Clean Ears Research Articles

Comparison Of The Effectiveness Of Irrigation and Manual Extraction Techniques On The Comfort Level Of Serumen-Impacted Patients Using The Kolcaba Comfort Theory Approach

A buildup of cerumen, or earwax, in the ear canal is one of the most common problems experienced by patients and, if ignored, can cause hearing loss, irritation, and discomfort. Comfort is an integral part of nursing work as a client's basic needs which is the goal of nursing work. The nursing approach to providing comfort to patients is based on Kolcaba's comfort theory. This theory includes comfort in four contexts of comfort, namely: physical, psychospiritual, sociocultural, and environmental. The purpose of this study was to compare irrigation techniques' effectiveness with manual extraction on the comfort level of cerumen-impacted patients using the Kolcaba comfort theory approach. This research is pre-experimental research with a "two independent samples test" approach. The sample was 40 respondents who had impacted cerumen, divided into 20 respondents who underwent ear irrigation and 20 respondents who underwent manual extraction. Analysis to determine differences in comfort levels after intervention using the Mann-Whitney test. Results & Analysis. The Mann-Whitney test showed P value = 0.000 (P <0.05), and there was a difference in the comfort level between irrigation and manual extraction. The action of ear irrigation further increases the respondent's sense of comfort compared to manual extraction, because irrigation is more effective in removing impacted cerumen characterized by clean ears and clearer hearing, and does not cause pain.

Allergic otitis externa in the dog

Otitis externa is a common presenting sign in primary care practice. Up to 75% of all cases have allergy as an underlying cause. The veterinary nurse can play a valuable role in helping to investigate disease by cytology of aural discharge to identify parasites and infection; by the institution of a hypoallergenic diet to help rule out cutaneous adverse food reaction as a primary cause and by owner education on the best ways to clean ears and the most appropriate products to use.

Knowledge and Beliefs about Ear and Hearing Health among Mothers of Young Children in a Rural Community in South India

Purpose: To study the knowledge and beliefs about ear and hearing healthcare among mothers from a rural community. Method: In 1 week, 6 focus group discussions were conducted across 6 villages of a district in Tamil Nadu in southern India. The participants were 60 mothers who had children below 5 years of age. Results: Mothers in this rural community had information about some aspects of ear and hearing healthcare. They were aware that use of hairpins and safety-pins to clean ears was harmful; they were knowledgeable about ways to identify hearing ability (child responds to name call, verbal instructions, and startles at loud sounds); and, conditions like consanguinity and malnutrition of expectant mothers were recognised as risk factors for hearing loss. However, misconceptions also existed. The practice of pouring herbal juices to remove insects in the ear continued; there was the perception that all children with a hearing problem were “deaf”, and a lack of awareness about the possibility of partial/unilateral hearing loss. Regarding the age of identification, mothers believed that a child’s ability to speak and the ability to hear was pertinent to assess hearing. None of the mothers related normal speech development to normal hearing. Conclusion: For the success of a community-based hearing screening programme, it is important to utilise the existing knowledge of the mothers, and simultaneously attempt to fill in gaps in knowledge and clarify misconceptions. These measures will facilitate greater compliance from the community in achieving the goals of early identification and early intervention for problems of hearing loss.

Fluorescence Imaging Spectroscopy (FIS) for Comparing Spectra from Corn Ears Naturally and Artificially Infected with Aflatoxin Producing Fungus

In an effort to address the problem of rapid detection of aflatoxin in grain, particularly oilseeds, the current study assessed the spectral differences of aflatoxin production in kernels from a cornfield inoculated with spores from 2 different strains of toxigenic Aspergillus flavus. Aflatoxin production in corn from the same field due to natural infestation was also assessed. A small corn plot in Baton Rouge, La., U.S.A., was used during the 2008-growing season. Two groups of 400 plants were inoculated with 2 different inocula and 1 group of 400 plants was designated as controls. Any contamination detected in the controls was attributed to natural infestation. A subset of each group was imaged with a visible near infra red (VNIR) hyperspectral system under ultra violet (UV) excitation and subsequently analyzed for aflatoxin using affinity column fluorometry. Group differences were statistically analyzed. Results indicate that when all the spectral data across all groups were averaged, any potential differences between groups (treated and untreated) were obscured. However, spectral analysis based on contaminated "hot" pixel classification showed a distinct spectral shift/separation between contaminated and clean ears with fluorescence peaks at 501 and 478 nm, respectively. All inoculated and naturally infected control ears had fluorescence peaks at 501 nm that differed from uninfected corn ears. Results from this study may be useful in evaluating rapid, noninvasive instrumentation and/or methodology for aflatoxin detection in grain.

Draining Ears and Tympanostomy Tubes

Posttympanostomy tube otorrhea also known as acute otitis media with tympanostomy tubes (AOMT) occurs in 15% to 80% of children with tympanostomy tubes. Its management is fairly standardized among pediatric ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physicians owing to recommendations published by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Pediatric emergency medicine (EM) physicians have no such guidelines. This study aimed to compare management of AOMT by pediatric ENT and EM physicians. A 27-question online survey was disseminated via SurveyMonkey.com using e-mail addresses of ENT and EM physicians via organization directories and professional listserves. A total of 175 and 174 responses were received from EM and ENT physicians, respectively. Higher proportion of EM physicians used oral antibiotics to treat AOMT (54% [n = 94] vs 9% [n = 16], P < 0.001). Virtually all ENT physicians used topical antibiotics, compared with 87% of EM physicians. Only 6% (n = 10) of EM physicians used suction to clean ear canals (aural toilet) before instilling topical antibiotics, compared with 81% (n = 138) of ENT physicians. Most ENT physicians (80% [n = 138]) instructed patients to keep the treated ear up for 10 to 60 seconds after instilling the drops and to use the tragal pump technique to direct the medication down the ear canal and through the tube (92% [n = 157]). Only 56% (n = 98) and 24% (n = 41) of EM physicians did the same. There are large differences between ENT and EM physicians with respect to: the use of systemic antibiotics, techniques of using ototopical antibiotics, methods of aural toilet in treating AOMT, and directions given to patients.

Primary Care Evaluation of the Nose and Paranasal Sinuses

Primary Care Evaluation of the Nose and Paranasal Sinuses

Cold comfort

WHEN MAUREEN Gill was a child her grandmother always threatened to send her to am Siberia if she did not wash behind her ears. Nearly 50 years later she finally visited the region that had seemed almost mythical to her, with clean ears and a mission to help improve the area's palliative care.

Q &amp; A on how to clean ears

Q &amp; A on how to clean ears

Hearing Conservation: An Industry-School Partnership

An informal observation of hearing test results of employees in hearing conservation programs noted hearing losses among younger workers. As part of a community service project for the Arizona Valle del Sol Association of Occupational Health Nurses, a pilot hearing conservation program was implemented in two junior high schools in Mesa, Arizona. Occupational health nurses conducted sound level measurements in band rooms and industrial technology (shop) classes. Members of the professional association then taught classes of seventh, eighth, and ninth graders about the effects of noise on hearing; how to protect their hearing and use hearing protection; and how to keep their ears clean. Pre- and post-tests were distributed. Sound levels ranged from about 80 to 110 decibels in band rooms and 95-110 decibels in shop rooms. The post-tests revealed increases in knowledge regarding the effects of noise on hearing, ways to determine if noise is damaging to hearing, and safe measures to clean ears. Students also indicated a willingness to wear hearing protection when exposed to noise. The success of this pilot program supports the expansion of a partnership between industry and schools with the goal of hearing conservation.

Foliar Sprays to Control Ear-Invading Insects on Sweet Corn, 1997

Abstract ‘NK-199’ sweet corn was planted in 4-row plots 100 ft in length on 29 May. Distance between rows was 3 ft. Distance between plants within the row was 8 inches. Plots consisted of 4 treatment rows with the center 2 rows serving as record rows. Plots were replicated 3 times in a RCB design. Sprays were applied with an International Harvester 770 Hi-Clear sprayer. The spray boom was adjusted to spray the silk area with each row being covered by 4 nozzles. The sprayer was equipped to treat 4 rows. All treatments were mixed in 10 gallons of water and applied at the rate of 25 gpa with 50 psi. Spray treatments were applied at 30% silk 21 Jul, 27 Jul, and 31 Jul, At harvest (8 Aug), 50 ears from the center 2 rows of each plot were husked and evaluated for insect damage for fresh-market (clean ears, no damage evident), processing (evidence of tip feeding but less than 3.6 cm tip damage), and culls (tip damage beyond 3.6 cm to the side and/or bottom). All insects found within the husk or ear were identified. The soil type was Norfolk “A” loamy sand.

Foliar Sprays to Control Ear Invading Insects in Sweet Corn, 1995

Abstract ‘Nk-199’ sweet corn was planted in 4-row plots 100 ft in length on 1 Jun ’95. Distance between rows was 3 ft. Distance between plants within the row was 8 inches. The soil type was Norfolk “A” loamy sand. Plots consisted of 4 treatment rows with the center 2 rows serving as record rows. Plots were replicated 4 times in a RCB design. Sprays were applied with an International Harvester 770 Hi-Clear sprayer. The spray boom was adjusted to spray the silk area with each row being covered by 4 nozzles. The sprayer was equipped to treat 4 rows. All treatments were mixed in 10 gallons of water and applied at the rate of 25 gal/acre with 50 psi. Spray treatments were applied at 30% silk 21 Jul, 25 Jul and 29 Jul. At harvest (4 Aug), 50 ears from the center 2 rows of each plot were husked and evaluated for worm damage as fresh-market (clean ears, no damage evident), processing (evidence of tip feeding but less than 3.6 cm tip damage). and culls (tip damage beyond 3.6 cm to the side and/or bottom). All worms found within the husk or ear were identified.

Foliar Sprays to Control Ear Invading Insects in Sweet Corn, 1994

Abstract ‘NK-199’ sweet corn was planted in 4-row plots 100 ft in length on 1 Jun ‘94. Distance between rows was 3 ft. Distance between plants within the row was 8 inches with the center 2 rows serving as record rows. Plots were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Sprays were applied with an International Harvester 770 Hi-Clear sprayer. The spray boom was adjusted to spray the silk area with each row being covered by 4 nozzles. The sprayer was equipped to treat 4 rows. All treatments were mixed in 10 gallons of water and applied at the rate of 25 gal/acre with 50 psi. Spray treatments were applied at 30% silk on 20 Jul, 24 Jul and 1 Aug. At harvest (4 Aug), 30 ears from the center 2 rows of each plot were husked and evaluated for worm damage as fresh-market (clean ears, no damage evident), processing (evidence of tip feeding but less than 3.6 cm tip damage), and culls (tip damage beyond 3.6 cm to the side and/or bottom). All worms found within the husk or ear were identified. The soil type was Norfolk “A” loamy sand.

Foliar Sprays on Late Planted Sweet Corn, 1992

Abstract Sweet corn was planted on 6 Jul near Georgetown, DE. Two row plots, 20 ft long on 30-inch centers, were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were applied with a CO2-pressurized backpack sprayer using two nozzles/row delivering 50 gal/acre at 40 psi. Silk sprays were applied on 25, 28, and 31 Aug; 3, 8, and 11 Sep. At harvest maturity (14 Sep), all ears from each plot were husked and evaluated for damage as clean ears (no damage) and tip damaged ears (less than 3.6 cm tip damage). All worms were identified, counted, and recorded.

Foliar Sprays to Control Ear Invading Insects in Sweet Corn, 1992

Abstract ‘NK-199’ sweet corn was planted in 4-row plots 100 ft. in length on 15 Jun ’92. Distance between rows was 3 ft. Distance between plants within the row was 8 inches. Plots consisted of 4 treatment rows with the center 2 rows serving as record rows. Treatment plots were replicated 4 times and arranged in a randomized complete block design. Sprays were applied with an International Harvester 770 Hi-Clear sprayer. The spray boom was adjusted to spray the silk area with each row being covered by 4 nozzles. The sprayer was equipped to treat 4 rows. All treatments were mixed in 10 gallons of water and applied at the rate of 25 gal/acre with 50 psi. Spray treatments were applied at 25% silk on 4, 8, and 11 Aug. At harvest (21 Aug), 50 ears from the center 2 rows of each plot were husked and evaluated for worm damage as fresh-market (clean ears, no damage evident), processing (evidence of tip feeding but less than 3.6 cm tip damage), and culls (tip damage beyond 3.6 cm to the side and/or bottom). All worms found within the husk or ear were identified. The soil type was a Norfolk “A” loamy sand.

The role of honeydew as an ovipositional stimulant for two species of syrphids

AbstractThe influence of honeydew contamination on egg laying by the syrphids Episyrphus balteatus (Deg.) and Platycheirus albimanus (F.) on ears of wheat was investigated in a large laboratory flight cage. Artificially‐applied honeydew elicited oviposition by E. balteatus but not by Platycheirus albimanus. Episyrphus balteatus females landed more frequently on ears contaminated with honeydew than on clean ears, suggesting a response to honeydew volatiles. Honeydew from the rose‐grain aphid Metopolophium dirhodum and from the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum stimulated E. balteatus to lay eggs, whereas honeydew from the nettle aphid Microlophium carnosum did not. The number of eggs laid by E. balteatus increased with increasing honeydew concentration. At low honeydew concentrations the presence of aphids increased oviposition by E. balteatus, but aphid presence had little effect on the number of eggs laid at high honeydew concentrations.

Foliar Sprays to Control Corn Earworms in Sweet Corn, 1991

Abstract 'NK-199' sweet corn was planted in 4-row plots 100 ft in length on 11 Jun '91. Distance between rows was 3 ft. Distance between plants within the row was 8 inches. Plots consisted of 4 treatment rows with the center 2 rows serving as record rows. Treatment plots were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Sprays were applied with an International Harvester 770 Hi-Clear sprayer. The spray boom was adjusted to spray the silk area with each row being covered by 4 nozzles. The sprayer was equipped to treat 4 rows. All treatments were mixed in 10 gallons of water and applied at the rate of 25 gal/acre with 50 psi. Spray treatments were applied at late whorl-early tassel (30 Jul); 50% silk (3 Aug) and 4 days later (7 Aug). At harvest (15 Aug), 30 ears from the center 2 rows of each plot were evaluated for worm damage as fresh-market (clean ears, no damage evident), processing (evidence of tip feeding but less than 3.6 cm tip damage), and culls (tip damage beyond 3.6 cm to the side and/or bottom). All worms found within the husk or ear were identified. The soil type was a Norfolk “A” loamy sand. Dry conditions prevailed during most of the growing season. Insect pressure was moderate.

Control of Corn Earworm on Sweet Corn, 1991

Abstract Sweet corn was planted on 30 Apr near Georgetown, DE. Two row plots, 20 ft long on 30 inch centers, were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were applied with a CO2-pressurized backpack sprayer using two nozzles/row delivering 86.2 gal/acre at 40 psi. Silk sprays were applied on 28 Jun; 2, 8, 11, 15, 18, and 22 Jul. At harvest maturity (24 Jul), all ears from each plot were husked and evaluated for damage as “fresh market” (clean ears, no damage evident) and “processing” (evidence of tip feeding but less than 3.6 cm tip damage). All worms were identified, counted, and recorded.

Insect Control on Sweet Corn, 1991

Abstract Sweet corn was planted on 3 Jul near Georgetown, DE. Two row plots, 20 ft long on 30 inch centers, were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were applied with a CO2-pressurized backpack sprayer using two nozzles/row delivering 86.2 gal/acre at 40 psi. Silk sprays were applied on 23, 26, 30 Aug; 3, 6, and 9 Sep. At harvest maturity (10 Sep), all ears from each plot were husked and evaluated for damage as “fresh market” (clean ears, no damage evident) and “processing” (evidence of tip feeding but less than 3.6 cm tip damage). All worms were identified and counted.

Foliar Sprays to Control Corn Earworms, Dusky SAP Beetle, Fall Armyworm and European Corn Borers in Sweet Corn, 1990

Abstract 'NK-199' sweet corn was planted in 4-row plots 50 ft in length on 1 Jun '90. On 4 Jun AAtrex (1.3 lb) + Lasso (1.35 qt) was applied Distance between rows was 3 ft. Distance between plants within the row was 8 inches. The center 2 rows of each plot were treated and the outer 2 rows were untreated guard rows. Treatment plots were replicated 4 times and arranged in a randomized complete block design. Sprays were applied with an International Harvester 770 Hi-Clear sprayer. The spray boom was adjusted to spray the silk area with each row being covered by 4 nozzles. This sprayer was equipped to treat 4 rows. All treatments were mixed in 10 gal of water and applied at the rate of 25 gal/acre with 50 psi. Spray treatments were applied at late whorl-early tassel (26 Jul); 50% silk (30 Jul); 3 Aug and 9 Aug. At harvest (13 Aug), 50 ears from the center 2 rows of each plot were husked and evaluated for worm damage as fresh-market (clean ears, no damage evident), processing (evidence of tip feeding but less than 3.6 cm tip damage), and culls (tip damage beyond 3.6 cm to the side and/or bottom). All worms found within the husk or ear were identified. The soil type was a Galestown sandy loam.

Control on Sweet Corn, 1990

Abstract Sweet corn was planted on 7 May near Georgetown, Del. Two row plots, 20 ft long on 30-inch centers, were replicated 4 times in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were applied with a CO2-pressurized backpack sprayer using two nozzles/row delivering 48 gal/acre at 40 psi. Silk sprays were applied on 18, 20, 24, 27, and 31 Jul. At harvest maturity (3 Aug), all ears from each plot were husked and evaluated for damage as “Freshmarket” (clean ears, no damage evident). All worms found were identified, counted, and recorded.