The prevalence of tinnitus is significant in the elderly. There are differences between tinnitus and hearing loss, with association between the side affected by tinnitus and the side of hearing loss. Only the association of comorbidity of diabetes mellitus and hypertension is an independent risk factor for tinnitus.

OBJETIVO: estimar a prevalência de Perda Auditiva (PA), identificando os fatores associados em pacientes idosos de Londrina - PR. MÉTODOS: estudo transversal realizado em amostra populacional de 61 indivíduos com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos, em 2009, através de anamnese e avaliação audiológica. Aplicou-se o teste do Qui-quadrado e o do Risco Relativo com 95% de confiança e valor de p<0,05 para as análises univariadas entre PA e fatores associados. RESULTADOS: de toda a amostra 87,70% apresentaram algum tipo de PA ou rebaixamento de frequências. Destes indivíduos, o tipo de PA de maior prevalência foi a PA sensorioneural, com 63,93% de ocorrência. Entre os hipertensos, 88,88% tiveram PA, sendo este um aumento de 8 chances a mais de hipertensos apresentarem PA. Dos diabéticos, 90% tiveram PA, ou seja, um aumento de 9 chances a mais de diabéticos apresentarem PA. Dos consumidores de álcool, 92,30% apresentaram PA, sendo assim, os consumidores de álcool apresentaram 12 chances a mais de ter PA. A partir da amostra de fumantes, ex-fumantes ou fumantes passivos, 87,09% apresentaram PA, tendo assim, 9 chances a mais de terem PA quando relacionados com não fumantes. CONCLUSÃO: a PA sensorioneural é a mais encontrada, sendo progressiva e proporcionalmente aumentada com o envelhecimento nesta população. Os fatores de risco hipertensão, diabetes, consumo alcoólico e fumo podem predispor as perdas auditivas, principalmente quando associados com a presbiacusia.

Summary Introduction: The various metabolic and circulatory alterations that are related to noise exposure may cause the onset of several symptoms, including tinnitus. Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of tinnitus complaints in elderly individuals with and without history of occupational noise exposure. Method: This prospective study was conducted in a sample population consisting of 502 individuals aged over 60 years, by anamnesis and audiological evaluation. The variables that were studied were the frequency of tinnitus and the history of occupational noise. Logistic regression was used to control for potential confusion or modifications caused by the effects of the other variables on the associations of interest. Results and Discussion: Tinnitus was reported in 50% of the cases, with tinnitus reported in 40% of the elderly individuals with history of occupational noise exposure, and in 43% of controls (elderly individuals without history of occupational noise exposure). A high frequency of tinnitus was detected in the population under investigation, but there were no statistically significant associations between the presence of tinnitus and history of occupational noise exposure. Conclusion: The results of this study may have occurred due to other factors such as the age of the individuals without history of occupational noise exposure.

Introduction Physical inactivity is an important risk factor for many age-related diseases and symptoms such as dizziness and vertigo. Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the possible association between benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and regular physical activity in elderly subjects. Methods This cross-sectional study included 491 elderly individuals who lived independently. Physical exercise was assessed through a questionnaire and BPPV by history and the Dix-Hallpike maneuver. Results The present study indicates no significant association between BPPV with lack of physical activity in men and in the total population. We have confirmed associations between BPPV with lack of physical activity in women (p = 0.01). Women with a sedentary lifestyle who do not practice physical activity are 2.62 more likely to have BPPV than those with regular physical activity. Conclusion These results highlight the importance of identifying risk factors for BPPV that can be modified through specific interventions. Regular physical activity is a lifestyle with potential to decrease the risk of vertigo in women.