Special Senses: EarsChapter 11Classroom Activity to Accompany Medical Terminology Simplified, Fourth EditionBarbara A. Gylys Regina M. Masters

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Structure Ear contains receptors for two senses: hearing and equilibrium (balance).Ear consists of an external, middle, and inner part.

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Structure External earAuricle (pinna)External auditory canalMiddle earTympanic cavityTympanic membrane (eardrum)Malleus, incus, and stapes

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Structure Inner ear Complex system of communicating chambers and tubes called a labyrinth.Contains the functional organs for hearing and equilibrium.11SPECIAL SENSES: EARS

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Structure and Function ExerciseQ: What is involved in the process of hearing?A: Transmission of vibrations and generation of nerve impulses. Q: What is the sequence of structures involved in the vibrations of sound wave transmission?A: Sound waves enter the ear canal and vibrations are transmitted by the following sequence of structures: 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.

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Otitis MediaSigns and SymptomsMost common symptom is an earache.Accumulation of fluid within the structure of the middle ear.Most common among 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.SPECIAL SENSES: EARS11

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Otitis MediaSigns and Symptoms (continued)Suppurative otitis media is caused by introduction of pyogenic microorganisms into the middle ear. Often follow the mumps, influenza, or colds and may be induced by overly forceful nose blowing.Swimming in contaminated water may result in a middle ear infection.If pus forms in the tympanic cavity, the eardrum may rupture, thereby relieving pressure and pain.SPECIAL SENSES: EARS11

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Otitis MediaTreatmentAntibiotics 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.PE tubes are inserted surgically into the tympanic membrane to equalize pressure between the atmosphere and the middle ear.SPECIAL SENSES: EARS11

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Clinically Related ExerciseQ: A 5-year-old is examined because of ear pain. The MA charts this symptom as _________________.A: otodynia or otalgiaQ: Baby Mollys mother asks the physician why infants and young children are more at risk for developing otitis media.A: Eustachian tubes of children and infants are shorter and narrower than adults, making them more susceptible to blockages and retention of fluid when they become inflamed from bacterial or viral infection.Q: The mother of a 3-year-old girl ask the NP what complications can develop if otitis media is not treated.A: Untreated ear infections may lead to short- 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.Q: Baby Johnny 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.A: PESPECIAL SENSES: EARS11

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Hearing LossSigns and SymptomsTemporary or permanent loss of hearingTreatmentVaries with the type and cause of impairmentMay include medication to treat infections and dissolve cerumenStapedectomy, tympanoplasty, cochlear implant, and myringotomyHearing aids or other effective means of aiding communicationSPECIAL SENSES: EARS11

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Clinically Related ExerciseQ: An 85-year-old male presents to the clinic with age-related hearing loss. The MA charts this condition as _________________. A: presbycusisQ: John X is advised his hearing loss is due to a disorder characterized by an abnormal hardening of bones in the middle ear. The doctor charts this medical condition as _____________________.A: otosclerosisQ: A 7-year old male presents for a surgery that involves removing part of the stapes and implanting a prosthetic device to allow sound waves to pass in the inner ear. The surgical procedure for removing part of the stapes is called _____________________.A: stapedectomyQ: Mr. C presents for various diagnostic tests to assess his hearing. The doctor explains that one of the tests involves a tuning fork to evaluate bone conduction of sound in both ears at the same time. This test is known as the __________________.A: Weber tuning fork testSPECIAL SENSES: EARS11

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Medical Vocabularyacousticanacusisblepharoptosischolesteatomamucoserousmyringoplastyotolaryngology 11SPECIAL SENSES: EARS

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Medical Vocabularyotosclerosispresbycusistinnitusvertigo 11SPECIAL SENSES: EARS

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Diagnostic ProceduresAudiometryOtoscopyRinne and Weber hearing tests 11SPECIAL SENSES: EARS

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Word Building ExerciseQ: Act of measuring hearing:A: audiometryQ: Surgical repair of the tympanic membrane (eardrum):A: tympanoplastyQ: Visual examination of the ear:A: otoscopyQ: Surgical repair of the ear:A: otoplastyQ: Abnormal condition of ear hardening:A: otosclerosisQ: Without hearing: A: anacusis 11SPECIAL SENSES: EARS

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Medical and Surgical ProceduresCochlear implantMyringoplastyMyringotomyIncision of tympanic membrane followed by insertion of a PE tube.SPECIAL SENSES: EARS11

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Clinically Related ExerciseQ: Joe is diagnosed with an ear infection and is scheduled for surgery. An incision will be made into the ear followed by insertion of pressure-equalizing tubes. Incision of the eardrum is charted as a ______________.A: myringotomy or tympanotomyQ: To restore hearing loss, an electronic transmitter will be surgically implanted inside the inner ear. The hearing device produces sound by electrical stimulating nerves inside the inner ear. This surgical procedure is known as a (cochlear, auditory, PE) implant.A: cochlearQ: Daniel requires surgery to repair a ruptured tympanic membrane. Surgical repair of the tympanic membrane is called __________________.A: myringoplasty or tympanoplasty Q: Justin had a PE tube inserted into his right ear. PE is the abbreviation for _______________ (tube).A: pressure equalizing 11SPECIAL SENSES: EARS

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PharmacologyVertigo and motion sickness drugsWax emulsifiers11SPECIAL SENSES: EARS

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Clinically Related ExerciseQ: To loosen and help remove impacted cerumen in 3-year-old Johnny, the physician uses a (vertigo and motion sickness drug, wax emulsifier).A: wax emulsifierQ: To combat the patients dizziness the physician prescribes a (vertigo and motion sickness drug, wax emulsifier).A: vertigo and motion sickness drugQ: The physician prescribes a (vertigo and motion sickness drug, wax emulsifier) to reduce sensitivity of the inner ear to motion while Barbara is on a cruise.A: vertigo and motion sickness drug11SPECIAL SENSES: EARS

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