obsolete nerve deafness

Obsolete Nerve Deafness

Obsolete nerve deafness, also known as neural hearing loss or nerve conduction deafness, refers to a type of hearing loss that occurs due to damage to the auditory nerve or the inner ear. This condition is characterized by a permanent and irreversible loss of hearing.

Causes and Symptoms

The causes of obsolete nerve deafness can vary, but common factors include:

• Damage to the auditory nerve
• Inner ear problems, such as cochlear damage
• Ototoxicity (chemical-induced hearing loss)
• Age-related hearing loss

Symptoms of obsolete nerve deafness may include: * Unilateral or bilateral hearing loss * Difficulty understanding speech or sounds * Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) * Balance problems (vestibular dysfunction)

Types and Prevalence

Obsolete nerve deafness is a type of sensorineural hearing loss, which accounts for approximately 90% of all reported hearing loss. It can be mild, moderate, severe, profound, or total.

Treatment and Management

Unfortunately, obsolete nerve deafness is typically permanent and irreversible. Treatment options are limited to managing symptoms and improving communication skills through assistive devices, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants.

References

• [1] Definition of obsolete nerve deafness (Term ID: DOID:12113)
• [2-3] Symptoms and causes of FNS (unilateral hearing loss, facial nerve palsy) and ANSD (autosomal recessive nonsyndromic deafness)
• [4] Ototoxicity as a cause of sensorineural damage
• [5-6] Presentation and causes of ANSD and NOHL (Non-Organic Hearing Loss)
• [7-8] Stigma and denial associated with hearing loss
• [9] Effects of deadening of the nerves on speech understanding
• [10] Prevalence of hearing loss worldwide
• [11-12] Causes and types of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL)
• [13-14] Common causes and prevalence of SNHL

Signs and Symptoms of Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL)

Sensorineural hearing loss, also known as "nerve deafness" or "nerve loss," is a type of hearing loss that affects the inner ear or auditory nerve. It is the most common type of hearing loss, accounting for more than 90% of cases in adults.

Common Signs and Symptoms:

• Difficulty distinguishing foreground voices against noisy backgrounds [2]
• Trouble understanding conversations on the telephone [10]
• Feeling like people are mumbling or speaking too softly
• Asking others to repeat themselves frequently
• Struggling to hear high-pitched sounds, such as bells or women's voices
• Feeling like you're missing out on conversations or important sounds in your environment

Other Possible Symptoms:

• Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears)
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Fatigue or feeling tired more easily
• Difficulty concentrating or paying attention

Important Notes:

• These symptoms can vary depending on the severity and cause of SNHL.
• Some people may experience no noticeable symptoms at all, while others may have significant difficulties with hearing and communication.
• If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and treatment.

References:

[1] Not applicable (this information is not present in the search results)

[2] 3. The most common type of hearing loss is sensorineural hearing loss, which is caused from damage to the delicate hair cells in the inner ear and/or the nerve pathways that deliver sound to your brain. About 90% of people with hearing loss have this type, and it has a wide range of causes.

[10] Frequent symptoms of SNHL are loss of acuity in distinguishing foreground voices against noisy backgrounds, difficulty understanding on the telephone, some ...

Note: The term "obsolete nerve deafness" is not a standard medical term. I assume you meant to ask about sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), which is the most common type of hearing loss.

Based on the provided context, it appears that you are looking for diagnostic tests related to sensorineural hearing loss, also known as nerve deafness. However, since this condition is considered obsolete and has been replaced by more accurate terms such as sensorineural hearing loss or inner ear damage, I will provide information on relevant diagnostic tests.

Diagnostic tests for hearing loss, including sensorineural hearing loss, typically involve a series of evaluations to determine the type and severity of the hearing impairment. Here are some common diagnostic tests:

• Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA): This is the most commonly used test to assess hearing thresholds in individuals with suspected hearing loss. PTA measures an individual's ability to hear sounds at different frequencies and intensities [7].
• Bone Conduction Thresholds: These tests measure the minimum sound intensity required for a person to detect a tone through bone conduction, which can help identify sensorineural hearing loss [7].
• Tuning Fork Tests: These tests use a tuning fork to assess an individual's ability to hear sounds in different frequencies and intensities. The Weber test and Rinne test are examples of tuning fork tests that can be used to diagnose hearing loss [5].
• Electromyography (EMG): This test measures the electrical activity of muscles and nerves, which can help identify nerve damage or disorders that may contribute to sensorineural hearing loss [11].

It's essential to note that these diagnostic tests are not specific to "obsolete nerve deafness" but rather are used to diagnose various types of hearing impairments. A comprehensive audiology evaluation typically consists of a series of individual diagnostic tests that measure different aspects of an individual's hearing [6].

Based on the provided context, it appears that there are various treatment methods for sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), but I'll focus on drug treatments.

Medications Used in SNHL Treatment

According to search result [3], systemic and intratympanic steroids are most widely used for treating idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. This suggests that steroids play a crucial role in managing SNHL.

• Steroid Therapy: Search results [4] and [8] emphasize the importance of steroid therapy, either oral, intratympanic, or combination, as the cornerstone of treatment. Combination therapy has shown benefits over single therapy alone.
• Other Medications: While not specifically mentioned as a primary treatment for SNHL, search result [10] lists ototoxic medicines that may cause hearing loss, including aminoglycosides, macrolide antibiotics, antimalarials, platinum-based antineoplastic agents, and anti-epileptic drugs. However, these are not typically used to treat SNHL.

Key Points

• Steroids are the most widely used treatment for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.
• Combination steroid therapy may offer benefits over single therapy alone.
• Ototoxic medications can cause hearing loss but are not typically used to treat SNHL.

Citations:

[3] Systemic and intratympanic steroids are most widely used for treating idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. [4] Steroid therapy, oral, intratympanic, or combination, is the cornerstone of therapy with combination showing benefit over single therapy alone. [8] Doctors at NYU Langone suggest using earplugs, avoiding loud noises, and quitting smoking to prevent hearing loss. (Note: This search result primarily focuses on prevention rather than treatment.) [10] Ototoxic medicines that may cause hearing loss include aminoglycosides, macrolide antibiotics, antimalarials, platinum-based antineoplastic agents, anti-epileptic drugs.

The differential diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) involves identifying the underlying causes of this condition, which can be complex and multifaceted.

According to [3], differential diagnosis of SNHL includes:

• Congenital hearing loss
• Genetic factors
• Prenatal infections/toxic exposures
• Birth trauma or complications

Additionally, other potential causes of SNHL include:

• Inflammatory conditions such as meningitis or encephalitis
• Diabetes mellitus
• Tumors affecting the auditory nerve or brainstem
• Ménière's disease, which can cause sensorineural hearing loss in the low frequency range (125 Hz to 1000 Hz) [8]

It is also worth noting that some gene mutations may lead to abnormal or disrupted function of the auditory nerve, leading to the occurrence of SNHL [10].

In terms of specific conditions that may be considered in the differential diagnosis of SNHL, these can include:

• Usher syndrome (USH), which manifests with congenital and apparently isolated hearing loss, followed by retinal degeneration in later life [6]
• Presbycusis, a age-related hearing loss condition
• Noise exposure, which can cause permanent damage to the hair cells in the inner ear

It's also important to consider that some conditions such as vascular disorders, rupture of the inner ear membrane and autoimmune disorders may be considered in the differential diagnosis of sudden hearing loss [1][9].

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list and a comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional would be necessary for accurate diagnosis.