Características audiológicas de idosos com Vertigem Posicional Paroxística Benigna

Abstract

Beni gn Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most common causes of dizziness; it constitutes the most common vestibular disorder in the elderly with vertigo. Its characteristic clinical aspect is dizziness at head movement, with not hearing alteration. Aim: This paper aims at studying the audiologic characteristics of elderly with BPPV of the posterior semicircular canal. Materials and Methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of threshold tonal audiometry exams of 37 senior citizens with posterior semicircular canal BPPV and also of 37 elderly without complaints of dizziness and/or vertigo, and we studied the audiologic characteristics of the two groups. Results: Both groups had high rates of hearing loss, especially the descending curve sensorineural type, and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: Having such data, we can conclude that posterior semicircular canal BPPV has no impact on the hearing loss features of senior citizens; nonetheless, because of the spontaneous degeneration of the vestibulocochlear system, such population has a prevalence of hearing loss.

Tontura em idosos: diagnóstico otoneurológico e interferência na qualidade de vida

“…With regards to the pure-tone audiometry findings, most elderly patients presented altered results bilaterally, and the descending sensorineural hearing loss was the most frequent one. These findings were similar to those of other authors, who also verified high occurrence of descending bilateral sensorineural hearing loss in elderly subjects with dizziness complaints (8,25) . In a study conducted with elderly individuals with dizziness, the presence of hearing loss and tinnitus were significant (4) .…”

“…Elderly individuals present a high prevalence of vestibular and auditory symptoms, manifested through dizziness, tinnitus, body balance alterations, and falls (3,4) . Among the vestibular symptoms, dizziness is the most common after 65 years of age, and it interferes directly in the quality of life (QL); hence, it is considered an important public health issue (5)(6)(7)(8) .…”

Prevalência e associações da vertigem posicional paroxística benigna em idosos

“…There was no association between BPPV and hearing loss in this study, which is corroborated by the study of Moreno and Rego AAP 24 , which demonstrates that posterior canal BPPV has no influence on the characteristics of hearing loss among elderly people.…”

Assessment of risk of falls in elderly living at home

“…Studies reported in the literature and conducted with individuals in the community, have suggested that elderly patients who experienced previous falls are at increased risk of recurrence of these episodes, especially the elderly aged over 80 years, living alone, with complaints of dizziness, depressive symptoms and arthritis 17 - 18 . …”