Page 1947 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

resources.
5. Client education (Box 56-6)
I. Presbycusis
1. Description
a. A sensorineural hearing loss associated
with aging
b. Presbycusis leads to degeneration or
atrophy of the ganglion cells in the
cochlea and a loss of elasticity of the
basilar membranes.
c. Presbycusis leads to compromise of the
vascular supply to the inner ear, with
changes in several areas of the ear
structure.

2. Assessment

a. Hearing loss is gradual and bilateral.
b. Client states that he or she has no
problem with hearing but cannot
understand what the words are.
c. Client thinks that the speaker is
mumbling.

Instruct the client that cotton-tipped

applicators should not be inserted into the ear canal,
because their use can lead to trauma to the canal
and can puncture the tympanic membrane.
J. Otitis externa: See Chapter 34.
K. Otitis media: See Chapter 34.
1. Myringotomy: See Chapter 34.
2. Client education (Box 56-7)
L. Chronic otitis media
1. Description
a. A chronic infective, inflammatory, or
allergic response involving the
structure of the middle ear
b. Frequent removal of debris from the ear
canal may be required.
c. Myringoplasty can reconstruct the
tympanic membrane and ossicles and
improve conductive hearing loss.
d. Mastoidectomy may be performed if
the infection has spread to involve the
mastoid bone.

1947