Diseases that can cause deafness

Hearing care is essential, but it can be put at risk by some diseases. Here are the details:

The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) calls on the general population to maintain ear care in daily life to prevent hearing loss and deafness , as Do not self-medicate, avoid using headphones at high volume and any blow that may involve the head .

Dr. Aralia Gutiérrez Márquez, a specialist in Audiology, Otoneurology and Phoniatrics, assigned to the General Hospital of the National Medical Center (CMN) La Raza, said that Deafness can be congenital or occur as a result of age, constant exposure to excessive noise, trauma, infections, self-medication or derived from other diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, neurological diseases or tumors. .

"We must be very alert to situations such as the presence of pain, a new or sudden ringing in the ear. If we have a respiratory problem and notice a change in hearing, a feeling of blockage, or difficulty hearing from one day to the next, and the symptom lasts more than 24 hours, it is important to seek specialized care," he emphasized.

The specialist reminded those with health insurance who detect any of these symptoms that they can go to their Family Medicine Unit (FMU) to be referred to a unit with an Audiology service, where they will undergo a complete audiological study, middle ear and nerve tests, among other procedures.

He indicated that Among the most common ear damages are earwax infections or blockages in the outer ear; inflammation and hardening of the bones of the middle ear; and more severe infections in the inner ear. .

“The management of hearing loss or deafness must be comprehensive and carried out by a multidisciplinary team. The Mexican Social Security Institute has all the specialties that allow us to approach the patient holistically. In children, for example, a team with a geneticist, pediatrician, and neurologist may be needed. For adults, this is done through specialties such as otorhinolaryngology, internal medicine, neurology, and neurosurgery,” he said.

Gutiérrez Márquez reported that each year around 20,000 beneficiaries are treated at the CMN La Raza General Hospital for symptoms of deafness , and they may also experience other problems related to hearing loss, such as cognitive impairments, isolation, frustration, depression, and anxiety.

"It has been proven that the impact of poor hearing or deafness on patients will have an impact on their mental health, speaking of adults, but when it comes to children, it is very important to detect it early and rehabilitate them because this will impact their language and learning," he indicated.

The specialist emphasized that this day seeks to raise awareness about the effects that deafness can have on quality of life, its prevention, and the importance of treatment, since failure to do so leads to a degree of disability. "We must be inclusive and raise awareness that these types of patients need rehabilitation."

With information from the IMSS

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