Eliene Augenbraun, D.O., Ph.D., is a lifelong science and health journalist whose mission is to make sense of complex concepts. She led ScienCentral, a broadcast television newsroom that supplied ...

Otoscopy is the first step in any hearing exam. It is a clinical procedure used to visually inspect the structures of the ear, specifically the external auditory canal, tympanic membrane, and some ...

There are many types of hearing loss, and the type depends on the part of the ear that is damaged. Conductive hearing loss. This happens when something prevents sound from entering through the outer ...

Ear care, or otology, specifically treats the structure and function of the ear. Ear conditions include hearing and balance disorders, damage or disease of the ear, tumors, and others (see below). Our ...

Some people use rubbing alcohol to treat various ear conditions, such as swimmers’ ear or middle and inner ear infections. Rubbing alcohol is also known as isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol. People ...

A recent study has uncovered the surprising evolutionary origin of the mammalian outer ear, linking it to the gills of ancient fish and marine invertebrates. The research reveals that both structures ...

Inner ear infections can cause certain parts of the inner ear to become inflamed. They can affect a person’s hearing and balance. They often occur when a person has a cold or flu, or if a middle ear ...