Ear Symptoms

  • Perform a patient-centered history and focused physical exam for a patient presenting with ear symptoms
  • Provide a differential diagnosis for common ear complaints
  • Describe the diagnostic considerations for otitis media and otitis externa and the relevant physical exam findings
  • Be able to recognize concerning features on exam and when referral to otolaryngology is necessary (eg suspicion for otosclerosis)
  • Describe the approach to management, for otitis media and externa in children and adults

Core Resources

Acute Otitis Media

Soor G, Tirko S. Acute Otitis Media One-Page Primer. DFCM Open. 2011. Available at: http://dfcmopen.com. Attribution CC BY-NC-ND

Otitis Externa

Soor G, Tirko S. Otitis Externa One-Page Primer. DFCM Open. 2011. Available at: http://dfcmopen.com. Attribution CC BY-NC-ND

Tinnitus

Krishna G, Tazkarji B. Tinnitus One-Page Primer. DFCM Open. 2012. Available at: http://dfcmopen.com. Attribution CC BY-NC-ND

Hearing Loss in Adults: Differential Diagnosis and Treatment

Michels T, Duffy M. Hearing loss in adults: differential diagnosis and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2019;100(2):98-108.