Ear care
The ear is divided into three anatomic and physiologic segments. The most lateral segment is the external ear, a skin lined passage extending from the exterior into the temporal bone of the skull, and terminating at the tympanic membrane. The middle ear or tympanic cavity, is an air-filled cavity in the temporal bone that contains three small bones (malleus, incus and stapes) that transfer sound from the tympanic membrane to the oval window of the inner ear. The tympanic cavity resembles a red blood cell in appearance, since it is narrow and rounded, compressed at the center and enlarged peripherally. The middle ear, or mesotympanum, contains three bones or ossicles connected in a chain between the tympanic membrane and the oval window, the lateral aspect of the cochlea or inner ear. The Eustachian tube is closed or collapsed in its resting state. Hearing is optimal when the middle ear is air-filled at ambient pressure. The inner ear consists of the cochlea and the vestibular apparatus which are responsible for hearing and balance, respectively. These organs are connected directly to the central nervous system. The air in the middle ear is maintained at the ambient pressure by insufflation though the Eustachian tube by momentary opening about every third time the individual swallows. No voluntary action is necessary to replenish air. This is necessary as the air and air components within the cleft are absorbed by the mucosal lining of the ear. Failure to renew the ambient pressure leads to various disease states. The use of hearing protection and noise attenuating devices is known, and various types of devices are available for this purpose. Such devices include, but are not limited to, earmuffs, semi-aural devices, and earplugs. In most humans, hearing impairment occurs in both ears rather than a single ear. As a result, most humans require a hearing aid for both ears in order to compensate for their hearing loss. Hearing impairments can be attributed to a wide variety of causes, including infections, mechanical injury, loud sounds, aging, and chemical-induced ototoxicity that damages neurons and/or hair cells of the peripheral auditory system. The external ear consists of the auricle and the external canal, a tube like structure that ends at the tympanic membrane (eardrum). Otitis externa (swimmer's ear) is an inflammation of the external canal which occurs in hot, humid weather, after cooling off in the pool and by those who enjoy aerobic exercises. Otitis media develops when bacteria or viruses, usually associated with colds or sore throats, make their way up the eustachian tube, from the upper part of the throat behind the nose to the middle ear. When fluid accumulates in the middle ear the condition is known as otitis media with effusion or "glue ear." This condition can lead to hearing loss and affect a child's learning and language skills. Hearing aids are electronic instruments worn in or around the ear that compensate for hearing losses by amplifying sound. A hearing aid is usually provided with one or several control means, such as push buttons, switches, etc., which may be located on a face part of the hearing aid housing.
Ear care categories
Ear plug
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