Elementary School Science

Input:
What is the most important content in this lesson?
To reach the lesson’s objectives, the students need to understand:

• The different parts of the ear: outer, middle, and inner

• The different otic/ear disorders that can affect the outer, middle, and inner ear. 

• How the different otic/ ear disorders of the outer, middle, and inner ear can affect a person’s hearing. 

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How will the learning of this content be facilitated?

• The class will begin with the teacher showing the YouTube clip “Preserving Your Hearing” (Sensimetrics on YouTube) After the video is shown, there should be a short discussion about the similarities and differences between each hearing loss (i.e., what information was missed when it was heard through moderate hearing loss? Severe hearing loss?)

• After the video and the discussion, the teacher should review the parts of the ear. The teacher should review the most important parts of the ear including: the ear canal, the tympanic membrane (eardrum), the malleus, incus, and stapes, the cochlea, and the auditory nerve. Allow the students to use their diagrams from the lesson: “All About Hearing: How Do We Hear Loud and Soft Sounds?”

• Once the teacher has finished explaining the parts of the ear, a discussion about how the ear is separated should begin. Each student should have a copy of the “Parts of the Ear” worksheet. The worksheet should also be projected in the front of the classroom or in a PowerPoint presentation. Each student should have three crayons, markers, or colored pencils: green (outer), pink (middle), and blue (inner). As each part is explained, the students should color it accordingly. The teacher should explain that the ear is separated into three parts: outer, middle, and inner. The outer ear is the only part of the ear that is visible without proper medical equipment. In order for the middle ear to be seen, a doctor (general physician) or audiologist (doctor specializing in the health and treatment of ears) must use an otoscope. An otoscope is a device with a light at one end and a magnifier and the other end. The doctor or audiologist points the light into the ear and looks through the magnifier. An otoscope is used to look into the ear canal and view the tympanic membrane (eardrum). When a doctor/audiologist looks into your ear, they can tell if your eardrum looks healthy. The inner ear is the part of the ear that is not visible. The inner part of the ear is located in your head and mainly controls your balance.  The teacher should next begin a discussion about disorders and illnesses of the ear.

• There are many disorders and illnesses that can affect all parts of the ear. A few examples for each part of the ear will be presented to the students. These same examples will be used in the “What is My Diagnosis?” activity.

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Outer Ear Disorders:

• Impacted Cerumen (Earwax): when a person has an excess amount (large amount) of earwax that it impacts how well they hear. A doctor/audiologist can see impacted cerumen by using an otoscope. Impacted cerumen can affect a person’s hearing.

• Acute External Otitis (Swimmer’s Ear): red and swollen ear canal; also known as an “earache”. This disorder can be seen with and without an otoscope and usually affects a person’s hearing.

• Microtia: abnormally small pinna (outer part of the ear). This disorder can be seen without an otoscope. Microtia usually affects a person’s hearing.

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Middle Ear Disorders:

• Otitis Media (Earache): red and swollen tympanic membrane (eardrum). A doctor/audiologist uses an otoscope to diagnosis this disorder.

• Perforated Eardrum: a rupture (hole) in the eardrum. Depending on how bad the rupture is, hearing could be affected.

• Eustachian Tube Dysfunction: when the Eustachian tubes do not open and close properly. Your ears will feel full and there will be a lot of pressure. Sounds will be muffled due to the increase amount of pressure in the Eustachian tube.

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Inner Ear Disorders:

• Meniere’s Disease: episodes of severe vertigo (dizziness), nausea and vomiting, and sometimes hearing loss.

• Acoustic Neuroma: a tumor on the auditory canal that causes hearing loss, dizziness/ balance problems, and facial numbness and weakness.

• Labyrinthitis: a disorder that causes dizziness/ balance problems, tinnitus (ringing of the ears), and hearing loss.​

  • It is important that when the teacher is explaining the disorders to the students that they stress that outer and middle ear disorders cause pain and pressure, while inner ear disorder often affect balance. Disorders of all three parts affect hearing.

• Once the ear disorders are explained, the students will break into groups of three or four. Each student will be given a “What is My Diagnosis?” worksheet. On desks throughout the room will be “Patient Complaint Cards”. Some cards will also contain pictures. The cards are scenarios of patients that are experiencing problems with their ears. The students will work together as a group and determine what the patient’s diagnosis is. The students will write the diagnosis and what part of the ear (outer, middle, inner) is affected on their “What is My Diagnosis?” worksheet. Allow the students about15 minutes to go around the room and “examine the patients”. Reconvene when 15 minutes is over and review the worksheet. The answers to the worksheet are:

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• Eva: acute external otitis

• Bob: labyrinthitis

• Lara: perforated eardrum

• Chris: microtia

• Sammy: Meniere’s disease

• Burt: impacted cerumen

• Shelly: acoustic neuroma

• Barry: Eustachian tube dysfunction

• Kira: otitis media 

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• The final assessment will be for the students to answer the question: "Think about what we learned today in class. Do you think inner ear disorders are more dangerous than outer and middle ear disorders? Give at least one reason why and explain your thinking."​