Outer Ear Disorders

Outer Ear Disorders

Brianna Miluk

5 Facts

• Outer Ear Disorders do not ALWAYS cause Hearing Loss
• Conductive Hearing Loss can be Acquired or Genetic
• Outer Ear Disorders can be detected through Visual Examination
• Treatments are Medical or Surgical
• Many Syndromes are Associated with Outer Ear Disorders

Stenosis

A stenotic ear canal occurs when the canal leading from the external ear to the middle ear is abnormally narrow.

Symptoms

• Narrow Ear Canal
• Hearing Loss

Treatment

• Surgery

Causes

• Congenital
• Chronic Inflammation of Ear Canal
• Surgery
• Osteoma

Prevention

• Sometimes not possible
• Proper Care

ATresia

http://www.ehow.com/about_6719257_stenotic-ear-canal_.html

External auditory canal atresia (EACA) is characterised by complete or incomplete bony atresia of the external auditory canal (EAC) and, especially when seen in the setting of an associated syndrome, a dysplastic auricle and abnormal middle ear cavity.

Symptoms

• Malformation of EAC

Treatment

• Surgical reconstruction

Abnormalities

Causes: Congenital

• Crouzon syndrome
• Treacher Collins syndrome
• Goldenhar syndrome
• Pierre Robin syndrome

Prevention

• N/A

Ear Tags, Ear Pits, Malformations

Causes

• An inherited tendency
• A genetic syndrome (Down Syndrome, Turner Syndrome)
• A sinus tract problem
• Post-birth

Prevention

• Proper Ear Protection (headgear)

http://radiopaedia.org/articles/external-auditory-canal-atresia

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/993857-overview

Symptoms

• Skin Tag or Pit
• Malformation of Pinna

Treatment

• Generally none if hearing is unaffected
• Cosmetic Surgery

Dermatitis

A common, inflammatory skin condition that causes flaky, white to yellowish scales to form on oily areas such as the scalp, face or inside the ear.

Cerumen

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003304.htm

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003303.htm

Cerumen is a naturally occurring, normally extruded product of the external auditory canal.

Causes

• Unknown

Risk Factors

• Stress or fatigue
• Weather extremes
• Oily skin, or skin problems such as acne
• Infrequent shampoos or skin cleaning
• Using lotions that contain alcohol
• Obesity
• Neurologic conditions, including Parkinson's disease, head injury or stroke
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Prevention

• Controlling Risk Factors

Symptoms

• Skin lesions
• Plaques over large area
• Greasy, oily areas of skin
• Skin scales -- white and flaking, or yellowish, oily, and sticky dandruff
• Itching -- may become more itchy if infected
• Mild redness
• Hair loss

Treatment

• Prescribed lotions or cream

Treatment

• Manual Removal
• Irrigation
• Ceruminolytics
• Home or Alternative Treatments

Otitis externa

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000963.htm

Causes

• Compacting Cerumen
• Cotton Swabs
• Fingers

Prevention

• Regular cleanings for those diagnosed
• Avoid Cotton Swab Use
• Avoid Candling Removal

Symptoms

• Pain
• DIzziness
• Hearing Loss

aka Swimmer's Ear

An infection of your outer ear canal

Causes

• Moisture trapped in the ear canal
• Injury to Ear canal

Conductive Hearing Loss

http://www.asha.org/publications/leader/2008/081014/aud081014.htm

http://www.aafp.org/afp/2007/0515/p1523.html

Symptoms

• Redness
• Swelling
• Pain to Touch
• Drainage from Ear Canal
• Ichiness
• Some Hearing Loss

Treatment

• Ear Drops
• Medication
• Cotton Ball Soaked in Medication

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound is not conducted efficiently through the outer ear canal to the eardrum and the tiny bones (ossicles) of the middle ear.

Prevention

• Dry your ears well after swimming or bathing.
• Tilt your head to drain water from your ears.
• Use a hair dryer on low and hold it several inches from your ear until your ears feel dry.
• Wear earplugs and/or swim cap if frequent swimmer.
• Don’t put anything in your ears! (Cotton swabs, fingernails, and pointed objects(
• Ask your doctor how to safely remove earwax if you think you have a problem with wax buildup.

Outer Ear Anatomy

Causes: Acquired or Genetic

• Fluid in the Middle Ear
• Ear Infections
• Syndromes
• Poor Eustachian Tube function
• Perforated Eardrum
• Benign Tumors
• Impacted Cerumen
• Presence of a Foreign Body
• Absence or Malformation of the Outer Ear, Ear Canal, or Middle Ear

http://www.asha.org/uploadedFiles/AIS-Swimmers-Ear-Otitis-Externa.pdf#search=%22otitis%22

Prevention

• Hearing Screening
• Noise Exposure
• Correct Amplification

Symptoms

• Dizziness
• Tinnitus
• Trouble Hearing

Treatments

• Medically
• Surgically

http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/conductive-hearing-loss/

www.asha.org/aud/Articles/Hearing-Loss-Prevention-Across-the-Lifespan/