Sensory Impairment Tutorial Flashcards
What is the Equality Act 2010, and provide three examples of ‘reasonable adjustments’ dental practices can make for sensory-impaired patients.
The Equality Act 2010 consolidates UK legislation to protect individual rights and advance equality of opportunity.
Examples of adjustments:
- Information in Braille or large print.
- Portable induction loop systems for hearing aids.
- Booking BSL interpreters for deaf patients.
What is the normal human hearing threshold in decibels (dB)?
0-20
What is tinnitus, and how is it related to hearing loss?
Tinnitus is a perception of ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sounds, often linked to hearing loss and auditory nerve damage.
List three congenital causes of hearing impairment.
- Maternal infections during pregnancy (e.g., rubella, syphilis).
- Birth asphyxia.
- Low birth weight or severe neonatal jaundice.
Name three acquired causes of hearing impairment.
- Infectious diseases (e.g., meningitis, measles, chronic ear infections).
- Noise exposure (occupational or recreational).
- Ageing (sensory cell degeneration).
Discuss the impact of unaddressed hearing loss on children’s development and adult employment.
Children: Delayed speech/language development, reduced academic performance, and social isolation.
Adults: Higher unemployment rates, lower-grade employment, and increased feelings of frustration and isolation.
What are two public health strategies for preventing hearing loss?
Immunization programs (e.g., against rubella and meningitis).
Public education on safe listening practices.
What is the role of early identification in treating hearing impairment?
Early identification enables timely interventions, such as fitting hearing aids, using cochlear implants, or accessing assistive technologies, improving communication and quality of life.
What are two examples of hearing technologies used to rehabilitate hearing loss?
Hearing aids.
Cochlear implants.
Describe the function of a loop system in assisting hearing-impaired individuals.
A loop system transmits sound directly to hearing aids equipped with a telecoil, reducing background noise and enhancing clarity in public or clinical settings.
How can a dental practice prepare for a patient with severe hearing impairment? Include both environmental and communication strategies.
Environmental: Use rooms with soft furnishings to reduce echoes; ensure hearing aids are functional; reduce background noise.
Communication: Face the patient, use clear speech and normal lip patterns, offer written instructions, and ensure interpreters if needed.
What are the primary causes of visual impairment globally, and how do they vary between low-income and high-income countries?
Low-income countries: Cataract (often untreated due to lack of access).
High-income countries: Diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, AMD (linked to ageing and lifestyle).
List five common symptoms of visual impairment that a dentist might notice during a consultation.
Blurry vision.
Double vision.
Halos around lights.
Painful sensitivity to light.
Difficulty reading or seeing small objects.
What are refractive errors, and name the four most common types.
Refractive errors occur when the eye cannot focus images on the retina, causing blurred vision.
Four common types:
Myopia: Nearsightedness.
Hyperopia: Farsightedness.
Astigmatism: Distorted vision due to irregular corneal curvature.
Presbyopia: Age-related difficulty focusing on nearby objects.
What are the treatment options for refractive errors, and how do they vary by type?
Corrective lenses: Glasses or contact lenses for all refractive errors.
Refractive surgery: LASIK or PRK for myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
Reading glasses: Specifically for presbyopia.
Differentiate between the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Diabetic Retinopathy: Floaters, blurred vision, difficulty with close work, hazy or double vision.
AMD: Loss of central vision, distortion in straight lines, difficulty recognizing faces, with peripheral vision remaining intact.
Describe the primary symptoms of cataracts and how they can affect daily life.
Symptoms include cloudy or blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night, halos around lights, and faded color perception. These impact reading, driving, and recognizing faces.
Explain the difference between dry and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), including their respective treatments.
Dry AMD: Gradual thinning of macula; no cure, but vitamins (C, E, zinc) may slow progression.
Wet AMD: Rapid vision loss due to abnormal blood vessels leaking under the retina; treated with anti-VEGF drugs or laser surgery.
What is the primary cause of cataracts, and how can their development be delayed?
Primary cause: Aging, leading to clouding of the eye lens.
Preventive measures: Avoid smoking, reduce UV exposure, and maintain a healthy diet.
List two types of cataracts and explain how they differ in their etiology or presentation.
Congenital cataracts: Present at birth due to genetic or prenatal factors (e.g., maternal infections).
Acquired cataracts: Develop later due to aging, diabetes, injury, or steroid use.
Describe the pathophysiology of glaucoma and explain why routine eye tests are critical for its detection.
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, often due to increased intraocular pressure from fluid buildup. Peripheral vision is lost first, progressing silently. Routine tests detect early changes, preventing irreversible vision loss.
What are the two main types of glaucoma, and how do they differ in progression and symptoms?
Primary open-angle glaucoma: Slow progression; asymptomatic until significant vision loss occurs.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma: Sudden onset; severe eye pain, nausea, and rainbow-colored halos around lights.
What treatments are available for glaucoma, and what is their primary goal?
Treatments: Eyedrops, laser therapy, and surgery to improve fluid drainage or reduce intraocular pressure.
Goal: Prevent further vision loss, as damage is irreversible.
Explain the difference in the impact of open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma on peripheral vision.
Open-angle glaucoma: Gradual loss of peripheral vision over time.
Angle-closure glaucoma: Sudden and acute peripheral vision loss, often with severe pain.
