Hearing loss Flashcards
2 causes of deafness
conductive + sensorineural
Presbycusis =
deterioration of hearing with age
main cause of Presbycusis?
loss of sensitivity of the delicate hair cells in the cochlea
5 causes of conductive hearing loss?
- Otitis externa
- Otitis media
- Otosclerosis
- Perforation of tympanic membrane (e.g. due to trauma or infection)
- Foreign body in the ear canal
5 causes of sensorineural hearing loss?
- Presbycusis
- Viral infections (MMR)
- Ototoxic drugs
- Vestibular schwannoma/Acoustic neuroma
- Meniere’s disease
name 3 ototoxic drugs
Aspirin (in overdose)
Furosemide
Aminoglycosides e.g. gentamicin
how is weber’s test carried out?
vibrating tuning fork is placed on the forehead, vibrations travel through the skull equally on both sides to the internal ear
heard louder in the ear with conductive hearing loss
or
heard quieter in the ear with sensorineural hearing loss
what is a positive Rinne’s test?
AC > BC
Webers test tests ____ hearing
sensorineural
Rinne’s test tests ____ hearing
conductive
what is a -ve Rinne’s test?
BC > AC
how is Rinne’s test carried out?
Vibrating tuning fork is placed on the mastoid process and when it is no longer heard here it is moved to outside of the ear, should be heard outside the ear as this fits with AC > BC
what is Otosclerosis?
stapes begins fusing with the surrounding bone
when do individuals with otosclerosis begin to notice hearing loss?
20s or 30s
symptoms of otosclerosis
- hearing loss
- quiet speaking
- easier to hear when their is background noise
- tinnitus
