Ch. 3: Hearing Disorders

Question 1

Identify which type of hearing loss – conductive or sensorineural:
Mycin drugs

Answer 1

sensorineural

Question 2

Identify which type of hearing loss – conductive or sensorineural:
A cold

Answer 2

conductive

Question 3

Identify which type of hearing loss – conductive or sensorineural:
Noise

Answer 3

sensorineural

Question 4

Identify which type of hearing loss – conductive or sensorineural:
Meniere’s disease (caused by a build-up of fluid in the inner ear, can cause balance problems and hearing loss)

Answer 4

sensorineural

Question 5

Identify which type of hearing loss – conductive or sensorineural:
Presbycusis (hearing loss occurs naturally as part of the aging process)

Answer 5

sensorineural

Question 6

Identify which type of hearing loss – conductive or sensorineural:
Toluene (a chemical)

Answer 6

sensorineural

Question 7

Identify which type of hearing loss – conductive or sensorineural:
Cerumen (ear wax)

Answer 7

conductive

Question 8

Identify which type of hearing loss – conductive or sensorineural:
Carbon Monoxide

Answer 8

sensorineural

Question 9

Identify which type of hearing loss – conductive or sensorineural:
Ruptured eardrum

Answer 9

conductive

Question 10

Identify which type of hearing loss – conductive or sensorineural:
Prenatal influences

Answer 10

sensorineural

Question 11

Explain conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

Answer 11

• Problems in the external or middle ear can cause conductive hearing loss.
• Conductive hearing loss shows up in the lower frequencies (500, 1000, and 2000 Hz-also knows as the speech frequencies).
• Problems in the inner ear can cause sensorineural hearing loss.
• Sensorineural hearing loss shows up in the higher frequencies (3000, 4000, 6000, and, or, 8000 Hz). Unless the loss is severe, hearing loss in this range is not usually noticed by the individual.
• Conductive hearing loss is not restricted to the lower frequencies, and sensorineural hearing loss is not restricted to the higher frequencies.
• If a worker’s ear canal is impacted with wax, this is a conductive loss-the hearing test results generated by this type of loss will show that all frequencies tested are affected.
• A hearing loss caused by a middle ear infection is a conductive loss; once again, the conduction of sound is affected. The hearing loss from this cause will be evident in the speech frequencies but not necessarily in the higher frequencies.
• Hearing loss caused by noise is sensorineural loss – the transmission of sound in the nerve endings (hair cells) is affected.
• Sensorineural hearing loss will be evident in the higher frequencies only, unless the loss is severe, and is often accompanied by tinnitus. As hearing loss from noise gets worse, it “spreads” into the lower frequencies and the speech frequencies can be affected. Worker may not notice a loss due to noise until the hearing loss spreads into the speech frequencies.
• In general, conductive hearing loss is more responsive to medical or surgical treatment than is sensorineural hearing loss. Impacted wax can be removed. Hearing loss due to past middle ear infections can be treated with a hearing aid.
• Sensorineural loss, is the result of damage to the nerve endings and these cannot be repaired; sensorineural loss is permanent.