Alert Cards to improve awareness of an otological emergency

[摘要] Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL)is a distressing condition that may lead topermanent disability with severe/profounddeafness and tinnitus. While the aetiologyvaries, and is often idiopathic, urgent audiological assessment and managementimproves likelihood of hearing recovery.1Bilateral vestibular schwannomas (VS) are ahallmark feature of neurofibromatosis type2 (NF2) occurring in over 95% of patients.2Up to 12% of patients with VS may presentwith SSNHL.3 Sudden hearing loss should beurgently assessed to determine if conductiveor sensorineural using physical examination,otoscopy, tuning fork tests or audiometry. Iffound to be sensorineural, urgent treatmentwith high-dose oral and/or intratympanicsteroids are indicated.

[学科分类] 药学

[关键词] harm reduction;health literacy;patient education;risk management;health promotion