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Disorders of the Outer Ear Flipbook PDF
Recognising disorders of the outer ear
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Recognising disorders of the Ear.
Introduction • Clinical examination of the ear is essential. Correct procedure, known as otoscopy is essential to make sure we can see what is going on in the ear canal. The ear canal can tell us so many things regarding the health of patients. Here we will share with you best practices and some of the things to look for.
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The most common disorders you are likely to come across is impacted ear wax. In the event that something else is going on in the ear it is important to recognise any disorders and know when to refer to the relevant health care professional.
Normal Ear Drum A normal Ear drum is a Grey and opaque colour. It has slight transparency which allows us to see some of the middle ear. The main part of the middle ear we can observe during Otoscopy is a bone known as the Malleus. What we are looking for with a healthy Ear Drum is the malleus bone which pulls the ear drum back slightly, so it is concave. We know it is doing this because it gives off a certain light reflection known as the light reflex. Sometimes the ear is transparent enough to provide us with a view of all the middle ear bones. There is 3 in total and they are known as the malleus, Incus and Stapes.
Impacted Wax The most common observation in hearing clinics outside of a normal ear drum is an ear that has impacted ear wax. Ear wax is perfectly healthy in the ear and is there to protect your ear from dirt and infection, However too much can be a nuisance, cause a hearing loss, and effect hearing aid use. Ear Wax is easily removed by Micro suction.
Exostosis Exostosis are benign growths in the ear canal. They are cartilaginous tissue that grows on the bony part of the ear canal. There can often be multiple and generally happen bilaterally (in both ears). They normally have no symptoms and are found in people who expose themselves to cold water regularly. They very rarely grow large enough to block the ear canal.
Foreign body There can be a wide range of common foreign bodies in the ear. A regular one is components of hearing aids such as domes, filters and batteries and often parts of cotton buds can get stuck in the ear. Sometimes bugs and broken parts of hearing aids can be observed. It is essential to have foreign bodies removed by an expert. Foreign bodies tend to sit deep in the ear canal and cause pain. Trying to remove them yourself can result in damage to the ear canal or ear drum.
Otomycosis This infection is more common during the summer months. Fungi need moisture and warmth to grow. Mainly caused by trauma in the ear canal or excessive moisture In addition, people who have weakened immune systems, trauma or injuries in the ear, eczema, or other chronic skin problems are at a higher risk of getting this type of infection
Acute Otitis Externa Otitis Externa is inflammation of the outer ear which can be very red, itchy and painful, often caused by exposure to water, foreign bodies stuck in the ear, skin allergies and trauma causing a break in the skin,
Tympanosclerosis Found in patients who generally have had severe or continued ear infections. Effectively this is where the eardrum has repaired itself but left a calcified tissue between the 3 layers of your ear drum. Traumatic Ear Drum perforation This is something you may recognise if you watch sports like boxing. Generally this happens when there is a sudden and rapid change in pressure such as a blow to the ear or if you are exposed to a very loud bang. Also, if you place things down your ear like cotton buds and Kirby grips you will very likely put yourself in danger of a traumatic ear drum perforation.
Perforation Generally, very easy to see, this is a hole in the Tympanic Membrane in an area called the pars tensa. It can generally occur after repeated ear infections or ear trauma.
Serous otitis Media Also known as Otitis Media with effusion, is an ear condition which involves fluid inside the middle ear, more commonly seen in children, fluid and air bubbles can often be observed behind the tympanic membrane.
Acute Otitis Media Acute Otitis Media is when the area behind the ear drum becomes inflamed and infected resulting in pain and discharge. changes in altitude, changes in climate or having experienced recent colds, flu, sinus or ear infection can bring this on This can be a painful type of ear infection. This is a middle ear problem and can be painful because the middle ear becomes very inflamed and carries infection.