Ti nnitus is a symptom present in approximately 15% of the world population. Most patients are between 40 and 80 years of age; the prevalence above 60 reaches 33%. About 20% have moderate to severe impact in the quality of life but the factors associated with the tinnitus annoyance are not completely known. Aim: The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between age, gender and hearing loss on tinnitus annoyance. Materials and methods: 68 patients were evaluated at the tinnitus center at our hospital, from March 2007 to march 2008, with a detailed interview, complete otolaryngological examination, the Portuguese version of the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and pure tone audiometry. Results: Age varied from 24 to 83 (mean=59); the mean THI value was 39 (females: 36; males: 44). THI grades were: slight: 32.3%; mild: 19.1%; moderate: 20.6%; severe: 13.2% and catastrophic: 14.7%. No significant correlation was found between gender (p=0.30), age (p=0.77) hearing loss (p>0.05 for all averages analyzed) and tinnitus severity. Conclusion: Gender, age and hearing loss do not influence tinnitus annoyance, using the THI.

Most of the situations related to ENT foreign bodies are avoidable. Improvements in Public Health Assistance and otolaryngologists training are essential to avoid serious complications.

Nasal foreign bodies are especially found between the ages of 0 and 4 years. In our study, foam fragments and small plastic objects were the most frequent foreign bodies found. Complications were found in 9.05% of the cases, headed by epistaxis and nasal vestibulitis.

Occupat ional and environmental exposure to agricultural pesticides represent an important health care problem in our country. Among the symptoms presented, dizziness stands out, because of a probable toxic action. Aim: The goal of our study was to characterize vestibular test results from rural workers occupationally and environmentally exposed to organophosphates used in agricultural pesticides. Materials and Methods:We carried out a cohort crosssectional study with 18 rural workers from Teresópolis, RJ. Age ranged between 16 and 59 years, with a mean value of 39.6 years, 5 were males and 13 females. We used three questionnaires with questions associated with general and auditory health, and more specific questions about dizziness and its association with work. All workers underwent clinical evaluation, audiometry and vectoelectronystagmography. Results: results showed that 16 workers had irritative peripheral body balance disorder and 7 workers had sensorineural hearing loss, thus suggesting that agricultural pesticides cause vestibular alterations through a slow and silent intoxication. Conclusions: medical care for this population exposed to neurotoxic substances require an interdisciplinary approach, to guarantee efficient preventive and therapeutic measures.

Discomfort due to pain had a mean score of 0.83. Noise discomfort (from drilling and manipulation of instruments) had the lowest mean score (0.70), and discomfort from body and neck position had the highest mean score (1.51).

Objetivo: realiza análise bibliográfica comentada sobre lagoquilascaríase humana, relativa ao período de 1909 a 2001. Introdução: Trata-se de zoonose causada por Lagochilascaris, com 109 casos humanos registrados exclusivamente na América Tropical, destacando-se o Estado do Pará com 49,5% da casuística mundial. Forma de estudo: prospectivo. Material e método: Utiliza como metodologia consulta a um guia de referência e a discos de 14 bases de dados; pesquisa direta a 8 bibliotecas; nos acervos bibliográficos de Fraiha e Leão, e na bibliografia dos trabalhos obtidos através destas fontes. Conclusão: Justifica o presente estudo pela dispersão e escassez de informações sobre o tema, muitas vezes inexistentes nos bancos de dados; e pelo aumento da casuística humana registrada nas últimas décadas, predominantemente na Amazônia.

Recent studies analyzing audibility thresholds at frequencies over 8 KHz have brought new perspectives on the investigation of auditory damage. These studies, however,have not yet reached a consensus on normal standards for auditory thresholds at these frequencies. Aim: To analyze the results of high frequency auditory thresholds in individuals aged between 18 and 29 years with no otological complaints. Type of Study: A prospective, cross-sectional study. Methods: 60 conventional audiometries were done and 51 of these exams were within normal limits in individuals aged 18 to 29 years. These selected individuals underwent high-frequency audiometry using the AMPLAID 460 device and Sennheiser HD 520 II earphones, and thresholds were obtained in dB HL Results: There was no significant difference in auditory thresholds between males and females. Highfrequency auditory thresholds were obtained for individuals with no otological complaint, aged between 18 and 29 years. Conclusion: It has been suggested that such data could be used as a normal reference for further studies with similar standard equipment, to analyze auditory alterations presented in young individuals.

OBJETIVO: caracterizar os sintomas auditivos e vestibulares de trabalhadores rurais expostos aos agrotóxicos organofosforados. MÉTODOS: foi realizado um estudo epidemiológico descritivo com uma amostra de 50 trabalhadores rurais. A faixa etária variou de 21 a 59 anos, média de 38,3 anos, sendo 20 (40%) trabalhadores de sexo masculino e 30 (60%) de sexo feminino. Foi utilizado um questionário com perguntas relacionadas à saúde auditiva e dados sobre tempo de exposição ao agrotóxico. RESULTADOS: os resultados mostraram que 38 trabalhadores (76%) referiram ter apresentado pelo menos um episódio de tontura em sua vida e destes, 29 (58%) trabalhadores ainda sentem tontura; 27 (54%) sentem zumbidos; 23 (46%) sentem a orelha abafada; 37 (74%) acham que possuem boa acuidade auditiva, porém 35 (70%) acham que, sentem dificuldades na compreensão de palavras, sugerindo que os agrotóxicos podem induzir alterações do sistema auditivo e vestibular por meio de uma intoxicação lenta e silenciosa. CONCLUSÃO: a tontura e a perda auditiva aparecem como sintomas subjetivos e constantes da exposição ocupacional podendo ser um sinal precoce da intoxicação, prejudicando a qualidade de vida destes trabalhadores.