Pathology of the Audiovestibular System I

The course was designed to systematically, thoroughly, and individually address each auditory disorders. Practical situations will be illustrated through the presentation of clinical cases.

For approval, students’ knowledge in Anatomy and physiology of the auditory system is mandatory, whose knowledge may be reassessed whenever they are relevant to the curricular unit.

The classes will be based on the expository learning method and serve to direct the student to the fundamental aspects of auditory pathology.

The student should be able to:
1.To acquire knowledge of epidemiology and etiology of auditory/hearing disorders.
2.Understand the pathophysiology of auditory/ hearing disorders.
3.Identify and characterize the main hearing disorders,
4.Understand the use of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) to assess the impact of auditory dysfunction across functional, physical, emotional, and quality of life domains.
5.Correlate clinical presentation with auditory test results.
6.Be familiar with the main diagnoses and differential diagnoses.
7.Have an overview of existing medical and surgical treatments and their impact on auditory function.

Epidemiology of auditory (hearing) disorders
Pathology of the external ear
Pathology of the middle ear
Acute and chronic otitis media
Pathology of the auditory (Eustachian) tube
Pathology of the inner ear and retrocochlear pathology
Presbycusis
Childhood hearing loss (congenital and acquired)
Tinnitus (subjective and objective), hyperacusis, misophonia
Sudden hearing loss (sudden sensorineural hearing loss)
Fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss
Autoimmune hearing loss
Auditory neuropathy
Auditory agnosia and central auditory disorders
Drug-induced ototoxicity
Dysbaric otopathy (barotrauma of the ear)
Acute acoustic trauma
Occupational (noise-induced) hearing loss
Infectious hearing loss
Otosclerosis
Pathology of the facial nerve
Tumors of the ear

The evaluation of the course includes a continuous assessment, through two tests (40% each) and / or a final exam (100%), which include theoretical and theoretical-practical written tests.

Attendance, participation in classes (namely through oral presentation of topics) and preparation of works will be considered in the final grade (20%).

Final grade: 1st Written test (40%)+ 2nd written test (40%) + Attendance (20%)

Exam based assessment: 100% with minimum passing grade of 9.5 values.

NAO