Unit 1.3 Review MI

How do frequency and amplitude affect how humans interpret sound?

Frequency – Measures the speed of the sound wave in hertz Amplitude – Measure of the height of the sound wave (energy) in decibels Indicates how loud the sound will be Frequency – Measures the speed of the sound wave in hertz Indicates the pitch of the sound

What causes different types of hearing loss?

Outer Ear – Pinna - Collects sound waves Ear Canal Ear Drum (Tympanic Membrane) Transfers sound waves to vibrations in the middle ear Middle Ear – Ossicles – Bones vibrate and send pressure waves through the cochlea Malleus, Incus, Stapes (MIS) Conductive Hearing loss – Caused by a blockage or problem with one of the above structures. Can often be reversed with surgery or treated by antibiotics if due to infections. Inner Ear – Cochlea – Contains sensory hairs that pick up on vibrations and send signals up the auditory nerve to the brain Vestibule – Maintains balance Eustachian Tube – Maintains pressure in the ear Sensorineural Hearing loss – Caused by genetic or environmental damage to the inner ear. Often irreversible and need hearing aids, sign language, or cochlear implants to communicate

How is hearing loss diagnosed? Rinne Test – Uses a tuning fork to compare sound through vibrations to sound waves going through the outer ear. If the sound through vibrations is longer that means there maybe conductive hearing loss. Audiogram – Uses different frequencies to test the decibels patients can hear them in a sound proof room

Conductive hearing loss – bone conduction line with << will be higher than air conduction line Sensorineural hearing loss – This shows hearing loss at high frequencies, because we had to increase decibels for the patient to hear the sound.

What interventions are available for patients with hearing loss? What are the bioethical concerns related to the use of cochlear implant technology?

Interventions for conductive Interventions for sensorineural Surgery and antibiotics Interventions for sensorineural Hearing aids, sign language, cochlear implants Cochlear Implants Wire is put into Cochlea and uses electricity to stimulate nerve Will destroy any hearing patient may have in that ear, does not completely replicate hearing, and deafness is not seen a disability, but rather another culture and does not be cured (as viewed by some advocates against implants)