Hypertension as a factor associated with hearing loss

SummaryAimTo identify likely association between blood hypertension and hearing loss. Design: A non-paired case-control study. Setting: Institutional work carried out at Universidade Norte do Paraná, in South Brazil.Material and Method154 cases and 154 controls, both genders, aged 45 to 64, included in the research after sample estimation. Methodology: Hypertension was verified through blood pressure readings and by a systematized questionnaire about hypertension and the use of medication for blood pressure. Hearing was assessed through tonal threshold audiometrics and audiologic anamneses. Non-conditional logistic regression was used in order to control likely confusion or modification of effect of other variables on interest associations.ResultsThere is a significant association between blood hypertension and hearing loss. Hearing loss in the population under study suggests that hypertension is an accelerating factor of degeneration of the hearing apparatus due to aging.ConclusionsThe results in this research, through evidence of association between blood hypertension and hearing loss, can allow for an integrated work of cardiologists, nephrologists, otorhinolaryngologists, audiologists and other health professionals concerned with alterations caused by blood hypertension

WITHDRAWN: Effectiveness of acupuncture in individuals with tinnitus: randomized controlled trial

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Comparative analysis of postural balance by posturography in patients with isolated vertigo or associated with hearing loss

Purpose: To perform a comparative analysis of the balance of subjects with isolated vertigo and dizziness associated with hearing loss. Methods: The sample consisted of 29 patients with peripheral vertigo diagnosis selected by non-probabilistic sampling and convenience aged between 45 and 64 years. The diagnostic survey to hearing evaluation consisted of audiological anamnesis and assessment of postural balance; it was made in force platform, in the bipedal and semi tandem positions with open eyes. The analyzed balance parameters were: ellipse area, center of pressure in square centimeters, average speed in centimeters per second and average frequency, in Hertz, of swaying in both directions of movement: anteroposterior and mediolateral. Results: As for the population in general, the comparison between individuals with and without hearing loss has not shown to be there any damage to the maintenance of postural balance. There was difference in women in the speed parameter in mediolateral direction. Conclusion: Although no differences have been found which might have characterized a correlation between hearing loss and balance in patients, there was a worse performance in postural balance of women with vertigo associated with hearing loss in the mediolateral parameter. Objetivo: Realizar uma análise comparativa do equilíbrio de sujeitos com vertigem isolada e com vertigem associada à perda auditiva. Métodos: A amostra foi constituída por 29 pacientes com diagnóstico de vertigem periférica, selecionados pelo método de amostragem não probabilística e por conveniência, com idade entre 45 e 64 anos, sendo 9 do gênero masculino e 20 do gênero feminino. A pesquisa diagnóstica para avaliação da audição consistiu de anamnese audiológica e audiometria tonal liminar. A avaliação do equilíbrio postural foi feita em Plataforma de Força, nas posições bipodal e semi-tandem, com os olhos abertos. Os parâmetros de equilíbrio analisados foram: área elipse, centro de pressão em centímetros quadrados, velocidade média em centímetros por segundo e frequência média, em Hertz, de oscilações do centro de pressão, em ambas as direções dos movimentos: anteroposterior e mediolateral. Resultados: Na população geral, a comparação dos dados estabilométricos entre indivíduos com e sem perda auditiva não demonstrou prejuízo da manutenção do equilíbrio postural. Houve diferença no gênero feminino, em relação ao parâmetro velocidade, na direção mediolateral. Conclusão: Embora não tenham sido encontradas diferenças que possam caracterizar correlação entre perda auditiva e equilíbrio entre os pacientes, houve pior desempenho no equilíbrio postural das mulheres com vertigem associada à perda auditiva, no parâmetro mediolateral

The use of photobiomodulation in swallowing difficulties in individuals who developed the severe form of COVID-19

ABSTRACT This study aimed to verify the use of photobiomodulation in swallowing difficulties in individuals who had a severe form of COVID-19. This case report was based on a quasi-experimental, quantitative study, with primary data collected from a non-probabilistic sample of 13 adults (aged ≥ 19 to < 60 years) of both sexes, who had the severe form of COVID-19. Swallowing was assessed with the Dysphagia Risk Assessment Protocol, and the intervention used photobiomodulation. Descriptive statistics were used. It was found that all research participants’ risk for dysphagia in water and pudding swallowing tests improved from before to after the intervention. It can be concluded that photobiomodulation had positive results in speech-language-hearing practice to treat swallowing difficulties in adults who were affected by the severe form of COVID-19, intubated, tracheostomized, and needed an alternative feeding route, as the swallowing difficulties improved

Queixa de vertigem e hipertensão arterial Vertigo complaint and blood hypertension

OBJETIVO: investigar a presença de queixa de vertigem em pacientes de meia idade com hipertensão arterial. MÉTODOS: estudo do tipo prospectivo, transversal. Composto por 154 indivíduos de ambos os gêneros com idade de 45 a 64 anos. A hipertensão foi verificada por meio de medição da pressão arterial e de questionário sistematizado sobre hipertensão e uso de medicamentos para pressão arterial. A queixa de vertigem foi verificada por meio de anamnese audiológica. RESULTADOS: pode-se verificar que existe associação significante entre hipertensão arterial e queixa de vertigem. CONCLUSÃO: os resultados da presente pesquisa, por meio da constatação da associação entre hipertensão arterial e queixa de vertigem, servirão de base a profissionais da área de saúde que estão envolvidos com sintomas provenientes da hipertensão arterial.<br>PURPOSE: to investigate the presence of vertigo complaint in middle-aged hypertension patients. METHODS: a transversal study. Composed by 154 patients of both genders, aged from 45 to 64 years, included in the research after sample estimation. Hypertension was verified through blood pressure readings and by a systematized questionnaire about hypertension and the use of medication for blood pressure. Vertigo was assessed through audiological anamneses. RESULTS: there is a significant association between blood hypertension and vertigo. CONCLUSION: the results in this research, through evidence of association between blood hypertension and vertigo complaint, can be a base for health professionals concerned with alterations caused by blood hypertension

Prevalence of tinnitus in elderly individuals with and without history of occupational noise exposure

Introduction: The various metabolic and circulatory alterations that are related to noise exposure may cause the onset of several symptoms, including tinnitus. Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of tinnitus complaints in elderly individuals with and without history of occupational noise exposure. Method: This prospective study was conducted in a sample population consisting of 502 individuals aged over 60 years, by anamnesis and audiological evaluation. The variables that were studied were the frequency of tinnitus and the history of occupational noise. Logistic regression was used to control for potential confusion or modifications caused by the effects of the other variables on the associations of interest. Results and Discussion: Tinnitus was reported in 50% of the cases, with tinnitus reported in 40% of the elderly individuals with history of occupational noise exposure, and in 43% of controls (elderly individuals without history of occupational noise exposure). A high frequency of tinnitus was detected in the population under investigation, but there were no statistically significant associations between the presence of tinnitus and history of occupational noise exposure. Conclusion: The results of this study may have occurred due to other factors such as the age of the individuals without history of occupational noise exposure

Hearing loss in the elderly: History of occupational noise exposure

INTRODUCTION: Noise exposure is one of the most common health risk factors, and workers are exposed to sound pressure levels capable of producing hearing loss. AIM: To assess the prevalence of hearing loss in the elderly and its possible association with a history of occupational noise exposure and with sex. METHODS: A prospective study in subjects aged over 60 years. The subjects underwent anamnesis and audiological assessment. The Mann-Whitney test and multiple logistic regression, with 95% confidence interval and p < 0.05, were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were 498 subjects from both sexes, and the median age was 69 years. From the comparison between men and women, we obtained the medium hearing I (500, 1000, and 2000 Hz p = 0.8318) and the mean hearing II (3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz; p < 0.0001). Comparing the thresholds of individuals with and without a history of occupational noise exposure, we obtained the medium hearing I (p = 0.9542) and the mean hearing II (p = 0.0007). CONCLUSION: There was a statistically significant association between hearing loss at high frequencies and the risk factors being male and occupational noise exposure