Assessing the Ears Flashcards
what does redness of the ear mean?
inflammation or fever
what does redness, edema and purulent, or crusty drainage of the ear canal indicate
Infection
What does bright red blood or watery drainage following a trauma indicate
fracture at the base of the skull
What tool is used to look inside the ear?
An otoscope
what does crackling in the ear indicate?
bugs or spiders
What should the tympanic membrane look like?
Pearl, grayish looking membrane
What is conductive hearing?
sound coming into the ear through the tympanic membrane through the ossicles which causes vibration
what is sensineuro hearing?
Bone conduction through the cochlea of the inner ear
What is the average age of hearing loss?
30
what is the auricle or pinna of the ear
The portion visible without any tools
What is the external auditory canal?
a part of the external ear that are usually S-shaped in adults that have modified sweat glands that secrete cerumen
what does the external ear consist of?
Auricle/pinna, external auditory canal, tympanic membrane (ear drum)
What does the inner/middle ear consist of?
Tympanic cavity, eustachian tube, and auditory ossicles such as the malleus, incus, and stapes
what is the inner ear typically known as
the labyrinth
what is the bony labyrinth three parts?
 Cochlea, vestibule, and semi circular canals
what is the inner ear consist of?
Fluid, bony labyrinth, inner membranous labyrinth
What is conductive hearing loss?
Something blocks, or impairs the passage of vibrations from getting to the inner ear
what is sensorineural or perceptive hearing loss
Damage is located in the inner ear
what is hearing loss in infants related to?
Birth complications, drugs, severe, jaundice, trauma
how do you earlobes differ between race?
Most African-Americans and whites have free lopes well most Asians have attached or soldered lobes
What race hears the best
blacks then Hispanics then whites
What is presbycusis?
Progressive loss of hearing over many years, that usually affects the high frequencies of hearing
what is otosclerosis?
Abnormal bone growth inside the ear. It’s common cause is hearing loss.
what tests are used in a focused specialty assessment of the ear?
Weber test, Rinne test and Romberg test
what tests are used for general observation of hearing an equilibrium of the ear?
Whisper test, Weber test, Rinne test, Romberg test
what medication is create hearing problems
ototoxic medications such as some antibiotics, and some non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
what is otitis media?
Infection of the ear/ear infection
what are risk factors for otitis media?
Bottlefeeding lying down, seasons of fall and winter, poor air quality, group childcare, age, cleft palate, down syndrome, enlarged adenoids
