Ear Anatomy, Function, and Care

The ears are a pair of sensory organs whose primary functions are hearing and balance. They are divided into three portions: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. Each has an intricate structure of bones, nerves, and muscles. Verywell Healthcare providers use a variety of tools to examine the ears and measure how well they’re functioning. Anatomy The ears are two sensory organs. They have two main functions: hearing and balance....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 539 words · Miranda Armstrong

Ear Infection in Adults

Verywell / Ellen Lindner How Do Adults Get Ear Infections? Ear infections in adults happen for the same reasons that kids get them. Its usually because there is fluid buildup in the ear that is causing blockages and inflammation. Verywell / Ellen Lindner The ear is divided into the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. Most ear infections do not require treatment and will clear up within a week or two....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 804 words · Erin Allen

Ear Infection Symptoms: Middle, Inner, or Outer Ear Pain

Thoughear painis a common symptom. Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health Ear Infection Symptoms: Do I Have Ear Inflammation? Ear infections are commonly resulting from bacteria, viruses, and occasionally fungi or parasites. Illustration by Julie Bang for Verywell Health As it does with allinfections, theimmune systemwill respond to an ear infection by producinginflammation. This, in turn, generates heat, pain, and swelling of tissues. Swimmer’s ear can also occur if your ear gets routinely blocked with water....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 407 words · Dustin Sullivan

Ear Infection Treatment to Get Rid of Symptoms

Ear infection treatments can vary based onwhich part of the earis infected. Althoughearacheis the primary symptom of both middle and outer ear infections, the underlying cause can differ. Illustration by Brianna Gilmartin, Verywell Can You Heal an Ear Infection Without Treatment? Illustration by Brianna Gilmartin, Verywell Middle ear infections often heal on their own without treatment. The differences are due to how each jot down of infection develops. Middle Ear Infections Otitis media is more common in children thanadults....

April 18, 2025 · 4 min · 646 words · Kyle Gomez

Ear Seeds: What to Know About This Acupressure Therapy

Ear seeds are used as a part ofauricularacupressure, a form of traditional Chinese medicine. This throw in ofacupressuretargets ear pressure points without using needles. microgen / Getty Images What Are Ear Seeds? microgen / Getty Images Ear seeds are a tool used in auricular acupressure, which is the practice of usingpressure pointson the ear. Auricular acupuncture is atraditional Chinese medicinepracticed for about 2,500 years. Acupuncture is used to balance and restore the flow ofQi(orChi)....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 284 words · Samantha Davis

Ear Tubes for Adults: Everything You Need to Know

Ear tubes for adults are used to equalize pressure and/or prevent the accumulation of fluid in themiddle ear. They may also be used to treatearbarotrauma(ear damage due to extreme changes in atmospheric pressure). The shape holds them securely in place. Verywell / JR Bee Once implanted, the tubes cannot be seen. This article explains when and why ear tubes are used in adults. It also describes what you’re free to expect if you are scheduled to undergo the procedure....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 623 words · Kelly Joseph

Eardrum Conditions That Cause Redness Inside the Ear

Redness inside the ear may have several causes, including conditions that affect the tympanic membrane (eardrum). These can include infection, inner-ear irritation, injury, and even allergies. You’ll need to visit a healthcare provider for an examination. urbancow/Getty Images This article discusses the differences between a healthy eardrum and one that is inflamed or irritated. Red vs. A healthcare provider uses a lighted, magnifying instrument called an otoscope to check for such changes....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 387 words · Michael Anderson

Early Signs and Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Schizophreniais a chronic psychiatric disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Schizophrenia usually develops slowly, with early warning signs starting before the first severe episode. The onset of schizophrenia can last from months to years. Ellen Lindner / Verywell The first signs of schizophrenia can be different depending on how old a person is when the disorder develops. Positive Signs Positive symptomscan be the first signs that someone is living with schizophrenia....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 441 words · Lauren Marsh

Early Signs of Breast Cancer

Some people may experience lymph node changes under the arm or near the collarbone. Many people don’t have symptoms ofbreast cancer, which can make an early diagnosis difficult. Regular mammogram screenings can improve the chances of finding amalignant tumorin its early stages. RealPeopleGroup / Getty Images Keep in mind that not all findings will be cancer. Cancerous lumps can also be soft, tender, or painful. The lump location can be on the breast, near a nipple, or in the armpit....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 372 words · Kellie Fuller

Early Signs of Tardive Dyskinesia

Some of these medications are prescribed to treat psychiatric or neurological disorders. Early symptoms of tardive dyskinesia may be barely noticeable to the person affected. Mild, Moderate, and Severe Symptoms The symptoms mentioned above often present mildly at first. However, over time they can worsen to become more moderate and severe. In many cases, symptoms can become debilitating. Since the movements are involuntary, they can lead to severe and painful cramping of the muscle groups involved....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 215 words · Amber Orozco

Early Stage Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Hands and Feet

RA is characterized by damaginginflammationthat, left untreated, typically will progress.RA can cause bone erosionand joint deformity. Symptoms can be more severe inearly-onset RA. Swelling is common in stage 2. Illustration by Shideh Ghandeharizadeh for Verywell Health By stage 3, joints can start to be deformed and people may experience nerve pain. In stage 4, the joint is essentially immobile and permanently damaged. For most people who get RA, joint symptoms will develop gradually over several years....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 243 words · Adam Reynolds

Early Symptoms and Long-Term Effects of Osteoporosis

Bone density loss is a normal part of aging, butosteoporosisis not. Bone tissue is renewed through a cycle in which bone cells break down and are replaced. This process becomes less efficient with age, particularly for people who have been through menopause. wutwhanfoto / Getty Images When the bone tissue breaks down faster than it can regenerate, bone density loss occurs. The risk of receiving a diagnosis of osteoporosis doubles every five years between the ages of 40 and 60....

April 18, 2025 · 3 min · 577 words · Mia Greene

Early, Common, and Rare MS Symptoms

Each person’s specific symptoms depend on the location and extent of demyelination. Researchers think this is due to the fact that men do not manage their symptoms as well as women. Complications Some possible complications of MS include: Not everyone will experience these. Verywell / Emily Roberts And like MS symptoms, complications can vary greatly in those who do. EarlyMS diagnosisandtreatmenthave long-term benefits, so don’t hesitate or wait to bring up what you’re experiencing....

April 18, 2025 · 2 min · 418 words · Megan Warner