Disorders of the Ear Flashcards
(108 cards)
What are the disorders of the ear?
- ET Dysfunction
2 Otitis Media
- Otitis Externa
- TM Perforation
- Barotrauma
- Foreign Body of the Ear
- Cerumen Impaction
- Mastoiditis
- Acoustic neuroma
- Vertigo Syndromes
- BPPV
- Labryinthitis
- Meniere’s disease
- Presbycusis
What are the types of otitis media? 4
- Acute Otitis Media (AOM)
- OM with effusion
- Chronic Suppurative Otitis
- Cholesteoma
What are the landmarks that should be visible for the TM?
- UMBO
- Handle of MALLEUS:
- LIGHT reflex
The pneumatic attachment of the otoscope is used to evaluate what in the TM?
mobility
What is the valsalva manuever used to observe?
Observe for motion and pain.
Describe the following for the Weber and Rinne test:
- Purpose
- Fork placement
- Normal hearing
- Conductive Loss
- Sensorineural loss
See picture

What is the problem with Eustachian tube dysfunction?
Classically described as a blockage of the eustachian tube.
The eustachian tube does not open or close properly in response to pressure changes within the middle ear or outside the ear.
Describe the setting for acute ETD?
2
- Acute ETD may occur in the setting of pressure changes (e.g., plane travel) or
- acute upper airway inflammation (e.g., URI, sinusitis).
Chronic ETD may lead to what?
6
- negative middle ear pressure,
- retracted tympanic membrane,
- serous effusions,
- otitis media,
- adhesive otitis media
- cholesteatoma.
- What is Patulous eustachian tube?
- How does it manifest?
is failure of the eustachian tube to close. It is often manifested as autophony,
when an individual’s own breathing and voice sounds excessively loud.
Eustachian tube functions?
4
- Ventilation/regulation of middle ear pressure
- Protection from nasopharyngeal secretions
- Drainage of middle ear fluid
- ET is closed at rest and opens with yawning, swallowing, and sneezing.
- Normally the Eustachian tube is closed, but it can open to let a small amount of air through to prevent damage by what?
- Pressure differences cause conductive hearing loss by what process?
- Various methods of ear clearing such as yawning, swallowing, chewing gum, or performing the valsalva maneuver may be used for what?
- When this happens, a small ___________is heard, an event familiar to aircraft passengers, scuba divers or drivers in mountainous regions.
- damage by equalizing pressure between the middle ear and the atmosphere.
- decreased motion of the tympanic membrane and ossicles of the ear.
- intentionally to open the tube and equalize pressures.
- popping sound
Cycle of dysfunction: Structural or functional obstruction of the ET compromises 3 functions of this system?
- Negative pressure develops in middle ear.
- Serous exudate is drawn from the middle ear mucosa by negative pressure or refluxed into the middle ear if the ET opens momentarily.
- Infection of static fluid causes edema and release of inflammatory mediators, which exacerbates cycle of inflammation and obstruction.
- ETD is most common in what age group?
- In children, a horizontally oriented ET predisposes to difficulties with what?
- Shorter ET predisposes what?
- ETD can be associated with what?4
- When should we refer to an ENT?2
- children under 5
- ventilation and drainage
- Shorter ET predisposes to reflux
- Can be associated with
- URI,
- adenoid hypertrophy,
- allergic rhinnitis, or
- GERD - Refer to an otolaryngologist if
- hearing loss or recurrent or
- chronic middle ear infections.
ETD Risk Factors
Pediatric:
9
- 2nd-hand smoke
- Prematurity and low birth weight
- Young age
- Craniofacial abnormalities (e.g., cleft palate, Down syndrome)
- Day care, exposure to many other children
- Crowded living conditions
- Low socioeconomic status
- Prone sleeping position
- Prolonged bottle use
ETD Commonly Associated Conditions
12
- Hearing loss
- Middle ear effusion
- Cholesteatoma
- Allergic rhinitis
- Chronic sinusitis
- URI
- Adenoid hypertrophy
- GERD
- Cleft palate
- Down syndrome
- Obesity
- Nasopharyngeal carcinoma or other tumor
Decongestants: There are common ingredients in many OTC brands; encourage patients to read labels. In general, avoid what with these meds?
3
- prolonged use >3 days;
- avoid in patients with hypertension or
- cardiac risk factors):
What are examples of the decongestants being used with ETD?
3
- Phenylephrine (Neosynephrine topical, Sudafed PE oral)
- Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
- Oxymetazoline (Afrin)
- What would be beneficial with ETD patients with allergic rhinitis?
- What are the options? 5
- Another drug that might be useful?
- 4 options
- Nasal steroids: (May be beneficial for those with allergic rhinitis):
2.
- Beclomethasone (Beconase, Vancenase)
- Budesonide (Rhinocort)
- Flunisolide (Nasarel, Nasalide)
- Fluticasone (Flonase)
- Ciclesonide (Omnaris) (prodrug)
3. 2nd-generation H1 antihistamines (May be beneficial for those with allergic rhinitis):
4.
- Loratadine (Claritin)
- Desloratadine (Clarinex)
- Fexofenadine (Allegra)
- Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
ETD antihistamine nasal sparys? 4
Antibiotics? 1
Antihistamine nasal sprays:
- Olotpatadine (Patanase) (antihistamine)
- Astelin (Azelastine) (antihistamine)
Antibiotics (Not routinely used unless ETD is associated with acute OM):
- Amoxicillin, 1st-line
Treatment for 10 days is most effective
- How should we treat ETD if Tympanic membrane perforation or ventilation tube present? 2
- For pain control and inflammation how should we treat?
- Consider topical antibiotic drops with topical steroid in setting of discharge alone
- Neomycin–polymyxin–hydrocortisone suspension (Cortisporin)
- Ciprofloxacin–hydrocortisone suspension (Cipro HC ), others - Pain control, anti-inflammatory:
- Acetaminophen, NSAIDs
How is recurrent AOM defined?
2
3 or more AOM in 6 months or 4 or more AOM in 1 year.
Definition of otitis media?
An infection of the middle ear with acute onset, presence of middle ear effusion (MEE), and signs of middle ear inflammation
AAP/AAFP




