Strategies for crowdsourcing hearing health information: a comparative study of educational programs and volunteer-based campaigns on Wikimedia.

BACKGROUND: Several health institutions developed strategies to improve health content on Wikimedia platforms given their unparalleled reach. The objective of this study was to compare an online volunteer-based Wikimedia outreach campaign with university course Wikipedia assignments (both focused on improving hearing health content in Wikimedia's public digital knowledge archives), in terms of the reach of the contributions and the extent of the participants' input. A secondary objective was to examine the feasibility and the implementation of the different strategies. METHODS: The research team partnered for the (1) coordination of improvements in hearing and healthcare content through educational programs using Wikimedia platforms, (2) participation in the global campaign Wiki4WorldHearingDay2023 and (3) evaluation of the proposed strategies. Metrics used in the comparison of the two strategies included the number of articles edited, number of views of the edited articles (as reach) and the extent of edits, captured as the number of words. The feasibility evaluation included assessing recruitment success and the implementation of the proposed plan among faculty, students from various university programs, and volunteers representing different constituencies. RESULTS: The effort increased the availability of quality plain language information on hearing conditions and hearing care. Both strategies demonstrated to be feasible by their success in recruiting participants who contributed to the effort and by measurable outputs as edits. The contribution of content to Wikimedia platforms as part of education activities provided a more robust result. Wiki4WorldHearingDay2023 145 participants (78 from educational programs) contributed 167,000 words, 258 + references and 140 images to 322 Wikipedia articles (283 existing and 39 new ones), which were viewed 16.5 million times. Contributions occurred in six languages. Edits in Portuguese, mainly by those involved in educational programs, led the number of articles (226 or 70.2%) that were expanded or created during the 5-month tracking period. CONCLUSIONS: The elements that contributed to the success of the studied strategies include an impact topic, coordination with educational programs, international multidisciplinary collaborations, the dissemination of the initiative in several platforms, connection with a robust local Wikimedia affiliate, and the use of a technical infrastructure that provides metrics and coordination mechanisms.

Disparities in Shared Decision-Making Research and Practice: The Case for Black American Patients.

OBJECTIVE: The extent of shared decision making (SDM) use in the care of Black patients is limited. We explored preferences, needs, and challenges of Black patients to enhance SDM offerings. METHODS: We performed interviews with 32 Black patients receiving type 2 diabetes care in safety-net primary care practices caring predominantly for Black people. RESULTS: The following 4 themes emerged: preference for humanistic communication, need to account for the role of family in decision making, need for medical information sharing, and mistrust of clinicians. CONCLUSION: Given the dearth of research on SDM among ethnic and racial minorities, this study offers patient-perspective recommendations to improve SDM offerings for Black patients in primary care settings. To enhance SDM with Black patients, acknowledgment of the importance of storytelling as a strategy, to place medical information in a context that makes it meaningful and memorable, is recommended. Triadic SDM, in which family members are centrally involved in decision making, is preferred over classical dyadic SDM. There is a need to reconsider the universalism assumption underlying contemporary SDM models and the relevancy of current SDM practices that were developed mostly without the feedback of participants of ethnic, racial, and cultural minorities.Annals "Online First" article.

Twelve tips for developing and maintaining a successful peer mentoring program for junior faculty in academic medicine.

Effective mentorship is widely believed to be an important factor in career satisfaction and advancement. Adequate mentorship has been linked to perceived institutional support, research productivity, and protects against burnout. Despite these facts, less than half of junior faculty in academic medicine feel as if they have adequate mentorship. Given that the current landscape in academic medicine has a paucity of available mentors, both in rank and representation for true dyadic mentorship, junior faculty clinician educators may need mentorship and paths to sponsorship. The importance of peer networks has become increasingly recognized, and some institutions have begun to use peer mentoring as a means of addressing mentorship and sponsorship needs. This model can potentially circumvent some of the main barriers to mentorship by providing protected time, ameliorating power differentials, creating an environment where members have shared goals, and mitigating the need for senior faculty mentorship. The following are twelve tips to create and maintain a successful peer mentoring group for junior faculty clinician educators in academic medicine which can serve to complement the dyadic mentorship model.

Communicating During COVID-19: The Effect of Transparent Masks for Speech Recognition in Noise.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the speech recognition in noise when using a transparent mask that allows greater visibility of the talker's face compared to an opaque mask in persons with normal and impaired hearing via an online format. DESIGN: A repeated-measures design was used to evaluate the auditory-visual recognition of sentences recorded in background noise with transparent and opaque face masks, and without a mask (N = 154). In a smaller follow-up study (N = 29), the same files were presented via auditory-only presentation to determine if differences observed in the transparent and opaque mask conditions were attributable to additional visual cues or to acoustic differences between the recordings of the two mask types. Listeners completed the 40-minute online session on a computer, laptop, or tablet in a quiet room via their personal listening devices (earbuds or hearing assistive device). The adult volunteers who used English as their first language were recruited through social media links and email and categorized into three groups: normal hearing and confirmed or suspected hearing loss either with or without the use of assistive listening devices. RESULTS: Auditory-visual recognition of sentences recorded with the transparent mask was significantly better (M = 68.9%) than for sentences recorded with the opaque mask (M = 58.9%) for all participants. There was a trend for those who used hearing assistive technology to score lower than the other two groups who had similar performance across all conditions regardless of the mask type. Subjective ratings of confidence and concentration followed the expected pattern based on objective scores. Results of the auditory-only presentation of the sentences to listeners with normal hearing suggested that the transparent mask benefits were not attributable to an acoustic advantage but rather to the addition of the visual cues of the talker's face available through the transparent mask. In fact, performance in the auditory-only presentation was significantly lower with the transparent mask (M = 40.7%) compared to the opaque mask (M = 58.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Use of transparent masks can significantly facilitate speech recognition in noise even for persons with normal hearing and thus may reduce stressful communication challenges experienced in medical, employment, and educational settings during the global pandemic. To mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and facilitate communication, safety-approved transparent masks are strongly encouraged over opaque masks.

The effects of using hearing aids and a frequency modulated system on listening effort among adolescents with hearing loss.

Objective: To develop a web-based application for a colour pattern memory recognition task as the secondary task of a dual-task paradigm and to compare the listening effort required by adolescents with hearing loss (HL) under two conditions (HA and HA + FM system), to adolescents with normal hearing (NH).Design: Cohort study. The participants underwent a dual-task paradigm, including the Hearing in Noise Test as the primary task and a colour memory task as the secondary task. A platform, PALETA, was developed to assess the secondary task.Study sample: In total, 31 adolescents were enrolled, of which 13 adolescents had HL and 18 adolescents had NH (mean age, 14 years).Results: Adolescents with NH scored significantly better on the secondary task compared to participants with HL using a HA. However, on analysing response time, no significant differences were observed among the groups.Conclusion: PALETA is proposed as a test procedure for the secondary task. The results revealed that the use of an FM system reduces the listening effort that adolescents with HL deploy to recognise speech in noise, and that listening effort data by number of correct responses is a way of investigating the benefits of using FM system.

Evaluating effectiveness of dynamic soundfield system in the classroom.

Research has reported on the use of soundfield amplification devices in the classroom. However, no study has used standardized tests to determine the potential advantages of the dynamic soundfield system for normally hearing students and for the teacher's voice. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of using dynamic soundfield system on the noise of the classroom, teacher's voice and students' academic performance. This was a prospective cohort study in which 20 student participants enrolled in the third year of basic education were divided into two groups (i.e., control and experimental); their teacher participated. The experimental group was exposed to the dynamic soundfield system for 3 consecutive months. The groups were assessed using standardized tests to evaluate their academic performance. Further, questionnaires and statements were collected on the participants' experience of using the soundfield system. We statistically analyzed the results to compare the academic performance of the control group with that of the experimental group. In all cases, a significance level of P < .05 was adopted. Use of the dynamic soundfield system was effective for improving the students' academic performance on standardized tests for reading, improving the teacher's speech intelligibility, and reducing the teacher's vocal strain. The dynamic soundfield system minimizes the impact of noise in the classroom as demonstrated by the mensuration of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and pupil performance on standardized tests for reading and student and teacher ratings of amplification system effectiveness.

Roadmap for Connecting Cancer Rehabilitation With Survivorship to Improve Patient Outcomes and Clinical Efficiency.

ABSTRACT: An evolved model of comprehensive cancer care is needed that begins at cancer diagnosis to proactively manage cancer treatment toxicities and optimize patient health, function, and well-being. Building new care models requires connecting oncology, primary care, and specialized clinicians from many disciplines including cancer rehabilitation. Having a vision for an evolved standard of comprehensive cancer care is a requirement, but it is not enough to bring an innovative clinical program to life and sustain it over the long term. To inform the development of new clinical programs, two example programs are presented that successfully integrate cancer rehabilitation services along with details of a three-step process these programs used to facilitate their success and build robust business models that ensure their sustainability. Following the roadmap for growth presented here, gaining input from stakeholders and ensuring their buy-in, leveraging existing programmatic priorities, as well as developing a strategic growth plan can help clinical innovators ensure that new programs anticipate and continually meet the needs of oncology, primary care, subspecialty care, and programs, while addressing the business needs of administrators and improving the experience for patients.

The Evaluation and Management of Visceral Complications in Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome Part 1.

Abstract: External beam ionizing radiation is a fundamental component of cancer treatment and is incorporated into approximately 50% of cancer treatments. Radiation therapy causes cell death directly by apoptosis and indirectly by disruption of mitosis. Purpose of Review: This study aims to inform rehabilitation clinicians of the visceral toxicities of radiation fibrosis syndrome and how to detect and diagnose these complications. Recent Findings: Latest research indicates that radiation toxicity is primarily related to radiation dose, patient co-morbidity, and concomitant use of chemotherapies and immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer. While cancer cells are the primary target, surrounding normal cells and tissues are also affected. Radiation toxicity is dose dependent, and tissue injury develops from inflammation that may progress to fibrosis. Thus, radiation dosing in cancer therapy is often limited by tissue toxicity. Although newer radiotherapeutic modalities aim to limit delivery of radiation to non-cancerous tissues, many patients continue to experience toxicity. Summary: To ensure early recognition of radiation toxicity and fibrosis, it is imperative that all clinicians are aware of the predictors, signs, and symptoms of radiation fibrosis syndrome. Here, we present part 1 of the visceral complications of radiation fibrosis syndrome, addressing radiation-related toxicity in the heart, lungs, and thyroid gland.

Effectiveness of Computerized Auditory Training on Speech Perception in Children With Hearing Loss: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of using computerized auditory training in the auditory perception of speech in children who use electronic devices through a systematic review of the literature. METHOD: This is a systematic review based on the elaboration of the following guiding question: In hearing-impaired children who use electronic devices, how effective is the use of computerized auditory training in the auditory perception of speech? The Cochrane Library, Embase, LILACS, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases and gray literature (Google Scholar and ProQuest) were consulted. RESULTS: Nine hundred and eighteen records were identified, with additional two studies in the citation search, totaling 920 studies. After excluding the 184 duplicate references, using the Rayyan platform, the titles and abstracts were screened (n = 736), with 20 studies selected and considered for full reading. Six of the 20 studies were included in the systematic review of the literature. CONCLUSIONS: Positive and beneficial results regarding computerized auditory training are evidenced, which describe and discuss the proof of the effectiveness of the positive effects on the auditory perception of speech in children using hearing aids and cochlear implants with regard to auditory detection skills, discrimination, recognition, and auditory memory. The positive results are inspiring for the continuity and expansion of studies that further investigate the use of computerized auditory training with contemporary technologies and have an impact on the improvement of access to specialized intervention.

Guide to the preparation of speech reports for implanted children: opinion of specialists. / Guia para a elaboração de relatórios fonoaudiológicos de crianças implantadas: opinião de especialistas.

PURPOSE: To develop a guide for the preparation of speech-language reports of implanted children to be shared among speech-language pathologists of cochlear implant (CI) services and rehabilitation professionals. METHODS: The Delphi method was used to select the relevant and fundamental items that should be included in the two versions proposed for the guide: Guide 1 - Speech-language reports provided by the CI services to rehabilitators, and Guide 2 - Speech-language reports provided by the rehabilitators to CI services. Twenty-one speech therapists specialized and with experience in cochlear implants and auditory rehabilitation participated in the discussion and judgment of the items during the selection rounds. Consensus was considered when the item reached agreement equal to or greater than 80% among participants, being selected to compose the two guides. RESULTS: After the two rounds, 21 items from Guide 1 reached consensus among therapists, that is, more than 80% of them agreed that these items should be present in the report sent by the CI service. For Guide 2, 22 items analyzed by speech therapists working in CI services in the postoperative sector were selected in the second round. CONCLUSION: Based on the analysis of the two rounds, the "Guide for the preparation of speech-language pathology reports: intersection between CI service and rehabilitators" was developed. This material can be applied in the follow-up of implanted children, standardizing the information shared about the electronic device, evaluation results, monitoring of results and therapeutic process of this population.

OBJETIVO: Desenvolver guia para elaboração de relatórios fonoaudiológicos de crianças implantadas para serem compartilhados entre fonoaudiólogos dos serviços de implante coclear (IC) e reabilitadores. MÉTODO: O método Delphi foi utilizado para selecionar os itens relevantes e fundamentais que deveriam constar nas duas versões propostas para compor o guia: Guia 1 - Relatórios fonoaudiológicos fornecidos pelo serviço de IC aos reabilitadores, e Guia 2 - Relatórios fonoaudiológicos fornecidos pelos reabilitadores aos serviços de IC. Vinte e um fonoaudiólogos especialistas e com experiência na área de implante coclear e de reabilitação auditiva participaram da discussão e do julgamento dos itens durante as rodadas de seleção. Considerou-se consenso quando o item obteve a concordância igual ou superior a 80% entre os participantes, sendo selecionados para comporem os dois guias. RESULTADOS: Após as duas rodadas, 21 itens do Guia 1 obtiveram consenso entre os terapeutas, ou seja, mais de 80% deles concordaram que estes itens deveriam estar presentes no relatório enviado pelo serviço de IC. Para o Guia 2, 22 itens analisados pelos fonoaudiólogos atuantes em serviços de IC setor pós-operatório, foram selecionados na segunda rodada. CONCLUSÃO: A partir da análise das duas rodadas, foi desenvolvido o "Guia para a elaboração de relatórios fonoaudiológicos: intersecção entre serviço de IC e reabilitadores". Este material pode ser aplicado na rotina de acompanhamento de crianças implantadas, padronizando as informações compartilhadas sobre o dispositivo eletrônico, resultados de avaliações, monitoramento dos resultados e processo terapêutico dessa população.

Notebook of experiences: a therapeutic resource in educational audiology. / Caderno de experiências: um recurso terapêutico na audiologia educacional.

PURPOSE: To translate the My Experience Book toll into Portuguese, evaluate the translation content, readability, quality, and visual identity of the material, and make it available online. METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative, and qualitative study. The procedures consisted of five stages: translation of the material; evaluation and response to questionnaire one regarding translation; determining the validity of the content; readability assessment; availability of material online and evaluation of content aimed at quality and visual identity (questionnaire two). Twenty-five professionals (audiologists and physicians) participated in the study. RESULTS: The translation of the notebook showed validity agreement rates greater than 90%. Readability rated the material easy to read. Among the 184 invited professionals, only 25 agreed to participate, demonstrating low adherence to the study. Most respondents agreed positively about the content and consistency of the translated material, videos, illustrative images, and captions. The material was also considered necessary by the majority of the evaluators. All audiologists reported using the instrument in clinical practice. CONCLUSION: The translated toll is of great relevance. It gathers practical information to create a notebook of experiences and guidance on using the material as an additional resource to stimulate the auditory skills of children with hearing impairment.

OBJETIVO: Traduzir para o idioma português a ferramenta My Experience Book, avaliar o conteúdo da tradução, o nível de legibilidade, a qualidade e a identidade visual do material e disponibilizá-lo online. MÉTODO: Estudo descritivo, transversal, de caráter quantitativo e qualitativo. Os procedimentos contaram com cinco etapas, sendo: tradução do material; avaliação e resposta ao questionário 1 referente à tradução; determinação da validade do conteúdo; avaliação da legibilidade; disponibilização do material online e avaliação do conteúdo voltado à qualidade e a identidade visual (questionário 2). Participaram do estudo três fonoaudiólogos, juízes e 22 profissionais (fonoaudiólogos e médicos otorrinolaringologistas de serviços de saúde auditiva e reabilitação). RESULTADOS: A tradução do material apresentou taxas de concordância de validade maiores que 90%. A legibilidade classificou o material com nível fácil de leitura. Dentre os 184 profissionais convidados, 22 concordaram com a participação, demonstrando baixa adesão ao estudo. A maior parte dos respondentes concordaram positivamente com os aspectos relacionados ao conteúdo e coerência do material traduzido, vídeos, imagens ilustrativas e legendas. O material também foi considerado importante pela maioria dos avaliadores. Todos os fonoaudiólogos referiram fazer uso do instrumento na prática clínica. CONCLUSÃO: O material traduzido referente à ferramenta é de grande relevância, pois reúne informações práticas voltadas à criação de um caderno de experiências, bem como orientações quanto ao uso do instrumento como recurso adicional para a estimulação do desenvolvimento das habilidades auditivas e de linguagem de crianças com deficiência auditiva.

Fitting Assistive Technology for People with Hearing Loss: The Importance of Remote Microphone Systems' Electroacoustic Verification.

The remote microphone system (RMS) must be appropriately working when fitting it in a person with hearing loss. For this verification process, the concept of transparency is adopted. If it is not transparent, the hearing aid (HA) may not capture the user's voice and his peers appropriately, or the RMS may not have the advantage in gain needed to emphasize the speaker's voice. This study investigates the influence of the receiver's gain setting on the transparency of different brands and models of RMS and HAs. It is a retrospective chart review with 277 RMS from three distinct brands (RMA, RMB, and RMC) and HAs. There was an association of the receiver's gain setting with the variables: brand of the transmitter/receiver (p = 0.005), neck loop's receiver vs. universal and dedicated receivers (p = 0.022), and between brands of HA and transmitter/receiver (p < 0.001). RMS transmitter (odds ratio [OR = 7.9]) and the type of receiver (neckloop [OR = 3.4]; universal [OR = 0.78]) presented a higher risk of not achieving transparency in default gain, confirming and extolling the need to include electroacoustic verification in the protocol of fitting, verification, and validation of RMS and HA.

Frequency Modulation System and Bone Conduction Hearing Aid: Electroacoustic Verification.

Introduction A protocol has not yet been developed to perform electroacoustic measurements and behavioral tests to fit the frequency modulation (FM) system in bone conduction hearing aid (BCHA) users. Electroacoustic verification, with "FM transparency" achieved, ensures user audibility of FM transmitter and hearing aid signals. Objective To propose and validate a protocol for electroacoustic verification of the FM system coupled to the BCHA. Method Twenty-four sets of FM system and BCHA were submitted to electroacoustic verification, using a receiver and a plastic adapter to connect the BCHA to a 2cc coupler in the hearing instrument analyzer. The measurements were performed in the acoustic box, at 65 dB sound pressure level (SPL), with International Speech Test Signal (ISTS), first to the BCHA microphone and then to the FM system microphone, to determine the transparency, in which equivalent inputs for both microphones result in equivalent outputs. The FM gain or volume has been adjusted to try to gain transparency for the outputs of the two input devices. Results Transparency was achieved for all sets evaluated, but in some combinations, adjustments to the FM receiver gain over the manufacturer's default setting were required. Conclusion The proposed protocol proved to be effective for the electroacoustic verification of the FM system coupled to the BCHA.

Phrases in Noise Test (PINT) Brazil: influence of the inter-stimulus interval on the performance of children with hearing impairment. / Phrases in Noise Test (PINT) Brasil: influência do intervalo interestímulos no desempenho de crianças com deficiência auditiva.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate, using the PINT Brasil, the influence of the interstimulus interval on the performance of children with moderate and severe hearing loss fitted with hearing aids. METHODS: Ten children with normal hearing (CG) and 20 children with hearing loss (SG) participated in the study. Both groups were assessed using the speech perception test called PINT Brasil in PAUSE and NO PAUSE situations. RESULTS: When comparing the PAUSE and NO PAUSE situations, only the SG presented a statistically significant difference, indicating that the NO PAUSE situation had the best performance. In this situation, the noise oscillations were smaller, and the noise reduction algorithm, which may cause the loss of message information, was not repeatedly activated. CONCLUSION: The interstimulus interval in the PINT Brasil influenced the performance of children with moderate and severe hearing loss fitted with hearing aids. The NO PAUSE situation presented the best results.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a influência do intervalo interestímulos no desempenho de crianças com deficiência auditiva de grau moderado e severo, adaptadas com aparelhos de amplificação sonora individuais (AASI), no teste PINT Brasil. MÉTODO: Participaram do estudo 10 crianças com audição normal (GC) e 20 crianças com deficiência auditiva (GE). O teste PINT Brasil foi aplicado nas situações SEM pausa e COM pausa para os dois grupos. RESULTADOS: Na comparação entre as situações SEM pausa e COM pausa, houve diferença significativa apenas para o GE, indicando a SEM pausa com melhor desempenho. Nesta última condição, as oscilações ruidosas foram menores e não houve o acionamento repetido do redutor de ruído, o que possibilita a perda de informações da mensagem. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que o intervalo interestímulos no teste de percepção da fala PINT Brasil influenciou o desempenho das crianças com deficiência auditiva de grau moderado e severo, adaptadas com AASI. O melhor resultado foi encontrado na situação SEM PAUSA.

Phrases in noise test (PINT) Brazil: effectiveness of the test in children with hearing loss.

INTRODUCTION: One of the main implications of hearing impairment is the difficulty in perceiving speech sounds, especially in noisy environments. Thus, the frequency-modulated system is considered an important educational tool for children with hearing impairment because it improves speech perception in acoustically-unfavorable environments, such as in the classroom. The assessment of speech perception in noise is included in the verification protocol of this device. OBJECTIVES: To verify the effectiveness of the phrases in noise test Brazil in children with hearing impairment using an frequency-modulated system. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional cohort study. The sample included 40 children, aged 4 years to 11 years and 11 months old, divided into 4 groups: (1) 10 normal hearing children; (2) 13 children with hearing aids and frequency-modulated system; (3) 12 children using cochlear implant and fitted with the frequency-modulated system; and (4) 5 children diagnosed with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder, fitted with hearing aids and/or cochlear implant and with the frequency-modulated system. The phrases in noise test Brazil was used to evaluate speech perception in noise under the conditions with and without the frequency-modulated system. For the statistical analysis of the data, a significance level of 5% (p < 0.05) was adopted. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the groups when they were evaluated with the frequency-modulated system. The test was also validated through concurrent and convergent validation measures. Phrases in noise test Brazil is a viable option for monitoring auditory performance in noise in different groups of children with hearing impairmen. CONCLUSION: Phrases in noise test Brazil was effective in assessing speech perception in noise and may contribute to the improvement of the indication, fitting and follow-up protocols for the frequency-modulated system use.

Empowerment in hearing rehabilitation: translation of self-advocacy checklists. / O empoderamento na reabilitação auditiva: tradução dos questionários de autoadvocacia.

PURPOSE: To translate and cross-culturally adapt to Brazilian Portuguese four instruments for assessing self-advocacy skills of users of electronic hearing devices: the "I can" Self-Advocacy Checklist and three versions of the Audiology Self-Advocacy Checklist (ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL and HIGH SCHOOL). METHODS: The translation process was adapted from the guidelines of Beaton et al. (2000). The prefinal version was pre-tested in two groups. Group 1 (G1) was composed of 14 teachers of adolescents with hearing loss. Group 2 (G2) was composed of 15 adolescent patients with hearing loss, electronic assistive device users, who use oral language as their primary form of communication. RESULTS: The instruments were translated as Checklist de autoadvocacia "Eu consigo" e Checklists de Autoadvocacia em Audiologia - Ensino Fundamental I, Ensino Fundamental II and Ensino Médio. G1 did not report difficulties regarding the terms used in the checklists; however, they reported difficulties completing the student's progress. The audiologists who used the checklists to interview G2 did not report difficulties regarding the use of the instrument. Therefore, after pre-testing the prefinal version, there was no need to make changes to the instruments, which were then presented as the final version. CONCLUSION: All Self-Advocacy Checklists were translated and cross-culturally adapted into Brazilian Portuguese and are valid instruments to measure the self-advocacy skills of students with hearing loss in a clinical context.

OBJETIVO: Traduzir e adaptar culturalmente para o português brasileiro os questionários Self-Advocacy Checklist "I can", Audiology Self-Advocacy Checklist - ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (ASAC-ES), Audiology Self-Advocacy Checklist - MIDDLE SCHOOL (ASAC-MS) e Audiology Self-Advocacy Checklist - HIGH SCHOOL (ASAC-HS), para avaliar os habilidades de autoadvocacia de usuários de dispositivos eletrônicos auditivos. MÉTODO: A tradução foi realizada por meio de uma adaptação das diretrizes de Beaton et al. (2000). A versão pré-teste foi aplicada em dois grupos. O Grupo 1 (G1) foi composto por 14 professores de adolescentes com deficiência auditiva. O Grupo 2 (G2) foi composto por 15 pacientes adolescentes com deficiência auditiva, usuários de dispositivos eletrônicos auditivos, que fazem uso da linguagem oral como forma primária de comunicação. RESULTADOS: Os instrumentos foram traduzidos como Checklist de autoadvocacia "Eu consigo" e Checklists de Autoadvocacia em Audiologia - Ensino Fundamental I, Ensino Fundamental II e Ensino Médio. Para o G1, não houve relato de dificuldade em relação aos termos utilizados nos protocolos, porém, relataram dificuldades em relação ao preenchimento do progresso do estudante. Para o G2, as fonoaudiólogas que aplicaram os instrumentos em forma de entrevista não relataram dificuldade quanto ao uso do instrumento e sua aplicação. Após a aplicação da versão pré-teste, não houve necessidade de fazer alterações nos instrumentos, os quais foram apresentados como versão final. CONCLUSÃO: As Checklist de autoadvocacia foram traduzidas e adaptadas culturalmente para o português brasileiro e são instrumentos válidos para a mensuração das habilidades de autoadvocacia de estudantes com deficiência auditiva em contexto clínico.

The use of remote microphone systems in unilateral hearing loss: a preliminary study among Brazilian children and teenagers.

Due to the large number of individuals with Unilateral Hearing Loss (UHL) and the recommendation to use hearing assistive devices, studies are required to define possibilities of intervention for this population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of the Remote Microphone System (RMS) in children with UHL. METHODOLOGY: Prospective clinical study with a convenience sample. Eleven children (mean age of 9.2 years) with severe and profound sensorineural UHL, hearing aid users and enrolled in regular schools participated in the study. They were evaluated using the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT), the Classroom Participation Questionnaire (CPQ), and the Sustained Auditory Attention Ability Test (SAAAT) with RMS. RESULTS: HINT results were analyzed using variance to three criteria of repeated measures, which revealed differences between intervention, position, and time factors and significant interaction between these three factors. The comparative analysis of the results from CPQ showed significant differences in the statistical t-test (p=<0.001) for all subscales. The analysis of variance at two repeated measures criteria used in the study of SAAAT revealed a difference between intervention and time, and both interacted significantly. CONCLUSION: The RMS associated with a hearing aid was effective for individuals with UHL.

Electroacoustic verification of frequency modulation systems in cochlear implant users.

INTRODUCTION: The frequency modulation system is a device that helps to improve speech perception in noise and is considered the most beneficial approach to improve speech recognition in noise in cochlear implant users. According to guidelines, there is a need to perform a check before fitting the frequency modulation system. Although there are recommendations regarding the behavioral tests that should be performed at the fitting of the frequency modulation system to cochlear implant users, there are no published recommendations regarding the electroacoustic test that should be performed. OBJECTIVE: Perform and determine the validity of an electroacoustic verification test for frequency modulation systems coupled to different cochlear implant speech processors. METHODS: The sample included 40 participants between 5 and 18 year's users of four different models of speech processors. For the electroacoustic evaluation, we used the Audioscan Verifit device with the HA-1 coupler and the listening check devices corresponding to each speech processor model. In cases where the transparency was not achieved, a modification was made in the frequency modulation gain adjustment and we used the Brazilian version of the "Phrases in Noise Test" to evaluate the speech perception in competitive noise. RESULTS: It was observed that there was transparency between the frequency modulation system and the cochlear implant in 85% of the participants evaluated. After adjusting the gain of the frequency modulation receiver in the other participants, the devices showed transparency when the electroacoustic verification test was repeated. It was also observed that patients demonstrated better performance in speech perception in noise after a new adjustment, that is, in these cases; the electroacoustic transparency caused behavioral transparency. CONCLUSION: The electroacoustic evaluation protocol suggested was effective in evaluation of transparency between the frequency modulation system and the cochlear implant. Performing the adjustment of the speech processor and the frequency modulation system gain are essential when fitting this device.

Guia para a elaboração de relatórios fonoaudiológicos de crianças implantadas: opinião de especialistas / Guide to the preparation of speech reports for implanted children: opinion of specialists

RESUMO Objetivo Desenvolver guia para elaboração de relatórios fonoaudiológicos de crianças implantadas para serem compartilhados entre fonoaudiólogos dos serviços de implante coclear (IC) e reabilitadores. Método O método Delphi foi utilizado para selecionar os itens relevantes e fundamentais que deveriam constar nas duas versões propostas para compor o guia: Guia 1 - Relatórios fonoaudiológicos fornecidos pelo serviço de IC aos reabilitadores, e Guia 2 - Relatórios fonoaudiológicos fornecidos pelos reabilitadores aos serviços de IC. Vinte e um fonoaudiólogos especialistas e com experiência na área de implante coclear e de reabilitação auditiva participaram da discussão e do julgamento dos itens durante as rodadas de seleção. Considerou-se consenso quando o item obteve a concordância igual ou superior a 80% entre os participantes, sendo selecionados para comporem os dois guias. Resultados Após as duas rodadas, 21 itens do Guia 1 obtiveram consenso entre os terapeutas, ou seja, mais de 80% deles concordaram que estes itens deveriam estar presentes no relatório enviado pelo serviço de IC. Para o Guia 2, 22 itens analisados pelos fonoaudiólogos atuantes em serviços de IC setor pós-operatório, foram selecionados na segunda rodada. Conclusão A partir da análise das duas rodadas, foi desenvolvido o "Guia para a elaboração de relatórios fonoaudiológicos: intersecção entre serviço de IC e reabilitadores". Este material pode ser aplicado na rotina de acompanhamento de crianças implantadas, padronizando as informações compartilhadas sobre o dispositivo eletrônico, resultados de avaliações, monitoramento dos resultados e processo terapêutico dessa população.

ABSTRACT Purpose To develop a guide for the preparation of speech-language reports of implanted children to be shared among speech-language pathologists of cochlear implant (CI) services and rehabilitation professionals. Methods The Delphi method was used to select the relevant and fundamental items that should be included in the two versions proposed for the guide: Guide 1 - Speech-language reports provided by the CI services to rehabilitators, and Guide 2 - Speech-language reports provided by the rehabilitators to CI services. Twenty-one speech therapists specialized and with experience in cochlear implants and auditory rehabilitation participated in the discussion and judgment of the items during the selection rounds. Consensus was considered when the item reached agreement equal to or greater than 80% among participants, being selected to compose the two guides. Results After the two rounds, 21 items from Guide 1 reached consensus among therapists, that is, more than 80% of them agreed that these items should be present in the report sent by the CI service. For Guide 2, 22 items analyzed by speech therapists working in CI services in the postoperative sector were selected in the second round. Conclusion Based on the analysis of the two rounds, the "Guide for the preparation of speech-language pathology reports: intersection between CI service and rehabilitators" was developed. This material can be applied in the follow-up of implanted children, standardizing the information shared about the electronic device, evaluation results, monitoring of results and therapeutic process of this population.

A Graduate Medical Education Curriculum to Introduce the Concept of Cancer Survivorship.

Introduction: The growing number of cancer survivors has expanded the need for physicians familiar with survivorship care outside the subspecialty of oncology. However, primary care providers have historically not been comfortable managing the growing number of cancer survivors and their long-term sequela. To date, there is no current ambulatory curriculum designed as a workshop to discuss general concepts of cancer survivorship with internal medicine resident physicians. Methods: This was a 3-day workshop series given over 5 weeks. Residents were given a simulated case following a geriatric breast cancer survivor. Session 1 consisted of creating a survivorship care plan and discussing secondary cancer screening. Session 2 included a discussion on primary tumor recurrence and short-term side effects of cancer treatments. Finally, Session 3 incorporated mental health adjustment and long-term side effects of various cancer treatments. Knowledge and attitude assessments were administered during Sessions 1 and 3. Results: Eighty-seven residents participated, with 59 completing the survey on Session 1, and 36 completing the same survey on Session 3. Prior to the curriculum, two residents reported comfort in creating a survivorship care plan compared to 23 after the curriculum. Similarly, comfort in screening for excess mortality increased from three residents to 19. General knowledge of common side effects from cancer treatment modalities was well known prior to the curriculum. Discussion: Survivorship care heavily incorporates the basics of primary care. This curriculum successfully raised awareness among resident physicians regarding survivorship terminology, which, in turn, improved their comfort in the long-term management of the cancer survivor.