Temporal and Sequential Analysis of the Pharyngeal Phase of Swallowing in Poststroke Patients.

The purpose of this study was to conduct a quantitative analysis of the temporal and sequential events of the pharyngeal phase of swallowing in 45 poststroke patients who presented or did not present with supraglottic penetration and/or laryngotracheal aspiration and to compare the groups with each other and to a group of 46 patients with normal swallowing. All individuals were assessed by videofluoroscopy and the temporal and sequential measures for the swallowing of 3 mL and 5 mL of thickened liquid, 3 mL of liquid, and 3 mL and 5 mL of pasty were obtained by analyzing the recorded exams on Virtual Dub software. The following events were measured: time of maximal displacement and sustaining of the hyoid and larynx, duration of velopharyngeal sphincter (VS) and supraglottic closure, total inversion time of the epiglottis, duration of pharyngeal constriction, and duration of upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening. For the analysis of the temporal sequence, the initial time of larynx and hyoid elevation, VS closure, epiglottic inversion, supraglottic closure, pharyngeal constriction, and opening of the UES were obtained. For 5 mL of thickened liquid, the maximum hyoid elevation time was greater for patients with normal swallowing and the time the supraglottis remained closed was higher in the aspirators group. The time of pharyngeal constriction during swallowing of 3 mL of thickened liquid was lower in the aspirators group. During the swallowing of 3 mL of thin liquid, it was observed that in the aspirators group, the larynx took longer to reach its maximum elevation and the epiglottis took longer to complete its total inversion. The analysis of the temporal sequence showed that patients in the aspirators group presented greater disorganization with significant alteration of the time interval between the events.

Applicability of Cone Beam Computed Tomography to the Assessment of the Vocal Tract before and after Vocal Exercises in Normal Subjects.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), which represents an alternative to traditional computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, may be a useful instrument to study vocal tract physiology related to vocal exercises. This study aims to evaluate the applicability of CBCT to the assessment of variations in the vocal tract of healthy individuals before and after vocal exercises. METHODS: Voice recordings and CBCT images before and after vocal exercises performed by 3 speech-language pathologists without vocal complaints were collected and compared. Each participant performed 1 type of exercise, i.e., Finnish resonance tube technique, prolonged consonant "b" technique, or chewing technique. The analysis consisted of an acoustic analysis and tomographic imaging. RESULTS: Modifications of the vocal tract settings following vocal exercises were properly detected by CBCT, and changes in the acoustic parameters were, for the most part, compatible with the variations detected in image measurements. CONCLUSION: CBCT was shown to be capable of properly assessing the changes in vocal tract settings promoted by vocal exercises.

Prevalence of speech-language and hearing disorders in elderly and younger adults according to sex and age: a population survey. / Prevalência de distúrbios fonoaudiológicos em adultos e idosos, segundo sexo e faixa etária: um estudo populacional.

PURPOSE: To verify the distribution of self-reported speech-language and hearing disorders and their association to sex and age in a representative sample of the population in southern Brazil. METHODS: Prevalence of speech-language and hearing disorders in elderly and younger adults according to sex and age: a population survey based on a household survey on Human Communication Disorders (DCH-POP Study). Standardized home interviews were conducted using a questionnaire with residents of the city of Porto Alegre between 2012 and 2014. The study outcome was self-reported "speech-language and hearing disorders", constituted from the variables: language, orofacial motricity, hearing, and balance. Analyses of absolute and relative frequencies were performed. Multivariable prevalence ratios were estimated in an adjusted analysis using Poisson Regression with robust variation and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Of the 1246 individuals interviewed, 918 participants were eligible for this study. Most of them were female (58.1%), and the average age was 48.9 (± 19.6) years. The outcome of speech-language and hearing disorders was found in 364 (39.4%) individuals, and the most affected age group was 60 years old or more (54.4%), with a higher prevalence in men (58.9%) than in women (51.9%). The multivariate analysis showed a significant prevalence ratio only in elderly individuals aged 60 years or older (PR 1.84; 95% CI 1.50-2.26). CONCLUSION: In this study, we did not find significant differences between sexes in the prevalence of self-reported speech-language and hearing disorders in elderly and younger adults. However, elderly and younger adults presented a higher prevalence of these disorders.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a distribuição dos distúrbios fonoaudiológicos autorreferidos em relação ao sexo e à faixa etária em uma amostra representativa da população do sul do Brasil. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal em adultos e idosos com base em um inquérito populacional domiciliar autodeclarado sobre Distúrbios da Comunicação Humana (DCH-POP). Foram realizadas entrevistas domiciliares padronizadas com a aplicação de um questionário com residentes da cidade de Porto Alegre entre 2012 e 2014. O desfecho estudado foi "distúrbios fonoaudiológicos", constituído a partir dos dados das variáveis: linguagem, motricidade orofacial, audição e equilíbrio. Foram realizadas análises de frequência absoluta e relativa. Razões de prevalência multivariáveis foram estimadas em análise ajustada pela Regressão de Poisson com variância robusta e respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95%. RESULTADOS: Dos 1246 indivíduos entrevistados, 918 participantes foram elegíveis para este estudo. A maioria é do sexo feminino (58,1%) e a idade média foi de 48,9 (±19,6) anos. O desfecho distúrbio fonoaudiológico foi encontrado em 364 (39,4%) indivíduos, sendo que a faixa etária mais acometida foi a de 60 anos ou mais (54,4%), apresentando maior prevalência no sexo masculino (58,9%), do que no feminino (51,9%). Na análise multivariável ajustada verifica-se que há razão de prevalência significativa apenas em indivíduos idosos com 60 anos ou mais (RP 1,84 IC95% 1,50-2,26). CONCLUSÃO: Neste estudo não encontramos diferenças significativas entre os sexos na prevalência dos distúrbios fonoaudiológicos autorreferidos em adultos e idosos. Entretanto, pessoas mais velhas apresentam maior prevalência destes, especialmente aquelas com idade entre 60 anos ou mais.

Congenital heart disease in children: Orofacial myofunctional aspects, eating behavior and facial temperature.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the eating behavior, orofacial, speech myofunctional conditions, and facial temperature of children with congenital heart disease. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional and analytical study. The sample consisted of 30 children with heart disease (cyanotic or acyanotic; mean of 5.48 ± 0.84 years old) and 28 healthy children (4.98 ± 0.64 years old). Parents were given a questionnaire to assess eating behaviors (Montreal Children's Hospital Feeding Scale). The orofacial myofunctional assessment protocol (OMES-E), the Child Language Test (ABFW), and thermography infrared of facial temperature were used. Data analysis was conducted by student's t-tests, Chi-square, logistic regression, and correlation analysis. RESULTS: Eating behavior in Parents did not perceive eating behavior differences between the heart disease and control groups. However, the percentage of children with some feeding difficulty was higher in the heart disease group. There was a difference between groups regarding the appearance and posture of structures, the mobility of the mandibular and cheek, swallowing function, and the total function score. Thermographic variables did not differ between the groups, but better performance in orofacial functions correlated with the temperature of the labial commissure and lower lip points. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of children with eating difficulties was higher among those with congenital heart disease, as was the increased facial temperature at the medial eyelid commissions point when submitted to interventional procedures. The orofacial myofunctional aspects showed changes in posture and position, mobility, and orofacial functions among children with heart disease as compared to the control group. There was a correlation between the temperature of the thermo-anatomical points of the labial commissure and the lower lip as well as the OMES-E function score.

Speech-language and hearing complaints of children and adolescents with brain tumors.

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors generally leave sequelae that may compromise speech, language, swallowing, hearing, and voice functions. This report describes the incidence of speech-language and hearing complaints and disorders in children and adolescents with CNS tumor under treatment at one of the most important Brazilian reference center for pediatric cancer. One-hundred ninety patients were examined for speech-pathology screening and analysis: forty-two percent presented with complaints and symptoms. From the remaining patients, 68% presented clinical symptoms and 32% were actually free from any speech-language and hearing-related symptoms. The high incidence of complaints and symptoms indicate that these patients might benefit from specific rehabilitation interventions.

Acoustic and perceptual analyses of Brazilian male actors' and nonactors' voices: long-term average spectrum and the "actor's formant".

SUMMARY: This study investigates the possible differences between actors' and nonactors' vocal projection strategies using acoustic and perceptual analyses. A total of 11 male actors and 10 male nonactors volunteered as subjects, reading an extended text sample in habitual, moderate, and loud levels. The samples were analyzed for sound pressure level (SPL), alpha ratio (difference between the average SPL of the 1-5kHz region and the average SPL of the 50Hz-1kHz region), fundamental frequency (F0), and long-term average spectrum (LTAS). Through LTAS, the mean frequency of the first formant (F1) range, the mean frequency of the "actor's formant," the level differences between the F1 frequency region and the F0 region (L1-L0), and the level differences between the strongest peak at 0-1kHz and that at 3-4kHz were measured. Eight voice specialists evaluated perceptually the degree of projection, loudness, and tension in the samples. The actors had a greater alpha ratio, stronger level of the "actor's formant" range, and a higher degree of perceived projection and loudness in all loudness levels. SPL, however, did not differ significantly between the actors and nonactors, and no differences were found in the mean formant frequencies ranges. The alpha ratio and the relative level of the "actor's formant" range seemed to be related to the degree of perceived loudness. From the physiological point of view, a more favorable glottal setting, providing a higher glottal closing speed, may be characteristic of these actors' projected voices. So, the projected voices, in this group of actors, were more related to the glottic source than to the resonance of the vocal tract.

Administration of the Autism Behavior Checklist: agreement between parents and professionals' observations in two intervention contexts.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the agreement between responses on the Autism Behavior Checklist by mothers and healthcare professionals. METHOD: Twenty-three mothers of children from the autism spectrum (DSM-IV-TR, 2002) were interviewed. The children were part of an educational program of the Autistic Friends Association-SP. The healthcare professionals in charge of the children at the institution filled out a questionnaire regarding the method for observing behavior. For comparison purposes, an additional 15 mothers of children from the autism spectrum were interviewed at the speech therapy clinic of Universidade Federal de São Paulo, and the speech therapists responsible for the children filled out the questionnaire on the observation method. The Kappa index was employed to obtain the frequency of agreement between mothers and healthcare professionals' observations on the overall Autism Behavior Checklist, as well as its individual components. The Student's t-test was used to assess differences or similarities between the Kappa results. RESULTS: The agreement index was low for the total score, with a statistically significant difference between both groups (p < 0.001). Agreement was also low for each Autism Behavior Checklist components, but there was greater agreement in the group treated at the public service in the Language, Body and Use of Objects components (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: There was disagreement between the observations in both intervention contexts, but agreement was better at the public service than at Autistic Friends Association.

Effects of cochlear implantation on adulthood. / Repercussões do implante coclear na vida adulta.

PURPOSE: To understand the benefits of cochlear implantation in adulthood under the perspective of users. METHODS: Qualitative study using Symbolic Interactionism and Straussian Grounded Theory as theoretical and methodological frameworks, respectively. The project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the aforementioned Institution (Opinion no. 482,019). Sixteen adult cochlear implant (CI) users aged 28-58 years participated in the study. The data collection instrument was a semi-structured interview with questions about changes caused by CI in the social relations, communication, family system, and personal, academic and professional spheres of life of users. RESULTS: The category Cochlear Implant Effects on Adulthood is part of a more comprehensive theoretical study that addresses how adult CI users cope with deafness. Together with its subcategories, it shows that CI intervenes in a revolutionary way in the lives of its users, because it increases their sense of security, enables them to see life from a new perspective, rescues self-confidence and self-esteem, enables them to communicate and interact more effectively, enjoy music and other entertainment, rescue old projects, and make plans for the future; thus assisting with the process of recovering independence in adult life. CONCLUSION: Subjective impressions of the users showed that cochlear implants not only improve their auditory performance, but also bring several positive changes to their social insertion and quality of life. Therefore, this intervention is highly beneficial to deaf adults.

OBJETIVO: Compreender os benefícios da implantação coclear na idade adulta sob a perspectiva dos usuários. MÉTODO: Pesquisa qualitativa, tendo o Interacionismo Simbólico e a Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados Straussiana como referencial teórico e metodológico, respectivamente. Projeto aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da instituição (Parecer n°482.019). Participaram do estudo 16 adultos usuários de implante coclear há pelo menos um ano, com idade entre 28 e 58 anos. O instrumento de coleta de dados foi a entrevista semiestruturada, que abrangeu questões inquirindo as mudanças causadas pelo implante coclear nas relações sociais, na comunicação, no sistema familiar e na vida pessoal, acadêmica e profissional do adulto. RESULTADOS: A categoria Repercussões do Implante Coclear na Vida Adulta faz parte de um estudo teórico fundamentado maior sobre o enfrentamento da surdez em adultos usuários de implante coclear. Junto às subcategorias que a compõem, ela evidencia que este dispositivo intervém de forma revolucionária na vida dos usuários, uma vez que ele aumenta a segurança, possibilita enxergar a vida sob uma nova perspectiva, resgata a autoconfiança e a autoestima, permite comunicar-se e interagir de modo mais eficaz, apreciar música e outros entretenimentos, retomar projetos e fazer planos para o futuro; ajudando, assim, no processo de resgate da independência da vida adulta. CONCLUSÃO: As impressões subjetivas dos usuários mostraram que o uso do implante coclear não apenas melhora o aproveitamento auditivo, mas traz também inúmeras mudanças positivas para sua inserção social e sua qualidade de vida. Portanto, esta intervenção mostra-se altamente benéfica para adultos com surdez.

Cochlear implant: the family's perspective.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the family's experience of a child who uses a cochlear implant (CI). Specifically, to identify the difficulties, changes, and feelings entailed by deafness and the use of the CI; the coping strategies; and to understand the role of the family for the child with a CI. METHOD: Qualitative research, using Symbolic Interactionism and Straussian Grounded Theory as the theoretical and methodological frameworks, respectively. Data collection instrument: semi-structured interview. A total of 9 families (32 individuals) participated in the study. The children's ages ranged from 6 to 11 years old (mean = 8.9 years old). RESULTS: Their experience is described in the following categories: Having to fight for results, Coping with difficult situations, Recognizing that you are not alone, Learning to overcome, and Having one's life restored by the implant. CONCLUSION: Cochlear implantation changes the direction of the child and the family's life by restoring the child's opportunity to hear and to obtain good results in her personal, social, and academic development. Even after implantation, the child continues to experience difficulties and requires the family's mobilization in order to be successful. The family is the principal actor in the process of the child's rehabilitation.

[Prevalence of speech disorders in schoolchildren and its associated factors]. / Prevalência de desordens de fala em escolares e fatores associados.

OBJECTIVE: To assess prevalence of speech disorders in schoolchildren and its associated factors. METHODS: Cross-sectional study comprising a random sample of 1,810 schoolchildren attending the first grade in public schools in a city of Southern Brazil, in 2001. Schoolchildren aged between five and 11 years were evaluated using a previously validated speech screening test for phonetic and/or phonologic disorders. Data on school failure, gender, age and maternal and paternal schooling were collected to test associations. Associations between variables were analyzed using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: The prevalence of speech disorders in the children studied was 24.6% and they were more prevalent in younger children aged five and six compared to children aged ten or more. Speech disorders prevalence around five years old was 57% and between eight and ten years old was 42%. Speech disorders frequency was similar in both sexes. The prevalence of disorders was associated to maternal and paternal schooling, 79.5% and 78.6%, respectively, when parents had less then one year of study. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of speech disorders among schoolchildren studied was higher than that described in the literature. Parental schooling was a major factor associated to these disorders.

Impact of acupuncture on otoacoustic emissions in patients with tinnitus.

UNLABELLED: The treatment of tinnitus is still a challenge. Acupuncture is recommended for the relief of tinnitus in traditional Chinese Medicine, although scientific evidence is lacking. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of acupuncture on the cochlear function in patients with tinnitus by analyzing otoacoustic emissions. METHODS: Thirty eight patients with tinnitus were included in the prospective clinical study. Measures of transitory otoacoustic emissions and suppression of otoacoustic emissions were obtained from all subjects before and after acupuncture. Patients were assigned to one of two groups: intervention group 1 (n=19), in which needle acupuncture was applied at the temporoparietal point corresponding to the vestibulocochlear area, and intervention group 2 (n=19), in which the needle was applied 3 cm cranially to this area (which is not a recognized acupuncture point). RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the amplitude of otoacoustic emissions assessed before and after acupuncture in intervention group 1. No difference was observed in intervention group 2. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture had a significant effect on otoacoustic emissions in patients with tinnitus.

[Screening versus diagnostic tests: an update in the speech, language and hearing pathology practice]. / Testes de rastreamento x testes de diagnóstico: atualidades no contexto da atuação fonoaudiológica.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation instruments, properties, selection indicators, application and validation of screening and diagnostic tests. AIM: To present some concepts concerning screening and diagnostic tests and their application according to a specific purpose. To present a few practical examples of the application of these instruments related to human communication, as well as to present validation criteria of tests in the population and criteria used for the rational selection of screening or diagnostic instruments in health programs and health services based on epidemiological concepts indexed in Scielo, Lilacs or Medline up to January 2007. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic instruments differ from screening instruments in their objectives and eligibility criteria. Sensibility and specificity are two important indicators to be considered when choosing an instrument for screening or diagnosis. Reproducibility, time required to complete the evaluation and previous preparation of patients, if needed, are also indicators to be considered when choosing an instrument. Publication and information exchange regarding the properties of evaluation instruments, used for diagnosis or screening, related to the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences must be systematically stimulated. Besides that, improving the knowledge about methodologies and evaluation instruments under different perspectives contribute to the better use of human and financial resources. Furthermore, the elaboration of studies that promote the correct validation of screening and diagnostic instruments used in human communication disorders contributes to the increase in knowledge in the field of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences and, indirectly, to the acknowledgement of this science, based on technical-scientific evidence, in health promotion.

[Verification of the performance of oralized hearing impaired children in a vocabulary test]. / Verificação do desempenho de crianças deficientes auditivas oralizadas em teste de vocabulário.

BACKGROUND: Expressive vocabulary of hearing impaired children. AIM: To verify the performance of a group of children with hearing impairment in an expressive vocabulary test. METHOD: The Language Test for Young Children ABFW-Vocabulary was used in 21 children with moderately-severe to profound hearing losses. Children were divided in three groups according to their age: 3 to 4 years and 11 months; 5 to 6 years and 11 months; 7 to 8 years and 11 months. These children used predominately the linguistic oral code in order to communicate. RESULTS: All of the groups presented a higher number of correct answers and substitution processes when compared to the number of non-designations. Overall, children with ages between 7 and 8 years and 11 months presented a better performance than those with ages between 3 and 4 years and 11 moths, and with ages between 5 and 6 years and 11 months. Both of these groups presented similar performances. CONCLUSION: Children presented better performances in the semantic fields of animals, means of transportation and shapes and colors; older children demonstrated to have a greater knowledge of words in most of the tested semantic fields. The ABFW Vocabulary Test identified the semantic fields in which children present a greater or lower domain, as well as the identification of the strategies that hearing impaired children use when trying to name an object. These information allow speech-language pathologists to emphasize the semantic fields that are less known to the children and to explore characteristics and attributes of those objects that are already known by them before their presentation.

[The long-term average spectrum in research and in the clinical practice of speech therapists]. / O espectro médio de longo termo na pesquisa e na clínica fonoaudiológica.

BACKGROUND: One of the great difficulties in evaluating a voice is the judgment of quality through the perceptual auditive analysis--although frequently used--, as it is influenced by socioeconomic and cultural aspects as well as individual preferences. Many are the adjectives and methods used in this assessment, especially because of the subjectivity involved in the process, leading to incompatibilities between listeners and difficulties in reaching a consensus on the use of this or that terminology. In such a context, the voice laboratory and more specifically the acoustic computerized analysis, has guided and complemented speech-language treatments. Among the several possibilities of spectrographic analysis, the (Long-Term Average Spectrum--LTAS) quantifies the quality of voices, pointing differences between gender, age, professional--spoken and sang--and dysphonic voices. The LTAS has been used a lot in researches that investigate voice. As it evidences the contribution of the glottic source and of resonance to the quality of voice, it provides objective parameters for the evaluation of this aspect which usually depends on our auditive perception. AIM: to demonstrate how LTAS can be applied in voice research and in the speech-language therapy practice, describing both the technical aspects required for the production and interpretation of results, and its limitations. CONCLUSION: The area of voice research has developed a lot in these last two decades especially because of the advent of the voice and speech laboratory. For this reason, the knowledge about the applicability of more tools for voice analysis, as the LTAS, as well as the existing need for more studies in this area, will most certainly contribute for the creation of new research areas not only in the field of professional voice but also in the field of therapy.

Effectiveness of Chin-tuck Maneuver to Facilitate Swallowing in Neurologic Dysphagia.

Introduction The chin-tuck maneuver is the most frequently employed postural maneuver in the treatment of neurogenic oropharyngeal dysphagia caused by encephalic vascular strokes and degenerative diseases. Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of this maneuver in patients with neurogenic dysphagia and factors that could interfere in it. Methods In this retrospective cohort, we analyzed the medical files and videofluoroscopy exams of 35 patients (19 male - 54% and 16 female - 46%; age range between 20 and 89 years old; mean = 69 years). Results The results suggest that the effectiveness of chin-tuck maneuver is related to the overall degree of dysphagia: the more severe the dysphagia, the less effective the maneuver. Conclusion Chin-tuck maneuver should benefit dysphagic patients with delay in the swallowing trigger, reduced laryngeal elevation, and difficulties to swallow liquids, but is not the best compensatory strategy for patients with severe dysphagia.

Prevalência de distúrbios fonoaudiológicos em adultos e idosos, segundo sexo e faixa etária: um estudo populacional / Prevalence of speech-language and hearing disorders in elderly and younger adults according to sex and age: a population survey

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar a distribuição dos distúrbios fonoaudiológicos autorreferidos em relação ao sexo e à faixa etária em uma amostra representativa da população do sul do Brasil. Método Estudo transversal em adultos e idosos com base em um inquérito populacional domiciliar autodeclarado sobre Distúrbios da Comunicação Humana (DCH-POP). Foram realizadas entrevistas domiciliares padronizadas com a aplicação de um questionário com residentes da cidade de Porto Alegre entre 2012 e 2014. O desfecho estudado foi "distúrbios fonoaudiológicos", constituído a partir dos dados das variáveis: linguagem, motricidade orofacial, audição e equilíbrio. Foram realizadas análises de frequência absoluta e relativa. Razões de prevalência multivariáveis foram estimadas em análise ajustada pela Regressão de Poisson com variância robusta e respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95%. Resultados Dos 1246 indivíduos entrevistados, 918 participantes foram elegíveis para este estudo. A maioria é do sexo feminino (58,1%) e a idade média foi de 48,9 (±19,6) anos. O desfecho distúrbio fonoaudiológico foi encontrado em 364 (39,4%) indivíduos, sendo que a faixa etária mais acometida foi a de 60 anos ou mais (54,4%), apresentando maior prevalência no sexo masculino (58,9%), do que no feminino (51,9%). Na análise multivariável ajustada verifica-se que há razão de prevalência significativa apenas em indivíduos idosos com 60 anos ou mais (RP 1,84 IC95% 1,50-2,26). Conclusão Neste estudo não encontramos diferenças significativas entre os sexos na prevalência dos distúrbios fonoaudiológicos autorreferidos em adultos e idosos. Entretanto, pessoas mais velhas apresentam maior prevalência destes, especialmente aquelas com idade entre 60 anos ou mais.

ABSTRACT Purpose To verify the distribution of self-reported speech-language and hearing disorders and their association to sex and age in a representative sample of the population in southern Brazil. Methods Prevalence of speech-language and hearing disorders in elderly and younger adults according to sex and age: a population survey based on a household survey on Human Communication Disorders (DCH-POP Study). Standardized home interviews were conducted using a questionnaire with residents of the city of Porto Alegre between 2012 and 2014. The study outcome was self-reported "speech-language and hearing disorders", constituted from the variables: language, orofacial motricity, hearing, and balance. Analyses of absolute and relative frequencies were performed. Multivariable prevalence ratios were estimated in an adjusted analysis using Poisson Regression with robust variation and 95% confidence intervals. Results Of the 1246 individuals interviewed, 918 participants were eligible for this study. Most of them were female (58.1%), and the average age was 48.9 (± 19.6) years. The outcome of speech-language and hearing disorders was found in 364 (39.4%) individuals, and the most affected age group was 60 years old or more (54.4%), with a higher prevalence in men (58.9%) than in women (51.9%). The multivariate analysis showed a significant prevalence ratio only in elderly individuals aged 60 years or older (PR 1.84; 95% CI 1.50-2.26). Conclusion In this study, we did not find significant differences between sexes in the prevalence of self-reported speech-language and hearing disorders in elderly and younger adults. However, elderly and younger adults presented a higher prevalence of these disorders.

Cross cultural translation and adaptation to Brazilian Portuguese of the Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index Questionnaire - (HISQUI19). / Tradução e Adaptação Transcultural para o Português Brasileiro do Questionário Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index - (HISQUI19).

PURPOSE: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the instrument Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index (HISQUI19), and characterization of the target population and auditory performance in Cochlear Implant (CI) users through the application of a synthesis version of this tool. METHODS: Evaluations of conceptual, item, semantic and operational equivalences were performed. The synthesis version was applied as a pre-test to 33 individuals, whose final results characterized the final sample and performance of the questionnaire. The results were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The final translation (FT) was back-translated and compared with the original version, revealing a minimum difference between items. The changes observed between the FT and the synthesis version were characterized by the application of simplified vocabulary used on a daily basis. For the pre-test, the average score of the interviewees was 90.2, and a high level of reliability was achieved (0.83). CONCLUSION: The translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the HISQUI19 questionnaire showed suitability for conceptual, item, semantic and operational equivalences. For the sample characterization, the sound quality was classified as good with better performance for the categories of location and distinction of sound/voices.

[The role of child's play in the relationship between hearing mothers and deaf children]. / O brincar na relação entre mães ouvintes e filhos surdos.

BACKGROUND: The importance of child's play and its assessment for the therapy of deaf children. AIM: To analyze the organization of the act of playing between hearing mothers and deaf children, how it can be assessed and its relation with language acquisition. METHOD: Analysis of video recordings of six deaf children playing with their mothers in three different moments, with intervals between the recordings of 6 months each. Criteria were established for the analysis of the data. RESULTS: All of the children presented a language acquisition delay and a very poor interaction with their mothers. During one year five out of the six mothers modified their way of playing. CONCLUSION: Playing might (and should) be an efficient parameter to assess the therapy of deaf children.

Autopercepção do benefício auditivo e o reconhecimento de fala em usuários de implante coclear / Auditory benefit self-assessment and speech recognition in cochlear implant users

RESUMO Objetivo Correlacionar o desempenho de usuários de implante coclear unilateral em testes de reconhecimento de fala, no silêncio e no ruído, com as respostas ao questionário de autoavaliação Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index (HISQUI19) e correlacionar o desempenho em testes de reconhecimento de fala com o tempo de uso do dispositivo e a orelha implantada. Métodos Participaram 27 usuários de implante coclear unilateral com deficiência auditiva pós-lingual, que faziam uso do dispositivo há, pelo menos, um ano e apresentavam limiar tonal em campo livre menor que 40 dBA. Todos os participantes foram submetidos à audiometria tonal em campo livre, responderam ao questionário HISQUI19 e realizaram testes de reconhecimento de fala no silêncio e no ruído. Resultados As respostas ao questionário foram comparadas com os testes de reconhecimento de fala no silêncio e no ruído e não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa. Na comparação em relação ao tempo de uso do implante coclear, só houve diferença estatisticamente significativa para o teste de reconhecimento de fala no silêncio. Não houve correlação significativa entre o reconhecimento de fala e a orelha implantada. Conclusão independentemente do tempo de uso do dispositivo e/ou do desempenho nos testes de reconhecimento de fala, muitos participantes classificaram a qualidade sonora do implante coclear como moderada. A aplicação de testes que possibilitem mensurar a satisfação e o benefício dos usuários deve fazer parte da rotina clínica dos centros de implante.

ABSTRACT Purpose To correlate the performance of unilateral cochlear implant users in speech recognition tests, in quiet and noise, with the answers to the Hearing Implant Sound Quality Index (HISQUI19) self-assessment questionnaire; also, to correlate the performance in speech recognition tests with the time of CI use and the implanted ear. Methods A total of 27 unilateral CI users with postlingual hearing loss, who had been using the device for at least one year and had free-field pure-tone threshold lower than 40 dBA, participated in the study. All the participants were submitted to free-field pure-tone audiometry, answered the HISQUI19 questionnaire, and took speech recognition tests in quiet and noise. Results The answers to the questionnaire were compared with the speech recognition tests in quiet and noise; there was no statistically significant difference. When comparing with the time of CI use, there was a statistically significant difference only for the speech recognition test in quiet. There was no significant correlation between speech recognition and the implanted ear. Conclusion Regardless of the time of CI use and/or performance in the speech recognition tests, many participants classified the sound quality of their cochlear implant as moderate. Administering tests to measure the users' level of satisfaction and benefit should integrate the clinical routine in implantation centers.

Swallowing rehabilitation of dysphagic tracheostomized patients under mechanical ventilation in intensive care units: a feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility of the early implementation of a swallowing rehabilitation program in tracheostomized patients under mechanical ventilation with dysphagia. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in the intensive care units of a university hospital. We included hemodynamically stable patients under mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours following 48 hours of tracheostomy and with an appropriate level of consciousness. The exclusion criteria were previous surgery in the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and/or esophagus, the presence of degenerative diseases or a past history of oropharyngeal dysphagia. All patients were submitted to a swallowing rehabilitation program. An oropharyngeal structural score, a swallowing functional score and an otorhinolaryngological structural and functional score were determined before and after swallowing therapy. RESULTS: We included 14 patients. The mean duration of the rehabilitation program was 12.4 ± 9.4 days, with 5.0 ± 5.2 days under mechanical ventilation. Eleven patients could receive oral feeding while still in the intensive care unit after 4 (2 - 13) days of therapy. All scores significantly improved after therapy. CONCLUSION: In this small group of patients, we demonstrated that the early implementation of a swallowing rehabilitation program is feasible even in patients under mechanical ventilation.