Item Brochure

3130
Common Pathologies of the Ear
ADHESIVE (ATROPHIC) OTITIS MEDIA
(LEFT EAR)
Following long-standing eustachian tube obstruction, the tympanic
membrane may become atrophic and retracted onto the medial
wall of the middle ear and ossicles, thereby obliterating the middle
ear space. In this case, a thin atrophic tympanic membrane
is draped over the head of the stapes and the tip of the long
process of the incus has been eroded. It can sometimes be
difficult to differentiate an atrophic, immobile, retracted tympanic
membrane from a large central perforation. In this circumstance,
pneumatic otoscopy is often of value.
TRAUMATIC PERFORATION (LEFT EAR)
These perforations result from a variety of causes, including
a blow to the ear, blast injury, or the insertion of a cotton tipped
swab or bobby pin, but rarely follow forceful syringing. Traumatic
perforations generally involve the posterior part of the pars
tensa. While traumatic perforations may be of any shape or
size, they are usually small with clean-cut edges. Fresh blood
may be seen in the deep meatus. Most traumatic perforations
heal spontaneously, provided the ear canal is kept clean and
dry to prevent secondary infection.
CHOLESTEATOMA (RIGHT EAR)
A cholesteatoma is a slowly expanding and eroding cyst lined
with stratified squamous keratinizing epithelium which invades
the middle ear cleft. The presence of whitish keratin debris
within a postero-superior perforation indicates the presence of
an underlying epidermoid cholesteatoma. Serious intracranial
complications may result from the expansion and erosion of the
cholesteatoma sac.
Other Ear Care Products
EXTERNAL EAR: EAR CANAL
Ear Wash System
Some patients suffer from a build-up of cerumen in the ear canal, which can result in
reduced hearing and prevent the examiner from viewing the tympanic membrane. Ear
washing is a proven method to remove cerumen, and is one of the most commonly
performed procedures in the primary care office. The Welch Allyn Ear Wash System
provides an effective device using suction and irrigation to remove cerumen from
patients of all ages. This easy-to-use system allows for cleaner and safer irrigation
compared to other methods.
MIDDLE EAR: TYMPANOMETRY
A tympanometer provides the most accurate, objective means of determining
middle ear status. Tympanometric results can indicate otitis media with effusion,
perforated tympanic membrane, patent tympanostomy tube, ossicular disruption,
tympanosclerosis, cholesteatoma, as well as other middle ear disorders.
Welch Allyn MicroTymp
®
2: A portable and compact tympanometric instrument that
provides accurate, objective results and printed documentation in seconds.
Welch Allyn TM262
TM
AutoTymp
®
: A three-in-one instrument that offers tympanometry
and ipsilateral acoustic reflex testing, with optional manual audiometry in one convenient,
compact design.
INNER EAR: AUDIOMETRY OR OTOACOUSTIC EMISSIONS (OAE)
An audiometer is an electronic instrument for generating sounds that can be used
to measure an individual’s hearing sensitivity. Audiometric measurement of auditory
function can determine the degree of hearing loss, estimate the location of the lesion
within the auditory system that is producing the problem, and help establish the
cause of the hearing problem.
Welch Allyn AudioScope
®
3: A portable audiometer to quickly and accurately screen
patients at three different levels: 20, 25, and 40 dB, allowing all patients to be
screened with a single instrument.
Welch Allyn AM232
TM
: A manual audiometer that has the ability to test hearing in
ranges beyond speech frequencies. With this instrument, the practitioner can obtain the
precise threshold of patients’ hearing to better identify specific patterns of hearing loss.
Otoacoustic emissions is a response generated by structures (outer hair cells) in the
healthy cochlea to sounds presented into the ear canal. The Welch Allyn OAE Hearing
Screener will detect hearing loss, prevent language disabilities and improve patient
outcomes. The child-friendly hearing screener is objective, accurate and easy to use.
outcomes. The child-friendly hearing screener is objective, accurate and easy to use.