Hearing loss Flashcards
What are the 3 types of hearing loss?
- Conductive
- Sensorineural
- Mixed
What is meant by conductive hearing loss?
Hearing loss arising due to a pathology of sound conduction through the tympanic membrane or ossicles
What is meant by sensorineural hearing loss?
Hearing loss arising due to a pathology of sound detection in the nerves or middle ear components
What are some causes of conductive hearing loss?
- Otitis externa
- Acute otitis media
- Chronic otitis media
- Otitis media with effusion (Glue ear)
- Cholesteatoma
- Perforation
- Otosclerosis
What is shown?
Tympanic membrane perforation
What are some causes of tympanic membrane perforation?
- Acute otitis media (Younger)
- Trauma (E.g. Barotrauma, insertion of objects into the ear)
How will tympanic membrane perforation present?
Sudden severe pain sometimes followed by bleeding from the ear, hearing loss, and tinnitus
What investigations are required in tympanic membrane perforation?
Otoscopy
Audiometry
How is tympanic membrane perforation managed?
Usually heals spontaneously
When is surgical repair of tympanic membrane perforation indicated?
If the patient is symptomatic with recurrent discharge
What is otosclerosis?
Hereditary disorder in which new bony deposits occur within the stapes footplate and the cochlear, resulting in gradual onset hearing loss
Who is most at risk of otosclerosis?
- Family history
- Women (Linked to high oestrogen)
- Pregnant women (High oestrogen)
- 2nd - 3rd decade
How will otosclerosis present?
Gradual onset hearing loss
How will otosclerosis present on audiometry?
Conductive or mixed hearing loss
A classic feature is Carhart’s notch at 2KHz
How is otosclerosis managed?
- Hearing aids
- Stapedectomy