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 Ear Complaints section.  Specific conditions relating to these complaints are highlighted in the Conditions of the Ear section.

 

Objectives

Anatomy

• Understand the anatomy 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
  • 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