What is Deafness?Deafness is the inability to hear.What are the causes of Deafness?The causes of Deafness are:A. Conductive hearing lossHere sound waves cannot be transmitted from the external environment to the cochlea.The problem may lie in1. the e... Read more

What is Deafness?Deafness is the inability to hear.What are the causes of Deafness?The causes of Deafness are:A. Conductive hearing lossHere sound waves cannot be transmitted from the external environment to the cochlea.The problem may lie in1. the external ear canala. obstruction caused by waxb. obstruction caused by foreign bodyc. obstruction caused by infection (otitis externa)d. obstruction caused by ear polyps2. eardruma. perforation caused by traumab. perforation caused by infectionc. scarred eardrum from injury or infection3. middle ear bonesa. dislocation of the bones from injury or infectionb. damage to the bones from injury or infectionc. fixed bones or osteosclerosis (hardening of the bones from aging)4. middle ear infectioninfection of the middle ear occurs with fluid in the middle ear cavity preventing sound from passing throughB. Sensorineural Hearing Lossa. damage to hearing organ or cochlea which send nerve impulse to the hearing nerve and on to the brainb. damage to the hearing nerve (auditory nerve)from loud sounds, infection or injuryCommon causes of hearing loss are:1. aging (presbycusis)2, acute or chronic exposure to loud noise can cause damage to sensory cells of cochlea3. infection of the inner ear by viruses and bacteria such as mumps, measles or influenza4. Meniere's disease - a disease with tinnitus, deafness and dizziness5. Acoustic neuroma - tumor of the vestibular nerve which lies near to the auditory nerve and affects its function6. Ototoxic drugs which can damage the nerves involved in hearing or sensory cells in the cochlea such as:a. antibiotics especially gentamycin and vancomycinb. diuretics such as frusemidec. chemotherapy drugsWhat are the symptoms of Deafness?1. Deafness is a lack of hearing.The hearing loss is gradual or sudden and can affect one or both ears.There is difficulty in holding a normal conversation in a noisy environment.People may complain the affected person does not respond when called or speak louder than usual2. tinnitus (ringing in the ear) may be present3. vertigo (spinning sensation) may be associated with it4. pain and discharge from ear is associated with ear infectionsHow is Deafness diagnosed?Diagnosis:1. complete history, ENT examination2. examination of ear canal and eardrum3. endoscopy examination of nose and nasopharynx4. neurological examination5. hearing test (audiogram) can confirm the presence and severity and type of hearing loss6. Tympanogram may be performed to detect problems of eardrum and middle ear.7. X-rays, CT scan or MRI may used to exclude acoustic neuroma or brain tumors.What is the treatment of Deafness?TreatmentMedical treatment depends on the underlying problem.1. Removal of wax and foreign body in the earEar polyps can be dissolved away with medicines.2. Antibiotics oral and topical may be necessary in severe external ear infections.3. In the case of eardrum perforation, once the underlying infection is cleared and the perforation still do not close after 3 months, then surgical repair of the perforation may be needed.4. If the cause of deafness is due to medication, then the medication should be stopped or changed.5. If the cause is prebycusis (due to aging) no medical treatment is needed.The deaf person is assessed to see whether hearing aids will help.TABLE OF CONTENTChapter 1 DeafnessChapter 2 Chronic Suppurative Otitis MediaChapter 3 Ear Drum PerforationChapter 4 Ear InfectionsChapter 5 Acoustic NeuromaChapter 6 Menieres DiseaseChapter 7 Ear injury Less