HEARING IMPAIRMENTS
Facts about hearing impairments and deafness 278 million - moderate to
profound bilateral hearing loss. (WHO 2005) population and longer life
expectancies. 80% of deaf and hearing-impaired -low- and middle-income
countries. Chronic middle ear infection is the leading cause of mild to
moderate hearing impairment in children.
Facts about hearing impairments and deafness. 50% of deafness and hearing
impairment is avoidable through prevention, early diagnosis, and
management. The current annual production of hearing aids is estimated to
meet less than 10% of global needs. Does hearing impairment impact
development? Speech? Language? Education? Social integration
Severity of impact related to? level and type of hearing impairment? age of
onset, especially if it begins before the age of speech development
Presbycusis is a common problem among older individuals.? Hearing loss =
3rd most common chronic health condition among older Americans
HEARING IMPAIRMENTS Refers to a complete or partial loss of the ability to
hear from one or both ears. There are different levels of hearing impairment:
mild, moderate, severe or profound.
TYPES OF HEARING IMPAIRMENT A conductive hearing impairment: hearing
impairment caused by interference with sound or vibratory energy in the
external canal, middle ear, or ossicles. A sensorineural hearing impairment is
one resulting from dysfunction in the Inner ear, especially the cochlea�
where sound vibrations are converted into neural signals, or in any part of
the brain that subsequently processes these signals.
CAUSES OF HEARING
IMPAIRMENT AND DEAFNESS
Conductive causes:
1- Obstructed external ear canal: -Cerumen (wax) build-up, -Hematoma
(blood collection), or -foreign body in the ear canal. This is one of the most
common causes of hearing loss and the easiest to fix.
2- Perforated tympanic membrane: Caused by direct trauma such as: -finger
or cotton swab, -middle-ear infections or - explosions.
. 3- Dislocated ossicle:(malleus, incus, or stapes) - Usually from trauma to the
ear
4- Otitis media: Middle ear infection.
5- Otitis externa: Infection of the ear canal that causes it to swell.
Sensorineural causes
1- perinatal causes: a.viral infections (Rubella) b. LBW c.Prematurity
d.hypoxia e. prolonged labor
2-Post natal causes:
a. Rh incompatibility leading to kernicterus which is neurotoxic.
Infections: most important is bacterial meningitis(streptococcus)
Mmumps, Measles, Influenza, Herpes simplex, Herpes zoster,
Syphilis
3- Barotrauma (pressure trauma) or ear squeeze: Usually in divers
4- Head trauma: a fracture of the temporal bone can disrupt the nerves of
the auditory system.
5-Acoustic trauma: Prolonged exposure to loud noises causes the hair cells
on the cochlea to become less sensitive.
6- Ototoxic drugs: Certain drugs can affect hearing by damaging the nerves
involved in hearing. Usually this occurs when large or toxic doses are used
but may also occur with lower doses.
* Antibiotic: including aminoglycosides (gentamicin, vancomycin)
erythromycins, and minocycline.
* Diuretics including furosemide and ethacrynic acid.
* Salicylates (aspirin) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as
ibuprofen and naproxen.
*Antineoplastics (cancer drugs)
7- vascular diseases: include sickle cell disease, diabetes, leukemia,
polycythemia, and diseases in which excessive blood clotting occurs.
8- Children and adults with kidney problems are more susceptible to
sensorineural hearing loss.
9- Meniere disease: A disease that affects hearing and balance. It is usually
associated with tinnitus, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and progressive
deafness. It has a gradual onset and often progresses to deafness and severe
vertigo. The cause is unknown.
10- Acoustic neuroma: a tumor in the auditory nerve. Usually associated
with ringing in the ears. 11- presbycusis: loss of ability to perceive or
discriminate sounds as a part of the aging process; the pattern and age of
onset may vary.
21. Symptoms of Hearing Impairment
The sensation of hearing �impairment can be experienced and described in
many ways. These include hearing loss, muffled hearing, distorted hearing
and ringing�in the ears (tinnitus). Hearing impairment can occur slowly and
gradually or suddenly. Symptoms that accompany hearing impairment vary
depending on the underlying disease, disorder or conditions. Hearing loss
may be unilateral or bilateral. Unilateral hearing loss is most often associated
with conductive causes, trauma, and acoustic neuroma.
22. Symptoms of hearing loss..cont Symptoms that can accompany hearing
impairment due to ear infections include fever, ear pain, fullness in the ear,
chills and a discharge for the ear. Symptoms that can occur with hearing
impairment due to:Meniere�s disease or labyrinthitis include tinnitus,
vertigo, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
23. Symptoms of hearing loss.. Symptoms that can accompany hearing
impairment due to barotrauma include ear pressure, ear pain, tinnitus and
dizziness. Symptoms that can occur with hearing impairment due to ruptured
eardrum include ear pain and ear discharge. Symptoms that can occur with
hearing impairment due to earwax blockage include plugged ear and
tinnitus.
