Name the types of hearing loss
conductive
sensorineural
Describe conductive hearing loss
problem with sound travelling from the environment to the inner ear. The sensory system may be working correctly, but the sound is not reaching it.
Describe sensorineural hearing loss
problem with the sensory system or vestibulocochlear nerve in the inner ear
Name 3 parts of the ear
outer ear
middle ear
inner ear
name the structures of the ear
Associated sx with hearing loss
Causes of sensorineural hearing loss
Causes of conductive hearing loss
Describe audiogram in sensorineural hearing loss
both air and bone conduction readings more than 20dB below the 20dB line on the chart
Describe audiogram in conductive hearing loss
bone conduction readings will be normal but air conduction will be greater than 20dB below the 20dB line.
Define presbycusis
age related hearing loss
what type of hearing loss is prescbycusis
sensorineural - affects higher pitched first and more
RFs for presbycusis
how to diagnose presbycusis
audiometry
Mx of presbycusis
Describe sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL)
hearing loss <72hrs unexplained by other causes
EMERGENCY
Causes of SSNHL
Ix for SSNHL
audiometry
MRI/CT head if suspecting stroke or acoustic neuroma
Mx SSNHL
immediate ENT referral within 24hrs
idiopathic- steroids (oral or intra-tympanic)
other: treat cause
Define eustachian tube dysfunction
When the tube between the middle ear and throat is not functioning properly
function of eustachian tube
equalise air pressure in the middle ear and drain fluid from the middle ear
What can eustachian tube dysfunction be related to?
viral URTI
allergies (hayfever)
smoking
Presentation of eustachian tube dysfunction
Ix in eustachian tube dysfunction