Question

Why does hearing decrease if an ear infection causes fluid buildup in the middle ear? What value are the tubes that are sometimes surgically placed in the eardrums for patients with a history of repeated middle ear infections accompanied by chronic fluid accumulation?

You are prodding your blindfolded lab partner’s arm with two need probes. Sometimes she can tell you are using two probes. But when you probe a less sensitive areas, she thinks there is only one probe. Which sense are you testing? Which receptors are stimulated? Explain why sometimes she feels only one probe.

Answer 1

Question no 1

Hearing decrease in ear infection because it will lead to inflamation as well as retention of purulent fluids from the infectious process taking place by inside the ear . Bacterial infections is the most common cause and this will lead to the movement of lymphocytes into ear and causing purulent fluids. This cause conduction hearing loss in the ear of the individual

Question no 2

When ear infections is recurrent a ventilating tube or a pressure equalizing tube is inserted into the tympanic membrane of the middle ear. This is for the equalisation of the pressure inside and outside the ear that is they will play the role of an eustatian tube . In infection the eustatian tube will be occluded due to fluid secretion and accumulation. So for the pressure to be balanced it is placed . This specific tube will be placed for 7-20 months in the ear . After this it can be removed and the tympanic membrane will heal to normal.