ch.11 Eyes+Ears Flashcards
Anis/o
Unequal
Dipl/o
Double
Presby/o
old age
Nyctal/o
Night
ptosis
drooping
-opia
vision, sight
-opsia
Vision, sight
-Ectasis
Stretching, dilation
-eso
inward
opt/i , opt/o , optic/o , ophthalm/o
Eyes
ir/i , ir/o , irid/o , irit/o
Iris
phac/o , phak/o
Lens
retin/o
Retina
dacryocyst/o , lacrim/o
Lacrimal Apparatus
acous/o , acoust/o , audi/o , audit/o , ot/o
Ears
pinn/i
Outer Ear
myring/o , tympan/o
Middle Ear
labyrinth/o
Inner Ear
blephar/o
Eyelid
-cusis
Hearing
irid/o
Iris, colored part of eye.
kerat/o
Cornea, hard, or horny.
myring/o
Tympanic membrane, eardrum
ophthalm/o
Eye or vision
-opia
Vision condition
opt/o
Vision or eye
ot/o
Ear or hearing
phak/o
Lens of eye
retin/o
Retina or net
scler/o
White of eye, sclera or hard
trop/o
Turn or change
tympan/o
Tympanic membrane, eardrum
adnexa
appendages or accessory structures of an organ. In the eye, these are the structures outside the eyeball, including the orbit, eye muscles, eyelids, eyelashes, conjunctiva, and lacrimal apparatus.
amblyopia
Dimness of vision or the partial loss of sight, especially in one eye, without detectable disease of the eye
ametropia
Any error of refraction in which images do not focus properly on the retina
anisocoria
condition in which the pupils are unequal in size
astigmatism
condition in which the eye does not focus properly because of uneven curvatures of the cornea
audiometry
use of an audiometer to measure hearing acuity
cataract
loss of transparency of the lens of the eye that causes a progressive loss of visual clarity
chalazion
nodule or cyst, usually on the upper eyelid, caused by obstruction in a sebaceous gland
cochlear implant
electronic device that bypasses the damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulates the auditory nerve
conjunctivitis
Inflammation of the conjunctiva, usually caused by an infection or allergy; also known as pinkeye
dacryoadenitis
inflammation of the lacrimal gland that can be a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection
diplopia
perception of two images of a single object; also known as double vision
ectropion
eversion (turning outward) of the edge of an eyelid
emmetropia
normal relationship between the refractive power of the eye and the shape of the eye that that enables light rays to focus correctly on the retina
entropion
inversion (turning inward) of the edge of an eyelid
esotropia
Strabismus characterized by an inward deviation of one eye or both eyes; also known as cross-eyes
exotropia
Strabismus characterized by the outward deviation of one eye relative to the other; also known as walleye
fluorescein angiography
photographic study of the blood vessels in the back of the eye following the intravenous injection of a fluorescein dye that acts as a contrast medium
glaucoma
group of eye diseases characterized by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) that causes damage to the optic nerve and retinal nerve fibers
hemianopia
Blindness in one-half of the visual field
hordeolum
pus-filled and often painful lesion on the eyelid resulting from an infection in a sebaceous gland; also known as a stye
hyperopia
vision defect in which light rays focus beyond the retina; also known as farsightedness
infectious myringitis
contagious inflammation associated with a middle-ear infection that causes painful blisters on the eardrum
iridectomy
surgical removal of a portion of the iris tissue
iritis
Inflammation of the uvea affecting primarily structures in the front of the eye
keratitis
Inflammation of the cornea
labyrinthectomy
surgical removal of all or a portion of the labyrinth of the inner ear
laser trabeculoplasty
Treatment of open-angle glaucoma in which a laser is used to create an opening in the trabecular meshwork to allow fluid to drain properly
mastoidectomy
surgical removal of mastoid cells
mydriasis
The dilation of the pupil
myopia
vision defect in which light rays focus in front of the retina; also known as nearsightedness
myringotomy
small surgical incision into the eardrum to relieve pressure from excess pus or fluid or to create an opening for the placement of ear tubes
nyctalopia
condition in which an individual with normal daytime vision has difficulty seeing at night; also known as night blindness
nystagmus
Involuntary, constant, rhythmic movement of the eyeball
ophthalmoscopy
visual examination of the fundus (back part) of the eye with an ophthalmoscope; also known as funduscopy
optometrist
specialist who holds a Doctor of Optometry degree and provides primary eye care, including diagnosing eye diseases and conditions and measuring the accuracy of vision to determine if corrective lenses are needed
otitis media
Inflammation of the middle ear
otomycosis
fungal infection of the external auditory canal; also known as swimmer’s ear
otopyorrhea
flow of pus from the ear
otorrhea
discharge from the ear
otosclerosis
Ankylosis of the bones of the middle ear, resulting in a conductive hearing loss
papilledema
Swelling and inflammation of the optic nerve at the point of entrance into the eye through the optic disk; also known as choked disk
periorbital edema
Swelling of the tissues surrounding the eye or eyes
photophobia
Excessive sensitivity to light
presbycusis
gradual sensorineural hearing loss that occurs as the body ages
presbyopia
Decline of near vision that occurs with age as the lens becomes less flexible and the muscles of the ciliary body become weaker
ptosis
Drooping of the upper eyelid that is usually due to paralysis
radial keratotomy
A surgical procedure to treat myopia
retinopexy
Treatment to reattach the detached area in a retinal detachment
scleritis
Inflammation of the sclera of the eye
sensorineural hearing loss
Deafness that develops when the auditory nerve or hair cells in the inner ear are damaged
stapedectomy
surgical removal of part of the stapes bone and its replacement with a small prosthetic device
strabismus
disorder in which the eyes point in different directions or are not aligned correctly because the eye muscles are unable to focus
tarsorrhaphy
partial or complete suturing together of the upper and lower eyelids
tinnitus
ringing, buzzing, or roaring sound in one or both ears
tonometry
part of a routine eye examination in which intraocular pressure (IOP) is measured
tympanometry
use of air pressure in the ear canal to test for disorders of the middle ear
vertigo
sense of whirling, dizziness, and the loss of balance, often combined with nausea and vomiting.
vitrectomy
removal of the vitreous fluid of the posterior chamber of the eye and its replacement with a clear solution
xerophthalmia
Drying of the eye surfaces, including the conjunctiva; also known as dry eye
AC
air conduction
ALD
assistive listening device
AS
astigmatism
CAT
cataract
CI
conjunctivitis
dB
decibel
EM, em
emmetropia
FA, FAG
fluorescein angiography
G, glc
glaucoma
MD
macular degeneration
RK
radial keratotomy
RD
retinal detachment
SLE
slit-lamp examination
VA
visual acuity
VF
visual field
chalazion
a nodule or cyst, usually on the upper eyelid, caused by obstruction in a sebaceous gland
hordeolum
also known as a stye, is a pus-filled and often painful lesion on the eyelid resulting from an acute infection in a sebaceous gland. Compare with a chalazion
Blepharitis
swelling of the eyelid, often at the location of the eyelash hair follicles
Ectropion
the eversion of the edge of an eyelid ( ec- means out, trop means turn, and -ion means condition). Eversion means turning outward. This usually affects the lower lid, thereby exposing the inner surface of the eyelid to irritation and preventing tears from draining properly (Figure 11.7A). Ectropion is the opposite of entropion
Entropion
the inversion of the edge of an eyelid ( en- means in, trop means turn, and -ion means condition). Inversion means turning inward. This usually affects the lower eyelid and causes the eyelashes to rub against the cornea. Entropion is the opposite of ectropion
Periorbital edema
is swelling of the tissues surrounding the eye or eyes This can give the face a bloated appearance and cause the eyes to be partially covered by the swollen eyelids. This swelling is associated with conditions such as allergic reaction
Conjunctivitis
also known as pinkeye, is an inflammation of the conjunctiva that is usually caused by an infection or allergy
Dacryoadenitis
is an inflammation of the lacrimal gland caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection, Signs and symptoms of this condition include sudden severe pain, redness, and pressure in the orbit of the eye
Subconjunctival hemorrhage
bleeding between the conjunctiva and the sclera. This condition, which is usually caused by an injury, creates a red area over the white of the eye
Xerophthalmia
also known as dry eye , is drying of eye surfaces, including the conjunctiva, because the tear glands do not produce enough tears. This condition is often associated with aging. It can also be due to systemic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or caused by a lack of vitamin A
Uveitis
s an inflammation of the uvea causing swelling and irritation. Complications from uveitis can potentially lead to permanent vision loss
Iritis
the most common form of uveitis. This inflammation of the uvea affects primarily structures in the front of the eye. This condition has a sudden onset and may last six to eight weeks
corneal abrasion
an injury, such as a scratch or irritation, to the outer layers of the cornea. Compare with corneal ulcer
corneal ulcer
a pitting of the cornea caused by an infection or injury. Although these ulcers heal with treatment, they can leave a cloudy scar that impairs vision. Compare with corneal abrasion.
Diabetic retinopathy
damage to the retina as a complication of uncontrolled diabetes. This is discussed in the section. As diabetic retinopathy progresses, diabetic macular edema can occur
Keratitis
an inflammation of the cornea. This condition can be due to many causes, including bacterial, viral, or fungal infections.
Keratoconus
occurs when the cornea becomes irregular and cone-shaped, causing blurring and distortion of vision
Scleritis
an inflammation of the sclera
Anisocoria
a condition in which the pupils are unequal in size. This condition can be congenital or caused by a head injury, an aneurysm, or pathology of the central nervous system
cataract
the loss of transparency of the lens that causes a progressive loss of visual clarity. The formation of most cataracts is associated with aging; however, this condition can be congenital or due to an injury or disease
Floaters
also known as vitreous floaters, are particles of cellular debris that float in the vitreous humor and cast shadows on the retina. Floaters often occur normally but may be an indication of retinal detachment, especially when accompanied by photopsia
Photopsia
the presence of what appears to be flashes of light, or flashers. These are often caused by damage to the eye or migraine headaches
Miosis
is the contraction of the pupil, normally in response to exposure to light but also possibly due to the use of prescription or illegal drugs
Mydriasis
the dilation of the pupil, is the opposite of miosis. The causes of mydriasis include diseases, trauma (injury), and drugs
Nystagmus
is an involuntary, constant, rhythmic movement of the eyeball that can be congenital or caused by a neurological injury or drug use
Papilledema
also known as choked disk, is swelling and inflammation of the optic nerve at the point of entrance into the eye through the optic disk
Retinal detachment
also known as a detached retina, and retinal tears are the separation of some or all of the light-sensitive retina from the choroid. If not treated, the entire retina can detach, causing blindness. These conditions can be caused by head trauma, aging, or the vitreous humor separating from the retina
Retinitis pigmentosa
a progressive degeneration of the retina that affects night and peripheral vision. It can be detected by the presence of dark pigmented spots in the retina
Temporal arteritis
a form of vasculitis that can cause a sudden vision loss, usually in one eye
Glaucoma
a group of diseases characterized by increased intraocular pressure that causes damage to the retinal nerve fibers and the optic nerve
Open-angle glaucoma
also known as chronic glaucoma, is by far the most common form of this condition. The trabecular meshwork gradually becomes blocked, causing a buildup of pressure. Symptoms of this condition are not noticed by the patient until the optic nerve has been damaged; however, it can be detected earlier through regular eye examinations, including tonometry and visual field testing.
closed-angle glaucoma
also known as acute glaucoma, the opening between the cornea and iris narrows so that fluid cannot reach the trabecular meshwork. This narrowing can cause a sudden increase in the intraocular pressure that produces severe pain, nausea, redness of the eye, and blurred vision. Without immediate treatment, blindness can occur in as little as two days
Macular degeneration
a gradually progressive condition in which the macula at the center of the retina is damaged, resulting in the loss of central vision but not in total blindness
Age-related macular degeneration
occurs most frequently in older people and is the leading cause of severe vision loss in those over 60
Dry macular degeneration
which accounts for 90% of all AMD cases, is caused by the slow deterioration of the cells of the macula
Wet macular degeneration
an advanced form of dry AMD. New blood vessels growing beneath the retina leak blood and fluid, damaging the retinal cells. These small hemorrhages usually result in rapid and severe vision loss
Diplopia
also known as double vision, is the perception of two images of a single object. It is sometimes a symptom of a serious underlying disorder such as multiple sclerosis or a brain tumor
Hemianopia
blindness in one-half of the visual field
Monochromatism
also known as color blindness, is the inability to distinguish certain colors in a normal manner. This is a genetic condition caused by deficiencies in or the absence of certain types of cones in the retina
Nyctalopia
also known as night blindness, is a condition in which an individual with normal daytime vision has difficulty seeing at night
Photophobia
means excessive sensitivity to light and can be the result of migraines, excessive wearing of contact lenses, drug use, or inflammation
Presbyopia
the condition of common changes in the eyes that occur with aging. With age, near vision declines noticeably as the lens becomes less flexible and the muscles of the ciliary body become weaker. The result is that the eyes are no longer able to focus the image properly on the retina
Strabismus
disorder in which the eyes point in different directions or are not aligned correctly, because the eye muscles are unable to focus together
Esotropia
also known as cross-eyes, is strabismus characterized by an inward deviation of one or both eyes. Esotropia is the opposite of exotropia
Exotropia
also known as walleye, is strabismus characterized by the outward deviation of one eye relative to the other. Exotropia is the opposite of esotropia
refractive disorder
focusing problem that occurs when the lens and cornea do not bend light so that it focuses properly on the retina
Ametropia
any error of refraction in which images do not focus properly on the retina. Astigmatism, hyperopia, and myopia are all forms of ametropia
Astigmatism
a condition in which the eye does not focus properly because of uneven curvatures of the cornea
Hyperopia
also known as farsightedness, is a defect in which light rays focus beyond the retina. This condition can occur in childhood but usually causes difficulty after age 40 Hyperopia is the opposite of myopia
Myopia
also known as nearsightedness, is a defect in which light rays focus in front of the retina. This condition occurs most commonly around puberty. Myopia is the opposite of hyperopia
Amblyopia
a dimness of vision or the partial loss of sight, especially in one eye, without detectable disease of the eye
Scotoma
also known as blind spot, is an abnormal area of diminished vision surrounded by an area of normal vision
Snellen chart
used to measure visual acuity. The results for each eye are recorded as a fraction with 20/20 being considered normal
refraction test
done to determine an eye’s refractive error so that the best corrective lenses can be prescribed. This term also refers to the ability of the lens to bend light rays so they focus on the retina
diopter
the unit of measurement of a lens’s refractive power
cover test
an examination of how the two eyes work together and is used to assess binocular vision. One eye at a time is covered while the patient focuses on an object across the room
Visual field testing
also known as perimetry, is performed to determine losses in peripheral vision. Peripheral means occurring away from the center. Blank sections in the visual field can be symptomatic of glaucoma or an optic nerve disorder. This test is done by having the patient look straight ahead and indicate whether or not they can see an object or flash of light when it is presented in their periphery
Ophthalmoscopy
also known as funduscopy, is the use of an ophthalmoscope to visually examine the fundus (back part) of the eye. This examination includes the retina, optic disk, choroid, and blood vessels
Dilation
the eyes is required in preparation for the ophthalmoscopic examination of the interior of the eye. Artificial enlargement of the pupils is achieved through the use of mydriatic drops
Mydriatic drops
are placed into the eyes to produce temporary paralysis, forcing the pupils to remain dilated even in the presence of bright light
Slit-lamp ophthalmoscopy
a diagnostic procedure in which a narrow beam of light is focused onto parts of the eye to permit the ophthalmologist to examine the structures at the front of the eye, including the cornea, iris, and lens. Often fluorescein staining is used to help detect foreign bodies or an infected or injured area of the eye
Fluorescein staining
the application of fluorescent dye to the surface of the eye via eye drops or a strip applicator. This dye causes a corneal abrasion to temporarily appear bright green
Fluorescein angiography
a photographic study of the blood vessels in the back of the eye following the intravenous injection of a fluorescein dye as a contrast medium. The resulting angiograms are used to determine whether there is proper circulation in the retinal vessels
PERRLA
an acronym meaning Pupils are Equal, Round, Responsive to Light and Accommodation. This is a diagnostic observation, and any abnormality here could indicate a head injury or damage to the brain
Tonometry
the measurement of intraocular pressure. Abnormally high pressure can be an indication of glaucoma
orbitotomy
a surgical incision into the orbit. This procedure is performed for biopsy, abscess drainage, or removal of a tumor or foreign object
Tarsorrhaphy
the partial or complete suturing together of the upper and lower eyelids to protect the eye when the lids are paralyzed and unable to close normally
corneal transplant
also known as keratoplasty , is the surgical replacement of a scarred or diseased cornea with clear corneal tissue from a donor
Enucleation
the removal of the eyeball, leaving the eye muscles intact
ocular prosthesis
also known as an artificial eye, may be fitted to wear over a malformed eye or to replace an eyeball that is either congenitally missing or has been surgically removed. A prosthesis is an artificial substitute for a diseased or missing body part
iridectomy
he surgical removal of a portion of the tissue of the iris. This procedure is most frequently performed to treat closed-angle glaucoma
radial keratotomy
a surgical procedure to treat myopia. During the surgery, incisions are made in the cornea to cause it to flatten. These incisions allow the sides of the cornea to bulge outward and thereby flatten the central portion of the cornea. This brings the focal point of the eye closer to the retina and improves distance vision. Compare with LASIK, in the later section “Laser Treatments of the Eyes.”
scleral buckle
a silicone band or sponge used to repair a detached retina. The detached layers are brought closer together by attaching this band onto the sclera, or outer wall, of the eyeball, creating an indentation or buckle effect inside the eye
Vitrectomy
the removal of the vitreous humor and its replacement with a clear solution. This procedure is sometimes performed to treat a retinal detachment or when diabetic retinopathy causes blood to leak and cloud the vitreous humor
Lensectomy
is the general term used to describe the surgical removal of a cataract-clouded lens
Phacoemulsification
is the use of ultrasonic vibration to shatter and remove the lens clouded by a cataract. This is performed through a very small opening, and the same opening is used to slide the intraocular lens into place
intraocular lens
a surgically implanted replacement for a natural lens that has been removed. There are two types of IOLs, monofocal and multifocal, which was designed to eliminate the need for additional corrective lenses
concave lenses
concave lenses (curved inward) are used for myopia
convex lenses
(curved outward) for hyperopia
Bifocals
are lenses with two powers
Trifocals
lenses with three powers
Contact lenses
refractive lenses that float directly on the tear film in front of the eye. Rigid gas-permeable lenses cover the central part of the cornea, and disposable soft lenses cover the entire cornea
laser iridotomy
uses a focused beam of light to create a hole in the iris of the eye. This procedure is performed to treat closed-angle glaucoma by creating an opening that allows the aqueous humor to flow between the anterior and posterior chambers of the anterior segment of the eye
laser trabeculoplasty
is used to treat open-angle glaucoma by creating openings in the trabecular meshwork to allow the fluid to drain properly
LASIK
Laser-Assisted in Situ Keratomileusis. In situ means in its original place. LASIK is used to treat vision conditions, such as myopia, that are caused by the shape of the cornea. During this procedure, a flap is opened in the surface of the cornea, and then a laser is used to change the shape of a deep corneal layer. Compare with radial keratotomy
Photocoagulation
s the use of a laser to treat some forms of wet macular degeneration by sealing leaking or damaged blood vessels. This technique is also used to repair small retinal tears by intentionally forming scar tissue to seal the holes
Retinopexy
is used to reattach the detached area in a retinal detachment
pneumatic retinopexy
gas bubble is injected into the vitreous cavity to put pressure on the area of repair while it heals. The bubble gradually dissipates
Impacted cerumen
an accumulation of earwax that forms a solid mass by adhering to the walls of the external auditory canal. Impacted means lodged or wedged firmly in place
Otalgia
also known as an earache, is pain in the ear
Otitis
means any inflammation of the ear ( ot means ear, and -itis means inflammation). The second part of the term gives the location of the inflammation. For example, otitis externa is an inflammation of the external auditory canal, also known as swimmer’s ear
Otomycosis
a fungal infection of the external auditory canal
Otopyorrhea
the flow of pus from the ear
Otorrhea
any discharge from the ear. In rare cases this could include leakage of cerebrospinal fluid
Otorrhagia
bleeding from the ear
Barotrauma
a pressure-related ear condition. These conditions can be caused by pressure changes when flying, driving in the mountains, or scuba diving or when the eustachian tube is blocked
cholesteatoma
also known as a pearly tumor, is a destructive epidermal cyst in the middle ear and/or the mastoid process made up of epithelial cells and cholesterol. It can be congenital or a serious complication of chronic otitis media
Mastoiditis
is an inflammation of any part of the mastoid bone. This condition may develop when acute otitis media that cannot be controlled with antibiotics spreads to the mastoid process.
Infectious myringitis
a contagious inflammation that causes painful blisters on the eardrum. This condition is associated with a middle ear infection. It is not to be confused with infectious meningitis, which is an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord
Otitis media
an inflammation of the middle ear
Acute otitis media
usually associated with an upper respiratory infection and is most commonly seen in young children. This condition can lead to a ruptured eardrum due to the buildup of pus or fluid in the middle ear
Serous otitis media
fluid buildup in the middle ear without symptoms of an infection. This condition can follow acute otitis media or can be caused by obstruction of the eustachian tube
Otosclerosis
the ankylosis of the bones of the middle ear, resulting in a conductive hearing loss. Ankylosis means fused together. This condition is treated with a stapedectomy
Labyrinthitis
an inflammation of the labyrinth that can result in vertigo and deafness
Vertigo
a sense of whirling, dizziness, and loss of balance that is often combined with nausea and vomiting. Although it is a symptom of many disorders, recurrent vertigo is sometimes associated with inner ear problems such as Ménière’s disease
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
a common cause of vertigo that occurs when there is a shift in the location of small crystals in the semicircular canals. BPPV, labyrinthitis, and Ménière’s disease are examples of vestibular disorders, which are disorders of the body’s balance-controlling vestibular system in the inner ear
Ménière’s disease
a rare chronic disorder in which the amount of fluid in the inner ear increases intermittently, producing attacks of vertigo, a fluctuating hearing loss, and tinnitus
Tinnitus
commonly pronounced, is a condition of a ringing, buzzing, or roaring sound in one or both ears. It is often associated with hearing loss and is more likely to occur when there has been prolonged exposure to loud noises
Aphakia
without a lens in the eye
presbycusis
loss of hearing due to old age
acoustic neuroma
a brain tumor that develops adjacent to the cranial nerve running from the brain to the inner ear. This is one of the most common types of brain tumors and can cause hearing loss, vertigo, and tinnitus
Deafness
the complete or partial loss of the ability to hear. It can range from the inability to hear sounds of a certain pitch or intensity, to a complete loss of hearing
Conductive hearing loss
occurs when sound waves are prevented from passing from the air to the fluid-filled inner ear. Causes of this hearing loss include a buildup of earwax, infection, fluid in the middle ear, a punctured eardrum, otosclerosis, and scarring. This type of hearing loss can often be treated
Sensorineural hearing loss
also known as nerve deafness, develops when the auditory nerve or hair cells in the inner ear are damaged. This is usually due to age, noise exposure, or an acoustic neuroma. The source of this hearing loss can be located in the inner ear, in the nerve from the inner ear to the brain, or in the brain
noise-induced hearing loss
a type of nerve deafness caused by repeated exposure to extremely loud noises such as a gunshot or to moderately loud noises that continue for long periods of time
decibel
commonly used as the measurement of the loudness of sound
audiological evaluation
also known as speech audiometry, is the measurement of the ability to hear and understand speech sounds based on their pitch and loudness. This testing is best achieved in a sound-treated room with earphones. The resulting graph is an audiogram that represents the ability to hear a variety of sounds at various loudness levels
Audiometry
the use of an audiometer to measure hearing acuity. An audiometer is an electronic device that produces acoustic stimuli of a set frequency and intensity
hertz
a measure of sound frequency that determines how high or low a pitch is. Note: The singular and plural of hertz are the same
otoscope
which is an instrument used to examine the external ear canal, is discussed further in Chapter 15. A pneumatic otoscope has the attachment of a bulb filled with air; during an exam with an otoscope the bulb is pressed to visualize whether or not the tympanic membrane is immobile, indicating possible otitis media
Monaural testing
involves one ear. Compare with binaural testing
Binaural testing
involves both ears. Compare with monaural testing
Tympanometry
the use of air pressure in the ear canal to test for disorders of the middle ear. The resulting record is a tympanogram. This is used to test for middle-ear fluid buildup or eustachian tube obstruction, or to evaluate a conductive hearing loss
Acoustic reflectometry
measures how much sound is reflected back from the eardrum, a way to test how much fluid is in the middle ear to diagnose otitis media
Weber and Rinne test
a tuning fork to distinguish between conductive and sensorineural hearing losses. The patient’s perception of the tuning fork’s vibrations helps evaluate his or her hearing ability by air conduction compared to that of bone conduction
Otoplasty
the surgical repair, restoration, or alteration of the pinna of the ear. This is sometimes done as a cosmetic surgery called ear pinning to bring protruding ears closer to the head
Ear tubes
formally known as tympanostomy tubes, are tiny ventilating tubes placed through the eardrum to provide ongoing drainage for fluids and to relieve pressure that can build up after childhood ear infections
mastoidectomy
is the surgical removal of mastoid cells. This procedure is used to treat mastoiditis that cannot be controlled with antibiotics or in preparation for the placement of a cochlear implant
myringotomy
a small surgical incision in the eardrum to relieve pressure from excess pus or fluid or to create an opening for the placement of ear tubes
stapedectomy
the surgical removal of the top portion of the stapes bone and the insertion of a small prosthetic device known as a piston that conducts sound vibrations to the inner ear
Tympanoplasty
is the surgical correction of a damaged middle ear, either to cure chronic inflammation or to restore function
labyrinthectomy
the surgical removal of all or a portion of the labyrinth. This procedure is performed to relieve uncontrolled vertigo; however, it causes complete hearing loss in the affected ear
Vestibular rehabilitation therapy
a form of physical therapy designed to treat a wide variety of balance disorders, the majority of which are caused by problems in the inner ear and vestibular nerve
assistive listening device
transmits, processes, or amplifies sound and can be used with or without a hearing aid. An ALD can be helpful in eliminating distracting background noise. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that many public places provide assisted listening devices
cochlear implant
an electronic device that bypasses the damaged portions of the ear and directly stimulates the auditory nerve . The external speech processor captures sounds and converts them into digital signals. Electrodes that are implanted into the cochlea receive the signals and stimulate the auditory nerve. The brain receives these signals and perceives them as sound; however, it may take several months to adjust to the difference in speech when it is received in this manner
Fenestration
a surgical procedure in which a new opening is created in the labyrinth to restore lost hearing
Hearing aids
electronic devices that are worn to correct a hearing loss. Sometimes a sensorineural hearing loss can be corrected with a hearing aid
analog hearing aid
s an external electronic device that uses a microphone to detect and amplify sounds
digital hearing aid
a computer chip to convert the incoming sound into a code that can be filtered before being amplified. This is designed to best compensate for a specific type of hearing loss. Hearing aid technology has steadily advanced, and some are even programmable from a smart phone or tablet
hearing aids are worn
behind the ear (BTE), in the ear (ITE), in the canal(ITC), completely in the canal (CIC).
refraction
ability of the lens to bend light rays so they focus on the retina
cerumen
Earwax
Canthus
the angle where the upper and lower eyelids meet
