Causes of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can be caused by various factors, which can be divided into two main groups: congenital and acquired.
Congenital Causes:
- Genetic factors
- Infections during pregnancy (e.g., rubella)
- Complications during childbirth
Acquired Causes:
- Age-related changes (presbycusis)
- Prolonged exposure to loud noises
- Infectious diseases (otitis)
- Head or ear injuries
- Exposure to ototoxic medications
Symptoms of Hearing Loss
The main symptoms of hearing loss include:
- Difficulty understanding conversations, especially in noisy environments
- Frequent need for repetition of spoken words
- Perception of muffled sound
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Reduced perception of high-pitched sounds
Activities of Mobile Medical Teams
Doctors of the mobile medical teams (MMTs) who visit remote settlements in Narodytska, Olevska, and Slovechanska communities in Zhytomyr Region often encounter issues of partial hearing loss among local residents. The teams are equipped with all necessary tools for diagnosing and treating hearing disorders. Additionally, doctors undergo regular training to improve their skills.
Training of Doctors on Using Audiometer
On June 14, doctors of the mobile medical teams underwent training on using a diagnostic device – the audiometer.
What is Audiometry?
Audiometry is a method of assessing hearing acuity, determining the lowest sound intensity that a patient can perceive. The method is based on recording the body’s response to sound stimulation. Audiometry is used not only to detect hearing deviations from the norm but also to diagnose the causes of hearing impairment.
Training Topics
During the training, MMT doctors learned to use the audiometer, covering the following topics:
- Proper handling and use of the diagnostic audiometer
- Testing hearing thresholds through air and bone conduction
Importance of Timely Diagnosis
According to statistics, every tenth person on Earth has hearing problems. When hearing is lost (hearing impairment), a person loses full social life due to decreased speech intelligibility, leading to a loss of communication with others. This problem can be successfully addressed by promptly consulting specialists who will determine the causes, degree, and type of hearing impairment.
Recommendations
It is important to pay attention to your well-being and respond to any changes. Timely diagnosis helps maintain health and avoid complications.
Mobile medical teams provide crucial support to residents of remote villages, offering necessary medical services and conducting hearing diagnostics. The training and continuous improvement of MMT doctors’ skills ensure high-quality service and help effectively address hearing issues.
🔹 MMTs carry out visits within the In Touch Ukraine Foundation project “Restoring Access to Medical Services in the Communities of Zhytomyr Region,” implemented with the support of the USAID project, in collaboration with PACT’s “Innovations to Overcome the HIV Epidemic.” The goal is to help community residents receive medical and socio-psychological services.