External ear canal infection (Otitis externa)
External ear canal infections can occur due to viral, bacterial and fungal reasons. A hot and humid environment, contamination from dirty seas and pools, scratching of the external ear canal with hard objects, uncontrolled diabetes and immune deficiencies may cause the disease to occur. Since the external ear canal adheres directly to the bone structure without enough support tissue under its skin, the infection is accompanied by severe pain. The pain is usually greater than that of a middle ear infection. Ear congestion and discharge constitute other complaints. Oral antibiotics often cannot control the disease. The basis of the treatment is meticulous cleaning of the external ear canal and then application of local drops containing antibiotics, steroids or antifungal agents, depending on the cause of the infection. In patients with diabetes and immunodeficiency, external ear canal infection can get out of control and cause serious complications for the middle and inner ear and brain. These patients need to be hospitalized and closely monitored.
Middle ear infection (otitis media)
The middle ear cavity, the tympanic cavity in the inner part of the eardrum, the cells in the mastoid bone and It consists of the eustachian tube. Ventilation of the middle ear cavity occurs mainly through the eustachian tube. This tube extends from the nasal cavity to the middle ear. Middle ear infections can occur due to viral or bacterial factors. Middle ear infections often pass through the Eustachian tube as a continuation of nose and throat infections. Rarely, it can enter through a perforated eardrum. Cold weather, crowded environments, allergies, large adenoids, immune deficiencies, some systemic diseases and anatomical disorders of this region increase the frequency of infection. Drug treatment is very similar to the treatment of other upper respiratory tract infections. In cases of frequently recurring middle ear infections, a tube may be inserted into the eardrums along with adenoid surgery in children.
Fluid may accumulate in the middle ear without infection. In the first stage, this fluid has a serous structure and has a consistency close to water. However, if it is left untreated and the disease becomes chronic, this fluid turns into a dark glue-like consistency and is accompanied by serious hearing loss. In this case, the eardrum and ossicles are damaged. It may be necessary to insert tubes into the eardrums to prevent further deterioration in the membrane.
If the middle ear infection lasts too long, chronic otitis media symptoms occur. In these patients, the eardrum is usually perforated and there is a constant ear discharge. When masses called cholesteatoma appear, they can cause melting of bone structures and complications related to nerves, balance and brain. In these patients, tympanomastoidectomy surgery is required to clean the cholesteatoma and infection, repair the eardrum and ossicles, and restore hearing.
Sudden hearing loss
Sudden hearing loss 3 days. It is defined as a hearing loss more severe than 30 dB in at least 3 frequencies. As its name suggests, it occurs in a short period of time. There are no causes originating from the outer or middle ear. The cause of sudden hearing loss is not well known. However, viruses, autoimmune causes, and blockage of the small diameter vessel feeding the inner ear are among the possible causes. In addition, similar hearing losses may rarely be observed in tumors involving the inner ear canal and brainstem.
Read: 0
