Chapter 15: Ears

Question 1

What is the function of the middle ear?

Answer 1

Conducts sound vibrations from outer ear, Protects inner ear reducing amplitude of sounds, Allows equalization of air pressure so that Tympanic Membrane does not rupture

Question 2

Cranial nerve 8

Answer 2

Hearing and equilibrium

Question 3

What is the normal pathway of hearing?

Answer 3

Air conduction

Question 4

What is conductive hearing loss?

Answer 4

when there is a problem conducting sound waves anywhere along the route through the outer ear, tympanic membrane (eardrum), or middle ear (ossicles)

Question 5

What is sensorineural (or perceptive) hearing loss?

Answer 5

nerve loss, is defined as the loss of hearing caused by damage or alteration of the sensory mechanism of the cochlea or the neural structures that lay beyond

Question 6

What is mixed hearing loss?

Answer 6

is caused by a combination of conductive damage in the outer or middle ear and sensorineural damage in the inner ear (cochlea) or hearing/auditory nerve. Genetic factors, overexposure to loud noise, certain medications and the normal ageing process can lead to sensorineural hearing loss

Question 7

What is maternal rubella infection?

Answer 7

Baby can have hearing problems if mom has infection

Question 8

What problem do infants and children have involving the ears and why?

Answer 8

Ear infections because the eustachian tube is shorter and horizontal

Question 9

Ear problems with older adult

Answer 9

Cilia becomes stiff and long, Cerumen is drier, Presbycusis (Sensorineural hearing loss) and Otosclerosis (An inherited disorder that causes hearing loss due to the ear’s inability to amplify sound.)

Question 10

Otitis media

Answer 10

Ear infection

Question 11

What are risk factors of otitis media?

Answer 11

being between 6 and 36 months old, using a pacifier, attending daycare, being bottle fed instead of breastfed (in infants), drinking while laying down (in infants), being exposed to cigarette smoke, being exposed to high levels of air pollution, experiencing changes in altitude, experiencing changes in climate, being in a cold climate, having had a recent cold, flu, sinus, or ear infection

Question 12

Rinne Test

Answer 12

Notes Air vs bone conduction

Question 13

Weber Test

Answer 13

Localization of sound

Question 14

Whisper Test

Answer 14

1) Stand 1-2 feet behind client so they can not read your lips.
2) Instruct client to place one finger on tragus of left ear to obscure sound.
3) Whisper word with 2 distinct syllables towards client’s right ear.
4) Ask client to repeat word back.
5) Repeat test for left ear.
6) Client should correctly repeat 2 syllable word.

Question 15

When should you do the otoscopic exam?

Answer 15

Save otoscopic examination until last; then parent can hold and comfort child and prevent movement

Question 16

Otitis Externa

Answer 16

Swimmers ear; infection in the ear canal with clear discharge

Question 17

Otitis media with effusion (OME)

Answer 17

infected fluid in middle ear

Question 18

Acute otitis media

Answer 18

infected middle ear, fluid puts pressure on the eardrum causing redness, viruses and bacteria enter the tube through the throat, eustachian tube closes and pus and fluid form

Question 19

Insertion of tympanostomy tubes

Answer 19

inserted into the eardrum in order to keep the middle ear aerated for a prolonged period of time, and to prevent the accumulation of fluid in the middle ear.

Question 20

Perforation

Answer 20

can happen to the tympanic membrane forming scar tissue “ruptured eardrum”, usually do to trauma or untreated acute otitis

Question 21

Blue drum

Answer 21

Blood in the ear canal (hemotympanum)

Question 22

Scarred eardrum

Answer 22

dense white patches on the eardrum are sequelae of repeated ear infections

Question 23

Cholesteatoma

Answer 23

overgrowth of epidermal tissue in middle ear , pearly white, cheesy looking

Question 24

Fungal infection of ear

Answer 24

(otomycosis): colony of white or black dots on eardrum or canal all suggests a yeast or fungal infection

Question 25

Bullous Myringitis

Answer 25

small vesicles containing blood on the eardrum, accompanied by mycoplasma pneumonia and viral infections

Question 26

Acute otitis media

Answer 26

middle ear fluid infected, absent light reflection from increased middle ear pressure, redness and bulging