Middle ear disorders may be secondary to infection, eustachian tube obstruction, or trauma. Information about objects placed in the ear
External Ear Obstructions
The ear canal may be obstructed by cerumen (earwax), a foreign object, or an insect. Itching, pain, and temporary conductive hearing loss may result. Most causes of obstruction are readily apparent...
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and symptoms such as rhinorrhea
Nasal Congestion and Rhinorrhea
Nasal congestion and rhinorrhea (runny nose) are extremely common problems that commonly occur together but occasionally occur alone. The most common causes (see table Some Causes of Nasal Congestion...
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, nasal obstruction
Nasal Foreign Bodies
Nasal foreign bodies are found occasionally in young children, the intellectually impaired, and psychiatric patients. Common objects pushed into the nose include cotton, paper, pebbles, beads...
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, sore throat
Sore Throat
Sore throat is pain in the posterior pharynx that occurs with or without swallowing. Pain can be severe; many patients refuse oral intake. Sore throat results from infection; the most common...
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, upper respiratory infection
Common Cold
The common cold is an acute, usually afebrile, self-limited viral infection causing upper respiratory symptoms, such as rhinorrhea, cough, and sore throat. Diagnosis is clinical. Handwashing...
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, allergies
Overview of Allergic and Atopic Disorders
Allergic (including atopic) and other hypersensitivity disorders are inappropriate or exaggerated immune reactions to foreign antigens. Inappropriate immune reactions include those that are...
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, headache
Approach to the Patient With Headache
Headache is pain in any part of the head, including the scalp, face (including the orbitotemporal area), and interior of the head. Headache is one of the most common reasons patients seek medical...
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, systemic symptoms, and fever aid in making a diagnosis. The appearance of the external auditory canal and tympanic membrane
Tympanic membrane of right ear (A); tympanic cavity with tympanic membrane removed (B)
Middle ear disorders may be secondary to infection, eustachian tube obstruction, or trauma. Information about objects placed in the ear and symptoms such as rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, sore...
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often yields a diagnosis. The nose, nasopharynx, and oropharynx are examined for signs of infection and allergy and for evidence of tumors
Overview of Head and Neck Tumors
Head and neck cancer develops in almost 65,000 people in the United States each year. Excluding skin and thyroid cancers, > 90% of head and neck cancers are squamous cell (epidermoid) carcinomas...
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.
Middle ear function is evaluated with use of pneumatic otoscopy, the Weber and Rinne tuning fork tests
Physical examination
Worldwide, about half a billion people (almost 8% of the world's population) have hearing loss (1). More than 10% of people in the US have some degree of hearing loss that compromises their...
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, tympanometry
Testing
Worldwide, about half a billion people (almost 8% of the world's population) have hearing loss (1). More than 10% of people in the US have some degree of hearing loss that compromises their...
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, and audiologic tests
Testing
Worldwide, about half a billion people (almost 8% of the world's population) have hearing loss (1). More than 10% of people in the US have some degree of hearing loss that compromises their...
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.
(See also Otic Tumors Otic Tumors A number of malignant and benign otic tumors occur, usually manifesting with hearing loss. They may also manifest with dizziness, vertigo, or imbalance. These tumors are rare and can be difficult... read more .)
