Signs of ear health problems
Ear health problems
In sensory screening, it is important to check the:
- Outer ear
- Middle ear.
The inner ear is not checked in screening.
Instruction
Learn more on how to check ear health in Lesson four.
Question
What may be signs that a child has an ear health problem?
- Pain in the ear
- Swelling
- Change in colour (any part of the ear)
- Discharge (blood, pus, fluid)
- Blocked ear (ear wax or foreign body)
- Damage/injury.
Instruction
Work through the activities to learn more about signs of an ear health problem.
Signs of outer ear health problems
Activity
Look at the pictures of the ears below and select which ears look healthy.
Select to see answers.
Incorrect. This person’s ear has signs of infection with swelling and a change of colour.
![Person’s ear is swollen and bleeding at the top of the pinna.]](https://www.gate-tap.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/3.3-Pinna-haematoma-which-may-require-drainage-and-antibiotics-233x300.png)
Incorrect. There is sign of injury with swelling and bleeding.
Incorrect. There is sign of infection behind the ear with swelling and change of colour.
Incorrect. There is discharge from the ear.
Correct! This person’s ear is healthy. There is no sign of injury or infection and the ear canal is present.
Signs of ear canal and eardrum problems
Activity
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 in colour.
No, the ear canal is red and swollen.
No, the ear canal is blocked with a foreign body.
No, the ear canal is blocked with ear wax.
Yes, the ear canal is clear. The eardrum is clear and is a white/light grey colour.
Warning
Identifying ear health problems early is important.
If untreated, ear health problems can cause permanent damage to a person’s ears. This can cause hearing loss.