Análise da correlação entre limiares auditivos, questionários validados e medidas psicoacústicas em pacientes com zumbido

Abstract

One of the most criticized points in tinnitus clinical studies arise from the lack of consensus about measurement methods. Aim:To evaluate the correlation between audiometric thresholds, pitch matching (PM), minimum masking level (MML), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in tinnitus patients. Study design:Prospective, cross-sectional. Materials and methods:Subjects were submitted to tonal audiometry, PM and MML for tinnitus. They also filled out the THI and BDI. Data was statistically compared for correlation purposes between audiometric thresholds, psycho-acoustic measures and questionnaires.Results: There was no statistically significant correlation between THI and MML, both in patients with BDI scores under and over 14 points. There was no statistically significant correlation between the worst hearing frequency and PM, as well as between the cut-off frequency and the PM in patients with descending hearing curves in their audiograms. Conclusions:There is no statistically significant correlation between psycho-acoustic measures (PM and MML), audiometric thresholds, THI and BDI. Tinnitus is a very complex symptom and isolated measures by psycho-acoustic methods; tinnitus and depression questionnaires are not satisfactory. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2010;76(4):522-6. ORIGINAL ARTICLE BJORL

The Relevance of the High Frequency Audiometry in Tinnitus Patients with Normal Hearing in Conventional Pure-Tone Audiometry

“…This fits with earlier findings of increased abnormalities in the HF-audiogram [19] and in the HF otoacoustic emissions [20, 21] in tinnitus patients as compared to controls without tinnitus. Our findings also confirm the notion that the HF-audiometry is more sensitive for detecting hearing damage as compared to the standard audiometry [17, 22, 23]. This fits with our finding that in the HF-hearing loss group a tendency towards worse hearing thresholds in the standard PTA was observed.…”

“…Tinnitus severity was assessed by the German version of the Tinnitus Questionnaire (TQ) [15], the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) [16], and several numeric rating scales concerning tinnitus loudness/discomfort/annoyance/ignorability and unpleasantness. In addition, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used for quantification of depressive symptoms [17]. The audiological assessment included conventional PTA (125 Hz–8 kHz), HF-audiometry (at 10 kHz, 11.2 kHz, 12.5 kHz, 14 kHz, and 16 kHz), and matching of the tinnitus pitch.…”

Effectiveness of sound therapy in patients with tinnitus resistant to previous treatments: importance of adjustments

“…This study also observed a relationship between THI and MML WN, which was reduced in patients with good responses to treatment and without major complications during therapy. Although Figueiredo et al 26 did not observe this effect in their study, these authors did not compare THI and MML WN throughout the treatment, but only at their initial assessment.…”

Teste de fala comprimida: adaptação e validação

“…In another research 16 , 48 patients with complains of tinnitus were subjected to audiometric tests and to Minimum masking level (MML), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaires. In this research, the aim was to evaluate the correlation between the intensity which the patient perceived tinnitus with the loss caused by it, as well as to verify if the correlation between MML, THI and BDI questionnaires would have any interference from depression.…”