ANXIETY DISORDERS IN PATIENTS WITH IMPAIRED HEARING ON THE EXAMPLE OF OTOSCLEROSIS

Clinically otosclerosis the most common cause of hearing impairment, characterized by isolated sclerosis endochondral bone capsule of the labyrinth, which is anatomically composes the inner ear of a person where the sound wave is transforming into nerve impulses, which is conducting nerve pathways reaches certain centers of the brain, causing the person hears sounds. Otosclerotic foci invade the so-called stapedious-vestibular connection (oval window) and thus hinder the free movement of the stapes, is playing an active role in the sound wave. The disease usually starts at a young age, more common in women (78%). Young age at onset of otosclerosis is 70% of the victims, who are aged 20 - 30 years old at the time of diagnosis. Approximately 10% of affected patients with otosclerosis develop profound sensorineural hearing loss at all frequencies. Characteristical is a progressive, usually bilateral hearing loss, alternating with periods of stabilization and a sense of noise in the ear. Otosclerosis disease due to limited human capabilities often contributes to anxiety disorders, as evidenced by a variety of data, based on the experimentation conducted in the prestigious international clinics. The anxiety disorder is a group of neuroses associated with unfounded and sense of fear and tension without any specific reason. There are different types of anxiety disorders – agoraphobia, panic disorder, specific (isolated) phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social phobia and others. According to the survey regarding the comorbidity, the total prevalence of anxiety disorders in patients with otosclerosis suffering from hearing loss and tinnitus, is 24.9%. The effects of these disorders on physical health and professional activity of patients with otosclerosis are well documented on the basis of Institute of Otorhinolaryngolog named by A.A. Kolomichenko. More than half of patients with otosclerosis, anxiety disorders have reported of severe occupational dysfunction until disability.