Audiometria de alta freqüência em adultos jovens e mais velhos quando a audiometria convencional é normal

Abstract

Hi gh-frequency audiometry can detect early changes in auditory sensitivity resulting from processes such as aging. Nonetheless its use is still limited, and additional studies are required to establish its use, particularly among older adults. Aim: To compare pure tone thresholds for frequencies from 250 Hz to 16 kHz in young and older adults, with or without audiologic complaints. Method: Pure tone sensitivity to 250 Hz to 16 kHz was assessed with an AC-40 audiometer in 64 adults, evenly distributed in young (25 to 35 years-old) and older (45 to 55 years-old) adults of both sexes. This is a crosssectional study. Results: Although all participants presented normal audiometry in frequencies from 250 Hz to 8 kHz, according to clinical parameters, older adults had significantly higher thresholds compared to young adults, according to statistical parameters, with greater significance in higher frequencies (8 to 16 kHz). Presence or absence of clinical complaints did not distinguish thresholds. Conclusions: The process of auditory aging, including loss of sensitivity to higher frequencies, can be detected at earlier ages than those usually investigated. High frequency audiometry is an important instrument to distinguish auditory sensitivity in young and older adults, even for those considered as audiologically normal.

Low and high frequency tonal threshold audiometry: comparing hearing thresholds between smokers and non-smokers

“…On the other hand, other authors described the lack of significant interaural difference in the auditory thresholds between the RE and LE obtained in their studies 8,14 . We have also found authors who reported that the mean values obtained for the RE and LE together, without analyzing a possible significant interaural difference 15,19,27 . This difference in the auditory thresholds between the RE and LE in the NSG was an intriguing fact for which we have not found any explanation so far in the literature studied.…”

“…Numerous authors also found associations between smoking and hearing loss in LF 6,9,10,22,[25][26][27][28][29] . Hearing loss in HF can be 1 to 1.33 times higher among smokers 24 .…”

Limiares de audibilidade de altas frequências em indivíduos adultos normo-ouvintes

“…Thus, the high-frequency hearing thresholds were higher in older individuals, probably as a result of loss of auditory sensitivity due to the aging process. Silva and Feitosa (21) performed high-frequency audiometry in 64 individuals divided into two groups: one composed of the 25-35-year age group and another of the 45-55-year age group, and verified that the greater the age, the higher the responses to the hearing thresholds, with more significant difference at the higher frequencies (8 to 16 kHz). The same was reported by Figuerêdo and Corona (4) in their study conducted with 30 individuals aged 19-56 years analyzing pure-tone thresholds by conventional audiometry: the control group composed of older individuals showed influence of age on their hearing thresholds, evidencing a decrease in auditory sensitivity with increasing thresholds in all statistically significant frequencies.…”

Audiometria de altas frequências no diagnóstico complementar em audiologia: uma revisão da literatura nacional

“…Diversos fatores na execução do exame de AAF devem ser considerados, pois podem levar a variações dos resultados, tais como: treinamento prévio do sujeito na realização do exame, tipo de audiômetro utilizado para a avaliação auditiva de tons de alta frequência, calibração do equipamento segundo referência do decibel em nível de audição (dBNA) ou em nível de pressão sonora (dBNPS) e o posicionamento do fone no ouvido, que pode interferir na precisão do exame devido às características de ressonância do meato acústico externo para sinais acima de 15 kHz, podendo ocorrer variações de 15 a 20 dB na resposta do sujeito; também poderá ocorrer maior possibilidade de efeito do colabamento do meato acústico externo, principalmente na avaliação das altas frequências (13,27) .…”