Hearing loss and Otology

Question 1

Describe an audiogram showing conductive hearing loss

Answer 1

significant difference between bone conduction ( [ ) and air conduction (X, O). No frequency-associated change in hearing level

Question 2

Describe an audiogram showing sensorineural hearing loss

Answer 2

No difference between bone and air conduction. Steep drop in hearing level at a certain frequency

Question 3

Most common causes of conductive hearing loss

Answer 3

Otitis media, TM perforation, Cholesteatoma (growth of kertinized epithelium in middle ear), otosclerosis, congenital aural atresia

Question 4

Most common causes of sensorineural hearing loss

Answer 4

Hair cell loss (Presbycusis, noise trauma, ototoxicity, genetics), endolymphatic hydrops (Meniere’s disease), Loss of endocochlear potential

Question 5

Describe presbycusis

Answer 5

Age-related, progressive bilateral hearing loss.

Question 6

What demographic has the highest incidence of noise trauma-related sensorineural hearing loss?

Answer 6

Children and young adults

Question 7

List some drugs associated with ototoxicity

Answer 7

Aminoglycosides (gentamicin), cisplatin, macrolides (erythromycin), aspirin, loop diuretics, hydrocodone, viagra

Question 8

Most common genetic cause of sensorineural hearing loss

Answer 8

Nonsyndromic mutations. Connexin 26 mutation –> elimination of high K in endolymph –> loss of endocochlear potential –> hearing loss

Question 9

How does endolymphatic hydrops present?

Answer 9

Dizziness, hearing loss, tinnitus, fullness

Question 10

Most common causes of neural hearing loss

Answer 10

8th nerve tumors (vestibular schwannoma), auditory neuropathy, multiple sclerosis