Final answer:
The 60-year-old patient is experiencing acute otitis externa, an external ear canal infection characterized by itching, redness, and swelling. It is commonly caused by P. aeruginosa and does not involve the middle ear, as indicated by the clear TM. Management involves antibiotics and prevention includes keeping the ear dry and avoiding mechanical irritation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The symptoms described suggest that the 60-year-old is experiencing acute otitis externa, commonly known as swimmer's ear. This infection of the ear canal is often caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that thrives in wet environments. Typical symptoms include itching, redness, and discomfort in the ear, which can progress to pain, swelling, and sometimes fever. The fact that the tympanic membrane (TM) is clear indicates that the infection is confined to the external ear canal and has not spread to the middle ear, which is a distinguishing factor from acute otitis media (AOM), where the middle ear is affected. Treatment for otitis externa commonly involves antibiotics to target the bacterial infection and sometimes antifungals if a fungal pathogen is identified.
Additionally, patients with acute otitis externa should avoid actions that could exacerbate the condition, such as scratching the ear or using hearing aids that irritate the ear canal until the swelling decreases and healing occurs. Preventative measures include keeping the ear dry, ensuring proper fitting hearing aids, and avoiding polluted water bodies that can harbor bacteria like P. aeruginosa.