Objective To establish reference intervals for cognitive potential P300 latency using tone burst stimuli.Methods This study involved 28 participants aged between 18 and 59 years. P300 recordings were performed using a two-channel device (Masbe, Contronic). Electrode placement was as follows: Fpz (ground electrode), Cz (active electrode), M1 and M2 (reference electrodes). Intensity corresponded to 80 dB HL and frequent and rare stimulus frequencies to 1,000Hz and 2,000Hz, respectively. Stimuli were delivered binaurally.Results Mean age of participants was 35 years. Average P300 latency was 305ms.Conclusion Maximum acceptable P300 latency values of 362.5ms (305 + 2SD 28.75) were determined for adults aged 18 to 59 years using the protocol described.

Introduction  The auditory system consists of sensory structures and central connections. The evaluation of the auditory pathway at a central level can be performed through behavioral and electrophysiological tests, because they are complementary to each other and provide important information about comprehension. Objective  To correlate the findings of speech brainstem-evoked response audiometry with the behavioral tests Random Gap Detection Test and Masking Level Difference in adults with hearing loss. Methods  All patients were submitted to a basic audiological evaluation, to the aforementioned behavioral tests, and to an electrophysiological assessment, by means of click-evoked and speech-evoked brainstem response audiometry. Results  There were no statistically significant values among the electrophysiological test and the behavioral tests. However, there was a significant correlation between the V and A waves, as well as the D and F waves, of the speech-evoked brainstem response audiometry peaks. Such correlations are positive, indicating that the increase of a variable implies an increase in another and vice versa. Conclusion  It was possible to correlate the findings of the speech-evoked brainstem response audiometry with those of the behavioral tests Random Gap Detection and Masking Level Difference. However, there was no statistically significant correlation between them. This shows that the electrophysiological evaluation does not depend uniquely on the behavioral skills of temporal resolution and selective attention.

Purpose: to identify if there are differences in the findings of Long Latency Auditory Evoked Potencial for latency and amplitude in different ways of counting the rare stimulus, being mentally counting or marking on paper (without memorizing). Methods: this study was prospective and transversal. The sample consisted of convenience and comprised by 49 subjects, including 29 females and 20 males. The following procedures were performed: Visual inspection of the external auditory canal, pure tone audiometry, acoustic emittance measures and long latency auditory evoked potentials, which was performed twice, one after the other, with individuals paying attention to the rare stimulus, always starting counting mentally and after marking on a paper. Results: there were significant differences between the ears to the P1, P2 latencies and amplitude of N1 for the method of marking on paper and the amplitude of P2 in both methods but with all values within the range normality. In addition, a statistically significant difference was also evident when comparing genders, being found larger latency values of P2 and N2 for males in both counting methods of the rare stimuli. The amplitude of P1, P2 and P3 was lower in males in different ways to count, being in P2 the only difference in the method mentally counting. When comparing the methods, there was a statistically significant difference only to the latency of P2 which was higher values for the method of marking on paper. Conclusion: there were no differences for the latencies and amplitudes of the long latency potentials in comparison of the rare stimulus score (mentally counting and marking on paper) for almost all potentials except for the potential P2 regarding to amplitude and latency. Keywords: Evoked Potentials, Auditory; Hearing; Auditory Perception RESUMO Objetivo: identificar se existe diferença nos achados do Potencial Evocado Auditivo de Longa Latência em relação à latência e amplitude, em diferentes modos de contagem do estimulo raro, sendo contando mentalmente ou marcando no papel (sem memorizar). Métodos: esse estudo teve caráter prospectivo e transversal. A amostra foi composta por conveniência sendo constituída por 49 indivíduos, sendo 29 do gênero feminino e 20 do gênero masculino. Foram realizados os seguintes procedimentos: Inspeção Visual do Meato Acústico Externo, Audiometria Tonal Liminar, Medidas de Imitância Acústica e Potencial Evocado Auditivo de Longa Latência, o qual foi realizado duas vezes, uma após a outra, com os indivíduos atentando ao estímulo raro, começando sempre contando mentalmente e após marcando em um papel. Resultados: houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre as orelhas para as latências de P1, P2 e amplitude de N1 para o método de marcação no papel, da latência de N1 para o método de contagem mental dos estímulos raros, e da amplitude de P2 em ambos os métodos, porém com todos os valores dentro da faixa de normalidade. Além disso, a diferença estatisticamente significante também foi evidente na comparação entre os...

ResumoNo idoso, o processamento da informação auditiva diminui, o que ocasiona alterações de diferentes habilidades auditivas e dificulta a compreensão do que é ouvido.

Introduction  The use of the speech-evoked auditory brainstem response (ABR) shows how the brainstem operates up to the subcortex in a more complex manner than when the click-evoked ABR is used. Objective  To study the applicability of the speech-evoked ABR in adults with hearing loss. Methods  The sample was composed of a study group of 11 subjects, with ages ranging between 18 and 59 years, and auditory thresholds within normal standards, with loss of up to 65 dB at high frequencies or up to moderately severe symmetric sensorineural hearing loss. The sample underwent a basic audiological assessment, as well as speech-evoked ABR and click-evoked ABR, in which waves I, III and V, and V, A, C, D, E, F were respectively marked. The electrophysiological assessments were performed using the SmartEP device (Intelligent Hearing Systems, Miami, FL, US). Results  For the speech-evoked ABR, the reference values were used in the identification and analysis of the study group. Those values found for the study group were: V = 8.56; A = 10.97; C = 21.33; D = 29.51; E = 37.93; F = 46.96; and O = 55.97. In the comparison between groups, the study group presented an increase in latency only in wave C. Conclusion  The speech-evoked ABR can be performed in subjects with up to moderately severe hearing loss, and the test proved to be appropriate, because, unlike the click-evoked ABR, the former does not suffer influence of peripheral hearing loss.

Purpose: Evaluate temporal ordering ability with different tests, verify the specificity of these tests and compare the result with the level of easiness/difficulty reported by the subjects. Methods: The subjects carried out basic audiological evaluation and Dichotic Digit Test, for auditory processing screening, and they also underwent Frequency Pattern Test (FPT) and Duration Pattern Test (TPD), in the versions of Taborga-Lizarro, Musiek and Auditec®, in order to evaluate the temporal ordering ability. Afterwards, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was presented, so that the subjects could identify the difficulty of each test. Results: A total of 33 subjects were evaluated, being 29 women and four men, aged from 17 to 27 years. There were a higher number of individuals who have reached normal levels in Auditec® test and in Taborga-Lizarro test, for FPT and TPD. In the Musiek test, there were some subjects with normal results very close to the ones observed on subjects with processing disorders. In the distribution of the most difficult test, there was a statistical significance for the Musiek test. In terms of the specificity of the test, Auditec® proved to be better. However, the analysis was performed only on TPD. Conclusion: Although the subjects did not present change and auditory processing complaints, we found difference in the results of temporal ordering tests. In relation to the reported difficulty for Musiek test, we verified that there was influence of this factor on the test results.In the analysis for specificity tests, better results for the Auditec® test could be observed.

Purpose: to investigate and compare hearing abilities in normal hearing bilingual students, at different levels of English proficiency (basic, intermediate and advanced), using behavioral testing and electrophysiological testing. Methods: this study is descriptive, quantitative and transversal. The sample consisted of 60 subjects (language schools students at different English proficiency levels: 20 at advanced level (AG); 20 at intermediate level (IG); 20 at basic level (BG)) with normal hearing and no complaints about auditory processing abilities, aged 18-35 years. They were subjected to behavioral test: Random Gap Detection Test (RGDT) that assesses ability of temporal resolution; and electrophysiological test Long Latency Auditory Evoked Potential (LLAEP) with verbal stimuli (syllables /ba/ -frequent stimulus and /di/ -rare stimulus) evaluating memory, attention and auditory discrimination. Results: it was noticed a statistically significant difference between ears for: BG, to amplitude of N1 and P2, with higher values for left ear; IG to amplitude of P1, N1 and P2, with higher values for left ear; AG to latency of N1, with higher values for left ear, and amplitudes of components P2, N2 and P3, with higher values for left ear. Between groups, RGDT showed lower values of AG, and latency of N1 component, with higher values for BG. Conclusion: there were significant differences in temporal resolution ability, better for students in advanced level of English and also to the latency of evoked cortical N1 with higher values for students at a basic level. Keywords: Hearing; Bilingualism; Electrophysiology; Event-Related Potentials, P300; Adult RESUMO Objetivos: investigar e comparar as habilidades auditivas entre normo-ouvintes bilíngues estudantes de diferentes níveis de proficiência do inglês por meio de teste comportamental e eletrofisiológico. Métodos: este estudo tem caráter descritivo, quantitativo e transversal. A amostra foi composta por 39 sujeitos (alunos de escolas de idiomas: 13 no nível avançado (GA); 13 no nível intermediário (GI); 13 no nível básico (GB)), com idade entre 18 a 35 anos, limiares auditivos tonais dentro dos limites da normalidade e sem queixas de habilidades de processamento auditivo. Foram submetidos aos testes comportamentais: teste de detecção de gap (RGDT); e ao teste eletrofisiológico potencial evocado auditivo de longa latência (PEALL), com estímulos verbais (sílabas /ba/ -frequente -e /di/ -raro) Resultados: verificou-se diferença estatisticamente significante entre as orelhas para: o GB, para a amplitude de N1 e P2, com maiores valores para a orelha esquerda; o GI, para a amplitude de P1, N1 e P2, com maiores valores para a orelha esquerda, o GA, para a latência do componente N1, com maiores valores para a orelha esquerda, e, para as amplitudes dos componentes P2, N2 e P3, com maiores valores para a orelha esquerda. Entre os grupos, o teste RGDT mostrou menores valores para GA e para latência do componente N1, com maiores valores para o GB. Conclusões: pode-se concluir...

RESUMO Objetivo Investigar os efeitos da suplementação antioxidante com extrato de açaí no incômodo com o zumbido crônico e a relação com os níveis de ansiedade e metabolismo oxidativo, não excluindo a sobreposição de enfermidades. Método Ensaio clínico, randomizado, controlado por placebo. Participaram 30 indivíduos, com média de 50,5 anos, 14 do sexo masculino e 16 do feminino, com limiares auditivos normais ou perda auditiva sensorioneural até grau leve bilateralmente, divididos em dois grupos: Grupo Placebo (sem ativo) e Grupo Açaí (100mg de extrato de açaí). Aplicaram-se os seguintes procedimentos antes e após três meses dos tratamentos: Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Inventário de Ansiedade de Beck (BAI) e amostras de sangue para avaliação de biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo (Peroxidação Lipídica e Carbonilação de proteínas). Resultados Houve redução do incômodo do zumbido para o grupo açaí, verificado por meio do THI (p=0,006). Diferenças significativas foram constatadas na pontuação dos sintomas comuns para os quadros de ansiedade no grupo placebo (p=0,016) porém, o mesmo não foi observado para os biomarcadores de metabolismo oxidativo, apesar de haver uma diminuição dos valores pós-tratamento para os grupos. Conclusão A suplementação antioxidante oral, com extrato de açaí, manifestou efeitos favoráveis no zumbido, reduzindo o desconforto com o sintoma, independente da etiologia de base, podendo ser considerada uma modalidade de tratamento. Entretanto, o efeito dessa suplementação nos sintomas de ansiedade e em biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo precisa de maior investigação.