Ear Disorders
what is cerumen?
Ear wax
*which can result to temporary hearing impairment (blockage of the ear canal with cerumen)
The obvious signs of hearing impairment in adults
(Speaking too loudly) (Leaning forward to hear) (Turning and cupping the unaffected ear toward the speaker) (Responding inappropriately) (Asking for words to be repeated)
Conjunctivitis
an inflammation of the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and lines the inner surface of the eyelids
*The nonmedical term is pink eye.
What is a ocular prosthesis?
an artificial eye made of glass or plastic that matches the other eye in colour and shape.
When not worn, eyeglasses should be
Kept in their case to protect them from scratches, bending, and other damage.
Otitis media
infection (itis) of the middle (media) ear (ot)—is common in infants and children and may be acute or chronic.
What is cochlear implant?
It is a small electronic medical device that helps people with severe or profound hearing loss.
It has two parts: (1) an implant, which is placed into the inner ear during surgery, and (2) a sound processor, which is worn behind the ear like a hearing aid.
Define Cataract.
Define Glaucoma.
the clouding of the eye’s lens, which prevents light from entering the eye (Cataract)
an eye disease that causes pressure within the eye, damaging the optic nerve (Glaucoma)
Many people with vision impairment learn to read __________ (a writing system that uses raised dots in a certain pattern to represent each letter of the alphabet.)
Braille
A client with vision impairment you should never change the furniture placement without letting them know.
TRUE/FALSE
TRUE
Ménière’s disease
an increase of fluid in the inner ear that causes pressure in the middle ear, resulting in vertigo (dizziness), tinnitus(ringing in ear), and hearing impairment.
Regular care of hearing aids should include: (List 3)
(Store hearing aids in a safe place that is dry and cool.) (Look for visual signs of damage) (Check to make sure the battery is working by turning the hearing aid on, cupping it in your hand, and listening for a whistle.) (Check the hearing aid batteries so they do not suddenly run out of power.) (Keeping them clean from cerumen/ear wax)
Retinal detachment
happens when the light-sensitive lining(retina) at the back of the eye pulls away from its base. As you age, the gel filling your eye shrinks. This shrinkage can tug on the lining and cause a tear. If the lining completely detaches, it stops working and can cause permanent blindness.
Intra-Ocular Lens Implants
an artificial lens placed inside the eye to replace the natural crystalline lens.
*This procedure is most commonly performed during cataract surgery.
How to clean eyeglasses?
Glass lenses are washed with warm water and dried with soft tissue. Plastic lenses are easily scratched, so special cleaning solutions, tissues, and cloths are used to clean and dry them.
a condition (osis) in which there is an abnormal formation of new bone (sclero) in the middle ear that gradually immobilizes the stapes (stirrup bone) and prevents it from vibrating in response to sound, causing a progressive loss of hearing.
Otosclerosis
*It is a hereditary condition.
What is APDs?
Children who are labelled “poor listeners” may have normal hearing abilities but experience a disconnect between what is heard and what is understood—this is called an auditory processing disorder (APD).
Diabetic retinopathy
caused primarily by type 1 diabetes, in which the blood vessels in the retina are damaged. Blood can leak from them. New blood vessels grow over the retina, creating scar tissue that pulls the retina away from the back of the eye.
*Retinal detachment and vision impairment may result.
How to Provide Support With a Service Dog Present?
(Speak to the owner/handler rather than to the dog) (Do not touch the dog without asking permission first) (Do not offer food to a service dog) (Inform the handler if a service dog approaches you) (Never assume that a napping service dog is off duty. )
Guidelines for Caring for Clients With Vision Impairment
(Adjust the lighting) (Alert the client to your presence) (Assist with walking) (Assist with eating)
Presbycusis
the gradual hearing (cusis) loss associated with aging (presby).
*There is no cure, but hearing aids and speech reading (lip reading) are helpful to those persons affected.
Technology for Hearing Assistance
(Enhanced headphones.) (Special telephone systems and cell phone applications.) (Signalling devices.) (Emails) (Closed captioning.) (Service dogs)
Presbyopia
the gradual inability to focus (opia) on close objects. This condition is associated with aging (presby), with most people experiencing this normal decline in vision usually after age 40.
What is AMD/AMRD?
Age-related macular degeneration. It damages the macula—the tiny, highly sensitive core of the retina responsible for seeing sharp details, reading text, and recognizing faces.
Wet AMD (Blood vessels behind the retina start to grow under the macula. Loss of central vision occurs quickly)
Dry AMD (Light-sensitive cells in the macula slowly break down. Central vision in the affected eye gradually becomes blurry )
Guidelines to providing care to a client with hearing impairment are:
(1) Alert the client to your presence; (2) adjust the lighting; (3) reduce background noise; (4) focus your attention on your client; (5) speak in a normal tone; (6) check communication aids; (7) adjust your language; (8) use other communication methods; and (9) watch for signs of fatigue in the client.