Final answer:
Abnormal findings in the ear canal may include itching, redness, and discomfort. Infections like otitis externa and acute otitis media could lead to more severe symptoms such as fever, pain, and hearing loss. Damage to internal ear structures like the hair cells in the organ of Corti or the bones of the middle ear can also impair hearing.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are various abnormal findings that can occur in the ear canal, which may indicate different health issues. One may experience itching, redness, and discomfort of the ear canal, which can progress to additional symptoms such as fever, pain, and swelling. These symptoms might suggest an infection, such as otitis externa.
An ear infection, such as acute otitis media (AOM), is characterized by the presence of pus in the middle ear and can cause a bulging of the tympanic membrane, as well as otalgia (ear pain). Infants and toddlers may tug or rub their ears and exhibit increased crying or distress due to the pain.
Hearing loss can be related to a number of abnormalities within the auditory system, including the loss of hair cells in the organ of Corti, an abnormal auditory nerve, a fracture of the cochlea, or damage to the bones of the middle ear. External ear structures, such as the auricle and the auditory canal, which reach back to the tympanic membrane, can also be affected by various pathologies.