ABSTRACT
UNLABELLED: A new era has arrived in auditory rehabilitation with the introduction of new technologies such as electroacoustic stimulation (EAS). EAS is indicated for patients with residual hearing at low frequencies and severe or profound hearing loss at high frequencies. These patients have no indication for conventional cochlear implant and have difficulties in adapting to individual sound amplification devices. Preservation of hearing is vital in this process; the surgical technique must be based on this concept. OBJECTIVES: To present the cochlear implant surgical technique with MED-EL Mand FlexEAS to preserve hearing in patients with hearing loss at high frequencies and to maintain low frequency hearing. We are the first institution to carry out this treatment in Brazil. METHODS: A case report of the surgical technique carried out in four patients; the procedure was carried out by the cochlear implant group of a specialized clinical hospital. RESULTS: The procedures were successful and uneventful. CONCLUSION: We described the technique used at our institution for implants using EAS; the surgical technique is complex and includes steps for preservation of hearing.
Subject(s)
Acoustic Stimulation/methods , Cochlear Implantation/methods , Electric Stimulation/methods , Hearing Loss, Bilateral/surgery , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/surgery , Hearing Loss, Bilateral/rehabilitation , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/rehabilitation , Humans , Severity of Illness Index , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
A reabilitação auditiva entrou numa nova era com o desenvolvimento e aperfeiçoamento de próteses implantáveis, principalmente com a associação do conceito de a estimulação eletroacústica (EAS) e implante coclear. A EAS é indicada para pacientes com audição residual nas baixas frequências e disacusia grave/profunda nas médias e altas frequências. Esses pacientes não teriam indicação para o implante coclear convencional e teriam dificuldades na adaptação com o aparelho de amplificação sonoro individual. A técnica cirúrgica utilizada deve-se basear nos conceitos de preservação auditiva e é fundamental nesse processo. OBJETIVOS: Descrever a técnica cirúrgica para procedimento de implante coclear MED-EL Mand FlexEAS, com intuito de preservar o resíduo auditivo e reabilitar satisfatoriamente a audição deteriorada, sendo o primeiro centro a realizar tal tratamento no Brasil. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Descrição de técnica cirúrgica utilizada pelo serviço de otologia de hospital terciário por meio de estudo de caso. RESULTADOS: Procedimentos realizados sem intercorrências. A técnica utilizada segue passos que objetivam a preservação auditiva. CONCLUSÃO: Descrevemos a técnica utilizada para implantes com EAS realizados no nosso serviço. A técnica cirúrgica é complexa e inclui passos que visam à preservação auditiva.
A new era has arrived in auditory rehabilitation with the introduction of new technologies such as electroacoustic stimulation (EAS). EAS is indicated for patients with residual hearing at low frequencies and severe or profound hearing loss at high frequencies. These patients have no indication for conventional cochlear implant and have difficulties in adapting to individual sound amplification devices. Preservation of hearing is vital in this process; the surgical technique must be based on this concept. OBJECTIVES: To present the cochlear implant surgical technique with MED-EL Mand FlexEAS to preserve hearing in patients with hearing loss at high frequencies and to maintain low frequency hearing. We are the first institution to carry out this treatment in Brazil. METHODS: A case report of the surgical technique carried out in four patients; the procedure was carried out by the cochlear implant group of a specialized clinical hospital. RESULTS: The procedures were successful and uneventful. CONCLUSION: We described the technique used at our institution for implants using EAS; the surgical technique is complex and includes steps for preservation of hearing.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acoustic Stimulation/methods , Cochlear Implantation/methods , Electric Stimulation/methods , Hearing Loss, Bilateral/surgery , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/surgery , Hearing Loss, Bilateral/rehabilitation , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/rehabilitation , Severity of Illness Index , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The perception of tinnitus varies among individuals. The limitations caused by tinnitus are related to psychological factors, mood changes and psychiatric conditions, while other factors related to discomfort caused by tinnitus are being studied. Hearing loss is an important factor for the onset of tinnitus. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the correlation between the degree of discomfort caused by tinnitus and the hearing loss level. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of the patients treated at the Otolaryngology Service of the State University from Campinas for 15 months, using the Visual-Analogue Scale to classify the degree of discomfort by tinnitus. RESULTS: 107 patients were studied and there was no correlation between the degree of annoyance of tinnitus with hearing loss, age, gender, presence of dizziness, of neck pain, headache, changes of the temporomandibular joint, the use of caffeine or excessive intake of carbohydrates. The discomfort was slightly higher in patients without hearing loss and in women. CONCLUSION: Dizziness, neck pain, headache and caffeine abuse are prevalent complaints in patients with tinnitus.
