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Sub-Category:

Noise-Induced Hearing Injury

Number of Conditions: 1

Acoustic Trauma (Damage from Loud Noise)

Specialty: Ear

Category: Trauma and Injury to the Ear

Sub-category: Noise-Induced Hearing Injury

Symptoms:
sudden hearing loss; ringing in the ears (tinnitus); ear pain (in some cases); difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments

Root Cause:
Damage to the cochlear hair cells or auditory nerve due to exposure to intense sound waves, typically over 120 decibels.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Audiometry to measure hearing thresholds, tympanometry, and patient history of noise exposure.

Treatment:
Rest from noise exposure, corticosteroids to reduce inflammation (e.g., prednisone), and hearing aids or cochlear implants for permanent hearing loss.

Medications:
Corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory drugs), such as prednisone , may be prescribed in the acute phase to reduce cochlear inflammation.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects individuals exposed to sudden or prolonged loud noise, common in occupational or recreational settings like construction or concerts.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic exposure to loud environments, sudden exposure to gunshots or explosions, lack of hearing protection, and pre-existing hearing conditions.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Permanent hearing loss is common in severe cases, but early treatment can minimize damage.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Permanent tinnitus, profound hearing loss, and difficulty in social communication.