Review of Ear Anatomy, Physiology, and Disorders

A set of flashcards to review key concepts from a lecture on ear anatomy, physiology, common disorders, and nursing interventions.

Middle Ear

A small air-filled chamber located within the temporal bone.

Labyrinth

A series of canals and flesh that make up the inner ear.

Cochlea

Resembles a snail shell and contains the organ of Corti, which is also known as the organ of hearing.

Otoscope and Opacoscopy

Used to visualize the external auditory canal and the tympanic membrane.

Normal Tympanic Membrane Appearance

Disc-shaped and pearl pink.

Whispered Voice Test

Examiner stands 12-24 inches away, speaks simple words in a low whisper, and asks the patient to repeat them. 50% accuracy is normal.

Weber's Test

Assess auditory acuity to determine if defective hearing is conductive (middle ear problem) or sensorineural (inner ear or auditory nerve system disorder).

Normal Weber's Test

If the sound is equally loud in both ears.

Rinne Test

Distinguishes conductive from sensorineural hearing loss, placing a tuning fork at the external auditory meatus and listening for vibrating sound.

Nursing Responsibility in Weber and Rinne Tests

Explanation of the purpose and procedures; stress the need for the patient to concentrate and use hand signals to indicate when the sound is heard or no longer heard.

Audiometry

Hearing acuity.

Romberg's Test

Measure patient’s ability to perform tasks with eyes open and closed. A normal response is maintaining balance.

Past Point Testing

Measures the patient's ability to place a finger accurately on a selected point of the body.

Hearing Impairment

A state of decreased auditory acuity, ranging from partial to complete hearing loss. Can cause social isolation and depression.

Causes of Conductive Hearing Loss

Foreign bodies, otosclerosis, stenosis of the external auditory canal.

Causes of Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Trauma, infections, ototoxic drugs.

Mixed Hearing Loss

Combination of conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

Congenital Hearing Loss

From birth or early infancy, potentially due to trauma, lack of oxygen, RH factor incompatibility, or syphilis.

Functional Hearing Loss

No organic cause; may be due to emotional or psychological factors.

Central Hearing Loss

Occurs when a patient has had a stroke or trauma affecting the brain.

Facilitating Communication with Impaired Hearing

Face the patient, speak clearly in a normal tone, move closer to the better ear, and use simple phrases. Do not shout, cover mouth, chew gum, or eat/drink.

Care of Hearing Aid

Wash the ear mold daily, turn off when not in use, and reinsert if whistling. Do not wear in bath/shower or overnight, and do not ignore whistling.

External Otitis

Also known as swimmer's ear.

Medical Management for External Otitis

Oral analgesics, corticosteroids, antimicrobials, antibiotics, or antifungals.

Otitis Media

Inflammation or infection of the middle ear, often seen in children 6-36 months old.