Ears

Question 1

list the 3 functions of the middle ear

Answer 1

1. transmit sound = conducts sound vibrations from outer eat to central hearing apparatus in inner ear
2. protects inner ear = reduces amplitude of loud sounds
3. equalize pressure = eustachian tube equalizes air pressure on each side of tympanic membrane

Question 2

compare two pathways of hearing

Answer 2

AC (air conduction) = most efficient, vibrations are carried by middle ear ossicles to oval window
BC (bone conduction) = bones of skull vibrate + vibrations are transmitted directly to inner ear

Question 3

conductive VS sensorineural hearing loss

Answer 3

• conductive = mechanical dysfunction of external + middle ear. partial hearing loss. causes = impact cerumen, foreign bodies, perforated tympanic membrane, pus / semen, in middle ear of otosclerosis
• sensorineural = pathology of inner ear, increase in amplitude may not enable person to understand words. causes = prebycusis, ototoxic drugs

Question 4

relate the anatomic differences that place the infant at a greater risk for middle ear infections

Answer 4

infants have a shorter + wider, horizontal middle ear which makes it easier for pathogens from nasopharynx to migrate through middle ear

Question 5

describe whispered voice test for hearing acuity

Answer 5

whisper 3 random words/letters at different distances and see if patient can hear/repeat them

Question 6

explain positioning of a normal ear alignment in the child

Answer 6

shorter + have a slope

Question 7

define otosclerosis + presbycusis

Answer 7

• otosclerosis = gradual bone formation that causes the foot plate of stapes to become fixed in the oval window
• presbycusis = gradual sensorineural loss caused by nerve degeneration in inner ear that slowly progresses

Question 8

explain the motions used to straighten the ear canal when using the otoscope with and infant VS adult

Answer 8

infant = pull pinna down + back
adult = pull pinna up + back

Question 9

describe Darwins tubercle

Answer 9

small painless nodule on the helix

Question 10

describe a sebaceous cyst

Answer 10

behind the lobule in post auricle fold

Question 11

describe trophi

Answer 11

small whitish, yellow, hard, non tender nodules in/or near helix

Question 12

describe choridrodermatitis

Answer 12

painful nodules develop at rim of helix

Question 13

describe keloid

Answer 13

overgrowth of scare tissu which invades original site of trauma

Question 14

describe osteoma

Answer 14

single, stony/hard, rounded tubule that obscures the drum (benign)

Question 15

describe exostosis

Answer 15

small, bony/hard, rounded nodules of hypertrophic bone, converted with normal epithelium

Question 16

define furuncle

Answer 16

painful, reddened, infected hair follicle

Question 17

define polyp

Answer 17

arises in canal from granulomatous (mucosal tissue) redder than surrounding skin

Question 18

describe behaviour that might be demonstrated in a clinical interview by a patient who has hearing loss

Answer 18

• misunderstanding / asks to repeat questions)
• lip reading
• lean forward to hear better
• position head differently to hear better
• loud voice
• garbled / muffled speech