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Development and Evaluation of Portal do Zumbido: A Novel Telehealth Approach to Tinnitus

Abstract

Introduction

Tinnitus is a prevalent symptom in audiological clinics, and the speech therapist participates in the assessment, diagnosis, and intervention of tinnitus. A range of studies have been developed with the aim to promote auditory health, and telehealth is an option for this purpose.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to develop and assess a virtual platform for tinnitus management for speech therapists.

Methods

The present study provided a distance-learning-course, with the aid of Portal do Zumbido, available in the following electronic address: zumbido.fob.usp.br. Infographics were available for download, and modules were made to comprise the introduction to the symptoms, assessment, and intervention for tinnitus.

Results

Speech therapists of different regions of Brazil received an e-mail invitation to participate and to assess the platform, 46 of whom registered. From the 46 speech therapists registered, 38 assessed the virtual platform with the aid of a questionnaire about the theoretical content and then answered a motivational research sheet (MRS). The speech therapists correctly answered 90% and 100% of the questions in the questionnaire and in the MRS, respectively, which may indicate that the professionals positively absorbed the content; thus, the content was considered to be impressive when the MRS was analyzed.

Conclusion

Portal do Zumbido was developed and is available for access in the following electronic address: zumbido.fob.usp.br. Furthermore, the platform received a positive assessment by the speech therapists who participated in the present study.

Keywords
telemedicine; tinnitus; hearing aids

Introduction

Tinnitus is a symptom characterized as the perception of a sound in the ears or in the head without an external sound stimulus. It can occur unilaterally or bilaterally and classification varies according to the duration, so that it is classified as acute when it occurs for less than 6 months, or chronic when it occurs for 6 months or longer. The prevalence of the symptom is 10 to 15%, and it is higher among the elderly.11 Teixeira AR, Rosito LPS, Gonçalves AK, Nunes MGP, Dornelles S, OlchikMR. Tinnitus in elderly individuals: discomfort and impact in the quality of life. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2017;21(01):66–71

This auditory complaint can be associated with quality of life impairments, such as decreased social interaction, insomnia, emotional and general health changes as well as problems at work.22 Al-Swiahb J, Park SN. Characterization of tinnitus in different age groups: A retrospective review. Noise Health 2016;18(83): 214–219 Furthermore, tinnitus management can attach a high cost to health services because it is not standardized.33 Hoare DJ, Gander PE, Collins L, Smith S, Hall DA. Management of tinnitus in English NHS audiology departments: an evaluation of current practice. J Eval Clin Pract 2012;18(02):326–334,44 Tunkel DE, Bauer CA, Sun GH, et al. Clinical practice guideline: tinnitus. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2014;151 (02):S1–S40

The subjects with tinnitus complaints often search for hearing health services, and this has generated a growing search for the evaluation, diagnosis, and effective treatment of the symptom. Thus, recent studies have been developed with the aim of helping professionals who attend patients with tinnitus at their clinics for symptom management.55 Langguth B, Elgoyhen AB, Cederroth CR. Therapeutic Approaches to the Treatment of Tinnitus. Annu Rev PharmacolToxicol 2019; 59:291–313,66 Tutaj L, Hoare DJ, Sereda M. Combined amplification and sound generation for tinnitus: A scoping review. EarHear 2018;39(03): 412–422

The etiological diagnosis is important, and, due to the multifactorial etiology of tinnitus, an audiologist is required from the assessment to the intervention of the symptom.77 Esteves CC, Brandão FN, Siqueira CGA, Carvalho SAS. Audição, zumbido e qualidade de vida: um estudo piloto. Rev CEFAC 2012; 14(05):836–843,88 Pinto PCL, Sanchez TG, Tomita S. The impact of gender, age and hearing loss on tinnitus severity. RevBrasOtorrinolaringol (Engl Ed) 2010;76(01):18–24 Due to this concern, several studies have been developed with the purpose of hearing health promotion. However, there is an irregular and insufficient distribution of public health services, educational institutions and qualified professionals, leading to the difficulties of access to specialized services. Due to the current condition, telehealth can be a significant alternative at this time.99 FerrariDV, BlascaWQ, Bernardez-Braga GRA,Wen CL. Telessaúde: acesso à educação e assistência em audiologia. In: BevilacquaMC, Martinez MA, Balleri AS, Pupo AC, Reis AC, Frota SM, ed. Saúde Auditiva no Brasil: políticas, serviços e sistemas. São José dos Campos: Pulso Editorial; 2010:189218

In the context of an irregular distribution of health professionals, shortage of services that promote the training of professionals in this area, and current technological advances, telehealth emerges as an important alternative for the use of teleassistance resources (health care alternatives) and tele-education (distance education), since it allows the reduction of costs and resources needed, as well as facilitates the quickly professional-patient relationship.1010 Paixão MP. Modelo de educação a distância em hanseníase voltado para a rede de detecção de casos e diagnóstico [thesis]. São Paulo (SP): Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo; 2008,1111 Guitton MJ. Telemedicine in tinnitus: feasibility, advantages, limitations, and perspectives. ISRN Otolaryngol 2013; 2013:218265

Telehealth is the transferring of health information between distant places, and it includes a range of activities beyond patient care, such as health promotion, epidemiological surveillance, disease prevention, patient and professional education, and health service management.99 FerrariDV, BlascaWQ, Bernardez-Braga GRA,Wen CL. Telessaúde: acesso à educação e assistência em audiologia. In: BevilacquaMC, Martinez MA, Balleri AS, Pupo AC, Reis AC, Frota SM, ed. Saúde Auditiva no Brasil: políticas, serviços e sistemas. São José dos Campos: Pulso Editorial; 2010:189218 Systematic actions are required to plan and develop new teaching strategies and methods that incorporate the teaching-learning process into information and communication technologies, especially the internet.1212 Filatro A, Piconez SCB. Design instrucional contextualizado: planejamento, elaboração e avaliação de materiais didáticos para educação a distância [Internet]. 2004 Available at: http://www.abed.org.br/congresso2004/por/pdf/049-TC-B2.pdf. Acessed May 11, 2019
http://www.abed.org.br/congresso2004/por...

Due to the wide geographic dimensions of Brazil, there is a heterogeneity in the distribution of speech therapists. Thus, telehealth is an option for the specialized knowledge decentralization of health professionals.1313 BlascaWQ, Kuchar J, Pardo-Fanton CS, Ascencio ACS, Falsetti APM, Mondelli MFCG. Modelo de educação em saúde auditiva. Rev CEFAC 2014;16(01):23–30 Therefore, the present study aims to develop and assess a virtual platform on tinnitus management to provide scientific technical access for speech therapists.

Materials and Methods

The study was developed in the Speech Therapy Program at Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru - Universidade de São Paulo, with the approval of the Research Ethics Committee (CEP) of this institution (number 88446218.2.0000.5417).

Development of a Virtual Learning Platform

A proposal was made to conduct the distance-learning course (tele-education) through the internet, using a virtual management platform of tinnitus in subjects with and without hearing impairment entitled "Portal do Zumbido", which is available at the following electronic address: zumbido.fob.usp.br. It is important to note that although the platform was initially designed to provide necessary information to professionals who attend patients with auditory impairments (tinnitus/hearing loss), it can be accessed by any professional who has interest to require information about the symptom, diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment.

To incorporate real teaching-learning situations and use the potential of the internet, the development of the content of the platform used information design and infographicsas facilitating resources.

Information design is a facilitating agent in the selection, structuring, and information organization of complex systems.1414 Passos R, Moura M. Design da Informação na hipermídia. Infodesign 2007;4(02):19–27 Together with web design, it provides information that the interpreter needs for specific tasks based on the interaction between verbal and visual communication. Information design is based on helping people with different experiences.1515 Pettersson R. It depends: principles and guidelines. IIID Public Library. 4th ed. Wien:Austria; 2012 Available at: <http://www.iiid.net/PublicLibrary/Pettersson-Rune-ID-It-Depends.pdf<. Acessed May 11, 2019
http://www.iiid.net/PublicLibrary/Petter...

The infographics, in turn, were used as tools for visual representations of informational character, since they have a high power of attraction, combining text and image to reveal more clearly and simplify complex information, saving space.1616 De Souza JAC. Texto e discurso no infográfico de Divulgação Científica Midiática (DCM). Calidoscopio 2013;11(03): 229–240,1717 Siricharoen WV. Infographics: the new communication tools in digital age. In: The international conference on e-technologies and business on the web (ebw2013). 2013:169174

Content Covered in the Virtual Platform

The main contents were selected to provide theoretical knowledge for speech therapists regarding tinnitus management (Fig. 1). All the content of the Portal do Zumbido was developed and was available for download and printing. The portal is comprised of the following modules:

Fig. 1
Homepage of Portal do Zumbido.

1. Tinnitus:

This is the first module of the Portal do Zumbido, and it introduces the subjects to the symptom, with questions such as "What is it?", "How does it manifest?", and "Is there a cure?."

2. Audiological Diagnosis:

This module discusses the importance of a well conducted audiological diagnosis, and it explains how to perform the following procedures: "inspection of the external acoustic meatus (EAM)," "pure-tone audiometry," "tympanometry" and "acoustic reflex testing."

3. Further Examinations:

Further procedures are described in this module, such as "high frequency audiometry (HFA)," "minimum masking level (MML)," "psychoacoustic measures (pitch and loudness matching)," "transient otoacoustic emissions and distortion product"

4. Fitting of hearing aids:

This module is about the indication of hearing aids use in subjects with tinnitus complaints; what kinds of therapy the hearing aid is used for;and it presents the essential aspects of correct hearing aid fitting and selection.

5. Fitting of a sound generator (SG):

This module covers the main issues involving a SG, and it explains what these devices are, why they are used in patients with tinnitus, the noise used and measurements.

6. Counseling:

This module describes, with the aid of available didactic material concerning the topic, how counseling is used as an intervention in patients with tinnitus.

7. Leading:

The present module is about the importance of guiding patients with tinnitus to other specialties, as well as information regarding the professionals involved in the symptom evaluation and intervention process.

8. Who we are:

Tinnitus is a topic studied by several Speech Therapy Program students, guided by Prof. Dr. Mondelli, MFCG. This topic introduces the team that studies the symptom in Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru - Universidade de São Paulo.

9. Assessment:

This module is composed of theoretical content and personal data, available download of informed consent form and the motivational research sheet (MRS).

The following questionnaires (module access "fitting of hearing aids") were available for download and printing: Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adult (HHIA), Hearing Handicap Inventory for Elderly (HHIE), and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI).

In addition, didactic material for download and printing, entitled "Manual do Zumbido" (access module "Counseling"), was available.

For viewing in PDF and downloading the contents of all modules, access zumbido.fob.usp.br.

Assessment of the Portal do Zumbido

1. Subjects

Speech therapists working in the five regions of the country were invited to participate in the present study. Access to the platform was proposed with theoretical content on tinnitus management (tele-education) through Portal do Zumbido, available at the zumbido.fob.usp.br electronic address.

The contact was conducted by e-mail, in which the professionals were guided and informed about the objectives of the present study.

Professionals were guided to register at Portal do Zumbido informing their personal data (name, e-mail, ID, registration number in the Federal Council of Speech Therapy, region of work, and academic level). All participants were informed regarding the purpose and procedures of the study and the need to agree to the informed consent form that was available online and for download.

2. Questionnaire about the theoretical content

The professionals were guided to access the portal and, at the end, to answer an online form (Appendix A) in the module "assessment." This form was prepared using the Google Forms tool, and it was composed of 10 questions regarding the content of Portal do Zumbido. Each question had three answer options, out of which only one was correct. If the participant hit the correct answer, he or she got 1 point and, if the participant failed, he or she did not score. At the end of the questionnaire, the professionals received feedback on their performance.

The e-mail portalzumbido@gmail.com was available to answer the questions of the participants.

3. Motivational Research Sheet (MRS)

After accessing the modules, the MRS was used for the assessment of motivational aspects related to Portal do Zumbido.1010 Paixão MP. Modelo de educação a distância em hanseníase voltado para a rede de detecção de casos e diagnóstico [thesis]. São Paulo (SP): Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo; 2008,1818 Blasca WQ. Telessaúde: intercâmbio técnico científico entre centros de atendimento ao deficiente auditivo [thesis]. Bauru (SP)Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, Universidade de São Paulo2012 The MRS is composed of 32 statements. Numerically, each statement is punctuated as follows: (3) completely agree, (2) partially agree, (1) partially disagree, and (0) completely disagree.

The MRS statements are grouped into four domains: "stimulant," "significant," "organized," and "easy to use." The domain "stimulant" is grouped by statements 1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25 and 29. The domain "significant" by statements 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26 and 30. The domain "organized" by statements 3, 7, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27 and 31. The "easy to use" domain by statements 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 and 32.

After scoring each domain individually, they are grouped according to the formula: V = E + S; XS = O + F. The V score is the sum of the domains "stimulant" and "significant" and reflects the value dimension, that is, how valuable this distance-learning-course is. The XS score is the sum of the "organized" and "easy to use" domains and reflects the expectation dimension for success. To finalize the score, the WebMAC authors recommended the use of a Cartesian projection. The abscissa (X-axis) is the score corresponding to the value dimension, and the ordinate (Y-axis) is the score corresponding to the expectation dimension for success. If the points or a large number of individual points are located within the area (impressive course!), it means that the distance-learning-course is an "impressive course," evaluating it positively.1818 Blasca WQ. Telessaúde: intercâmbio técnico científico entre centros de atendimento ao deficiente auditivo [thesis]. Bauru (SP)Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, Universidade de São Paulo2012

Data Analysis

The data collected through the questionnaires were transferred to a Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA, USA) spreadsheet and analyzed through quantitative and qualitative descriptive statistics.

Results

Speech therapists who worked in five regions of the country were invited to participate in the present study. Forty-six professionals (Fig. 2) registered but only 38 answered the entire questionnaire (Fig. 3).

Fig. 2
Graph of the regions and academic level of speech therapists registered in the Portal do Zumbido (n = 46).
Fig. 3
Graph of the regions and academic level of speech therapists who answered the entire questionnaire (n = 38).

Questionnaire about the Theoretical Content

After the participants read all of the modules, they were instructed to answer 10 questions about the theoretical content (Appendix A) to verify how much information from the content covered in the Portal do Zumbido they absorbed (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4
Distribution of percentage of correct and incorrect answers of the sample according to the questionnaire on the theoretical content (n = 38).

Motivational Research Sheet - MRS

Table 1 presents the descriptive statistical analysis by domain assessed by the participants on the MRS.

Table 1
Descriptive statistical analysis by domain assessed by the participants who filled out the motivational research sheet

Below are the MRS results presented in the form of Cartesian projection (Fig. 5), demonstrating the expectation for the success of the elaborated program.

Fig. 5
Classification of the Portal do Zumbido distance-learning-course.

Discussion

Tinnitus is considered a public health issue due to its prevalence and all the negative changes that may be associated with it. As such, studies have been developed to help the professionals in the assistance of this population.1919 Rosa MRD, Almeida AAF, Pimenta F, Silva CG, Lima MAR, Diniz MFFM. Zumbido e ansiedade: umarevisão da literatura. Rev CEFAC 2012;14:742–7542020 Strumila R, Lengvenytė A, Vainutienė V, Lesinskas E. The role of questioning environment, personality traits, depressive and anxiety symptoms in tinnitus severity perception. Psychiatr Q 2017; 88(04):865–877 Therefore, the present study used tele-education to provide information based on scientific evidence for speech therapists.

Speech therapists of three different regions of Brazil participated in the present study (Fig. 3), which characterized the internet and the advanced technology as facilitating resources for the transmission of information.2121 Manganello JA, Gerstner G, Pergolino K, Graham Y, Strogatz D. Understanding digital technology access and use amongNewYork state residents to enhance dissemination of health information. JMIR Public Health Surveill 2016;2(01):e9 The region with the highest number of professionals participating in the present study was the Southeast. This result can be explained when analyzing the speech therapists' division in Brazil, which presents a high concentration of these professionals in the Southeast region, of which 12,577 are in the state of São Paulo.2222 Conselho Federal de Fonoaudiologia. Número de Fonoaudiólogos no Brasil por Conselho Regional [Internet] 2017. Available at: http://www.fonoaudiologia.org.br/cffa/index.php/numero-porregiao. Acessed May 11, 2019
http://www.fonoaudiologia.org.br/cffa/in...
Thus, the Speech Therapy Program of Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru - Universidade de São Paulo is considered the pioneer in the creation and development of educational tools using tele-education in audiology as well as offering great support to studies that involve technology in the teaching-learning process.2323 Ascencio ACS. A teleducação interativa na capacitação de profissionais em saúde auditiva [dissertation]. Bauru (SP): Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, Universidade de São Paulo; 20122424 Alves TKM. Portal Sistema FM: intercâmbio técnico científico entre profissionais que atuam com alunos usuários de Sistema FM [dissertation]. Bauru (SP): Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru; Universidade de São Paulo; 2016

Professionals with different academic levels accessed the modules of Portal do Zumbido and evaluated it, corroborating with the affirmation that the programs of telehealth can establish an important alternative of promotion of the continuous professional updating, thus, it can help on the reduction of educational deficits in Brazil (►Fig. 4).1818 Blasca WQ. Telessaúde: intercâmbio técnico científico entre centros de atendimento ao deficiente auditivo [thesis]. Bauru (SP)Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, Universidade de São Paulo2012,2323 Ascencio ACS. A teleducação interativa na capacitação de profissionais em saúde auditiva [dissertation]. Bauru (SP): Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, Universidade de São Paulo; 2012

24 Alves TKM. Portal Sistema FM: intercâmbio técnico científico entre profissionais que atuam com alunos usuários de Sistema FM [dissertation]. Bauru (SP): Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru; Universidade de São Paulo; 2016
-2525 Picolini MM, Maximino LP. Programa de educação em síndromes genéticas: avaliação motivacional de um material educacional online. Rev CEFAC 2014;16(01):252–259

The entire content of Portal doZumbido was developed with the support of a professional designer; thus, it was possible to transmit the necessary information in a less exhaustive way, with the use of infographics.1717 Siricharoen WV. Infographics: the new communication tools in digital age. In: The international conference on e-technologies and business on the web (ebw2013). 2013:169174

The Portal do Zumbido was divided into modules. The first module is characterized by the introduction to tinnitus. In this module, important concepts regarding the symptom (classification, cure), scientific articles dealing with the topic, and specific books of audiology were used, as well as other studies that also had as an objective the development of virtual platforms of information.99 FerrariDV, BlascaWQ, Bernardez-Braga GRA,Wen CL. Telessaúde: acesso à educação e assistência em audiologia. In: BevilacquaMC, Martinez MA, Balleri AS, Pupo AC, Reis AC, Frota SM, ed. Saúde Auditiva no Brasil: políticas, serviços e sistemas. São José dos Campos: Pulso Editorial; 2010:189218,1212 Filatro A, Piconez SCB. Design instrucional contextualizado: planejamento, elaboração e avaliação de materiais didáticos para educação a distância [Internet]. 2004 Available at: http://www.abed.org.br/congresso2004/por/pdf/049-TC-B2.pdf. Acessed May 11, 2019
http://www.abed.org.br/congresso2004/por...
,1313 BlascaWQ, Kuchar J, Pardo-Fanton CS, Ascencio ACS, Falsetti APM, Mondelli MFCG. Modelo de educação em saúde auditiva. Rev CEFAC 2014;16(01):23–30,2424 Alves TKM. Portal Sistema FM: intercâmbio técnico científico entre profissionais que atuam com alunos usuários de Sistema FM [dissertation]. Bauru (SP): Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru; Universidade de São Paulo; 2016

The second module, "audiological diagnosis," contemplates the main procedures performed for the assessment of hearing and to detect the presence or absence of hearing loss.2626 Boéchat EM, de Lemos PM, do Couto CM, Frizzo ACF, Scharlach RC, Anastasio ART. Tratado de audiologia. 2nd ed. Garulhos, SP: Editora Guanabara; 2015 The importance of developing a module on this topic is due to the fact that tinnitus occurs as an isolated idiopathic symptom or related to any type of hearing loss.2727 Savage J, Waddell A. Tinnitus. BMJ Clin Evid 2014;2014:1–32 Tinnitus can cause physiological changes throughout the entire auditory pathway. In more than 50% of the cases, the symptom is a consequence of early cochlear lesions, such as sudden hearing loss, noise-induced acoustic trauma, presbiacusis or use of ototoxic drugs.2828 Langguth B, Kreuzer PM, Kleinjung T, De Ridder D. Tinnitus: causes and clinical management. Lancet Neurol 2013;12(09): 920–930 Therefore, it is extremely important to perform the evaluation of auditory functions.

In addition, there are exams that early detect the hearing loss, since they evaluate an extended range of frequencies, which is not evaluated in conventional audiometry. Thus, the module "Complementary examinations," provides information regarding tinnitus and hearing loss to guide professionals that attend this population.2626 Boéchat EM, de Lemos PM, do Couto CM, Frizzo ACF, Scharlach RC, Anastasio ART. Tratado de audiologia. 2nd ed. Garulhos, SP: Editora Guanabara; 2015,2929 Chari DA, Limb CJ. Tinnitus. Med Clin North Am 2018;102(06): 1081–1093

One of the main reasons that encouraged the development of the present study was to address the intervention of patients with tinnitus. The following three modules, entitled "Fitting of hearing aids," "Fitting of Sound Generator" and "Counseling" address the main treatments that the speech therapist can offer to the subject with tinnitus, in view of the habituation and remission of the symptom.44 Tunkel DE, Bauer CA, Sun GH, et al. Clinical practice guideline: tinnitus. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2014;151 (02):S1–S40,3030 dos Santos GM, Bento RF, de Medeiros IR, Oiticcica J, da Silva EC, Penteado S. The influence of sound generator associated with conventional amplification for tinnitus control: randomized blind clinical trial. Trends Hear 2014;18:1–9

31 Berberian AP, Ribas A, Imlau D, et al. Benefit of using the prosthesis with sound generators in individuals with tinnitus associated with mild to moderately severe hearing loss. Int Tinnitus J 2017;20(02):64–68

32 Park JM, Kim WJ, Ha JB, Han JJ, Park SY, Park SN. Effect of sound generator on tinnitus and hyperacusis. Acta Otolaryngol 2018; 138(02):135–139
-3333 Rocha AV, Mondelli MFCG. Sound generator associated with the counseling in the treatment of tinnitus: evaluation of the effectiveness. RevBrasOtorrinolaringol (Engl Ed) 2017;83(03):249–255 Therefore, questionnaires (THI, HHIA, HHIE) that help the speech therapists to understand both hearing loss and tinnitus have been available in these modules for download and printing.3434 Suzuki FAB, Suzuki FA, Onishi ET, Penido NO. Psychoacoustic classification of persistent tinnitus. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol (Engl Ed) 2018;84(05):583–590 Providing scientific information about a specific content in audiology and providing resources for download and printing were also used by other researchers who developed virtual platforms.99 FerrariDV, BlascaWQ, Bernardez-Braga GRA,Wen CL. Telessaúde: acesso à educação e assistência em audiologia. In: BevilacquaMC, Martinez MA, Balleri AS, Pupo AC, Reis AC, Frota SM, ed. Saúde Auditiva no Brasil: políticas, serviços e sistemas. São José dos Campos: Pulso Editorial; 2010:189218,1818 Blasca WQ. Telessaúde: intercâmbio técnico científico entre centros de atendimento ao deficiente auditivo [thesis]. Bauru (SP)Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, Universidade de São Paulo2012,2424 Alves TKM. Portal Sistema FM: intercâmbio técnico científico entre profissionais que atuam com alunos usuários de Sistema FM [dissertation]. Bauru (SP): Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru; Universidade de São Paulo; 2016

Concerning tinnitus subjects, the speech therapist should offer individualized care. Thus, during the whole process, from diagnosis to treatment, the speech therapist may find situations that compete with other professionals. In this sense, the module "Leading" discusses this topic. Therefore, studies reported the prevalence of 28% to 76% of tinnitus in subjects with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), in addition, it can be associated with changes of several etiologies, requiring the performance of professionals with different specialties to provide global care for the necessity of the subject.3535 Almeida TAS, Samelli AG, Mecca FDN, de Martino E, Paulino AM. Sensação subjetiva do zumbido pré e pós intervenção nutricional em alterações metabólicas. Pro Fono 2009;21(04):291–296

36 Urban VM, Neppelenbroek KH, Pavan S, de Alencar Júnior FGP, Jorge JH, Almilhatti HJ. Associação entre otalgia, zumbido, vertigem e hipoacusia com desordens temporomandibulares. RGO (Porto Alegre) 2009;57:107–115
-3737 Ciminelli P, Machado S, Palmeira M, et al. Tinnitus: The Sound of Stress? Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health 2018;14:264–269

The last module, "Assessment," was composed of the MRS and forms approaches for theoretical content. The results were satisfactory for the 10 questions, demonstrating that the content presented by the Portal do Zumbido was positively absorbed by the participants (Fig. 4). These positive results corroborate with other studies that have analyzed the theoretical content.2424 Alves TKM. Portal Sistema FM: intercâmbio técnico científico entre profissionais que atuam com alunos usuários de Sistema FM [dissertation]. Bauru (SP): Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru; Universidade de São Paulo; 2016,3838 Paula Erika Alves F, Cunha F, Onishi ET, Branco-Barreiro FCA, Ganança FF. Tinnitus handicap inventory: adaptação cultural para o Português Brasileiro. Pro Fono 2005;17(03):303–310

Question 7, with the lowest hit rate ("Why to perform the self-reported questionnaires?"), presented 9.3% of incorrect answers since it can be justified by the fact that there is no standardization and consensus on the assessment methods of tinnitus due to its complexity, thus, not all professionals use self-assessment questionnaires in the clinical routine.44 Tunkel DE, Bauer CA, Sun GH, et al. Clinical practice guideline: tinnitus. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2014;151 (02):S1–S40,2828 Langguth B, Kreuzer PM, Kleinjung T, De Ridder D. Tinnitus: causes and clinical management. Lancet Neurol 2013;12(09): 920–930,3939 Nascimento IP. Relação entre o Tinnitus Handicap Invetory, acufenometria e avaliação visual analógica na avaliação do zumbido [dissertation]. João Pessoa (PB): Universidade Federal da Paraíba;2015

In relation to the analysis of the motivational aspects of the portal through the MRS,1818 Blasca WQ. Telessaúde: intercâmbio técnico científico entre centros de atendimento ao deficiente auditivo [thesis]. Bauru (SP)Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, Universidade de São Paulo2012,2424 Alves TKM. Portal Sistema FM: intercâmbio técnico científico entre profissionais que atuam com alunos usuários de Sistema FM [dissertation]. Bauru (SP): Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru; Universidade de São Paulo; 2016,2525 Picolini MM, Maximino LP. Programa de educação em síndromes genéticas: avaliação motivacional de um material educacional online. Rev CEFAC 2014;16(01):252–259 it was possible to observe high satisfaction with the Portal do Zumbido since the participating professionals considered it impressive.4040 Small RV, Arnone MP. Motivation mining: prospecting the web. Book Rep 1999;18:42–44 The same was observed in the other study, which aim was to develop and analyze the effectiveness of a Hearing Health Training Program (Hearing aids) through interactive tele-education.1313 BlascaWQ, Kuchar J, Pardo-Fanton CS, Ascencio ACS, Falsetti APM, Mondelli MFCG. Modelo de educação em saúde auditiva. Rev CEFAC 2014;16(01):23–30

Regarding the four domains analyzed ("organized," "easy to use," "stimulating" and "significant"), the scores varied from 22.8, 22.4, 22.5 and 22.2 (Table 1), as a previous study that developed the FM System Portal and used the MRS with results that varied from 22.52, 22.32, 21.97 and 21.45.2424 Alves TKM. Portal Sistema FM: intercâmbio técnico científico entre profissionais que atuam com alunos usuários de Sistema FM [dissertation]. Bauru (SP): Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru; Universidade de São Paulo; 2016

Therefore, it is important to reflect on the facilities promoted by telehealth, as well as its assistance in the continuing education of speech therapists, thus it is suggested that the Portal do Zumbido be continually updated due to the need to provide current scientific information to professionals working with this population.

Conclusions

A virtual platform on tinnitus management in portal format was developed.

The Portal do Zumbido is available at zumbido.fob.usp.br.

The motivation of the participating professionals regarding Portal do Zumbido was satisfactory, and it was classified as impressive.

Access to the modules of Portal do Zumbido allowed the participants to absorb the proposed content.

  • Funding
    This work was supported by the Coordination of Superior Level Staff Improvement (CAPES-Financing Code 001).

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    14 June 2021
  • Date of issue
    Apr-Jun 2021

History

  • Received
    23 Sept 2019
  • Accepted
    11 Feb 2020
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