ObjectiveTo evaluate the functionality of the auditory system in patients who underwent radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment with cisplatin to treat head and neck tumors.Study DesignCase series with planned data collection.SettingFrom May 2007 to May 2008 by the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and the Department of Oncology/Radiotherapy at Faculdade de Medicina de Marília.Subjects and MethodsAudiological evaluation (Pure Tone Audiometry (air and bone conduction), Speech Audiometry, Tympanometry, Acoustic Reflex testing and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions) was performed in 17 patients diagnosed with head and neck neoplasia and treated with chemotherapy, using cisplatin, and radiotherapy.Results12 left ears (70.5%) and 11 right ears (64.7%) presented bilateral decreased hearing soon after the treatment for the frequency 1 kHz (mild auditory damage) and for the frequency 8 kHz (more significant auditory damage).ConclusionPatients with head and neck cancer submitted to the conventional radiotherapy treatment, combined with the chemotherapy with cisplatin, presented a high incidence of decreased hearing by the end of treatment. Strong evidence was observed linking auditory alteration to the amount of radiotherapy treatment.

Brai nstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA) is an objective and non-invasive method of hearing assessment which detects electrical activity from the inner ear to the inferior colliculus. Aim: To assess the hearing pathway in normal hearing individuals and compare differences associated with gender, age and ear side (left and right). Study Design: A retrospective study. Materials and Methods: Sixty normal hearing individuals, aged between 09 and 66 years old, were subjected to clinical ENT examination and audiologic tests. Results: Wave latencies differed significantly between males and females, although there were no differences regarding right or left ear sides. Comparing latency averages regarding age and gender we noticed important differences. By the same token, significant differences were also seen comparing this study with the information present in the handbook of the BERA device used and results published by Fukuda, in another study. Conclusion: Knowing the great importance of BERA, it is crucial that each service develops its own standards in order to enhance the accuracy of the electrophysiological diagnosis of the hearing pathway.

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Palavras-chave: emissões otoacústicas, perda auditiva, triagem auditiva.

Radiotherapy has been widely used given its increase in the successful outcomes and cure of some cancers. Aim To evaluate the functionality of the auditory system in patients who underwent radiotherapy treatment for head and neck tumors. Materials and Methods From May 2007 to May 2008, otorhinolaryngological and audiological evaluation (Pure Tone Audiometry (air and bone conduction), Speech Audiometry, Tympanometry, Acoustic Reflex testing and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions) were performed in 19 patients diagnosed with head and neck neoplasia and treated with radiotherapy. Prospective case series study. Results 10.5% left ears and 26.3% right ears had bilateral hearing loss soon after radiotherapy according to ASHA criteria. Conclusions Radiotherapy treatment for head and neck cancer has ototoxic effects. Early programs of auditory rehabilitation should be offered to these patients.

titanium prosthesis during an eight-year period in our Department. METHOD: A retrospective study was made on the ossiculoplasty cases over a period of eight years in a Public Hospital District. The information was extracted by clinical process consultation. Between 1999 and 2008, 124 ossiculoplasties using Kurz© titanium prosthesis for chronic otitis media were performed (78 partial ossicular chain reconstructions and 46 total ossicular chain reconstructions). The one-stage, two-stage and revision ossicular chain reconstruction were included in the analysis. All patients had a minimum of 6 month postoperative follow up (mean 3 years and 4 months). Comparisons of preoperative and postoperative pure tone averages were performed. Air-bone gap and implant extrusion rates were measured. The success of the reconstruction was defined as a postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) of 20 dB or better. RESULTS: Successful ossiculoplasty was obtained in 73.1% of partial ossicular reconstruction reconstructions and 30.4% of total ossicular chain reconstructions (pϽ0.05). The postoperative pure-tone average air-bone gaps was 16 dB in partial reconstructions and 27.7 dB in total reconstructions (pϽ0.05). There were five cases of prosthesis extrusion. CONCLUSION: The majority of the ossiculoplasties improved satisfactorily the hearing status. There was no difference in hearing results in one-stage and two-stage partial ossicular chain reconstruction, but there were better hearing results in the cases of two-stage total ossicular chain reconstruction.

Li p reading (LR) is unconsciously practiced as we communicate and has currently been widely used in the assessment of hearing impaired people. The hearing challenged individual is able "to read" lip position and thus interpret the speech sounds of the speaker; however, it is very likely that the best lip reader can only catch 50% of the words uttered. Methodology: 30 individuals of both gender, with age ranging from 27 to 89 years, carriers of moderate bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The assessment encompassed speech recognition test of monosyllable words in four situations: without hearing aid (HA) and LR; without HA and with LR; with HA and without LR; and with HA and LR. Results: we noticed an improvement in the percentage of correct answers in 93.5% of the patients with HA and LR when compared to those patients in the other situations. Conclusion: Lip reading is an important communication strategy for those with hearing impairment, and it can support the hearing aid fitting process.

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