Deafness
Definition: Permanent hearing loss in an individual.
Types of Deafness:
- Sensorineural Deafness: Due to damage to the inner ear or the auditory nerve.
- Conductive Deafness: Due to problems with the middle ear.
- Mixed Deafness: Combination of sensorineural and conductive deafness.
Causes of Deafness:
- Aging: Hearing loss due to the natural aging process.
- Genetics: Inherited hearing loss.
- Noise Exposure: Prolonged exposure to loud noises can cause permanent hearing loss.
- Infections: Middle ear infections or meningitis can cause hearing loss.
- Trauma: Head injuries or blows to the ear can cause damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve.
Clinical Features of Deafness:
- Difficulty Hearing: Person has trouble understanding conversations or hearing sounds.
- Tinnitus: Ringing or other sounds in the ear when there is no external source.
- Vertigo: Feeling of spinning or dizziness.
- Cochlear Hypoplasia: Underdeveloped inner ear.
- Otosclerosis: Abnormal bone growth in the middle ear.
Investigations for Deafness:
- Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA): Measures hearing thresholds in different frequencies.
- Speech Audiometry: Tests speech recognition in quiet and noisy environments.
- Impedance Audiometry: Measures middle ear function.
- Tympanometry: Evaluates middle ear function.
- Electrocochleography (ECOG): Measures electrical activity in the cochlea.
Complications of Deafness:
- Depression: Feeling of sadness or hopelessness.
- Anxiety: Feeling of worry or nervousness.
- Social Isolation: Avoiding social interactions due to hearing loss.
- Cognitive Decline: Reduced cognitive function due to hearing loss.
Management of Deafness:
- Hearing Aids: Devices that amplify sound to improve hearing.
- Cochlear Implants: Electronic devices that bypass damaged parts of the ear.
- Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHAs): Devices that transmit sound through the skull.
- Middle Ear Implants: Devices that restore middle ear function.
Hearing Aids:
- Conventional Hearing Aids: Amplify sound to improve hearing.
- Digital Hearing Aids: Use digital signal processing to improve sound quality.
- Programmable Hearing Aids: Can be adjusted to different sound settings.
Cochlear Implants:
- Cochlear Implant Surgery: Surgical procedure to implant the device.
- Cochlear Implant Components: Include a sound processor and electrode array.
- Cochlear Implant Rehabilitation: Training to improve hearing with the implant.
Bone-Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHAs):
- BAHA Surgery: Surgical procedure to implant the device.
- BAHA Components: Include a sound processor and anchor.
- BAHA Rehabilitation: Training to improve hearing with the device.
Homoeopathic Remedies for Deafness:
- Aurum metallicum: Useful for tinnitus and hearing loss due to loud noises.
- Calcarea carbonica: Useful for hearing loss due to ear infections or trauma.
- Hydrastis canadensis: Useful for hearing loss due to aging or earwax buildup.
- Kali iodatum: Useful for hearing loss due to thyroid problems or ear infections.
- Lycopodium clavatum: Useful for hearing loss due to otosclerosis or ear infections.
- Silica: Useful for hearing loss due to earwax buildup or ear infections.
- Thyroidinum: Useful for hearing loss due to thyroid problems or ear infections.
- Vinca minor: Useful for hearing loss due to ear infections or trauma.
Note: Homoeopathic remedies should be used under the guidance of a qualified homoeopathic practitioner.