Human hearing is to collect information from the outside world and is one of the basic human senses. Part of this thesis is devoted to acoustics, properties of the human ear in terms of perception of sounds and methods, which human ears are investigating. Audiometer is an instrument which is most often used in healthcare. The main content of this thesis is to design pure tone audiometer, which is important for the subjective tests of human hearing non-invasive method.

Exostoses are surface periosteophyte inside the external auditory canal of the human ear. The main objective of the diploma thesis is to determine the potencial impact of the narrowing of external auditory canal by exostoses on the mechanical sound transmission into the internal ear. The task was solved by FEM modelling in the ANSYS system. The simple finite element 2D model of the normal human ear was used and it has been taken from the diploma thesis B Ouali: Development of 2D finite element model of human ear (BUT Brno, 2009). At the model, including the external ear canal, elastic eardrum, otitis cavity with otitis ossicles and the cavity of the internal ear with internal ear partition, the alterations simulating different size of narrowing a and different positionig of exostoses were done. The influence of the exostoses on the sound transfer characteristics for air sound transmission and for bone sound transmission was discused. The results were analysed and compared with audiology.

Determining auditory functioning in difficult-to-test populations such as cerebral palsy (CP) remains a challenge in paediatric audiology. The auditory brainstem response (ABR) is favoured as the procedure to assess auditory functioning in difficult-to-test populations such as CP. The CP population, however, offers unique challenges for the ABR procedure due to the presence of involuntary muscular movements that may compromise the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the ABR. Conventional ABR technology attempts to improve the SNR by the modification of acquisition parameters e.g. adjusting the low cut filter or implementing stricter artifact rejection criteria. However, such modifications may compromise the waveform morphology of the ABR. Furthermore, sedation or general anesthesia can also be used to improve the SNR by reducing excessive muscular movements. The CP population, however, displays a high risk for developing upper airway obstruction when being sedated or anesthetized. Thus, the feasibility and reliability of the conventional ABR may be compromised when being employed in the CP population. In recent years a novel ABR system, the Vivosonic Integrity (VS) ABR has become clinically available. The device incorporates features such as pre-amplification of the ABR signal, Kalman filtering and wireless recording. These features promise to address the limitations of conventional ABR technology to obtain a reliable recording in the midst of excessive myogenic artifact. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the clinical utility of the VS system when assessing a sample of children with CP without the use of sedation. The clinical utility of the VS ABR system was determined by comparing its success rates, the threshold correspondence to behavioural pure tone (PT) thresholds and recording time to a conventional ABR system when using click and 0.5 kHz TB stimuli. A cross-sectional within-subject comparison research design was selected in order to compare thresholds obtained with different procedures. The experimental part of this study was represented by the within-subject control condition where the VS ABR system and the conventional ABR system were simultaneously conducted in each subject. This unique setup was important in the research as equivalent test conditions in terms of EEG and environmental conditions had to be ensured for both ABR systems. 15 CP subjects between the ages of 12 and 18 years were included in the project. A diagnostic audiological test battery including immittance, distortion product otoacoustic emissions and behavioural audiometry was conducted on each subject prior the administration of the ABR procedures. The variability of the audiological test battery results – between the subjects and when compared to previous research – emphasized the heterogeneity of the CP population. Furthermore, more than half of the research sample (53%; n=15) responded inconsistently to behavioural pure tone (PT) stimuli. It was suggested that the severity of physical impairments as well as additional impairments such as mental retardation might have influenced the consistency of the subjects’ responses during behavioural PT audiometry. The ABR results indicated that there were no significant differences with regards to threshold correspondence and recording time between the two ABR systems when using click and 0.5 kHz TB stimuli (p>0.05). With regards to the success rates, the VS system was successful in more cases than the conventional ABR system using click and 0.5 kHz TB stimuli. Although results also showed no statistically significant value for click p=.1121) and 0.5 kHz TB stimuli p=.1648), there was a tendency towards the 95% confidence level in both cases suggesting that the VS ABR system may produce a statistically significant success rate for click as well as for 0.5 kHz TB stimuli, provided a larger sample is tested. The research indicated that, since the VS ABR system was more successful across a wider range of subjects during click-evoked and 0.5 kHz TB recordings, it may increase the clinical usefulness of the ABR especially in terms of hearing screening in the CP population. The research suggested that excessive muscular movements during the recordings influenced not only the VS ABR’s, but also the conventional ABR’s threshold correspondences to PT thresholds as well as the recording time of the measurements. Therefore it may still be necessary to use a light sedative in some CP patients to reduce excessive myogenic interference despite the possible advantages of the VS ABR system. / Dissertation (MCommunication Pathology)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / unrestricted

The purpose of this study was to develop, digitally record, evaluate, and equate Cantonese trisyllabic words which could then be used in the measurement of the speech reception threshold. A selection of 90 frequently utilized trisyllabic words were selected and then digitally recorded by male and female talkers of Standard Cantonese and presented to 20 subjects with normal hearing beginning at 6 dB below their pure-tone average (PTA) and ascending in 2 dB increments until one of the following criteria had been met: (a) the participant responded correctly to 100% of the test items, or (b) the presentation level reached 16 dB HL. Using logistic regression, psychometric functions were calculated for each word. Twenty-eight trisyllabic words with the steepest psychometric function slopes were selected. The psychometric function slopes for the 28 selected words, at 50% threshold, ranged from 10.3 %/dB to 19.6 %/dB (M = 14.5 %/dB) for the male talker and from 10.3 %/dB to 22.7 %/dB (M = 14.9 %/dB) for the female talker. To decrease the variability among the words the intensities were digitally adjusted to match the mean subject PTA (4.5 dB HL). The resulting lists included mean slopes from 20 to 80% with of a range of 8.9 %/dB to 16.9 %/dB (M = 12.6 %/dB) for the male talker and a range of 8.9 %/dB to 19.7 %/dB (M = 12.9 %/dB) for the female talker. Digital recordings of the psychometrically equivalent trisyllabic words are available on compact disc.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-26T12:51:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 vaniapiatto_dissert.pdf: 265912 bytes, checksum: d6bd354613ca0a9752b4acad6612d8cd (MD5) Previous issue date: 1998-12-18 / The aim of this study was to evaluate the hearing and the prevalence of hearing impairment among children, in the age groups of 3 to 6 years old, from Municipal Nursery and Pre-schools of São José do Rio Preto, S.P. At first stage, audiometries in a free field were performed for screening in 103 children, both sexes in 8 Nursery and 8 Pre-schools previously selected. At second stage, the ones who presented audiometric alterations were referred to the Phonoaudiological Service of FAMERP to perform conventional pure tone audiometer. The classification of hearing impairment in relation to grade was made according to W.H.O. approaches. A male child (0.97%) was found with light grade of conductive hearing impairment in the left ear ( LE=35 dB). There was no significant difference among the ratio of hearing impairment in both sexes (p=1.00). Nine children (8.73%) showed alterations in the hearing thresholds by air conduction in 4000, 6000 and/or 8000 Hz sharp frequencies. The ratio among alterations in these frequencies was not statistically significant in both sexes (p=1.00). There is need of further studies to evaluate the result found in children with alterations in those sharp frequencies. The found prevalence of hearing impairment in this studied population can chek the need of use of prevention programs and earlier diagnosis of hearing impairments. / Este estudo teve como objetivo realizar a avaliação da audição e o levantamento da prevalência de deficiência auditiva em amostra de crianças, na faixa etária de 3 a 6 anos, em creches e pré-escolas municipais de São José do Rio Preto, etapa, em 103 crianças de ambos os sexos, na referida faixa etária, em 8 creches e 8 pré-escolas previamente selecionadas. As crianças que apresentaram alterações audiométricas na triagem, foram encaminhadas ao ambulatório de fonoaudiologia da famerp para realização de audiometria tonal convencional, em uma segunda etapa. A classificação da deficiência auditiva, em relação ao grau, foi feita segundo os critérios da oms. Foi encontrado uma criança do sexo masculino (0,97%) com deficiência auditiva condutiva de grau leve na orelha esquerda (m oe=35 db). Não houve diferença significativa entre as proporções de deficiência auditiva em ambos os auditivas, por via aérea, nas freqüências agudas de 4000, 6000 e/ ou 8000 hz. Nota de Resumo Não foi estatisticamente significante a diferença entre as proporções de alterações nas freqüências acima descritas em ambos os sexos (p=1,00). Há necessidade de posteriores estudas para avaliação do resultado encontrado em relação ás crianças com alterações nas referidas freqüências agudas. A prevalênciaencontrada de deficiência auditiva na população do estudo, pode comprovar a necessidade da implantação de programas de prevenção e diagnóstico precoce da deficiência auditiva. Unitermos: surdez- métodos de avaliação, classificação; crianças- pré-escolares; audiometria-tonal, da fala.

Introdução: A exposição ocupacional ao ruído tem sido um tema estudado para diferentes ocupações. Na atividade de teleatendimento também tem sido referido como um fator de risco com repercussões à saúde. Objetivo: Identificar a presença de perdas auditivas em operadores de teleatendimento da central de reservas de uma empresa aérea. Métodos: Realizado estudo epidemiológico transversal e longitudinal. O estudo transversal compreendeu os últimos audiogramas de 589 operadores distribuídos de acordo com o sexo, faixa etária (18 a 30, 31 a 43, mais de 44 anos), e tempo na função (01 a 35, 36 e 60, mais 61 meses). Foram avaliados os audiogramas de 387 operadores que estavam na empresa há mais de 3 anos, através de um estudo longitudinal, comparando os audiogramas referenciais e finais no período de 1999 a 2006. Resultados: Identificou-se o predomínio do sexo feminino, prevalência de perdas auditivas de 6,0% com 3,1% de PAIR e 2,9% por outras causas. Para as perdas auditivas sexo não se mostrou um fator de risco significativo (p>0,05). Observa-se um risco maior para as faixas etárias de 31 a 43 e de 41 a 55 anos de idade e tempo de serviço maior de 61 meses com chance de 3,35 (IC95%: 1,31 8,57) quando comparados com o tempo de serviço menor do que 36 meses. A comparação entre as médias mostrou um aumento significante dos limiares com exceção da freqüência de 1K na orelha direita. Conclusões: Operadores de teleatendimento na empresa estudada apresentaram rebaixamento dos limiares auditivos em todas as freqüências. A exposição ocupacional por ruído ambiental e uso de headset dos operadores de teleatendimento necessita de estudos longitudinais detalhados para definição das repercussões auditivas e extra-auditivas / Introduction: Occupational noise exposure has been a subject studied for various occupations. At call centers, it has also been referred to as a healthhazardous risk factor. Aim: Identify the presence of hearing loss in operators of an airline company call center. Methodology: Cross-section and longitudinal epistemological study has been carried out. The cross-section study considered the latest audiograms of 589 operators divided according to gender, age (18 to 30, 31 to 43, over 44), and employment time (01 to 35, 36 to 60, over 61 months). The longitudinal study considered the audiograms of 387 operators who have been with the company for over 3 years, comparing referencial and final audiograms of the period between 1999 and 2006. Results: A predominance of 6.0% hearing loss, with 3.1% of NIHL and 2.9% by other causes, has been noticed in females. For hearing losses, gender has not turned out to be a significant risk factor (p>0.05). There is a greater risk for ages between 31 and 43, and 41 and 55, having been with the company for over 61 months, of 3.35 (IC95%: 1.31 - 8.57) when compared to those who have been with the company for less than 36 months. The comparison between the averages has shown a significant rise of threshold with the exception of 1K frequency in the right ear. Conclusions: Call center operators in the airline company at stake have shown lowering of hearing threshold in all frequencies. Noise-induced occupational exposure and the use of headsets by call center operators demand further, more detailed longitudinal studies to define the hearing and extra-hearing repercussions

Introdução: A desnutrição energético-protéica é um dos maiores problemas de saúde pública no Brasil, ocorrendo mais frequentemente em pré-escolares e determinando o comprometimento do crescimento. A desnutrição pode provocar alterações no sistema nervoso central, dependendo da intensidade, da época de incidência e da duração da doença, comprometendo irreversivelmente as funções intelectuais. Levando-se em consideração a importância da integridade do Sistema Auditivo Periférico e Central na aquisição e desenvolvimento de fala, linguagem e aprendizado, torna-se imprescindível que anormalidades auditivas tanto periféricas como centrais sejam identificadas e tratadas precocemente nesta população. Objetivo: Caracterizar os achados das avaliações comportamentais, eletroacústicas e eletrofisiológicas da audição em crianças com desnutrição, bem como compará-los aos obtidos em crianças saudáveis da mesma faixa etária. Métodos: Foram realizados exames de audiometria tonal, logoaudiometria, teste dicótico de dígitos, imitanciometria, potencial evocado auditivo de tronco encefálico (PEATE) e potencial evocado auditivo de longa latência (PEALL) em 31 crianças desnutridas (grupo estudo) e 34 crianças saudáveis (grupo controle), com idade entre 7 e 12 anos, de ambos os gêneros. Resultados: Na análise dos dados quantitativos da audiometria tonal foi observada uma diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos para os limiares auditivos nas frequências de 250 e 8000 Hz, tendo o grupo estudo apresentado limiares auditivos mais elevados. Na análise qualitativa, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos, apesar de duas crianças do grupo estudo apresentarem perda auditiva discreta. Na análise dos dados qualitativos, não foram encontradas alterações na logoaudiometria para os dois grupos. No teste dicótico de dígitos, houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos, sendo observada uma maior proporção de crianças com alteração no grupo estudo. Ambos os grupos apresentaram resultados alterados na imitanciometria, não havendo diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos. Ambos os grupos apresentaram resultados normais do PEATE. Na análise dos dados quantitativos dos PEALL, verificou-se diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos para as latências dos componentes P1, N1 e P300, sendo que o grupo estudo apresentou latências maiores para todos os componentes. Na avaliação da amplitude do P300, houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre as orelhas direita e esquerda do grupo controle, sendo a amplitude do P300 maior na orelha direita. Por sua vez, no grupo estudo, não houve diferença significativa entre as orelhas direita e esquerda. Tanto o grupo controle quanto o grupo estudo apresentaram alterações nos resultados do PEALL, havendo diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos para os componentes P1, N1 e P300, sendo que o grupo estudo apresentou maior ocorrência de alterações. O tipo de alteração predominante nos componentes P1 e P300 foi o aumento de latência e, para o componente N1, foi a ausência de resposta no grupo estudo; para o grupo controle, o tipo de alteração predominante nos componentes P1, N1 e P300 foi o aumento de latência. Devido ao predomínio de crianças desnutridas de grau leve (58,1%), não foi possível estabelecer uma correlação entre o grau da desnutrição e a alteração dos PEALL. Conclusão: Crianças com desnutrição apresentaram mais alterações na avaliação comportamental da audição (audiometria tonal e teste dicótico de dígitos) e nos PEALL do que as crianças saudáveis, sugerindo déficit na via auditiva central e alteração no processamento da informação acústica. Há a necessidade de mais estudos para melhor caracterizar as alterações fonoaudiológicas e audiológicas desta população. / Introduction: Protein-energy malnutrition is a major public health problem in Brazil. It is more frequent among pre-school aged children and it compromises growth. Malnutrition may cause changes to the central nervous system depending on its intensity, time of incidence and duration, irreversibly compromising intellectual functions. Considering the importance of Peripheral and Central Auditory System integrity to the acquisition and development of speech, language and learning, it is crucial that both peripheral and central auditory abnormalities are identified and treated early in this population. Objective: To describe the findings of behavioral, electroacoustic and electrophysiological auditory assessments of malnourished children, as well as comparing them with findings from healthy children within the same age group. Methods: The following tests were performed in 31 malnourished children (study group) and 34 healthy children (control group), aged 7 to 12, from both genders: pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, dichotic digit test, immittance measures, brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) and long-latency auditory evoked potential (LLAEP). Results: While analyzing quantitative data from pure tone audiometry we observed statistically significant differences between groups for hearing thresholds at frequencies of 250 and 8000 Hz; the study group had higher hearing thresholds. As for quantitative analysis, there was no statistically significant difference between groups, although two children in the study group showed slight hearing loss. While analyzing qualitative data we did not find any changes in speech audiometry in any of the groups. As for the dichotic digit test, there was a statistically significant difference between groups, with a higher proportion of abnormal children in the study group. Both groups showed abnormal immittance measures results, although there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Both showed normal BAEP results. When analyzing quantitative LLAEP data we observed a statistically significant difference between groups in terms of latency of components P1, N1 and P300; the study group had higher latencies for all components. When analyzing P300 amplitudes, there was a statistically significant difference between the right and left ears in the control group; P300 amplitudes was wider for the right ear. On the other hand, the study group did not show any statistically significant difference between the right and left ears. Both the control and study group shoed abnormal LLAEP results. There was a statistically significant difference between groups for components P1, N1 and P300; abnormalities were more frequent in the study group. The type of predominant abnormality in components P1 and P300 was increased latency and for component N1 it was lack of response in the study group; for the control group the type of predominant abnormality in components P1, N1 and P300 was increased latency. Because most children were only slightly malnourished (58.1%), it was not possible to establish a correlation between the level of malnutrition and LLAEP abnormalities. Conclusion: Malnourished children showed more abnormalities in auditory behavioral assessment (pure tone audiometry and dichotic digit test) and LLAEP than healthy children. This suggests a deficit in central auditory pathways and abnormalities in the processing of acoustic information. Further studies are necessary to better describe speech and language and hearing abnormalities in this population.

Para avaliar a audição em crianças com paralisia cerebral foi realizada a avaliação comportamental, eletroacústica e eletrofisiológica em 61 sujeitos na faixa etária de três a seis anos e 11 meses, subdivididas em grupo experimental e controle. Foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes na comparação entre os resultados obtidos nos dois grupos, bem como na comparação dos procedimentos no grupo experimental. Existe uma diversidade nos resultados dos procedimentos audiológicos em crianças com paralisia cerebral, o que torna importante a aplicação da bateria completa na determinação do perfil audiológico destas crianças. / In order to evaluate the hearing of children who have cerebral palsy disease the behavioral, eletroacoustical, electrophysiological evaluations were done in 61 people between three and six years and 11 months old, subdivided in experimental and control group. There were statistically significant differences when comparing the results obtained in both groups, as well as when comparing the procedures in the experimental group. There is diversity in the results of hearing procedures in children with Cerebral Palsy, which stresses the importance of a full battery of exams for determining the hearing profile of these children.

Objetivo: Identificar as contribuições tecnológicas do processador de fala Freedom® para pacientes implantados com Nucleus 22® e a satisfação dos usuários com a nova tecnologia. Entre os novos recursos disponíveis, foram analisados o efeito da tabela de alocação de frequências, o T-SPL e C-SPL e o ajuste de pré-processamento do som (ADRO®). Material: Este estudo foi prospectivo e exploratório. Foram incluídos adolescentes e adultos implantados com Nucleus 22® no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, usuários efetivos do processador de fala Spectra®, com alguma percepção de frases em contexto fechado e sem experiência anterior com a nova tecnologia. Foram selecionados 17 pacientes, entre as idades de 15 e 82 anos, e implantados há mais de oito anos. Para determinar a contribuição do Freedom®, os limiares auditivos e os testes de percepção de fala foram realizados com o último mapa utilizado com o Spectra® e comparados os mapas criados com o Freedom®. Para identificar o efeito da tabela de alocação de frequências, ambos os mapas convertidos (mesma tabela) e atualizados (tabela nova) foram programados. A tabela escolhida foi mantida, e foram realizados três mapas com diferentes parâmetros: o programa 1 (P1) com T-SPL de 30 dB e do C-SPL de 70 dB, programa 2 (P2) com T-SPL de 25 dB e do C-SPL de 65 dB, e o programa 3 (P3) com ADRO®. A ordem de apresentação dos mapas e dos testes foi randomizada. Para avaliar a satisfação com seus dispositivos auditivos foram utilizados os questionários SADL e APHAB após um mês e um ano de uso do Freedom®. Resultados: A contribuição do processador de fala Freedom® para pacientes usuários do Nucleus 22® foi estatisticamente superior em comparação com o Spectra® em todos os testes de percepção da fala e em todos os limiares audiométricos, tanto individualmente quanto em média, com exceção de 8000 Hz. Em relação à escolha da tabela de frequência, 64,7% dos pacientes (n=11) mantiveram o mapa com a tabela de frequências do Spectra®. Comparando os mapas com diferentes T-SPL e C-SPL, houve diferença estatística tanto nos limiares audiométricos de 500, 1000, 1500 e 2000 Hz quanto na média. Não houve diferença estatística entre os testes de fala com ou sem o uso do ADRO®. Os questionários de satisfação mostraram uma melhora estatisticamente significativa, apenas na subescala que avalia o desempenho em ambiente ruidoso e uso do telefone. Conclusão: A tecnologia contribuiu no desempenho de percepção de fala e nos limiares audiométricos dos pacientes usuários de Nucleus22®. A maioria manteve a tabela de frequência original. As mudanças nos parâmetros de T-SPL e C-SPL mostraram uma melhora dos limiares audiométricos nas frequências principais da fala. As diferenças significantes foram sutis nos questionários de satisfação, demonstrando que os pacientes já estavam adaptados e satisfeitos com o implante coclear / Objective: To identify the technological contributions of the Freedom® speech processor to the patients implanted with Nucleus 22® and the satisfaction of users of the new technology. Among the new features available, we focused on the effect of the frequency allocation table, the T-SPL and C-SPL and the pre-processing gain adjustments (ADRO®). Methods: This study was prospective and exploratory. It included teenage and adult patients implanted with Nucleus 22® who effectively used the implant with no previous experience with the new technology and had at least some speech recognition on a closed set with the Spectra® processor. Seventeen patients met the inclusion criteria, ranging in age from 15 to 82 years and deployed for over 8 years. To determine the contribution of the Freedom®, thresholds and speech perception tests were performed with the last map used with the Spectra® and the maps created for Freedom®. To identify the effect of the frequency allocation table, both converted (same table) and upgraded (new table) maps were programmed. The table selected is maintained, and maps were performed with three different parameters: the first program (P1) was programmed with 30 dB T-SPL and 70 dB C-SPL; the second program (P2) with was programmed with 25 dB T-SPL and 65 dB C-SPL; and the program 3 (P3) with ADRO®. The order of presentation of the maps and the testing was randomized. To assess satisfaction were used SADL and APHAB after one moth and one year of using the Freedom®. Results: The contribution of the Freedom® speech processor to patients with the Nucleus 22® was statistically superior compared to the Spectra® in all tests of speech perception and in all audiometric thresholds, both individually and on average, except for 8000 Hz. Regarding the choice of a frequency allocation table, 64.7% of patients (n=11) maintained the same map that had been used with the Spectra® processor. The sound field threshold was statistically significant at 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 Hz with 25 dB T-SPL/ 65 dB C-SPL. The patients\' satisfaction there was a statistically significant improvement, only in the sub-scale of speech in noise abilities and telephone use. Conclusions: The Freedom® technology improved the performance of patients with the Nucleus 22®. Most of the patients retained the original frequency table. The changes in the parameters of T-SPL and C-SPL showed an improvement in the audiometric thresholds for the main frequencies of speech. Significant differences were subtle in questionnaires of satisfaction, demonstrating that patients were already adapted and satisfied with the cochlear implant

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T18:12:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gabriela Lopes.pdf: 708382 bytes, checksum: f9c6f44eb1450e2f8fb7419125767777 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-02-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Introduction: Every society depends directly or indirectly on the road transport efficiency, which is mainly executed by truck drivers. On duty of this function, these professionals can show several health problems such as hearing impairment. Objective: This assignment has studied the hearing and the self-perception of the hearing handicap in truck drivers. Method: It was evaluated 75 truck drivers, male gender and ages between 27 to 61 years old, with professional experience between five to 40 years. It was accomplished: anamnesis, audiometric evaluation and also was applied a questionnaire, the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA). Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) was classified according to the Group criterion used by Fiorini (1994). Audiometric evaluation also was classified according to Parrado-Moran, Fiorini (2003), taking into consideration the results for both ears separately. Results: 50 out of 75 (66.7%) have shown results within normal standards (Group 1), 20 out of 75 (26.7%) have been classified as suggestive of noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) (Group 2) and 5 out of 75 like the others (6.6%). Out of 50 Group 1 audiograms (71.4%), 31 were normal with bilateral notch (62.0%) and out of 20 Group 2 audiograms (28.6%), 16 (80.0%) were suggestive of bilateral NIHL. The greatest compromise was found in the frequency range of 4 kHz, 6 kHz and 8 kHz. Qualitative variables: years of duty profession (p=0.049) and age (p=0.049) have statistically influenced the audiometric evaluation results. Out of 50 truck drivers (71.4%) who presented normal hearing thresholds (Group 1), 43 subjects (86.0%) did not have a perceived hearing handicap, 6 (12.0%) had a mild/moderate perception and 1(2.0%) a severe/significant hearing handicap perception. Out of 20 truck drivers (28.6%) who presented suggestive NIHL (Group 2), 16 subjects (80.0%) did not show any degree of hearing handicap, 3 (15.0%) have presented it mild/moderate and one (5.0%) severe/significant. The largest compromise was found in the frequencies of 4 kHz, 6 kHz and 8 kHz. In relation to self-perception of the hearing handicap, 7 drivers (14%) from Group 1 and 4 (20.0%) from Group 2 have shown self-perception of the hearing handicap. However, 43 drivers (86.0%) of Group 1 and 16 (80.0%) of Group 2 did not show any perception. With this, it was noticed that not even all the drivers with suggestive NIHL showed a hearing handicap self-perception and those within normal hearing standards have presented it. Conclusion: The prevalence of hearing disorders on the analyzed population was 28.6%. Besides the years of duty profession and the age determined statistically the results of this audiometric evaluation and it did not have any connection with the results of the self-perceived hearing handicap / Introdução: Toda sociedade depende direta ou indiretamente da eficiência do transporte rodoviário, que é executado principalmente pelos motoristas de caminhão. No desempenho de sua função, estes profissionais podem apresentar diversos problemas de saúde e dentre eles, a deficiência auditiva. Objetivo: Este trabalho visou estudar a audição e a auto-percepção do handicap auditivo de motoristas de caminhão. Método: Foram avaliados 75 motoristas de caminhão, do sexo masculino, com idades entre 27 a 61 anos e com tempo de profissão entre cinco e 40 anos. Os sujeitos responderam a uma anamnese, realizaram avaliação audiométrica e preencheram um questionário de auto-percepção do handicap auditivo - Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA). A Perda Auditiva Induzida por Ruído (PAIR) foi classificada segundo o critério de Grupos utilizado por Fiorini (1994). A avaliação audiométrica também foi classificada de acordo com Parrado-Moran, Fiorini (2003), considerando os resultados de ambas as orelhas separadamente. Resultados: Do total, 50 (66,7%) apresentaram resultados dentro dos padrões de normalidade (Grupo 1) e 20 (26,7%) foram classificados como sugestivos de PAIR (Grupo 2) e cinco como Outros (6,6%). Dentre os 50 audiogramas do Grupo 1 (71,4%), 31 foram dentro dos padrões de normalidade, com entalhe bilateral (62,0%) e dos 20 audiogramas do Grupo 2 (28,6%), 16 (80,0%) foram sugestivos de PAIR bilateral. O maior comprometimento foi encontrado na faixa de freqüências de 4 kHz, 6 kHz e 8 kHz. As variáveis qualitativas: anos de profissão (p=0,049) e idade (p=0,007) influenciaram estatisticamente os resultados da avaliação audiométrica. Do total de 50 motoristas de caminhão (71,4%) que apresentaram audição dentro dos padrões de normalidade (Grupo 1), 43 sujeitos (86,0%) não apresentaram auto-percepção do handicap auditivo, seis (12,0%) apresentaram auto-percepção leve/moderada do handicap auditivo e um (2,0%) demonstrou auto-percepção severa/significativa do handicap auditivo. Dos 20 motoristas (28,6%) que apresentaram perdas auditivas sugestivas de PAIR (Grupo 2), 16 sujeitos (80,0%) não apresentaram auto-percepção do handicap auditivo, três (15,0%) apresentaram auto-percepção leve/moderada do handicap auditivo e um (5,0%) demonstrou auto-percepção severa/significativa do handicap auditivo. Com isso, foi observado que nem todos os sujeitos com alterações auditivas sugestivas de PAIR demonstraram auto-percepção do handicap auditivo, porém, aqueles com audição dentro dos padrões de normalidade puderam apresentá-la. Conclusões: A prevalência de alterações auditivas na população estudada foi de 28,6%. Além disso, não houve associação entre os resultados da avaliação audiométrica e a auto-percepção do handicap auditivo