Ear Conditions Flashcards
Earwax (cerumen)
What causes earwax and how should it be treated
They ears are typically self-cleansing and only a few people are genetically more prone to excessive earwax production. In these people, problematic wax should be
- removed with drops
- By irrigation with warm water
- gentle suction
- ear nurse
Swimmers ear (otitis externa)
What is it?
How to treat?
Swimmers ear is best prevented by drying the ears thoroughly after exposure to water and by using a product containing a water-evaporating agent
Swimmers ear is a condition of the outer ear canal that commonly occurs in swimmers
Water, humidity, heat and moisture can cause the thin layer of skin that lines the ear canal to soften and swell, making it prone to infection by bacteria
Early symptoms include an itching within the ear and slight redness of the ear canal
Advise customers to use eardrops that remove or dry up residual water
Otitis media
Otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear, causing a build up of fluid, with or without infection
What makes up the ear?
Each ear consist of 3 parts
- Inner, middle, outer
Outer
- the outer ear collects sounds from the environment and funnels them through the rest of the ear
- composed of pinna, external canal, tympanic membrane (eardrum)
Middle
- the middle ear is an oval, air-filled space that contains the …….hammer, anvil, stirrup…… which conducts sound waves from the tympanic membrane to the inner ear
Inner
- responsible for interpreting sound and transmitting to the brain
- Main components are the vestibule, semicircular canals and cochlea
What are some earwax removal drops?
How do they work?
Audiclean, waxsol, auralgan, cerumol, ear clear
Helps soften or loosen wax
- once drops are administered, the patient should lie with the ear containing the solution uppermost for 5-10 mins
What are some ear cleansing products?
how do they work?
Audiclean, ear clear
Contains fluids such as purified sea water to wash away dirt and excess wax
