Ear health
Instruction
In this topic you will learn about ear health.
Healthy ears
It is important to check the outside and inside of a person’s ears on both sides.
Healthy outer ears have:
- Pinna which come in slightly different shapes and sizes
- An ear canal
- No signs of injury or infection.
Pinna
Instruction
Look at these examples of healthy pinna.
If a person’s pinna or ear canal is missing or a very different shape, the person has more complex needs. Refer to an ear and hearing professional.
Pinna, very different shape
Unhealthy ears
If a person’s ear is injured or infected it is not healthy. Signs of infection include:
- Swelling
- Change in colour (red/purple)
- Discharge (blood, pus, fluid).
Always check a person’s ear from in front and behind.
Question
Look at these pictures of the outside of the ear. Do they look healthy?
No. This person’s ear has signs of infection with swelling and a change of colour.
No. There is sign of injury with swelling and bleeding.
No. There is sign of infection behind the ear with swelling and change of colour.
No. There is discharge from the ear.
Yes! This person’s ear is healthy. There is no sign of injury or infection and the ear canal is present.
Inside the ears
An otoscope helps you to check for ear problems inside the ear. An otoscope is a magnifier, which shines light in the ear.
Instruction
You will learn more about how to use an otoscope in Lesson three.
When looking inside the ear, it is healthy if:
- The ear canal is clear (not blocked)
- The eardrum is:
- Clear (partially see-through)
- White/light grey colour
- Has no holes
- There are no signs of infection (swelling, change in colour, discharge).
Healthy inside of ear
Question
Look at these pictures of the inside of the ear. Do they look healthy?
No. There are two holes in the eardrum and it is red and inflamed.
No. The ear canal is red and inflamed.
No. There is a foreign body in the ear canal.
Yes! The ear canal is clear. The eardrum is clear and a white/light grey colour.