| Kankakee Area Speech, Language and Hearing Association |
May 2004 |
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| If you enjoy learning new ideas, strategies and therapy techniques, then you have come to the right place. |
| Ear Health and related Medical Conditions |
| May is the month long drive to make the public aware of the importance of good ear health and the need for a hearing screening. Started back in 1927, it continues to grow. Organizations join together to get the word out during Better Speech and Hearing month. Join the fight against hearing loss and the opportunities for assistance. For more information, contact the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ISHA), or email your local charter, the Kankakee Speech-Language-Hearing Association (KASHA). |
| Education Homeroom |
Many medical conditions can affect our hearing. Left undiagnosed or untreated, some of these could possibly lead to irreversible hearing loss or damage. Tinnitus: Meaning, "Ringing in the ears," this medical condition includes noises such as clicking, buzzing, ringing or even humming sounds. It can range from mild to severe. It typically comes from damage to the nerve endings of inner ear. Medical treatments and assistive hearing devices can be helpful. Otitis Media: Usually seen in children, this condition affects the middle of the ear. It is inflammation or infection that is due primarily due to the shape of the Eustachian tube. It can lead to infection of the mastoid bone behind the ear, a ruptured ear drum and possibly hearing loss, if left untreated. Swimmer's Ear: When water is trapped in the outer ear canal, bacteria can multiply causing irritation and infection of the ear canal. The ear canal may swell shut leading to temporary hearing loss. Medical intervention can help to open the canal and eradicate the bateria. Ear Wax: (Cerumen): While ear wax is needed to trap dust and dirt particles, when it accumulates, it can cause build up into the inner ear, which results in a temporary hearing loss. It can be a chronic condition and should be treated by a physician. Autoimmune Inner Ear Disease (AIED): An inflammatory condition of the inner ear, AIED occurs when the body's immune system attacks cells in the inner ear that are mistaken for bacteria or a virus. Immediate medical diagnosis and attention is needed in order to decrease the chance of complete hearing loss. Symptoms include: sudden hearing loss in one ear that moves quickly to the other ear, continued severity of loss occurs over a few weeks, a feeling of fullness in the ear, vertigo, and tinnitus. Cholesteatoma: A skin growth that occurs in the middle ear behind the eardrum. This usually results from poor eustachian tube function related to middle ear infection. If left untreated, it can lead to bone erosion and spread to the inner ear and possibly the brain. It can cause deafness, brain abscess, meningitis and even death. Perforated Eardrum: A hole or rupture in the eardrum, which can cause pain, discharge and decreased hearing acuity. It can heal spontaneously but may require surgery. |
| Better Speech and Hearing Month |
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