Ears Flashcards
What are the 3 parts of the ears
External ear
Middle ear
Inner ear
What is the middle ear?
The middle ear begins on the inner side of the tympanic membrane
It consists of bones or ossicles: the malleus, incus, and stapes
Eustachian tube which is an opening from the middle ear to the throat
What is the function of the middle ear?
The bones conduct sound vibrations to the inner ear
Reduces amplitude of loud sounds
Equalization of air pressure
What is conductive hearing loss
Blocked external or middle ear
Excess cerumen, pus in middle ear, torn TM
What is perceptive loss
Loss of CN VIII, nerve damage
Loss of auditory area of brain- can occur with aging, ototoxic drugs, etc
What is the tympanic membrane
Translucent, pearly grey colour
Reflects light when healthy
Cone of light
What is presbycusis
Gradual sensorineural loss in 5th decade, due to nerve degeneration of inner ear
What is otitis media
Middle ear infection
Estimated 90% of children under 2
Persistent, infected fluid in middle ear = impaired hearing. At risk for delayed brain development/cognitive development.
What is the Weber test
For diminished or loss of hearing in one ear
Normal findings of the Weber test
Vibrations heard equally well in both ears
Abnormal findings in the Weber test
Conductive loss: lateralization of sound to affected ear
Sensorineural loss: lateralization of sound to unaffected ear
Where do you see the cone shape light in the right ear
5:00
Where do you see the cone shaped light in the left ear?
7:00
What is otitis externa
Red swollen canals
Swimmers ear
What is tinnitus
Ringing, buzzing, or crackling in the ears (at night)
What causes tinnitus?
Ototoxic drugs: aspirin, aminoglycosides streptomycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, vancomycin
What can cause conductive hearing loss
Coarse stiff cilia
Decrease in sebaceous glands = less cerumen
Scarring from past infections
What is the rinne test
Compares air conduction to bone conduction with tuning fork
Normal findings for rinne test
Air conduction sound is normally heard longer than bone conduction sound ( AC>BC) by 2:1
Abnormal findings for rinne test
Conductive loss: BC= AC
Sensorineural loss: AC> BC but reduced overall
What does white spots on the TM mean?
Scarring from infection
Signs of acute otitis media
Red, bulging eardrum
Signs of serous otitis media
Yellowish fluid, bubbles behind TM
Signs of TM rupture/perforation
Foul smelling, sticky, or yellow discharge
