Purpose: to compare the latency and amplitude of the Frequency-Following Response and the Auditory Middle Latency Response in typical individuals and those with altered auditory abilities, as well as to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of both assessments in relation to central auditory processing. Methods: 32 individuals of both sexes were distributed into Group 1 (without altered auditory abilities) and Group 2 (with altered auditory abilities). The groups were divided according to behavioral tests of central auditory processing. Individuals in both groups underwent auditory evoked potentials. Student’s t-test was used for analysis, considering a 5% significance. Results: in Group 2, V and A had higher latency and lower amplitude and slope. Group 2 also had lower Na and Pa amplitudes in waves A1C3 and A2C3. The Frequency-Following Response showed 93% sensitivity and specificity, while the Auditory Middle Latency Response showed 87% sensitivity and 93% specificity. Conclusion: the individuals presented with altered hearing abilities showed higher latency and lower response amplitude in the Frequency Following Response and Auditory Middle Latency Response compared to typical individuals. The Frequency- Following Response showed a better balance of sensitivity and specificity.

RESUMO Objetivo analisar o impacto do distanciamento social devido à pandemia de COVID-19, sob a percepção e o incômodo com o zumbido crônico e a relação dos achados com a ansiedade e a depressão. Métodos a amostra foi composta por conveniência, incluindo sujeitos com idades de 21 a 78 anos. A avaliação foi realizada em dois períodos: pré-distanciamento (final de 2019) e durante o distanciamento (2020). A segunda avaliação foi realizada de forma online, via Google Forms, consistindo nos seguintes procedimentos: questionário semiestruturado, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Inventário de Ansiedade de Beck (BAI) e Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI). Resultados nas comparações dos procedimentos entre os períodos pré e pós-distanciamento social, foi evidenciada diferença estatisticamente significativa para o THI e o BAI, mas não para o BDI. Na correlação da percepção do zumbido crônico com a ansiedade, foi observada diferença estatisticamente significativa, positiva e forte, mas não significativa com a depressão. Conclusão o distanciamento social devido à pandemia de COVID-19 piorou a percepção e o incômodo com o zumbido crônico, estando correlacionado com aumento nos sintomas de ansiedade.

Purpose To analyze the impact of social distancing, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on the perception and nuisance with chronic tinnitus and the relationship of the findings with anxiety and depression. Methods The sample was composed by convenience, including subjects aged 21 to 78 years. The evaluation was conducted in two periods: pre-distancing (late 2019) and during distancing (2020). The second evaluation was conducted online via Google Forms, consisting of the following procedures: Semistructured questionnaire, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results In the comparison of the results of the procedures performed pre-social distancing and during social-distancing, a statistically significant difference was evidenced for the THI and the BAI, but not for the BDI. In the correlation of the perception of chronic tinnitus with anxiety, a statistically significant difference was observed, positive and strong, but not significant with depression. Conclusion Social distancing, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, worsened the perception of and annoyance with chronic tinnitus and was correlated with an increase in anxiety symptoms.

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Purpose To investigate whether there are differences in peripheral and central audiological findings between individuals with normal hearing thresholds with and without chronic tinnitus, and thereby understand which hearing tests are most important in this population. Methods The sample was composed of convenience, including individuals from 18 to 59 years old, divided into two groups: Group 1 (G1) composed of subjects without complaints of chronic tinnitus, and Group 2 (G2) composed of individuals with chronic tinnitus. The evaluation consisted of the following procedures: Anamnesis, High-frequency audiometry (HFA), Transient Otoacoustic emissions (TOAEs), Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)-click, Frequency Following Response (FFR), and Long Latency Auditory Evoked Potential (LLAEP)-speak. Results G2 showed increased values for HFA, with significant differences. For both groups, TOAEs showed a predominance of responses. In ABR there were no statistically significant differences. In FFR, G1 obtained a greater amplitude of wave V and there was a greater absence in LLAEP of P1, N2, and P300 in G2. Conclusion The HFA, the analysis of the wave V/I ratio in ABR, the FFR, and the LLAEP identified alterations in individuals with chronic tinnitus, demonstrating that such procedures are promising in the evaluation of this population.