Ears - one of the main and sensitive organs of the human body. Without proper prophylaxis and treatment of the internal organs of hearing, sound sensitivity may decrease. The most tender and fragile part of the ear is the eardrum. It is a thin membrane through which air or liquid cannot pass. It creates the boundary between the middle and outer ear. Thanks to this thin membrane, sound waves reach the inner ear. In addition, it prevents foreign objects from entering the ear cavity.
The treatment of most hearing diseases requires an integrated approach. Eardrum massage is the most important and one of the most effective treatments.
What does eardrum massage mean?
The pneumatic massage of the tympanic membrane acts with a stream of air on the ear using repetitive vibrations. This positively affects the elasticity of the membrane, thereby gradually leading to normal hearing. Cyclical vibrations restore muscle tone. Such an effect is exerted by a special apparatus for massage the eardrum. It alternately gives out a stream of air with low and high pressure. The best effect will occur only with the combined use of the device and drugs.
What contributes to pneumatic massage of the ear membrane?
Eardrum massage is performed not only as the main treatment for ear diseases, but also for the preventive effect. This procedure has many positive qualities:
- Restores the elasticity of the membrane.
- Helps normalize the functions of the small bones of the inner ear.
- It tones the auditory muscles.
- Positive effect on the blood circulation in the ear.
- It treats inflammation of the organ of hearing.
- Improves fluid circulation in the sections of the ear.
- Promotes healing of adhesions and scars on the eardrum.
When is the procedure recommended?
Diseases in which pneumatic massage of the tympanic membrane is prescribed can be different. The most common of these is otitis media. It quite often manifests itself in childhood. Without proper treatment, it can lead to serious consequences, up to complete hearing loss. In addition, there is a danger of the development of purulent otitis media, which can cause inflammation of the meninges. Eardrum massage is used for:
- Otitis of any severity.
- Inflammatory processes.
- The presence of serous fluid in the ear cavity.
- Sensorineural hearing loss.
- The presence of adhesions and scars.
- Preventative procedures.
- Recovery processes after various injuries of the hearing organs.
- Diseases of the blood vessels.
- Pathology Meniere.
- Lightheadedness.
Types of massage techniques
Any type of eardrum massage improves your hearing. Air vibrations with increasing and decreasing pressure improve membrane elasticity and blood circulation in the auricles. With the regular use of this technique, the scars heal and in general, the regeneration process increases. In addition, massage provides enhanced fluid circulation, thereby increasing nutrient metabolism. Regular massage relieves inflammation. It also prevents the development of the negative effects of numerous tympanic membrane diseases.
There are several types of ear membrane massage procedures. Each of them has its own characteristics and is used in various cases.
- Compression massage. It helps normalize blood vessel tone. Improves blood circulation. Also used to relieve swelling and fatigue.
- Massage with infrasonic vacuum exposure. The procedure eliminates inflammatory processes, contributes to the normalization of pressure.
- Massage using mechanical or electrical action. This method accelerates the recovery process in the eardrum, improves its mobility and elasticity.
Massage devices
There are several devices for performing this procedure that should be used to facilitate the massage process. However, along with this, it is worth remembering that you can always do a manual massage, without the use of any devices.
Massage apparatus
For the first time, a device was proposed by the apparatus for massage of the tympanic membrane using a workstation. His invention was an apparatus in the form of a pump, which worked by pressing the thumb. Air entered the eardrum, creating successively positive and negative pressure, thereby causing oscillations of the ear membrane.
Currently, doctors use a modern analogue, which is launched from electricity. It is called "APMU-Compressor." This is a small appliance weighing only 1.5 kg. It consists of two tubes that pump air into the organs of hearing, due to which both unilateral and bilateral massage of the tympanic membrane is carried out. Optimum pressure is reached after 3 seconds. The procedure using this device lasts from 1 to 10 minutes. The advantage of this device is that the doctor himself can set the right time, as well as the amplitude and frequency with which the device will create air vibrations.
The device for manual pneumatic massage
There is the possibility of pneumatic massage without the use of electrical appliances. One of these devices is the Politzer cylinder. This is the simplest device to perform this procedure. It looks like a simple pear made of rubber, from which comes a flexible tube. Usually it is used in conjunction with a Single funnel and an otoscope placed in the ear canal. The air flow and the desired pressure are pumped out by manually compressing the rubber bulb.
How to carry out the procedure in a hospital?
This is a fairly easy procedure, which is usually performed by the average staff of the hospital. The most important thing before the operation begins is to disinfect the device for massage of the eardrum. After that, make sure that everything is in order with him and the device is working in normal mode. To perform the massage, you must perform the following steps:
- The patient must first sit down.
- The doctor sets the required amplitude and frequency of the pulses, sets a timer for a certain number of minutes.
- The tip from the hardware tube is inserted into the ear. It is important here that it covers the entire auditory meatus.
- The instrument turns on. If the patient feels discomfort or even pain is present, care must be taken to adjust the pulse frequency.
- At the end of the procedure, the device will turn off automatically.
- You can pick up the handset.
The doctor should remember that during the first sessions, the amplitude and frequency should have a small or medium value. Over time, they can be increased, as well as the time of one procedure. One treatment course in most cases includes 10 sessions that are carried out every day or every other day, depending on the capabilities of the patient.
Massage using a manual apparatus should be performed by an otolaryngologist. In one session, the compression of the cylinder Politzer occurs from 20 to 30 times. The force of the applied pressure should be controlled by the doctor.
How to carry out the procedure at home?
It is quite possible to achieve a similar effect without leaving your home. Massage of the eardrum at home is done with the help of hands. The patient can feel an effect similar to a pneumatic massage if they close their ears tightly with their palms and open them with a certain frequency. However, for all its simplicity, eardrum massage at home requires compliance with certain rules.
- To begin with, the ears should be cleaned of sulfur.
- Wash the hands.
- Warm your palms (they should not be cold).
- Press your palms firmly to your ears.
- Make at least 10 clicks on the auricles, observing an interval of 2-3 seconds.
- There should be no pain or discomfort.
- Pneumatic massage should be used 2-3 times a day as a medical procedure, for prevention it is enough to perform these actions once a day.
You can use breathing exercises to improve and enhance the effect of the massage procedure.
- The patient should inhale as much as possible and pinch his nose with his fingers.
- Try to take a breath with your nose.
- When a champing sound appears in your ears , you should complete the procedure.
Contraindications
There are few indications for refusing the procedure for pneumomassage of the eardrum, but they are quite significant.
- Do not agree to a massage during an exacerbation of inflammation.
- Massage is contraindicated in detecting barotrauma due to deep-sea diving.
- When identifying pathologies of the hearing organs or their atrophy.
In addition, the procedure is not recommended for sharp surges in blood pressure, as well as for the upcoming air travel.