Ear
Ear
Introduction
The ear is the organ of hearing and, in mammals, balance. In mammals, the ear is usually described as having three parts—the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. The outer ear consists of the pinna and the ear canal.
The parts of the ear include:
- External or outer ear, consisting of: Pinna or auricle. This is the outside part of the ear. ...
- Tympanic membrane (eardrum). The tympanic membrane divides the external ear from the middle ear.
- Middle ear (tympanic cavity), consisting of: Ossicles. ...
- Inner ear, consisting of: Cochlea.
Conditions Treated
- Balance Disorders.
- Cholesteatoma.
- Ear Infections.
- Ear Ringing (tinnitus)
- Hearing Loss.
- Otitis.
- Perforated eardrum.
Earache, Ear Infection and Deafness
Middle Ear Infection
Symptoms
In a typical case, the child wakes up with high fever at night, crying and rubbing his ears. He remains restless throughout the night. The next morning, pus is discharged from the ear, after which he stops crying.
In some case of ear infection, hearing is only temporarily reduced and usually returns to normal after the infection is brought under control. Sometimes, a fluid may remain behind the ear drum even after a cold. This is clear fluid. In 30% of the cases, this also gets absorbed spontaneously within about 2 months.
Treatment
The mainstay of treatment of the middle ear infection is antibiotics, given by mouth in proper doses for 10 days. However, two out of three children may recover without antibiotics if we wait for three days. No ear drops should be put in the ear, the ear should be kept dry to help heal the perforation of the ear drum through which pus had come out. To dry the ear, clean the pus nearer the ear lobe with clean linen. To dry the inside of the ear canal insert a small wick made from new news paper into the ear and let it soak up the pus. Keep changing the wick every two minutes till the ear looks clean and dry. Do this three times a day.. The child should not be allowed to to go swimming till he recovers from the infection.
If symptoms suggestive of enlarged adenoids are present, removal of the adenoid may be considered.
Similarly, if the fluid behind the ear drum persist for a prolonged period, you may be offered tiny tubes (tympanostomy tubes) to put in the ear drum to keep draining middle ear . Doctors are divided on whether these tubes (also called gromet) give definite benefit or not. In older children, a wait and watch strategy may be adopted, because we can easily assess if the hearing is improving or not. In infants and toddlers, the decision sometimes tilts in favour of using these tubes because prolonged hearing loss can affect development of speech around this age. To prevent middle ear infections, parents should prefer breast feeding, avoid bottle feeding a child in lying position, avoid use of pacifier, and tobacco smoke.
External Ear Canal infection (otitis Externa)
Causes
The ear wax present normally in our ear protects the external canal against moisture and germs. Putting anything inside the ear can result in irritation of the skin and removal of the normal wax , which can predispose the child to infection. Swimming can also result in otitis externa in some children.
Symptoms
In this condition , the child does not have a cough or cold but complains of earache or points towards his ear. The child does not look too sick. On examination, the ear canal may look red and may notice a small boil inside, which may burst, discharging a small amount of pus. Except severe cases, there is no severe pain or high fever. Itching and mild pain are common features.
Treatment
Most cases of otitis externa get better on their own. Antibiotic drops may sometimes be required, and only rarely are antibiotics given by mouth. Do not allow swimming for 8-10 days.
Foreign Body in the ear
An insect or a grain or other foreign object may be lodged in the child's ear.
Management
In case of an insect, do not try to and remove it until you have put a few drops of warm coconut oil into the ear. If it does not come out easily, flush it out with warm (boiled and cool) water filled in a syringe (without a needle).
With a grain or any other foreign body lodged in the ear , remove it if you can easily do it. Take the child to a doctor if you are unable to do this. If this is not possible, try to flush it out with a syringe filled with warm saline water. Flushing with water should not be undertaken if the child had otitis media in the recent past.
" Loss of hearing due to noise is now well established. Aircraft noise is reported to affect reading comprehension in children. There is evidence to indicate that noise may endanger overall health as well."
Hard Wax
The ear is normally lined with a thin layer of wax, which protects it from germs and moisture. In some cases, this layer of wax can be hard and causes earache or even deafness.
Treatment
Consult your doctor about the wax. If that is not possible, put 3 drops of coconut oil inside the ear at night for three nights. As the wax softens, flush it out with warm water filled in a syringe. Repeat this several times. Stop immediately, however, if the child complaints of pain or dizziness.
Deafness and Test for Hearing
If there is any doubt the hearing of an infant or an older child, we must consult a doctor as soon as possible. If there is a family history of deafness, screening of a new born should be done to rule out congenital deafness. In some centers, all newborns are subjected to test for hearing. Hearing screening is also advised at 4,5,6,8,10, 12, 15 and 18 years of age. In selected cases of childhood deafness, the hearing can be remarkably improved with the help of cochlear implants.
Piercing Of Ear
After piecing of ear, some children get keloids at the site. The risk is more in older children, particularly in those who have a family history of keloids.
Special warning for person affected by pus in the ear
- Those suffering from pus in the ears should not attempt topsy -turvy poses.
Mudra
Shoonya Vayu Mudra
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