4 Common Disorders of Outer Ear

If want to know about some common disorders of outer ear, read this article. Get to know about fungal infection, ear wax, exotoses and perforations of tympanic membrane. 

Fungal otitis externa also called otomycosis is mainly caused by Aspergillus niger or Candida albicans. Aetiology of otitis externa is however multifactorial. The infective material is transported through moisture into ear canal. Sometimes antibiotioc treatment that carried on for long even disturbs the natural flora of the body. Diabetes and immunosuppression also play a role. 

Hearing loss can be evident dependent upon extent of the ear canal occlusion. A full or blocked feeling is apparent and at times swelling, itchiness or mild discomfort is dependent upon existence of the bacterial infection. Customers who use the hearing devices often indicate the device to be a bit non functional or have much less volume than before. Audiometry may be indicative of conductive loss on affected sides. 

This consists of secretion from the seburn glands in ear canal, which combines with dead skin and dust. As skin in ear canal grows in a sideway, ear canal under usual circumstances is self cleansing. Hairy canals, narrow canals and excessive secretions may cause accumulation in a few people needing its removal. Too much self cleansing of ear canal is the main reason of wax accumulation as, while some is removed by cotton bud, much more is pressed deeper into canal where it should begin its outward journey again. It is thus easy visualizing how repeated self cleansing may lead to a big accumulation. The small pathway for sound to reach eardrum is enough to record a normal audiogram and only about three percent or less of population have considerable occlusion because of wax. 

It happens in people who swim quite often in cold water and manifests itself as bony outgrowths, which appear as smooth bumps intruding into lumen of ear canal. Generally, there isn't any hearing difficulty that's associated with this condition unless they're a bit extensive. 

This may arise subsequent to mid-ear infection, explosions or direct trauma. Small perforations often heal by themselves but the ones that are related with chronic infection may not; surgical intervention is needed. Degree of hearing loss related with perforation actually depends on the location and size of tympanic membrane. 

An hearing assessment in Bulleen is very much essential for all those who face any of these conditions in their outer ear. So, if you are facing any of these conditions, visit an audiologist in Bulleen today.