Abstract Introduction Even people with normal hearing may have difficulties locating a sound source in unfavorable sound environments where competitive noise is intense. Objective To develop, describe, validate and establish the normality curve of the sound localization test. Method The sample consisted of 100 healthy subjects with normal hearing, > 18 years old,who agreed to participate in the study. The sound localization testwas applied after the subjects underwent a tonal audiometry exam. For this purpose, a calibrated free field test environment was set up. Then, 30 randompure tones were presented in 2 speakers placed at 45° (on the right and on the left sides of the subject), and the noise was presented froma 3rd speaker, placed at 180°. The noise was presented in 3 hearing situations: optimal listening condition (no noise), noise in relation to 0 dB, and noise in relation to - 10 dB. The subject was asked to point out the side where the pure tone was being perceived, even in the presence of noise. Results All of the 100 participants performed the test in an average time of 99 seconds. The average score was 21, the medium score was 23, and the standard deviation was 3.05. Conclusion The sound localization test proved to be easy to set-up and to apply. The results obtained in the validation of the test suggest that individuals with normal hearing should locate 70% of the presented stimuli. The test can constitute an important instrument in the measurement of noise interference in the ability to locate the sound.

Resumo Introdução: Em situações ideais de escuta, indivíduos com audição normal conseguem fazer e reconhecer a fala facilmente. Porém, na presença de ruído competitivo, é comum as pessoas sentirem dificuldades de compreensão, principalmente se tiverem perda auditiva. Objetivo: Apresentar a validação do teste de reconhecimento de palavras em campo livre na presença do ruído em indivíduos adultos normo-ouvintes. Método: A amostra foi composta por 100 sujeitos hígidos, com audição normal e maiores de 18 anos. Depois da audiometria tonal foi aplicado teste de reconhecimento da fala, com monossílabos e dissílabos, em campo livre, com material padronizado, em três situações de escuta: condição ótima de audição (sem ruído), com ruído em relação de 0 dB e com ruído em relação de −10 dB. Para tanto, montou-se um ambiente de teste em campo livre calibrado, no qual a fala foi apresentada ao indivíduo em teste com duas caixas acústicas a 45° e o ruído em uma terceira a 180°. Resultados: Todos os participantes tiveram resultados de logoaudiometria em campo livre entre 88 e 100% nas três situações de escuta. Conclusão: O teste de reconhecimento de palavras em campo livre na presença do ruído mostrou-se de fácil organização e aplicação. Os resultados obtidos na validação do teste sugerem que indivíduos com audição normal devem acertar entre 88 e 100% dos estímulos apresentados. O teste pode configurar um instrumento importante na mensuração da interferência do ruído sobre as habilidades de percepção de fala.

Abstract Introduction: In ideal listening situations, subjects with normal hearing can easily understand speech, as can many subjects who have a hearing loss. Objective: To present the validation of the Word Recognition Test in a Free Field in the Presence of Noise in normal-hearing adults. Methods: Sample consisted of 100 healthy adults over 18 years of age with normal hearing. After pure tone audiometry, a speech recognition test was applied in free field condition with monosyllables and disyllables, with standardized material in three listening situations: optimal listening condition (no noise), with a signal to noise ratio of 0 dB and a signal to noise ratio of −10 dB. For these tests, an environment in calibrated free field was arranged where speech was presented to the subject being tested from two speakers located at 45°, and noise from a third speaker, located at 180°. Results: All participants had speech audiometry results in the free field between 88% and 100% in the three listening situations. Conclusion: Word Recognition Test in Free Field in the Presence of Noise proved to be easy to be organized and applied. The results of the test validation suggest that individuals with normal hearing should get between 88% and 100% of the stimuli correct. The test can be an important tool in measuring noise interference on the speech perception abilities.

Abstract Introduction The impact of auditory sensory deprivation in the life of an individual is enormous because it not only affects one's ability to properly understand auditory information, but also the way people relate to their environment and their culture. The monitoring of adult and elderly subjects with hearing loss is intended to minimize the difficulties and handicaps that occur as a consequence of this pathology. Objective To evaluate the level of user satisfaction with hearing aids. Methods A clinical and experimental study involving 91 elderly hearing aid users. We used the questionnaire Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life to determine the degree of the satisfaction provided by hearing aids. We evaluated mean global score, subscales, as well as the variables time to use, age, and degree of hearing loss. Results Mean global score was 4.73, the score for Positive Effects 5.45, Negative Factors 3.2, demonstrating that they were satisfied; Services and Costs 5.98: very satisfied ; 3.65 Personal Image: dissatisfied. We observed statistically significant difference for the time of hearing aid use, age, and degree of hearing loss. Conclusion The SADL is a tool, simple and easy to apply and in this study we can demonstrate the high degree of satisfaction with the hearing aids by themajority of the sample collected, increasing with time of use and a greater degree of hearing loss.

RESUMO Introdução A audição binaural é a condição adequada que permite ao ouvinte a dimensão de profundidade e sonoridade necessárias à percepção do mundo sonoro. Objetivo Determinar, por meio de uma revisão sistemática, quais os benefícios que as próteses auditivas implantáveis trazem para indivíduos adultos que possuem perda auditiva unilateral, no que se refere às habilidades de localização da fonte sonora e do reconhecimento de fala na presença do ruído. Estratégia de pesquisa Foram utilizadas combinações de sete descritores em português, indexados no Descritores em Ciências da Saúde (DeCS), e em inglês, indexados no Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), sendo eles: Adulto, Perda Auditiva Unilateral, Auxiliares de Audição, Condução Óssea, Implante Coclear, Idoso, Reabilitação Adult, Hearing Loss Unilateral, Bone Conduction, Cochlear Implantation, Rehabilitation, Elderly e Hearing Aid . Foi realizada uma pesquisa nas bases de dados PubMed , Cochrane , LILACS e Science Direct de artigos publicados entre janeiro de 2005 e setembro de 2015. Critérios de seleção Participantes da pesquisa com mais de 18 anos de idade, com perda auditiva unilateral, que utilizavam prótese auditiva implantável (prótese auditiva ancorada no osso ou implante coclear) e que tivessem sido submetidos à avaliação de localização da fonte sonora ou desempenho de reconhecimento de fala na presença de ruído, antes e depois da implantação. Resultados Dos 21 artigos analisados, sete foram experimentais, seis prospectivos, três descritivos, quatro séries de casos e um estudo de caso. Conclusão Apesar da grande heterogeneidade clínica observada entre os estudos que avaliaram a reabilitação auditiva de pacientes com perda auditiva unilateral, é possível concluir que o implante coclear fornece melhores resultados, tanto para a habilidade de localização da fonte sonora, como do reconhecimento de fala na presença de ruído.

ABSTRACT Introduction The binaural hearing is the proper condition that allows the listener the depth dimension and sonority necessary to the perception of the soundworld. Objective To determine, through a systematic review, the benefits that implantable hearing aids bring to adult individuals who have unilateral hearing loss in terms of localization of sound source and speech recognition in the presence of noise. Research strategy Were used combinations of seven Portuguese descriptors indexed in Health Sciences (DeCS), and in English indexed in the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), being: Adult, Unilateral Hearing Loss, Hearing Aids, Bone Conduction, Cochlear Implant We conducted a survey of the PubMed, Cochrane, LILACS, and Science Direct databases of articles published between January 2005 and September 2015. Selection criteria Survey participants over 18 years old with unilateral hearing loss, who used implantable hearing aid bone anchored hearing aids or cochlear implantation) and who had been submitted to the evaluation of the location of the sound source or performance of speech recognition in the presence of noise before and After implantation. Results Of the 21 articles analyzed, seven were experimental; six were prospective, three descriptive, four case series and one case study. Conclusion Despite the great clinical heterogeneity observed among the studies that evaluated the auditory rehabilitation of patients with unilateral hearing loss, it is possible to conclude that the cochlear implant provides better results both for the localization of the sound source and for speech recognition in the presence of noise.

OBJETIVOS:o objetivo geral deste estudo é caracterizar, a partir das respostas oferecidas pelos professores, as alterações de aprendizagem que julgam estar presentes nos alunos e identificar as queixas referentes à escrita frequentemente detectadas pelos professores.MÉTODOS:trata-se de um estudo individuado transversal seccional quantitativo. Participaram da pesquisa 21 professores que lecionam no ciclo de alfabetização (1º ao 3º ano) nas escolas de Cajati/SP, sendo sete do primeiro ano, seis do segundo ano e oito do terceiro ano. Estes participantes foram subdivididos em dois grupos: G1 - início do ciclo de alfabetização (1º e 2º ano) e G2 - final do processo de alfabetização (3º ano). Foi aplicado um questionário formulado pela autora e respondidos pelos professores. Utilizou-se o teste de Fisher como instrumento estatístico.RESULTADOS:mediante os achados, verificou-se diferença na proporção do histórico de alterações de linguagem anterior à escolarização, sendo maior no ano escolar final. Da compreensão do contexto dos textos com facilidade, relacionada ao ano frequentado pelos alunos é maior entre os escolares dos anos iniciais e a proporção dos escolares que expressam as ideias por meio da escrita é significantemente maior (0,0389) entre os alunos do período da tarde.CONCLUSÃO:o atraso na aquisição da linguagem pode prejudicar o processo de alfabetização que inclui a habilidade pragmática e a função expressiva.

PURPOSE:the overall goal is to characterize the major alterations in learning existent in the students. The specific goals is characterized, from the answers provided by the teachers, changes in learning that judge be present in students and identify complaints regarding written frequently detected by teachers.METHODS:this research is a transverse sectional quantitative individuated study. 21 teachers from the literacy cycle (from the 1st to the 3rdschool year) who work at schools have participated in this study, seven from de first year, six from the second year and eight from the third year. Those groups were divided into two subgroups: G1 - early literacy (1st and 2nd school year) and G2 - end of the literacy (3rd school year). A formulated questionnaire was answered by the teachers. Fisher´s test was used as a statistic instrument.RESULTS:there was a difference in the historical changes proportion of language before schooling, being bigger in the final school year. According to the year attended, the facility in the text comprehension was greater among younger students. Regarding the ability to express ideas through writing the proportion of students is bigger (0.0389) among those that studies in the afternoon.CONCLUSION:the delay in the acquisition of the language can damage the process of literacy what includes the pragmatic ability and expressive function.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade de vida de um grupo de idosos presbiacúsicos após a protetização e comparar os resultados com um grupo de idosos normouvintes. MÉTODO: Estudo clínico descritivo transversal, do qual participaram 51 indivíduos, de ambos os gêneros, divididos em dois grupos: grupo estudo, formado por 36 presbiacúsicos, com idade média de 73 anos, e usuários de prótese auditiva (mínimo de seis meses de uso); grupo controle, formado por 15 idosos normouvintes, com idade média de 69 anos. Foi aplicado o questionário WHOQOL-bref, e os dados relativos aos quatro domínios abrangidos (físico, psicológico, meio ambiente e relações sociais) foram analisados e comparados entre os grupos. RESULTADOS: Qualitativamente, todos os sujeitos presbiacúsicos declararam que sua vida melhorou depois da adaptação da prótese, porém os escores do WHOQOL-breaf revelaram: em relação ao domínio físico, não houve diferença significativa entre as respostas dos dois grupos, certamente porque o avanço da idade traz no seu bojo uma série de limitações; nos demais domínios, houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos, sendo que no grupo de presbiacúsicos a qualidade de vida foi pior. Tal fato permite inferir que, no grupo de presbiacúsicos, apesar do uso da prótese, as limitações impostas pela idade continuam comprometendo a autoestima, as relações interpessoais e o convívio social. CONCLUSÃO: Nos dois grupos, a idade representa limitações no que se refere à qualidade de vida. No grupo com presbiacusia, foi possível verificar melhoria da percepção auditiva, porém a melhora da qualidade de vida geral desses indivíduos depende de outros fatores que podem não ter relação com a perda de audição, quando comparado com o grupo normouvinte.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of life of a group of presbycusic elderly after using the device and comparing the results with a group of normal hearing elderly subjects. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional clinical study with 51 subjects participants who were divided in two groups: the study group was made up of 36 presbycusic subjects, with an average age of 73 years, of both genders, and hearing aid users (minimum of 6 months of use); the control group comprised 15 normal hearing elderly, with average age of 69. We used the WHOQOL-bref, and the data on four areas covered (physical, psychological, environmental and social relations) were analyzed and compared between groups. RESULTS: Qualitatively, all presbycusic subjects stated that their life improved after the use of the prosthesis; however, WHOQOL-bref scores reveal: in relation to the physical domain, there was no significant difference between the responses of the two groups, probably because aging brings with it a number of limitations; in other areas, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups, with the presbycusic group's quality of life being worse. This fact allows us to infer that, in the group of presbycusic subjects, despite the use of the prosthesis, the limitations imposed by age continue to affect self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, and social interaction. CONCLUSION: In both groups surveyed, age represents limitations regarding quality of life. In the group with presbycusis, it was possible to verify the improvement of auditory perception, but the improvement of overall quality of life of these individuals depends on other factors that may not be related to hearing loss when compared to the normal hearing group.

Introduction  The main function of hearing is to enable oral communication. Hearing loss impairs communication skills. Objective  To evaluate the level of user satisfaction with hearing aids. Methods  This is a cross-sectional group study comprising 108 subjects (56% men and 44% women). The average age of the subjects was 77 years. These subjects had been recently fitted with their hearing aids and showed sensorineural (90%) and mixed (10%) hearing loss as determined via the Questionnaire International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids Outcome Inventory (IOI-HA), which determined the benefit and satisfaction obtained by sound amplification. Results  The hearing aids improved the quality of life of 52.78% of the patients, which was revealed by their high scores (mean = 27.3). The relationship of the user with the environment was significantly better (p < 0.001) than that of the user with the hearing aid. Conclusion  IOI-HA is a simple and easy-to-use tool. Based on the results of this study, we can show a high degree of satisfaction with their hearing aids in the majority of the participants, which improved the quality of life.