Hearing aids and ear drops

Question 1

hearing aids

Answer 1

A hearing aid is a sound amplifier. Sound passes from the microphone through an electronic processor, which amplifies the sounds and passes them to a receiver (like a small loudspeaker).

Some hearing aids can reduce certain background noises, particularly those with directional microphones.

Question 2

Types of Hearing Aid

Answer 2

Behind the ear (BTE)
A recent development for patients with milder degrees of hearing loss is the open fitting BTE hearing aid.
In the ear (ITE)
In the canal (ITC)

Question 3

Problems with Hearing Aids

Answer 3

Allergy to the earmould material.
Otitis externa secondary to occlusion of the ear canal

Question 4

Bone Anchored Hearing Aids

Answer 4

pure titanium screw is placed in the skull.

used if Recurrent discharge
Absence or stenosis of the ear canal

Question 5

Vibrant Soundbridge

Answer 5

direct stimulation of middle ear structures - ossicles or round window

sound to electrical signals to mechanical vibrations

Risks of middle ear and mastoid surgery
Risks of anaesthesia

Question 6

Cochlear Implants

Answer 6

Cochlear implants work by electrical stimulation of neural structures in the cochlea

used when profound sensorineural hearing loss and conventional doesn’t work

Question 7

Application of Drops

Answer 7

ear upwards, easiest lying down

adult- Straighten the ear canal by pulling the pinna upwards and backwards

directly backwards in a child

Press the tragus repeatedly over the introitus of the ear canal to encourage the drops to pass down the canal after putting drops

Pope wick may be used or a wick made of ribbon gauze impregnated with antibiotic / steroid ointment

Question 8

side effects of drops

Answer 8

dizzyness if cold

Lateral semicircular canal is stimulated by temperature difference

ototoxicity with aminoglycoside antibiotic