The earlobe, or lobule (from Latin lobulus), is an external structure of the ear.

Position. The lobule is the lower part, hanging from the auricle, or pinna. The upper and lateral border of the auricle corresponds to the helix. Formed by the helix and the lobe, the auricle is often referred to in common parlance as the ear when it only corresponds to the visible part of the outer ear, one of the three parts of the ear ( inner ear, middle ear and outer ear) 1. The auricle is in the form of a shell surrounding the orifice of the duct formed by the external acoustic meatus, a non-visible part of the external ear (1).

Structure. Of fleshy consistency, the earlobe has the particularity of being devoid of cartilage (1) while the majority of the outer ear is composed of elastic cartilage, lined with a thin layer of skin, as well as fine and sparse hairs.

Vascularization. The earlobe is supplied by the inferior anterior atrial artery (2).

Auditory role. The auricle, or pinna, collects and amplifies sound frequencies that will continue in the external acoustic meatus and then in other parts of the ear.

Tinnitus corresponds to abnormal noises perceived in a subject in the absence of external sounds. The causes of this tinnitus are varied and can in some cases be linked to certain pathologies or linked to cellular aging. Depending on the origin, duration, and associated problems, tinnitus is divided into several categories (3):

• Objective and subjective tinnitus: Objective tinnitus corresponds to a physical sound source coming from inside the subject’s body, such as for example a blood vessel. For subjective tinnitus, no physical sound source is identified. It corresponds to a bad processing of sound information by the auditory pathways.
• Acute, subacute and chronic tinnitus: They are distinguished according to their duration. Tinnitus is said to be acute when it lasts for three months, subacute for a period of between three and twelve months and chronic when it lasts for more than twelve months.
• Compensated and decompensated tinnitus: They define the impact on the quality of life. Compensated tinnitus is considered “surmountable” on a daily basis, while decompensated tinnitus becomes really harmful to daily well-being.

Hyperacousie. This pathology corresponds to a hypersensitivity of sounds and external noises. It causes daily discomfort for the patient (3).

Microtie. It corresponds to a malformation of the helix, linked to insufficient development of the pinna of the ear.

Medical treatment. Depending on the pathology diagnosed, certain drug treatments may be prescribed.

Surgical treatment. Depending on the pathology diagnosed, a surgical operation may be performed.

Physical examination. First, a clinical examination is performed in order to identify and assess the symptoms perceived by the patient.

ENT imaging exam. Tympanoscopy or nasal endoscopy may be done to confirm a diagnosis.

Aesthetic symbol. In different cultures, the auricular pinna of the ear is associated with an aesthetic symbol. Artificial additions are placed on the helix in particular, such as piercings.