Acquired Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Question 1

Impact of SNHL depends on:

Answer 1

-Etiology
-Degree of HL
-Time course (sudden vs. insidious; stable vs.
progressive)
-Age of onset

Question 2

Two most typical characteristics associated with acquired SNHL are:

Answer 2

Tinnitus & Recruitment

Question 3

_____________ is the sensation of noise or ringing in the ear.

Answer 3

Tinnitus

Question 4

________ is the abnormal sensitivity to loudness changes.

Answer 4

Recruitment

Question 5

Diseases, infections, and systemic disorders that cause SNHL:

Answer 5

BAVM
– Bacterial infections 
– Auto-immune inner ear disease
– Viral infections 
– Meniere’s disease

Question 6

Sudden onset disorders that cause SNHL:

Answer 6

LIVP
– Labyrinthine fistula
– Idiopathic SNHL
– Vascular accidents 
– Perilymphatic fistula

Question 7

Types of trauma that cause SNHL:

Answer 7

HAB
– Head injury
– Acoustic trauma
– Barotrauma

Question 8

Ototoxicity causes of SNHL:

Answer 8

AL(A3)C
– Antibiotics (aminoglycosides)
– Loop diuretics
– Analgesics & antipyrectics
– Antimalarial agents
– Antineoplastic or chemotherapeutic agents
– Chemical, general and behavioral toxins

Question 9

___________ is a degenerative process of SNHL.

Answer 9

presbycusis

Question 10

___________ is the most common cause of acquired SNHL.

Answer 10

Noise exposure

Question 11

A normal conversation is around ________ SPL.

Answer 11

50-65 dB

Question 12

Loss of hair cells impact:

Answer 12

• Auditory nerve fibers which innervate the sensory receptor cells
• Subsequent neurons in the central auditory system

Question 13

The audiogram typically reveals a pattern with the greatest hearing loss in the ________ region (with some recovery at _______).

Answer 13

• 4000-6000 Hz

- 8000 Hz

Question 14

Early signs/symptoms of a noise-induced SNHL:

Answer 14

• Difficulties hearing high-pitched sounds

- Difficulties with understanding speech (esp. women and children)

Question 15

The impact on the auditory system and hearing depends the following noise characteristics:

Answer 15

– Intensity
– Frequency
– Duration

Question 16

What is the “Three Foot Rule”?:

Answer 16

If you have to shout at arms length (approximately 3’)

in order to be understood over the background noise, then you are exposed to hazardous noise levels.

Question 17

Prevention of noise induced hearing lose is accomplished by reducing both the _______ and _______ of noise exposure.

Answer 17

• time

- intensity