The vestibular system is responsible for body balance. There are substances that damage it, causing dizziness; these are termed vestibulotoxic substances. Agrochemicals have been investigated for ototoxicity because of studies that identified dizziness as a recurrent symptom among rural workers' complaints. OBJECTIVE: To histopathologically evaluate the vestibular system in guinea pigs exposed to an organophosphate, and to identify the drug's effects on this system. METHODS: Experimental clinical study. Eighteen guinea pigs were used; six of them poisoned with the organophosphate chlorpyrifos at doses of 0.5 mg/kg/day and seven of them at 1 mg/kg/day; and a control group of five guinea pigs was exposed to distilled water, all for 10 consecutive days. Later, ciliary tufts of saccule and utricle maculae were counted by scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Comparing the groups, a one-way ANOVA test for the variable "saccule" ( p = 0.0569) and a Kruskal-Wallis test for the variable "utricle" ( p = 0.8958) were performed, revealing no difference among groups in both variables. CONCLUSION: The histopathologic analysis of the vestibular system of guinea pigs exposed to an organophosphate showed no difference in the amount of ciliary tufts of saccule and utricle maculae at the doses tested, although the result for the variable "saccule" was considered borderline, showing a trend for significance.

Abstract Introduction The objective of the evaluation of auditory perception of cochlear implant users is to determine how the acoustic signal is processed, leading to the recognition and understanding of sound. Objective To investigate the differences in the process of auditory speech perception in individuals with postlingual hearing loss wearing a cochlear implant, using two different speech coding strategies, and to analyze speech perception and handicap perception in relation to the strategy used. Methods This study is prospective cross-sectional cohort study of a descriptive character. We selected ten cochlear implant users that were characterized by hearing threshold by the application of speech perception tests and of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults. Results There was no significant difference when comparing the variables subject age, age at acquisition of hearing loss, etiology, time of hearing deprivation, time of cochlear implant use and mean hearing threshold with the cochlear implant with the shift in speech coding strategy. There was no relationship between lack of handicap perception and improvement in speech perception in both speech coding strategies used. Conclusion There was no significant difference between the strategies evaluated and no relation was observed between them and the variables studied.

Respiratory viruses are frequently detected in association with chronic tonsillar hypertrophy in the absence of symptoms of acute respiratory infection (ARI). The present analysis was done in follow-up to a previous clinical study done by this same group. Nasopharyngeal washes (NPWs) were obtained from 83 of 120 individuals at variable times post adenotonsillectomy, in the absence of ARI symptoms. A look back at virus detection results in NPWs from the same 83 individuals at the time of tonsillectomy revealed that 73.5% (61/83) were positive for one or more viruses. The overall frequency of respiratory virus detection in post-tonsillectomy NPWs was 58.8%. Rhinovirus (RV) was the agent most frequently detected, in 38 of 83 subjects (45.8%), followed by enterovirus in 7 (8.4%), human metapneumovirus in 6 (7.2%), human respiratory syncytial virus in 3 (3.6%) and human coronavirus in 1 (1.2%). Remarkably, there was no detection of adenovirus (HAdV) or human bocavirus (HBoV) in asymptomatic individuals in follow-up of adenotonsillectomy. In keeping with persistence of respiratory DNA viruses in human tonsils, tonsillectomy significantly reduces asymptomatic shedding of HAdV and HBoV in NPWs.

OBJETIVO:avaliar o funcionamento do sistema vestibular de cobaias expostas ao organofosforado clorpirifós, de forma aguda, por meio da prova calórica da eletronistagmografia.MÉTODOS:a pesquisa do tipo experimental realizou a eletronistagmografia de cobaias expostas a organofosforado durante 10 dias consecutivos, nas doses 0,5mg/kg/dia e 1,0mg/kg/dia por via intraperitoneal e comparadas com grupo controle que recebeu administração de água destilada. Foi realizada prova calórica gelada (10ºC) e comparadas as variáveis frequência de aparecimento de nistagmos em 10 segundos (u/s) e velocidade angular da componente lenta (º/s).RESULTADOS:os resultados não demonstraram diferença estatisticamente significante na comparação das variáveis entre os grupos.CONCLUSÃO:conclui-se que nas doses testadas o agrotóxico organofosforado clorpirifós não causou danos funcionais detectáveis na prova calórica.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to assess the healing of traumatic tympanic membrane perforation in rats. METHODS: The tympanic membrane from male Wistar rats was perforated in the anterior and posterior portions to the handle of the malleus. Five tympanic membranes were evaluated 3 days after tympanic perforation; 5 after 5 days; 5 after 7 days; 3 after 10 days; and 4 after 14 days. The tympanic membranes were submitted to histopathological evaluation after hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS: Tympanic membrane closure occurred at about 7-10 days after injury and the healing process was complete by day 14. The proliferative activity of the outer epithelial layer was present close to the handle of the malleus and to the tympanic annulus. CONCLUSION: The spontaneous healing process of the tympanic membrane starts from the outer epithelial layer, with later healing of the lamina propria and the mucosal layer.

OBJETIVO: avaliar a satisfação do usuário de AAS (Aparelho de Amplificação Sonora) por meio da aplicação do questionário de autoavaliação IOI-HA (International Outcome Inventory For Hearing Aids) e correlacioná-lo às características dos indivíduos, da perda auditiva e do processo de adaptação do AAS. MÉTODO: foram avaliados 98 indivíduos, de ambos os gêneros, com perda auditiva neurossensorial, de um serviço público e usuários sistemáticos de AAS há, pelo menos, três meses. O questionário IOI-HA foi aplicado, como roteiro de entrevista estruturada, aos indivíduos. Correlacionaram-se as variáveis estudadas com o nível de satisfação do usuário, analisado pelo IOI-HA, por meio do fator 1 (que reflete a interação do indivíduo com seu AAS), o fator 2 (relacionado à interação do indivíduo com outras pessoas no seu ambiente) e a pontuação total de cada indivíduo. RESULTADOS: não houve correlação significante entre as variáveis estudadas e o nível de satisfação do usuário. Entretanto, é importante ressaltar que as médias obtidas nas análises, por item, foram positivas e, consequentemente, as análises da soma total do IOI-HA, fator 1 e fator 2, também foram positivas e se aproximaram dos escores máximos para cada fator. CONCLUSÃO: o presente estudo constatou que, no grupo estudado, os usuários de AAS estavam satisfeitos com a adaptação de seus aparelhos e não foram observadas correlações entre as variáveis estudadas e o grau de satisfação do usuário de AAS, por meio do questionário IOI-HA.

Há comprovação de que o fenômeno de resistência ocorre quando a dose não lesiva da amicacina protege as células ciliadas contra a ototoxicidade da própria amicacina. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste trabalho é verificar se o fenômeno de resistência é temporalmente persistente. MÉTODO: Estudo experimental com 14 cobaias albinas (Cavia porcellus) divididas em três grupos. Avaliação da função auditiva por emissões otoacústicas por produto de distorção (EOAPD): na pré-exposição à amicacina, no 15º dia de aplicação da dose não lesiva, no final da aplicação da dose lesiva e antes da decapitação. RESULTADOS: O Grupo A (controle) apresentou função auditiva e padrão histológico normais. No Grupo B (amicacina 20mg/kg/dia intramuscular por 30 dias e dose lesiva (400 mg/kg/dia) por 12 dias) e no Grupo C (mesmo esquema do grupo B, porém mantidos por 60 dias e sacrificados), as OEA-PD confirmaram função auditiva normal no período pré-exposição e manutenção do padrão após dose não lesiva, porém, houve perda importante da função auditiva após término do período de aplicação da dose lesiva. CONCLUSÃO: Não houve manutenção do fenômeno da autodefesa estendida por um período de 30 a 60 dias após a aplicação de doses lesivas de amicacina.There is evidence that a "resistance phenomenon" occurs when a none-damaging dose of amikacin protects the hair cells from ototoxicity. Our goal is to prove that this resistance is persistent. METHOD: Experimental study - 14 albino guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) divided into three groups. The auditory function was assessed by distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE): before exposure to amikacin, on the 15th day after the non-damaging dose was injected, at the end of the damage dose injection and prior to decapitation. RESULTS: Group A (control) presented normal hearing and histological pattern. Group B (amikacin 20mg/kg/day (IM) for 30 days and affecting dose (400 mg / kg / day) for 12 days and Group C (same protocol of Group B, but kept for 60 days and slaughtered), the DPOAE confirmed normal auditory function in the pre-exposure and maintenance of the standard-dose; however, significant loss of auditory function after the end of the damaging dose injection. CONCLUSION: The protection phenomenon did not extended for a period of 30 to 60 days after the application of damaging doses of amykacin.

PURPOSE: To compare the role of transitory latex and sylastic® implants in tympanoplasty on the closure of tympanic perforations. METHODS: A randomized double-blind prospective study was conducted on 107 patients with chronic otitis media submitted to underlay tympanoplasty and divided at random into three groups: control with no transitory implant, latex membrane group, and sylastic® membrane group. RESULTS: Greater graft vascularization occurred in the latex membrane group (pOBJETIVO: Investigar os efeitos da biomembrana de látex e silicone no fechamento de perfurações timpânicas. METODOS: Foram estudados 107 pacientes com otite média cronica simples submetidos à cirurgia de timpanoplastia. Os pacientes foram classificados aleatoriamente, por sorteio, em três grupos. Até o final da cirurgia, os cirurgiões não tomavam conhecimento se seria ou não utilizado qualquer material externamente ao enxerto de fáscia temporal. Neste momento, o paciente que fora previamente classificado por uma ordem aleatória de entrada como participante do estudo foi identificado como participante do grupo 1, 2 ou 3, sendo, respectivamente, ausência de implante transitório no primeiro, membrana de látex no segundo e membrana de sylastic® no terceiro grupo. RESULTADOS: Houve uma maior vascularização do enxerto no grupo em que foi utilizado implante transitório de membrana de látex (p

A identificação precoce das alterações auditivas possibilita a intervenção ainda no "período crítico" e ideal de estimulação da linguagem e da audição. A ototoxicidade infantil é um tema bastante controverso. Têm sido relatadas percentagens variáveis de casos de ototoxicidade em crianças com vários antibióticos aminoglicosídeos. Os principais grupos pediátricos que recebem antibióticos aminoglicosídeos são recém-nascidos com infecções graves na UTI neonatal. OBJETIVOS: Verificar o aspecto funcional das células ciliadas externas da cóclea a esquemas terapêuticos utilizados para o tratamento de infecções no período neonatal. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Experimental. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foram estudadas 26 cobaias albinas, através das emissões otoacústicas por produto de distorção, prévia e posteriormente a aplicação de gentamicina. RESULTADOS: Em todas as avaliações, o estado funcional das células ciliadas externas, estudadas pelas emissões otoacústicas por produto de distorção, mostraram-se preservadas. CONCLUSÃO: Neste experimento não foram observadas alterações no funcionamento das células ciliadas externas de cobaias albinas sob tratamento com gentamicina nas doses de 4 mg/Kg/dia e 2,5 mg/Kg/dia a cada 12 horas, por 10 e 14 dias.The early identification of hearing impairment allows for an intervention still in the "critical" and ideal period of hearing and language stimulation. Pediatric ototoxicity is a very controversial topic. There have been variable percentages of ototoxicity cases in children with different aminoglycosides antibiotics. The main pediatric groups whom receive aminoglycosides are newborns with severe infections on the neonatal ICU. AIM: to check the functional aspect of the cochlear external hair cells and treatment regimens used to treat infections during the neonatal period. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental. Materials and Methods: we studied 26 albino guinea pigs, through distortion product otoacoustic emissions, before and after the use of gentamicin. RESULTS: in all the assessments, the external hair cells functional status, studied by means of the distortion product otoacoustic emissions, proved preserved. CONCLUSION: In the present study, we did not notice changes in outer hair cell function in the albino guinea pigs treated with gentamicin in the doses of 4 mg/Kg/day and 2.5 mg/Kg/day every 12 hours for 10 and 14 days.

Objetivo Analisar a variabilidade da amplitude e latência do potencial cognitivo P3 em indivíduos normais, na condição teste e reteste, no período de sete dias. Métodos Foram avaliados 32 sujeitos, com idades entre 18 e 25 anos, 20 do gênero feminino e 12 do gênero masculino, sem queixas auditivas. Todos foram submetidos à avaliação audiológica e potencial evocado auditivo de longa latência. Resultados Os valores médios de latência e amplitude para o P3, obtidos neste estudo, foram de 314,78 ms e 312,40 ms para latência e 5,04 μV e 4,58 μV para amplitude, nas posições Cz e Fz, respectivamente. A média da diferença da latência da onda P3 na condição de reavaliação foi de 10,50 ms (Fz) e 15,25 ms (Cz) para o gênero feminino e de 6,00 ms (Fz) e 5,83 ms (Cz) para o gênero masculino. Conclusão Não houve diferença significativa quando comparadas latência e amplitude, no teste e reteste, com a fixação dos eletrodos em Cz e Fz. Não houve diferença para as latências e amplitude do P3 em todas as seguintes modalidades estudadas: gênero, fixação dos eletrodos (Cz e Fz) e condição teste e reteste. No entanto, para a latência do P3, houve diferença significativa para o gênero feminino, quando comparado em condição de teste e reteste.