The Mechanism of Hearing: A General Overview
The process of hearing has evolved over time to provide critical sensory information that is essential to our everyday lives. Like other sensory organs, the ear is responsible for gathering…
Figure: Illustration of the ear demonstrating a cochlear implant’s external and internal components.
Cochlear Implant: An Overview
A cochlear implant is an electronic medical device that serves as a functioning replacement for a damaged inner ear component called the cochlea. The cochlea is responsible for translating the…
Microtia: Congenital Deformity of the Ear
Question: My child has been born without one ear. What should I do? Discussion: Microtia is a relatively common congenital ear deformity where the ear is either underdeveloped or completely…
Figure 2: Photograph of the external ear demonstrating crusting and flaking at the entrance of the external ear canal (left). Otoscopic examination of the external ear canal demonstrating redness and swelling consistent with otitis externa (right).
Otitis Externa – Swimmer’s Ear
Otitis externa is inflammation of the external ear canal. Otitis externa has many possible causes: Bacterial: Bacteria can infect the outer ear when the skin is damaged. Moisture in the…