ABSTRACT
An overview if presented of the prevalence of ear disease and hearing loss in some developing countries. This is followed by a discussion of the causative factors in ear disease and related hearing impairment. General suggestions are made concerning steps that can be taken to reduce ear disease. A specific proposal is made for the training of audiological assistants.
Subject(s)
Otitis Media/epidemiology , Asia/epidemiology , Audiology/education , Developing Countries , Hearing Loss, Conductive/diagnosis , Hearing Loss, Conductive/epidemiology , Hearing Loss, Conductive/etiology , Hearing Loss, Noise-Induced/diagnosis , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/diagnosis , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/epidemiology , Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/etiology , Humans , Incidence , Otitis Media/complications , Otitis Media/prevention & control , WorkforceSubject(s)
Audiology/organization & administration , Correction of Hearing Impairment , Health Services Administration , International Cooperation , Speech Disorders/rehabilitation , Adolescent , Adult , Allied Health Personnel/education , Audiometry/education , Child , Child, Preschool , Hearing Disorders/diagnosis , Humans , Kuwait , MichiganABSTRACT
The histopathological changes in human temporal bones are described for 2 cases of kwashiorkor--a protein/calorie malnutrition (PCM) state. There is photographic evidence of severe damge to the middle and inner ears and to the vestibulocochlear nerve. The middle ear shows evidence of chronic otitis media, a common clinical finding in kwashiorkor. Significantly, the round window membranes in both cases showed thickening and infiltration with inflammatory cells. The inner ear showed the loss of cellular elements and hair cell loss in the spiral organ. A marked decrease of spiral ganglion cells and demyelination of the vestibulocochlear nerve were also seen.
Subject(s)
Kwashiorkor/pathology , Temporal Bone/pathology , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Cochlear Nerve/pathology , Ear Canal/pathology , Ear, Inner/pathology , Ear, Middle/pathology , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Protein-Energy Malnutrition/pathology , Socioeconomic Factors , Vestibular Nerve/pathologyABSTRACT
We report the pathologic changes in the temporal bones of four children who died of bronchoppenumonia secondary to acute measles infection. All suffered from severe necrotizing otitis media characterized by round cell infiltration. In one case, multilobulated giant cells (Warthin-Finkelday) were found in the middle ear. These cells appear to be similar to those found elsewhere within the body during acute measles infection. Inner ear changes were seen in two cases. Severe loss of nerve fibers and ganglion cells with atrophy of the striae vascularis was present in one case. Adhesions were seen between the Reissner membrane and the tectorial membrane in one case and the Reissner membrane and the inner spiral limbus in a second case. Such findings are characteristic of those seen in the cochlear duct of persons suffering from prenatal rubella.
