Elaborate the difference between Conductive and Sensorineural hearing loss
On your patients’ assessment, which questions you ask your patients to identify risk factors for hearing
loss?

 

 

 

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.

God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

Differences Between Conductive and Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can be classified into two primary types: conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss. Each type has distinct causes, characteristics, and implications for treatment.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Definition: Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound is not effectively conducted through the outer ear canal to the eardrum and the tiny bones of the middle ear. This type of hearing loss typically results in a reduction in sound level or the ability to hear faint sounds.

Causes:

1. Blockages: Earwax (cerumen) buildup, foreign objects in the ear canal, or fluid accumulation due to infections can obstruct sound transmission.
2. Eardrum Issues: Perforated eardrum or tympanic membrane damage can hinder sound conduction.
3. Middle Ear Problems: Conditions such as otitis media (middle ear infection), otosclerosis (abnormal bone growth in the middle ear), and cholesteatoma (abnormal skin growth in the middle ear) can affect the ossicles and reduce sound transmission.

Characteristics:

– Typically, conductive hearing loss is reversible with medical intervention or surgery.
– Patients may report the ability to hear better in noisy environments because background noise may help mask other issues.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Definition: Sensorineural hearing loss arises from damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve pathways that transmit signals to the brain. This type of hearing loss is often permanent.

Causes:

1. Aging: Presbycusis is a common form of sensorineural hearing loss associated with aging.
2. Noise Exposure: Prolonged exposure to loud noises can cause irreversible damage to hair cells in the cochlea.
3. Genetic Factors: Hereditary conditions can predispose individuals to sensorineural hearing loss.
4. Infections: Viral infections (such as measles or mumps) and bacterial infections can affect hearing ability.
5. Ototoxic Medications: Certain medications, such as some antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs, may have harmful effects on hearing.

Characteristics:

– Patient reports often include difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy settings, and frequently asking others to repeat themselves.
– Sound may be perceived as distorted or unclear, even when louder volumes are used.

Assessment Questions to Identify Risk Factors for Hearing Loss

When assessing patients for potential risk factors associated with hearing loss, a comprehensive approach is essential. Here are key questions to consider:

1. Medical History:

– Do you have a history of ear infections? If yes, how frequent?
– Have you ever had surgery on your ears or any ear-related procedures?
– Are you currently taking any medications? If so, can you list them?
– Have you experienced any recent illnesses, particularly viral infections?

2. Exposure History:

– Have you been exposed to loud noises regularly, such as machinery, concerts, or firearms?
– Do you use hearing protection when exposed to loud sounds?

3. Family History:

– Is there a family history of hearing loss? If so, what was the cause?

4. Lifestyle Factors:

– Do you smoke or have you been exposed to secondhand smoke?
– How often do you use headphones or earbuds? At what volume do you typically listen?

5. Symptom Inquiry:

– Have you noticed any changes in your hearing over time? If so, can you describe them?
– Do you find it difficult to hear conversations in noisy environments?
– Do you experience any ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus)?

6. Social Impact:

– Has your hearing affected your daily life activities, such as work or social interactions?
– Are you having difficulties communicating with family or friends?

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss is vital for appropriate diagnosis and intervention. By asking targeted questions during patient assessments, healthcare providers can identify risk factors for hearing loss and develop tailored management plans to help address patients’ needs effectively. Early identification and intervention are crucial for improving outcomes and maintaining quality of life for individuals experiencing hearing loss.

 

This question has been answered.

Get Answer