Intervenção educativa em um estudante com deficiência intelectual, visual, auditiva e motora / Intervención educativa en un estudiante con discapacidad intelectual, visual, auditiva y motriz / An educational intervention in a student with intellectual, visual, hearing and motor disabilities

En este trabajo se presenta el diseño, la implementación y la evaluación de un programa de intervención educativa para un estudiante con diagnóstico de hipoacusia severa, ceguera congénita, discapacidad intelectual y motriz. La finalidad de la intervención es mejorar la conexión del niño con el entorno y trabajar la anticipación de acontecimientos en su vida diaria. Para ello se trabajan principalmente tres áreas de desarrollo: adaptativa, motora y cognitiva. Los resultados obtenidos en las evaluaciones pretest y postest reflejan ligeras mejoras en los tres ámbitos tras la intervención, y por tanto, una evolución en la edad de desarrollo del estudiante. Algunas de las conclusiones más relevantes son que el trabajo individualizado con personas con discapacidad múltiple influye positivamente en su desarrollo, y que existe una falta de instrumentos de evaluación estandarizados que se adapten a las características de las personas con discapacidades múltiples y severas.

Neste estudo apresenta-se a configuração, a implementação e a avaliação de um programa de intervenção educativa para um estudante com diagnóstico de hipoacusia severa, cegueira congênita, deficiência intelectual e motora. A finalidade da intervenção é melhorar a conexão da criança com o entorno e trabalhar a antecipação de acontecimentos em sua vida diária. Para isso trabalham-se principalmente três áreas de desenvolvimento: adaptativa, motora e cognitiva. Os resultados obtidos nas avaliações pré-teste e pós-teste indicam melhora nos três âmbitos após a intervenção, e por tanto, uma leve evolução na idade de desenvolvimento do estudante. Algumas das conclusões mais relevantes são que o trabalho individualizado com pessoas com deficiência múltipla influi positivamente em seu desenvolvimento, e que existe uma falta de instrumentos de avaliação estandardizadas que se adaptem às características das pessoas com deficiências múltiplas e severas.

This paper presents the design, implementation and evaluation of an educational intervention program for a student with a diagnosis of severe hearing loss, congenital blindness and intellectual and motor disability. The aim of the intervention is to improve the child's connection with the environment and to work on anticipating events in his daily life. For that purpose, three areas of development are mainly worked: adaptive, motor and cognitive. The results obtained in pretest and posttest evaluation reflect slight improvements in the three areas after the intervention, and therefore, an evolution in the student's developmental age. Some of the most relevant conclusions are that individualized work with people with multiple disabilities positively influences their development, and that there is a lack of standardized assessment instruments adapted to the characteristics of people with multiple and severe disabilities.

Surdez e preconceito: revisando a produção científica / Deafness and prejudice: reviewing the scientific production / La sordera y prejuicio: revisión de la producción científica

Este estudo objetivou compreender de que modo a surdez e o preconceito vêm sendo investigados na literatura científica nacional. Para isso, realizouse uma revisão nos periódicos, mais especificamente nas bases de dados Portal Scielo e Pepsic, no período de janeiro de 2006 a dezembro de 2016, num total de 15 artigos analisados. Os resultados e a discussão tratam da análise bibliométrica e da análise de conteúdo. Percebe-se que a maioria dos trabalhos são qualitativos. Apesar de a visão socioantropológica ter ganhado espaço, a visão clínico-terapêutica ainda é presente e, por causa disso, preconceitos, humilhações e discriminações são sentidos pelos surdos, que não preenchem o padrão de normalidade imposto pela maioria, ouvinte. Pode-se concluir que há um longo percurso a ser trilhado para familiares, profissionais e pesquisadores desenvolverem a temática e conscientizarem a população, objetivando mitigar o preconceito ainda existente.

This study aimed to understand how deafness and prejudice have been investigated in Brazilian scientific literature. To that end, a review was carried out in the periodicals, more specifically in the Scielo and Pepsic website databases, from January 2006 to December 2016, in a total of fifteen articles were analyzed. The results and the discussion are about bibliometric and content analysis. It Is realized that the majority of the works are qualitative. Although the socio-anthropological view has gained ground, the therapeutic clinical view is still present, and, because of this, prejudices, humiliations and discrimination are felt by the deaf, who do not meet the standard of normality imposed by the majority, the listeners. It can be concluded that there is a long way to go for family members, professionals, and researchers to develop the theme and raise awareness of the population, to mitigate the prejudice that still exists.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo comprender cómo la sordera y los prejuicios están siendo investigados en la literatura científica nacional. Para eso, se llevó a cabo una revisión en periódicos, más específicamente en las bases de datos Scielo portal y Pepsic, entre enero de 2006 y diciembre de 2016, un total de quince artículos analizados. Los resultados y el debate se ocupan del análisis bibliométrico y análisis de contenido. Se observa que la mayoría de los trabajos son cualitativos. Aunque la visión socio-antropológica haya ganado terreno, la visión médico-terapéutica todavía está presente y, debido a eso, los prejuicios, la humillación y la discriminación son experimentados por los sordos que no cumplen con los estándares de normalidad impuestos por la mayoría, oyente. Se puede concluir que hay un largo camino a ser recorrido por las familias, profesionales e investigadores para desarrollar el tema y concientizar a la población, con el objetivo de mitigar los prejuicios que aún existen.

Unmet Needs and Services Development of Rehabilitation for People with Extremely Severe Hearing Disability Using Structural Equation Analysis / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To explore the characteristics and the influential factors of unmet needs and services development of rehabilitation for people with extremely severe hearing disability (PSHDs). Methods:A total of 90 052 PSHDs were included. Multiple response was used to analyze the characteristics of unmet needs and services of rehabilitation. The structural equation model of the received service and unmet needs of PSHDs was developed. Results:The reporting rate of unmet needs of rehabilitation for PSHDs, from high to low, were assistive devices (61.5%), nursing care (24.1%), medicine (23.4%), functional training (17.6%) and surgery (2.5%). The reporting rate of received service for PSHDs, from high to low, were assistive devices (58.3%), nursing care (24.4%), medicine (22.4%), functional training (22.0%) and surgery (2.2%). Structural Equation Model showed that the more services received, the more needs for cochlear implantation surgery and speech therapy (P < 0.001); the better family income situation, the more needs for cochlear implantation surgery (P < 0.001); and age factor had significant effects on the unmet needs of cochlear implantation surgery and speech therapy (P < 0.001). Conclusion:PSHDs reported unmet needs and received services mainly included assistive devices, nursing care, medicine and functional rehabilitation training. Those PSHDs who had received services would report more demand of unmet needs, supposed that improving the accessibility and coverage of services should be emphasized in the development of rehabilitation services. According to ICF model, on the basis of the characteristics of the unmet needs of PSHDs, it proposed to take measures to implement precise rehabilitation services to improve the quality of services.

Unmet Needs and Services Development of Rehabilitation for People with Hearing Disability Using Logistic Regression Analysis / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To explore the characteristics of unmet needs and services of rehabilitation for people with hearing disability (PHD). Methods:A total of 219 473 PHDs administration data of unmet needs and services of rehabilitation at provincial level were sampled (2019) and analyzed the characteristics of needs and services of rehabilitation with multiple response analysis, and the related factors of needs and services with Logistic regression. Results:There were 47 657 (21.7%) PHDs reported their unmet needs of rehabilitation, from high to low were assistive devices (65.5%), medicine (22.7%), nursing care (19.1%), functional training (16.2%) and surgery (2.2%). There were 34 684 (18.8%) PHDs reported their received services, from high to low were assistive devices (59.8%), medicine (22.5%), functional training (19.7%), nursing care (19.4%) and surgery (1.8%). The logistic regression model showed that age, types of household registration and severities of disabilities related with the reported unmet needs and received services (P < 0.001). Conclusion:PHDs mainly reported unmet needs in the fields of assistive devices, medicine, and rehabilitation training. The reported unmet needs for PHDs had matched the received services structurally. It proposed to use modern science and technology to develop services delivery and to improve accessibility and quality of rehabilitation services.

Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes ancianos con Hipoacusia atendidos en el Hospital Calixto García / Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of elderly patients with hearing loss treated in Calixto García University Hospital

Introducción: El envejecimiento en Cuba constituye el principal problema demográfico y la Hipoacusia es una de las condiciones crónicas más frecuentes en los adultos mayores. Objetivo: Describir las características clínico-epidemiológicas de los pacientes de la tercera edad con Hipoacusia atendidos en el Hospital Universitario General Calixto García en el período de septiembre de 2015 hasta septiembre de 2016. Material y Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, transversal en el Hospital Universitario General Calixto García durante el período de septiembre de 2015 hasta septiembre de 2016. La población (N) estuvo constituida por 387 pacientes de la tercera edad, quienes asistieron a consulta en el período estudiado. Resultados: Predominó la Hipoacusia en los pacientes con edades entre 65 y 79 años (67,2 por ciento) y el sexo masculino fue el más afectado con esta discapacidad (69,5 por ciento). La Hipoacusia en el anciano se asoció con frecuencia a otras afecciones crónicas como las enfermedades cardiovasculares. La Presbiacusia o Hipoacusia asociada a la edad fue la causa más frecuente de sordera. Conclusiones: La Hipoacusia resultó ser una discapacidad frecuente en los pacientes masculinos de la tercera edad. La misma estuvo asociada a enfermedades crónicas no trasmisibles. Las perdidas auditivas neurosensoriales y mixtas, de moderada y severa intensidad, fueron las más frecuentemente encontradas en la audiometría tonal(AU)

Introduction: Aging constitutes the main demographic problem in Cuba, and hearing loss is one of the most frequent chronic conditions in older adults. Objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of elderly patients with hearing loss, treated in Calixto Gracía University Hospital during the period from September 2015 to September 2016. Material and Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Calixto Garcia University Hospital during the period from September 2015 to September 2016. The population (N) was composed of 387 elderly patients, who went to the doctor´s office during the period under study. Results: Hearing loss predominated in patients aged from 65 to 79 years (67,2 percent), and the male sex was the most affected by this disability (69,5 percent). Hearing loss in the elderly was frequently associated with other chronic conditions such as cardiovascular diseases. Age-related hearing loss (Presbycusis) or hearing loss associated with age was the most frequent cause of deafness. Conclusions: Hearing loss was a frequent disability in male elderly patients. It was associated with non-communicable chronic diseases. Sensorineural and mixed hearing losses of moderate and severe intensity were the most frequent ones found in the tonal audiometry(AU)

Standardization for a Korean Version of the Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale: Study of Validity and Reliability / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale (SSQ) was designed to measure self-reported auditory disability in a wide variety of listening situations. Its 49 items cover many aspects of speech perception, spatial hearing, and qualities of hearing, which constitute the three parts of SSQ. However, there has been no reliable and valid Korean version of SSQ (K-SSQ), which made the measurement of auditory disability difficult. The aim of this study is to develop a K-SSQ and to determine its reliability and validity for clinical or academic use. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: An expert panel translated the original SSQ into Korean. A bilingual translator back-translated the translated version into English, which was then compared with the original version. After cognitive debriefing, K-SSQ was administered to 400 patients with hearing disability in 14 referral hospitals. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and correlation study. Validity was evaluated by factor analysis and criterion validity based on the results of pure tone audiometry. RESULTS: K-SSQ showed good reliability with high internal consistency (Cronbach's α=0.99), and strong positive correlations across all three parts of SSQ. Construct validity was confirmed by the results of factor analysis and criterion validity demonstrated positive correlations between each part of SSQ and the results of pure tone audiometry. CONCLUSION: The K-SSQ is a reliable and valid tool for use as a behavioral measure of hearing ability in Korean-speaking patients, and it will provide a very useful evaluation tool for both clinicians and researchers.

Translation and Standardization for a Korean Version of the Client Oriented Scale of Improvement / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Client Oriented Scale of Improvement (COSI) has been designed to identify client needs, changes in listening ability, and final listening ability in situations important to each client. The aim of this study was to translate COSI into Korean with subsequent linguistic validation and to determine the reliability of the Korean version of the COSI (K-COSI). SUBJECTS AND METHOD: An expert panel translated the original version of COSI into the Korean language. A bilingual translator back-translated the translated version into English, which was subsequently compared with the original English version. K-COSI was administered at 14 referral hospitals, to 128 patients with hearing disability after cognitive debriefing. Reliability was assessed using correlation study. RESULTS: K-COSI showed an excellent test-retest correlation and high reliability in degree of change (Spearman correlation=0.89, interclass correlation coefficient=0.922). It also showed a fair test-retest correlation and high reliability in final hearing ability (Spearman correlation=0.49, interclass correlation coefficient=0.353) CONCLUSION: K-COSI proved to be highly reliable. The results suggest that the adapted Korean version of COSI is a reliable and valid measure for Korean-speaking patients with hearing loss.

Sexual satisfaction and its associated factors among individuals with hearing disability / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To investigate sexual satisfaction (SS) and the factors associated with decreased SS among individuals with hearing disability.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We conducted an investigation on SS among 439 individuals (268 males and 171 females, aged ≥18 yr) with hearing disability using a general information questionnaire, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Social Support Rating Scale, and a self-report on SS. We identified the factors of decreased SS by multivariate ordinal logistic regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally 76 (17.3%) of the hearing-disability individuals investigated were dissatisfied with their sexual life. SS reduction was significantly correlated with the status of being single (OR=1.72), grade-1 or -2 disability (OR=1.78), physical diseases (OR=2.46), depression (OR=6.61), or inadequate subjective social support (OR=3.28).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SS of hearing-disability persons is relatively low, which can be improved by treating physical diseases, promoting mental health, and providing psycho-social support.</p>

Caracterización clínica y etiológica de las diferentes discapacidades en el Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia, 2009-2010 / Clinical and etiological characterization of different disabilities in Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia, 2009- 2010

La discapacidad es una realidad humana percibida de manera diferente en diferentes períodos históricos y civilizaciones. El término, de uso frecuente, se refiere al funcionamiento individual e incluye discapacidad físico-motora, sensorial, visceral,cognitiva o intelectual, y discapacidad psíquica o mental. Objetivos: Identificar las frecuencias de los distintos tipos de discapacidad, así como las principales causas que la originaron. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal de todas las personas con discapacidaden el Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia,identificadas en el marco de la Misión Solidaria del ALBA Moto Méndez.Resultados: La discapacidad físicomotor, seguido de la intelectual,auditiva y la visual, fueron las más frecuentes,y las causas postnatales predominaronen el 63.3 por ciento de los casos, seguido delas prenatales.Conclusiones: Los accidentes constituyeron un serio problemasocial como factor postnatal.

Disability is a human reality perceived differently in different historical periods and civilizations. The following types of disabilities are described: intellectual, physical-motor, sensory, visceral, and psychological or mental. Objective: To identify the frequencies of the different types of disabilities as well as the main causes that led to it. Methods: A descriptive study of all people with disabilities in the State of Bolivia was performed, identified in the framework of Mision Solidaria del ALBA Moto Mendez. Results: Motor physical disability, followed by intellectual, auditory and visual, were the most frequent types, and postnatal causes predominated in 63.3 percent of cases, followed by prenatal. Conclusion: Accidents were a serious social problem as postnatal factor.

Grupoterapia e deficiência auditiva infantil: trabalhando com mães e crianças / "Grupoterapia" y la deficiencia auditiva infantil: trabajando con madres y niños / Group therapy and hearing disability in children: working with mothers and children

Este estudo consiste no atendimento em grupo realizado através do estágio de grupoterapia no quinto ano de Psicologia em 2009 com três crianças, entre sete e dez anos, portadoras de deficiência auditiva e com suas mães, com idades entre 25 e 40 anos. Os atendimentos semanais ocorreram na Clínica de Psicologia da Universidade. O objetivo desse artigo é compartilhar esta experiência grupal de trabalhar com as crianças e seus familiares em grupos distintos, porém concomitantes, oferecendo um espaço que favorece a expressão de conflitos pessoais e relacionais; para as crianças por meio do lúdico e às mães por meio do relato oral. O recurso usado para a análise qualitativa dos dados foi o relato das sessões com as crianças e com as mães, transcrito por cada estagiária após o atendimento e a psicanálise foi o referencial teórico utilizado. No decorrer do processo de intervenção grupal observaram-se mudanças positivas na relação de mães e filhos e através do espaço oferecido em grupo puderam lidar com os conflitos vivenciados acerca da deficiência auditiva e do relacionamento familiar.

This study was made in a group attendance by a group-therapy internship of students in the fifth year of a Psychology course in 2009. The group was formed by three children with hearing disability aged 7-10 and by their mothers, aged 25-40. Weekly attendances happened at the university’s psychology clinic. The aim of this article is to share this experience of working with children and with their mothers in distinct yet concomitant groups in a provided a space which stimulated the expression of personal and relational conflicts. Ludic activities were set for the children, whereas the mothers were encouraged to give an oral report. Sessions were later reported by each intern for further qualitative analysis. Psychoanalysis was the theoretical perspective used. During the process of group intervention, positive changes were observed in mother-children relationship. In this space, they were able to cope with conflicts about hearing disability and family relationships.

Esta investigación consiste en el atendimiento en un grupo realizado a través de la práctica de “grupoterapia” en el 5º año de Psicología en 2009, con tres niños de 7 a 10 años de edad, portadores de deficiencia auditiva y sus madres con edad entre 25 y 40 años. Los atendimientos semanales ocurrieron en la Clínica de Psicología de la Universidad. El objetivo de este artículo es compartir esta experiencia grupal de trabajar con niños y sus familiares, en grupos distintos, pero concomitantes, ofreciendo un espacio que favorece la expresión de conflictos personales y relacionales - para los niños a través del lúdico y con las madres a través del relato oral. El recurso utilizado para el análisis cualitativo de los datos fue el relato de las secciones con los niños y las madres transcritos por las practicantes, después del atendimiento el psicoanálisis fue el referencial teórico elegido. Durante el proceso de intervención grupal se observaron cambios positivos en la relación madre-hijo y a través del espacio ofrecido en grupo se pudo trabajar con los conflictos vividos acerca de la deficiencia auditiva y del relacionamiento familiar.

A Sampling Survey of Hearing Disability in Guangxi / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To investigate and to analyze the extend,structure,regional distribution,and causes of the hearing disability in Guangxi,from the information gathered from the second national sample survey among the disabled;to evaluate the present situation of hearing disability among Guangxi residents;and to provide basis for setting up effective preventing and intervening program for the hearing disabled.Methods The sampling methods was used to carry out a selective examination among 200 sample areas,including 25 counties and 100 villages.There were about 400 residents in each area,22 569 families,80 712 people involved in the survey with the sampling rate of 1.730%.The standard time began at 0 o'clock,April 1st,2006.Results Among the 5 837 disabled,1 467 were hearing disabled,accouting for 25.13% of the total.70 were grade 1 hearing diability(4.770% of the total number of the disabled);127 were of grade 2 hearing diability (8.660% of the total number of the disabled);689 grade 3 hearing diability (46.98% of the total number of the disabled);581 grade 4 hearing diability(39.600% of the total number of the disabled).The distribution of primary causes indecated that 911 were age related hearing loss,accounting for 62.10%;155 had unknown cause,accounting for 10.570%;158 ontological disease,accounting for 10.770%;111 systemic disease,accounting for 7.57%;132 had other reasons,accounting for 8.99%.Among all,821 were male (560%),646 were female (440%).The gender ratio was 1.27:1.910 were rural residents (620%),557 urban residents (38%).The age distribution was:3 under six (0.20%),10 from 7 to 17 (0.68%),215 from 18 to 59 (14.66%),1 239 over 60 (84.46 %).Conclusion Hearing disability is of the highest incidence among all kinds of disability in Guangxi.Most of the hearing impaired are associated with age and ear disease.Therefore prevention,education and treatment can help reduce the incidence of hearing disability.

An Analysis of Causes of Hearing Disability in Beijing Residents / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To study the main causes of hearing disability in Beijing residents. Methods The second national sample survey on disability of China was carried out in Beijing on April 1,2006. Muhiphase, stratified, proportional and cluster samplings were adopted to investigate 74 795 residents in Beijing, including 36 753 males and 38 042 females. 55 773 were urban residents while 19 022 from rural areas. The method of descriptive study was used to analyze the data of hearing disabitity in Beijing. Results Top five causes of hearing disability (including multiple disabilities) in Beijing were presbycusis, unknown, systematic diseases, noise induced, and odds media. The prevalence was 1.10%, 0.30%, 0.30%, 0.20% and 0.17%, respectively. Heredity, unknown and others were the main causes of children under 0～14 years. Unknown, ototoxicity, and otitis media were the main causes of people aged 15 ～59 years. Presbycusis, systematic diseases, noise induced and unknown were main causes of people aged 60 years and older. Presbycusis was the top cause of hearing disability for male and female residents as well as people live in urban and rural areas in Beijing. Conclusion Presbyeusis, unknown, systematic diseases, noise induced, and otitis media were main causes of hearing disability (including multiple disabilities) in Beijing.

An Epidemiologic Study of Hearing Impairment of children under 14 Years Old in Guizhou Province / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To undertake a survey on the prevalence, pathogenic factors and treatment needs of hearing impairment in children under 14 years old in Guizhou province. Methods Using the probability proportion to size (PPS) method, 2 068 children aged 0～14 years were included in the study and in 30 clusters in Guizhou province based on the WHO protocol. Results For children aged 0～14 years, the prevalence of hearing impairment was 3.48% and the prevalence of hearing disability was 1.84 %. There were statistically differences of the prevalence of hearing disability between children aged 7～ 14 years (2.66 %) and 0～ 6 years (0. 51%), and the differences also in hearing impairment between male children (4.22%) and female children (2.54%). The main causes of hearing impairment were ear diseases (50.00%), non-infective conditions (11.11%), genetic conditions (20.83 %) and unknown causes (27. 77%). 3. 58% of all subjects needed medical or surgical treatment and 2. 32% needed hearing aids. Conolusion The prevalence of hearing disability of children under 14 years old in Guizhou province was higher than that of other cities. The main cause of the hearing impairment of children was otitis media with hereditary deafness also ranked in top.

Processo de adaptação de próteses auditivas em usuários atendidos em uma instituição pública federal: parte II: resultados dos questionários de auto-avaliação / Hearing aid fitting process in users fitted in a federal public institution: part II - self-assessment questionnaire results

Uma reabilitação eficiente deve reduzir os efeitos da deficiência sobre as habilidades auditivas e comunicativas do indivíduo e aumentar o bem-estar psicossocial. OBJETIVOS:Verificar a viabilidade do uso de questionários de auto-avaliação e comparar os resultados da protetização em usuários de uma instituição pública federal, com e sem queixas relacionadas às características da amplificação. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS:25 indivíduos, de 13 a 77 anos de idade, usuários de próteses auditivas. Foram aplicados os questionários de auto-avaliação HHIE-S/HHIA (Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly Screening Version ou for Adult) e APHAB (Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit), nos indivíduos sem (Grupo 1) e com queixas relacionados às características da amplificação (Grupo 2). RESULTADOS: Diferenças significantes não foram encontradas entre os grupos nos protocolos HHIE-S/HHIA e APHAB, exceto na subescala facilidade de comunicação do APHAB, onde o Grupo 1 obteve melhor benefício. Também evidenciou-se redução significativa da incapacidade auditiva com o uso das próteses em situações favoráveis de comunicação, ambientes reverberantes e na presença de ruído ambiental para ambos os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Os questionários revelaram ser excelentes preditores das dificuldades enfrentadas pelos usuários, e diferenças significantes foram encontradas em situações favoráveis de comunicação, onde o grupo sem queixas obteve melhor benefício.

An efficient rehabilitation must be able to reduce impairment effects over the auditory and communication skills of individuals and promote psychosocial well being. AIMS: check the feasibility of using self-assessment questionnaires and compare the results achieved by hearing aid fitting in users from a federal public institution, with and without complaints related to hearing amplification characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 25 individuals, from 13 to 77 years of age, users of hearing aids. The HHIE-S/HHIA (Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly Screening Version or for Adult) and APHAB (Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit) self-assessment questionnaires used with individuals without (Group 1) and with complaints related to amplification characteristics (Group 2). RESULTS: we did not find significant differences between the HHIE-S/HHIA and APHAB groups; except in APHAB’s ease of communication item, where Group 1 seemed to benefit more. Moreover, we noticed a significant reduction in hearing disability with the use of hearing aids in favorable communication situations, noisy environments for both groups. CONCLUSION: these questionnaires proved to be valuable for predicting the difficulties faced by the users, and significant differences were found in favorable communication situations, where the group without complaints had the most benefit.

Medical Education from the Perspectives of Medical Student with a Hearing Disability / 医学教育

1) Persons with hearing disabilities have been allowed to obtain medical licenses in Japan since 2002, and a medical student with a hearing disability has been receiving medical training at Teikyo University School of Medicine.<BR>2) Despite their best efforts, the student's classmates and instructors often did not recognize or understand his disabilities during medical training.<BR>3) Mutual understanding and support of team members are essential for medical students with hearing disabilities to become physicians. To this end, financial support from public institutions and other types of social support are also need