Abstract Introduction Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and their suppression may be considered useful in monitoring cochlear function and the efferent auditory pathway inhibitory effect. Nonetheless, the establishment of reliable parameters of response variations is of great importance. Objectives To verify the replicability of test and retest in the research of the inhibitory effect of the efferent pathway using contralateral suppressing stimulus during DPOAE recording for clinical applicability. Methods Cross-sectional study with 48 volunteers, aged 18 to 30 years, with normal audiometric thresholds. The procedures included were audiometric and immittance measures to overrule any conductive or sensorineural conditions and DPOAE recordings without and with contralateral suppression with a 60 dBHL white noise. Distortion product otoacoustic emissions amplitudes were analyzed and compared in both conditions with Wilcoxon test, and the Spearman correlation test was used to assess test-retest reliability. Results The comparative analysis showed differences between amplitudes in test and retest conditions only in 1,500 Hz for DPOAE measures with all other tested frequencies showing no differences, and no difference was observed in all recorded frequencies in the test and retest comparison for DPOAE suppression. The degree of correlation between test and retest of DPOAE amplitude was good at 6,000 Hz and strong (r > 0.880) at the other frequencies. For DPOAE with suppression, all frequencies presented strong correlation between test and retest: 1,500 Hz (r = 0.880), 2,000 Hz (r = 0.882), 3,000 Hz (r = 0.940), and 6,000 Hz (r = 0.957). Conclusions The study found good replicability in contralateral suppression of DPOAE with potential clinical applicability, and we recommend conducting the test from 2000Hz to higher frequencies for more reliable results.

Abstract Introduction Research with tinnitus patients presenting with hearing loss and normal hearing subjects have verified that tinnitus interferes with auditory processing. One treatment option for this symptom consists of tinnitus habituation therapy. Objective To determine the influence of tinnitus habituation therapy on auditory abilities, on the self-perception of tinnitus regarding loudness and discomfort, and its impact on the quality of life. Methods A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 19 individuals with tinnitus. Audiological tinnitus and auditory processing evaluations were performed. Subsequently, the volunteers underwent tinnitus habituation therapy for 6 months. Ultimately, all of the individuals were reevaluated. Results A statistically significant reduction in tinnitus self-perception was observed in relation to loudness, discomfort, and its impact on the quality of life (p = 0.001, 0.001, 0.023, respectively). However, the influence of tinnitus habituation therapy on auditory abilities was not verified. Conclusion Tinnitus habituation therapy was effective in reducing the self-perception of tinnitus loudness and discomfort, as well as the impact of the symptom on the quality of life. However, these factors did not improve the auditory processing skills in tinnitus patients.

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar a função dos canais semicirculares do labirinto de indivíduos com diabetes tipo 1, submetidos ao Video Head Impulse Test (v-HIT), e compará-los com indivíduos sem diabetes. Métodos Estudo transversal, observacional, analítico, realizado com uma amostra de conveniência, formada por 35 indivíduos diabéticos e 100 não diabéticos. Todos os participantes foram submetidos à avaliação vestibular por meio do v-HIT. Resultados A casuística foi composta por 135 participantes, divididos em dois grupos. O grupo de estudo foi composto por indivíduos com diabetes tipo 1, totalizando 21 mulheres e 14 homens. A idade variou entre 18 e 71 anos, com média de 35,37 anos e desvio padrão de 10,98. O grupo sem diabetes foi composto por 77 mulheres e 23 homens. A idade variou entre 20 e 83 anos, com média de 46,44 e desvio padrão de 19,82. Os grupos foram pareados entre si, com relação à idade (p=0,098) e sexo (p=0,052). Os pacientes diabéticos apresentaram ganho diminuído nos canais semicirculares posteriores e anterior esquerdo. A velocidade apresentou diferença significativa nos canais lateral esquerdo, anterior direito e posterior esquerdo no grupo com diabetes mellitus tipo 1, porém não apresentou correlação com o ganho dos canais semicirculares. Conclusão Os participantes com diabetes mellitus tipo 1 apresentaram um ganho diminuído nos canais semicirculares posteriores e no canal anterior esquerdo quando comparados com indivíduos não diabéticos.

ABSTRACT Purpose To verify the function of the labyrinth semicircular channels of type 1 diabetes individuals submitted to the Video Head Impulse Test (v-HIT) and to compare them with individuals without diabetes. Methods Cross-sectional, observational, analytical study conducted with a convenience sample of 35 diabetic and 100 non-diabetic individuals. All participants were submitted to vestibular evaluation using v-HIT. Results The sample consisted of 135 participants divided into two groups. The study group was composed of individuals with type 1 diabetes, totaling 21 women and 14 men. The age range was between 18 and 71 years, with a mean of 35.37 years and standard deviation of 10.98. The group without diabetes was composed of 77 women and 23 men. The age range was between 20 to 83 years, with a mean of 46.44 and standard deviation of 19.82. The groups were matched for age (p=0.098) and gender (p=0.052). Diabetic patients showed decreased gain in the posterior and left anterior semicircular canals. Velocity showed a significant difference in the left lateral, anterior right and posterior left canals in the group with DM1, however velocity did not show correlation with the gain of the semicircular canals. Conclusion participants with type 1 diabetes mellitus showed a decreased gain in the posterior semicircular canals and in the left anterior canal when compared to non-diabetic individuals.

RESUMO Objetivo avaliar o efeito da idade sobre o ganho do reflexo vestíbulo-ocular por meio do v-HIT. Métodos estudo transversal, analítico, observacional, realizado com 90 indivíduos sem alterações otoneurológicas autorrelatadas, que foram submetidos ao exame v-HIT, com o intuito de avaliar o ganho dos canais semicirculares e a velocidade dos impulsos cefálicos. Resultados a idade da amostra variou de 20 a 83 anos. Optou-se pela divisão em três faixas etárias para facilitar a análise: 18 a 30 anos; 31 a 59 anos e maior que 60 anos. Houve diminuição dos ganhos do reflexo vestíbulo-ocular dos canais semicirculares anterior direito e posteriores com o aumento da idade. As médias do ganho dos canais semicirculares foram próximas a 1 e as velocidades, acima de 100º/s. Conclusão as médias do ganho dos canais semicirculares estiveram de acordo com os padrões de normalidade da literatura. Apenas os canais semicirculares posteriores e o anterior direito apresentaram redução do ganho com o aumento da idade.

ABSTRACT Purpose to evaluate the effect of age on vestibular-ocular reflex gain through v-HIT. Methods this was a cross-sectional, analytical, observational study conducted with 90 subjects without self-reported otoneurological alterations, who underwent v-HIT examination in order to evaluate semicircular canal gain and cephalic pulse velocity. Results the age of the sample ranged from 20 to 83 years. It was decided that the sample be divided into three age groups to facilitate the analysis: 18 to 30 years; 31 to 59 years, and over 60 years old. A decrease in vestibular-ocular reflex gains of the right and posterior semicircular canals was observed with increasing age. The average semicircular canal gain was close to one and the velocities above 100º/s. Conclusion the average gain of the semicircular canals is within the normality standards found in the literature. Only the posterior and right anterior semicircular canals showed reduced gain with increasing age.

Introduction In Vestibular Testing (VT), caloric tests allow evaluation of unilateral weakness (UW) and directional preponderance (DP), where different criteria of normality are adopted in Brazil and worldwide. The Brazilian version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (Brazilian DHI) evaluates the impact of dizziness on the quality of life of an individual. Objectives The objective of this research is to evaluate the impact of dizziness on the quality of life of patients undergoing VT, and to relate these findings to the results obtained according to national and international criteria. Methods Cross-sectional analytic study of 235 patients referred for VT in two hospitals. The authors performed the Brazilian DHI, history, static, and dynamic balance tests, positional nystagmus, and the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, as well as vectoelectronystagmography. Subjects were divided into three groups according to UW and DP values. Descriptive statistics and comparisons between groups were performed, considering a significance level of 5% in all analyses. Results Patients groups had 20.9% men, and 79.1% women. There was no significant difference between groups for the scores obtained in the Brazilian DHI. There was, however, a statistically significant difference in the redistribution of individuals according to the UWand DP values. Conclusion There was no relationship between VT results and the impact of dizziness in the quality of life. A review of normal values for UW and DP adopted in Brazil is suggested, as well as the application of the Brazilian DHI as an additional tool to evaluate the impact of dizziness on quality of life in all patients undergoing VT.