Chapter 46 Hearing, Speech, and Vision Problems Flashcards
(39 cards)
hearing, speech, and vision
-allow communication, learning, and moving about
-are important for self-care, work, and most most activities
-are important for safety and security needs
many people have some degree of hearing or vision loss
common causes are:
-birth defects
-accidents
-infections
-diseases
-aging
ear disorders
Otitis media
is infection of the middle ear
chronic otitis media
can damage the tympanic membrane-eardrum- or the ossicles
needed for hearing and prenant hering loss can occur
signs and symptoms include
pain-earache- and healing loss
fever and tinnitus- ringing, roaring
treatment involves:
-antibiotics
-drugs for pain relief
-drugs to relieve congestion
ménière’s disease
involves the inner ear
ménière’s disease:
-it’s a common cause of hearing loss
-usually one ear is affected
symptoms include:
-vertigo (dizziness)
-tinnitus
-hearing loss
-pain or pressure in the affected ear
treatment involves:
drugs
fluid restriction
no alcohol or caffeine
safety is needed during vertigo
the person must lie down
falls are prevented
the persons head is kept still
sudden movements are avoided
bright or glaring light are avoided
the person should not walk alone
hearing loss
is not being able to hear the normal range of sounds associated with normal hearing
losses are mild to severe
deafness
is hearing loss in which it is impossible for the person to understand speech through hearing alone
hearing loss occurs in all age-groups
common causes of hearing loss are damage to the:
outer, middle, or inner ear
acoustic nerve (cranial nerve 8, vestibulocochlear)
risk factors
-aging
-exposure to very loud sounds and noises
- drugs
-infections
-reduce blood flow to the ear caused by high blood pressure, heat and vascular diseases, and diabetes
-stroke
-head injuries
-tumors
-heredity
-birth defects
-temporary hearing loss can occur from earwax (cerumen)
hearing is required for:
clear speech
responding to others
safety and awareness of surroundings
hearing is needed for speech
person with hearing loss may:
-wearing hearing aids or lip-read (speech-read)
-watch facial expressions, gestures, and body language
-learn American sign language
hearing aids
fit inside or behind the ear
if hearing aids does not seems or work properly, try these measures
-check if the hearing aid is on
-check the battery position
-insert a new battery if needed
-clean the hearing aid