Dofheid

Dofheid is the Dutch term for deafness, the partial or total inability to hear. It encompasses a range of auditory impairments from mild loss to profound deafness and can affect one or both ears. Dofheid may be present at birth (prelingual) or develop later (postlingual); in some cases it is stable, in others progressive. The condition is not a disease in itself but describes the level of hearing impairment.

Classification by mechanism: conductive hearing loss involves the outer or middle ear (for example fluid, ear infections, otosclerosis); sensorineural hearing loss involves the inner ear or auditory nerve (caused by genetic factors, noise exposure, infections, aging, or ototoxic medicines); mixed loss includes both.

Causes vary: genetic factors account for a large share of congenital doofheid; prenatal infections (such as cytomegalovirus), perinatal complications; exposure to loud noise; head injuries; ototoxic drugs; illnesses like meningitis. Risk factors include age, occupational noise, and family history.

Diagnosis relies on hearing tests: pure-tone audiometry, speech audiometry, tympanometry, and otoscopic examination, sometimes supported by imaging. Newborn hearing screening is common in many countries.

Management depends on type and severity: there is no cure for many forms, but interventions can improve communication. Options include hearing aids for mild to moderate loss, cochlear implants for severe to profound sensorineural loss, bone-anchored devices, and assistive listening devices. Communication choices include sign languages (such as Nederlandse Gebarentaal) and captioning, support services, and early language development for children.

Societal aspects include accessibility, education, and inclusion, as well as rights to communicate and access services.