Statistics:
Hearing loss, or hearing loss, is one of the most common sensory impairments faced by people around the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 5% of the world's population suffers from varying degrees of hearing loss. Hearing loss has a significant impact on the quality of life, making communication difficult, limiting educational and professional opportunities, as well as affecting a person's emotional and psychological state.
How does sound perception work?
Sound perception is a complex process that involves several stages and structures of the auditory system. Sound waves are first picked up by the auricle, which directs them through the external auditory canal to the eardrum. Sound waves cause the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are transmitted to the three small bones in the middle ear – the hammer, the anvil and the stirrup.
Vibrations from the oval window are transmitted to the liquid inside the cochlea. A snail is a spiral structure filled with fluid and lined with hair cells. The hair cells in the cochlea react to fluid fluctuations, which causes a change in their membrane potential and the generation of electrical signals. These cells are located on the basilar membrane of the cochlea.
Electrical signals enter the brain and are processed in various parts of it.
Problems with the perception of sound and speech due to hearing loss are called hearing loss. It can manifest itself in both subtle problems and complete deafness.
Otorhinolaryngologists, sign language specialists and otoneurologists are engaged in the definition of hearing loss. Diagnosis is carried out using studies such as otoscopy, CT, MRI, audiometry and others.
The treatment of hearing loss includes both conservative methods
(medication, prosthetics) and surgical intervention.
Classification of hearing loss
Hearing loss is a hearing disorder that can vary in severity and have various causes. Depending on the location of the lesion of the auditory system, hearing loss is divided into several types.
Sensorineural or sensorineural hearing loss is acute damage to the impulse transmission departments (inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve). This type of hearing loss leads to poor perception of sounds and their distortion. Often, this type of hearing loss occurs due to prebiacoussis (age-related changes), acoustic injuries, genetic factors or infections.
Conductive hearing loss occurs due to obstacles in the path of sound to the inner ear and is associated with a deterioration in sound conduction in the sound-conducting part of the auditory analyzer (sulfur plug/ otitis media/perforation of the eardrum/ damaged auditory ossicles/ cholesteatoma, etc.)
Mixed hearing loss is a combination of conductive and sensorineural. In such cases, there are problems both in the conductive structures and in the inner ear at the same time.
In addition, hearing loss is classified according to the threshold of audibility (in decibels), the time of occurrence, the nature of the course, the severity of the disease (duration of hearing problems), the side of the lesion and etiology (hereditary, predisposed or acquired).
Why do hearing problems appear?
The cause may be injuries, infections, congenital or hereditary predisposition, metabolic problems, autoimmune damage, exposure to ototoxic drugs, acoustic trauma, complications after diseases (for example, otitis media, otosclerosis, etc.), etc.
Diagnosis of hearing loss
Symptoms of sensorineural hearing loss may include hearing problems, impaired speech perception, noise and congestion.
When diagnosing and collecting anamnesis, attention should be paid to finding information about hearing problems in the family, lifestyle and work, past and chronic diseases of the patient.
The first stage of treatment is an examination by an otorhinolaryngologist to exclude pathologies, after which tonal threshold audiometry is prescribed to determine the hearing thresholds.
The next stage of diagnosis is impedance measurement, to determine violations of the functions of the middle ear, auditory tube.
If necessary, additional diagnostic methods are used:
CT of the temporal bones, MRI of the bridge-cerebellar angles and internal auditory passages, VSWP, ASSR test, etc.
Treatment of acute hearing loss
In the acute or subacute form of the disease, drug therapy and a protective auditory regimen are prescribed. Corticosteroids are the main treatment method, especially if hearing loss is caused by inflammation or swelling of the inner ear. Corticosteroids can be prescribed both in the form of tablets and in the form of injections.
Surgical treatment may include tympanostomy (insertion of a tube to drain fluid and reduce pressure in the middle ear) or mastoidectomy (surgery on the mastoid process of the temporal bone in case of purulent complications).
Preventive non-drug treatments include hydration (moisturizing the body to improve general condition and reduce edema), diet (reducing salt intake to reduce edema and improve blood circulation) and quitting smoking and alcohol.
Drug therapy, duration and dosage of the drug are selected individually by the doctor based on the patient's medical history!
How to avoid hearing loss?
-
Solving the problem of hearing loss requires a comprehensive approach, including prevention, early diagnosis and effective treatment.
-
Limit the use of ototoxic drugs
-
Use noise canceling headphones
-
Do not start treatment for otitis media and rhinitis
-
Keep an eye on your well-being, especially if you have hearing problems with close relatives.
Acute hearing loss is a medical condition that requires immediate intervention. The effectiveness of treatment depends on the speed of seeking help and the correct choice of therapy methods. At the first signs of hearing loss, you should immediately contact a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
If you have complaints of hearing loss, do not delay going to the doctor! The effectiveness of treatment is high when diagnosing and prescribing treatment in the first days of detection of the problem!