Hearing and its disorders Flashcards
What are the different types of hearing loss?
Conductive loss:
Outer or middle ear
Sensorineural:
Cochlea or nerves
What are some causes of outer ear (conductive) hearing loss?
Pinna malformation or wax build up
What is microtia?
When the pinna is smaller than normal
There are 4 grades
After what age does childhood hearing loss become irreversible?
By the age of about 6yrs
Because after that the areas of the brain responsible for hearing disintegrate
What is cerumen?
Ear wax
What are some causes of middle ear (conductive) hearing loss?
Fluid or effusion (glue ear)
Retracted tympanic membrane
Perforated tympanic membrane
Cholesteatoma
Ossicle erosion
Otosclerosis
What is osteosclerosis?
Abnormal bone formation
Can lead to a new bone around the base of the stapes resulting in progressive hearing loss
How can the tympanic membrane be repaired?
A graft of tissue can be placed to replace it and implants to connect the bones again
What is a Retracted tympanic membrane?
When an air imbalance sucks the membrane towards the middle ear
Often treated with a ventilation tube
What are some causes of symmetrical inner ear (sensorineural) hearing loss?
- Presbyacusis: bilateral age-related hearing loss
- Genetic / congenital
- Toxins (medications)
- Noise induced
What are some causes of asymmetrical inner ear (sensorineural) hearing loss?
Vestibular schwannoma
Meniere’s disease
Viral infection
Sudden hearing loss
What is sudden hearing loss be treated?
With systemic steroids or they can be injected into the ear
People just wake up with hearing loss, it’s a medical emergency
What is Vestibular schwannoma?
Non-cancerous tumour that grows in the ear
It can causes facial numbness as it develops
What are the different types of hearing aids?
Behind the ear/mould
Behind the ear/ open fit
In the canal
Bone conducting devices
Middle ear implant
Cochlear implant
