L11, Disorders of the Middle Ear

Middle ear effusion is fluid in the middle ear.

Barotrauma can occur following an extreme pressure change such as during an airplane flight or while driving.

Otosclerosis is a disease that causes spongy bone growth around the stapes and oval window. Higher in women over 35 and in white people. Usually is inherited, so otosclerosis tends to run in families. Can be treated using procedures called stapedectomy or stapedotomy.

Ossicular fixation occurs when the ossicles become fused and immobile. This condition also affects the transfer function of the ossicles.

Cholesteatoma is a growth typically occurring in the attic of the middle ear. It can perforate the TM and invade the external auditory canal. Immediate medical referral is essential. Even after treatment some permanent conductive hearing loss may be present.

Otitis media is an infection of the middle ear. It is much more common in children than in adults and is often caused by bacteria from a cold or other respiratory infection.

Acute means severe and of rapid onset. Chronic means recurring or lasting a long time. Otitis media can be treated with antibiotics or by a myringotomy procedure which is an incision in the eardrum to allow drainage and equalize pressure with the atmosphere.