The Ear Pathology

Question 1

Audiology

Answer 1

Medical specialty involved with measuring hearing function and identifying hearing loss. Specialist is an ‘audiologist.’

Question 2

Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)

Answer 2

Branch of medicine involving the diagnosis and treatment of conditions and diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. Also referred to as ANT. Physician is an ‘otorhinolaryngologist.’

Question 3

Macrotia

Answer 3

Condition of having abnormally large ears

Question 4

Microtia

Answer 4

Condition of having abnormally small ears

Question 5

Otalgia

Answer 5

Ear pain

Question 6

Otopyorrhea

Answer 6

Discharge of pus from the ear

Question 7

Otorrhagia

Answer 7

Bleeding from the ear

Question 8

Presbycusis

Answer 8

Normal loss of hearing that can accompany the aging process

Question 9

Residual Hearing

Answer 9

Amount of hearing that is still present after damage has occurred to the auditory mechanism

Question 10

Tinnitus

Answer 10

Ringing in the ears

Question 11

Tympanorrhexis

Answer 11

Rupture of the tympanic membrane

Question 12

Vertigo

Answer 12

Dizziness caused by the sensation that the room is spinning

Question 13

Anacusis

Answer 13

Total absence of hearing; inability to perceive sound. Also called ‘deafness.’

Question 14

Deafness

Answer 14

Inability to hear or having some degree of hearing impairment

Question 15

Ceruminoma

Answer 15

Excessive accumulation of earwax resulting in a hard wax plug. Sound becomes muffled

Question 16

Otitis Externa (OE)

Answer 16

External ear infection. May be caused by bacteria or fungus. Also called otomycosis and commonly referred to as ‘swimmer’s ear.’

Question 17

Otomycosis

Answer 17

Fungal infection of the ear. One type of otitis externa

Question 18

Myringitis

Answer 18

Inflammation of the tympanic membrane

Question 19

Otitis Media (OM)

Answer 19

Seen frequently in children; commonly referred to as a ‘middle ear infection.’ Often preceded by an upper respiratory infection during which pathogens move from the pharynx to the middle ear via the eustachian tube. Fluid accumulates in the middle ear cavity. The fluid may be watery, serous otitis media, or full of pus, purulent otitis media

Question 20

Otosclerosis

Answer 20

Loss of mobility of the stapes bone, leading to progressive hearing loss

Question 21

Salpingitis

Answer 21

Inflammation of the auditory tube

Question 22

Tympanitis

Answer 22

Inflammation of the tympanic membrane

Question 23

Acoustic Neuroma

Answer 23

Benign tumor of the eighth cranial nerve sheath. The pressure causes symptoms such as tinnitus, headache, dizziness, and progressive hearing loss

Question 24

Labyrinthitis

Answer 24

May affect both the hearing and equilibrium portions of the inner ear. Also referred to as an ‘inner ear infection.’

Question 25

Ménière’s Disease

Answer 25

Abnormal condition within the labyrinth of the inner ear that can lead to a progressive loss of hearing. The symptoms are dizziness or vertigo, hearing loss, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Named for French physician Prosper Ménière