Hearing loss

Posted on March 3, 2019March 3, 2019 Hearing loss

WHO launches the hearWHO app for mobile devices to help detect hearing loss

Image result for hearWHO

– Ahead of the annual World Hearing Day (3 March), the World Health Organization (WHO) has launched “hearWHO”, a free application for mobile devices which allows people to check their hearing regularly and intervene early in case of hearing loss. The app is targeted at those who are at risk of hearing loss or who already experience some of the symptoms related to hearing loss.

Among those who will particularly benefit from this new tool include people who are often exposed to high levels of sound, such as those who listen to loud music or work in noisy places; people who use medicines that are harmful to hearing; and people aged above 60 years. Symptoms indicating the onset of hearing loss include a ringing sensation in the ear, known as tinnitus; frequently missing parts of a conversation; or a tendency to increase the volume of television, radio or audio devices.

Early detection of hearing loss is crucial to identify risky behaviors that need to be changed and ascertain the most appropriate intervention needed to address hearing loss. Such interventions are identified by hearing care professionals and can range from captioning and sign language to hearing aids and cochlear implants. Interventions to prevent, identify and address hearing loss are cost-effective.

“Many people with hearing loss are unaware of it and as such they miss out on educational, professional and everyday-life opportunities,” said Dr Etienne Krug, Director of the WHO Department for the Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, and Violence and Injury Prevention. “Regular hearing checks ensure that hearing loss is identified and addressed as early as possible.”

The hearWHO app is based on a validated digits-in-noise technology: users are asked to concentrate, listen and enter into their mobile devices a series of three numbers when prompted. These numbers have been recorded against varying levels of background sound, simulating listening conditions in everyday life.The app displays the users’ score and its meaning and stores the outcome of the test so that the user can monitor hearing status over time. Reminders to take the test regularly can be set by users. The app can be used by individuals as well as health providers with a view to facilitating hearing screening especially in low-resources settings.

“Above all, this app will help us increase awareness of the importance of ear and hearing care,” said Dr Shelly Chadha, WHO Technical Officer. “Once lost, hearing does not come back. Through World Hearing Day, and with the support of this app, we encourage people to ‘Check your hearing!’ in order to help preserve this valuable gift that helps us to enjoy life.” Over 5% of the world’s population – or 466 million people – have disabling hearing loss (432 million adults and 34 million children). It is estimated that by 2050 over 900 million people – or one in every ten people – will have disabling hearing loss. Globally, hearing loss which has gone unaddressed poses an annual cost of US$ 750 billion.

Should police officers be trained in sign language?

Northamptonshire Police officers learn sign language

“Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Swann and Inspector Iman Kahn talk about signing lessons being give to officers which will help them better interact with people deaf and hard of hearing across Northamptonshire.”

Useful not just for deaf people but for people on the autism spectrum as well.

So should all police be trained in sign language? Watch thie video below and take part in our poll below!

Leave a comment Posted on June 10, 2017June 10, 2017 A to Z of Medical Conditions, Hearing loss

Labyrinthitis – so what is Labyrinthitis?

Labyrinthitis

[

Original article on NHS Choices website]

Labyrinthitis is an inner ear infection.

It causes a delicate structure deep inside your ear called the labyrinth to become inflamed, which affects your hearing and balance.

Symptoms of labyrinthitis

The most common symptoms of labyrinthitis are:

feeling that you or your surroundings are moving or spinning (vertigo)

feeling or being sick

some hearing loss

These symptoms can vary in severity, with some people feeling that they can’t stand upright.

Other symptoms of labyrinthitis may include:

mild headaches

ringing or humming in your ear(s) (tinnitus)

fluid or pus leaking out of your ear(s)

ear pain

changes in vision, such as blurred vision or double vision

The symptoms of labyrinthitis can be quite severe during the first week, but usually get better after a few weeks.

In some cases the symptoms can last longer and have a significant impact on your quality of life and ability to carry out everyday tasks.

When to get medical help

If you have dizziness, vertigo, some hearing loss or any of the above symptoms and they don’t get better after a few days, or your symptoms are getting worse, see your GP or call NHS 111.

Symptoms of vertigo, nausea and sickness often improve gradually over a few days, although they can sometimes last for several weeks.

You may feel unsteady for a number of weeks or months. This usually improves over time and with treatment. Your hearing should return, although this may depend on the type of infection that caused the problem.

See your GP or call NHS 111 immediately if you have sudden hearing loss in one ear, with or without vertigo. It’s important the cause is investigated.

Diagnosing labyrinthitis

Labyrinthitis is diagnosed based on your symptoms, medical history and a physical examination.

Your GP may ask you to move your head or body, and your ears will be checked for signs of inflammation and infection.

You may also have some hearing tests, as labyrinthitis is more likely if you have hearing loss.

Your GP will also check your eyes. If they’re flickering uncontrollably, it’s usually a sign that your vestibular system, the body’s balancing system, isn’t working properly.

Treating labyrinthitis

The symptoms of labyrinthitis usually pass within a few weeks.

Treatment involves drinking plenty of fluid to avoid becoming dehydrated, bed rest, and medication to help you cope better with the symptoms.

Most cases of labyrinthitis are caused by a viral infection, in which case antibiotics won’t help. But you’ll be offered antibiotics if your doctor thinks your infection is bacterial.

Contact your GP if your symptoms don’t improve after three weeks. You may need to be referred to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist.

A small number of people have symptoms that persist for several months or, in some cases, years. This requires a more intensive type of treatment called vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT). VRT is a specialised form of physiotherapy.

What causes labyrinthitis?

Labyrinthitis is caused by an infection in the labyrinth. The labyrinth is the innermost part of the ear.

It contains the:

cochlea – a small spiral-shaped cavity that relays sounds to the brain and is responsible for hearing

vestibular system – a set of fluid-filled channels that contributes to your sense of balance

Labyrinthitis usually follows a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. The infection can spread from the chest, nose, mouth and airways to the inner ear.

Infections that affect the rest of the body, such as measles, mumps or glandular fever, are a less common cause of viral labyrinthitis.

In rare cases, labyrinthitis can be caused by a bacterial infection. Bacterial labyrinthitis is more likely to affect young children and can be serious.

Bacteria can enter the labyrinth if the thin membranes separating your middle ear from your inner ear are broken. This can happen if you have a middle ear infection or an infection of the brain lining (meningitis).

Labyrinthitis can also develop in people who have an underlying autoimmune condition, where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue rather than fighting off infections.

Complications of labyrinthitis

Bacterial labyrinthitis carries a higher risk of causing permanent hearing loss, particularly in children who’ve developed it as a complication of meningitis.

As a result of this increased risk, a hearing test is recommended after having bacterial labyrinthitis.

Severe hearing loss after bacterial labyrinthitis can sometimes be treated with a cochlear implant. This is a small hearing device fitted under the skin behind your ear during surgery.

Leave a comment Posted on February 21, 2017February 21, 2017 Hearing loss

Ménière’s disease – what are the signs and symptoms of Ménière’s disease?

Ménière’s disease

The symptoms of Ménière’s disease vary from person to person. They often begin as sudden attacks, lasting for a few hours. Some people may experience several attacks each week or they may be separated by weeks, months or even years.

See your GP if you experience any of the symptoms of Ménière’s disease, so they can try to identify the problem and refer you to a specialist, if necessary.

Main symptoms

The main symptoms of Ménière’s disease are:

vertigo – the sensation that you, or the environment around you, is moving or spinning

tinnitus – hearing sounds from inside your body, rather than from an outside source

hearing loss, with a particular difficulty hearing deep or low sounds

a sense of pressure or fullness deep inside the ear

These symptoms usually only affect one ear at first, but both ears often become affected over time.

Vertigo and tinnitus are described in more detail below.

Vertigo

Vertigo is one of the most common and noticeable symptoms of Ménière’s disease.

As well as a sensation of spinning, you may also experience additional symptoms during an attack of vertigo, such as dizziness, feeling or being sick, and problems with balance. You may have difficulty standing or walking. Occasionally, you may have “drop attacks”, where you suddenly fall to the ground.

During a severe attack, you may also experience sweating, diarrhoea and rapid or irregular heartbeats.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is usually more noticeable when you’re tired or when it’s quiet, as there’s less background noise to distract you from sounds coming from inside your body.

Examples of sounds you may hear include buzzing, humming, grinding, hissing and whistling.

Stages of Ménière’s disease

Ménière’s disease is often divided into early, middle and late stages.

However, the progression of Ménière’s disease varies between individuals. You may not necessarily pass through each of these stages and the severity of the symptoms may also vary. In general, people experience more attacks during the first few years, and then as the attacks decrease in frequency over time, the hearing loss becomes progressively worse.

Some or all of the following symptoms may be experienced before an attack:

loss of balance

dizziness and lightheadedness

headache and increased ear pressure

increased hearing loss or tinnitus

sensitivity to sound

a feeling of uneasiness

If a person is aware of these warning symptoms, it can allow them to move to a safer or more comfortable situation before an attack.

The stages of Ménière’s disease are described in more detail below.

Early stage

The early stage of Ménière’s disease consists of sudden and unpredictable attacks of vertigo. These are usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting and dizziness. You may lose some hearing during the attack, and you may experience tinnitus at the same time. Your ear may also feel blocked and uncomfortable, with a sense of fullness. Some people may also experience sensitivity to sound.

Attacks of vertigo at this stage can last from 20 minutes to 24 hours, but usually last around two to three hours. Your hearing and the full sensation in your ear usually returns to normal between attacks.

Middle stage

The middle stage of Ménière’s disease consists of continuing attacks of vertigo, with the attacks becoming less severe for some people. However, tinnitus and hearing loss often become worse.

During the middle stage, you may experience some periods of remission (where your symptoms go away), which can last for up to several months. Some people may still experience symptoms of tinnitus, sensitivity to sound or loss of balance between attacks of vertigo.

Late stage

During the late stage of Ménière’s disease, the episodes of vertigo occur far less frequently. There may be months or even several years between attacks or they may stop altogether. However, you may be left with balance problems, and you may be unsteady on your feet, particularly in the dark.

Hearing problems and tinnitus tend to become progressively worse during the late stage of Ménière’s disease.

Vertigo
Vertigo is the sensation that you or the environment around you is moving or spinning.

Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the medical name for the perception of noise in one ear, both ears or in the head. The noise comes from inside the brain rather than an outside source.

Leave a comment Posted on March 8, 2016December 8, 2017 A to Z of Medical Conditions, Hearing loss

Acoustic neuroma -what are the signs symptoms and treatments of Acoustic neuroma?

Acoustic neuroma

An acoustic neuroma is a benign (non-cancerous) growth, or tumour, in the brain. It’s also known as a vestibular schwannoma.

An acoustic neuroma grows on the vestibulocochlear nerve, which helps control hearing and balance. This nerve runs alongside the facial nerve, which carries information from the brain to the face muscles.

The symptoms of an acoustic neuroma tend to develop gradually and can vary in severity. This can make the condition difficult to diagnose (see below).

A small acoustic neuroma can lead to problems with:

hearing – causing hearing loss or tinnitus (a noise perceived inside the ear but with no outside source)
balance – causing vertigo (the sensation that you’re spinning)

A large acoustic neuroma can cause a number of symptoms, including:

headaches with blurred vision
numbness or pain on one side of the face
problems with limb co-ordination on one side of the body

Occasionally, large neuromas can also result in muscle weakness on one side of the face. In rare cases, it may also cause changes to the voice or difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).

What causes an acoustic neuroma?

The cause of most acoustic neuromas is unknown, but a small number of cases (about 5%) are caused by a rare, inherited condition called neurofibromatosis type 2.

Acoustic neuromas grow from the cells that cover the vestibulocochlear nerve, called Schwann cells.

Read more about the causes of an acoustic neuroma.

Diagnosing an acoustic neuroma

If your GP thinks you have an acoustic neuroma, you’ll be referred to hospital for tests.

The three types of test you may have are:

Read more about how an acoustic neuroma is diagnosed.

Treating an acoustic neuroma

Acoustic neuromas tend to grow slowly and don’t spread to other parts of the brain.

They can be so small and grow so slowly that they may not cause any symptoms or problems. In such cases, the acoustic neuroma may just be monitored to avoid risks associated with surgery.

In rare cases, the tumour can grow large enough to press on the brain. However, most acoustic neuromas can be treated before they reach this stage, either with surgery to remove the tumour or radiotherapy to destroy it.

Read more about treating an acoustic neuroma.

Complications of an acoustic neuroma

Acoustic neuromas aren’t usually life-threatening but the symptoms can be disruptive. For example, the loss of hearing may affect your ability to communicate with others.

Speak to your GP or specialist if you feel the symptoms are having an impact on your day-to-day life. There may be ways of easing your symptoms, such as using a hearing aid or taking painkilling medication.

Read more about complications of an acoustic neuroma.

[Original article on NHS Choices website]

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