medical terminology: ear

What is the sequence of structures involved in the vibrations of sound wave transmission?

1.Sound waves enter the ear canal, and vibrations are transmitted by the eardrum, malleus, incus, stapes, oval window of the inner ear, perilymph and endolymph within the cochlea, and hair cells of the organ of Corti. When hair cells bend, they generate impulses that are carried to the auditory areas of the brain.  It is here that sounds are heard and interpreted.

what is involved in the process of hearing?

2.Transmission of vibrations and generation of nerve impulses.

what is the cochlea?

2.Snail-shaped structure containing hair cells that, when stimulated, transmit impulses to the brain for interpretation of sound.

ot/o

ear

myring/o

tympanic membrane

acous/o

hearing

audi/o, audit/o

hearing

tympan/o

tympanic membrane (eardrum)

salping/o

tubes (usually fallopian or eutachian)

-acusis

hearing

-opsia

vision

-stenosis

narrowing, stricture

-tropia

turning

discharge from the ear

otorrhea

specialist in the study of ear and throat disorders

otolaryngologist

rupture of the eardrum

tympanorrhexis

discharge or flow of pus from the ear

otopyorrhea

without or not hearing

anacusia or anacusis

pain in the ear

otodynia

inflammation of the ear

otitis

instrument to examine the ear(s)

otoscope

pertaining to hearing

acoustic, auditory

incision of the labyrinth (inner ear)

labyrinthotomy

hearing (loss) resulting from old age

presbycusis, presbyacusia

instrument to measure hearing

audiometer

otitis media sign and symptoms

§Most common symptom is an earache.

§Accumulation of fluid within the structure of the middle ear.

§Most common in infants and young children.

§Chronic form of serous otitis media may develop from acute condition, or it may result from overgrowth of adenoidal tissue or chronic sinus infections.

§Suppurative otitis media is caused by introduction of pyogenic microorganisms into the middle ear.

§Often follow mumps, influenza, or colds and may be induced by overly forceful nose blowing.

§Swimming in contaminated water may result in an  ear infection.

If pus forms in the tympanic cavity, the eardrum may rupture, relieving pressure and pain

otitis media treatment

§Antibiotics and analgesics to relieve pain.

§In severe cases, drainage may be accomplished by myringotomy or needle aspiration.

§Surgery, such as myringoplasty and tympanoplasty  to repair a ruptured tympanic membrane.

§Pressure-equalizing (PE) tubes are inserted surgically into the tympanic membrane to equalize pressure between the atmosphere and the middle ear.

hearing loss sign and symprtoms

temorary or permanent loss of hearing

hearing loss treatment

§Varies with type and cause of impairment.

§May include medication to treat infections and dissolve cerumen.

§Stapedectomy, tympanoplasty, cochlear implant, and myringotomy.

§Hearing aids or other effective means of aiding communication.

A 5-year-old is examined because of ear pain. The medical assistant charts this symptom as

otodynia or otalgia

Baby Molly’s mother asks the physician why infants and young children are more at risk for developing otitis media.

1.The physician explains that eustachian tubes of children and infants are smaller and more level than those of adults. This makes them more susceptible to blockages and retention of fluid when they become inflamed from bacterial or viral infection.

The mother of a 3-year-old girl asks the nurse practitioner what complications can develop if otitis media is not treated.

3.The nurse explains that untreated ear infections may lead to short-term or long-term hearing loss, ruptured eardrum, or mastoiditis. Also, there is a risk of the ear infection traveling to other parts of the head.

4.Baby John has a history of chronic otitis media. The physician recommends that tubes be surgically placed into the tympanic membrane to equalize pressure between the atmosphere and the middle ear. The abbreviation for these tubes is ___tubes.

PE

1.hearing loss caused by an impairment in transmission of sound because of an obstruction of the ear canal or damage to the eardrum or ossicles

conductive hearing loss

1.rare disorder of unknown etiology within the labyrinth of the inner ear that can lead to progressive hearing loss

Meniere disease

1.progressive deafness resulting from ossification in the bony labyrinth of the inner ear

otosclerosis

impairment of hearing that results from the aging process

presbycusis

ringing or tinkling noise heard constantly or intermittently in one or both ears, even in a quiet environment

tinnitus

sensation of moving around in space or a feeling of dizziness or spinning

vertigo

tuning fork test

§Evaluation of sound conduction using a vibrating tuning fork.

–Rinne test evaluates bone versus air conduction of sound.

§Weber test evaluates bone conduction in both ears at the same time.

–Hearing is normal when sound is heard equally in both ears.

audiometry

§Test that measures hearing acuity at various sound-wave frequencies.

§Audiometer delivers acoustic stimuli at different frequencies.

–Results are plotted on a graph called an audiogram.

otoscopy

§Visual examination of external auditory canal and tympanic membrane using an otoscope.

§Assesses ability of tympanic membrane to move in response to a change in air pressure.

–Lack of movement indicates increased impedance or eardrum perforation.

act of measuring hearing

audiometry

surgical repair of tympanic membrane (eardrum)

tympanoplasty or myringoplasty

urgical repair of the ear

otoplasty

abnormal condition of ear hardening

orosclerosis

without hearing

anacusis

discharge of flow from the ears

otorrhea

ear irrigation

§Flushing of the external ear canal with sterile water or sterile saline.

§Low-pressure stream of warm water is directed toward top of ear canal to flush out impacted cerumen or foreign body.

myringotomy

§Incision of tympanic membrane followed by insertion of a PE tube.

§Used to treat chronic otitis media.

cochlear implants

§All implants feature a microelectronic processor for converting sound to electrical signals.

§Transmission system relays signals to implanted parts.

§Long, slender electrode placed in cochlea delivers electrical stimuli directly to the auditory nerve.

Joe is diagnosed with an ear infection and is scheduled for surgery. An incision will be made into the ear followed by insertion of PE tubes. Incision of the eardrum is charted as a

myringotomy or tympanotomy.

To restore hearing loss, an electronic transmitter is surgically implanted inside the inner ear. The hearing device produces sound by electrically stimulating nerves inside the inner ear. This surgical procedure is known as a(n)

cochlear

Daniel requires surgery to repair a ruptured tympanic membrane. Surgical repair of the tympanic membrane is called

myringoplasty or tympanoplasty.

John complains of wax buildup in his ears that is impeding his hearing. The physician explains that this is a common problem that can be resolved by a procedure performed in the office of flushing the ear with sterile water to dislodge the earwax. This procedure is called a(n)

ear irrigation

vertigo nd motion sickness drugs

§Decrease sensitivity of inner ear to motion.

§Prevent nerve impulses from inner ear reaching the vomiting center of the brain.

wax emulsifiers

§Loosen and help remove impacted cerumen (ear wax).

§Excessive wax can be washed out, vacuumed out, or removed with the use of special instruments.

To loosen and help remove impacted cerumen in 3-year-old Johnny, the physician uses a

wax emulsifiers

To combat the patient’s dizziness, the physician prescribes a

vertigo and motion sickness drug

Barb informs the physician that she is going on a cruise for a month and is concerned about motion sickness. The physician prescribes a drug to help Barb with her motion sickness that is called a

vertigo and motion sickness drug

Barb asks the pharmacist to explain to her how the motion sickness drug works.

The pharmacist explains that the drug decreases the sensitivity of the inner ear to motion. It also prevents nerve impulses from the inner ear reaching the vomiting center of the brain.