Hearing Impairment: Audiological Management

Hearing impairment, also called hearing loss, is the condition characterized by the partial or total inability to hear. It can be temporary or permanent. It affects social interaction, and also limits spoken language development. It can be caused due to aging, genetics, infections, exposure to noise, birth complications, medications, trauma to the ear or exposure to toxins. Hearing loss can be categorized on the basis of severity into mild, moderate, moderate-severe, severe, or profound. A review of case history, examination using tympanometry or otoscopy, and hearing tests are required to make a diagnosis and assessment of hearing impairment. MRI and CT scans can lend insights into the underlying pathology of the hearing loss. Based on an understanding of the extent of impairment and configuration of the hearing impairment, a management strategy can be designed comprising of medicinal and surgical approaches, as well as assistive technology. Although there exists no treatment for the progressive loss of hearing that develops with age, it can be managed with hearing aids or cochlear implants. This book explores all the important aspects of hearing impairment in modern day medicine. It strives to provide a fair idea about hearing impairment and to help develop a better understanding of the latest advances in its audiological management. This book will prove to be immensely beneficial to otolaryngologists, audiologists, audiometrists, general physicians, audiometric technicians and students of audiology.