External ear*
Middle ear*
Inner ear**
*Hearing only
**Hearing and Balance
used to visualize the external auditory meatus and the tympanic
membrane
guidelines:
tilt the head slightly away
and hold the otoscope
modern otoscopes are
directly connected to a
large monitor
guidelines:
straighten the ear canal
> 3 years old:
pull pinna and
< 3 years old:
pull pinna and
normal findings of the
and without lesions
has various amounts of and
normal findings of the
, ,
slightly
atmospheric transmission of sound to the inner ear (via ear
canal)
sound waves are transmitted to the inner ear by
without traveling through the air in the ear canal
remember:
sound is transmitted by air conduction and bone conduction
air conduction is longer than bone conduction
ask the client to external canal
the examiner stands away and quickly
the client is asked to
each ear is tested separately
Assesses
1.strike tuning fork on hand
2.place tip of handle or stem on
of client’s
3.ask patient if he can hear the
tone equally, right ear, or left ear
the bones of the skull will carry
the sound to both cranial
nerves (VIII) then to the brain
normal:
sound is in both
ears (bone conduction)
(air conduction)
hearing loss:
sound is heard better in
ear
(nerve conduction)
hearing loss:
sound is heard better in
ear
air conduction to
bone conduction
helps conduction
from sensorineural hearing
loss
1.strike tuning fork on hand
2.place tip of handle or stem on client’s
(bone conduction)
bony prominence located
immediately behind the ear
3.when client can no longer hear bone
conduction, move tuning fork
(air conduction)
4.ask client which tone is louder?: bone
or air?
normal:
than bone
conduction
for sound than bone
“positive result”
AC > BC
than air conduction
“negative result”
than bone conduction
(normal)
The examiner asks the
client to with the
,
, and
The client normally remains
erect with slight swaying
Abnormal result:
significant swaying
fall
normal:
the client can easily
return to the point of
reference
a client with vestibular
function problem lacks a
normal sense of position
sense and is
to the extended
fingers to the point of
reference
findings
the fingers instead
either goes to the right
or left of the reference
point
examine the client’s eyes as
they look straight ahead, 30
degrees to each side,
upward & downward
abnormal findings
any spontaneous
* is a (+) result
*a constant involuntary
eye movement in any
direction
represents a problem in
the vestibular system
assesses for
or
while sitting, head is
rotated to one side
then while
observing the eyes for
abnormal findings
presence of nystagmus
after 5 to 10 seconds
determines CN VIII (Vestibular) and brainstem function
C/I for perforated TM
remember:
C.O.W.S.
is introduced in the ear canal via syringe
normal: eyes (nystagmus) move to the of
irrigation and quickly to midline
abnormal: no eye movement or eyes move towards the
irrigated side during cold irrigation
is introduced in the ear canal via syringe
normal: eyes (nystagmus) move to the of
irrigation and quickly to midline
abnormal: no eye movement or eyes move opposite the
irrigated side during cold irrigation
VERY uncomfortable (if patient is conscious), producing severe
vertigo, which persists even after nystagmus is no longer
present
assesses the mastoid, middle ear, and inner ear structures
multiple x-rays of the head are done with or without contrast
medium
nursing management:
All
are used to cover the cornea to diminish the
radiation to the eyes
The client must remain still in a
measures ,
between sound
intensities, and
earphones are fitted carefully
over the ears and the test is
then carried out on each ear
subject is required to indicate
whether he/she can just hear
or cannot hear a certain sound
the sound level may be
increased from a very low
level or reduced from a high
level
administering ear drops
briefly on hand or in a pocket
warming medication promotes comfort
ask patient to or on unaffected side
administering ear drops
< 3 years old: pull the pinna down and back
> 3 years old: pull the pinna up and back
administer prescribed number of drops
remain in said position for
place a small piece of in the meatus
MC disability in the U.S.
is not an actual disease but a
classifications:
results when sound waves
are blocked or interfered in
the and
disorders
with no damage
to hearing, or minimal
permanent hearing loss
etiologies:
ear wax (MC)
infection
foreign body
e.g. tympanosclerosis
etiologies:
e.g. Otosclerosis
due to impairment in the
that lead to
the cerebral cortex
results from a disorder in
the:
is
measures must be taken to
reduce further damage or
to attempt to amplify sound
as a means of improving
hearing to some degree
etiologies:
congenital and
hereditary factors
noise injury; prolonged
exposure to loud noise
aging and degenerative
processes
also known as conductive-
sensorineural hearing loss
may be due to an or from
insertion of into the ear canal can create:
further impaction of ear wax
trauma to ear canal or ear drum
are more susceptible
in the ear becomes coarser and traps the wax
cotton or insects
small toys
beads
food (corn)
Otitis media
infection of the middle ear
Allergic reactions
fluid accumulation in the middle ear
Scarring of TM due to infection
abnormal
stapes and the oval window become fixed and immobile
making sound transmission dampened
of the tympanic membrane and the ossicles
can and
may be due to:
hand slap
falling in water
sports injuries
cleaning the ear with sharp instrument
industrial accidents (welding sparks)
degenerative changes of the inner ear
usually permanent, bilateral, and total
chronic repeated acoustic trauma from loud noise
industrial
firearms
listening to loud music
can also be due to sudden loud noise (blast)
Acoustic neuroma (MC)
CN VIII tumor
temporal bone tumor
brain tumors
metastasis
endolymph
can also cause vertigo
manifestations:
frequently asking people to
answering questions
failing to respond when not looking in the direction of the
sound
inability to distinguish
; shouting in conversations (SNHL)
manifestations:
to hear
or when listening
ringing or roaring sensation in the ears ( )
SNHL
listening to the television or radio at
manifestations:
patient listens better in small groups
serous from the ear (TM perforation)
Voice quality Soft voice Loud voice
Speech discrimination Good Poor
Ability to hear on
telephone
Good Poor
Lateralization on Weber’s
test
To diseased ear To normal ear
Result on Rinne test
Negative,
AC < BC
Positive,
AC > BC
medical management:
(if due to infection)
except aminoglycosides
(if due to trauma or immunologic process)
medications
medical management:
mostly used for the client with
can help the client with SNHL, although it is not as
effective*
makes sound louder but does not improve the quality
amplifies all background noises
medical management:
client education on hearing aids
Adjust the volume to a to prevent
feedback squeaking
Instruct the client to clean ear with
Try to keep the hearing aid clean and dry
medical management:
client education on hearing aids
the hearing aid and when not
in use
Keep on hand
medical management:
no successful treatment has been reported
management is focused on by the
nurse and SO
diversional therapy
medical management:
directed toward teaching the client to use the other senses
more effectively
medical management:
of the client before you begin to speak
the client when speaking
move close to the client,
talk in a room without distracting noises
medical management:
talk in ,
sentences and information
Use
medical management:
keeping hands and other objects
when talking
encourage the client to when talking to
someone to improve vision for lip reading
used for sensorineural
hearing loss
a small computer converts
electrodes are placed by
the internal ear with a
computer device attached
to the external ear
electronic impulses directly
stimulate nerve fibers
electrodes are placed by
the internal ear with a
computer device attached
to the external ear
electronic impulses directly
stimulate nerve fibers
MC ear infection
inflammation of the external ear (ear
canal or external auditory meatus)
can lead to conductive hearing loss
etiologies:
Pseudomaonas aeruginosa (MC)
cleaning ear canal with a sharp
object
risk factors:
people who spend significant time in the water
wearing ear plugs, hearing aids, head- or ear-phones
removes protective layer of cerumen
has anti-microbial properties
makes it vulnerable to infection
risk factors:
can easily spread to nearby structures (cartilage and bone)
manifestations:
feeling or feeling of
in the ear
/ ear discharge
(watery or purulent)
(conductive)
manifestations:
severe
(earliest manifestation)
*in otitis media, pain is
unchanged with
manipulation
on auricle and
ear canal
nursing management:
thorough of ear canal if drainage or debris is present*
topical (otic drops) or if due to infection
administer medications for pain and itching
nursing management:
*instruct client that beyond
washing with soap and water
ear canals perform self-cleaning
teach client to on affected ear until fully
healed
usually around 7 to 10 days
nursing management:
Instruct the client to use for swimming
immediately dry the ears after swimming
to shake water out of the ear
use a to further dry the ear
Instruct the client that irritating agents such as or
nursing management:
Instruct the client that
lead to trauma to the
canal
may push debris or
cerumen further
s dryness
inflammation of the middle ear
associated with
and
, causing:
impairs function of E-
tube (normalizes
pressure in middle ear)
associated with
and
, causing:
ear via E-tube
infants and children are
more prone
Eustachian tubes are
shorter, wider, and
straighter
risk factors:
during:
air travel
deep sea diving
unable to adapt to sudden change in pressure
complications:
Conductive hearing loss
Mastoiditis
Brain abscess
Meningitis
Rupture of tympanic membrane
manifestations:
hearing loss
inflamed and bulged
tympanic membrane
pain
bleeding
surgical management:
MD
to TM to:
in middle ear
and
part of the temporal bone,
adjacent to the middle ear
full of cavities called
inflammation of the Mastoid
process / Mastoid air cells
usually secondary to
common among clients with
may (rarely) lead to
due to the advent of
manifestations:
recurrent ear pain and
hearing loss
(behind
the ear)
swelling of the auricle
manifestations:
fever
signs of otitis media
nursing management:
practice by
stress the importance of
surgical management:
Mastoidectomy with
Tympanoplasty
surgical removal of
mastoid air cells or
process with possible
removal of ossicles
surgical management:
Mastoidectomy with
Tympanoplasty
surgical
reconstruction of
middle ear
post-op nursing care:
asses for evidence of infection or bleeding
hearing may temporarily or permanently be impaired
family and other hospital staff
because vertigo is not unusual post-op
post-op nursing care:
and position client on the
Monitor for signs of meningitis (or )
bony overgrowth of the tissue
surrounding the ossicles causing:
the
common among and
manifestations:
conductive hearing loss
slow
progressive
bilateral
tinnitus
Rinne test reveals BC > AC
manifestations:
reddish-blue discoloration
of the tympanic membrane
surgical management:
with prosthesis
and a
prosthesis is connected
between the incus and the
footplate
sounds cause the prosthesis
to vibrate in the same
manner as the stapes
post-op nursing care
Inform the client that after surgery
and no noticeable improvement in hearing may occur for as
long as
Inform the client that the used after surgery
interferes with hearing but is used to
during the first 1 to 2 days after surgery
Rasie when the client is in bed
post-op nursing care
Administer medications as ordered
Assess for facial , weakness, changes in taste
sensation, vertigo, N/V
Instruct when changing positions
post-op nursing care
Lie on with
Instruct to , or
Instruct to refrain from using to clean the external
ear canal
Instruct caused by
quick head movements, sneezing, nose blowing, straining &
changes in altitude
perception that either oneself or one’s surroundings are
involves feelings of
feeling that you are about to or
client does not feel that he or his surroundings are moving
types:
involves problems of the
involves problems in the and
*types of Peripheral Vestibular Disorders
head movement creates a (vertigo)
usually
weeks to months
inflammation of the inner ear
(Labyrinth)
exact etiology is
manifestations:
triad
(severe and sudden)
sensorineural hearing loss
(+) caloric test
in vestibule and semi-circular canals
(endolymphatic) pressure can cause degeneration of
structures
etiologies:
viral and bacterial
production or drainage of endolymph
manifestations:
triad:
(recurrent)
(becomes worse during vertigo attack)
(roaring or ringing)
manifestations:
feelings of fullness in the ear
N/V
nystagmus
sweating
medications:
()
to endolymphatic pressure
given to Meniere’s disease
or
nursing management:
in a quiet darkened room
cause vasoconstriction
turn the whole body rather than just the head
nursing management:
if vertigo occurs
if driving, and wait for symptoms
to subside
provide e with walking
for tinnitus listen from a radio or sound system
foreign objects placed in the
external canal may exert pressure
on the tympanic membrane and
cause perforation
the tympanic membrane has a
limited stretching ability and
gives way under high pressure
ossicles may also be damaged
depending on the damage
to the ossicles, hearing loss
may or may not return
to the basal skull
ear ear can damage the middle
ear structures through
fractures
and
that occur
with non-pressurized air flights
can increase pressure in the
middle ear
(–) vertigo or tinnitus
nursing management:
Tympanic perforations usually
Surgical reconstruction may be performed to improve hearing
if ossicles are dmaged
CERUMEN / EAR WAX
the most common cause of impacted canals / ear obstruction
FOREIGN BODIES
can include vegetables, beads, pencil erasers, and insects
medical emergency
manifestations:
sensation of with or without hearing loss
, or
nursing management:
remove the wax via
irrigation is
contraindicated in
clients with a history of
tympanic membrane
perforation
nursing management:
add 3 gtts to
the ear at bedtime and 3
gtts of
BID
after few days the ear is
irrigated
nursing management:
if the foreign matter is vegetable, irrigation is used with care
insects are killed before removal unless they can be coaxed out
by or a
or is instilled to suffocate the insect which
is then removed with ear forceps
nursing management:
use to
remove the object and