Prolonged exposure to noise at or above 90 decibels especially if the noise is high-pitched, can damage the sensitive hair cells lining the cochlea, the innermost part of the ear. This may cause partial to severe hearing loss. Some occupations that are particularly hazardous to unprotected ears are heavy construction, driving a tractor, and working around very noisy equipment. Exposure to loud rock music over long periods of time also endangers your hearing.

What should be Done?

Sensorineural hearing loss that is caused by damage to the cochlea is irreversible. Therefore, prevention is crucial. If you are exposed to dangerous levels of noise, you should wear suitable ear protectors. Ear muffs that are designed for the purpose are the most effective. They resemble earphones and almost totally insulate the ears from noise. If the wearer needs to communicate with colleagues, as on the flight deck of an airplane, a small microphone and earphones can be added to the muffs. The second most effective protectors are ear plugs made of foam, plastic, wax or rubber.

If you work in very noisy conditions, have your physician test your hearing at regular intervals. If you detect loss of hearing early. you can take steps to prevent further damage to your ears. If you think that the noise level where you work is too high, you can contac: the person responsible for safety in your plan: or your union representative. You can also contact the local office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the local health department, and file a complaint.

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The most common disorders of the middle ear are infections and damage to the eardrum. Infections are commonly caused by bacteria or viruses, which enter the middle ear either through a perforated eardrum or along the eustachian, or auditory, tube from the back of the nasal cavity, The delicate bones that conduct sound to the inner ear are vulnerable to damage, so some conductive hearing loss is a common symptom in many middle ear disorders.

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Cholesteatoma - Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Cure

In cholesteatoma the eustachian tube, which leads from the middle ear cavity to the nose and throat, either failed to open properly in infancy or has become blocked due to repeated middle ear infections. As a result, the air in the middle ear cavity becomes isolated. The air is gradually absorbed by the cells that line the cavity, and the air pressure in the cavity drops. The higher air pressure in the outer ear pushes the weakest part of the eardrum inwards. This forms a pocket in the eardrum. In that pocket, skin cells routinely shed by the eardrum collect into a ball called a cholesteatoma. The ball becomes infected, and produces pus. This erodes the bone that lines the cavity, and damages the delicate bones in the middle ear.

What are the symptoms?

Mild to moderately severe hearing loss is a common symptom. Sometimes pus will seep from the ear. Headache, earache, weakness of facial muscles and dizziness are also symptoms of cholesteatoma.

What are the risks?

If the cholesteatoma is not treated effectively, it can eat away the roof of the middle ear cavity. This sometimes causes epidural abcess or meningitis ). An abcess can also form behind the ear.

What should be done?

If you have any of the symptoms described. especially if you had a history of ear trouble as a child, see your physician. If your doctor suspects that you have a cholesteatoma, you will probably be referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist for an examination and perhaps a hearing test .

If the cholesteatoma is small, or in an early stage, it may be possible to remove it and clean out the middle ear cavity thoroughly in a minor operation.

If the cholesteatoma is large or in a later stage, damage to the middle ear may be extensive. Then, removing the cholesteatoma becomes more complicated, involving an operation to rebuild the hearing structures and mend the broken eardrum.

In about 20 per cent of cases of cholesteatoma, the infection recurs. These infections are only dangerous if they are not treated right away. Your physician will probably check your ears at least once a year to make sure they are free of infection.

If your hearing is damaged badly, a hearing aid may help.

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Labyrinthitis - Treatment and Fast Cure for Labyrinthitis

In labyrinthitis, the labyrinth, a group of fluid-filled chambers that controls balance, becomes infected. The infection is usually caused by a virus. It inflames the labyrinth and totally disrupts its function.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptom is extreme vertigo, or dizziness. You feel off balance, and everything seems to be spinning in a circle. Your eyes move slowly sideways, then flick back to their original position. If you move your head, even only slightly, the vertigo gets worse. In some cases, there is extreme nausea and vomiting.

What are the risks?

Although labyrinthitis can be very debilitating, it is not a dangerous condition when cared for properly. The symptoms are often so distressing that few people who have it do not seek help.

What should be done?

If you have severe vertigo, see your physician at the first opportunity. If you cannot travel, ask your physician to come to you. The doctor will try to determine whether the vertigo has some cause other than labyrinthitis. One possibility is an infection that has spread from the middle ear.

What is the treatment?

You will probably have to rest quietly in bed for several days. Y our physician will probably prescribe a tranquilizer and a drug that is used to combat nausea. The symptoms of labyrinthitis can be frightening, but they will probably disappear. Most cases clear up completely, within one to three weeks.

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