Intensive Olfactory Training in Post-COVID-19 Patients: A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Olfactory dysfunction (OD)-including anosmia and hyposmia-is a common symptom of COVID-19. Previous studies have identified olfactory training (OT) as an important treatment for postinfectious OD; however, little is known about its benefits and optimizations after SARS-CoV-2 infection. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess whether olfactory training performance can be optimized using more fragrances over a shorter period of time in patients with persistent OD after COVID-19. In addition, we determined the presence of other variables related to OD and treatment response in this population. METHODS: This multicenter randomized clinical trial recruited 80 patients with persistent OD and prior COVID-19 infection for less than 3 months. The patients were divided into 2 groups receiving either 4 or 8 essences over 4 weeks. Subjective assessments and the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) were performed before and after the treatment. RESULTS: Significant olfactory improvement was measured subjectively and using the UPSIT in both groups; however, no significant differences between the groups were observed. Additionally, the presence of olfactory fluctuations was associated with higher UPSIT scores. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that training intensification by increasing the number of essences for 4 weeks does not show superiority over the classical method. Moreover, fluctuant olfaction seems to be related to a higher score on the UPSIT.

Intensive Olfactory Training in Post-COVID Patients: A Randomized Multicenter Clinical Trial

Introduction: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) is one of the most reported symptoms of COVID -19. Previous studies have identified olfactory training (OT) as an important treatment for postinfectious OD, but little is known about its effect after SARS-CoV-2 infection and how it can be optimized. Objective: To assess whether OT can be optimized if performed intensively, with more fragrances over a shorter period in patients with persistent OD after COVID -19. Also, to determine the presence of other variables related to OD and treatment response in this population. Method: This multicenter randomized clinical trial recruited 80 patients with persistent OD with previous COVID-19 for less than three months. The patients were divided into two groups, who received treatment with 4 and 8 essences over four weeks. Subjective assessments and the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) were performed before and after treatment. Results: A significant improvement in olfaction was measured subjectively and on UPSIT in both groups, but without significant differences between groups. In addition, the presence of olfactory fluctuation was associated with higher UPSIT scores. Conclusion: These data suggest that intensifying the training by increasing the number of essences for 4 weeks does not show superiority over the classical method. Moreover, a fluctuating olfactory ability seems to be related to a better score in the UPSIT.

Efeitos do ruído na audição de trabalhadores de lavanderia hospitalar / Noise effects on hospital laundry workers? hearing

Objetivo caracterizar o perfil auditivo de trabalhadores de uma lavanderia hospitalar. Método estudo transversal, realizado numa lavanderia de um hospital público em Curitiba-PR, com 95 trabalhadores de ambos os sexos, média de idade de 38,23. Realizou-se análise dos documentos do Programa de Controle Médico e Saúde Ocupacional e do Programa de Prevenção de Riscos Ambientais da lavanderia, mensuração do ruído, avaliação auditiva com aplicação de anamnese, audiometria tonal limiar, imitância acústica e teste de emissões otoacústicas evocadas por estímulo transiente. Analisou-se os audiogramas por critérios clínico e ocupacionais (Norma Regulamentadora 7). Resultados os níveis de ruído encontrados foram de 77,0 a 99,0 dB(A), houve 37,89% audiogramas alterados, destes 18,94% com características sugestivas de Perda Auditiva Induzida por Ruído, principalmente entre os dobradores de roupas. O teste de Emissões Otoacústicas Evocadas por Estímulo Transiente demonstrou ausência de respostas em 13 sujeitos com ausência de emissões em alguma das orelhas. Conclusão a lavanderia é um local de risco para a perda auditiva. Desse modo, medidas preventivas, por meio de Programas de Preservação Auditiva, devem ser adotadas. .

Purpose to carry out a characterize the hearing profile of workers from a hospital laundry. Method crosscut study, with 95 workers, males and females, age averaging 38.23, held at the laundry of a public hospital located in the city of Curitiba, Parana State/Brazil. Documental laundry analysis was carried out (Medical Control and Occupational Health Program and Environmental Risk Prevention Program), noise measurement, anamnesis-applied hearing evaluation, tonal threshold audiometry, acoustic immittance, and transient otoacoustic emission testing. Audiograms were analyzed through clinical and occupational criteria (Labor Ministry/ Regulatory Norm 7). Results noise levels found were 77.0 to 99.0 dB(A), 37.89% audiograms were altered, among them, 18.94% suggesting noise-induced hearing loss, mainly among the clothes folders. The test of otoacoustic emissions showed no transient responses in 13 subjects with no emissions in some ears. Conclusion the laundry is a hazardous place for hearing loss, thus preventive measures, such as Hearing Conservation Programs must be adopted. .

Auditory Effects of Exposure to Noise and Solvents: A Comparative Study

Introduction: Industry workers are exposed to different environmental risk agents that, when combined, may potentiate risks to hearing. Objective: To evaluate the effects of the combined exposure to noise and solvents on hearing in workers. Methods: A transversal retrospective cohort study was performed through documentary analysis of an industry. The sample (n = 198) was divided into four groups: the noise group (NG), exposed only to noise; the noise and solvents group (NSG), exposed to noise and solvents; the noise control group and noise and solvents control group (CNS), no exposure. Results: The NG showed 16.66% of cases suggestive of bilateral noise-induced hearing loss and NSG showed 5.26%. The NG and NSG had worse thresholds than their respective control groups. Females were less susceptible to noise than males; however, when simultaneously exposed to solvents, hearing was affected in a similar way, resulting in significant differences (p < 0.05). The 40- to 49-year-old age group was significantly worse (p < 0.05) in the auditory thresholds in the NSG compared with the CNS. Conclusion: The results observed in this study indicate that simultaneous exposure to noise and solvents can damage the peripheral auditory system...

Auditory effects of exposure to noise and solvents: a comparative study.

Introduction Industry workers are exposed to different environmental risk agents that, when combined, may potentiate risks to hearing. Objective To evaluate the effects of the combined exposure to noise and solvents on hearing in workers. Methods A transversal retrospective cohort study was performed through documentary analysis of an industry. The sample (n = 198) was divided into four groups: the noise group (NG), exposed only to noise; the noise and solvents group (NSG), exposed to noise and solvents; the noise control group and noise and solvents control group (CNS), no exposure. Results The NG showed 16.66% of cases suggestive of bilateral noise-induced hearing loss and NSG showed 5.26%. The NG and NSG had worse thresholds than their respective control groups. Females were less susceptible to noise than males; however, when simultaneously exposed to solvents, hearing was affected in a similar way, resulting in significant differences (p < 0.05). The 40- to 49-year-old age group was significantly worse (p < 0.05) in the auditory thresholds in the NSG compared with the CNS. Conclusion The results observed in this study indicate that simultaneous exposure to noise and solvents can damage the peripheral auditory system.

Effects of impact noise on the hearing of military personnel.

UNLABELLED: Shooting is an activity that exposes military personnel to noise impact, which may cause irreversible effects on hearing. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate impact noise on the hearing of military personnel that practice shooting. STUDY DESIGN: A case-control retrospective study. METHODS: 115 military personnel were enrolled; 65 had been exposed to impact noise and 50 were non-exposed. Firearm noise levels were evaluated, subjects answered a questionnaire and underwent threshold tonal audiometry and otoacoustic emissions testing. RESULTS: The average noise level was 125 dB(C). Most subjects (78%) believe that noise may cause hearing loss; nearly all (92.3%) used ear noise protectors while shooting, but most (32.3%) had never received guidance for using this equipment. There were significant differences between the two groups in relation to changes suggesting impact noise-induced hearing loss. CONCLUSION: The differences between groups show that noise-exposed military personnel are more likely to develop hearing loss. The goal of a hearing conservation program for this population should be to preserve hearing and educate these individuals about the importance of using hearing protection correctly.

Efeitos do ruído de impacto na audição de militares / Effects of impact noise on the hearing of military personnel

A prática de tiro é uma atividade que expõe o policial militar ao ruído de impacto, o que pode causar efeitos irreversíveis na audição. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o conhecimento sobre o ruído e os efeitos do ruído de impacto entre policiais militares que fazem prática de tiro. FORMA DE ESTUDO: Caso controle retrospectivo. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Participaram 115 militares, sendo 65 expostos ao ruído de impacto e 50 não expostos. Foi realizada a avaliação do nível de ruído das armas de fogo, aplicado um questionário, realizada audiometria tonal limiar e teste de emissões otoacústicas transiente e produto de distorção. RESULTADOS: O nível médio de ruído foi de 125Db (C), a maioria (78 por cento) acredita que o ruído pode causar perda auditiva, 92,3 por cento utilizam protetor auricular nas práticas de tiro, mas grande parte (32,3 por cento) nunca recebeu orientação quanto ao seu uso, o sintoma mais referido foi o zumbido (23 por cento) e 25 por cento dos expostos apresenta perda auditiva sugestiva de induzida por ruído. Houve diferença significativa entre os grupos em relação às alterações auditivas. CONCLUSÃO: Os militares expostos ao tiro são mais suscetíveis a desenvolver perdas auditivas. Há necessidade do desenvolvimento de Programas de Preservação Auditiva nesta população.

Shooting is an activity that exposes military personnel to noise impact, which may cause irreversible effects on hearing. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate impact noise on the hearing of military personnel that practice shooting. STUDY DESIGN: A case-control retrospective study. METHODS: 115 military personnel were enrolled; 65 had been exposed to impact noise and 50 were non-exposed. Firearm noise levels were evaluated, subjects answered a questionnaire and underwent threshold tonal audiometry and otoacoustic emissions testing. RESULTS: The average noise level was 125dB(C). Most subjects (78 percent) believe that noise may cause hearing loss; nearly all (92.3 percent) used ear noise protectors while shooting, but most (32.3 percent) had never received guidance for using this equipment. There were significant differences between the two groups in relation to changes suggesting impact noise-induced hearing loss. CONCLUSION: The differences between groups show that noise-exposed military personnel are more likely to develop hearing loss. The goal of a hearing conservation program for this population should be to preserve hearing and educate these individuals about the importance of using hearing protection correctly.

A percepçäo auditiva pré e pós-cirúrgica em pacientes com otosclerose / Auditory perception pre and post surgical in patients with otosclerosis

O SSW é um teste consagrado de avaliaçäo perceptiva em pacientes de 5 anso. O estudo da percepçäo auditiva em crianças é tema muito comum nas revistas internacionais de audiologia, pela preocupaçäo pedagógica que desperta no aproveitamento escolar. Mas, na avaliaçäo de crianças com otite média secretora, ele näo é utilizado, por ter sua aplicaçäo fora da faixa epidemiológica desta patologia (até 5 anos de idade). Neste trabalho,avaliou-se a percepçäo auditiva nas perdas condutivas do otosclerótico bilateral, antes e após a recuperaçäo da audiçäo pós-cirurgica, usando o SSW como instrumento desta avaliaçäo e concluiu-se que o cérebro do adulto, à semelhança da criança, tem plasticidade suficiente para reagir positivamente à melhora da audiçäo periférica, embora näo se tenha comparaçäo quantitativa. Assim, a estapedectomia e/ou estapedotomia unilateral bem sucedida pode melhorar o processamento central da audiçäo, e o SSW pode ser o teste indicado para esta avaliaçäo, uma vez que a discriminaçäo vocal, habitualmente utilizada, näo espelha a realidade da percepçäo da fala