DEAFNESS

Sudden or gradual decrease or loss in hearing ability which may be be mild or severe, temporary or permanent depending on the cause.

Common symptoms include:

  • Muffled hearing and a feeling that your ear is plugged.
  • Difficulty in understanding what people are saying, especially when other people are talking or when there is background noise.
  • Listening to the TV or radio at a higher volume than in the past.

Other symptoms may include:

  • Tinnitus – ringing, roaring, hissing, or buzzing in the ear.
  • Vertigo – sensation that you or your environment is spinning.
  • Ear pain, itching or irritation of the ear, or fluid leaking from the ear.

DIAGNOSIS

Physician may do/request:

  • History & Physical Exam
    • Ask about your symptoms and past health
    • Look in your ears with a lighted device called an otoscope
  • Hearing tests
    • Rinne & Weber Tuning fork tests – helps your doctor know which kind of hearing loss you have

 

RECOMMENDED MEDICATIONS

  • Hearing devices
    • Hearing aids
    • Cochlear Implants
  • Adapting to decreased hearing, such as paying attention to people’s gestures, facial expressions, posture, and tone of voice.
  • Remove earwax or take medicine for an infection to aid in restoration of hearing

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