1. Treatment Wax/Foreign body: Removal Wax/Foreign body: Removal If infections: Medical If infections: Medical If malformations/tumours: Surgical (E.g. Pinnaplasty) If malformations/tumours: Surgical (E.g. Pinnaplasty)

2. Hearing disorders of the middle ear Tympanic membrane: Tympanic membrane: 1. Perforations 2. Tympanosclerosis: Thickening/Scarring http://www.ent-usa.com/eardrum_and_middle_ear.htm

3. Consequences Consequences Mild hearing loss Mild hearing loss Treatment Treatment In some cases, spontaneous recovery (depends on location) In some cases, spontaneous recovery (depends on location) Myringoplasty: Surgical reconstruction Myringoplasty: Surgical reconstruction

4. Middle ear cavity Otitis media: Very common (~70% of children in the U.S.) Otitis media: Very common (~70% of children in the U.S.) Infection of the mucous membrane lining the middle ear Infection of the mucous membrane lining the middle ear Predisposing factors: Poorly functioning Eustachian tubes Poorly functioning Eustachian tubes Barotrauma Barotrauma Abnormal functioning of mucous membrane cilia Abnormal functioning of mucous membrane cilia Anatomical deformities Anatomical deformities Gender and demographic factors Gender and demographic factors Exposure to toxic fumes Exposure to toxic fumes

5. Possible mechanisms Through ruptured tympanic membrane Through ruptured tympanic membrane Through Eustachian tube Through Eustachian tube Through blood Through blood

6. Characteristics of otitis media infection Two types: Acute and chronic Two types: Acute and chronic Rapidly progressive Rapidly progressive Negative pressure in middle ear because of ET malfunction Negative pressure in middle ear because of ET malfunction TM is retracted and appears red TM is retracted and appears red Pain, high temperature, pus accumulates in middle ear mucosa Pain, high temperature, pus accumulates in middle ear mucosa In severe cases, TM ruptures due to pressure. In severe cases, TM ruptures due to pressure. If left untreated, can progress to mastoid air cells and cause mastoiditis. If left untreated, can progress to mastoid air cells and cause mastoiditis. http://www.ent-usa.com/eardrum_and_middle_ear.htm