[Balance in the elderly].
Throughout years, the human organism goes through natural aging, having functional and structural changes. The part which is responsible for the corporal balance system also suffers from the aging process, creating great impact for the elderly.


OBJECTIVE
Thus, the present paper aims to study the vestibular function of old people suffering from dizziness, tinnitus and hearing impairment.


METHODS
Transversal cohort.


METHODS
80 elderly individuals from two different groups were evaluated: group A - composed of 38 women and 2 men who belonged to an elderly group from Santa Maria, RS; and group B - composed of 35 women and 5 men with complaints of balance disorders.


RESULTS
Both groups were undergone anamnesis (calling attention to aspects concerning the dizziness, tinnitus and the hearing impairment), and the vestibular function evaluation (by using the computerized system of vecto-electronystagmography SCV 5.0). The results displayed a statistical significant difference between both groups, concerning the complaints of dizziness and tinnitus, straightforward in group B. In the hypothetical diagnosis lead by the computerized examination, it was found that most individuals had presented normal diagnosis; however, it was found the predominance of vestibular disorders in the elderly such as Deficit Peripheral Vestibular Syndrome and Irritative Peripheral Vestibular Syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
It was concluded that the vestibular disorders, according to the vecto-electronystagmography, and to the complaints of dizziness, tinnitus and hearing impairment, are numerically similar in both studied groups.
Ruwer
Sheelen Larissa
SL
Departamento de Otorrino-fonoaudiologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. slrfonoaudiologia@redemeganet.com.br
Rossi
Angela Garcia
AG
Simon
Larissa Fortunato
LF
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001938:Brazil; D004244:Dizziness / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004584:Electronystagmography; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009759:Nystagmus, Pathologic / Q000503:physiopathology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*