Ear disease can occur due to a variety of things, from a buildup of earwax to an infection. This condition makes the parts of the ear become disturbed and causes a decrease in hearing function, both in children and adults.
Inside the ear consists of three major parts, namely the outer ear (outer ear), middle ear (middle ear), and the inner ear (inner ear). These three parts play different roles in the process of transmitting and converting sound waves so that we can hear them. However, each of these parts has the potential to be attacked by diseases that can interfere with its role.
Common Ear Diseases
The following are 4 kinds of health disorders that often attack the ears:
1. Earwax buildup
Earwax, also known as cerumen, is a waxy substance that is naturally produced by special glands on the outside of the ear. This wax substance is useful for preventing dust and other small particles from entering the ear.
Normally, earwax will dry out and come out of the ear on its own. However, sometimes earwax actually accumulates and clogs the ear canal.
The habit of cleaning ears using cotton bud It can also push earwax deeper and make the condition worse. This accumulation of dirt can cause several complaints, such as itching in the ears, feeling full of ears, pain in the ears, ringing in the ears, dizziness, and even decreased ability to hear.
2. Otitis externa
Otitis externa is an infection of the outer ear, one of which is caused by the entry of water into the ear. The presence of water in the ear canal keeps the ear moist, making it easier for bacteria to grow and multiply.
This condition often occurs in people who often spend time in the water, such as swimmers. That is why external ear infections are also called swimmer's ear. In addition, picking your ears too often and using hearing aids can also increase your risk of developing otitis externa.
Symptoms that can result from this ear disease are pain in the ear (especially when chewing), itching in the ear canal, discharge from the ear, and a feeling of fullness in the ear.
3. Otitis media
Otitis media is a middle ear infection that can occur in children and adults. This condition occurs when the walls of the eustachian tube become swollen due to an allergic reaction, flu, or infection in the nose. This causes the eustachian tube to become blocked and easily infected.
In children, otitis media can cause symptoms such as pain in the ear, difficulty sleeping, fussiness, fever, and not responding to sound. While in adults, symptoms can include pain in the ear, discharge from the ear, and reduced ability to hear.
4. Tinnitus
Ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, occurs when you hear a ringing or ringing sound that goes on and on. This sound can be heard in one or both ears. Tinnitus usually occurs due to damage to the auditory nerve in the inner ear. This condition is more common in the elderly who are over 60 years old.
In addition to occurring in old age, several conditions that often trigger the emergence of this ear disorder are the habit of listening to sounds too loud for a long time, earwax buildup, changes in the structure of the ear bones, and Meniere's disease.
To avoid various ear diseases, you need to maintain ear health, don't clean your ears using cotton bud, don't listen to music too loud, and keep the ear area dry. If you experience complaints in the ears and hearing, you should immediately consult an ENT doctor.