In all the chapters the Case Studies represent situations similar to those that the medical assistant may encounter in daily practice. Students are encouraged to consider the case study as they read each chapter.

A 6-year-old is brought into the office today where you work as a medical assistant. His mother states that he has not been responding to her when she speaks to him. She also notes that he has been turning up the television volume for the last week. The boy complains of a feeling of fullness in his ears. He is afebrile. The physician determines that the patient has bilateral cerumen plugs and orders ear irrigation with 200 cc of room-temperature water. She also orders a hearing test.

As you read this chapter, consider the following questions:

1. What is cerumen?

2. Why is it important to use room-temperature water when irrigating a patient's ear?

3. What other factors might contribute to the patient's hearing loss?

4. Why is it important to test the patient's hearing after cerumen removal?

5. What device is used to perform a hearing test?