Tinnitus produces a ringing sound in the ear, although no external sound is actually present. It is a symptom that manifests from various underlying conditions of the ear. One condition that leads to tinnitus is earwax impaction. Many individuals use cotton swabs to clean the auditory canal daily. Instead of removing the earwax, cotton swabs tend to push the earwax farther into the auditory canal, causing the earwax to accumulate in the ear. This may result in tinnitus and decreased ability to hear. Earwax impaction in the auditory canal will
A. damage the ossicles
B. lead to perception deafness
C. lead to the loss of hair cells in the organ of Corti
D. lead to conduction deafness
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is D. lead to conduction deafness.
Explanation: Earwax impaction can cause conduction deafness, which is a type of hearing loss that occurs when there is a problem with the transmission of sound waves through the outer or middle ear. In the case of earwax impaction, the wax builds up in the ear canal and physically blocks sound waves from reaching the eardrum. This obstruction can prevent proper vibration of the eardrum and ossicles (tiny bones in the middle ear that are crucial for sound conduction), resulting in reduced hearing ability.
Earwax impaction does not directly damage the ossicles (option A), nor does it lead to perception deafness (option B), which involves problems with the inner ear or auditory nerve, affecting the brain’s ability to process sound. The condition also does not result in the loss of hair cells in the organ of Corti (option C), as these cells are affected by inner ear issues like noise exposure or aging, not by outer ear problems like earwax buildup.
Conduction deafness caused by earwax impaction can be temporary, and hearing usually returns to normal once the wax is removed. However, if the earwax is not cleared properly, it can lead to other complications, such as ear infections or prolonged hearing issues.
The best approach to preventing earwax impaction is to avoid inserting cotton swabs or other objects into the ear canal. If earwax buildup becomes a problem, it’s better to see a healthcare provider to safely remove the wax.