Checklist para rastreamento das alterações de audição e linguagem em idosos

Abstract

The elderly population growth is worldwide and has happened in both absolute as relative numbers, bringing aging as a reality, which interferes in the internal organic permanence of the individual. Presbycusis refers to aging-related hearing loss, representing one of the greatest sensory deprivations. It brings with it the isolation of this individual, leading him/her to avoid communication. Language, whether oral or written, is considered a mechanism of thought and, through it, the individual recomposes him/herself, programs his/her actions, understands, learns, presents his/her opinion and constructs him/herself as subject. The aspects of hearing and language are related to the way in which individuals communicate, exercising their social role, and this factor is of great relevance for a better quality of life of this population. Therefore, the construction of a checklist that will screen hearing and language disorders in elders for non-speech-language health professionals becomes essential. Objective: To construct a checklist to identify communication disorders in the elderly population, in the areas of hearing and language. Methodology: This is a methodological research with quantitative approach, structured in the following phases: 1. Integrative literature review on speech and language disorders in the elderly person to subsidize the construction of the first version of the checklist, performed in February and March 2018; 2. Construction of the checklist to screen hearing and speech disorders, after assessment and contribution of the participants. The participants began the process of the validation of the instrument content, creating two groups, namely: GE (group of experts), and GP (group of health professionals). The data will be organized in digital spreadsheet and the variables will be analyzed descriptively - absolute and relative frequency - and inferentially, with the calculation of content validity index (CVI). Results: The product created is a checklist to track hearing and language disorders in the elderly person and that may be filled by non-Speech-Language Pathologists who work with the elderly population. From this, evaluate the need for referral to the speech therapist and need for specific evaluation. Conclusion: The evaluation of experts and non-speech-language health professionals confirms the preparation of the appropriate checklist for application by health professionals, forwarding the patient to the speechlanguage pathologist, if necessary. The screening through a checklist allows detecting possible hearing/language disorders in the elderly person, serving as an instrument for decision making.