Ear Canal Properties of Children: Dimensions of Ear Canals and Simulation of the Input-Impedance

2013 ◽  
Vol 99 (4) ◽  
pp. 582-589
Author(s):  
Janina Fels ◽  
Jan Paprotny
Keyword(s):  
Author(s):  
Kira Pfeiffer ◽  
Thaqif El Khassawna ◽  
Deeksha Malhan ◽  
Christine Langer ◽  
Barbara Sommer ◽  
...  

Biofeedback was reported as an effective concept for bruxism treatment, through increasing patient’s awareness of the habit. During bruxing both ear canals become tighter, therefore, an in-ear device can provide biofeedback. The in-ear device is fitted to the ear canal in physiological status, during bruxing the ear-canal tightens resulting in stress on the canal walls and unpleasant feeling. Subsequently, patients stop their bruxing habit. The aim of this study is to provide first clinical evidence that in-ear devices have a positive impact on relieving bruxism in patients. Despite the low number of patients, this early study was designed as a controlled prospective study. The trial included seven female patients with a median age of 47.3 years (23–64 years). Only two patients implemented their devices for eight and seven months, respectively. One patient reported a relief in her symptoms, like headaches and pain intensity during the night, by 50% after three month and 80% after six months. Despite the limited number of participants, the study reflects a potential of Intra-aural devices as effective biofeedback devices in treating bruxism.


2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (09) ◽  
pp. 733-750
Author(s):  
Karrie LaRae Recker ◽  
Tao Zhang ◽  
Weili Lin

Background: Sound pressure-based real ear measurements are considered best practice for ensuring audibility among individuals fitting hearing aids. The accuracy of current methods is generally considered clinically acceptable for frequencies up to about 4 kHz. Recent interest in the potential benefits of higher frequencies has brought about a need for an improved, and clinically feasible, method of ensuring audibility for higher frequencies. Purpose: To determine whether (and the extent to which) average correction factors could be used to improve the estimated high-frequency sound pressure level (SPL) near the tympanic membrane (TM). Research Design: For each participant, real ear measurements were made along the ear canal, at 2–16 mm from the TM, in 2-mm increments. Custom in-ear monitors were used to present a stimulus with frequency components up to 16 kHz. Study Sample: Twenty adults with normal middle-ear function participated in this study. Intervention: Two methods of creating and implementing correction factors were tested. Data Collection and Analysis: For Method 1, correction factors were generated by normalizing all of the measured responses along the ear canal to the 2-mm response. From each normalized response, the frequency of the pressure minimum was determined. This frequency was used to estimate the distance to the TM, based on the ¼ wavelength of that frequency. All of the normalized responses with similar estimated distances to the TM were grouped and averaged. The inverse of these responses served as correction factors. To apply the correction factors, the only required information was the frequency of the pressure minimum. Method 2 attempted to, at least partially, account for individual differences in TM impedance, by taking into consideration the frequency and the width of the pressure minimum. Because of the strong correlation between a pressure minimum's width and depth, this method effectively resulted in a group of average normalized responses with different pressure-minimum depths. The inverse of these responses served as correction factors. To apply the correction factors, it was necessary to know both the frequency and the width of the pressure minimum. For both methods, the correction factors were generated using measurements from one group of ten individuals and verified using measurements from a second group of ten individuals. Results: Applying the correction factors resulted in significant improvements in the estimated SPL near the TM for both methods. Method 2 had the best accuracy. For frequencies up to 10 kHz, 95% of measurements had <8 dB of error, which is comparable to the accuracy of real ear measurement methods that are currently used clinically below 4 kHz. Conclusions: Average correction factors can be successfully applied to measurements made along the ear canals of otologically healthy adults, to improve the accuracy of the estimated SPL near the TM in the high frequencies. Further testing is necessary to determine whether these correction factors are appropriate for pediatrics or individuals with conductive hearing losses.


e-CliniC ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agung S. Selviyanti ◽  
Armenius Sondakh ◽  
R. E. C. Tumbel

Abstract: Ear is one of the most important organs in human body. Around 20% of information were obtained from both ears daily. If hearing disorder occurs in students, they will show abnormalities, decrease of study prestation, and difficulties in social adaptation. This study aimed to obtain data about external ear health of students in SMA Negeri 9 Manado. This was an observational descriptive study with a cross sectional approach. Total respondents were 35 students. Examinations of external ears were done by ear, nose, and throat specialists. The results showed that all students had normal earlobes. Ear canal examination showed that 10 students had cerumen in the right and left ear canals, and 1 student had cerumen in left ear canal. Examination of tympani membrane showed that there were 32 students had normal membranes, 1 student had perforation, retraction, and bombans of the right and left membranes, and 2 students could not be evaluated. Conclusion: Most students of SMA Negeri 9 Manado had normal ears.Keywords: ear health, students of senior high school Abstrak: Telinga merupakan salah satu alat indra yang penting. Sebagai indra pendengaran, telinga dapat menyerap sebesar 20% informasi dari kehidupan sehari-hari. Jika terdapat gangguan indra pendengaran pada masa sekolah maka anak akan menunjukkan kelainan perkembangan, menurunnya hasil belajar, dan kesulitan penyesuaian dalam pergaulan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan gambaran kesehatan telinga siswa SMA Negeri 9 Manado. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode deskriptif observasional dengan pendekatan potong lintang. Sampel penelitian sebanyak 35 siswa. Pengambilan data dilakukan dengan pemeriksaan meatus akustikus eksterna oleh dokter spesialis bagian THT-KL. Hasil penelitian memperlihatkan semua siswa mempunyai daun telinga normal. Pemeriksaan liang telinga mendapatkan 10 siswa dengan serumen di telinga kanan dan kiri, dan 1 siswa dengan serumen hanya pada telinga kiri. Pemeriksaan membran timpani mendapatkan hasil normal umtuk telinga kanan dan kiri sebanyak 32 siswa; perforasi, retraksi, dan bombans telinga kanan dan kiri pada 1 siswa; dan 2 siswa dengan membran yang tidak dapat dievaluasi. Simpulan: Sebagian besar siswa SMA Negeri 9 Manado memiliki hasil normal. Kata kunci: kesehatan telinga, siswa SMA


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1967 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-313
Author(s):  
W. E. KEITER

The problem of washing impacted wax from the ear canal has been the most cumbersome and unpleasant task the pediatrician performs. Now using the Water Pik (manufactured by Aqua Tec Corp., Denver, Colorado) this task has been made easy and pleasant. The nozzle of this little machine directs a fine intermittent stream, the pressure of which can be varied and controlled, and can be directed easily into even the small ear canals. The addition of an off and on foot switch into the electrical circuit facilitates still more the ease of operation.


1975 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jimmie L. Hutchison ◽  
D. N. Wright

Evaluation, in the guinea pig ear, of fourteen water repellent or therapeutic compounds has resulted in the recommended use of 360 Medical Fluid® as a prophylactic agent for those persons with a high risk of otitis externa. This compound was found to adhere well, be easy to apply and was nonirritating. Use of this material prevented adverse bacterial growth in ear canals exposed to water for up to seven days. The significance of maintaining the normal Gram positive bacterial flora in the external ear canal and the role of cerumen in maintaining a healthy meatal surface is discussed. A system for monitoring the health of the ear canal through measurement of the Gram positive/Gram negative bacterial ratio is suggested.


2007 ◽  
Vol 121 (8) ◽  
pp. 796-799 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Hopsu ◽  
A Pitkäranta

AbstractBackground:Background: Of the acquired ear canal atresias, idiopathic, inflammatory, medial meatal, fibrotising otitis has been suggested as a distinct disease entity, for reasons of aetiology.Objective:To report three more cases of idiopathic, inflammatory, medial meatal, fibrotising otitis and to further consider the possible relationship between this condition and lichen planus.Patients:Three adult patients with idiopathic, inflammatory, medial meatal, fibrotising otitis, two with bilateral aural symptoms, treated and followed up at the department of otorhinolaryngology of Helsinki University Hospital.Results:We found idiopathic, inflammatory, medial meatal, fibrotising otitis, affecting solely the glabrous skin of the osseous part of the external ear canals, in three patients who also suffered from severe oral lichen planus.Conclusions:The aetiopathology or pathophysiology of idiopathic, inflammatory, medial meatal, fibrotising otitis may be linked with lichen planus. Early, active treatment of idiopathic, inflammatory, medial meatal, fibrotising otitis with local corticosteroids may prevent total medial meatal atresia.


1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 419-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
PE McCarthy ◽  
G Hosgood ◽  
RD Pechman

Three dogs were presented for para-aural abscessation. Ear canal separations were suspected preoperatively, based on histories of trauma, physical examination findings of minimally inflamed external ear canals with abrupt endings, and radiographic evidence of discontinuity of the ear canals. Concurrent otitis media, based on radiographic findings, was diagnosed in all three dogs. Disruptions of the external ear canals were confirmed at surgery, and the dogs each responded to total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy.


2013 ◽  
Vol 133 (5) ◽  
pp. 3543-3543
Author(s):  
Tobias Sankowsky-Rothe ◽  
Simon Köhler ◽  
Matthias Blau ◽  
Alfred Stirnemann

2017 ◽  
Vol 131 (9) ◽  
pp. 809-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Bola ◽  
M Rashid ◽  
S Hickey

AbstractObjective:Otowicks are used to treat otitis externa with significant ear canal oedema. This study investigates how well drops penetrate through to reach the deep canal and whether it is safe to leave otowicks in the canal for more than 2 days.Methods:Sterile otowicks were inserted into mock ear canals and vertically over pseudomonas-seeded agar plates whilst gentamicin or ciprofloxacin drops were administered. The time taken for drops to penetrate through the otowick was recorded. Separately, pseudomonas-seeded otowicks were treated with saline or antibacterial drops. The penetrating drops were observed for bacterial growth on sterile agar.Results:It took six drops before penetration occurred for both antibiotics. When sterile saline drops were applied to bacterially contaminated otowicks, the penetrating drops displayed bacterial growth on agar, indicating that pseudomonas penetrated through the otowick. However, when antibiotic drops were applied, penetrating drops showed no bacterial growth on the corresponding agar plate.Conclusion:Bacteria can penetrate otowicks but this is prevented by continuous application of antibacterial ear drops. Ear wicks need priming with six drops before starting a regimen, so that the initial dose is fully absorbed.


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