Teleaudiology: efficacy assessment of an online social network as a support tool for parents of children candidates for cochlear implant.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of an online social network as a support for parents of children with hearing impairment. METHODS: Twenty-two mothers, randomly divided into experimental (n=11) and control (n=11) groups, filled in an online form containing the Parental Stress Index - Short Form (PSI-SF). Only the experimental group had access to the "Babies' Portal" social network. Both groups filled in the online form once again 3 months after the first assessment, for evaluating the use and participation in the social network. The posts on the social network were rated by two independent raters regarding themes and mechanisms of self-help. RESULTS: No difference was observed in mean PSI-SF scores between the groups for both assessments. Intragroup analysis showed no difference for total and subscale results of PSI-SF between the two data collected for both groups except for the "Defensive Response" subscale, in which a decrease was observed in the score for the control group. The most frequent posting themes were related to personal information and expressions of religious beliefs. Regarding self-help mechanisms, a higher frequency of exchanging experiences and gratitude expressions was observed. Participants in the experimental group stated they would have liked to participate more frequently in the social network as they considered this tool important because of the exchange of information and experience with other mothers and hearing health-care professionals. CONCLUSION: The posts and the assessment of participants indicated the potential of this network to support parents of children with hearing impairment.

Telessaúde em Audiologia: avaliação da eficácia de uma rede social on-line como apoio aos pais de crianças candidatas ao implante coclear / Teleaudiology: efficacy assessment of an online social network as a support tool for parents of children candidates for cochlear implant

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia de uma rede social on-line como apoio aos pais de crianças com deficiência auditiva. Métodos: Vinte e duas mães, divididas randomicamente em grupo experimental (n=11) e controle (n=11), preencheram um formulário on-line contendo o Índice de Estresse Parental - versão reduzida (PSI-SF). Apenas o grupo experimental teve acesso à rede social "Portal dos Bebês". Ambos os grupos preencheram novamente o formulário on-line , três meses após a primeira aplicação, tendo o grupo experimental também avaliado o uso e a participação na rede social. As postagens na rede social foram classificadas por dois juízes independentes em relação aos temas e mecanismos de autoajuda. Resultados: Não houve diferença entre os escores médios do PSI-SF entre os grupos, tanto na primeira como na segunda aplicação. A análise intragrupos mostrou não haver diferença nos resultados totais e das subescalas do PSI-SF entre as duas aplicações, para ambos os grupos, com exceção da subescala "Resposta Defensiva", em que houve diminuição da pontuação para o grupo controle. Os temas mais frequentes das postagens foram relacionados às informações pessoais e expressões de crença religiosa. Nos mecanismos de autoajuda, observou-se maior frequência de trocas de experiências e expressão de gratidão. Os participantes do grupo experimental relataram que gostariam de ter participado mais da rede social, pois consideraram esse tipo de ferramenta importante pela troca de informações e experiências com outras mães e profissionais. Conclusão: As postagens e a avaliação dos participantes indicaram o potencial dessa rede para fornecimento de apoio aos pais de crianças com deficiência auditiva.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To assess the efficacy of an online social network as a support for parents of children with hearing impairment. Methods: Twenty-two mothers, randomly divided into experimental (n=11) and control (n=11) groups, filled in an online form containing the Parental Stress Index - Short Form (PSI-SF). Only the experimental group had access to the "Babies' Portal" social network. Both groups filled in the online form once again 3 months after the first assessment, for evaluating the use and participation in the social network. The posts on the social network were rated by two independent raters regarding themes and mechanisms of self-help. Results: No difference was observed in mean PSI-SF scores between the groups for both assessments. Intragroup analysis showed no difference for total and subscale results of PSI-SF between the two data collected for both groups except for the "Defensive Response" subscale, in which a decrease was observed in the score for the control group. The most frequent posting themes were related to personal information and expressions of religious beliefs. Regarding self-help mechanisms, a higher frequency of exchanging experiences and gratitude expressions was observed. Participants in the experimental group stated they would have liked to participate more frequently in the social network as they considered this tool important because of the exchange of information and experience with other mothers and hearing health-care professionals. Conclusion: The posts and the assessment of participants indicated the potential of this network to support parents of children with hearing impairment.

Comparação das formas de aplicação papel e caneta e eletrônica do índice de estresse parental versão reduzida (PSI-SF) / Comparison of electronic and paper and pencil administration of the parenting stress index - short form (PSI-SF)

Objetivo avaliar se a aplicação eletrônica do Índice de Estresse Parental – versão reduzida (PSI-SF) é comparável à aplicação em formato papel e caneta. Verificar o estresse em pais de crianças com desenvolvimento normal. Métodos quarenta adultos, pais de crianças entre seis meses e 10 anos, foram divididos em quatro grupos, sendo pareados por idade, sexo, escolaridade e idade da criança. Cada participante completou o questionário em duas ocasiões, com intervalo de sete a dez dias, nas versões: papel-caneta/papel-caneta (PP), papel-caneta/eletrônico (PE), eletrônico/eletrônico (EE), eletrônico/papel-caneta (EP). O PSI-SF apresenta 36 afirmações, divididas em três subescalas: Sofrimento Parental (SP); Interações Disfuncionais entre Pai e Criança (IDPC) e Criança Difícil (CD). Para análise dos dados foram realizadas as correlações (Pearson) e comparação da pontuação do PSI-SF intra e inter-grupos. Resultados foram obtidas correlações positivas fortes e médias e significantes entre a pontuação total e das subescalas do PSI-SF na primeira e segunda aplicação, para todos os grupos. Diferenças significantes foram observadas entre as médias das pontuações para o grupo PP (subescala “Criança Difícil”;) e grupo EE (subescala “Criança Difícil”; e pontuação total). No entanto, tais diferenças de pontuação não alteraram a interpretação do resultado do questionário. Não houve diferença significante entre os grupos para as quatro subescalas analisadas, confirmando equivalência da variância entre os grupos. O estresse dos participantes, em todas as subescalas, recaiu dentro da normalidade. Conclusão ...

Purpose to assess whether the electronic version of the Parenting Stress Index – Short Form (PSI-SF) is comparable to the paper and pencil administration. To evaluate stress in parents of children with normal development. Methods forty adults, parents of children between six months and ten years of age, were divided into four groups matched for age, gender, education and child’s age. In two different occasions, seven to ten days apart, participants completed the PSI-SF in the formats: paper-pencil/paper-pencil (PP), paper-pencil/electronic (PE), electronic/electronic (EE) and electronic/paper-pencil (PE). The PSI-SF has 36 statements, divided into three subscales: Parental Distress, Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction, and Difficult Child. Pearson’s correlations and comparison of the PSI-SF scores within and between groups were obtained. Results strong positive correlations were found between PSI-SF subscales and total scores in the first and second administration, for all groups. Significant differences were observed between the mean scores for the PP group (subscale “Difficult Child”;) and EE group (subscale “Difficult Child”; and the total score). Such differences in scores, however, did not alter in any means the interpretation of the results. Participants’ stress fell into normal values, for all subscales. Conclusion the electronic format of the PSI-SF questionnaire yields similar results to the standard paper-and-pencil administration of the test. Observed stress levels were considered normal. .

Results obtained with a low cost software-based audiometer for hearing screening

The implementation of hearing screening programs can be facilitated by reducing operating costs, including the cost of equipment. The Telessaúde (TS) audiometer is a low-cost, software-based, and easy-to-use piece of equipment for conducting audiometric screening. AIM: To evaluate the TS audiometer for conducting audiometric screening. METHODS: A prospective randomized study was performed. Sixty subjects, divided into those who did not have (group A, n = 30) and those who had otologic complaints (group B, n = 30), underwent audiometric screening with conventional and TS audiometers in a randomized order. Pure tones at 25 dB HL were presented at frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. A "fail" result was considered when the individual failed to respond to at least one of the stimuli. Pure-tone audiometry was also performed on all participants. The concordance of the results of screening with both audiometers was evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of screening with the TS audiometer were calculated. RESULTS: For group A, 100% of the ears tested passed the screening. For group B, "pass" results were obtained in 34.2% (TS) and 38.3% (conventional) of the ears tested. The agreement between procedures (TS vs. conventional) ranged from 93% to 98%. For group B, screening with the TS audiometer showed 95.5% sensitivity, 90.4% sensitivity, and positive and negative predictive values equal to 94.9% and 91.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the TS audiometer were similar to those obtained with the conventional audiometer, indicating that the TS audiometer can be used for audiometric screening...

Results obtained with a low cost software-based audiometer for hearing screening.

INTRODUCTION: The implementation of hearing screening programs can be facilitated by reducing operating costs, including the cost of equipment. The Telessaúde (TS) audiometer is a low-cost, software-based, and easy-to-use piece of equipment for conducting audiometric screening. AIM: To evaluate the TS audiometer for conducting audiometric screening. METHODS: A prospective randomized study was performed. Sixty subjects, divided into those who did not have (group A, n = 30) and those who had otologic complaints (group B, n = 30), underwent audiometric screening with conventional and TS audiometers in a randomized order. Pure tones at 25 dB HL were presented at frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. A "fail" result was considered when the individual failed to respond to at least one of the stimuli. Pure-tone audiometry was also performed on all participants. The concordance of the results of screening with both audiometers was evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of screening with the TS audiometer were calculated. RESULTS: For group A, 100% of the ears tested passed the screening. For group B, "pass" results were obtained in 34.2% (TS) and 38.3% (conventional) of the ears tested. The agreement between procedures (TS vs. conventional) ranged from 93% to 98%. For group B, screening with the TS audiometer showed 95.5% sensitivity, 90.4% sensitivity, and positive and negative predictive values equal to 94.9% and 91.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the TS audiometer were similar to those obtained with the conventional audiometer, indicating that the TS audiometer can be used for audiometric screening.

Validity and reliability of the hearing handicap inventory for adults.

UNLABELLED: The Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA) translated into Brazilian Portuguese has been used for clinical practice and research purposes; however, information regarding its ease of reading and psychometric properties are still lacking. AIM: To evaluate the ease of reading and psychometric properties of the Brazilian translation of this tool, including its validity and reliability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study. The questionnaire was applied to 30 normal hearing (Group A) and 113 hearing impaired (Group B) persons. Thirty two participants (group B) answered the questionnaire a second time. The Flesch readability index was calculated for each item in the questionnaire. The internal consistency, test-retest reliability and discriminant validity were evaluated. RESULTS: Flesch's scores showed that the questionnaire was easy to read. Cronbach's alpha and Pearson's correlation showed high internal consistency. There was no significant difference between test and retest scores. Besides, correlation between these two scores was also high and significant. Student t test indicated significant difference between scores for groups A and B (discriminant validity). CONCLUSIONS: The Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults translated into Brazilian Portuguese maintained the reliability and validity of the English version. Further studies are needed to determine the convergent validity and construct validity for this instrument.

Validity and reliability of the hearing handicap inventory for adults / Validade e confiabilidade do questionário de handicap auditivo para adultos

The Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA) translated into Brazilian Portuguese has been used for clinical practice and research purposes; however, information regarding its ease of reading and psychometric properties are still lacking. AIM: To evaluate the ease of reading and psychometric properties of the Brazilian translation of this tool, including its validity and reliability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study. The questionnaire was applied to 30 normal hearing (Group A) and 113 hearing impaired (Group B) persons. Thirty two participants (group B) answered the questionnaire a second time. The Flesch readability index was calculated for each item in the questionnaire. The internal consistency, test-retest reliability and discriminant validity were evaluated. RESULTS: Flesch's scores showed that the questionnaire was easy to read. Cronbach's alpha and Pearson's correlation showed high internal consistency. There was no significant difference between test and retest scores. Besides, correlation between these two scores was also high and significant. Student t test indicated significant difference between scores for groups A and B (discriminant validity). CONCLUSIONS: The Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults translated into Brazilian Portuguese maintained the reliability and validity of the English version. Further studies are needed to determine the convergent validity and construct validity for this instrument.

O questionário de Handicap Auditivo para Adultos (HHIA) traduzido para o português brasileiro vem sendo aplicado na prática clínica e pesquisas, no entanto, faltam informações sobre suas propriedades psicométricas. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a facilidade de leitura e propriedades psicométricas deste questionário, incluindo validade e confiabilidade. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo. Responderam ao questionário 30 ouvintes normais (Grupo A) e 113 deficientes auditivos (Grupo B). Foi feita reaplicação para 32 participantes do Grupo B. O índice de facilidade de leitura de Flesch foi aplicado no questionário. Foram avaliadas consistência interna, variabilidade teste-reteste e validade discriminante. RESULTADOS: De modo geral, as perguntas do questionário foram consideradas de fácil leitura. Alta consistência interna geral e dos itens foi observada por valores altos do alfa de Cronbach e correlação de Pearson. Não houve diferença significativa entre as pontuações no teste e reteste. As correlações entre estas pontuações também foram fortes e significativas. O teste t de Student indicou diferenças da pontuação do questionário entre os grupos A e B (validade discriminante). CONCLUSÃO: O questionário traduzido para o português brasileiro mantém a confiabilidade e validade da versão original. Outros estudos são necessários para determinar a validade convergente e validade de constructo deste instrumento.

Correlações audiométricas do questionário de handicap auditivo para adultos / Audiometric correlations of the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults

OBJETIVO: verificar as relações entre a autopercepção do handicap auditivo (restrição de participação), os achados audiométricos e dados sócio-demográficos em adultos deficientes auditivos. Comparar os resultados da percepção do handicap entre homens e mulheres. MÉTODOS: participaram deste estudo, 113 adultos jovens portadores de deficiência auditiva pós-lingual, neurossenssorial bilateral de graus variados. O questionário de Handicap Auditivo para Adultos (HHIA) foi aplicado no formato de entrevista. A pontuação total e das subescalas "social" e "emocional", do questionário foram correlacionadas com as médias dos limiares audiométricos (ISO, baixa, média e alta frequência) e limiar de reconhecimento de fala (LRF). Também foi obtida correlação entre as pontuações do questionário e tempo de surdez, escolaridade e nível sócio-econômico. A comparação dos resultados do HHIA entre homens e mulheres foi realizada pelo teste t de Student. RESULTADOS: correlações fracas, porém significantes, foram obtidas entre os dados audiométricos e a pontuação do HHIA. Não houve correlação entre o tempo de surdez, escolaridade e nível sócio-econômico com a pontuação do questionário. Não houve diferença significativa da pontuação entre homens e mulheres. CONCLUSÃO: os dados deste estudo reforçam a necessidade de utilização de um instrumento de avaliação da restrição de participação, já que esta não pode ser inferida a partir dos dados audiológicos e/ou sócio-demográficos.

PURPOSE: to check the relations between self-perceived hearing handicap (participation restriction), audiometric findings and socio-demographic data in hearing impaired adults and compare the results between men and women. METHODS: 113 adults with post lingual sensorineural bilateral hearing loss of varying degrees took part in the study. The Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA) was applied in the interview format. We obtained the correlation coefficient between total HHIA as well as the "social" one and "emotional" subscales scores with the mean audiometric thresholds (ISO, low, medium and high frequencies) and speech recognition thresholds (SRT). The HHIA scores were also correlated with the duration of deafness, educational level and socio-economic status. The HHIA scores between men and women were compared by means of the Student t test. RESULTS: weak but significant correlations were obtained between audiometric data and HHIA scores. There was no correlation between duration of deafness, educational level and socioeconomic status with HHIA scores. There was no significant difference in scores between men and women. CONCLUSION: data from this study reinforce the need for using an instrument for evaluating the participation restriction, since it cannot be inferred from the audiometric data and/or socio-demographic factors.