scholarly journals Ear Wax and its Impaction: Clinical Findings and Management

2021 ◽  
pp. 176-182
Author(s):  
Varun Agrawal ◽  
P. T. Deshmukh
Keyword(s):  
Tympanic Membrane ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Natural Material ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Ear Wax ◽  
Asymptomatic Individuals ◽  
Cerumen Removal ◽  
Loss Of Hearing

Cerumen, sometimes known as "earwax," is a natural material that cleans, coats, and smooths the external auditory canal. It is the most common cause of ear canal obstruction. While cerumen blockage of the ear canal is usually painless, it can result in a variety of implications, for example, loss of hearing, tinnitus, overflowing, itching, otalgia, discharge, odour, and cough. Ear wax becomes a concern only when it causes hearing loss or other ear-related ailments. Cerumen build-up can arise for various causes, including an inability to self-clear, overproduction or underproduction of its essential components due to delayed skin movement, or mechanical difficulties such as usage of cotton buds or hearing aids. Wax can obstruct the understanding and view of the tympanic membrane and must be gone for investigative purposes or to take imprints before installing hearing support or creating earplugs. Cerumen impaction is usually innocuous; however, it might be associated with more significant symptoms. The removal of affected cerumen is typically regarded safe. However, as eardrum tear, canal laceration, and unsuccessful ear wax elimination. These dangers can be reduced by recognizing risky individuals and customising care measures to their specific needs. All common cerumen removal strategies are Cerumenolytics (ear wax emollient agents), irrigation, and manual elimination. It is also prudent not to interfere if asymptomatic individuals and tympanic membrane visualization are not required.

Using Average Correction Factors to Improve the Estimated Sound Pressure Level Near the Tympanic Membrane

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (09) ◽  
pp. 733-750
Author(s):  
Karrie LaRae Recker ◽  
Tao Zhang ◽  
Weili Lin
Keyword(s):  
Tympanic Membrane ◽  
Sound Pressure Level ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Sound Pressure ◽  
Pressure Level ◽  
Correction Factors ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Frequency Components ◽  
Ear Canals

Background: Sound pressure-based real ear measurements are considered best practice for ensuring audibility among individuals fitting hearing aids. The accuracy of current methods is generally considered clinically acceptable for frequencies up to about 4 kHz. Recent interest in the potential benefits of higher frequencies has brought about a need for an improved, and clinically feasible, method of ensuring audibility for higher frequencies. Purpose: To determine whether (and the extent to which) average correction factors could be used to improve the estimated high-frequency sound pressure level (SPL) near the tympanic membrane (TM). Research Design: For each participant, real ear measurements were made along the ear canal, at 2–16 mm from the TM, in 2-mm increments. Custom in-ear monitors were used to present a stimulus with frequency components up to 16 kHz. Study Sample: Twenty adults with normal middle-ear function participated in this study. Intervention: Two methods of creating and implementing correction factors were tested. Data Collection and Analysis: For Method 1, correction factors were generated by normalizing all of the measured responses along the ear canal to the 2-mm response. From each normalized response, the frequency of the pressure minimum was determined. This frequency was used to estimate the distance to the TM, based on the ¼ wavelength of that frequency. All of the normalized responses with similar estimated distances to the TM were grouped and averaged. The inverse of these responses served as correction factors. To apply the correction factors, the only required information was the frequency of the pressure minimum. Method 2 attempted to, at least partially, account for individual differences in TM impedance, by taking into consideration the frequency and the width of the pressure minimum. Because of the strong correlation between a pressure minimum's width and depth, this method effectively resulted in a group of average normalized responses with different pressure-minimum depths. The inverse of these responses served as correction factors. To apply the correction factors, it was necessary to know both the frequency and the width of the pressure minimum. For both methods, the correction factors were generated using measurements from one group of ten individuals and verified using measurements from a second group of ten individuals. Results: Applying the correction factors resulted in significant improvements in the estimated SPL near the TM for both methods. Method 2 had the best accuracy. For frequencies up to 10 kHz, 95% of measurements had <8 dB of error, which is comparable to the accuracy of real ear measurement methods that are currently used clinically below 4 kHz. Conclusions: Average correction factors can be successfully applied to measurements made along the ear canals of otologically healthy adults, to improve the accuracy of the estimated SPL near the TM in the high frequencies. Further testing is necessary to determine whether these correction factors are appropriate for pediatrics or individuals with conductive hearing losses.

scholarly journals Tympanic membrane perforation, otitis media and labyrinthitis caused by otomycosis confirmed by intravenous gadolinium 1.5 tesla MRI-a case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Chunhui Yang
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Inner Ear ◽  
Tympanic Membrane ◽  
Otitis Media ◽  
Fungal Infections ◽  
Tympanic Membrane Perforation ◽  
Asian Woman ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Membrane Perforation ◽  
Cerumen Removal

Otomycosis is a fungal ear infection, mostly a superficial mycotic infection of the outer ear canal. The infection may be either subacute or acute but chronic form is around 10%. The characteristic of otomycosis are discharge, pruritus, or more severe discomfort. Here we report a 46-year-old Asian woman presented with vertigo and was diagnosed as otomycosis with the complications of tympanic membrane perforation, otitis media and labyrinthitis of inner ear which was confirmed by IV-Gd 1.5 T MRI. This case is a chronic otomycosis related to cerumen removal two year before this onset. Our study supported the suggestion that otomycosis should include fungal infections of the middle and inner ear, furthermore the infection of the inner ear may be included as labyrinthitis with the symptom of vertigo.

Acute labyrinthitis and meningitis of the ear origin

1930 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 941-941
Author(s):  
B. Goland
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Body ◽  
Tympanic Membrane ◽  
Foreign Bodies ◽  
Family Doctor ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Deep Wound ◽  
The Right

Abstracts. Otorhinolaryngology. Prof. Uffenrode (D. med. Woch. 1929. No. 25.) describes 2 very interesting cases from his practice. 1. To remove peas from the ears of a 5-year-old child, a family doctor used tweezers. In view of the child's strong anxiety, chlorine ethyl anesthesia was applied, but the removal of foreign bodies from the ears was not possible; deep wound in the right ear canal. Secondary chlorine - ethyl anesthesia; the foreign body was removed from the left ear by washing, from the right ear it was not possible. The next day, an otorhinolaryngologist will remove the foreign body from the right ear; a wound of the tympanic membrane was established.

scholarly journals Antero-inferior tympanic visibility during microscopy

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
pp. 1714
Author(s):  
Manish Munjal ◽  
Gopika Talwar ◽  
Shubham Munjal ◽  
Tulika Saggar
Keyword(s):  
Tympanic Membrane ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Neck Surgery ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Medical College ◽  
Zero Degree ◽  
Entire Margin ◽  
Perforated Tympanic Membrane ◽  
Inferior Quadrant ◽  
Nose And Throat

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The antero-inferior recess of the ear canal is not visible to the otologist, thereby effecting proper placement of the graft and thereby affecting its uptake .The visibility of this region in the adult population is assessed.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The quadrants of tympanic membrane were examined in 60 subjects with perforated tympanic membrane undergoing tympanoplasty. The study was conducted in the department of ENT-HNS (ear, nose and throat-head and neck surgery), Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> With the microscope in 48 (80%) entire perforation could be visualized and in 12 (20%) margins were not in the line of view. 5 perforations were posterior superior and 12 were total perforations. Otoendoscope examination with zero degree could show the entire margin of the perforation.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> In 80% population the antero-inferior quadrant of the tympanic membrane is accessible to straight vision of the microscope.</p>

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Tympanic Thermometry for diagnosing Acute Otitis Media

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-78
Author(s):  
Muhammad Zubair ◽  
Ghulam Saqulain ◽  
Arfat Jawaid
Keyword(s):  
Tympanic Membrane ◽  
Otitis Media ◽  
Temperature Difference ◽  
Acute Otitis Media ◽  
P Value ◽  
Upper Respiratory Tract ◽  
Mean Temperature ◽  
Ear Wax ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group B

Background: Acute Otitis Media (AOM) is a common upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) in children and usually presents with fever and otalgia. AOM is characterized by congested tympanic membrane and possible increase in temperature, which might be picked up by infrared tympanic thermometry. The objective of this study was to compare the temperature difference of tympanic membrane of affected ear with the unaffected ear and axilla in unilateral acute otitis media, and compare it with the control group.Material and Methods: This case control study comprised of 200 cases of both genders, aged up to 5 years. They were divided into two groups; Group A included 100 clinically diagnosed cases of acute otitis media (AOM), who reported in the ENT Outpatient Department (OPD) and Group B included 100 controls who presented in General Filter Clinic with no ear complaints. Cases with chronic ear disease, ear discharge, and use of local drugs including ear drops, impacted ear wax, tragal tenderness and congenital malformations of the ear were excluded by taking a detailed history. Clinical examination including otoscopy by an expert was done before subjecting patients to axillary and tympanic thermometry measurements and data recording. Data was collected and tabulated using Microsoft Excel Worksheet and analyzed by SPSS 16. Qualitative data like gender were presented as percentage and ratio, while means and standard deviation were calculated for the quantitative data. Difference between the means of experimental and control groups were analyzed by independent sample t-test and P value of less than or equal to 0.05 was taken as significant.Results: This study included 100 cases of unilateral AOM and 100 normal controls without AOM. In patients with AOM, the mean temperature difference between the affected ear and axilla was 1.41ºF as compared to 0.075ºF in controls (p=0.026). While the mean temperature difference between the affected ear and other ear was 0.65ºF as compared to 0.19ºF in controls (p=0.069).Conclusion: In acute otitis media, the temperature of affected ear is significantly higher than axilla but was not significantly higher than the other ear. The finding may help establish thermometry as a diagnostic tool in clinics manned by doctors not competent to do otoscopy.

scholarly journals Macroscopic description of the external and middle ear of paca (Cuniculus paca Linnaeus, 1766)

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 583-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leandro L. Martins ◽  
Ijanete Almeida-Silva ◽  
Maria Rossato ◽  
Adriana A.B. Murashima ◽  
Miguel A. Hyppolito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tympanic Membrane ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Gross Anatomy ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Temporal Region ◽  
External Ear ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Ear Canal ◽  
Macroscopic Description ◽  
Mouse Ear

Abstract: Paca (Cuniculus paca), one of the largest rodents of the Brazilian fauna, has inherent characteristics of its species which can conribute as a new option for animal experimantation. As there is a growing demand for suitable experimental models in audiologic and otologic surgical research, the gross anatomy and ultrastructural ear of this rodent have been analyzed and described in detail. Fifteen adult pacas from the Wild Animals Sector herd of Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Unesp-Jaboticabal, were used in this study. After anesthesia and euthanasia, we evaluated the entire composition of the external ear, registering and ddescribing the details; the temporal region was often dissected for a better view and detailing of the tympanic bulla which was removed and opened to expose the ear structures analyzed mascroscopically and ultrastructurally. The ear pinna has a triangular and concave shape with irregular ridges and sharp apex. The external auditory canal is winding in its path to the tympanic mebrane. The tympanic bulla is is on the back-bottom of the skull. The middle ear is formed by a cavity region filled with bone and membranous structures bounded by the tympanic membrane and the oval and round windows. The tympanic membrane is flat and seals the ear canal. The anatomy of the paca ear is similar to the guinea pig and from the viewpoint of experimental model has major advantages compared with the mouse ear.

A Pathway for Information Transmission to the Ear

1995 ◽  
Vol 74 (9) ◽  
pp. 640-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Ferreira Bento ◽  
Aroldo Miniti ◽  
Tanit Ganz Sanchez ◽  
Adolfo Leiner ◽  
Carlos Augusto Nunes
Keyword(s):  
Tympanic Membrane ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Electromagnetic Interference ◽  
Light Emitting Diode ◽  
Photovoltaic Cell ◽  
Small Power ◽  
Prosthetic Devices ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Implantable Hearing Aids ◽  
Audio Range

The use of implantable hearing aids and cochlear implants as an aid to neurosensory deafness is becoming an established procedure. The transmission of a processed speech signal is accomplished either transcutaneously via radiofrequency or percutaneously by connector coupling. Whereas the former is sensitive to electromagnetic interference, the latter increases the risk of infection. To overcome these disadvantages, an infrared (IR) system for transmission through the tympanic membrane was devised and tested. The transmitter/receiver consisted of an IR light emitting diode (LED;920nm) and a photovoltaic cell. The LED was placed inside the auditory canal of four dogs and the photovoltaic cell in the tympanic cavity over the cochlear promontory. A sinusoidal signal modulation was applied to the LED. The emitted signal was detected undistorted after crossing the tympanic membrane, with an average absorbance of 20%. High-frequency cut-off was adequate for cochlear implant purposes and audio prosthetic devices in general. The authors conclude that the tympanic membrane may be used as a translucent sealed interface to transmit data in the audio range to the middle and inner ears, with small power loss, good frequency response, and immunity to interface.

Traumatic tympanic membrane perforation by a needlefish: case report

2012 ◽  
Vol 126 (9) ◽  
pp. 932-934 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Bijoor ◽  
T Rourke ◽  
H Thomson
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Foreign Body ◽  
Tympanic Membrane ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Tympanic Membrane Perforation ◽  
Careful Examination ◽  
Mechanism Of Injury ◽  
Unique Case ◽  
Membrane Perforation

AbstractObjectives:We report a unique case of traumatic tympanic membrane perforation caused by a needlefish beak. We describe the mechanism of injury, the clinical findings and the treatment.Case report:An 11-year-old boy presented with otorrhoea and hearing loss secondary to a traumatic tympanic membrane perforation by a needlefish. The perforation was repaired by performing a myringoplasty, with satisfactory post-operative audiological results.Conclusion:To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of its kind. It is recommended that careful examination of the middle-ear space should always be carried out prior to and during myringoplasty if there is a possibility of a foreign body.

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