Read the case study and complete the whole lesson. Afterward, answer the questions related to the clinical case. This practical exercise will help you apply your newly acquired knowledge to real-world scenarios and improve your critical thinking skills.
Case study:
Jane, a 55-year-old woman, scheduled an appointment with an otolaryngologist due to recurrent issues with her hearing. Over the past six months, she noticed a gradual decline in her ability to hear clearly, especially in noisy environments. She began experiencing difficulty following conversations, particularly when multiple people were speaking simultaneously. Additionally, Jane reported occasional dizziness and a persistent ringing sensation in her left ear, which exacerbated her hearing difficulties. During the consultation, Jane detailed her medical history, revealing no prior issues with hearing loss or ear-related conditions. However, she mentioned a history of occasional sinusitis and allergies. Her otolaryngologist conducted a comprehensive examination, including an otoscopy and audiometry. The otoscopy revealed no visible abnormalities in the external ear canal or eardrum. However, the audiometry test, which assessed Jane’s hearing ability, indicated sensorineural hearing loss, particularly in higher frequencies, in both ears. Additionally, a vestibular function test confirmed mild bilateral vestibular dysfunction, explaining the dizziness episodes Jane experienced. Further investigations, including an MRI of the brain and auditory pathways, were conducted to rule out any structural abnormalities or lesions contributing to her symptoms. The results were unremarkable, suggesting no tumors or lesions affecting her auditory nerves. Based on the findings, Jane was diagnosed with presbycusis, a type of sensorineural hearing loss commonly associated with aging, compounded by mild bilateral vestibular dysfunction. The otolaryngologist explained that presbycusis often results from the natural aging process, leading to irreversible damage to the inner ear’s sensory cells and nerves, causing hearing loss. Moreover, the accompanying vestibular dysfunction contributed to her occasional dizziness. The treatment plan included hearing aids to improve Jane’s hearing ability, especially in noisy environments. The otolaryngologist also recommended vestibular rehabilitation exercises to manage her balance issues and provided guidance on lifestyle adjustments to cope with her condition effectively.
Upon completing the lesson return to the case study and answer the following questions related to the provided scenario.
Prefix | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
a- | Without, absence of | Agraphia (inability to write) |
ab- | From, away from | Abnormal (deviating from normal) |
ana- | Up, again, backward | Anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reaction) |
hyper- | Above, excessive | Hyperesthesia (heightened sensitivity) |
hypo- | Below, insufficient | Hypoesthesia (reduced sensitivity) |
peri- | Around, surrounding | Periorbital (around the orbit/eye) |
syn- | Together, joined | Synesthesia (merging of senses) |
Combining Form | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
Acous/o- | Hearing | Acoustic (related to hearing) |
Optic/o- | Vision, sight | Optic nerve (nerve for vision) |
Olfact/o- | Smell | Olfactory receptor (sense of smell receptor) |
Gustat/o- | Taste | Gustatory system (the sense of taste system) |
Tact/o- | Touch, feeling | Tactile sensation (sense of touch) |
Phot/o- | Light, vision | Photoreceptor (receptor for light) |
Synesth/o- | Union, sensation together | Synesthesia (blending of different sensations) |
Suffix | Meaning | Example |
---|---|---|
-acusis | Hearing loss | Presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) |
-opia | Vision condition | Presbyopia (age-related farsightedness) |
-esthesia | Sensation, perception | Anesthesia (loss of sensation) |
-geusia | Taste | Ageusia (loss of taste) |
-algesia | Sensitivity to pain | Hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain) |
-opia | Vision condition | Myopia (nearsightedness) |
-cusis | Hearing condition | Hyperacusis (increased sensitivity to sound) |