Prevention of hearing impairment from infection and ototoxic drugs
F. I. Catlin
Infectious diseases are a primary cause of hearing impairment and produce
about 25% of profound losses. Of these, one fifth are congenital. The major
infections include rubella, cytomegalovirus, measles, pertussis,
meningitis, and acute otitis media. Hearing loss from ototoxicity is also
observed with a number of drugs, notably the aminoglycosides, loop
diuretics, and cisplatin. Preventive measures are defined according to
primary, secondary, and tertiary principles. Three principles of prevention
are considered: direct action, defined objectives, and the variability of
effective prevention according to cause.
