presbycusis

Presbycusis

Presbycusis is a condition affecting the hearing of many adults. There are a variety of

causes, including damage to struc

tures of the middle and inner ear. The result is loss of

hearing

—

not complete deafness, but difficulty in detecting certain sounds within the

normal range of hearing. The consequences may be significant: It may be difficult to

engage in conversation with o

thers, listen to music, or enjoy watching television or

movies. Current treatment, usually in the form of a hearing aid, does not usually restore

hearing completely, leaving the patient with a permanent (and sometimes worsening)

disability.

To prepare for

this assignment:

·

Review the information about hearing in Chapter 9, paying special attention to

the structures in the middle and inner ear as well as how sound is transmitted

and processed.

·

Review the NIDCD Web site for more specific information about the

causes and

consequences of presbycusis.

·

Think about the implications of having presbycusis.

The assignment: (1

–

2 pages)

·

First, explain how normal hearing occurs. Include in your discussion the following

points:

o

How is sound transmitted from the environmen

t outside the body to the

inner ear? What structures are involved, and how do they transmit sound?

o

What happens in the inner ear (cochlea) when sound waves are converted

to neural signals? How is sound frequency (pitch) processed?

·

Next,

summarize the causes of presbycusis and explain how they will interfere

with the normal processing of sound as outlined above.

o

Discuss one source of presbycusis involving a problem with the

outer/middle ear.

o

Discuss one source of presbycusis involving a problem with the inner ear.

·

Finally, describe what it might be like to have presbycusis. Include the following

points:

o

If you have normal hearing now, how would your ability to converse with

others be affected

?

o

What activities that you now enjoy would be limited by this condition?

o

How would such a condition affect your work life?

Presbycusis

Presbycusis is a condition affecting the hearing of many adults. There are a variety of

causes, including damage to structures of the middle and inner ear. The result is loss of

hearing—not complete deafness, but difficulty in detecting certain sounds within the

normal range of hearing. The consequences may be significant: It may be difficult to

engage in conversation with others, listen to music, or enjoy watching television or

movies. Current treatment, usually in the form of a hearing aid, does not usually restore

hearing completely, leaving the patient with a permanent (and sometimes worsening)

disability.

To prepare for this assignment:

 Review the information about hearing in Chapter 9, paying special attention to

the structures in the middle and inner ear as well as how sound is transmitted

and processed.

 Review the NIDCD Web site for more specific information about the causes and

consequences of presbycusis.

 Think about the implications of having presbycusis.

The assignment: (1–2 pages)

 First, explain how normal hearing occurs. Include in your discussion the following

points:

o How is sound transmitted from the environment outside the body to the

inner ear? What structures are involved, and how do they transmit sound?

o What happens in the inner ear (cochlea) when sound waves are converted

to neural signals? How is sound frequency (pitch) processed?

 Next, summarize the causes of presbycusis and explain how they will interfere

with the normal processing of sound as outlined above.

o Discuss one source of presbycusis involving a problem with the

outer/middle ear.

o Discuss one source of presbycusis involving a problem with the inner ear.

 Finally, describe what it might be like to have presbycusis. Include the following

points:

o If you have normal hearing now, how would your ability to converse with

others be affected?

o What activities that you now enjoy would be limited by this condition?

o How would such a condition affect your work life?