Otorhinurgists have to work in a tight space: the volume of the drum cavity is only one cubic centimeter. Here are the organ of hearing, the organ of balance, the facial nerve. One wrong move can end dramatically, because damage to any of these components is fraught with loss of hearing, problems with the vestibular apparatus, violation of facial expressions. Particularly painful patients are experiencing the latter circumstance: with such a trauma a person can not feel full in society. In the Institute of Otolaryngology. AI Kolomiychenko, doctors do real miracles.
Surgical intervention may be necessary for diseases of the middle ear, chronic otitis, when there is damage to the tympanic membrane (perforation) - the formation of a hole in it. We correct the defects of the tympanic membrane and, if necessary, even recreate it again. We take a piece of the fascia of the temporal muscle and form a new membrane from it. Installed in place of the damaged, it then fully fulfills its functions.
What causes damage to the eardrum?
The most common cause of complete hearing loss, which is difficult to treat, is a chronic inflammation of the middle ear, and the most common one, which is provoked by the patients themselves, is the habit of cleaning the ear with a hygienic stick, which can lead to trauma, which causes inflammation. Over time, this injury leads to the formation of a hole.
And how to properly clean your ear?
Using cotton swabs to care for the external ear canal, but without deep penetration into the ear. Otherwise, you will push sulfur to the membrane, and only a specialist can get it from there.
Our ear has a unique ability to self-purification. During the movement of the facial muscles, the outer part of the ear canal moves, which is connected with the lower jaw. The auditory passage comes into motion, and the sulfur is pushed out. To extract what seems unnecessary to you should not be - such attempts can end badly. If a sulfur plug is formed, you need the help of a specialist. The ear is washed or pulled out with a special tool.
Some people with pain in the ear are treated independently. How can I do this without harming myself?
This should not be done . For example, you can not drop anything in your ear at random. Otitis is treated according to the scheme prescribed by the otolaryngologist. Some drops contain antibiotics of a toxic range, uncontrolled use of which can lead to partial or complete hearing loss. This happens when there is a perforation (a hole in the membrane). These funds are prescribed with external otitis only if the membrane is whole. If otitis media takes place, it's dangerous! You can not boron boric alcohol or camphor oil without the doctor's prescription - these medications also have a number of contraindications. With extreme caution, one should approach people's methods of treatment. For example, every year we correct the consequences of treatment with candles: they are lit near the ear, the wax flows into the ear canal and tightly clogs the eardrum. It can only be done surgically.
Sometimes a person complains of hearing loss, although he never suffered from otitis.
This happens, for example, with otosclerosis. Stroke - the smallest bone - loses mobility due to destruction of the ossicle of the inner ear. If only the auditory ossicle is damaged, the hearing can be restored. But when the auditory nerve also suffered, an auditory apparatus is needed.
How is the operation going and how long is it going on?
With complete loss of hearing, treatment is necessary, including surgical. Surgical intervention is carried out using a microscope, through the ear funnel (a thin bone tube 4 cm in depth and less than 1 cm in width). An experienced surgeon performs this operation for 15-20 minutes. Already on the operating table, the patient begins to hear.
Residents of large cities experience increased strain on hearing. Than it is fraught?
Background noise tires, but it is not as destructive as high, loud sounds. Music in discotheques, movies with maximum volume, in-ear headphones are very aggressive with respect to the auditory nerve. Give preference to large headphones that have an air cushion. After an intense load of noise, nerves take time to recover. If you endlessly attack the auditory nerve with excessive loudness, he, in the end, will not stand: so you can lose your hearing. It is important to understand this in time and take appropriate measures.
Previously, a child born without hearing was doomed to lifelong deafness. Today you give these children the happiness to hear. How long have you been conducting similar operations in your institute? The first cochlear implantation in the Soviet Union was made in 1991. Conducted by her professor Sushko, and I, as a beginning surgeon, assisted. Since then, about 250 implants have been made in Ukraine. In the world, there are 12-20 such operations per million inhabitants. Worthy of imitation is the experience of Croatia, where deaf children are helped throughout the country. As soon as a child with such a vice is born, the mobile operator calls on all users to drop only $ 1 each. In the end, this problem was solved in the country. I believe that in Ukraine this is also possible. People deprived of hearing are almost helpless in our society, although they are very much in need of understanding and support. Much to our regret, many of them remain alone with their misfortune, independently solving their problems.
What causes the acquired deafness?
Craniocerebral injury, which caused damage to the auditory nerve, infectious diseases. In people with acquired deafness, the chances of regaining hearing are very high. The recovery period for them passes quite quickly: after a few months they can even communicate by phone. In our clinic, other problems associated with ear microsurgery are being addressed, which affect the areas of otolaryngology and neurosurgery. For example, dizziness, ear noise. We also make the facial nerve plastic, restoring it after damage to the tumor.
Why does noise in the ear?
Due to irritation or overexcitation of the auditory nerve or auditory canal - for any damage in the cochlea. Depending on the reasons that caused the noise, the treatment is carried out either in the neurological department, or with us. The hearing is ruptured in tumors on the auditory or vestibular nerves. In this case, the patient, in addition to hearing quality, loses balance, his gait changes, his facial expressions suffer. In these cases, the operation is shown. Removal of the tumor we conduct through the temporal bone from the side of the ear (in contrast to neurosurgeons, which make trepanation of the skull, opening the posterior cranial fossa). Our access is less traumatic. Since last year, with the opening in Ukraine of the first cyber clinic in Europe, it has become possible to apply an alternative method of treating tumors - a cyberknife that destroys a tumor with gamma rays without injuring the brain and healthy tissue. This is by far the most modern technology. In St. Petersburg and Moscow, with such evidence, a gamma knife is used.
Is it possible to protect the hearing?
Noticing a decrease in hearing, immediately go to the doctor. He will find out the reasons and prescribe adequate treatment. On hearing can be reflected hypertension, diabetes, liver disease, stress, hemorrhage, organic brain pathology, tumors. Hearing loss in old age is not a disease, but a manifestation of age-related changes in the body. Therefore, for each age there is an audiometric curve. People over 60 with hearing loss should not hesitate to use hearing aids.
What tips are relevant in the upcoming swimming season?
In summer, otitis externa, fungal diseases often occur. After leaving the water, do not rush into a thick shadow, so as not to overcool your ears. After the pool, use a warm hair dryer - a draft and a moist environment provoke inflammation.
The auditory canal can be protected with a cotton ball, smeared with petroleum jelly or fat cream, or special earplugs. But do not get carried away! For example, I once had to save a woman who, during bathing, glued her ears with chewing gum. As a result, it was necessary to extract such a kind of "protection" surgically. It's good that we managed to not damage the eardrum at the same time.