Sound waves converted into
pressure waves in fluid
acoustic impedance of fluid is
much greater than that of air
combination of the tympanic
membrane and ossicles act as an
impedance matching device in order to
transfer the same frequency as the
original sound waves
Done via 2 mechanisms
Increased force of
movement of stapes
The surface area of TM
Causes of ear discharge
Ear infections
Foreign body impaction
Mastoiditis
Ear examination
Otoscope
Tuning fork
Audiometry
Rinne's test
Conductive hearing loss
Weber's test
Sensorineural hearing loss
Otits media
Symptoms
Ear pain
Vertigo
Tinnitus
Spinning sensation even
though the body is
stationary with respect to
the surrounding.
Wax
buildup
Sore throat
Foreign object
infection of the middle ear
Complications
Cholesteatoma
destructive and expanding
growth consisting of
keratinizing squamous
epithelium in the middle ear
and/or mastoid process
Aural polyp
growth in the outside (external)
ear canal or middle ear. It may
be attached to the eardrum
(tympanic membrane), or it may
grow from the middle ear space.