Ear Learning Module

Introduction

This section presents essential clinical knowledge about the human auditory system.

The basic learning objectives agreed upon by the Canadian Society of Otolaryngologists & Head and Neck Surgeons are presented below. The most common and important ear-related complaints are discussed in the ‘Clinical Presentations of Ear Pathology’ section.  Specific diagnoses relating to these complaints are highlighted in the ‘Conditions of the Ear’ section. Essential clinical skills in otology are presented in the final section.

Objectives

Basic Sciences

• Understand the anatomy, physiology, and histology of the outer, middle, and inner ear, including the cochlear and vestibular nerves

Clinical Presentations of Ear Pathology

• Develop a clinical approach and differential diagnosis for the following complaints:
  • Ear Pain
  • Hearing Loss
  • Tinnitus
  • Dizziness / Vertigo

Conditions of the Ear

• Develop a basic understanding of the following conditions related to the auditory system:
  • Acoustic Neuroma
  • Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
  • Cerumen
  • Cholesteatoma
  • Congenital Hearing Loss
  • Exostoses
  • Facial nerve paralysis
  • Labyrinthitis
  • Meniere’s Disease
  • Necrotizing Otitis Externa
  • Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
  • Otitis Externa
  • Otitis Media (serous and acute)
  • Otosclerosis
  • Presbycusis
  • Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
  • Temporal Bone Fracture
  • Vestibular Neuritis

Essential Clinical Skills

• Interpreting Audiograms
• Dix-Hallpike Maneuver
• Otoscopy
• Particle Repositioning Maneuver
• Pneumatic Otoscopy
• Tuning Fork Testing
• Tympanometry

download a copy of these objectives