Hollier - EENT - Unit 1 Flashcards
There are 3 types of hearing loss, what are they?
1) Conductive: involving external auditory canal/middle ear
2) Sensorineural: involving inner ear or 8th CN
3) Components of both conductive and sensorineural
A patient comes in with c/o “sudden hearing loss”, what should you do?
Any sudden hearing loss is a medical emergency, referral to ENT immediately is required
Describe conductive hearing loss:
Anything that can occlude or mechanically block sound from traveling through external auditory canal
Describe sensorineural hearing loss:
Anything that prevents sound from traveling through the inner ear or prevents 8th CN from functioning
What are some causes of conductive hearing loss?
Cerumen impaction
TM perforation
Fluid (i.e. serous otitis media)
Tympanosclerosis
What are some causes of sensorineural hearing loss?
Acoustic neuroma Meniere's DZ Ototoxic Drugs (ASA, gentamycin) Injury due to loud noise Viral (especially after mumps) Presbycusis (related to aging
What are some risk factors for hearing loss?
Chronic allergic conditions (CHL) Conditions which cause eustachian tube obstruction (CHL) Heredity (CHL) Use of ototoxic drugs (SNHL) Aging (presbycusis) (SNHL) Exposure to loud noise (SNHL) Syphilis (SNHL) Congenital rubella infection (SNHL)
Name assessment findings for hearing loss:
Hard of hearing
Tinnitus
Dizziness
W/D from group discussions and social activities
Give 3 differential diagnosis for hearing loss:
Conductive hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss
Conductive and sensorineural hearing losses
What diagnostic studies are utilized to assess hearing loss?
Audiometry
Tuning fork
Whisper test
What is presbycusis?
Hearing loss related to age
Nonpharmacologic management of hearing loss?
- Removal of cerumen with warm water
- Development of lip reading skills for untreatable forms of hearing loss
- Hearing aid when appropriate
Pharmacologic management of hearing loss?
Agents used to soften ear wax if cerumen impaction
Antibtx if appropriate to treat OM
When should you consult or refer patient for hearing loss?
- ENT for any conductive problem which does not respond after initial treatment
- ENT for any sensorineural hearing loss
- ENT for any sudden hearing loss
- Audiologist for hearing evaluation/hearing aid
When should you have your patient FU for hearing loss?
Depends on etiology; however, for CHL problems, FU needed to insure resolution of problem
What is mastoiditis?
- Bacterial infection of the mastoid antrum and cells which can be asymptomatic or life-threatening.
- Usually is a result of untreated or under treated AOM
What organisms can cause mastoiditis?
S. pneumonaie Group A B-hemolytic Strep H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis S. Aureus Pseudomonas aeruginosa
What are the risk factors for mastoiditis?
- Age <2
- Cholesteatoma (from chronic mastoiditis)
- Recurrent or persistent OM
- Immunocompromised state
- Untreated/undertreated OM
What are the assessment findings for mastoiditis?
- Persistent, throbbing otalgia
- Bulging TM (normal in 10% of pets)
- Fever
- Postauricular swelling & tenderness
- Auricular protrusion (pinna displaced laterally & inferiorly)
- Possible creamy, profuse otorrhea since TM perforation often proceeds mastoiditis
- Possible hearing loss
When should you suspect mastoiditis?
When S/S of AOM persist >2 wks even if TM appears wnl (refer immediately to ENT)
What differential diagnosis are considered for mastoiditis?
- Severe otitis externa
- Neoplasm of the mastoid bone
- Parotitis or mumps (swelling is over the parotid vs. pre auricular area)
- Cellulitis
What diagnostic studies are utilized to rule in/out mastoiditis?
- CBC: demonstrates leukocytosis
- Middle ear aspirate
- Mastoid radiographs: demonstrates clouding of air cells