External Ear Consists of…
- Pinna
- External auditry meatus (ear canal)
- Hair follicles
- Ceruminous and sebaceous glands
Meatus
Opening
Function of External Ear
Collect and transmit sound to the tympanic membrane (eardrum)
The Eustachian Tube
- Auditory tube
- Links nasopharynx to the middle ear
- Pressure equalisation
- Mucus drainage from middle ear
Eustachian Tube in Children
- Horizontal and shorter making bacteria entry easier
- Smaller in diameter making movement of fluid more difficult
- Therefore more prone to ear infections
Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection)
Inflamation of the middle ear
- Most common in children
Otitis Media Cause
Viral or bacterial infection
- accumulation og pus within the ear or inflammation of tympanic membrane results
Otitis Media Symptoms
- Ear pain (earache)
- Children may rub or tug at the ear and be irritable and crying
- Fever
- Bulging tympanic Membrane
- Loss of normal landmarks
- Change of colour (red or yellow)
Otitis Media Tx
- Paracetamol
- Refer to GP
Otitis Externa (Swimmers Ear)
Generalised inflammation throughout ear canal often associated with infection
- Common in QLD summers due to humidity
Otitis Externa Symptoms
- Itching and irritation
- Ear discharge (Otorrhoea)
- Ear canal is red, swollen and eczematous
Otitis Externa Causes
- Water trapped in ear canal
- Dermatitis
- Foreign objects
- Scratch
- Pathogens
Otitis Externa Tx
- Clean ear canal
- Insertion of er wick with medication
- Refer to GP
Otitis Externa Prevention
- Acetic acid or ethanol ear drops
- Keep ears dry
- Avoid trauma to ears
Dermatitis of Ear
Allergic, contact, seborrhoeic and atopic dermatitis can occur on external ear. should be treated as dermatitis
Dermatitis of Ear vs Otitis Externa
Patients with dermatitis of ear will have lesions elswhere on the body
Otitis Externa vs Otitis Media
Patients with otitis media will have systemic, cold-like symptoms
Ear Wax Impaction Symptoms
- History of gradual hearing loss
- Ear discomfort
- Recent attempts to clean ears
Ear Wax Impaction Treatment
Ear drops:
- Oil-based products
- Peroxide-based products
- Water-based products
- Ducosate
