Launch of the Ante Zumbido Project - PAZ

Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública lance Ante Zumbido Project – PEACE and offers free care for tinnitus sufferers

On 30/07/10, the Teaching-Assistance Outpatient Clinic of BahianaOn Brotas, received the pioneer in the study of tinnitus, in Brazil, Dr. Tanit Sanchez. The visit of the otorhinolaryngologist marks the launch of the Anti Tinnitus Project – PAZ, an innovative action in Bahia that aims to assist patients with tinnitus, through SUS. On the occasion, she gave the lectures "Deactivation of myofacial trigger points and control of somatosensory tinnitus" and "Tinnitus, a multidisciplinary approach".

PAZ is an initiative of Drª. Clarice Saba, otolaryngologist, professor at Bahiana and also project coordinator. According to her, the service is multidisciplinary (involves doctors from different specialties, physiotherapists, dentists and even nutritionists), "since tinnitus has several causes, such as partial hearing loss, anatomical issues related to the face, posture, changes in triglyceride levels, pre-diabetes, high consumption of caffeine, sugars, among other factors”, he explains.

PAZ care is provided exclusively by the Unified Health System (SUS) and is carried out at the Teaching-Care Clinic of the Bahiana (ADAB), in Brotas (Av. Don João VI, n.275).

Speaker - TANIT SANCHEZ

Tanit Sanchez is a physician, author of the book "Who Said Tinnitus Has No Cure?" and founder of the Support Group for People with Tinnitus – GAPZ. Created more than ten years ago, the entity's mission is to provide support and updated information to tinnitus sufferers who have important repercussions on their quality of life. This is a multidisciplinary volunteer work that takes place in seven Brazilian cities (São Paulo, Campinas, Curitiba, Brasília, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro and São José do Rio Preto). Tanit will chair the X International Tinnitus Seminar, which will take place in Brazil in 2011.

According to data released by the GAPZ, more than 28 million Brazilians suffer from tinnitus, “however, tinnitus is not a disease, but a symptom”, explains Dr. Clarice, stating that in most cases there is a cure. Another differential of the service is that it is exclusively aimed at patients with the problem. “We will not deal with any complaints other than tinnitus, so that we can provide a quality service, with a consultation of at least 30 minutes”, he points out. 

BUZZ
 
It is estimated that 17% of the world population have tinnitus. This symptom, now considered to be curable, brings disturbances to the population such as mood changes, worsening of pathologies such as hypertension and diabetes, irritability, depression, and can even lead to suicide.

Due to the strong association with several comorbidities (coexistence of disorders or diseases), tinnitus can serve as a warning sign in the decompensation of metabolic diseases with a great impact on the population, such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypo or hyperthyroidism, etc.

Tinnitus also has great repercussions on human communication, especially in patients with presbycusis (hearing loss related to aging), hearing loss and/or people with occupational hearing diseases.

Tinnitus treatment is essential to improve the population's quality of life. Due to the multiplicity of causes, a multidisciplinary action is necessary, including evaluation and, when necessary, treatment in internal medicine, psychology, physiotherapy, radiology, occupational therapy, dentistry, etc.