CHAPTER XIX. EAR-TRUMPETS AND THEIR USE. In some cases of diminished power of hearing, there can be no doubt that ear-trumpets afford great assistance, and are a source of much comfort to the sufferers. On the other hand, if imprudently used, they are apt to increase the deafness and to cause additional distress. They are decidedly injurious, for instance, in the early stages of deafness arising from debility of the nervous apparatus, and the noises are likely to be increased by their use; while in the old standing cases of the same disease they often prove most serviceable they are also equally advantageous in cases of partial anchylosis of the stapes to the fenestra ovalis. Ear-trumpets may be considered under three different classes, according to their use, in as many degrees of deafness. The first class consists of instruments to be worn on or in the ears, without the aid of the hand; and by means of which more voices than one, or even general conversation, can be heard. The most useful of this class of instruments are the small cornets made by Mr. Rein, which are connected by a spring passing over the head, that serves also to hold them in the ears. The cornets can be concealed by the hair or worn under the bonnet. A variety of this class is a small cornet, which can equally be concealed by the hair, and which fits into the ear, where it is retained by a convolution which passes around the ear and dispenses with the spring. The second class consists of instruments held in the hand, by means of which one voice, and sometimes more, spoken near the extremity, can be heard. To this class belong all the varieties of trumpet of different lengths and shapes, whether made of tin, gutta-percha, &c., and consisting of a narrow portion inserted into the ear, which gradually expands into a wide mouth. These trumpets must be held in the hand, and the expanded portion can be directed to any person or persons whose voices are desired to be heard. The third class embraces a variety of elastic tubes, one end being placed in or on the patient's ear, and the other held in the hand of the speaker, whose mouth being applied near or in its free extremity, his single voice is heard. APPENDIX. LIST OF PUBLISHED PAPERS ON THE STRUCTURE, FUNCTIONS, AND DISEASES OF THE EAR. ON the structure of the membrana tympani in the human ear. With numerous engravings. Philosophical Transactions, 1851. Part I. On the functions of the membrana tympani. Proceedings of the Royal Society, 1852. On the muscles which open the Eustachian tube. Proceedings of the Royal Society, 1853. Pro On the mode in which sonorous undulations are conducted from the membrana tympani to the labyrinth, in the human ear. ceedings of the Royal Society, 1859. Pathological researches into the diseases of the ear. Medico-Chirur gical Transactions, vol. xxiv, 1841. Pathological researches into the diseases of the ear. Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, vol. xxvi, 1843. Pathological researches into the diseases of the ear. Second series. Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, vol. xxxii, 1849. Pathological researches into the diseases of the ear. Third series. Fourth series. Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, vol. xxxiv, 1851. Pathological researches into the discases of the ear. Fifth series. Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, vol. xxxviii, 1855. Pathological researches into the diseases of the ear. Sixth series. Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, vol. xxxviii, 1855. On the diagnosis of the condition of the Eustachian tube, by means of the otoscope, without the use of the catheter. the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society. Proceedings of Medical Times The results of some inquiries respecting the deaf and dumb. Proceedings of the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society. Medical Times and Gazette, 1856. On anchylosis of the stapes to the fenestra ovalis (stapedio-vestibular articulation) associated with rheumatism and gout; illustrated by more than one hundred dissections. Proceedings of the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society, 1858. A case of deaf-dumbness, of more than twenty years' duration, in which the hearing and the articulation were greatly benefited. Proceedings of the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society, 1858. On the nature and treatment of those diseases of the ear which have hitherto been designated otorrhoea and otitis. Transactions of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, vol. xviii. On osseous tumors growing from the walls of the meatus externus of the ear, and on the enlargement of the walls themselves, with cases. Wood-cuts. Proceedings of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association. The Journal of the Association, 1849. On the use of an artificial membrana tympani, in cases of perforation or destruction of the organ. Proceedings of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association. The Journal, 1852. Disease of the tympanic cavity, causing caries of the bone and paralysis of the portio dura nerve. Osseous tumors developed from the parietes of the external auditory meatus. Disease of the external auditory meatus, with suppuration of the brain. Series of preparations, illustrative of the diseases of the membrana tympani. Bony stricture of the Eustachian tube. Transactions of the Pathological Society of London, vol. i, 1849-1850. A series of cases, illustrating diseases in the cerebral cavity, originating in affections of the auditory meatus. Neuroma of the auditory nerve. Molluscous tumors developed in the external auditory meatus. The effects of molluscous tumors on the petrous bone, when developed in the external auditory meatus. Preparations illustrative of hypertrophy in the epidermoid and dermoid laminæ of the membrana tympani. Caries of the petrous bone and abscess of the cerebellum. Transactions of the Pathological Society, vol. ii, 1850-1851. Congenital malformation of the external ear and meatus on each side. Calcareous matter in the cavity of the vestibule. Examination of the ears of a deaf and dumb child, in which a portion of one of the membranous semicircular canals was distended with otoconie. Disease of the base of the brain, extending from the tympanum through the labyrinth. Necrosis of the squamous portion of the temporal bone, originating in catarrhal inflammation of the external meatus. Cholesterine in the mastoid cells. Society, vol. iii, 1851-1852. Transactions of the Pathological Case of ulceration of the fibrous laminæ of the membrana tympani. Case of complete bony anchylosis of the stapes to the fenestra ovalis. A case of perforate membrana tympani treated by the substitution of an artificial membrane. On the mode of dissecting the ear for pathological investigation. Neuroma of the auditory nerve. Transactions of the Pathological Society, vol. iv, 1852-1853. Caries of the temporal bone, and disease of the brain produced by retention of the discharge in the tympanum, after scarlet fever, by the thickened membrana tympani. Anchylosis of the stapes. Disease of the ear affecting the lateral sinus and cerebellum. Transactions of the Pathological Society, vol. v, 1853-1854. Encephaloid disease of the tympanic cavity, extending to the brain. |