Otic Conditions

Question 1

What is the common cause of earwax impactions?

Answer 1

Using q-tips. They can compress and punch earwax farther into the ear canal

Question 2

What is the main consequence of impacted earwax?

Answer 2

Can be the main cause of hearing loss in older adults

Question 3

How is impacted earwax removed?

Answer 3

Soften wax with warm oil and then use ear syringe with warm water can help flush out impacted earwax

The ear syringe can provide a gentle stream and aim up

Question 4

Can seniors syringe their own impacted earwax?

Answer 4

Even though this should be in the abilities of a single person, we should recommend patients to get some help with injecting water into their ear canal

Question 5

What are symptoms associated with other otic conditions?

Answer 5

Painful ear (could be an infection)

Constant ringing noise in the ear (tinnitus)

Hearing loss (sounds bad, likely impacted earwax, but should be checked out by MD)

Dizziness (could be literally anything)

Question 6

What can cause tinnitus?

Answer 6

Excessive or cumulative noise exposure

Head and neck injuries

Earwax (if causative factor, tinnitus can go away)

Ear infections

There is no cure for tinnitus. For some people with tinnitus, they can develop insomnia, difficulty with concentrating, poor work or school performance, irritability, anxiety, and depression

Question 7

What is vertigo?

Answer 7

The feeling or a sense that your environment is spinning. Vertigo is a form of dizziness.

Ménière’s disease can also occur in patients with tinnitus. Ménière’s disease is a combination of vertigo, tinnitus, and feeling of otic congestion

Question 8

What are some treatment options for vertigo?

Answer 8

Meclizine (H3 receptor antagonists)

Betahistine (H1 receptor agonists)

Neither options are very effective in treating vertigo

Question 9

What is otitis media?

Answer 9

This is an infection of middle ear

Can be painful and disproportionately affects kids

Question 10

What is done to help kids with recurrent ear infections?

Answer 10

Ear tubes are inserted through the eardrums. These tubes help drain fluid from the middle ear.

The tubes usually stay in for 8-18 months and will fall out on their own

MDs give earplugs to kids with ear tubes, as a way to prevent water from entering the middle ear via the ear tubes

Question 11

What is Otitis Externa?

Answer 11

Inflammation external to the ear drum (external auditory canal/outer ear)

Can be caused by reactive lesions such as eczema and placed objects inside their ear (using dirty q-tips)

Question 12

How to differentiate between otitis media and otitis external?

Answer 12

If you move the cartilage that is infront of the opening of the external auditory channel. In Otitis Externa, it will cause pain. While in Otitis Media, moving this piece of cartilage will not increase pain

Question 13

What are some treatment options for Otitis Externa?

Answer 13

Antibiotic, steroid, and anti-fungal combinations are available

Question 14

Are polysporin agents used commonly for otitis externa?

Answer 14

They are effective, but they are not first line or popular for this indication

Question 15

What is swimmer’s ear?

Answer 15

It is a special type of Otitis Externa that can be contracted by swimmers

The chlorine in pool water can make your ear alkaline, making it more susceptible to being infected

Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans are common pathogens found in swimmer’s ear

Question 16

What is a homemade therapy option for swimmer’s ear?

Answer 16

50% rubbing alcohol

50% vinegar

This solution pulls out moisture and makes the external auditory canal more acidic (kills pathogens)

Treatments like these are just as good as OTC and Rx agents

Question 17

What agents are used in seborrhoea of the ear canal?

Answer 17

Antifungal shampoos are the way to go (apply twice a day)

Any formulation is fine

Question 18

What should a patient do if they have a boil in there external auditory canal?

Answer 18

It can be very painful. If the patient can see it, go ahead and squeeze it out if it has come to a head

Will go away on its own in 7-10 days

Question 19

What can be done to effectively equalize ear pressure?

Answer 19

Smaller reflex/gum-chewing (can be done by younger children)

Hold nose, then equalize with pressure (this is not possible for young kids)

Question 20

Can a perforated eardrum be a permanent injury?

Answer 20

A torn eardrum will usually heal by itself within 6-8 weeks. Body is good at regenerating ear drums

Question 21

What are some causes of ear pain?

Answer 21

Ear infection

Changes in air pressure

Earwax buildup

Foreign object

Strep throat

Sinus infection

Shampoo or water trapped in the ear

Cotton swabs in the ear