Hearing impairment (patient information): Difference between revisions
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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Hearing impairment|here]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Hearing impairment|here]]''' | ||
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{{CMG}}; {{AE}} {{ADI}} | {{CMG}}; {{AE}} {{ADI}} | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Hearing loss is being partly or totally unable to hear sound in one or both ears. | [[Hearing loss]] is being partly or totally unable to hear sound in one or both ears. | ||
==What are the symptoms of Hearing impairment?== | ==What are the symptoms of Hearing impairment?== | ||
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Other symptoms include: | Other symptoms include: | ||
* Feeling of being off-balance or dizzy (more common with Meniere's disease and acoustic neuroma) | * Feeling of being off-balance or dizzy (more common with [[Meniere's disease]] and [[acoustic neuroma]]) | ||
* Pressure in the ear (in fluid behind the eardrum) | * Pressure in the ear (in fluid behind the eardrum) | ||
* Ringing or buzzing sound in the ears (tinnitus) | * [[Ringing]] or buzzing sound in the ears ([[tinnitus]]) | ||
== What are the causes of Hearing impairment? == | == What are the causes of Hearing impairment? == | ||
Conductive hearing loss (CHL) occurs because of a mechanical problem in the outer or middle ear. The three tiny bones of the ear (ossicles) may not conduct sound properly or the eardrum may not vibrate in response to sound. | [[Conductive hearing loss ]](CHL) occurs because of a mechanical problem in the outer or [[middle ear]]. The three tiny bones of the ear ([[ossicles]]) may not conduct sound properly or the [[eardrum]] may not vibrate in response to sound. | ||
Causes of conductive hearing loss can often be treated. They include: | Causes of [[conductive hearing loss]] can often be treated. They include: | ||
* Buildup of wax in the ear canal | * Buildup of wax in the ear canal | ||
* Damage to the very small bones (ossicles) that are right behind the eardrum | * Damage to the very small bones ([[ossicles]]) that are right behind the [[eardrum]] | ||
* Fluid that stays in the ear after an ear infection | * Fluid that stays in the ear after an ear infection | ||
* Foreign object that is stuck in the ear canal | * Foreign object that is stuck in the ear canal | ||
* Hole in the eardrum | * Hole in the [[eardrum]] | ||
* Scar on the eardrum from repeat infections | * Scar on the eardrum from repeat infections | ||
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) occurs when the tiny hair cells (nerve endings) that detect sound in the ear are injured, diseased, do not work correctly, or have died. This type of hearing loss often cannot be reversed. | [[Sensorineural hearing loss]] (SNHL) occurs when the tiny hair cells (nerve endings) that detect sound in the ear are injured, diseased, do not work correctly, or have died. This type of hearing loss often cannot be reversed. | ||
Sensorineural hearing loss is commonly caused by: | Sensorineural hearing loss is commonly caused by: | ||
* Acoustic neuroma | * [[Acoustic neuroma]] | ||
* Age-related hearing loss | * Age-related hearing loss | ||
* Childhood infections, such as meningitis, mumps, scarlet fever, and measles | * Childhood infections, such as [[meningitis]], [[mumps]], [[scarlet fever]], and [[measles]] | ||
* Meniere's disease | * [[Meniere's disease]] | ||
* Regular exposure to loud noises (such as from work or recreation) | * Regular exposure to loud noises (such as from work or recreation) | ||
* Use of certain medicines | * Use of certain medicines | ||
| Line 50: | Line 52: | ||
* Birth defects that cause changes in the ear structures | * Birth defects that cause changes in the ear structures | ||
* Genetic conditions (more than 400 are known) | * Genetic conditions (more than 400 are known) | ||
* Infections the mother passes to her baby in the womb (such as toxoplasmosis, rubella, or herpes) | * Infections the mother passes to her baby in the womb (such as [[toxoplasmosis]], [[rubella]], or herpes) | ||
The ear can also be injured by: | The ear can also be injured by: | ||
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* Trauma from explosions, fireworks, gunfire, rock concerts, and earphones | * Trauma from explosions, fireworks, gunfire, rock concerts, and earphones | ||
== | == Diagnosis == | ||
The health care provider will take your medical history and do a physical exam. | |||
Tests that may be done include: | |||
* [[Audiometry]] (a hearing test used to check the type and amount of hearing loss) | |||
* CT or MRI scan of the head (if a tumor or fracture is suspected) | |||
* [[Tympanometry]] | |||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
| Line 75: | Line 78: | ||
The following may help with long-term hearing loss: | The following may help with long-term hearing loss: | ||
* Devices for hearing loss | * Devices for [[hearing loss]] | ||
* Hearing aids | * [[Hearing aids]] | ||
* Learning techniques to help you communicate | * Learning techniques to help you communicate | ||
* Sign language (for those with severe hearing loss) | * Sign language (for those with severe hearing loss) | ||
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Cochlear implants are only used in people who have lost too much hearing to benefit from a hearing aid. | Cochlear implants are only used in people who have lost too much hearing to benefit from a hearing aid. | ||
;Home Care | |||
[ | You can often flush wax buildup out of the ear (gently) with ear syringes (available in drug stores) and warm water. [[Wax softeners]] (like Cerumenex) may be needed if the wax is hard and stuck in the ear. | ||
Take care when removing foreign objects from the ear. Unless it is easy to get to, have your health care provider remove the object. Don't use sharp instruments to remove foreign objects. | |||
See your health care provider for any other hearing loss. | |||
== | ==Where to find medical care for Hearing impairment?== | ||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|yourdisease}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Hearing impairment] | |||
== | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003044.htm | |||
{{Reflist|2}} | |||
{{ | {{WH}} | ||
{{WS}} | |||
[[Category:Patient information]] | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Geriatrics]] | |||
[[Category:Communication disorders]] | |||
[[Category:Audiology]] | |||
[[Category:Otolaryngology]] | |||
[[Category:Noise pollution]] | |||
Latest revision as of 21:59, 29 July 2020
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
|
Hearing impairment |
|
Hearing impairment On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [2]
Overview
Hearing loss is being partly or totally unable to hear sound in one or both ears.
What are the symptoms of Hearing impairment?
Symptoms of hearing loss may include:
- Certain sounds seem too loud
- Difficulty following conversations when two or more people are talking
- Difficulty hearing in noisy areas
- Hard to tell high-pitched sounds (such as "s" or "th") from one another
- Less trouble hearing men's voices than women's voices
- Problems hearing when there is background noise
- Voices that sound mumbled or slurred
Other symptoms include:
- Feeling of being off-balance or dizzy (more common with Meniere's disease and acoustic neuroma)
- Pressure in the ear (in fluid behind the eardrum)
- Ringing or buzzing sound in the ears (tinnitus)
What are the causes of Hearing impairment?
Conductive hearing loss (CHL) occurs because of a mechanical problem in the outer or middle ear. The three tiny bones of the ear (ossicles) may not conduct sound properly or the eardrum may not vibrate in response to sound.
Causes of conductive hearing loss can often be treated. They include:
- Buildup of wax in the ear canal
- Damage to the very small bones (ossicles) that are right behind the eardrum
- Fluid that stays in the ear after an ear infection
- Foreign object that is stuck in the ear canal
- Hole in the eardrum
- Scar on the eardrum from repeat infections
Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) occurs when the tiny hair cells (nerve endings) that detect sound in the ear are injured, diseased, do not work correctly, or have died. This type of hearing loss often cannot be reversed.
Sensorineural hearing loss is commonly caused by:
- Acoustic neuroma
- Age-related hearing loss
- Childhood infections, such as meningitis, mumps, scarlet fever, and measles
- Meniere's disease
- Regular exposure to loud noises (such as from work or recreation)
- Use of certain medicines
Hearing loss may be present at birth (congenital) and can be due to:
- Birth defects that cause changes in the ear structures
- Genetic conditions (more than 400 are known)
- Infections the mother passes to her baby in the womb (such as toxoplasmosis, rubella, or herpes)
The ear can also be injured by:
- Pressure differences between the inside and outside of the eardrum, often from scuba diving
- Skull fractures (can damage the structures or nerves of the ear)
- Trauma from explosions, fireworks, gunfire, rock concerts, and earphones
Diagnosis
The health care provider will take your medical history and do a physical exam. Tests that may be done include:
- Audiometry (a hearing test used to check the type and amount of hearing loss)
- CT or MRI scan of the head (if a tumor or fracture is suspected)
- Tympanometry
Treatment options
The following surgeries may help some types of hearing loss:
- Eardrum repair
- Placing tubes in the eardrums to remove fluid
- Repair of the small bones in the middle ear (ossiculoplasty)
The following may help with long-term hearing loss:
- Devices for hearing loss
- Hearing aids
- Learning techniques to help you communicate
- Sign language (for those with severe hearing loss)
Cochlear implants are only used in people who have lost too much hearing to benefit from a hearing aid.
- Home Care
You can often flush wax buildup out of the ear (gently) with ear syringes (available in drug stores) and warm water. Wax softeners (like Cerumenex) may be needed if the wax is hard and stuck in the ear.
Take care when removing foreign objects from the ear. Unless it is easy to get to, have your health care provider remove the object. Don't use sharp instruments to remove foreign objects.
See your health care provider for any other hearing loss.
Where to find medical care for Hearing impairment?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Hearing impairment
Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003044.htm