Hearing and Balance Disorders Lecture Review

Flashcards covering the anatomy of the ear, assessment of hearing and balance, types of hearing loss, and common conditions affecting the external, middle, and inner ear, along with related diagnostic evaluations and treatments.

Auricle

The visible part of the external ear.

External auditory canal

The tube leading from the auricle to the tympanic membrane.

Tympanic membrane (TM)

The eardrum, which vibrates in response to sound waves.

Ossicles

Small bones in the middle ear: Malleus, Incus, and Stapes, which transmit sound vibrations.

Malleus

The hammer-shaped ossicle, attached to the tympanic membrane.

Incus

The anvil-shaped ossicle, located between the malleus and stapes.

Stapes

The stirrup-shaped ossicle, whose footplate fits into the oval window.

Eustachian tube

A tube connecting the middle ear to the nasopharynx, equalizing pressure.

Cochlea

A spiral-shaped cavity of the inner ear containing the organ of Corti.

Semicircular canals

Three fluid-filled canals in the inner ear involved in balance.

Oval window

A membrane-covered opening in the inner ear where the stapes footplate rocks.

Round window

A membrane-covered opening in the inner ear that helps dissipate fluid waves.

Organ of Corti

Sensory organ of hearing located within the cochlea, containing hair cells that convert sound to electrical energy.

Cranial nerve VIII (Vestibulocochlear nerve)

The nerve responsible for transmitting auditory and balance information to the brain.

Bone Conduction

Process where sound bypasses the external and middle ear, directly stimulating the inner ear via bone vibrations.

Air Conduction

Process where sound travels through the external auditory canal, tympanic membrane, and ossicles to the inner ear.

Whisper test

A gross auditory acuity test used to assess a patient's hearing by whispering words.

Weber test

An assessment that uses a tuning fork to differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss, primarily assessing bone conduction of sound.

Rinne test

An assessment that uses a tuning fork to compare bone conduction and air conduction of sound.

Audiometry

A diagnostic test for hearing acuity across different frequencies.

Tympanogram

A diagnostic test that measures the vibration of the eardrum and the function of the middle ear.

Electronystagmography

A diagnostic test that assesses nystagmus and vestibular function.

Presbycusis

Age-related hearing loss, commonly affecting individuals over 70.

Conductive hearing loss

Hearing loss caused by a problem in the external or middle ear.

Sensorineural hearing loss

Hearing loss caused by damage to the cochlea or vestibulocochlear nerve.

Mixed hearing loss

Hearing loss that involves both conductive and sensorineural components.

Functional (psychogenic) hearing loss

Hearing loss caused by an emotional problem, without an organic cause.

Tinnitus

The perception of sound, often described as 'ringing in the ears'.

Cerumen impaction

Blockage of the external auditory canal by earwax.

External otitis

Inflammation of the external ear, often caused by bacterial or fungal infection.

Malignant external otitis

A rare, progressive infection affecting the external auditory canal, surrounding tissues, and skull.

Otalgia

A sensation of fullness or pain in the ear.

Tympanic membrane perforation

A hole or tear in the eardrum.

Acute otitis media

An acute infection of the middle ear, frequently seen in children, causing ear pain, fever, and hearing loss.

Myringotomy

A surgical incision into the tympanic membrane to relieve pressure or drain fluid.

Tympanotomy

Another term for a surgical incision into the tympanic membrane.

Serous otitis media

Fluid in the middle ear without evidence of infection.

Chronic otitis media

Recurrent infection of the middle ear, leading to damage of the tympanic membrane, ossicles, and mastoid.

Tympanoplasty

Surgical reconstruction of the tympanic membrane.

Ossiculoplasty

Surgical reconstruction of the bones of the middle ear to reestablish sound conduction.

Mastoidectomy

Surgical removal of diseased bone, mastoid air cells, and cholesteatoma to create a noninfected, healthy ear.

Cholesteatoma

A benign tumor, an ingrowth of skin that causes persistently high pressure in the middle ear, leading to hearing loss and destruction of structures.

Dizziness

Any altered sense of orientation in space.

Vertigo

The illusion of motion or a spinning sensation, often associated with vestibular dysfunction.

Nystagmus

Involuntary rhythmic movement of the eyes, often associated with vestibular dysfunction.

Labyrinthitis

Inflammation of the inner ear, specifically the labyrinth.

Benign positional vertigo (BPPV)

A common cause of vertigo triggered by specific head movements.

Ototoxicity

Damage to the ear or balance organs from exposure to drugs or chemicals.

Acoustic neuroma

A benign tumor of the VIII cranial nerve (vestibulocochlear nerve).

Ménière Disease

A disorder caused by abnormal inner ear fluid balance, characterized by episodic vertigo, tinnitus, and fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss.

Cochlear implant

An auditory prosthesis used for individuals with profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss who do not benefit from conventional hearing aids.