Diseases of the external ear can affect the auricle, external auditory meatus, or both. The auricle may be affected by congenital abnormalities, trauma, inflammation, or tumors such as basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma. The external auditory meatus can be affected by conditions such as atresia or stenosis, excess earwax, foreign bodies, otitis externa (inflammation caused by bacteria or fungi), diffuse otitis externa, furunculosis (boils), malignant otitis externa, osteoma, or swimmer's ear. Treatment depends on the specific condition but may involve cleaning, applying medications, or surgery.