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Leydis Garcia

12 hours ago, at 8:56 AM

NEW

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Conductive Hearing Loss

When the eardrum, tympanic membrane, ear canal, or middle ear are not functioning properly, a person may have conductive hearing loss. Damage or blockages that stop sound from reaching the inner ear are common causes of this kind of hearing loss. Earwax accumulation, middle ear fluid from infections, ruptured eardrums, otosclerosis (disordered bone formation in the middle ear), and tumors are common reasons. People who suffer from conductive hearing loss often notice a decrease in sound level or the capacity to pick up on very faint noises (Horowitz et al., 2020). This is because the problem is with the mechanical channel via which sound travels. Their perception of sound may be diminished or obstructed, as if something were to block it. The good news is that most cases of this kind of hearing loss may be remedied with the use of hearing aids, medical procedures, or both.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Conversely, injury to the cochlea or the auditory nerve pathways leading to the brain is what causes sensorineural hearing loss. Exposure to loud sounds, aging (presbycusis), infections, genetic predispositions, ototoxic drugs (those that harm the inner ear), and other causes may all lead to this kind of hearing loss, which is generally permanent. Sensorineural hearing loss, in contrast to conductive hearing loss, impacts not only the loudness but also the clarity and perception of sounds. People could hear distorted sounds or have trouble differentiating between speech and ambient noise (Tan & Song, 2023). In more severe situations, cochlear implants directly stimulate the auditory nerve; in milder cases, hearing aids enhance sounds; and in extreme cases, no treatment alternatives are available. It is critical to recognize and treat sensorineural hearing loss early on to preserve communication skills, since it is often irreversible, unlike conductive hearing loss.

Questions to Ask

When assessing patients for risk factors for hearing loss, it is important to ask a range of questions that cover various potential causes and contributing factors. Here are some key questions I would ask as advised by Zazove et al. (2020):

1. Medical History and General Health

· "Have you had any recent ear infections, injuries, or surgeries related to your ears?"

· "Do you have a history of chronic diseases, such as diabetes or hypertension, that could affect your hearing?"

· "Have you experienced any head trauma or skull fractures?"

1. Medication and Substance Use

· "Are you currently taking any medications, including over-the-counter drugs or supplements?"

· "Have you ever been prescribed medications known to be ototoxic (harmful to the ear), such as certain antibiotics or chemotherapy agents?"

· "Do you smoke or have a history of smoking, and how much alcohol do you consume?"

1. Exposure to Noise

· "Have you been exposed to loud noises at work, during recreational activities, or through the use of headphones or earbuds?"

· "Do you frequently attend concerts, use power tools, or participate in other activities with high noise levels?"

1. Family History

· "Is there a family history of hearing loss or ear-related conditions?"

· "Do any of your relatives have conditions that could contribute to hearing loss, such as genetic disorders?"

1. Symptoms and Daily Experiences

· "Have you noticed any changes in your hearing, such as difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments?"

· "Do you experience ringing, buzzing, or other unusual sounds in your ears (tinnitus)?"

· "Do you ever feel a sense of fullness or pressure in your ears?"

1. Occupational and Lifestyle Factors

· "What is your occupation, and are you exposed to loud noises in your work environment?"

· "Do you use hearing protection when exposed to loud noises, either at work or during leisure activities?"

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References

Horowitz, G., Ungar, O. J., Levit, Y., Himmelfarb, M., & Handzel, O. (2020). The impact of conductive hearing loss on balance. Clinical otolaryngology, 45(1), 106-110.

Tan, W. J., & Song, L. (2023). Role of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in sensorineural hearing loss. Hearing Research, 434, 108783.

Zazove, P., Plegue, M. A., McKee, M. M., DeJonckheere, M., Kileny, P. R., Schleicher, L. S., ... & Mulhem, E. (2020). Effective hearing loss screening in primary care: the early auditory referral-primary care study. The Annals of Family Medicine, 18(6), 520-527.

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Marian Vinas

Florida National University

Population Health, Epidemiology, & Statistical Problems DBX-DL01

Nora Hernandez Pupo

August 7, 2024

Eliminating Health Disparities Among Birthing Women

Healthy People 2030 prioritize infant and maternal health by preventing pregnancy problems, maternal death, and improving women's health before, during, and after pregnancy. This initiative is vital since US women have greater childbirth death rates than other wealthy nations. Two such goals and their proposed Healthy People 2030 initiatives for this region can significantly reduce birthing women's health inequities.

The first goal is to ensure that women obtain recommended healthcare services before pregnancy. Preconception care is critical to maternal health, as it helps identify and manage maternal health conditions that can adversely affect pregnancy outcomes (Khekade et al., 2023). One approach for achieving this goal would be to offer overall preconception counselling and care advice. The service will comprise routine health screenings, management of chronic conditions, and education on healthy lifestyle choices. Ensure that women get the required health services before conception and that potential complications are known and managed in a timely manner. For instance, with chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension, specific management plans should be inert for health optimization in preparation for pregnancy. In addition, raising awareness among women of the need for supplementation with folic acid, maintaining healthy weight, and avoiding hazardous behaviors such as smoking and drinking alcohol will likely present healthier pregnancies and better maternal and infantile outcomes.

The second objective is to increase access to and utilization of prenatal health care during pregnancy. Attending prenatal care is important in monitoring the health status of both the mother and the developing fetus and in pointing out any complications ahead of time for timely interventions. One effective strategy for increasing prenatal care utilization is to establish community-based programs that offer comprehensive prenatal services (Healthy People 2030, 2022). These programs could provide medical care, social support, nutrition counseling, and health education. Community health workers or doulas, for example, could make a vast difference in bridging the gap between healthcare providers and pregnant women, particularly in communities with low-income or racial and ethnic minority populations. Such programs instill trust and culturally sensitive care in more women who seek prenatal care guidelines. Moreover, prenatal care services could be integrated into social services to fight access barriers resulting from transportation, childcare, and other financial issues.

References

Healthy People 2030. (2022). Pregnancy and childbirth - Healthy People 2030. Health.gov. https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/pregnancy-and-childbirth

Khekade, H., Potdukhe, A., Taksande, A. B., Wanjari, M. B., & Yelne, S. (2023). Preconception care: a strategic intervention for the prevention of neonatal and birth disorders. Cureus, 15(6). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.41141

Addressing and Eliminating The Health Disparities Among Birthing Women

Maikel R Naranjo

Florida National University

Nora Hernandez-Pupo

Population Health, Epidemiology, & Statistical Problems

08/07/24

Healthy People 2030

In the United States, approximately 4 million children are born yearly. The main focus of Healthy People 2030 is to keep infants healthy and safe within one year of birth. This starts by ensuring that pregnant women's health is improved and that they get the best care during their pregnancy. Similarly, after birth, the health of infants is focused on promoting vaccination, escalating breastfeeding rates, and screening developments. This paper will discuss the goals and approaches that Healthy People 2030 provides to eliminate and address health disparity among birthing women.

The first goal is to reduce maternal mortality and complications during pregnancy. The approach they applied is improving quality prenatal care access. The approaches necessitate the fast accessibility of regular check-ups, education on healthy practices, and screening for possible health challenges during pregnancy (Yanti, 2024). It has been achieved through the investment of mobile clinics and health centers to facilitate more accessibility of prenatal care, especially in underserved areas. In addition, Health People 2030 advocates some policies that increase healthcare coverage so that underinsured and uninsured women receive health care during their pregnancy (Evans et al., 2023). More importantly, cultural competency education should be provided primarily to healthcare providers to ensure they offer prenatal care that respects the different backgrounds of birthing women.

The second goal is to improve reducing infant mortality and birth outcomes. The approach applied is addressing social determinants of health. These are environmental conditions where an infant is born, ages, lives, and plays that impact general health and the quality of life. These factors include housing, food security, chronic stress, poverty, and interpersonal violence that can limit the timely quality of healthcare access. They additionally play a role in escalating maternal health outcomes. To mitigate and address this, Healthy People 2030 has taken different measures, which include creating community-based programs (Brewer, 2021). These programs provide education and resources to pregnant women through visiting them in their homes to provide guidance and support. In addition, they advocate for supportive policies such as affordable housing, paid prenatal leave, and food security programs. These approaches and goals aim to achieve equitable healthcare access by addressing the social and medical factors that promote birthing women's health disparity.

References

Evans, N., Rohrer, J., D’Alessandro, M., Chhean, E., & Wilkniss, S. (2023). Healthy People, Healthy States: Promising Practices to Address Health Disparities.

Gómez, C. A., Kleinman, D. V., Pronk, N., Gordon, G. L. W., Ochiai, E., Blakey, C., ... & Brewer, K. H. (2021). Addressing health equity and social determinants of health through Healthy People 2030. Journal of public health management and practice, 27(Supplement 6), S249-S257.

Yanti, A. (2024). The Relationship Of The Quality Of Antenatal Care (Anc) Services With The Level Of Pregnant Women's Satisfaction. International Journal of Public Health, 1(2), 70–79.

Leydis Garcia

12 hours ago, at 8:56 AM

NEW

Top of Form

Conductive Hearing Loss

When the eardrum, tympanic membrane, ear canal, or middle ear are not functioning properly, a person may have conductive hearing loss. Damage or blockages that stop sound from reaching the inner ear are common causes of this kind of hearing loss. Earwax accumulation, middle ear fluid from infections, ruptured eardrums, otosclerosis (disordered bone formation in the middle ear), and tumors are common reasons. People who suffer from conductive hearing loss often notice a decrease in sound level or the capacity to pick up on very faint noises (Horowitz et al., 2020). This is because the problem is with the mechanical channel via which sound travels. Their perception of sound may be diminished or obstructed, as if something were to block it. The good news is that most cases of this kind of hearing loss may be remedied with the use of hearing aids, medical procedures, or both.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Conversely, injury to the cochlea or the auditory nerve pathways leading to the brain is what causes sensorineural hearing loss. Exposure to loud sounds, aging (presbycusis), infections, genetic predispositions, ototoxic drugs (those that harm the inner ear), and other causes may all lead to this kind of hearing loss, which is generally permanent. Sensorineural hearing loss, in contrast to conductive hearing loss, impacts not only the loudness but also the clarity and perception of sounds. People could hear distorted sounds or have trouble differentiating between speech and ambient noise (Tan & Song, 2023). In more severe situations, cochlear implants directly stimulate the auditory nerve; in milder cases, hearing aids enhance sounds; and in extreme cases, no treatment alternatives are available. It is critical to recognize and treat sensorineural hearing loss early on to preserve communication skills, since it is often irreversible, unlike conductive hearing loss.

Questions to Ask

When assessing patients for risk factors for hearing loss, it is important to ask a range of questions that cover various potential causes and contributing factors. Here are some key questions I would ask as advised by Zazove et al. (2020):

1. Medical History and General Health

· "Have you had any recent ear infections, injuries, or surgeries related to your ears?"

· "Do you have a history of chronic diseases, such as diabetes or hypertension, that could affect your hearing?"

· "Have you experienced any head trauma or skull fractures?"

1. Medication and Substance Use

· "Are you currently taking any medications, including over-the-counter drugs or supplements?"

· "Have you ever been prescribed medications known to be ototoxic (harmful to the ear), such as certain antibiotics or chemotherapy agents?"

· "Do you smoke or have a history of smoking, and how much alcohol do you consume?"

1. Exposure to Noise

· "Have you been exposed to loud noises at work, during recreational activities, or through the use of headphones or earbuds?"

· "Do you frequently attend concerts, use power tools, or participate in other activities with high noise levels?"

1. Family History

· "Is there a family history of hearing loss or ear-related conditions?"

· "Do any of your relatives have conditions that could contribute to hearing loss, such as genetic disorders?"

1. Symptoms and Daily Experiences

· "Have you noticed any changes in your hearing, such as difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy environments?"

· "Do you experience ringing, buzzing, or other unusual sounds in your ears (tinnitus)?"

· "Do you ever feel a sense of fullness or pressure in your ears?"

1. Occupational and Lifestyle Factors

· "What is your occupation, and are you exposed to loud noises in your work environment?"

· "Do you use hearing protection when exposed to loud noises, either at work or during leisure activities?"

Top of Form

References

Horowitz, G., Ungar, O. J., Levit, Y., Himmelfarb, M., & Handzel, O. (2020). The impact of conductive hearing loss on balance. Clinical otolaryngology, 45(1), 106-110.

Tan, W. J., & Song, L. (2023). Role of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in sensorineural hearing loss. Hearing Research, 434, 108783.

Zazove, P., Plegue, M. A., McKee, M. M., DeJonckheere, M., Kileny, P. R., Schleicher, L. S., ... & Mulhem, E. (2020). Effective hearing loss screening in primary care: the early auditory referral-primary care study. The Annals of Family Medicine, 18(6), 520-527.

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