Ears assessment

Air conduction

the primary mechanism of hearing

Involves carrying soundwaves through the external auditory canal to the tympanic membrane

Pits

Preauricular sinus or congenital auricular fistula

Creases

Franks sign

An indication that your patient is at risk of stroke or cardiovascular problem

Lesions

Common cause is the otitis pseudomonas origiosa

Microtia

Ears less than 4cm

Macrotia

Ears greater than 10cm

Missing or malformed landmark

Associated with heart conditions

Ear pits or sinuses usually located anterior to the tragus

Associated with internal ear anomalies

Low-set ears or lobes rotated posteriorly more than 15 degrees

associated with mental retardation

Otitis externa

Ear pain, especially with movement of the tragus or pulling of ear lobe

Inflammation or infection pf external ear, often caused by excessive swimming, chronic irritation, or removal of cerumen

Acute otitis media

Ear pained with reddened TM

Signs of conductive hearing loss

Infection of middle ear

Meniere’s disease

Affects proprioception

Disturbance of balance and gait

Characterized by fullness or pressure in the ears and recurrent episodes of vertigo, tinnitus, and hearing loss lasting from a few minutes to several hours

Watch tick test

For High-pitch deficits

Webers test

Perform if the client reports diminished or lost hearing in one ear

• helps evaluate the conduction of sound waves through bone to help distinguish between conductive hearing and sensorineural hearing

Conductive hearing loss

Lateralization of sound to the poor ear

• the client ”hears” the sound in the poor ear, the good ear is distracted background by noise and conducted air which the poor ear has trouble hearing thus the poor air reeceives most of the sound conducted by bone conduction

Occurs when there is a problem conducting sound waves

Sensorineural hearing loss (WEBERS TEST)

Lateralization of sound to the good ear

• client “hears sound in the good ear”

  • Limited perception of the sound due to nerve damage in the poor ear

Rinne test

Compares air and bone conduction

Sensorineural hearing loss(RINNES TEST)

Most common type of permanent hearing loss

• Damage to inner ear or damage to the nerve pathways between the inner ear and brain

Romberg’s test

To test the clients equilibrium/ inner ear vestibular function

Auricle(Pinna)

Plays a crucial role in capturing and directing soundwaves toward ear canal

• helping with sound localization

Tymphatic membrane

ensures the data being received is accurate.

• plays a role in the immune response, helping to prevent infections that could interfere with auditory processing

Auditory canal

Canal through which soundwaves enter

External ear

Ability of ears to directly focus the soundwaves going into the ears; Concentration of soundwaves

Middle ear

Transmission of sound waves

Acts as a bridge between the external and inner ear, converting air vibrations into mechanical energy

Malleus, incs, stapes

Helps strengthen sounds and concentrate them, ensuring the quality of the sound is maintained as it reaches the inner ear

Smallest bones in the human body and work together to amplify sound vibrations up to 20 times before passing them into the cochlea

Eustachian tube(eardrum)

Connects the middle ear to the throat, regulating pressure and preenting damage from sudden altitude changes

Inner ear

Interpreting area/Reception area

• Responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals that the brain can process.

  • Also plays a key role in balance and spatial orientation

Helix

The outer rim of the ear that helps shape soundwac\ve entry

Antihelix

The inner curved ridge, aiding in soundwave reflection

Tragus

A small protection near the ear canal that helps filter sound and reduce background noise

Antitragus

Assissting in soundwave redirection

Sensorineural phase

The process of transferring soundwaves from the cochlea to the 8th cranial nerve(vestibulocochlear nerve)

Vertigo

A sensation of spinning or loss of balance

Tinnitus

A constant ringing, buzzing, or roaring sound in the ears

• can be intermittent or persistent, often worsening over time