Common Otic Disorders Essay

Common Otic Disorders
Under certain circumstances, such as when moisture accumulates, the external auditory canal can form a dark, moist, warm environment that is ideal for bacterial growth. The protective layer of the skin can be challenged and traumatized by fingernails, cotton tipped swabs, hair pins or any other object inserted into the ear in attempts to clean it. Once the integrity of the skin is penetrated, pathogenic organisms can enter and initiate an infection. Other injuries can result from burns, sporting accidents, ear piercing and improperly fitted ear molds or hearing aids. Ear complaints affect patients of all ages and range from simple, including excessive ear wax, to more complex disorders, including very painful ear infections.
Impacted Cerumen
Ear wax impaction may be experienced by up to about 6 percent of the general population this is one of the most common ear problems presented to physicians. Individuals prone to impacted cerumen include, people with narrow or mis-shaped
ear canals and those with excessive hair growth in the canal. Those with a greater than average risk for impacted cerumen are those with overactive
glands, those wearing hearing aids, as well as those using ear plugs to prevent water from entering the ear and to muffle loud noises. If cerumen is prevented
from its natural migration outward to the opening of the ear canal, it may build up and dry out, forming a plug.
Methods used in breaking up the cerumen and aiding its removal from the ear, include preparations containing hydrogen peroxide, glycerine, carbamide peroxide and olive oil. The carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide create a mechanical "bubbling" action that can serve to soften and break up dried cerumen and move the pieces of ear wax toward the outer portion of the ear canal they also have anti-infective properties. Glycerine is hygroscopic so it absorbs moisture from the environment and softens the cerumen. The olive oil partially dissolves the cerumen and acts as a softening agent, allowing its easy removal. These liquids are viscous and will tend to stay within the ear canal if a small piece of cotton is placed at the entrance to the ear.
Water-Clogged Ears
If cerumen builds up in an ear and the ear is exposed to water may get behind the cerumen in contact with the tympanic membrane and this provides a favourable medium for the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi leading to infections of the ear. This is what is known as swimmer's disease (otitis externa). Symptoms of water-clogged ears include a feeling of fullness and wetness of the ear, which may accompany by some gradual loss of hearing. As the condition progresses, it can result in tissue maceration, leading to itching, pain, inflammation and/or infection.
Preparations used to treat water-clogged ears include isopropyl alcohol, glycerine, boric acid, hydrocortisone, ethyl alcohol and acetic acid. Infections can also be treated with otic drops containing a mixture of aminoglycoside antibiotics and anti-inflammatory corticosteroids in an acidic vehicle (neomycin sulfate, polymyxin B