Transcript PPT only
Disorders Friday!!!! Or Fear & Loathing in the Outer Ear Outer Ear Disorder 1 • Symptoms – – – – – Ear red & swollen May be some watery discharge Acute or chronic Diffuse or localized Typically mild • Population – Swimmers • Ear constantly moist – Anyone (most common ailment) • Scratching or irritation to area • Fungal • Diagnosis – Otitis Externa – Keep dry, use topical antibiotics • Very treatable, 1 week recovery Outer Ear Disorders 2 • Symptoms – Colored ear • Black (85%), yellow, gray, white, blue-green • Itchy – Wet or full feeling – Initially mild hearing loss, may be progressive • Population – Recent users of antibiotics – Residents of very hot, humid environments • Diagnosis – Otomycosis (special case of Otitis Externa) – Keep dry, use topical antibacterial • More difficult treatment Outer Ear Obstruction 1 • Symptoms – Better hearing in Sound Field than Earphone – Soft cartilage – Moderate hearing loss, especially with high frequencies • Population – Older adults • Diagnosis – Collapsed ear canal • Obstruction blocks sound • Ear collapses with earphones – Ear may be held open, but the problem is chronic Obstruction 2 • Symptoms – Cerumen build-up (otoscope) – Itching, irritation – Mild to moderate conductive hearing loss – Mild tinnitus (rare) • Population – Anyone • Asian (dry) vs. Euro-African (wet) cerumen? • Diagnosis – Impacted Cerumen – Treatment Irrigation • May cause middle ear infection, require multiple attempts – Softening Drugs (see Guest et al., 2004) Neoplasms 1 • Symptoms – Fullness (possible pain) – Otoscopic inspection shows growth – Unilateral mild conductive hearing loss • Population – Anyone • Older adults • Diagnosis – Exotoses/Osteomas – bony tumors • Benign – May be removed with surgery Neoplasms 2 • Symptoms – Fullness – Mild conductive hearing loss – Otoscopic inspection shows blockage • Purple growth • Population – Infants, less than 2 months of age • Diagnosis – Hemangiomas – Blood filled growth • If unusual size may displace structures • Blockage of the Meatus • Very RARE – Treatment • Self resolving (age 5) • Steroids Outer Ear Disorders – Big Picture • Infections & blockages – Typically mild conductive hearing loss – Less than 10 dB HL difference • Neoplasms – Growths with low risk of affecting hearing