Condition Lookup
Category:
Hearing Disorders
Number of Conditions: 15
Otosclerosis
Specialty: Ear
Category: Hearing Disorders
Sub-category: Conductive Hearing Loss
Symptoms:
gradual hearing loss; tinnitus (ringing in the ears); dizziness; difficulty hearing low-pitched sounds; progressive worsening of hearing in one or both ears
Root Cause:
Abnormal bone remodeling in the middle ear, particularly around the stapes bone, leading to fixation of the stapes and impaired sound conduction.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
audiometry testing; tympanometry; CT scan of the temporal bones; clinical examination by an ENT specialist
Treatment:
Surgery (stapedectomy or stapedotomy), hearing aids, or observation for mild cases.
Medications:
Sodium fluoride or bisphosphonates may be prescribed to slow bone remodeling, though evidence of their efficacy is limited.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 0.3-0.4% of the population; more common in women and individuals of Caucasian descent.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, female gender, pregnancy, and genetic predisposition.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Hearing can be significantly improved with surgery or hearing aids; untreated cases may lead to severe hearing loss.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
persistent hearing loss; vertigo; tinnitus; possible surgical complications such as damage to the facial nerve or further hearing loss
Tympanic Membrane Perforation (Eardrum Rupture)
Specialty: Ear
Category: Hearing Disorders
Sub-category: Conductive Hearing Loss
Symptoms:
sudden sharp ear pain; hearing loss; drainage from the ear (clear or bloody); tinnitus; vertigo
Root Cause:
A tear or hole in the eardrum caused by trauma, infection, or pressure changes.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
otoscopic examination; audiometry testing; tympanometry
Treatment:
Observation for spontaneous healing, antibiotic ear drops for infection, tympanoplasty (surgical repair) if the perforation does not heal.
Medications:
Antibiotic ear drops like ofloxacin or ciprofloxacin to prevent or treat infection.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common; occurs in approximately 1% of the population annually.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Ear infections, barotrauma, loud noise exposure, insertion of foreign objects, head trauma.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most cases heal within a few weeks without intervention; surgery may be required for persistent perforations.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
chronic ear infections; hearing loss; cholesteatoma (abnormal skin growth in the middle ear); persistent drainage
Earwax Impaction (Cerumen Impaction)
Specialty: Ear
Category: Hearing Disorders
Symptoms:
hearing loss; earache; fullness in the ear; tinnitus; itching in the ear; dizziness
Root Cause:
Accumulation of cerumen (earwax) blocking the ear canal, often due to overproduction or improper cleaning techniques.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
otoscopic examination; clinical history and symptoms
Treatment:
Manual removal (using curette or suction), irrigation, or cerumenolytic agents.
Medications:
Cerumenolytics such as carbamide peroxide or saline drops to soften wax for easier removal.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 10% of children, 5% of adults, and 33% of the elderly population.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Narrow or hairy ear canals, use of hearing aids, improper ear cleaning, certain skin conditions.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent; symptoms resolve with proper removal of earwax.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
ear infections; persistent hearing loss; damage to the ear canal from improper cleaning methods
Ossicular Chain Dysfunction (e.g., Dislocation or Fixation)
Specialty: Ear
Category: Hearing Disorders
Sub-category: Conductive Hearing Loss
Symptoms:
hearing loss; tinnitus; dizziness in some cases
Root Cause:
Disruption or fixation of the ossicles (malleus, incus, stapes) in the middle ear, impairing sound transmission to the inner ear.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
otoscopic examination; CT scan of the temporal bones; audiometry testing; tympanometry
Treatment:
Surgical repair (ossiculoplasty) or replacement of the ossicles; hearing aids for non-surgical candidates.
Medications:
Not directly treated with medications, but antibiotics may be prescribed if caused by infection.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare; most cases result from trauma, chronic infections, or congenital conditions.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Head trauma, chronic otitis media, congenital abnormalities, surgical complications.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Surgical intervention often restores hearing; untreated cases may lead to persistent hearing loss.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
persistent hearing loss; chronic infections; further ossicular damage
Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion
Specialty: Ear
Category: Hearing Disorders
Symptoms:
hearing loss; feeling of fullness in the ear; tinnitus; balance issues; recurrent ear infections
Root Cause:
Persistent fluid accumulation in the middle ear without signs of acute infection, often due to eustachian tube dysfunction.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
otoscopic examination; tympanometry; audiometry testing
Treatment:
Observation, myringotomy with tube insertion, or treating underlying conditions such as allergies.
Medications:
Antihistamines or nasal corticosteroids (e.g., fluticasone ) if allergies contribute to eustachian tube dysfunction.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in children; approximately 20% of children experience this condition by the age of 2.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Allergies, upper respiratory infections, eustachian tube dysfunction, daycare attendance, secondhand smoke exposure.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Usually resolves over time; surgical intervention is effective for persistent cases.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
speech and language delay in children; persistent hearing loss; chronic ear infections
Presbycusis (Age-Related Hearing Loss)
Specialty: Ear
Category: Hearing Disorders
Sub-category: Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Symptoms:
difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds; trouble understanding speech in noisy environments; gradual hearing loss in both ears; ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Root Cause:
Degeneration of hair cells in the cochlea and/or changes in the auditory nerve pathways due to aging.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and auditory brainstem response testing.
Treatment:
Use of hearing aids, cochlear implants (for severe cases), auditory training, and communication strategies.
Medications:
No specific medications treat presbycusis, but associated conditions like tinnitus may involve antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline ) or anxiolytics (e.g., alprazolam ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately one-third of people over 65 and up to 50% of those over 75.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Aging, noise exposure, genetic predisposition, cardiovascular diseases, smoking, and diabetes.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Progressive and irreversible but manageable with hearing aids and assistive devices.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Social isolation, depression, cognitive decline, and reduced quality of life.
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Specialty: Ear
Category: Hearing Disorders
Sub-category: Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Symptoms:
difficulty hearing conversations; muffled hearing; ringing in the ears (tinnitus); sensitivity to loud sounds
Root Cause:
Damage to the hair cells in the cochlea due to prolonged exposure to loud sounds or a sudden loud noise.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Audiometric testing, history of noise exposure, and otoacoustic emissions testing.
Treatment:
Avoidance of further noise exposure, use of hearing aids, and counseling for tinnitus if present.
Medications:
Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone ) may help if administered shortly after acute exposure; antioxidants like N-acetylcysteine are being researched.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects about 12% of the global population, especially in occupational and recreational settings.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Prolonged exposure to loud noises, occupational hazards, recreational noise, and lack of ear protection.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Often permanent but preventable; early intervention can mitigate impact.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Tinnitus, hyperacusis, and progressive hearing loss with continued noise exposure.
Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL)
Specialty: Ear
Category: Hearing Disorders
Sub-category: Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Symptoms:
rapid onset hearing loss (in one or both ears); tinnitus; ear fullness; vertigo in some cases
Root Cause:
Often idiopathic but may involve viral infections, vascular compromise, or autoimmune disorders.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Audiometric testing, MRI to rule out acoustic neuroma, and blood tests for autoimmune markers.
Treatment:
High-dose oral or intratympanic corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone or dexamethasone); antiviral or vasodilator therapy in specific cases.
Medications:
Corticosteroids are first-line; antivirals (e.g., acyclovir ) or anticoagulants may be used in select cases.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Approximately 5-20 per 100,000 people annually; higher incidence in those aged 40-60.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Viral infections, vascular conditions, autoimmune diseases, head trauma, or ototoxic drug use.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Recovery occurs in about 50% of cases, often within the first two weeks.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Permanent hearing loss, balance issues, and chronic tinnitus.
Congenital Hearing Loss
Specialty: Ear
Category: Hearing Disorders
Sub-category: Mixed or Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Symptoms:
delayed speech and language development; lack of response to sounds; difficulty with auditory communication
Root Cause:
Genetic mutations, prenatal infections (e.g., rubella, CMV), or birth-related complications like prematurity or asphyxia.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Newborn hearing screening (otoacoustic emissions or auditory brainstem response testing), genetic testing, and imaging studies.
Treatment:
Hearing aids, cochlear implants, early intervention with speech therapy, and sign language.
Medications:
None specific to treat the condition; supportive care includes managing associated conditions (e.g., CMV antiviral treatment).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 1-3 per 1,000 live births worldwide.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history of hearing loss, prenatal infections, prematurity, and low birth weight.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable depending on severity and intervention timing; early treatment significantly improves outcomes.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Language delays, academic challenges, and social isolation if untreated.
Ototoxicity (Drug-Induced Hearing Loss)
Specialty: Ear
Category: Hearing Disorders
Sub-category: Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Symptoms:
hearing loss (usually bilateral); ringing in the ears (tinnitus); dizziness or vertigo
Root Cause:
Damage to the inner ear structures or auditory nerve caused by ototoxic drugs such as aminoglycosides, chemotherapy agents, loop diuretics, or salicylates.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Detailed drug history, audiometry before and after drug exposure, and monitoring with otoacoustic emissions testing.
Treatment:
Discontinuation or substitution of the ototoxic drug, use of hearing aids or cochlear implants if hearing loss is severe, and vestibular rehabilitation for balance issues.
Medications:
No direct medications for reversal, but antioxidants like N-acetylcysteine and vitamins (e.g., Vitamin E) are under study for prevention.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Variable; affects up to 20% of patients receiving aminoglycosides or cisplatin-based chemotherapy.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High doses of ototoxic drugs, pre-existing hearing loss, renal impairment, and prolonged drug use.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Hearing loss may be reversible in mild cases if drug use is discontinued early but is often permanent.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Permanent hearing loss, chronic tinnitus, and vestibular dysfunction.
Meniere’s Disease (Hearing Component)
Specialty: Ear
Category: Hearing Disorders
Sub-category: Inner Ear Disorders
Symptoms:
fluctuating hearing loss; tinnitus; ear fullness; episodic vertigo
Root Cause:
Excessive endolymphatic fluid in the inner ear, causing disruptions in balance and hearing mechanisms.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, audiometry, and electrocochleography (ECoG); vestibular testing may also be used.
Treatment:
Lifestyle modifications (low-sodium diet, avoiding caffeine), diuretics, corticosteroids, intratympanic injections, and in severe cases, surgery (e.g., endolymphatic sac decompression).
Medications:
Betahistine (to reduce vertigo), diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide ), and corticosteroids for inflammation.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 0.2% of the population, typically appearing between ages 20-60.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, autoimmune conditions, migraines, and allergies.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Chronic but manageable; hearing loss may become permanent over time.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Progressive hearing loss, chronic vertigo, and significant impact on quality of life.
Mixed Hearing Loss (Combination of Conductive and Sensorineural)
Specialty: Ear
Category: Hearing Disorders
Symptoms:
difficulty hearing faint or soft sounds; trouble understanding speech, especially in noisy environments; feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear; tinnitus (ringing in the ears); dizziness or balance issues in some cases
Root Cause:
A combination of conductive hearing loss (caused by issues in the outer or middle ear, such as blockages or structural damage) and sensorineural hearing loss (resulting from damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Comprehensive audiometric testing, including pure-tone audiometry, bone conduction tests, and tympanometry; imaging studies like CT or MRI may be used to identify structural abnormalities.
Treatment:
Treatment focuses on addressing both components
Medications:
Medications depend on the underlying cause of conductive hearing loss. For example - Antibiotics or antifungals (e.g., amoxicillin , fluconazole ) for infections causing conductive issues. Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone or dexamethasone ) may be prescribed for sensorineural loss related to inflammation or sudden hearing loss.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Mixed hearing loss is less common than individual conductive or sensorineural hearing loss but occurs in people with combined damage or conditions affecting both the outer/middle and inner ear.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic ear infections, head trauma, age-related degeneration, genetic predisposition, and exposure to loud noises.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Treatment outcomes vary depending on the severity of each component; conductive hearing loss is often reversible, while sensorineural loss typically requires long-term management with hearing aids or implants.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
If untreated, it can lead to worsening hearing ability, social isolation, communication difficulties, and potential impacts on mental health, including anxiety and depression.
Hyperacusis (Increased Sensitivity to Sounds)
Specialty: Ear
Category: Hearing Disorders
Sub-category: Other Hearing Disorders
Symptoms:
pain or discomfort in response to everyday sounds; avoidance or fear of noisy environments; possible tinnitus (ringing in the ears); stress or anxiety in noisy situations; feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears
Root Cause:
An abnormal increase in the central or peripheral auditory system’s sensitivity or gain, causing normal sounds to seem excessively loud or painful.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through audiometry and patient history.
Treatment:
Treated with sound therapy and counseling.
Medications:
In some cases, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as sertraline or paroxetine , can be prescribed to help manage the anxiety or depression associated with hyperacusis. Benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety medications), like clonazepam , may sometimes be used short-term to alleviate severe anxiety symptoms.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Exact prevalence is not fully established; estimates suggest up to 2–9% of the population may have some degree of reduced sound tolerance.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Prolonged exposure to loud noise; Head or ear trauma (e.g., traumatic brain injury); Certain neurological conditions (e.g., migraines); Autoimmune or viral inner-ear disorders; Stress, anxiety, or depression
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With appropriate sound therapy and counseling, many individuals experience improvement in sound tolerance and overall quality of life. Prognosis varies, but symptoms often become more manageable over time.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Social isolation due to avoidance of noisy environments; Heightened anxiety or depression; Impact on daily activities and work life
Diplacusis (Distorted Hearing of Pitch)
Specialty: Ear
Category: Hearing Disorders
Sub-category: Pitch Perception Disorders (or Other Hearing Disorders)
Symptoms:
hearing the same sound at different pitches in each ear; difficulty with musical harmony or tuning instruments; possible confusion or disorientation in noisy environments; reduced sound clarity or distortion
Root Cause:
Often related to a mismatch in how each ear’s cochlea or auditory nerve processes certain frequencies. Diplacusis can be caused by sensorineural hearing loss, inner ear damage, or conditions like Ménière’s disease.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed via audiometric testing.
Treatment:
Treated by addressing the underlying cause, such as hearing aids for hearing loss.
Medications:
Corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory) can be prescribed if an inner ear inflammation is suspected as a contributing factor. Diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide ) may be used to manage fluid imbalance in Ménière’s disease, which can reduce pitch distortion in some patients.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Not precisely known; occurs most frequently in individuals with some degree of sensorineural hearing loss. Ménière’s disease and other inner ear pathologies can increase the likelihood.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Noise-induced hearing loss; Age-related hearing decline (presbycusis); Inner ear disorders (e.g., Ménière’s disease); History of ear trauma or infections
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Depends on the underlying cause. If the triggering factor (e.g., an infection) is resolved or well-managed, symptoms may improve. Long-term use of hearing aids or other therapies can help patients cope with persistent pitch distortion.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Difficulty enjoying music or conversation; Potential social withdrawal due to frustration; Emotional distress related to distorted sound perception
Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
Specialty: Ear
Category: Hearing Disorders
Sub-category: Central Auditory Processing Disorders
Symptoms:
difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments; trouble following multi-step instructions; frequent requests for repetition (what? or huh?); poor listening skills, especially in groups or classrooms; possible reading or spelling challenges
Root Cause:
A deficit in the brain’s ability to interpret and process auditory information, despite normal peripheral hearing. Neural pathways that decode speech and other sounds are not functioning efficiently.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed with specialized auditory tests.
Treatment:
Treated with auditory training, environmental modifications, and therapy.
Medications:
There is no specific medication for APD itself. Stimulants (such as methylphenidate ) may be prescribed if comorbid ADHD is present. SSRIs (antidepressants) could be considered if there are significant anxiety or mood issues impacting listening and concentration.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Estimated to affect 2–5% of school-aged children, with varying degrees of severity.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
History of ear infections (otitis media); Neurological conditions or head injury; Premature birth or low birth weight; Genetic predisposition; Other developmental disorders (e.g., dyslexia, ADHD)
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With appropriate therapy, accommodations, and strategies, many individuals learn to compensate effectively. Early intervention can significantly improve listening and academic performance.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Academic difficulties, especially in language-heavy subjects; Social and communication challenges; Possible emotional or behavioral issues due to frustration in listening environments