LCD 330 - Exam #1

Causes of hearing loss

• environmental and genetics

• 50% is genetic

HL Diagnosed at birth: prenatal period

• genetic factors: hereditary and non hereditary hearing loss

• intrauterine infections

HL Diagnosed at birth: perinatal period

• birth asphyxia

• hyperbilirubinemia

• low birth weight

Birth asphyxia

lack of oxygen at birth

Hyperbilirubinemia

discolored baby, lack of nutrition can cause hearing loss

HL in Children/adolescents

• chronic ear infections

• chronic fluid in the ear that’s not infected

• meningitis: disease/virus can cause permanent hearing loss

• other infections

HL in Adults

• chronic diseases

• smoking

• otosclerosis: affects middle ear ossicles, hardening of the stapes

• age related sensorineural hearing loss = presbycusis

• sudden sensorineural hearing loss: needs treatment immediately (in a month) for it to be reversible

• presbycusis: age related, happens over time, can’t hear certain frequencies

Otosclerosis

affects middle ear ossicles, hardening of the stapes

Presbycusis

age related, happens over time, can’t hear certain frequencies

Factors that can affect HL over time

• cerumen impaction

• trauma to the ear or head

• loud noise/sound exposure

• ototoxic medicines

• work-related ototoxic chemicals

• nutritional deficiencies

• viral infections or other ear conditions

• delayed onset or progressive genetic hearing loss