Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

ear ringing
See 
tinnitus.
ear infection
Infection of the ear by bacteria or
viruses. Ear infections are the most frequent diag-
nosis in sick children. Ear infections occur less
commonly in adults. Almost every child has one or
more bouts of middle ear infection (otitis media)
before age 6. The Eustachian tube is shorter in chil-
dren than in adults, allowing easy entry of bacteria
and viruses. Outer ear infection in adults is some-
times associated with excessive cotton swab irrita-
tion of the ear canal. Bottle-feeding is a risk factor
for ear infections. Breast-feeding passes to the baby
immunity that helps prevent ear infections. The
position of the breast-feeding child is better than
that of the bottle-feeding child for Eustachian tube
function. If a child needs to be bottle-fed, holding
the infant rather than allowing the child to lie down
with the bottle is best. A child should not take the
bottle to bed. Ear infections are not contagious, but
the bacteria or viruses that cause them may be. A
child with an ear infection can travel by airplane,
but if the Eustachian tube is not functioning well,
changes in pressure can cause discomfort. A child
with a draining ear should not fly or swim. See also
ear infection, external.
ear infection, external
Infection of the skin cov-
ering the outer ear canal that leads in to the ear
drum, usually due to bacteria such as streptococcus,
staphylococcus, or pseudomonas. External ear
infection is usually caused by excessive water expo-
sure. When water pools in the ear canal (frequently
trapped by wax), the skin will become soggy and
serve as an inviting culture media for bacteria. The
first sign of an external ear infection is a feeling of
fullness and itching in the ear. Next the ear canal
swells, and drainage and pain follow. With severe
infection, the ear canal can swell completely shut
and the side of the face can become swollen.
Moisture and irritation will prolong the course of
swimmer’s ear. For this reason, the ear should be
kept dry. Scratching the inside of the ear or using Q-
tips should be avoided. A hearing aid should be left
out. Also known as otitis externa and swimmer’s ear.
ear tag
A rudimentary tag of ear tissue, often con-
taining a core of cartilage, usually located just in front
of the ear (auricle). This minor anomaly is common
and harmless. However, the presence of two or more
minor anomalies such as this one in a child increases
the probability that the child has a major malforma-
tion. Also known as preauricular tag.
ear tube
A small plastic tube that is inserted into
the eardrum (tympanum) to keep the middle ear
aerated for a prolonged period of time. To put an
ear tube in place, a tiny surgical incision is made in
the eardrum. Any fluid is removed. Water should not
be allowed to enter the ear canal while the tubes are
in place. Ear tubes may remain in place for several
years. A physician may remove a tube during a rou-
tine office visit, or it may simply fall out of the ear
naturally without the patient realizing it. Formally
known as a tympanostomy tube.
ear tumor
A formation of benign (noncancer-
ous) bumps on the external ear or within the exter-
nal ear canal. Most of these lumps and bumps are
harmless sebaceous cysts. However, some are bony
overgrowths known as exostoses or osteomas. If
they are large and interfere with hearing, they can
be surgically removed with relative ease.