Category ear health

Generality Perforation of the eardrum consists in tearing the thin tympanic membrane that separates the external auditory canal from the middle ear. This rupture leads to a reduction in hearing capacity (hypoacusis) and, if it occurs suddenly, triggers a sharp pain in the affected ear. Several causes can determine the perforation of an eardrum

Related articles: Tinnitus Definition A tinnitus is the perception of a different kind of noise (buzzing, whistling or roaring) and varying intensity, intermittent or continuous, in the absence of a real acoustic stimulus . It is found by effect of pathological processes of various nature, affecting the inner ear, the auditory nerve or the neighboring anatomical structures

Related articles: Tinnitus Definition Tinnitus is a noise heard in the ear in the absence of an acoustic stimulus; they are therefore only heard by the patient who suffers. Tinnitus is described as a buzzing, a rattling, a whistle or a hissing sound. They can be intermittent or continuous. In some cases, tinnitus can be pulsating and derive from the actual noise produced by physiological phenomena (generally, by the vascular flow) that occur near the middle ear

Definition Phonophobia is an intolerance towards any type of sound, normally present in everyday life. The acoustic hypersensitivity makes the noises annoying or unbearable to the subject who suffers, even if their volume is very low. Some of these sounds are perceived as potentially dangerous or harmful, without a real reason

Definition Swelling around the ear can be a consequence of inflammatory and infectious processes. In conditions such as mastoiditis, ear infections and mumps, this symptom is often associated with contact tenderness. Mastoiditis is an inflammatory process of the mastoid (bony prominence behind the ear), which causes intense pain with swelling in the retroauricular region

Related articles: Hearing loss Definition Hearing impairment. Hearing loss can be unilateral or bilateral (when it affects both ears). Possible Causes * of Hearing Loss Achondroplasia Hypertrophic adenoids adenoiditis Fanconi anemia Lassa fever Herpes zoster oticus Cytomegalovirus infection (CMV) Carbon monoxide intoxication Ichthyosis labyrinthitis Kawasaki disease Mastoiditis Meningioma Miringite Paget's disease Acoustic neurinoma Neurofibromatosis Vestibular neuronitis Imperfect osteogenesis osteopetrosis Ear infection Barotraumatic otitis otosclerosis cleft palate Infant Cerebral Palsy

Related articles: Labirintite Definition Labyrinthitis is an inflammation of the labyrinth (structure of the inner ear responsible for maintaining posture and a sense of balance). Labyrinthitis can manifest itself in acute or chronic form, leading to deafness and loss of vestibular function. The inflammatory process is often due to a bacterial or viral infection; this can result from otitis or from an upper respiratory infection

Related articles: Mastoiditis Definition Mastoiditis is the inflammation of the mucosa that covers the bone cavities of the mastoid (posterior lateral portion of the temporal bone, which corresponds to the palpable bony protuberance behind the ear lobe). The inflammatory process, acute or chronic, of the mastoid is the most frequent complication of middle ear infections, which extend to the mastoid through a small cavity called the mastoid cavern

Definition Myringitis is an inflammation of the ear, often of infectious origin, characterized by the appearance of blisters on the tympanic membrane. Most common symptoms and signs * Temperature Hearing loss Otalgia Blood from the ear Dizziness Further indications Myringitis is characterized by an intense and persistent ear pain, which appears suddenly, radiating to the corresponding half of the head

Related articles: Plugged ears Definition The feeling of having your ears plugged is well known to those who go to the mountains (by car or cable car), practice diving or take a plane. This occurs due to changes in altitude that lead to rapid changes in pressure (barotrauma). The sensation of having clogged ears, however, can also derive from the effective obstruction of the external auditory canal by earwax, residues of cotton buds, insects or other foreign bodies