Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Noise Exposure Questionnaire (NEQ) to Brazilian Portuguese.

Objective: To translate and cross-culturally adapt the Noise Exposure Questionnaire (NEQ) and 1-Minute Noise Screen (NEQ-S) instruments to Brazilian Portuguese.

Methods: Procedures widely known in health research were used in the translation and cross-cultural adaptation process, comprising the following steps: initial translation, synthesis of translations, back-translation, expert committee, pretest, and content and layout validation. Altogether, 60 workers participated in the pretest by answering the questionnaires and then evaluating them in terms of understandability, layout, clarity, and writing.

ELSA-Brasil: a 4-year incidence of hearing loss in adults with and without hypertension.

Objective: To compare the incidence of hearing loss among adults stratified by the occurrence of hypertension, and to investigate the association between hypertension and hearing loss.

Methods: Longitudinal observational study, part of the Estudo Longitudinal da Saúde do Adulto (ELSA-Brasil, Longitudinal Study on Adult's Health). Data from the first and second waves were analyzed, including information from audiological assessment and general health of the subjects.

Noise Exposure, Headsets, and Auditory and Nonauditory Symptoms in Call Center Operators.

Purpose: This study evaluates the exposure of call center operators (CCOs) to occupational noise, its association with auditory and nonauditory symptoms, and the feasibility of monaural and binaural headsets.

Method: We measured the noise exposure sound pressure levels (SPLs) with the microphone-in-real-ear technique and administered a questionnaire on auditory/nonauditory symptoms and headset preference.

Results: We assessed 79 CCOs with normal hearing.

Hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension: analysis of the baseline data from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil).

Objectives: To investigate the association among hypertension, tinnitus, and sensorineural hearing loss and evaluate the influence of other covariates on this association.

Methods: Baseline data (2008-2010) from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil) were analyzed. Altogether, 900 participants were evaluated.

Training in the proper use of earplugs: An objective evaluation.

Background: Discrepancies between attenuation obtained in the laboratory and the field are caused by several factors associated with hearing protection devices (HPDs). The effects of some factors can be minimized with proper training provided to HPD users.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention for improving the correct use of earplugs as HPDs in workers exposed to occupational noise by using the F-MIRE method and by comparing pre- and post-training attenuation values and pass/fail rates.

Longitudinal evaluation of a hearing protector fit training program.

Objective: The present study evaluates a training program for fitting different hearing protection devices (HPDs) based on personal attenuation rating (PAR) before, immediately after, and six months after training.

Methods: A total of 67 workers from a public university in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, were invited to participate in the measurement of PARs for foam and silicone protectors through the 3M™ E-A-Rfit Validation System. Two evaluations were performed for each protector at each sampling date: one after reading printed material (the package instructions) and another after being trained by an audiologist.

Analysis of possible factors of vocal interference during the teaching activity.

Objective: To measure the risk of dysphonia in teachers, as well as investigate whether the perceptual-auditory and acoustic aspects of the voice of teachers in situations of silence and noise, the signal-to-noise ratio, and the noise levels in the classroom are associated with the presence of dysphonia.

Methods: This is an observational cross-sectional research with 23 primary and secondary school teachers from a private school in the municipality of São Paulo, Brazil, divided into the groups without dysphonia and with dysphonia. We performed the following procedures: general Dysphonia Risk Screening Protocol (General-DRSP) and complementary to speaking voice - teacher (Specific-DRSP), voice recording during class and in an individual situation in a silent room, and measurement of the signal-to-noise ratio and noise levels of classrooms.

Effects of diabetes mellitus and systemic arterial hypertension on elderly patients' hearing.

Introduction: Chronic diseases can act as an accelerating factor in the auditory system degeneration. Studies on the association between presbycusis and diabetes mellitus and systemic arterial hypertension have shown controversial conclusions.

Objective: To compare the initial audiometry (A1) with a subsequent audiometry (A2) performed after a 3 to 4-year interval in a population of elderly patients with diabetes mellitus and/or systemic arterial hypertension, to verify whether hearing loss in these groups is more accelerated when compared to controls without these clinical conditions.

Evaluation of the hearing protector in a real work situation using the field-microphone-in-real-ear method.

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of the attenuation of a hearing protector (HP) in a real work situation using the field-microphone-in-real-ear method (f-MIRE). Methods Eighteen individuals of both genders (mean age of 47.17±8 years) participated in this study.

Training on hearing protector insertion improves noise attenuation.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of hearing protector insertion by comparing attenuation values measured by objective (MIRE) and subjective (REAT) methods in groups with and without training.

Methods: The study included 80 male subjects assigned to experimental (with training) and control (without training) groups. The following procedures were performed: occupational history, objective and subjective assessment of hearing protectors.

Interaction between diabetes mellitus and hypertension on hearing of elderly.

Introduction: Chronic diseases and metabolic changes may act as accelerating factor in the degeneration of the auditory system due to age. However, studies involving an association between hearing loss and diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HA) in the elderly have shown controversial conclusions. Thus, further studies on this topic are needed in order to elucidate the effect of these chronic diseases on the auditory system.

P300 in workers exposed to occupational noise.

Unlabelled: The harm upon the central auditory pathways of workers exposed to occupational noise has been scarcely studied.

Objective: To assess the central auditory pathways by testing the long latency auditory evoked potentials (P300) of individuals exposed to occupational noise and controls.

Method: This prospective study enrolled 25 individuals with normal hearing thresholds.

Effectiveness verification of an educational program about hearing protection for noise-exposed workers.

Purpose: To verify the effectiveness of an educational action in the form of training, emphasizing the importance of hearing protection for workers exposed to occupational noise.

Methods: The study included 78 male individuals. All participants answered a questionnaire before they were submitted to audiological evaluation.

[Comparing audiological evaluation and screening: a study on presbycusis].

Given the high prevalence of presbycusis and the damage it brings about, a screening test can be useful in the identification of hearing loss in primary care. To estimate the prevalence of hearing loss in a representative sample of elderly people living at Butantan using an audiological screening method (questionnaire) and a basic audiological evaluation; to compare the results of the two kinds of evaluations, checking the validity of this tool for hearing loss screening. Cross sectional descriptive study.

Brainstem auditory evoked potential with speech stimulus.

Background: Although clinical use of the click stimulus for the evaluation of brainstem auditory function is widespread, and despite the fact that several researchers use such stimulus in studies involving human hearing, little is known about the auditory processing of complex stimuli such as speech.

Aim: To characterize the findings of the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) performed with speech stimuli in adults with typical development.

Method: Fifty subjects, 22 males and 28 females, with typical development, were assessed for ABR using both click and speech stimuli.

[Speech tests: application in individuals with noise induced hearing loss].

Background: Speech intelligibility.

Aim: To evaluate speech recognition in individuals with noise induced hearing loss (NIHL).

Method: 79 adults were divided in two groups: a control group with 39 individuals with hearing limits up to 25 dB, and a research group with 40 individuals with audiometric configuration and occupational history suggesting NIHL.