Zumbido e intolerância a sons : evidência e experiência de um grupo brasileiro

Introdução Zumbido e intolerância a sons são queixas frequentes e subjetivas que podem ter impacto na qualidade de vida do paciente. Objetivo Apresentar uma revisão dos principais pontos, inclusive conceitos, fisiopatologia, diagnóstico e abordagem do paciente com zumbido e sensibilidade a sons. Método Revisão da literatura com levantamento bibliográfico na base de dados da LILACS, SciELO, Pubmed e MEDLINE. Foram selecionados artigos e capítulos de livros sobre zumbido e sensibilidade a sons. Os diversos tópicos foram discutidos por um grupo de profissionais brasileiros e as conclusões, descritas. Resultado A prevalência de zumbido tem aumentado ao longo dos anos, muitas vezes associado a perda auditiva, fatores metabólicos e erros alimentares. A avaliação médica deve ser feita minuciosamente no sentido de orientar a solicitação de exames subsidiários. Os tratamentos disponíveis atualmente variam de medicamentos ao uso de sons com características específicas e técnicas de meditação, com resultados variáveis. Conclusão Foi apresentada uma revisão sobre os temas que permitindo ao leitor uma visão ampla da abordagem dos pacientes com zumbido e sensibilidade auditiva baseada em evidências científicas e experiência nacional.Introduction Tinnitus and sound intolerance are frequent and subjective complaints that may have an impact on a patient's quality of life. Objective To present a review of the salient points including concepts, pathophysiology, diagnosis and approach of the patient with tinnitus and sensitivity to sounds. Methods Literature review with bibliographic survey in LILACS, SciELO, Pubmed and MEDLINE database. Articles and book chapters on tinnitus and sound sensitivity were selected. The several topics were discussed by a group of Brazilian professionals and the conclusions were described. Results The prevalence of tinnitus has increased over the years, often associated with hearing loss, metabolic factors and inadequate diet. Medical evaluation should be performed carefully to guide the request of subsidiary exams. Currently available treatments range from medications to the use of sounds with specific characteristics and meditation techniques, with variable results. Conclusion A review on tinnitus and auditory sensitivity was presented, allowing the reader a broad view of the approach to these patients, based on scientific evidence and national experience

Hearing aid effectiveness on patients with chronic tinnitus and associated hearing loss

Objective: Our study aimed to measure the effectiveness of using HA in reducing the disturbance caused by tinnitus. Methods: Study was designed as a within-subjects clinical trial. Nineteen patients with chronic tinnitus and untreated sensorineural hearing loss were under counseling, HA fitting and 6 months follow-up. Tinnitus assessment was performed with Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), pitch and loudness matching, and Minimum Masking Level measurements (MML). Results: following 6 months of HA use, a reduction in reported tinnitus and hearing handicap scales scores was observed both statistically and clinically. The pitch and loudness matching, as well as MML at the baseline and final evaluation were compared. MML’s thresholds reduced significantly after 6 months of HA use. Conclusion: Our study has provided evidence that HA fitting is a valuable treatment strategy for chronic tinnitus relief and associated hearing loss subtype of patient. Level of evidence: 3

A afecção vestibular infantil: estudo da orientação espacial Vestibular disorders in childhood: study of spatial disorders

OBJETIVO: verificar como é a percepção do espaço na criança com vertigem periférica. MÉTODOS: estudo prospectivo de 18 crianças, com faixa etária de três a 15 anos, sob acompanhamento no Ambulatório de Otorrinolaringologia / Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. A percepção espacial foi avaliada por meio de atividade livre (desenho livre) e dirigida (blocos lógicos e teste de Frostig). Das 18 crianças avaliadas, nove constituíram o grupo estudo (diagnóstico de vestibulopatia e queixa de tontura) e nove constituíram o grupo controle (sem história de vestibulopatia e sem queixa de tontura). Foram excluídas crianças que apresentassem comprometimento de Sistema Nervoso Central que interferisse na interpretação da avaliação. Os resultados obtidos foram comparados entre o grupo estudo e controle qualitativamente. RESULTADOS: em relação ao desenho livre, 77,78% das crianças do grupo controle e 55,55% do grupo estudo utilizaram o papel inteiro. Quanto à proporção dos objetos, 100% das crianças do grupo controle e apenas 48,86% das crianças do grupo estudo desenharam com proporção adequada. Nos blocos lógicos, houve maior dificuldade do grupo estudo. No teste de Frostig, foi observada diferença significativa do ponto de vista clínico entre os grupos quanto ao Quociente Perceptual. CONCLUSÃO: as crianças com vestibulopatia, ao desenhar, aproveitaram o papel de forma menos homogênea, com maior dificuldade para desenhar figuras humanas e proporção inadequada entre os objetos. Desta forma, é importante que seja realizado o diagnóstico de vestibulopatia precocemente, para que o tratamento/reabilitação seja iniciado e sintomas, como a desorientação espacial, não influenciem na aprendizagem da criança.<br>PURPOSE: to check how is the child's spatial perception in vestibular disorder. METHODS: prospective study of 18 children, between 3 and 15-year old, under treatment in Ambulatório de Otorrinolaringologia/Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. Space perception was assessed through a free activity (free drawing) and two directed activities: the Frostig test and an adaptation of the Token Test. Of the 18 evaluated children, 09 composed the study group (diagnosed as having a vestibular disorder) and 09 composed the control group (with no history of vestibular disorder or dizziness). Children who showed central nervous system impairments were excluded. RESULTS: in relation to the free drawing, 77.78% of the control group and 55.55% in the study group used the whole sheet of paper provided. Regarding the proportion of the objects, 100% of the control group showed an adequate proportion in their drawings and it was found in 48.86% of the study group. In the adapted Token Test, the study group showed a major difficulty. In the Frostig test, a small difference between the groups in the Perceptual quotient was observed. CONCLUSION: the children with vestibular disorders, while drawing, used the sheet of paper in a less homogeneous way, showing more difficulty to draw human pictures and an inadequate proportion among the drawn objects. In this way, it is important that the vestibular diagnosis should be done the earliest possible in order to anticipate the treatment/rehabilitation. This may prevent the impairment of spatial perception from negatively influencing the learning process

Tinnitus and sound intolerance: evidence and experience of a Brazilian group

<div><p>Abstract Introduction Tinnitus and sound intolerance are frequent and subjective complaints that may have an impact on a patient's quality of life. Objective To present a review of the salient points including concepts, pathophysiology, diagnosis and approach of the patient with tinnitus and sensitivity to sounds. Methods Literature review with bibliographic survey in LILACS, SciELO, Pubmed and MEDLINE database. Articles and book chapters on tinnitus and sound sensitivity were selected. The several topics were discussed by a group of Brazilian professionals and the conclusions were described. Results The prevalence of tinnitus has increased over the years, often associated with hearing loss, metabolic factors and inadequate diet. Medical evaluation should be performed carefully to guide the request of subsidiary exams. Currently available treatments range from medications to the use of sounds with specific characteristics and meditation techniques, with variable results. Conclusion A review on tinnitus and auditory sensitivity was presented, allowing the reader a broad view of the approach to these patients, based on scientific evidence and national experience.</p></div

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved