The use of silly putty as an ear plug.
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Child↗
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Results for “Ear Protective Devices”
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Ventilation tubes after surgery for otitis media with effusion or acute otitis media and swimming. Systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if the use of ear protection when swimming of children with ventilation tubes modifies the risk of acute otitis media (AOM) compared to not swimming. METHODS: Systematic review. DATA SOURCES: Search conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library databases. STUDY SELECTION: Prospective cohort studies and controlled clinical trials of children with ventilation tubes, with a minimum follow-up of 2 months. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. RESULTS: 11 studies were selected. No difference was found in risk of AOM in children who swim without ear protection compared with those who do not swim: Odds ratio=0.78, 95% confidence interval 0.42-1.44; nor compared with those who use earplugs and swimming caps, odds ratio=0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.38-1.48; nor in those who use ear drops after swimming compared with those who used earplugs or swimming caps, odds ratio=0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.56 to 1.02. The use of ear drops after swimming increases the risk of AOM in children with ventilation tubes as compared with those who do not swim, odds ratio=3.14, 95% confidence interval 1.40 to 7.05. CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence to suggest that protection when swimming with earplugs, swimming caps or ear drops in children with ventilation tubes reduces the risk of AOM. Ear drops may even increase this risk.
Adolescent↗
Can I fly Doc? Eustachian tube dysfunction.
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Acute Disease↗
A direct method of earplug fabrication.
Otitis media is one of the most common diseases of childhood, accounting for a large percentage of office visits during the first five years of life. Eight specific signs and symptoms are associated with otitis media and its complications and sequelae. Ear plugs in a variety of sizes are often used to prevent water from entering the middle ear when tympanotomy tubes are in place. A fabrication technique is described.
Child↗
Protective devices in a hearing conservation program. The rationale and justification of personal hearing protectors.
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Audiometry↗
[Study on effects of combined hearing protector on communication quality and noise protection].
To study the communication quality and the protection effects of single protector and the combined ones, sound attenuation experiments and the communication experiments were conducted in 14 male subjects. The results showed that the sound attenuation of combined protectors were 13 dB or 6dB more than that of single earplug or earmuff respectively, and combined protectors could avoid sound attenuation caused by the harmonics on some frequency bands in single one. After combined usage, the single protector reduced the distortion which came from the overload of hearing organs and maintained the communication quality. The combined protector is an effective hearing protection device in high noise environment in aerospace field.
Communication↗
[Comparative studies of the damming effect and the wearing properties of hearing protective devices at the place of work].
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Audiometry↗
Swimming and tympanostomy tubes: a prospective study.
To prevent ear infection, many physicians advise their patients to avoid water after insertion of tympanostomy tubes. This advice is a logical extension of the supposition that contaminated water entering the middle ear through the tube may cause an infection. While tympanostomy tubes have been in widespread use for over 30 years, very few prospective clinical trials have evaluated their use while swimming. This study evaluated 85 patients with tympanostomy tubes divided into three groups: swimming without earplugs, swimming with earplugs, and no swimming. The infection rates were 16%, 30%, and 30% in the three groups, respectively. We conclude that swimming without earplugs does not result in an increased incidence of middle ear infections.
Adolescent↗
[Water precautions after insertion of a tympanostomy tube: necessary or obsolete?].
INTRODUCTION: Since the introduction of tympanostomy tubes by Armstrong in 1952, physicians and patients alike have been concerned about the possible harm associated with water entering the middle ear via tubes. It is the current practice of many physicians to advise patients to avoid water entering the middle ear by using water precautions when swimming. However, the potential harmful effect of water in causing otorrhoea and otalgia still remains controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was performed analysing the effect of water exposure in patients with tympanostomy tubes, both those who do and those who do not take water precautions. Between January 1996 and January 1997, patients who had tympanostomy tubes inserted were assigned to one of two groups on the basis of parental preference. Group I consisted of children who were allowed to swim without water protection, while in group II the children were instructed to use water protection whenever swimming. Once assigned, patients remained in that group. The parents were required to keep a diary documenting the number of days the child went swimming and experienced otorrhoea, otalgia or symptoms relating to an upper respiratory tract infection. Of the 86 patients enrolled in the study, comprehensive follow-up information was available in 63 (47 children in group I and 16 in group II). RESULTS: The mean period of follow-up was 8 months. The incidence of otorrhoea/otalgia after swimming was 36% in group I and 25% in group II. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.39). The symptoms of otorrhoea and otalgia were of short duration and self-limiting in the vast majority of the patients. It was necessary to remove the tympanostomy tube in only one patient. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with tympanostomy tubes swimming without water precaution does not predispose to otorrhoea. On the basis of this study, previous investigations using in vitro models, and the literature, it is currently our practice to permit children to swim without water precautions two weeks after insertion of a tympanostomy tube.
Child↗
Water precautions in children with tympanostomy tubes.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of antibiotic ear drops (suspension of polymyxin B sulfate, neomycin sulfate, and hydrocortisone [Pediotic]), prefabricated ear molds, or no precautions in decreasing the incidence of posttympanostomy water-related otorrhea. DESIGN: Five-year prospective controlled study. SETTINGS: University referral center. PATIENTS: Five hundred thirty-three pediatric patients who were undergoing tympanostomy tube placement (including those who were undergoing tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, or both) were self-selected into four groups. INTERVENTIONS: The use of antibiotic ear drops that contained polymyxin B, neomycin, and hydrocortisone and the use of prefabricated ear molds. Group 1 comprised patients who were not given any water precautions with swimming regardless of the depth or type of water; group 2 comprised patients in whom antibiotic ear drops were applied after all forms of swimming; group 3 comprised patients who used ear molds with all forms of swimming (all children were advised against diving and swimming more than 180 cm below the surface, and parents were cautioned to avoid the entrance of soapy water into their child's ears during bathing); and group 4 comprised patients who were selected not to swim at all (they served as a control group). RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence of posttympanostomy swimming-related otorrhea among the three swimming groups (11%, 14%, and 20% of children in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively, reported swimming-related otorrhea [P=.26, df-2, chi-square=2.66]). Children who did not swim at all (group 4) did not differ significantly in their overall incidence of otorrhea (59%) from the three swimming groups combined (68%) during the follow-up period (P=.11, df=1, chi-square=2.54). CONCLUSION: Young children with tympanostomy tubes who surface swim and do not dive receive no additional benefit from the taking of water precautions in the form of earplugs or antibiotic ear drops.
Administration, Topical↗
A meta-analysis of swimming and water precautions.
OBJECTIVE: To reconcile conflicting reports concerning the incidence of otorrhea in children with tympanostomy tubes who swim without ear protection. STUDY SELECTION: Articles were identified by MEDLINE search, Current Contents, and references from review articles, textbook chapters, and retrieved reports. Controlled trials of water precautions following tympanostomy tube placement were selected by independent observers and scored on 10 measures of study validity. Five English-language articles met all inclusion criteria. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were abstracted for an endpoint of otorrhea following swimming without ear protection with a minimum follow-up of 6 weeks. DATA SYNTHESIS: Pooled analysis of 619 children revealed a rate difference of -5.04 (95% confidence interval [CI], -11.62 to 1.54). No significant difference in the incidence of otorrhea was noted between patients who swam without ear protection and nonswimmers. CONCLUSION: There is no increase in incidence of otorrhea in children who swim without ear protection compared with children who do not swim following tympanostomy tube placement.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea↗
Water precautions and tympanostomy tubes: a randomized, controlled trial.
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to determine whether there is an increased incidence of otorrhea in young children with tympanostomy tubes who swim and bathe without water precautions as compared with children who use water precautions in the form of ear plugs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, investigator-blinded, controlled trial. METHODS: Two hundred one children (age range, 6 mo-6 y) who had undergone bilateral myringotomy and tube insertion were randomly assigned into one of two groups: swimming and bathing with or without ear plugs. Children were seen monthly for 1 year and whenever there was intercurrent otorrhea. RESULTS: Ninety children with and 82 children without ear plugs returned for at least one follow-up visit. Mean (SD) duration of follow-up was 9.4 (4.1) months for the children with ear plugs and 9.1 (4.4) months for the children without ear plugs. Forty-two children (47%) who wore ear plugs developed at least one episode of otorrhea, as compared with 46 (56%) who did not use ear plugs (logistic regression adjusting for stratification variables, P = .21). The mean (SD) rate of otorrhea per month was 0.07 (0.31) for the children who wore ear plugs as compared with 0.10 (0.31) for the children who did not wear ear plugs (Poisson regression adjusting for stratification variables, P = .05). CONCLUSION: There is a small but statistically significant increase in the rate of otorrhea in young children who swim and bathe without the use of ear plugs as compared with children who use ear plugs. Because the clinical impact of using ear plugs is small, their routine use may be unnecessary.
Baths↗
Ventilation tubes, swimming and otorrhoea: a New Zealand perspective.
OBJECTS: To compare advice given by specialist otolaryngologists to patients following ventilation tube insertion and the management of purulent otorrhoea in these patients. METHODS: A postal questionnaire was sent to all 59 specialists currently listed in the New Zealand Otolaryngology Specialist Register. RESULTS: 96.5% of specialist otolaryngologists replied, 88% in sufficient detail for analysis in this study. The vast majority (96%) allowed patients to swim with tubes in situ, and all allowed hair washing. Advice for ear protection varied. If otorrhoea develops with ventilation tubes in situ, 90% of specialists advise patients to stop swimming, but allow hair washing to continue with ear protection. Ninety percent of specialists' initial treatment of otorrhoea involves a combination of suction toilet and topical steroid/antibiotic drops. CONCLUSION: In general, specialist otolaryngologists in New Zealand give similar advice to patients with ventilation tubes. However, the specific methods of ear protection advised when swimming and hair washing varies markedly.
Amoxicillin↗
Attenuation characteristics of hearing aid earmolds.
The purpose of this study was to determine the attenuation characteristics of several hearing aid earmolds. Six earmolds and an E-A-R earplug modified to act as an earmold were evaluated according to the standard procedure. The six earmolds consisted of two types (shell and skeleton) having different materials (Lucite and vinylflex) and different styles (normal and tragus lock). The traditional earmolds provided approximately 17 dB less attenuation as compared with the E-A-R earmolds. The attenuation provided by the traditional earmolds was not influenced by the type, material, or style. The traditional earmolds had a noise reduction rating of less than 3.3 dB, whereas the noise reduction rating for the E-A-R earmolds was greater than 18.2 dB. Traditional earmolds should not be considered as a substitute for a hearing protection device. However, E-A-R earmolds could be used as a substitute for a hearing protection device provided the level of the noise minus the noise reduction rating would be acceptable.
Adult↗
Auditory localization in the horizontal plane with single and double hearing protection.
INTRODUCTION: Although single hearing protection devices such as earplugs or earmuffs are known to degrade sound localization, little is known about localization accuracy in double-hearing-protection conditions where both earplugs and earmuffs are worn at the same time. METHODS: Listeners wearing earplugs, earmuffs, or a combination of earplugs and earmuffs were asked to localize short (250 ms) or long (continuous) pink noise signals originating from one of 24 loudspeaker locations in the horizontal plane. RESULTS: When single hearing protection was worn, localization was reasonably accurate in the left-right dimension even when the stimuli were short in duration. When double hearing protection was worn, however, left-right localization accuracy was poor even when the stimuli were on continuously. A second experiment showed that localization accuracy with double hearing protection varied substantially across different listeners, but that it varied only slightly across refittings of the same earplugs and earmuffs on the same listener. A third experiment showed that double hearing protection impaired localization in the left-right dimension much more for narrow-band sounds at frequencies above 500 Hz than it did for narrowband sounds at frequencies at or below 250 Hz. DISCUSSION: The severe disruptions in performance that occurred when earmuffs and earplugs were worn simultaneously suggest the influence of a mechanism such as bone conduction that does not normally interfere with localization when only a single hearing protection device is used.
Adult↗
Sound attenuation from earmuffs and earplugs in combination: maximum benefits vs. missed information.
INTRODUCTION: Noise levels from military aircraft range from 100-130 dBA. Peak pressure levels from large caliber weapons may reach 180 dB SPL. To protect against hearing loss, individuals are encouraged to wear double hearing protection. This study determined ways to maximize benefit. METHOD: Hearing thresholds from 0.25-8 kHz and consonant discrimination were assessed in normal-hearing subjects with ears unoccluded and fitted with highly rated earmuffs and earplugs, singly or in combination. The earplugs were available in two sizes. Selection was based on best fit. Attenuation values were derived from the threshold measurements. RESULTS: With the muff, plug, and muff and plug in combination, thresholds ranged from 35-48 dB SPL, 40-55 dB SPL, and 44-66 dB SPL, respectively, across the frequencies tested. The combination (without regard to size of plug) resulted in attenuation values of 38-54 dB. With the smaller of the two plugs, low-frequency values as high as 53-61 dB were realized. Consonant discrimination decreased by 6-8% with the devices worn singly and by 22% with the devices in combination, relative to unoccluded listening. DISCUSSION: Sufficient low-frequency attenuation may be achieved with muffs and plugs in combination to prevent hearing loss from operational noise. Attenuation may be maximized by choosing a smaller earplug to achieve a better fit. Possible downsides are reduced detection of warning sounds and speech intelligibility. To be heard warning sounds should surpass protected thresholds by at least 5 dB. Choosing devices which provide somewhat less attenuation may be necessary to preserve communication capability.
Adult↗
A device for prophylaxis of acoustic trauma.
Tests were made to determine whether protection against acoustic trauma was afforded by an ear-plug containing a valve designed to close under pressure of intensive noise. The hearing acuity of 34 persons was determined before they participated in target practice on a pistol firing range. Eighteen of them then wore the ear-plugs on the range and 16 did not. Hearing acuity was again determined after the target practice and it was noted that the loss of acuity was considerably less in subjects who had worn the plugs than in those who had not.
Auditory Perception↗