Sensory Disorders

What Contributes to Hearing Loss in the Inner Ear and the Middle Ear

Inner Ear: Ototoxic medicne, viral and bacterial infections.

Middle Ear: Reccurent colds or otitis media, trauma, and air pressure changes.

How does hearing loss manifest in infants

Lack of startle reflex, failure to respond to noises, and absense of vocalization by 7 months.

What is the Weber Test

Using a vibrating tuning fork on top of the patient's head. If sound is equal in both ears hearing is good. If one ear is louder there is some sensory issue.

What is the Rinne test

Strike a tuning fork and hold it behind patients ear when the patient indicates sound has stopped move it in front of the ear canal. If the sound returns hearing is normal, if not there is a sensory issue.

What is Otitis Media

It is an ear infection resulting from a bacterial or viral infection in the middle ear.

Signs and Symptoms of Otitis Media

Ear pain/pressure, fever, headache, hearing loss, purulent/blood draining in severe cases

How do you examine for otitis media in children younger than 3

Pull the pinna down and back.

How do you examine for otitis media in children younger than 3.

Pull the pinna up and back

How are eardrops administered to adults, how does this compare to children?

Pull the ear back and up. Children have the ear pulled back and down.

When should antibiotics be given in otitis media

If it has not resolved within 72 hours.

Neomycin and Polymyxin are what?

Antibiotics used to treat otitis media

Why are hydrocortisone drops used for otitis media

To reduce inflammation.

What is vertigo

An inner ear condition causing the sensation that they are or their surroundings are moving

What foods/liquids should be avoided with vertigo

Alcohol and caffeine. Encourage a low sodium diet and consistent fluid intake.

What is Meniere's Disease. What are treatments

It is an inner ear disease causing episode vertigo, tinnitus, and sensorineural hearing loss. Bed rest in dark environment, and Meclizine or Dimenhydrinate (antihistamine for vertigo and nausea)

What is an Ototoxic Medications and what are some medications that are ototoxic.

Ototoxic medications cause tinnitue and sensorineural hearing loss. Meds include Antibx: Gentamicin and erythromycin. Diuretics: Furosemide, ethacrynic acid. NSAIDS: Aspirin and ibuprofen. Chemo Agents: Cisplatin

What are the medications and their general use for middle and inner ear disorders

Meclizine (Vertigo), Ondansetron (Antiemetic for nausea), Diphenhydramine/nate (Antiemetic for Nausea and Vertigo). Scopolamine (Anticholinergic for nausea) Diazepam: (Benzo for off-label vertigo or reducing vestibular sensation).

What is proper administration of eye drops

Tilt head, pull eye lid down, put drop in the pocket without touching the eye, close the eye and press finger against inside corner.

What types of discharge is expected in Bacterial and Viral Conjuctivitis (pink eye) respectively?

Thick purulent discharge and watery gritty discharge.

What is the treatment for viral pink eye?

Supportive care- Artifical tears, cool compresses and good hand hygeine.

What is the treatment for Allergic Conjunctivitis

Antihistamine eye drops, mast cell stabilizers, cold compress.

What are the signs and symptoms of retinal detachment

Painless, sudden flashes of light, floaters, moving shadows, decrease or loss of vision.

What are risk factors for Retinal Detachment

Severe myopia, previous eye surgeries, eye trauma, diabetes.

What should not be done in any eye trauma?

Do NOT- Apply pressure, delay provider notifications, dismiss for beningn symptoms, admnister unprescribed eye drops, cover eye tightly.

What is normal Intra Ocular Pressure

10-20

What is the first-line for Glaucoma

Beta Blockers! They reduce the production of aqueous humor and decrease IOP

What is a Laser Trabeculotomy

A procedure where a laser creates a channel in the eye to drain the aqueous humor

What is an Iridotomy

Placing a hole in the iris to drain the aqueous humor.

Activities to avoid with post-eye surgery and Good practices.

Wear sunglasses, avoid straining and bending at the waist, don't lie on operative side, report changes, report pain. Vision NOT expected to restore for 4-6 weeks.