Abstract Introduction Tinnitus, which is considered the third worst symptom for humans, is a common complaint among people living with hearing loss and may negatively affect the quality of life of those who have it. Objective To analyze the perception of the handicap in patients with tinnitus and hearing loss as well as the possible associations between the variables hearing loss, loudness, onset, frequency and annoyance by tinnitus, and the correlation between the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). Methods A total of 30 patients with complaints of tinnitus and the presence of sensorineural hearing impairment were selected for this cross-sectional, observational, and descriptive study. The loudness of the tinnitus was measured by a VAS and classified as mild,moderate, or severe. The THI was classified as slight, mild, moderate, severe, and catastrophic. Data were submitted to statistical analysis using the Fisher exact test and Spearman correlation coefficient. Results Eleven male (36.7%) and 19 female (63.3%) subjects with a mean age of 56.5 years old were evaluated. There was no significant association between loudness, annoyance, time and frequency of tinnitus, nor between hearing loss and tinnitus. There was a significant association between the variables hearing loss and loudness, and a weak correlation between VAS and THI. Conclusion Tinnitus has a practical impact in the lives of patients with hearing loss in terms of catastrophic, functional, and emotional aspects, regardless of loudness, frequency, or time of onset. Hearing loss was a factor that had an impact on the loudness of tinnitus. There was no statistically significant correlation between VAS and THI.

As emissões otoacústicas evocadas transientes (EOAE-T) têm sido a técnica mais empregada na triagem auditiva neonatal. OBJETIVO: Comparar as EOAE-T em recém-nascidos a termo e pré-termo, em relação às variáveis: lado da orelha, gênero, espectro de frequência e idade gestacional. MÉTODO: Foram registrados, por meio de um estudo clínico de coorte transversal, as EOAE-T de 66 recém-nascidos, até 28 dias de vida, sendo 41 recém-nascidos a termo e 25 recém-nascidos pré-termo, todos sem indicadores de risco para perda auditiva. RESULTADOS: Houve melhora da relação sinal/ ruído com o aumento da frequência. Não foram observadas diferenças entre os gêneros e entre as orelhas, porém, houve diferenças entre os recém-nascidos a termo e pré-termo nas bandas de frequência de 3 kHz e 4 kHz. CONCLUSÃO: O exame de EOAE-T é importante para a avaliação do sistema auditivo periférico de recém-nascidos a termo e pré-termo, sendo possível visualizar respostas independentemente do gênero e idade gestacional.

The transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) have been widely used in neonatal hearing screening. OBJECTIVE: To compare the TEOAEs in newborns at term and preterm vis-à-vis the following variables: ear side, gender, frequency spectrum and gestational age. METHOD: By means of a cross-sectional cohort of 66 newborns up to the 28th day of life (41 newborns at term and 25 premature babies), we recorded TEOAEs. All the individuals did not have risk indicators for hearing loss. RESULTS: There was a signal/noise ratio improvement with frequency increase. No differences were observed between genders and between the ears, but there were differences among the children born at term and preterm in the frequency bands at 3 kHz and 4 kHz. CONCLUSION: The TEOAEs test is important for assessing the peripheral auditory system of newborns at term and preterm, making it possible to have responses regardless of gender and gestational age.

OBJETIVO: Desenvolver um modelo de luva sensorial e testá-lo em indivíduos não portadores de alterações sensoriais dos membros superiores, treinados a substituir o tato pela audição. MÉTODOS: Para a confecção do equipamento foram utilizados: luva de tecido, minimicrofones, amplificador e fones de ouvido. Sete sujeitos do sexo feminino, idade média de 26,28 anos (±1,03), foram selecionados para utilizar o equipamento e diferenciar texturas após treinamento. O treinamento ocorreu por sete dias, quinze minutos diários e teve como objetivo a identificação de texturas pelo som, utilizando a luva sensorial. Ao final todos os sujeitos responderam a um questionário. RESULTADOS: Todos os sujeitos classificaram o uso da luva como "confortável". Três sujeitos (42%) classificaram o aspecto estético do equipamento como "ótimo", dois sujeitos (28,57%) como "bom", e dois sujeitos (28,57%) como "regular". Seis sujeitos (85,7%) identificaram as texturas apenas pelo som e um sujeito (14,3%) relatou que foi auxiliado pelo tato. CONCLUSÃO: Foi viável a confecção de um modelo de luva sensorial com tecnologia nacional de fácil acesso e custo relativamente baixo, possibilitando a identificação de texturas pelo som durante o uso do equipamento por indivíduos treinados a substituir o tato pela audição. Nivel de Evidência II, Prospectivo Comparativo.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a sensory glove model and test it in subjects with normal sensitivity in the upper limbs, who have been trained to replace hearing with touch. METHODS: To make the equipment, a glove, mini-microphones, amplifier and headphones were used. Seven female subjects, with a mean age of 26.28 years (± 1.03) were selected to use the equipment and differentiate textures after training. The training took place over seven days, fifteen minutes a day, with the aim of identifying textures through sound, using the sensory glove. At the end all subjects answered a questionnaire. RESULTS: All the subjects rated the use of the glove as "comfortable". Three subjects (42%) rated the aesthetic appearance of the equipment as "excellent", two subjects (28.57%) as "good", and two subjects (28.57%) as "regular." Six subjects (85.7%) identified the textures by sound alone, and one subject (14.3%) reported that he was aided by touch. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to manufacture a model of sensory glove using national technology that is readily accessible and relatively low cost, enabling the identification of textures through sound when the equipment is used by individuals trained to replace hearing with touch. Level of Evidence: Level II, prospective comparative study.