EAR ASSESSMENT - LEC

• External ear


  Consists mainly of elastic cartilage. It contains the ear flap, also known as the auricle or pinna, and the auditory ear canal. This part of the ear collects and transmits sound to the middle ear
• Middle ear


  The center, or umbo, is attached to the tip of the long process of the malleus on the other side of the tympanic membrane. It condcuts sounds vibration the the inner ear
• Tympanic membrane 


  Seperates the external and middle ear
• Eustachian tube


  Connects the middle ear with nasopharynx, equalizing air pressure on either side of the tympanic membrane.
• Inner ear


  Consist of closed fluid filled spaces within the temporal bone. It contains the bony labyrinth, which includes three connected structure: vesicle, semicircular canals, cochlea. It receives vibration from the middle ear that stimulate nerve impulses.
• Earache


  Usually result from disorders of the external and middle ear an are associated with infection, hearing loss, and otorrhea
• Hearing loss


  Several factors can interfere with the ear's ability to conduct sound waves. Cerumen, a foreign body, or a polyp may obstruct the ear cana;. Otitis media may thicken the fluid in the middle ear, which interferes with the vibrations that transmit sound. Ostosclerosis, a hardening of the bones in the middle ear. Trauma, can disrupt the middle ear's bony chain
• Otitis media


  • Inflammation of the middle ear, result from disruption of the eustachian tube patency. It can be suppurative or secretory, acute or chronic.
  • Common in children
• Cholesteatoma


  Abnormal skin growth or epithelial cyst in the middle ear that usually result from repeated ear infections
• Perforation


  Hole in tympanic membrane cause by chronic negative middle ear pressure, inflammation, or trauma
• Perform whisper test by having the client place a finger on the tragus of one ear. Whisper a two syllable word 1 to 2 feet behind the client. Repeat on the other ear.
• Perform the weber test by using a tuning fork placed on the center of the head or forehead and asking wheter the client hears the sound better in one ear or the same in both ears.
• Perform rinnes test by using a tuning fork and placing the base on the client's mastoid process. When the client no longer herars the sound, note the time interval, ano move it in front of the external ear. When the client can no longer hear a sound, note the time interval.
• Perform romberg test to evaluate the equilibrium. With feet together and arms at side, close eyes for 20 seconds. Observe for swaying