Condition Lookup

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Sub-Category:

Tinnitus

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Symptoms:
ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in one or both ears; sensitivity to external noise; difficulty concentrating or sleeping due to the constant sound; feeling of fullness in the ear

Root Cause:
Tinnitus is often caused by damage to the hair cells in the inner ear, which disrupts normal sound processing. It may also be related to age-related hearing loss, ear infections, earwax buildup, or exposure to loud noises.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis involves a physical examination and hearing tests by an audiologist or ENT specialist. Imaging tests (e.g., MRI or CT scans) may be ordered to rule out underlying structural causes.

Treatment:
Treatment focuses on symptom management and may include sound therapy (e.g., white noise machines), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), tinnitus retraining therapy, or medications to reduce anxiety and depression.

Medications:
No specific medications cure tinnitus, but some medications may help alleviate symptoms. These include antidepressants (e.g., nortriptyline , a tricyclic antidepressant), antianxiety drugs (e.g., buspirone , a non-benzodiazepine), and benzodiazepines (e.g., alprazolam ) for anxiety-related tinnitus. These medications fall under the classifications of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and sedatives.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Tinnitus affects around 10-15% of the general population, with increased prevalence among older adults and those with hearing loss.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Exposure to loud noises. Age-related hearing loss. Ear infections or ear damage. High blood pressure. Diabetes. Stress and anxiety.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
While tinnitus often cannot be cured, it can be managed effectively. The prognosis depends on the underlying cause and the individual’s response to treatment. In many cases, symptoms decrease over time.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Sleep disturbances. Anxiety and depression. Difficulty concentrating. Decreased quality of life due to constant noise perception.

Presbycusis (Age-related Hearing Loss)

Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics

Category: Sensory Disorders

Sub-category: Hearing Disorders

Symptoms:
difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds; muffled or unclear speech; asking people to repeat themselves; tinnitus (ringing in the ears); difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments

Root Cause:
The gradual degeneration of the inner ear structures, especially the hair cells in the cochlea, or changes in the auditory nerve that occur due to aging.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis typically involves a comprehensive hearing evaluation by an audiologist, which may include pure tone audiometry, speech discrimination tests, and tympanometry to assess ear function.

Treatment:
While presbycusis cannot be cured, it is managed with hearing aids, cochlear implants, and assistive listening devices. Speech therapy may also help improve communication.

Medications:
Medications are not typically used to treat presbycusis directly. However, some individuals with tinnitus may be prescribed medications like antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline , a tricyclic antidepressant) or antianxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam , a benzodiazepine) to help manage the symptoms of tinnitus that often accompany presbycusis.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately one-third of people over the age of 65, with prevalence increasing with age.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age. Family history of hearing loss. Chronic exposure to loud noises. Smoking. Diabetes. Cardiovascular conditions.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Hearing loss is progressive and irreversible, but symptoms can be managed effectively with hearing aids and communication strategies.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Social isolation. Depression. Cognitive decline due to difficulty in communication. Increased risk of falls and accidents due to reduced auditory cues.