How Does The Ear Function And What Are The Causes Of Ear Aches
The
Ear
The ear is both an organ of both hearing and balance.
It consists of three sections; the outer ear,
the middle ear and the inner ear. The inner ear,
middle ear and part of the outer ear lie within
the temporal bone, the densest and hardest bone
in the body.
Sound waves move down the ear canal and vibrate
the ear drum; these vibrations are then transmitted
to the inner ear by three small bones, called
malleus, incus, and stapes. There is fluid in
the inner ear which picks up the vibrations and
carries the sound waves to the cochlea, where
there are tiny hairs present that move in response
to the vibrations. Each of these hairs is connected
to the cochlear nerve, which sends a pattern of
nerve impulses to the brain that we interpret
as sound.
The middle ear has a chamber that is filled with
air to allow free movement of the malleus, incus,
and stapes, the middle ear bones. This chamber
is also connected to the nasal cavity by the Eustachian
tube, so air pressure can equalize between the
middle ear and the nose.
Part of the inner ear is called the semi-circular
canal which provides information to the brain
about balance and motion.
Ear Infections In Children
Ear infections are most common in winter or early
spring, and are mostly prevalent in children under
the age of 2. In the U.S, there are over 25 million
pediatrician visits each year relating to ear
infections. This makes ear infections the most
common problem in children. Ear infections usually
involve the external ear and the middle ear. Occasionally
the inner ear also gets infected.
An external ear infection is also known as otitis
externa and is an inflammation in the lining of
the external ear canal. The most common cause
is the accumulation of water in the ear of swimmers.
Other causes include generalized eczema, where
the ear canal becomes secondarily infected and
trauma from removing earwax or ill fitting earplugs.
Middle ear infections are known as otitis media
and result when the chamber of the air-filled
middle ear fills with fluid infected by bacteria
or viruses. The fluid build-up is usually caused
by a cold, allergy or enlarged adenoids at the
back of the nose that block the eustachian tube.
Inner ear infections are known as labyrinthitis.
It causes dizziness, ringing in the ears and/or
sudden loss of hearing. These infections often
result from untreated or improperly treated middle
ear infections, but sometimes they can be a complication
of meningitis.
Cause Of Ear Aches
Ear aches are caused by ear infection. The term
ear infection covers a broad range of diseases
that affect any part of the ear. The most common
ear infection is otitis media or the middle ear
infection. These ear infections are very common
in children till the age of three and there is
little that can be done to prevent them. This
type of ear infection affects as many as 95% of
all young children.
Up to 80% of all ear infections improve without
treatment. Doctors do however prescribe antibiotics
to avoid any other serious complications. Repeated
ear infections rarely cause loss of hearing, but
are very painful especially in children.
Ear infections are caused by bacteria and viruses
that block the eustachian tubes. During a cold
or allergy, the eustachian tubes in a child which
are shorter and more floppy, become easily blocked.
These blocked tubes prevent ventilation and drainage
of fluids from the middle ear, creating an environment
for bacteria or viruses to multiply and cause
an infection. Once infection is established, ear
aches, fever and irritability occur. Ear inflammation
can also occur without illness as well.
There is no way to prevent ear aches in children,
however these three measures that have been shown
to lessen the frequency of infections:
- Breast feeding for six months
- Avoiding bottle-feeding in the horizontal
supine position &
- Avoiding exposure to second-hand cigarette
smoke
Using over-the-counter cold medications such
as decongestants and antihistamines do not decrease
the occurrence of middle ear infection.
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