The Eustachean tube connects this portion to the throat. The middle ear is sensitive to pressure changes and easily troubled by nose and throat infections and allergies. Chronic infections, injuries, or very loud noises can lead to hearing loss. This is the deepest part of the ear. It controls our balance and houses the nerve endings that carry messages to the brain.
Symptoms vary from mild itching to severe pain, drainage and mild hearing loss.
Possibly due to cold water, the bony portion of the external canal becomes thickened and eventually creates a knob-like projection. Over time, several of these growths may close the ear canal causing significant hearing loss. The condition is painless and may go unnoticed for a number of years until hearing loss becomes obvious. Surgical correction by a specialist may be necessary to restore normal hearing. Treatment consists of flushing the wax out with a stream of warm water.