Hearing loss and deafness

Hearing Loss and Deafness

Understanding hearing loss and deafness?

Deafness means a complete loss of hearing. If the rumor is not completely lost, it's called partial loss of hearing, instead of deafness. Deafness may affect one or both ears.

There are three main types of hearing loss:

• Konduktyvnaya – hearing loss caused by the inability of the sound to reach the inner ear;
• Sensorineural – hearing loss caused by disorders of the inner ear or auditory nerve. This type of hearing loss is usually can not be cured;
• Mixed – hearing loss is caused by a combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

Causes of hearing loss and deafness

Disorders, that may cause or be associated with hearing loss , include:

• Ear Infections;
• Middle ear disease;
• Earwax;
• The hole in the eardrum;
• Trauma, including birth trauma;
• Problems nose or throat, such as :
  • Allergic rhinitis;
  • Problems with sinus;
  • Blockage of moves, leading from the ears to the throat;
• Family history of hearing loss;
• Exposure to loud noise;
• Ear disorders, such as:
  • Otosclerosis;
  • Meniere's Disease;
• Infection:
  • Viral infections;
  • Mumps;
• Bacterial infections, such as:
  • Syphilis;
  • Meningitis;
  • Otitis media;
• Tumors, Related:
  • Ears;
  • Brain;
• Neurological disorders, such as:
  • Multiple sclerosis;
  • Stroke;
• Gipotireoz – Thyroid;
• Admission ototoxic drugs, which can damage the ear:
  • Aspirin – usually, after stopping the problem disappears;
  • Quinones – usually, after discontinuation of hearing is restored;
  • Some antibiotics – usually, termination of their admission does not restore hearing.

Risk factors for hearing loss and deafness

Deafness may occur at any age. Factors, which can increase the risk of hearing loss and deafness include:

• Miscarriage;
• Advanced age;
• Admission ototoxic drugs;
• Exposure to loud noise in the workplace:
  • Loud industrial noise;
  • Work on the heavy equipment;
  • Profession – musician;
• Exposure to other loud noise:
  • The sound of weapons during the shooting;
  • Listening to loud music.

Symptoms of hearing loss and deafness

Hearing loss usually occurs gradually, but it can be sudden. Symptoms may include:

• Hearing problems;
• Tinnitus, noise in ears;
• Feeling dizzy;
• Earache;
• The sensation of a foreign object in the ear. It may be caused by, eg, earwax or fluid accumulation.

Symptoms of deafness in children can be seen in the following stages:

• From 1 to 4 months: lack of response to sounds or voices;
• From 4 to 8 months:
• Lack of interest in musical toys;
• Lack of communication attempts, such as Gulen, trying to make sounds;
• From 8 to 12 months: the child does not respond to own name;
• From 12 to 16 months: absence of speech.

All children, including newborns, They should be screened for hearing loss.

Diagnosis of hearing loss and deafness

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination. As part of the diagnosis the doctor may try to determine the following:

• Location problems;
• The degree of hearing loss;
• Causes of hearing loss – not always possible to determine the exact cause of hearing loss, however, this information may help determine treatment.

To test your hearing, the following methods:

• Otoscopy;
• Timpanometriâ;
• Stationary auditory evoked potentials;
• Test Shvabaha – to evaluate the bone conduction using a special fork;
• Audiogram.

To take pictures of internal structures of the body used:

• CT scan;
• MRT.

Treatment of hearing loss and deafness

Treatment depends on the type of deafness hearing loss. Options may include:

• Removal of earwax or use of antibiotics to treat ear infections;
• In some cases, sudden hearing loss may be an effective treatment for steroids;
• Using hearing aids, to amplify sounds;
• Operation Hearing:
  • Stapedektomiya – for the treatment of otosclerosis;
  • Timpanoplasty – perforation of the eardrum and drainage of accumulated liquid;
  • Tympanoplasty tubes – for persistent middle ear infections;
  • A cochlear implant – implanted electronic device, which helps ensure the transmission of sound to the nerves in people with severe sensorineural hearing loss. Although it is that these devices can not completely restore hearing, in this direction continued intensive studies;
• Learning sign language or lip reading will improve communication skills.

Prevention of hearing loss and deafness

To prevent deafness, We need to avoid loud noise. In cases, when the noise can not be avoided, you can reduce the effects of loud sounds, protect the ears headphones or earplugs. Besides, taking steps to reduce injuries or disease prevention can prevent some types of deafness.

There is currently no effective way to prevent congenital or genetic deafness cases. Newborn hearing screening helps to ensure, that hearing loss in young children will be identified and begin treatment at an early stage.