b. Signs/Symptoms. Included are the following:
(1)
Decreased hearing.
(2)
Feeling of fullness of the ear.
(3)
Cough due to reflex stimulation of the vagus nerve.
(4) An otoscopy (tympanic membrane examination with an otoscope)
reveals a mass of yellow, brown, or black wax buildup obscuring the view of the
tympanic membrane.
c. Treatment. This condition is treated by irrigating the ear with a fifty/fifty
solution of hydrogen peroxide and water from an ear syringe. Irrigation is done by
pointing the stream to the superior wall of the ear canal. The solution should be at body
temperature in order to prevent nausea.
3-18. DISEASE OF THE MIDDLE EAR--AUDITORY TUBE DYSFUNCTION
Auditory tube dysfunction is a blockage due to upper respiratory infections (URI),
pharyngitis, and other diseases. The blockage causes poor drainage. Fluid buildup
eventually leads to serious otitis media if not treated. Auditory tube dysfunction can be
treated with the Valsalva's maneuver. The Valsalva's maneuver consists of holding
one's nose closed so that no air may escape then making an exhalation effort.
3-19. DISEASE OF THE MIDDLE EAR--OTITIS MEDIA
a. Description. Otitis media is another middle ear condition. It is most common
in infants and children, but it may also occur in adults. Usually, it happens after or along
with an upper respiratory infection. The condition is bacterial in origin. The two types of
otitis media are serous otitis media and purulent otitis media.
b. Serous Otitis Media (SOM). This condition is not caused by an infection.
The infection is in the pharynx at the eustachian tube. Clear amber fluid with air
bubbles has built up behind the tympanic membrane (TM).
c. Purulent Otitis Media (POM). POM occurs after an upper respiratory
infection or bacterial (strep) pharyngitis. A yellowish-brown purulent fluid builds up
behind the tympanic membrane.
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