Chapter 13: Hearing Loss in Adults

1. Definitions

1.1. Recruitment- makes it difficult for a person with hearing loss to tolerate common loud sounds.

1.2. Tinnitus- a ringing, roaring, buzzing, or hissing sound in one or both ears.

1.3. Signal to noise ratio loss- hearing loss and loss of speech clarity due to inner hair cell damage.

2. Sensorineural Hearing Loss

2.1. Characteristics

2.2. Results from damage to the outer or inner hair cells of the cochlea

2.3. Recruitment or tinnitus may be experienced as well

2.4. Causes

2.5. Presbycusis (Aging)

2.6. Noise Exposure

2.7. Ototoxicity

2.8. Meniere's Disease

2.9. Labyrinthitis

3. Conductive Hearing Loss

3.1. Causes

3.1.1. Cerumen Blockage (particularly due to the use of cotton swabs)

3.1.2. Otosclerosis- abnormal bone growth develops around the ossicles

3.2. Characteristics

3.3. When sound is not conducted efficiently through the outer and/or middle ear

3.4. Gives a sense of fullness or plugged ears

4. Severity

4.1. Defined using decibels...

4.2. -10-15 Decibels: Normal Hearing

4.3. 16-25 Decibels: Slight Loss

4.4. 26-40 Decibels: Mild Loss

4.5. 41-55 Decibels: Moderate Loss

4.6. 56-70 Decibels: Moderately Severe Loss

4.7. 71-90 Decibels: Severe Loss

4.8. 91 or greater Decibels: Profound Loss

5. Impact of Hearing Loss

5.1. Problems Reported

5.2. Depression

5.3. Anger and Frustration

5.4. Paranoia

5.5. Denial of the severity and extent of hearing-related problems

5.6. Feelings of loss of control

5.7. Pretending to understand others when they do not

5.8. Violating the rules of communication

6. Causes of Hearing Loss in Adults

6.1. Common Causes:

6.2. Head Trauma

6.3. Barotrauma

6.4. Tumor

6.5. Ototoxic Drugs

6.6. Infection/Disease

6.7. Illness

6.8. Noise exposure/damage

6.9. Aging

7. Mixed Hearing Loss

7.1. When people show characteristics of Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Conductive Hearing Loss

8. Assessment Tools

8.1. Observation and Self-Assessment

8.2. Conventional Audiometry

8.3. Objective Measurement

9. Amplification Devices

9.1. Hearing Aids

9.2. FM Systems

9.3. Assistive Listening Devices

9.4. Cochlear Implants

10. Treatment Plans

10.1. The acronym FACES is used: Family, Auditory skill building, Conversation strategies, Education, Speech reading and visual cues