Ear Disorders

• Audioscope


  A device to test hearing, esp. in the 500 to 4000 Hz range (the range of human speech)

  
• Audiometry


  A branch of audiology and science of measuring acuity hearing acuity for variations in sound intensity and pitch for tonal purity, involving thresholds and differing frequencies

  
• Tympanometry


  An acoustic evaluation used to evaluate the condition of the middle ear eardrum (tympanic membrane) and the conduction bones by creating variations of air pressure in the ear canal

  
• Ossiculoplasty


  The reconstruction of the middle ear ossicular chain which has been disrupted or destroyed, by the use of some interpositioned devices which helps in regaining the original mechanics of the ossicular chain to transfer the sound energy to the inner ear

  
• Mastoidectomy


  A surgical procedure that removes diseased mastoid air cells. The mastoid is the part of your skull located behind your ear

  
• Endolymphatic Sac Decompression


  A treatment that is performed to maintain the hydrostatic pressure and endolymph homeostasis in the inner ear for patients with Meniere's disease

  
• Vestibular Nerve Sectioning


  The process of cutting the vestibular part of the cochleovestibular cranial nerve. This is generally done in an attempt to eliminate recurrent attacks of vertigo
• Anatomy of the External Ear

  • Auricle
  • External Auditory canal

  
• Anatomy of the Middle Ear

  • Eustachian tube
  • Tympanic Membrane (ear drum)
  • Ossicles

  
• Anatomy of the Inner Ear

  • Cochlea
  • Semi circular canals
  • Vestibulocochlear nerve
  • Membranous Labyrinth
  • Organ of corti

  
• Function of the Ear

  • Hearing
  • Sound conduction and transmission
  • Balance and Equilibrium

  
• External Otitis


  A painful condition caused when irritating or infective agents come into contact with the skin of the external ear. Inflammation of the external auditory canal

  
• Symptoms of External Otitis

  • Ear pain
  • Itchiness inside of your ear
  • Drainage from your ear
  • Blocked ear
  • Redness and swelling in your outer ear
  • Temporary hearing loss or decreased hearing
  • Slight fever
  • Swollen lymph nodes around your ear or upper neck

  
• Cerumen


  Wax that normally accumulates in the external canal in various amounts and colors
• Tympanic Membrane Perforation


  A hole or tear in the thin tissue that separates the ear canal from the middle ear (eardrum)

  
• Causes of Tympanic Membrane Perforation

  • Middle ear infection (otitis media)
  • Barotrauma
  • Loud sounds or blasts (acoustic trauma)
  • Foreign objects in your ear
  • Severe head trauma

  
• Otitis Media


  An infection of the middle ear that causes inflammation (redness and swelling) and a build-up of fluid behind the eardrum

  
• Types of Otitis Media

  • Acute otitis media
  • Chronic otitis media
• Acute Otitis Media


  An infection of the middle ear lasting less than 6 weeks

  
• Chronic Otitis Media


  A stage of ear disease in which there is an on-going chronic infection of the middle ear without an intact tympanic membrane

  
• Assessment of Acute Otitis Media

  • Otalgia (ear pain)
  • Drainage from the ear
  • Fever
  • Hearing loss

  
• Assessment of Chronic Otitis Media

  • Hearing loss
  • Foul, purulent discharge
  • Perforation of the tympanic membrane
  • Cholesteatoma (Growth of the skin in external layer of eardrum to the middle ear)

  
• Management of Acute Otitis Media

  • Broad spectrum antibiotics or antibiotics otiv preparation for cases with drainage
  • Myringotomy for the drainage
• Management of Chronic Otitis Media

  • Tympanoplasty (Surgical reconstruction of the tympanic membrane)
  • Ossiculoplasty (Surgical reconstruction of the ossicles)
  • Mastoidectomy

  
• Motion Sickness


  A disturbance of equilibrium caused by constant motion
• Manifestations of Motion Sickness

  • Sweating
  • Pallor
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting caused by vestibular overstimulation
• Management of Motion Sickness


  • Antihistamines
  • Anticholinergic medications
• Meniere's Disease


  An abnormal inner ear fluid balance caused by a malabsorption in the endolymphatic sac or a blockage in the endolymphatic duct

  
• Pathophysiology of Meniere's Disease

  • Endolymphatic sac obstruction OR endolymphatic fluid malabsorption
  • Endolymphatic hydrops formation
  • Increased inner ear pressure/rupture

  
• Assessment of Meniere's Disease

  • Fluctuating, progressive sensorineural hearing loss
  • Tinnitus
  • Episodic, incapacitating vertigo
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diaphoresis
  • Disequilibrium

  
• Risk Factors for Meniere's Disease

  • Most common in people ages 40 to 60
  • Females may have a slightly higher risk than men
  • Hereditary
  • History of autoimmune disorder
• Management of Meniere's Disease

  • Prescribe low sodium diet
  • Antihistamine
  • Tranquilizers
  • Anti-emetic
  • Diuretics
  • Surgery
• Tinnitus


  A symptom of an underlying disorder of the ear that is associated with hearing loss. Patients describe tinnitus as a roaring, buzzing, or hissing sound in one or both ears