EAR DISEASES Comments turned off

HEARING LOSS AND HEARING AIDS

By admin on May 14th, 2010

I Don’t Hear Well. What Should I Do? What Should I Expect?

 

Because some hearing problems can be medically corrected, first visit a physician who can refer you to an  otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat specialist ). If you have ear pain, drainage, excess earwax, hearing loss in only one ear, sudden or rapidly progressive hearing loss, or dizziness, it is especially important that you see an otolaryngologist. Then, get a hearing assessment from an audiologist (a nonphysician health care professional). A screening test from a hearing aid dealer may not be adequate. Many otolaryngologists have an audiologist associate in their office who will assess your ability to hear pure tone sounds and to understand words. The results of these tests will show the degree of hearing loss and whether it is conductive or sensorineural and may give other medical information about your ears and your health.

  •  Conductive Hearing Loss

A hearing loss is conductive when there is a problem with the ear canal, the eardrum and/or the three bones connected to the eardrum. Common reasons for this type of hearing loss are a plug of excess wax in the ear canal or fluid behind the eardrum. Medical treatment or surgery may be available for these and more complex forms of conductive hearing loss.  

  • Sensorinural Hearing Loss

A hearing loss is sensorineural when it results from damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve, often as a result of the aging process and/or noise exposure. Sounds may be unclear and/or too soft. Sensitivity to loud sounds may occur. Medical or surgical intervention cannot correct most sensorineural hearing losses. However, hearing aids may help you reclaim some sounds that you are missing as a result of nerve deafness.   

Styles Of Hearing Aids

There are several styles of hearing aids:  

  • Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids are placed over the ear and connected with tubing to custom-fitted earpieces.
  • In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids fill the entire bowl of the ear and part of the ear canal.
  • Smaller versions of ITEs are called half-shell and in-the-canal (ITC).
  • The least visible aids are completely-in-the-canal (CIC).

Hearing aid options, which are appropriate for your particular hearing loss and listening needs, the size, and shape of your ear and ear canal, and the dexterity of your hands will all be considered in deciding what type of hearing aid is the best for you. Many hearing aids have special telecoil “T” switches to aid in use of the telephone and certain public sound systems. Discuss your need for a T-coil switch while you are considering hearing aid options.

   Will I Need A Hearing Aid For Each Ear?

Usually, if you have hearing loss in both ears, using two hearing aids is best. Listening in a noisy environment is difficult with amplification in one ear only, and it is more difficult to distinguish where sounds are coming from. If, however, the quality of hearing in one ear is very different from the other, one hearing aid may be better than two.What Other Questions Should I Ask?

  • Ask about charges for the hearing evaluation, dispensing fee(s), and future servicing and repair.
  • Inquire about the trial period policy and what fees are refundable if you return the hearing aid(s) during the trial period.
  • Ask about the warranty coverage for your hearing aids and the consumers’ protection program for hearing aid purchasers in your state.

What Will Happen At My Hearing Aid Fitting?

  • The hearing aids will be fitted for your ears.
  • Then, while wearing your hearing aids, you will be tested for word understanding in quiet and in noise and for improvement in hearing tones.
  • Next, you will receive instruction about the care of your hearing aids, the batteries used to power them, a suggested wearing schedule, general expectations, and helpful communication strategies.
  • You will also practice properly inserting and removing the hearing aids and batteries.

 How Should I Begin Wearing The Aids?  

  • Start using your hearing aids in quiet surroundings, gradually building up to noisier environments.
  • Note where and when that you find the hearing aids beneficial.
  • Be patient and allow yourself to get used to the aids and the “new” sounds they allow you to hear.
  • Keep a diary to help you remember your experiences.
  • Report any concerns on a follow-up appointment

(SOURCE: http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/hearing/hearing_aid.cfm)  

 

NOSE PROBLEMS Comments turned off

DEVIATED SEPTUM AND SURGERY

By admin on May 14th, 2010

 

The shape of your nasal cavity could be the cause of chronic sinusitis. The nasal septum is the wall dividing the nasal cavity into halves; it is composed of a central supporting skeleton covered on each side by mucous membrane. The front portion of this natural partition is a firm but bendable structure made mostly of cartilage and is covered by skin that has a substantial supply of blood vessels. The ideal nasal septum is exactly midline, separating the left and right sides of the nose into passageways of equal size.

Estimates are that 80 percent of all nasal septums are off-center, a condition that is generally not noticed. A “deviated septum” occurs when the septum is severely shifted away from the midline. The most common symptom from a badly deviated or crooked septum is difficulty breathing through the nose. The symptoms are usually worse on one side, and sometimes actually occur on the side opposite the bend. In some cases the crooked septum can interfere with the drainage of the sinuses, resulting in repeated sinus infections.

Septoplasty is the preferred surgical treatment to correct a deviated septum. This procedure is not generally performed on minors, because the cartilaginous septum grows until around age 18. Septal deviations commonly occur due to nasal trauma.

A deviated septum may cause one or more of the following:

  • Blockage of one or both nostrils
  • Nasal congestion, sometimes one-sided
  • Frequent nosebleeds
  • Frequent sinus infections
  • At times, facial pain, headaches, postnasal drip
  • Noisy breathing during sleep (in infants and young children)

In some cases, a person with a mildly deviated septum has symptoms only when he or she also has a “cold” (an upper respiratory tract infection). In these individuals, the respiratory infection triggers nasal inflammation that temporarily amplifies any mild airflow problems related to the deviated septum. Once the “cold” resolves, and the nasal inflammation subsides, symptoms of a deviated septum often resolve, too.

 Diagnosis Of A Deviated Septum: Patients with chronic sinusitis often have nasal congestion, and many have nasal septal deviations. However, for those with this debilitating condition, there may be additional reasons for the nasal airway obstruction. The problem may result from a septal deviation, reactive edema (swelling) from the infected areas, allergic problems, mucosal hypertrophy (increase in size), other anatomic abnormalities, or combinations thereof. A trained specialist in diagnosing and treating ear, nose, and throat disorders can determine the cause of your chronic sinusitis and nasal obstruction.

Your First Visit: After discussing your symptoms, the primary care physician or specialist will inquire if you have ever incurred severe trauma to your nose and if you have had previous nasal surgery. Next, an examination of the general appearance of your nose will occur, including the position of your nasal septum. This will entail the use of a bright light and a nasal speculum (an instrument that gently spreads open your nostril) to inspect the inside surface of each nostril.

Surgery may be the recommended treatment if the deviated septum is causing troublesome nosebleeds or recurrent sinus infections. Additional testing may be required in some circumstances.

Septoplasty: Septoplasty is a surgical procedure performed entirely through the nostrils, accordingly, no bruising or external signs occur. The surgery might be combined with a rhinoplasty, in which case the external appearance of the nose is altered and swelling/bruising of the face is evident. Septoplasty may also be combined with sinus surgery.

The time required for the operation averages about one to one and a half hours, depending on the deviation. It can be done with a local or a general anesthetic, and is usually done on an outpatient basis. After the surgery, nasal packing is inserted to prevent excessive postoperative bleeding. During the surgery, badly deviated portions of the septum may be removed entirely, or they may be readjusted and reinserted into the nose.

If a deviated nasal septum is the sole cause for your chronic sinusitis, relief from this severe disorder will be achieved.

(SOURCE: http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/sinus/deviated-septum.cfm )

BURUN ve SİNÜS HASTALIKLARI Comments turned off

BURUN KANARSA BEYİN KANAMAZ….MI?

By admin on May 6th, 2010

BURUN KANAMASI:

Her yıl 100 kişiden 10′u burun kanaması ile karşı karşıya kalmaktadır. Bu kişilerin ancak %10′u doktora başvuracak kadar yoğun kanama yaşamaktadır. Buruna darbe gelmesinden tutun burun içini kurcalamaya, kuvvetli sümkürmeden sıcak çarpmasına ya da yüksek tansiyondan kan sulandırıcı ilaç kullanımına, gebelikteki hormonal değişikliklerden sinüzite, burun ve sinüs tümörlerinden geniz tümörüne kadar pek çok nedenle kanama olabilir. Kurcalama, sümkürme ve sıcak çarpmasına bağlı kanamalar genellikle kendi kendine durabilen, burun ön kısmından kaynaklanan hafif tipte kanamalar iken travma, ani tansiyon yükselmesi ve pıhtılaşma fonksiyonundaki bozulmaya bağlı kanamalar oldukça yoğun, bazen durdurulması zor kanamalardır.

Halk arasındaki inanışa göre, tansiyonu yükselen birinin burnu kanadığında, burun beynin subapıymış gibi, “Kan burundan aktı, artık beynin kanamaz” derler. Halbuki böyle bir durumda, burun kanaması bir nevi vücudun kişiyi uyarışıdır: “Aman dikkat et, tansiyonun çok yükseliyor, beynin kanayabilir, önlem al!” diye.

 ADET DÖNEMİNDE GÖRÜLEN BURUN KANAMALARI:

Bazı kadınların adet kanamaları öncesinde burun kanamaları olmaktadır. Bunun 3 muhtemel nedeni olduğu düşünülmektedir:

  1. Endometriosis yani rahim içini örten zar tabakasının olması gereken yer dışında (yumurtalıklar, karın içi, akciğer, deri, beyin vb.) herhangi bir yerde bulunmasıdır. Çok nadiren de olsa, bu tabakanın burun içinde yer aldığı kadınlarda, östrojen hormon değişikliklerinde sanki rahim içinden kanama gibi adet öncesi dönemde burundan kanama olabilmektedir.
  2. Bayanlarda adet dönemlerinde hormonlardaki değişikliğe bağlı olarak pıhtılaşma fonksiyonlarında (pıhtılaşmayı sağlatan trombosit sayısında azalma vb.) değişiklikler olabildiği bilinmektedir. Bu durum adet döneminde ciltte morarmalar, burun kanaması ve aşırı menstrüel kanama ile karşımıza çıkabilmektedir.
  3. Adet dönemlerinde artan östrojen seviyesi özellikle geniz bölgesindeki mukozada kızarma ve şişmeye yol açmakta, bu da burun kanamasına zemin oluşturmaktadır. Bu durumu ise yumurtlamanın hemen öncesinde östrojen en yüksek seviyedeyken görmekteyiz.

NE YAPILMALI?

Burun kanaması durumunda ilk yapılması gereken, her 2 burun kanadını baş ve işaret parmakla tutup 5 dakika boyunca eli hiç kaldırmadan sıkmaktır. Mümkünse küçük parmak büyüklüğünde ve kalınlığında bir pamuk parçasını dekonjestan (damar büzücü) burun spreyi ile ıslatıp kanayan tarafa burun ön kısmından yerleştirip ondan sonra burnu 5 dakika boyunca sıkmak daha etkili olacaktır. Kişi dik oturmalı, boynunu sıkan kravat, gömlek yakası, boyunlu kazak vb. çıkarılmalı, kişi ve yakınları sakin olmalı, durum kontrol altına alındıktan sonra mümkünse kişinin tansiyonu ölçülmeli ve yüksekse tansiyon düşürücü ilaç verilmeli, olay sıcakta kalmaya bağlıysa kişi serin ve gölge bir alana alınıp bol su içmesi sağlanmalıdır. 

Tüm bu önlemlere rağmen kanama devam ediyorsa, özellikle de genizden bol miktarda geliyorsa, zaman kaybetmeden bir hastanenin acil servisine başvurulmalıdır.

Burun kanamalarının tekrar etmesi durumunda bir Kulak Burun Boğaz uzmanına başvurulmalıdır. Doktorunuz burun içini ve geniz bölgesini endoskoplarla ayrıntılı muayene edip sorunun nerede olduğunu saptayacak ve gerekirse kanayan yerin koterizasyonu (düşük doz elektriksel akım ya da gümüş nitrat ile yakılması), kanayan damarın bağlanması vb. müdahalelerle tedavi edecektir. Burun içi ya da genizde kitle varlığında biopsi ile tanıya gidilip ileri cerrahi ve tedavi metodlarına geçilebilmektedir.

*Burada yayınlanan yazılar bizzat Op. Dr. Seçil Totan tarafından yazılmış ve/veya düzenlenmiş olup kendisinden yazılı izin alınmadan kullanılamaz.