In the Republic of Belarus, rehabilitation programs are successfully provided for patients with hearing, voice, and speech disorders under daily supervision of an otorhinolaryngologist, a rehabilitation physician, and a physiotherapist.
Rehabilitation for hearing loss
At the initial stage of hearing loss, a comprehensive clinical assessment is recommended, including hearing tests, evaluation of cerebral vessels, electrocardiography (ECG), and consultations with a cardiologist, neurologist, ophthalmologist, and psychotherapist.
The primary goal of these measures is to identify the cause of hearing impairment followed by the selection of appropriate therapeutic procedures.
The set of therapeutic procedures includes:
- medication and physiotherapy aimed at improving cerebral and inner ear blood supply, stimulating nerve impulse conduction, reducing tinnitus, and improving speech intelligibility;
- reduction of psycho-emotional stress through therapeutic exercise, hydrotherapy, electrotherapy, massage of the head and cervical spine, and therapeutic blocks;
- correction of arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease, and excess body weight.
Rehabilitation of patients with voice disorders
Patients with voice disorders undergo clinical evaluation by a phoniatrician, endocrinologist, speech therapist, psychologist, and/or psychotherapist to identify the cause of the condition and develop an individualized rehabilitation program.
Medication and physiotherapy in this context are aimed at improving blood supply, tissue nutrition, and stimulation of the laryngeal nerve (breathing exercises, sessions with a voice therapist, intralaryngeal instillations, hydrotherapy, spinal massage, and psychological support). Psychological counseling is also provided when necessary.
Rehabilitation of patients with chronic tonsillitis
Rehabilitation of patients with chronic tonsillitis begins with a clinical and laboratory assessment that includes:
- consultations with an otorhinolaryngologist, endocrinologist, cardiologist, and neurologist;
- biochemical blood tests;
- throat swabs.
These measures are carried out to clarify the underlying cause of the disease and to individualize the treatment strategy.
The set of rehabilitation measures is aimed at strengthening immunity, improving tonsillar blood supply, eliminating purulent infection, and correcting psycho-emotional status. It includes medication and physiotherapy, tonsil lavage, nasal drainage, massage of the cervical and thoracic spine, therapeutic exercise, hydrotherapy, and supravenous laser therapy.
Rehabilitation of patients with vasomotor rhinitis
The rehabilitation program for patients with vasomotor rhinitis focuses on immune system strengthening, improvement of nasal breathing, reduction of nasal discharge, and psycho-emotional stabilization. Treatment includes medication and physiotherapy, nasal drainage, massage of the cervical and thoracic spine, therapeutic exercise, hydrotherapy, and laser therapy.
Rehabilitation is carried out without surgical intervention as well as during the early postoperative period when indicated.