Hearing loss limits social interaction and employment opportunities. Hearing loss in infants and young children has a significant impact on language development, school success and economic independence in adulthood.
According to the World Health Organization (2021), worldwide over Hearing loss affects 1.5 billion people to some extent.
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The causes of otosclerosis
The causes of otosclerosis are still not fully elucidated, but so far many physiological factors have been studied:
- Genetics
- Family history of otosclerosis, patients with a family history of otosclerosis are at a higher risk of developing the condition.
- Human leukocyte antigens (HLA – Human Leukocyte Antigens) – some HLA changes have been associated with an increased risk for pathology.
- self-empowerment – the immune system “attacks” its own tissues that are part of the middle ear, causing pathological bone remodeling.
- some viruses – such as howler viruses (which cause infectious or obstructive parotiditis) and rubella may trigger otosclerosis through the inflammatory and autoimmune reactions they cause.
- Inflammation it can stimulate bone growth in the middle ear, thus contributing to the progression of the disease.
- The hormones – hormonal changes, such as those specific to pregnancy, have been associated with bone remodeling in the middle ear.
The incidence rates of otosclerosis are higher among women and Caucasians (whites).
Hearing loss – risk factors
Hearing ability changes throughout life, from birth to old age, under the influence of non-modifiable risk factors (genetic factors), biological factors (health problems, specific pathologies), behavioral factors (lifestyle and environmental factors):
- Syndromes associated with progressive hearing loss, for example Usher syndrome
- Genetic mutations.
- Intrauterine infections (eg toxoplasmosis, rubella, herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2)
- Birth defects (asphyxia at birth, low birth weight, hyperbilirubinemia)
- Medical condition (otitis media, otosclerosis)
- Chronic conditions (hypertension, diabetes and abdominal obesity)
- Age-related sensory degeneration.
- Smoking
- Nutritional deficiency
- Ototoxic drugs
- Trauma to the ear or head.
- Being exposed to loud noises/sounds
- Exposure to ototoxic chemicals at work.
Symptoms of otosclerosis
Progressive hearing loss is the most common symptom of otosclerosis. Decline in hearing acuity occurs gradually, gradually, until total hearing loss is lost. At first, people with otosclerosis notice that they can no longer hear whispers or low tones.
very often, hearing loss affects both earsapproximately 10 – 15% of patients with otosclerosis have hearing loss in one ear.
Other symptoms that may appear in the evolution of the pathology are:
Diagnosis of otosclerosis
If you notice a decrease in hearing acuity, contact your ENT doctor. In addition to the physical examination and the information obtained from the anamnesis, the doctor may recommend examinations such as:
- Listening tests as is the audiogram – a hearing test is used to measure the patient’s ability to hear sounds at specific frequencies and different intensities.
- Tympanogram – evaluates the function of the eardrum.
- In some cases, imaging testssuch as CT (Computer Tomography) or MRI (Magnetic Resonance) to examine the bones and tissues inside the ear in detail.
Recruitment form
Treatment of otosclerosis
Treatment of otosclerosis is determined by the location of the abnormal bone growth, as well as the severity of the condition..
Treatment options available include:
- Hearing aids – for many patients, the use of hearing aids that amplify sound is sufficient to improve hearing.
- Surgical intervention (stapedectomy) he assumes that the small bone in the middle ear that is affected by otosclerosis is removed and replaced by a device called a stapedial prosthesis.
- The cochlear implant including the use of an implantable medical device to treat severe hearing loss. Through the cochlear implant, the physiological structures of the inner ear are “bypassed” and a new path is created through which sound vibrations are transferred to the brain that requires a cochlear implant.
Otosclerosis surgery
Stapedectomy it is a very detailed procedure that includes monitoring the patient after intervention and a recovery period that varies from patient to patient between a few days and a few weeks.
Daca Otosclerosis affects both ears, the intervention should NOT be done at the same time. As a rule, after completing the first intervention, the patient waits at least 6 months until the next operation.
In the recovery period after otosclerosis surgery it is essential that the patient follows the doctor’s instructions regarding ear hygiene and administering prescribed medications.
After the scarification and healing phase is completed, the patient will notice an improvement in hearing. It takes a few weeks or even months to stabilize the hearing.
How can we prevent hearing damage?
Unlike other hearing conditions, there are no controllable risk factors for otosclerosis, so there are no ways to prevent otosclerosis. Some people are genetically more prone to developing the disease.
In the case of hearing loss, gender and race are unmodifiable and uncontrollable risk factors, while smoking or listening to loud music are modifiable risk factors.
Among the strategies to prevent decline in hearing ability and hypoacusis lifetime number:
- Immunization of girls and women in the prenatal and prenatal period, balanced maternal nutrition during pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
- Good ear hygiene
- Avoid using earplugs with cotton tips, inserting or dripping any substance/liquid into the ear
- Avoid home remedies and remedies for common ear conditions
- Avoid swimming or bathing in/with dirty water
- See your doctor to treat ear infections and common colds.
- Vaccination, early identification and medical treatment in otitis media during childhood and adolescence.
- A healthy lifestyle
- Good nutrition – reduces sensory deterioration associated with noise exposure and age and protects against purulent ear infections that occur in childhood (eg, otitis media)
- Avoid smoking, alcohol consumption or substance abuse
- Rational use of medication to prevent hypoacusis due to ototoxicity
- Auditory monitoring of ototoxicity – in situations where ototoxic drugs are necessary (eg, management of cancer, tuberculosis and other diseases), auditory monitoring is essential
- Protect against head injury or ear injury
- Use of protective helmets when driving two-wheeled vehicles
- Avoid slapping, especially over the ear
- Hearing in safe conditions and reducing exposure to loud sounds/loud noise
- Avoid exposure to loud noises in work and leisure environments (including ambient noises)
- Use hearing protection to reduce the noise perceived by the ears, such as ear defenders and ear plugs
- Keeping the volume of personal audio devices below 80 dB.
- Reduce time spent in noisy environments.
- Hearing control tests for newborns, infants and adults
- Early identification of hearing loss and ear infections is essential for effective management.
Hearing loss has a significant impact on quality of life. Hearing problems can lead to social isolation, depression and the development of nearby medical conditions, such as depression. Any change in hearing acuity requires special medical consultation. Some ear pathologies, such as otosclerosis, do not improve or heal on their own without medical intervention.
References:
- Genetic factors in otosclerosisAW Morrison
- OtosclerosisSNS
- Otosclerosis – An update on diagnosis and treatmentLora Batson, Denise Rizzolo
- Pathophysiology of otosclerosis: A review of current researchM. Rudic, I. Keogh, R. Wagner, E. Wilkinson, N. Kiros, E. Ferrary, O. Sterkers, A. Bozorg Grayeli, K. Zarkovic, N. Zarkovic
- Global report on hearingWorld Health Organization (WHO)
2024-04-23 22:07:49
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