Brazilian Scale of Hearing and Language Development: Normality Curve for Infants and Children from 0 to 24 Months Old with Normal Hearing.

Introduction Cochlear implants are currently the most effective technological resource to facilitate access to the hearing world for deaf people. Their use, especially when implanted early in children, reduces the impact of deafness on hearing as well as on the development of spoken language. Objective To validate the first part of the Brazilian Scale of Hearing and Language Development (EDAL-1, in the Portuguese acronym) and to establish the normal curve in infants and children aged between 0 and 24 months old with normal hearing. Method This is an experimental study of a descriptive nature, conducted with 92 infants and children with normal hearing. Every infant/child was evaluated audiologically, and the EDAL-1 was applied to their parents. The responses were categorized by applying the EDAL-1 every 3 months for each child. Results The EDAL-1 was shown to be easily applied by the researcher and easily understood by the parents. It was possible to classify the sample every 3 months and describe the results. The average of the responses found in terms of scores for each age category shows an increasing scale following the evolution of the chronological age: 3 months-34.23 points; 6 months-54.68 points; 9 months-73 points; 12 months-82.5 points; 15 months-87 points; 18 months-91 points; 21 months-92.5 points, and 24 months-95.83 points. Conclusion The normal curve for EDAL-1 was successfully established. The averages can be considered as the standard protocol for normality, serving as a reference for comparison with other populations.

Brazilian scale of hearing and language development: normality curve for infants and children from 0 to 24 months old with normal hearing

Introduction: Cochlear implants are currently the most effective technological resource to facilitate access to the hearing world for deaf people. Their use, especially when implanted early in children, reduces the impact of deafness on hearing as well as on the development of spoken language. Objective: To validate the first part of the Brazilian Scale of Hearing and Language Development (EDAL-1, in the Portuguese acronym) and to establish the normal curve in infants and children aged between 0 and 24 months old with normal hearing. Method: This is an experimental study of a descriptive nature, conducted with 92 infants and children with normal hearing. Every infant/child was evaluated audiologically, and the EDAL-1 was applied to their parents. The responses were categorized by applying the EDAL-1 every 3 months for each child. Results: The EDAL-1 was shown to be easily applied by the researcher and easily understood by the parents. It was possible to classify the sample every 3 months and describe the results. The average of the responses found in terms of scores for each age category shows an increasing scale following the evolution of the chronological age: 3 months-34.23 points; 6 months-54.68 points; 9 months-73 points; 12 months- 82.5 points; 15 months-87 points; 18 months-91 points; 21 months-92.5 points, and 24 months-95.83 points. Conclusion: The normal curve for EDAL-1 was successfully established. The averages can be considered as the standard protocol for normality, serving as a reference for comparison with other populations (AU)

Perception of Noise Pollution in a Youth and Adults School in Curitiba-PR.

Introduction Nowadays noise remains the third largest cause of environmental pollution on Earth. It appears that despite the existing noise control legislation the issue deserves further supervision by the public authorities so that the ceilings established for the various activities are observed. People exposed to noise are more likely to develop numerous auditory and non-auditory problems directly impacting persona family and working life. Objectives The objective of this study is to research and consequently understand how the population of students of a youth and adult school in Curitiba perceives noise pollution as well as look into the actions that the school adopts in order to guide the students on the topic. Method We applied a structured questionnaire to 120 individuals and assessed the following variables: characterization of the place of residence occupation leisure health and perception of soundscapes. We also applied a closed questionnaire about educational actions for noise pollution to the school's geography teacher. Results Questionnaire responses show that people perceive noise in the most diverse environments they frequent and are able to identify the source of the noise but this perception proved fragile as the majority does not take measures to prevent or mitigate these noises. At school there are no actions aimed at environmental education on the subject studied. Conclusion The studied group does not perceive the noise as a harmful agent and does not prevent themselves from it and the school not work contents related to noise pollution leaving a significant gap in the awareness process of this population.

Perception of Noise Pollution in a Youth and Adults School in Curitiba-PR

Abstract Introduction Nowadays noise remains the third largest cause of environmental pollution on Earth. It appears that despite the existing noise control legislation the issue deserves further supervision by the public authorities so that the ceilings established for the various activities are observed. People exposed to noise are more likely to develop numerous auditory and non-auditory problems directly impacting persona family and working life. Objectives The objective of this study is to research and consequently understand how the population of students of a youth and adult school in Curitiba perceives noise pollution as well as look into the actions that the school adopts in order to guide the students on the topic. Method We applied a structured questionnaire to 120 individuals and assessed the following variables: characterization of the place of residence occupation leisure health and perception of soundscapes. We also applied a closed questionnaire about educational actions for noise pollution to the school's geography teacher. Results Questionnaire responses show that people perceive noise in the most diverse environments they frequent and are able to identify the source of the noise but this perception proved fragile as themajority does not takemeasures to prevent ormitigate these noises. At school there are no actions aimed at environmental education on the subject studied. Conclusion The studied group does not perceive the noise as a harmful agent and does not prevent themselves from it and the school not work contents related to noise pollution leaving a significant gap in the awareness process of this population.

Implante coclear e qualidade de vida: estudo com pais e familiares de crianças surdas / Cochlear implant and quality of life: a study with parents and families of deaf children / Implante coclear y calidad de vida: un estudio con padres y familias de niños sordos

Introdução: O implante coclear é uma solução auditiva concretizada no cenário brasileiro, constituindo-se uma estratégia viável de reabilitação auditiva para perdas auditivas severas e profundas. Porém, apesar dos grandes avanços tecnológicos e dos excelentes resultados obtidos e descritos na literatura, ter um filho implantado pode comprometer a qualidade de vida dos familiares envolvidos no processo. Objetivo: Comparar a qualidade de vida de um grupo de pais e familiares que possuem filhos usuários de implante coclear, antes e depois da implantação. Método: Trata-se de um estudo clínico descritivo transversal. Participaram 30 indivíduos que foram submetidos ao questionário WHOQOLBref antes da cirurgia e depois de seis meses de ativação do implante. O escore geral e os dados relativos aos quatro domínios abrangidos (físico, psicológico, meio ambiente e relações sociais) foram analisados e descritos. Resultados: Houve mudança positiva significativa para os escores dos domínios de meio ambiente e relações sociais do instrumento. Não houve diferença significativa no escore geral e nos domínios físico e psicológico. Conclusão: Foi possível comparar a qualidade de vida de um grupo de pais de crianças usuárias de IC, antes e depois do processo cirúrgico e ativação do dispositivo. A implantação gerou melhora significativa nos domínios: meio ambiente e relações sociais, evidenciando que houve melhora da qualidade de vida dos pais entrevistados.

Introduction: The cochlear implant is a hearing solution implemented in the Brazilian scenario, becoming a viable strategy for auditory rehabilitation for severe and profound hearing loss. However, despite the great technological advancements and the excellent results obtained and described in the literature, having an implanted child can compromise the quality of life of the families involved in the process. Objective: Compare the quality of life of a group of parents and families who have children users of cochlear implants, before and after implantation. Method: This is a cross-sectional clinical study. The participants were 30 individuals that were submitted to the WHOQOL- Bref questionnaire before surgery and after six months of implant activation. The overall score and the data for the four areas covered (physical, psychological, environmental and social relations) were analyzed and described. Results: There was a significant positive change to the scores of environmental and social relationships domains of the instrument. There was no significant difference in the overall score or on the physical and psychological domains. Conclusion: It was possible to compare the quality of life of a group of parents of children using CI before and after the surgical process and device activation. The implantation has generated significant improvement in the environment and social relationships areas, showing an improvement in the quality of life of the interviewed parents.

Introducción: El implante coclear es una solución auditiva concretizada en la escena brasileña, que se constituye como estrategia de rehabilitación auditiva viable para la pérdida de audición severa y profunda. Sin embargo, a pesar de los grandes avances tecnológicos y los excelentes resultados obtenidos y descritos en la literatura, tener un niño implantado puede comprometer la calidad de vida de las familias involucradas en el proceso. Objetivo: Comparar la calidad de vida de un grupo de padres y familias que tienen niños usuarios de implantes cocleares, antes y después de la implantación. Método: Se trata de un estudio clínico descriptivo transversal. Se incluyeron 30 individuos que se sometieron al cuestionario WHOQOL Bref antes de la cirugía y después de seis meses de la activación del implante. La puntuación global y los datos para los cuatro dominios cubiertos (físico, psicológico, medioambientales y relaciones sociales) fueron analizados y descritos. Resultados: Hubo un cambio positivo significativo de las puntuaciones en los dominios de las relaciones sociales y medioambientales del instrumento. No hubo diferencia significativa en la puntuación total y en los dominios físico y psicológico. Conclusión: Fue posible comparar la calidad de vida de un grupo de padres de niños que utilizan IC, antes y después del proceso quirúrgico y activación del dispositivo. La implantación ha generado una mejora significativa en los dominios medioambientales y relaciones sociales, demostrando una mejora en la calidad de vida de los padres entrevistados.

Benefit of Using the Prosthesis with Sound Generators in Individuals with Tinnitus Associated With Mild to Moderately Severe Hearing Loss.

INTRODUCTION: One of the treatments currently available for the remission of tinnitus, when associated with hearing loss is the use of hearing aids with sound generator. Such treatment is based on the capability that the human brain has to get used to a new sound over another. OBJECTIVE: To describe the results found in a group of people who have undergone treatment with sound generators. Method: Audiologic follow-up protocols of 25 adult subjects with hearing loss and complaint of tinnitus were analyzed. It was applied: free field audiometry with hearing aids, Visual Analog Scale to determine the degree of annoyance of the tinnitus and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory to assess tinnitus impact on the quality of life before and after treatment. RESULTS: After the use of hearing aids there was significant improvement in hearing thresholds; there was a significant reduction in the degree of annoyance caused by tinnitus; there was a significant reduction of tinnitus and, consequently, on the quality of life of the respondents. CONCLUSION: This study allowed the verification that the use of hearing aids with sound generator is a good resource for the treatment of tinnitus associated with mild to moderately severe hearing loss.