Endovascular stenting using a sagittal sinus approach for sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence related to intractable pulsatile tinnitus: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence can lead to pulsatile tinnitus with a significant decrease in quality of life, occasionally leading to psychiatric disorders. Several surgical and endovascular procedures have been described for resolving dehiscence. Within endovascular procedures, the sagittal sinus approach could be a technical alternative for tracking and accurate stent positioning within the sigmoid sinus when the jugular bulb anatomy is unfavorable. CASE PRESENTATION: A retrospective case series of three patients with pulsatile tinnitus due to sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence without intracranial hypertension was reviewed from January 2018 to January 2022. From the participants enrolled, the median age was 50.3 years (range 43-63), with 67% self-identifying as female and 33% as male. They self-identified as Hispanic. Sigmoid sinus dehiscence was diagnosed using angiotomography, and contralateral transverse sinus stenosis was observed in all patients. Patients underwent surgery via a navigated endovascular sagittal sinus approach for sigmoid sinus stenting. No neurological complications were associated with the procedure. Pulsatile tinnitus improved after the procedure in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Superior sagittal sinus resection for sigmoid sinus wall stenting is a safe and effective technique. Pulsatile tinnitus due to sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence could be treated using the endovascular resurfacing stenting technique. However, further research is needed to evaluate the potential benefit of contralateral stenting for removing sinus dehiscence when venous stenosis is detected. However, resurfacing sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence results in symptomatic improvement.

Quality of life and level of physical activity of individuals with temporomandibular disorders with and without otological symptoms: Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Otological symptoms (OS) are highly prevalent in individuals with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Individuals with TMD and OS have more neck disability and decreased deep neck muscles endurance when compared to individuals without OS. However, no studies have evaluated whether OS is associated with lower Quality of Life (QoL) and worse levels of physical activity. This study aimed to evaluate the QoL and level of physical activity of individuals with TMD with and without OS. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 62 individuals with TMD were allocated into 2 groups: TMD with OS (n = 36) or TMD without OS (n = 26). Self-reported complaints of dizziness, vertigo, tinnitus, earache, ear fullness, or hypoacusis were considered as OS. QoL was assessed with the WHOQOL-Bref and physical activity with the IPAQ-SF. Independent t-test and chi-squared test were used for analysis between-groups. Effect sizes were reported using Cohen's d. A Pearson correlation was used to compare the number of OS and QoL scores. A significance level of p < 0.05% and 95% confidence intervals were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The total generic scores for QoL were not different between-groups (p = 0.076), but individuals with TMD with OS had lower satisfaction (p = 0.015; d: 0.63) and physical domain (p = 0.015; d: 0.64) scores with a moderate effect size. In TMD with OS, 69.4% of individuals were irregularly active and 50% for the TMD without OS, with no statistical significance (p > 0.05). The number of OSs was inversely and weakly associated with the QoL total score. CONCLUSION: Individuals with TMD and OS are associated with worsened QoL (physical domain and satisfaction) when compared to individuals with TMD without OS. The higher the number of OS, the worse the QoL score. Individuals with TMD with and without OS had similar levels of physical activity, but a high prevalence of irregularly active and sedentary individuals within TMD diagnosed population was found.

A relação entre cafeína e zumbido: sinopse baseada em evidências / The relationship between caffeine and tinnitus: evidence-based synopsis

Contexto: A associação entre a cafeína e o zumbido é bastante descrita na literatura, mas o papel da cafeína no zumbido não é claramente explicado. A redução no consumo de cafeína ou mesmo sua abolição é recomendada como meio de melhorar o zumbido. Entretanto, há fundamentação nessa orientação? Há evidências científicas que respaldam essa ação? Objetivo: Avaliar as evidências relativas à possível associação entre a ingestão de cafeína e o zumbido. Métodos: Trata-se de sinopse baseada em evidências. Procedeu-se à busca por estudos que associavam cafeína e zumbido em quatro bases de dados: Cochrane - Central de Registros de Ensaios Clínicos - CENTRAL (2023), PubMed (1966-2023), Portal Regional Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (1982-2023) e Embase (1974-2023). Foram utilizados os descritores "caffeine" e "tinnitus". Dois pesquisadores, independentemente, extraíram os dados e avaliaram a qualidade dos estudos para a síntese. O desfecho primário de análise envolveu a relação entre o consumo de cafeína e o zumbido. Resultados: Foram encontradas 79 referências. Cinco estudos (1 ensaio clínico, 2 coortes e 2 estudos caso-controle) foram incluídos (n = 65.856 participantes). Discussão: A literatura apresenta poucos estudos que buscam a relação entre o consumo de cafeína e o zumbido. Trata-se de estudos com amostragem reduzida e limitações metodológicas. A evidência é baixa e são necessários novos estudos. Conclusões: Não é possível concluir sobre uma possível relação entre a cafeína e o zumbido. Há poucos estudos prospectivos realizados e a evidência é baixa, sendo necessária a realização de novos estudos prospectivos de qualidade para elucidação dessa questão.

Rede de cuidado especializado em pacientes com zumbido no Brasil: perfil profissional, métodos e técnicas de avaliação e intervenção / Network of specialized care for patients with tinnitus in Brazil: professional profile, assessment and intervention methods and techniques / Red de atención especializada a pacientes con acúfeno en Brasil: perfil profesional, métodos y técnicas de evaluación e intervención

Introdução: O zumbido é um sintoma de alta prevalência na população, que necessita de cuidado especializado e centrado no paciente e suas individualidades. Objetivo: investigar a rede de cuidado especializado em pacientes com queixa de zumbido no Brasil. Método: Realizou-se uma busca a nível nacional com 152 profissionais que atendem o público com zumbido, por meio de redes sociais, além de utilizar a técnica "snow ball". Foram selecionados os profissionais com atuação clínica ou participação de grupo de pesquisa em zumbido. Aos selecionados, foi enviado por e-mail ou rede social um questionário do Google Forms composto por doze questões objetivas, a fim de identificar o perfil desses profissionais, bem como do atendimento oferecido por eles. Os dados foram categorizados e tabulados em planilha digital para posterior análise estatística descritiva e inferencial. Resultados: os resultados mostraram que há profissionais atuantes em zumbido em 21 estados brasileiros, sendo a maior parte nas regiões Sudeste e Nordeste, inseridos principalmente no setor privado e a maioria em equipes multidisciplinares que contam, pelo menos, com um otorrinolaringologista e um fonoaudiólogo, apresentando práticas avaliativas e terapêuticas semelhantes. Conclusão: foi possível observar que, embora o número de profissionais ainda seja um número reduzido, além de não serem bem distribuídos geograficamente, há uma semelhança quanto aos métodos de avaliação e tratamento utilizados, bem como a abordagem multidisciplinar tem se tornado uma realidade na prática clínica, ainda que mais presente no setor privado, o que renova as perspectivas do público acometido pelo zumbido, para um futuro próximo. (AU)

Introduction: Tinnitus is a highly prevalent symptom in the population, which requires specialized care centered on the patient and their individualities. Objective: to investigate the specialized care network for patients complaining of tinnitus in Brazil. Method: A national search was carried out with 152 professionals who serve the public with tinnitus, through social networks, in addition to using the "snowball" technique. Professionals with clinical experience or participation in a tinnitus research group were selected. To those selected a Google Forms questionnaire was sent via email or social media, consisting of twelve objective questions, in order to identify the profile of these professionals, as well as the service they offer. The data were categorized and tabulated in a digital spreadsheet for subsequent descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Results: the results showed that there are professionals working in tinnitus in 21 Brazilian states, most of them in the Southeast and Northeast regions, mainly in the private sector and the majority in multidisciplinary teams that include at least one otorhinolaryngologist and one speech therapist, presenting similar evaluative and therapeutic practices. Conclusion: it was possible to observe that, although the number of professionals is still small, in addition to not being well distributed geographically, there is a similarity in the evaluation and treatment methods used, as well as the multidisciplinary approach has become a reality in practice clinic, although more present in the private sector, which renews the perspectives of the public affected by tinnitus, for the near future. (AU)

Introducción: El acúfeno es un síntoma altamente prevalente en la población, que requiere atención especializada centrada en el paciente y sus individualidades. Objetivo: investigar la red de atención especializada a pacientes que se quejan de acúfeno en Brasil. Método: Se realizó una búsqueda nacional profesionales que atienden al público con acúfeno, a través de las redes sociales y la técnica de la "bola de nieve". Se seleccionaron profesionales con experiencia clínica o participación en un grupo de investigación de acúfeno. Se les envió a través de correo electrónico un cuestionario de Google Forms, compuesto por doce preguntas objetivas, con el fin de identificar el perfil de estos profesionales, así como el servicio que ofrecen. Los datos fueron categorizados y tabulados en una hoja de cálculo digital para su posterior análisis estadístico descriptivo e inferencial. Resultados: los resultados mostraron que hay profesionales que actúan en acúfeno en 21 estados brasileños, la mayoría en las regiones Sudeste y Noreste, principalmente en el sector privado y la mayoría en equipos multidisciplinarios que incluyen al menos un otorrinolaringólogo y un logopeda, presentando prácticas evaluativas y terapéuticas similares. Conclusión: se pudo observar que, si bien el número de profesionales aún es pequeño, además de no estar bien distribuidos geográficamente, existe similitud en los métodos de evaluación y tratamiento utilizados, así como el enfoque multidisciplinario se ha vuelto una realidad en clínica de práctica, aunque más presente en el sector privado, que renueva las perspectivas del público afectado por acúfeno, de cara al futuro próximo. (AU)

Non-invasive treatments improve patient outcomes in chronic tinnitus: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relative effectiveness of various Non-Invasive Treatment Techniques (NITs) in chronic tinnitus management. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases from the time of data construction to December 31, 2022. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, NITs were evaluated, including Aacceptance and commitment therapy (A), Cognitive behavioral therapy (C), Sound therapy (S), Transcranial magnetic stimulation (T), Electrical stimulation therapy (E), Virtual reality therapy (V), tinnitus Retraining therapy (R), general psychotherapy (D), and Placebo (P). The outcome indicators included the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-anxiety-Depression (HADS-D), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Visual Analogue Scales-Loudness (VAS-L), and Visual Analogue Scales-Distress (VAS-D). Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 14.0 for NMA. RESULTS: This systematic review and meta-analysis included 22 randomized controlled trials comprising 2,354 patients. The treatment effects varied on each scale. For THI, S (86.9%) was the most effective, whereas P (6.5%) was the worst. For TQ, C (89.5%) was the most effective, whereas D (25.4%) was the worst. For HADS-D, A (82.4%) was the most effective, whereas D (9.47%) was the worst. For ISI, A (83.2%) was the most effective, whereas R (20.6%) was the worst. For VAS-L, S (73.5%) was the most effective, whereas E (18.9%) was the worst. For VAS-D, C (84.7%) was the most effective, whereas P (18.1%) was the worst. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of acoustics and cognitive behavioral therapy may be an effectively treat patients with chronic tinnitus. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: How common is the problem? Level 2. Is this diagnostic or monitoring test accurate? (Diagnosis) Level 1. What will happen if we do not add a therapy? (Prognosis) Level 1. Does this intervention help? (Treatment Benefits) Level 1. What are the COMMON harms? (Treatment Harms) Level 1. What are the RARE harms? (Treatment Harms) Level 1. Is this (early detection) test worthwhile? (Screening) Level 1I.

Standard and Extend High-Frequency Audiometry in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: Impacts on Tinnitus and Mental Health.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of auditory assessment in standard (SA) and extended high-frequency (EHF) audiometry, associating the findings with sudden tinnitus and mental health of patients with unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, cohort study. SETTING: Outpatient otology clinic in a tertiary care hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients experiencing unilateral SSNHL were evaluated with pure-tone audiometry performed at frequencies of 250 to16,000 Hz, tinnitus pitch and loudness matching tests, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Analog and Visual Scale (AVS) for bothersome tinnitus, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS: Eighteen patients with unilateral SSNHL were assessed. After starting treatment, there was a significant improvement in the SA (71.1 dB to 50 dB; p < 0.001*) and EHF audiometry (64.5 dB to 54.4 dB; p < 0.001*) thresholds at 15 days, and this persisted at 30 days of follow-up. Significant improvements were seen for tinnitus in loudness, VAS, and THI and for mental health in the realms of anxiety and depression by HADS. Despite improvements in SA, persistent EHF hearing loss was accompanied by persistent tinnitus, but it was of diminished loudness. CONCLUSION: Despite improvement in pure-tone thresholds by SA, a subset of unilateral SSNHL patients did not experience hearing recovery in EHF thresholds and reported persistent tinnitus. We postulate that their diminished anxiety and better mental health may be related to both hearing improvement in standard audiometry and reduction in tinnitus loudness. This pilot prospective study investigates the utility of performing EHF audiometry to better understand outcomes in patients with SSNHL.

A global bibliometric analysis on the relationship between tinnitus and temporomandibular disorders.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This global bibliometric review aimed to investigate trends in publications relating to tinnitus and TMD. METHODS: A search was performed in eight databases (June/2022), by independent researchers with relevant keywords about tinnitus and TMD, without restriction of date or language. Original research or case report/series evaluating prevalence, association and risk related to tinnitus and TMD were included. Independent examiners selected studies by title and abstract and performed data extraction. Data about publication and researchers, study population, objective, study design and diagnostic criteria for tinnitus and TMD were exported to VintagePoint® for bibliometric analyses. Data about the direct association between tinnitus and TMD were extracted. RESULTS: One hundred and seventeen articles from 25 countries were included, most observational (68.4%) and evaluating association (N = 60; 44.8%). Among the 60 studies of association, 22 (36.6%) presented results of a direct association between the presence/absence of tinnitus and the presence/absence of TMD. Brazil (19.5%) and the United States (12.7%) were the countries with the most publications, and Dentistry (48.6%) was the main publication area. A growth in publications in Dentistry was observed in the past 30 years and in the past 10 years in Medicine. Half of the studies included the elderly population (50.2%). The main diagnostic criterion for both tinnitus (37.8%) and TMD (28%) was general questionnaires and/or self-report. CONCLUSION: There is a growing trend in publications relating to tinnitus and TMD, especially in Dentistry, with a predominance of observational and association studies in the elderly population using questionnaires and/or self-report. More research with robust diagnostic methods and other study designs should be encouraged in the future.

Conceptual framework for tinnitus: a cognitive model in practice.

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

Self-reporting of hearing loss and tinnitus in the diagnosis of ototoxicity by meglumine antimoniate in patients treated for American tegumentary Leishmaniasis.

INTRODUCTION: American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) treatment is based on pentavalent antimonials (Sb5+), but these drugs have been associated to several adverse effects. Hearing loss and tinnitus during treatment with meglumine antimoniate (MA) have already been reported. This study aimed to describe the usefulness of self-reporting of hearing loss and tinnitus in diagnosing MA-induced ototoxicity. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted with 102 patients with parasitological diagnosis of ATL, treated with different MA schemes. The presence of clinical auditory toxicity was defined as the emergence or worsening of self-reporting hearing loss and/or tinnitus during monitoring. Measures of sensitivity, specificity, and the positive and negative predictive value of the patient's self-reporting of hearing loss and tinnitus in relation to the result of the audiometric test (considered the gold standard) were calculated. RESULTS: The age of the evaluated patients ranged from 15 to 81 years, with a median of 41 years, and most were male (73.5%). Seventy-five patients (73.5%) had cutaneous leishmaniasis and 27 (26.5%) mucosal leishmaniasis. Eighty-six patients (84.3%) received intramuscular (IM) treatment and 16 (15.7%) were treated with intralesional MA. During treatment, 18 (17,6%) had tinnitus and 7 (6,9%) had complaint of hearing loss. 53 (52%) patients had cochlear toxicity confirmed by tone threshold audiometry and high frequency audiometry, from which 60% received a dose of 20 mg Sb5+/kg/day (p = 0.015) and 96.2% were treated with IM MA (p = 0.001). Tinnitus has greater specificity and positive predictive value than hearing loss, with a low number of false positives, but with a high false negative value. CONCLUSION: Although the large number of false negatives suggests that self-report of hearing loss or tinnitus cannot be considered a good screening test for referring the patient to an audiometry, the low number of false positives suggests the need to value the patient's complaint for referral. Otherwise, this study reinforces the importance of audiological monitoring during treatment with MA, especially in those patients with self-reporting of hearing loss or tinnitus when treated with 20 mg Sb5+/kg/day via IM.

In Silico Study in MPO and Molecular Docking of the Synthetic Drynaran Analogues Against the Chronic Tinnitus: Modulation of the M1 Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor.

Tinnitus is a syndrome that affects the human auditory system and is characterized by a perception of sounds in the absence of acoustic stimuli, or in total silence. Research indicates that muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs), especially the M1 type, have a fundamental role in the alterations of auditory perceptions of tinnitus. Here, a series of computer-aided tools were used, from molecular surface analysis software to services available on the web for estimating pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The results infer that the low lipophilicity ligands, that is, the 1a-d alkyl furans, present the best pharmacokinetic profile, as compounds with an optimal alignment between permeability and clearance. However, only ligands 1a and 1b have properties that are safe for the central nervous system, the site of cholinergic modulation. These ligands showed similarity with compounds deposited in the European Molecular Biology Laboratory chemical (ChEMBL) database acting on the mAChRs M1 type, the target selected for the molecular docking test. The simulations suggest that the 1 g ligand can form the ligand-receptor complex with the best affinity energy order and that, together with the 1b ligand, they are competitive agonists in relation to the antagonist Tiotropium, in addition to acting in synergism with the drug Bromazepam in the treatment of chronic tinnitus.

Dizziness in adults with chronic otitis media at two otology referral centres in Colombia: a cross-sectional study in a middle-income country.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of dizziness and its associated factors in patients with COM at two otologic referral centres in a middle-income country. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. Adults with and without COM diagnosis from two otology-referral centres in Bogotá (Colombia) were included. Dizziness and quality of life were assessed using the "Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media Questionnaire-12" (COMQ-12), and sociodemographic questionnaires were applied. Otoscopic evaluation and audiometric data were collected. STUDY SAMPLE: A total of 231 adults. RESULTS: Of the 231 participants, up to 64.5% (n = 149) reported at least mild inconvenience due to dizziness. Factors associated with dizziness included female sex (aPR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.04-1.46), chronic suppurative otitis media (aPR: 3.02; 95% CI: 1.21-7.52), and severe tinnitus (aPR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.24-2.48). An interaction was found between socioeconomic status and educational level, with more frequent reports of dizziness in the middle/high economic status and secondary education (aPR: 3.09; 95% CI: 0.52-18.55; p < 0.001). Differences of 14 points in symptom severity and 18.5 points in the total score of the COMQ-12 were found between the groups with dizziness and without dizziness. CONCLUSIONS: Dizziness was frequent in patients with COM and was associated with severe tinnitus and quality of life deterioration.

Auditory training for tinnitus treatment: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to verify the evidence of auditory training employed in the audiological treatment of tinnitus in adults and older adults. METHODS: Scoping review based on a search for articles in journals available in MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase (Elsevier), LILACS (BVS), and Cochrane Library. Titles and abstracts of the retrieved articles were assessed by peers, following the eligibility criteria; they were afterward read in full text, and the references were hand searched in the results found. Studies' level of evidence was classified into very high (Level A+), high (Level A), moderate (Level B), limited (Level C), low (Level D), or very low (Level D-) based on the Critically Appraised Topics. RESULTS: 2160 records were identified in the searching stage and 15 studies were eligible for data extraction. Study design, sample characterization, auditory training tasks, sound stimuli, outcome measures, and results were extracted. Frequency discrimination training was the most frequent strategy, followed by auditory attentional skills training and multisensory training. Almost all studies with daily auditory training sessions reported significant benefits demonstrated in at least one outcome measure. Studies that used auditory discrimination training and attentional auditory skill stimulation to treat tinnitus obtained quality evidence levels ranging from limited to high (C‒A) and studies that applied multisensory training or attentional training combined with counseling and passive listening in tinnitus patients reached a high-quality evidence level (A). CONCLUSION: Recent studies had higher levels of evidence and considered attentional factors and multisensory pathways in auditory training strategies.

Tinnitus Footprints in the Cochlea.

The purpose of this paper is to show how temporal bone histopathology has been instrumental in adding knowledge about the origin of tinnitus in the cochlea and how it will still be useful for that purpose in the future. The papers published on this subject will be reviewed, and their contributions will be highlighted. The knowledge that is now part of the subject will be pointed out, and future research on this area will be pointed out.

Alterations of auditory sensory gating in mice with noise-induced tinnitus treated with nicotine and cannabis extract.

Tinnitus is a phantom sound perception affecting both auditory and limbic structures. The mechanisms of tinnitus remain unclear and it is debatable whether tinnitus alters attention to sound and the ability to inhibit repetitive sounds, a phenomenon also known as auditory gating. Here we investigate if noise exposure interferes with auditory gating and whether natural extracts of cannabis or nicotine could improve auditory pre-attentional processing in noise-exposed mice. We used 22 male C57BL/6J mice divided into noise-exposed (exposed to a 9-11 kHz narrow band noise for 1 h) and sham (no sound during noise exposure) groups. Hearing thresholds were measured using auditory brainstem responses, and tinnitus-like behavior was assessed using Gap prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle. After noise exposure, mice were implanted with multi-electrodes in the dorsal hippocampus to assess auditory event-related potentials in response to paired clicks. The results showed that mice with tinnitus-like behavior displayed auditory gating of repetitive clicks, but with larger amplitudes and longer latencies of the N40 component of the aERP waveform. The combination of cannabis extract and nicotine improved the auditory gating ratio in noise-exposed mice without permanent hearing threshold shifts. Lastly, the longer latency of the N40 component appears due to an increased sensitivity to cannabis extract in noise-exposed mice compared to sham mice. The study suggests that the altered central plasticity in tinnitus is more sensitive to the combined actions on the cholinergic and the endocannabinoid systems. Overall, the findings contribute to a better understanding of pharmacological modulation of auditory sensory gating.

Avazum app usability testing. / Teste de usabilidade do aplicativo Avazum.

PURPOSE: To verify the effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in the usability test of the tinnitus assessment application. METHODS: This is a descriptive usability test study that assessed the satisfaction, effectiveness, and efficiency of the application. The test was carried out virtually via Google Forms. First, the participants received instructions on how to access and use Avazum, through texts and illustrative images. Afterward, the users used the application, observing its functions and usability. Next, the participants answered the usability questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 21.0, to perform descriptive analysis such as frequency, percentages of data in the System Usability Questionnaire (SUS), and analysis in the Net Promoter Score (NPS). RESULTS: Thus, the overall mean SUS score was consistent with satisfactory usability, which implies that the application does not present serious usability problems. Also, the overall NPS percentage indicated very good user satisfaction, with a good percentage of promoting users. As far as effectiveness is concerned, it was found that Avazum reached its goals, besides being efficient, as it uses clear language and is comfortably used. CONCLUSION: Avazum obtained very good satisfaction from users, in addition to achieving its goals. It proved to be effective, has clear language, and is comfortably used, adducing efficiency in the multidisciplinary evaluation of tinnitus.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a efetividade, eficiência e satisfação no teste de usabilidade para o aplicativo de avaliação do zumbido. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo de teste de usabilidade, no qual será avaliado satisfação, eficácia e eficiência do aplicativo. O teste foi realizado virtualmente por meio de um formulário do Google Forms. Primeiramente, os participantes receberam as instruções de acesso e uso do avazum através de textos e imagens ilustrativas. Logo após, os usuários fizeram o uso do aplicativo, observando suas funções e usabilidade. Em seguida, os participantes responderam o questionário de usabilidade. A análise estatística foi realizada no software Statistics Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) versão 21.0 para realizar a análise descritiva como frequência, percentagens dos dados do System Usability Questionnaire (SUS), além de análise do score do Net Promoter Score (NPS). RESULTADOS: Sendo assim, a média geral do score do SUS foi condizente com score de usabilidade satisfatório, o que implica dizer que o aplicativo não apresenta graves problemas de usabilidade, além da porcentagem geral NPS indicar uma satisfação muito boa dos usuários, com bom percentual de usuários promotores. No que diz respeito sobre a efetividade, foi possível observar que o Avazum atinge os objetivos propostos, além de ser eficiente, pois apresenta uma linguagem clara e confortabilidade durante o uso. CONCLUSÃO: O Avazum obteve satisfação muito boa dos usuários, além de atingir os objetivos propostos, tornando-o efetivo, apresentou uma linguagem clara e confortabilidade durante o uso, aduzindo eficiência na avaliação multidisciplinar do zumbido.

Remissão total do zumbido pediátrico: relato dos resultados de uma abordagem não medicamentosa da disfunção tubária / Total remission of pediatric tinnitus: reporting the results of a non-drug approach to tubal dysfunction / Remisión total del acufeno pediátrico: informe de los resultados de un enfoque no farmacológico a la disfunción tubárica

Introdução: Zumbido é um sintoma crescente na população pediátrica e sua multifatoriedade etiológica demanda amplas investigações para utilizar-se adequadas intervenções. Objetivos: relatar os efeitos de uma abordagem não medicamentosa em um caso de remissão total do zumbido pediátrico oriundo da disfunção tubária. Método: Este artigo apresenta um indivíduo com sete anos, do sexo feminino e com queixa de zumbido crônico associado a disfunção tubária, considerado escasso na literatura. Além disso, este estudo descreve as avaliações médicas (neurológica e otorrinolaringológica), a avaliação audiológica e psicoacústica do zumbido, o processo diagnóstico e a intervenção fonoaudiológica realizada. Utilizou-se uma abordagem não medicamentosa que contemplou exercícios miofuncionais orofaciais, Manobra de Valsalva e limpeza nasal. Resultados: Após um mês de intervenção, com a prática diária dos exercícios, o indivíduo estudado referiu ausência da percepção do sintoma e das demais queixas auditivas. Este resultado também foi constatado nas avaliações audiológicas. Conclusão: A abordagem não medicamentosa da disfunção tubária demonstrou bons resultados frente ao manejo do zumbido crônico, para o presente caso. (AU)

Introduction: Tinnitus is a growing symptom in the pediatric population and its etiological multifactorial demands extensive investigations to use appropriate interventions. Objective: report the effects of a non-medicated approach of a case of total remission of pediatric tinnitus from tube dysfunction. Methods: This article presents a seven-year-old female patient with a complaint of chronic tinnitus associated with tubal dysfunction, considered rare in the literature. Besides that, this study describes the medical evaluations (neurological and otorhinolaryngological), the audiological and psychoacoustic evaluations of the tinnitus, the diagnostic process and the speech-language intervention performed. It was used a non-medication approach that included orofacial myofunctional exercises, Valsalva maneuver and nasal cleaning. Results: After a month of intervention, with the daily practice of exercises, the studied subject reported the absence of perception of the symptom and other auditory complaints. This result was also verified in the audiological evaluations. Conclusion: The non-medication approach to tubal dysfunction has shown good results in relation to the management of chronic tinnitus for the present case. (AU)

Introducción: Acufeno es un síntoma creciente en la población pediátrica y su multifatoriedad etiológica demanda amplias investigaciones para utilizar adecuadas intervenciones. Objetivos: Informar los efectos de un enfoque no farmacológico de un caso de remisión total del acufeno pediátrico oriundo de la disfunción tubárica. Metodos: Este artículo presenta un sujeto con siete años, del sexo femenino y con queja de acufeno crónico asociado a disfunción tubárica, considerado escaso en la literatura. Además, este estudio describe las evaluaciones médicas (neurológica y otorrinolaringológica), la evaluación audiológica y psicoacústica del zumbido, el proceso diagnóstico y la intervención fonoaudiológica realizada. Se utilizó un abordaje no medicamentoso que contempló ejercicios miofuncionales orofaciales, Maniobra de Valsalva y limpieza nasal. Resultados: Después de un mes de intervención, con la práctica diaria de los ejercicios, el sujeto estudiado refirió ausencia de la percepción del síntoma y de las demás quejas auditivas. Este resultado también se constató en las evaluaciones audiológicas. Conclusión: El abordaje no medicamentoso de la disfunción tubárica demostró buenos resultados frente al manejo del acufeno crónico, para el presente caso. (AU)

Limiar Diferencial de mascaramento e potencial evocado auditivo de tronco encefálico em adultos normo-ouvintes com zumbido / Masking Level Difference and Auditory Brainstem ResponseIn Normal Hearing Adults With Tinnitus / Umbral de enmascaramiento diferencial y potencial evocado auditivo del tronco encefálico en adultos con audición normal y tinnitus

Introdução: O zumbido é uma ilusão auditiva consciente, uma sensação sonora não relacionada com uma fonte externa de estimulação. Objetivos: Caracterizar a Acufenometria, Limiar Diferencial de Mascaramento, o questionário de qualidade de vida Inventário de Desvantagem do Zumbido e Potencial Auditivo de Tronco Encefálico em adultos normo-ouvintes com zumbido, com a finalidade de comparar seus achados. Método: Vinte indivíduos do sexo feminino e masculino, entre 20 e 60 anos de idade, normo-ouvintes com queixa de zumbido, foram submetidos ao Acufenometria, Limiar Diferencial de Mascaramento, Inventário de Desvantagem do Zumbido e Potencial Evocado Auditivo de Tronco Encefálico. Resultados: AAcufenometriarevelou que o pitch médio foi de 4,3 KHz à orelha direita e 4,6 KHz à orelha esquerda. O loudness médio foi de 21,7 dBNS à orelha direita e 23,5 dBNS à orelha esquerda. O Limiar Diferencial de Mascaramento médio mostrou-se alterado. O Inventário de Desvantagem do Zumbido médio correspondeu à classificação de grau leve. O Potencial Evocado Auditivo de Tronco Encefálico apresentou parâmetros dentro da normalidade bilateralmente. Conclusão: Constatou-se que adultos normo-ouvintes com queixa de zumbido apresentam zumbido de pitch agudo bilateral com discreto impacto na qualidade de vida, condução adequada das vias auditivas até o tronco encefálico e comprometimento na identificação de sons na presença de ruído, demonstrando que o zumbido pode ter repercussões nas habilidades auditivas centrais. (AU)

Introduction: Tinnitus is a conscious auditory illusion, a sound perception unrelated to any external stimulus source. Objectives: To characterize the Acuphenometry, Masking Level Difference, the quality of life questionnaire Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Auditory Brainstem Response in normal hearing adults with tinnitus, with the purpose of comparing the findings. Method: Twenty female and male individuals, between 20 and 60 years of age, normal hearing with complaints of tinnitus, underwent Acuphenometry, Masking Level Difference, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Auditory Brainstem Response. Results: The Acuphenometry showed the average pitch was 4.3 KHz to the right ear and 4.6 KHz to the left ear. The average loudness was 21.7 dBSL to the right ear and 23.5 dBs to the left ear. The average Masking Level Difference was altered. The average Tinnitus Handicap Inventory corresponded to the classification of mild grade. Auditory Brainstem Response showed parameters within normal range bilaterally. Conclusion: It was found that normal hearing adults with tinnitus complaints have bilateral acute pitch tinnitus with a slight impact on quality of life, appropriate conduction of auditory pathways to the brainstem and impaired identification of sounds in the presence of noise, demonstrating that tinnitus can have repercussions on central auditory skills. (AU)

Introducción: El tinnitus es una ilusión auditiva consciente, una sensación de sonido no relacionada con una fuente externa de estimulación. Objetivos: Caracterizar la coincidencia de tono y volumen, el umbral de enmascaramiento diferencial, el inventario de minusvalía para acúfenos y el potencial auditivo del tronco encefálico en adultos normoyentes con acúfenos, con el fin de comparar sus hallazgos. Método:Veinte sujetos masculinos y femeninos, con edades entre 20 y 60 años, audición normal con tinnitus, fueron sometidos a acúfenos, Umbral de Enmascaramiento Diferencial, Inventario de Desventajas de Tinnitus y Potenciales Evocados Auditivos del Tronco Encefalico. Resultados: La combinación de tono y volumen reveló que el tono promedio era de 4,3 KHz en el oído derecho y de 4,6 KHz en el oído izquierdo. Mientras que el volumen medio fue de 21,7 dBNS para el oído derecho y de 23,5 dBNS para el oído izquierdo. Se modificó el umbral diferencial de enmascaramiento promedio. El Inventario de Desventajas de Tinnitus promedio correspondió a la clasificación de grado leve. El Potenciales Evocados Auditivos del Tronco Encefalico presentó parámetros dentro del rango normal bilateralmente. Conclusión:Se encontró que los adultos normooyentes con quejas de tinnitus presentan tinnitus de tono alto bilateral con leve impacto en la calidad de vida, conducción adecuada de las vías auditivas al tronco encefálico y deterioro en la identificación de sonidos en presencia de ruido, demostrando que Tinnitus puede tener repercusiones en las habilidades auditivas centrales. (AU)

The effect of psychological inflexibility on health-related quality of life, depression, and anxiety in patients with chronic tinnitus without hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between psychological inflexibility, depression, anxiety, and quality of life in patients with chronic tinnitus without hearing loss. METHODS: The study was carried out involving 85 patients with chronic tinnitus without hearing loss and a control group of 80 individuals. All participants completed the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait, the Beck Depression Inventory, and Short Form-36. RESULTS: The patient group exhibited higher Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (t=5.418, p<0.001), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait (t=6.592, p<0.001), and Beck Depression Inventory (t=4.193, p<0.001) scores and lower physical component summary (t=4.648, p<0.001) and mental component summary (t=-5.492, p<0.001) scores than the control group. Psychological inflexibility predicted depression, anxiety, and impairment of quality of life. The effect of psychological inflexibility on physical component summary was mediated by depression (ß=-0.15, [95%CI -0.299 to -0.017]), while its effect on mental component summary was mediated by anxiety and serial anxiety and depression (ß=-0.17 [95%CI -0.344 to -0.055] and ß=-0.06 [95%CI -0.116 to -0.100], respectively). CONCLUSION: Psychological inflexibility plays an important role in patients with chronic tinnitus without hearing loss. It is associated with increased levels of anxiety and depression and decreased quality of life.