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The Special Sense Organs and Their Disorders
Published in Walter F. Stanaszek, Mary J. Stanaszek, Robert J. Holt, Steven Strauss, Understanding Medical Terms, 2020
Walter F. Stanaszek, Mary J. Stanaszek, Robert J. Holt, Steven Strauss
Problems with any of the structures involved in sound transmission from the body surface to the brain may impair hearing. External otitis is an inflammation of the outer ear and may block the progress of sound waves. Impacted cerumen is an accumulation of cerumen or earwax that blocks the ear canal and prevents sound waves from reaching the tympanic membrane. Inflammation of the tympanic membrane is known as myringitis or tympanitis and may prevent the tympanic membrane from vibrating appropriately. Eustachian tube dysfunction is a general term used to describe any condition in which the ability of the eustachian tube to equilibrate ambient and middle ear pressure is impeded.
Nasopharynx
Published in Neeraj Sethi, R. James A. England, Neil de Zoysa, Head, Neck and Thyroid Surgery, 2020
The main presenting symptom is nasal obstruction, usually bilateral. This may lead to snoring and even obstructive sleep apnoea. Due to obstruction of the Eustachian tube and subsequent otitis media with effusion, patients may complain of their ears feeling blocked, otalgia, hearing loss or disequilibrium.
Deafness and hearing loss
Published in Michael Horvat, Ronald V. Croce, Caterina Pesce, Ashley Fallaize, Developmental and Adapted Physical Education, 2019
Michael Horvat, Ronald V. Croce, Caterina Pesce, Ashley Fallaize
The middle ear is a cavity approximately one to two cubic centimeters in volume that is connected to the nasopharynx by the eustachian tube. A dysfunction of the eustachian tube will affect hearing as well as result in enlarged adenoids, allergic congestion, and colds. Most middle-ear infections begin in the eustachian tube, resulting in unequal pressure on either side of the tympanic membrane that interferes with the vibration of sound waves and results in a conductive hearing loss. The middle ear contains three bones (incus, malleus, and stapes) that connect the tympanic membrane to the entrance of the inner ear (oval window). The bones transmit sound waves across the ossicular chain, with the last bone (stapes) being implanted in the oval window.
Nose blowing-induced biphasic nystagmus of unknown origin
Published in Acta Oto-Laryngologica Case Reports, 2021
Munetaka Ushio, Manabu Kataoka, Kenji Iyama, Ayami Shimizu, Mitsuya Suzuki
On examination, the bilateral tympanic membranes were intact (Figure 1(a)), but markedly inflated by nose blowing (Figure 1(b)). The right tympanic membrane inflated immediately upon nose blowing and deflated immediately after the end of the nose blowing (Figure 1(c)). Conversely, the left tympanic membrane inflated for 1–2 s after nose blowing and remained inflated for several seconds after the end of the nose blowing (Figure 1(c)). Pure tone audiometry and tympanometry were intact, with no difference between the left and right sides. Eustachian tube function was evaluated by acoustic method. Band noise of 5,250–9,310 Hz was introduced through the nasal cavity and sound was recorded from a microphone in the external auditory canal. When the Eustachian tube is opened during swallowing, the microphone in the external auditory canal records the sound pressure change along with the pharyngeal noise. If the Eustachian tube opens with swallowing and closes within 1 s, the Eustachian tube function is considered normal. Eustachian tube function was intact, with no difference between the left and right sides.
Analysis on the correlation between Eustachian tube function and outcomes of type I tympanoplasty for chronic suppurative otitis media
Published in Acta Oto-Laryngologica, 2020
Ruixiang Li, Nan Wu, Jiabing Zhang, Zhaohui Hou, Shiming Yang
The eustachian tube is a canal that connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx. It serves as ventilation and drainage for the middle ear and prevents the reflux of nasopharyngeal secretions into the middle ear cavity. Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) refers to the ventilation dysfunction caused by an abnormal opening of the Eustachian tube [1]. It is considered to be a pathogenic factor of otitis media and is probably associated with the outcomes of middle ear surgery [2]. However, effective and universal evaluation methods for ETD are still lacking because of the hidden position and complex structure of the Eustachian tube. The potential influence of ETD on the outcomes of tympanoplasty is not yet fully supported by objective data in current research. Tubomanometry (TMM) [3] is a new measurement method that has emerged in recent years and can be used for the quantitative measurement of the Eustachian tube function (ETF). A recent study reported that the Eustachian tube score (ETS), as an extension of the TMM, serves as a reliable and effective evaluation method for ETF [4]. In the study, a total of 53 patients receiving type I tympanoplasty were recruited after potential interfering factors were excluded. ETS, hearing results, and condition of the tympanic membrane were followed up for at least one year after surgery, and the correlation between ETF and outcomes of type I tympanoplasty for chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) was investigated.
Plug size selection protocol for the treatment of intractable patulous Eustachian tube with Kobayashi Plug
Published in Acta Oto-Laryngologica, 2019
Ryoukichi Ikeda, Toshiaki Kikuchi, Yoshinobu Kawamura, Hiromitsu Miyaaki, Tetsuaki Kawase, Yukio Katori, Toshimitsu Kobayashi
The Eustachian tube (ET) is the connection between the middle ear cavity and the nasopharyngeal space. ET functions include regulating pressure between the middle ear and the surrounding condition, clearance of middle ear secretions, and protecting the ear from reflux of nasopharyngeal contents. Patulous Eustachian tube (PET) is a condition in which the ET is abnormally open. PET patients report symptoms such as aural fullness and autophony of voice or breathing sounds due to a persistent opening of the ET [1]. Several management strategies, including conservative therapy and surgical procedures, have been used for its treatment [2]. Most cases of PET can be controlled by explaining the disease mechanism to the patient, providing reassurance and performing conservative therapy. In contrast, patients with severe PET require more invasive treatments to control their symptoms [2].