Chapters authored
Effects of Noise Associated with Pesticides in the Hearing and Vestibular Systems of Endemic Disease Combat Agents
The current study aimed to assess the effect of the concomitant exposure to noise and pesticides on the auditory and vestibular systems of endemic disease combat agents. The sample comprised 58 participants, males, divided into two groups. The exposed group (EG) comprised 40 agents, adults, exposed to the noise and pesticides. The control group (CG) comprised 18 participants, without exposure, paired according to age range and gender. The participants from both groups underwent conventional pure-tone audiometry and high-frequency audiometry, evoked otoacoustic emissions and suppression of the emissions, immittance testing, brainstem evoked response audiometry, and dichotic digits test. The vestibular assessment was only carried out in the experimental group. Results showed no difference between the groups in the findings of the pure-tone audiometry and suppression effect of the evoked otoacoustic emissions. Difference was evidenced between the groups in the acoustic reflex testing, the tympanometry, the brainstem evoked response audiometry, and the dichotic digits test, with worse results among the EG. In the vestibular assessment, there was the prevalence of altered tests among EG in 36.4% of the cases, more evidence for the peripheral vestibular dysfunction. In conclusion, noise and pesticide exposure impaired the auditory and vestibular systems of endemic disease control agents.
Part of the book: Pesticides
Otoneurological Evaluation and Rehabilitative Considerations after Head Trauma
Head injuries due to traffic accidents, falls, gunshots and blows in sports fights, among others, with or without a skull or petrosal fractures, can lead to a Traumatic Labyrinth Concussion (TLC), defined as a disorder of the peripheral vestibular system comprising vestibular, auditory and neurovegetative signs and symptoms, which can persist for weeks or months after a traumatic injury. It is often accompanied by central nervous system (CNS) concussion, manifested by objective symptoms such as tachycardia, headache, thermoregulatory instability and mydriasis; and subjective complaints such as emotional disorders, memory loss, visual disorders, insomnia, hyper-emotivity and behaviour disorders. Otoneurologic examination is relevant in the identification and topographic diagnosis of vestibular disorders This chapter will verse on symptoms, audiometric and vestibular findings in TLC, as well as rehabilitation perspectives.
Part of the book: Recent Research on Balance Disorders