Summary NURP 530: Advanced Health Assessment Across the Life Span | Health Assessment Exam 2 - summer 2025/2026.

HEARING LOSS (3)/ ABNORMAL FINDINGS OF THE EAR (2)

→ one or both, sudden or gradual, associated symptoms; medications (ex: aminoglycosides, chemo agent
aspirin, NSAIDS, and loop diuretics)

→ Frequently undetected

→ Recommended Strategies for preventing/delaying hearing loss = noise reduction and avoidance

→ Age is biggest risk factor


Diagnostic Testing:

Audiometry, whisper test, CT/MRI of head, Weber/Rinne test (uses tuning forks)

Exam: UNDER 12 MONTHS= pull auricle down and out
→ after 12 months pull the auricle upward, outward, and backward

Pneumatic Scope: if tympanic membrane fails to move, likely middle ear effusion

Hearing Screening:

AAP recommends all children under 4

At birth

Conductive Hearing Loss: often treatable
→ due to problems in the outer or middle ear that prevents sounds waves from reaching the inner ear
→ Examples:
●​ Earwax buildup
●​ Fluid in the middle ear (OTITIS MEDIA)
●​ Perforated ear drum



Sensorineural Hearing Loss: often permanent
→ due to damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve
→ Examples:
●​ Age related→ Presbycusis (degenerating hair cells = hearing loss)
●​ Noise exposure
●​ Medications
●​ Head injuries
●​ Infections
●​ Genetic conditions

, The Ears: Findings
→ Preauricular sinus/pit
●​ may be associated with hearing loss, renal development issues (repeat hearing screen)




→ Acute Otitis externa (swimmer’s hear)
●​ Tug test is painful




→ Perforation of Tympanic Membrane