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Ear emergencies

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Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Ear anatomy
Ear anatomy
First aid kit
First aid kit
Foreign object in ear
Foreign object in ear
Foreign object removal
Foreign object removal
Ruptured eardrum
Ruptured eardrum
External and internal ear
External and internal ear
Eardrum repair  - series
Eardrum repair - series

Definition    Return to top

Ear emergencies include objects stuck in the ear and ruptured eardrums.

See also: Acoustic trauma

Considerations    Return to top

Children often stick objects into their ears. These objects can be difficult to remove because the ear canal is a tube of solid bone that is lined with thin, sensitive skin. Any object pressing against the skin can be very painful. In many cases, a doctor will need to use special instruments to examine the ear and safely remove the object.

Causes    Return to top

Pain, hearing loss, dizziness, ringing in the ear, and ruptured eardrums can be caused by:

Symptoms    Return to top

First Aid    Return to top

Follow the steps below, depending on the type of ear emergency.

OBJECT IN THE EAR

  1. Calm and reassure the person.
  2. If the object is sticking out and easy to remove, gently remove it by hand or with tweezers. Then, get medical help to make sure the entire object was removed.
  3. If you think a small object may be lodged within the ear, but you cannot see it, DO NOT reach inside the ear canal with tweezers. You can do more harm than good.
  4. Try using gravity to get the object out by tilting the head to the affected side. DO NOT strike the person's head. Shake it gently in the direction of the ground to try to dislodge the object.
  5. If the object doesn't come out, get medical help.

INSECT IN THE EAR

  1. DO NOT let the person put a finger in the ear, since this may make the insect sting.
  2. Turn the person's head so that the affected side is up, and wait to see if the insect flies or crawls out.
  3. If this doesn't work, try pouring mineral oil, olive oil, or baby oil into the ear. As you pour the oil, pull the ear lobe gently backward and upward for an adult, or backward and downward for a child. The insect should suffocate and may float out in the oil. AVOID using oil to remove any object other than an insect, since oil can cause other kinds of objects to swell.

RUPTURED EARDRUM

  1. The person will have severe pain. Place sterile cotton gently in the outer ear canal to keep the inside of the ear clean.
  2. Get medical help.

CUTS ON THE OUTER EAR

  1. Apply direct pressure until the bleeding stops.
  2. Cover the injury with a sterile dressing shaped to the contour of the ear, and tape it loosely in place.
  3. Apply cold compresses over the dressing to reduce pain and swelling.
  4. If part of the ear has been cut off, keep the part. Get medical help immediately.

DRAINAGE FROM INSIDE THE EAR

  1. Cover the outside of the ear with a sterile dressing shaped to the contour of the ear, and tape it loosely in place.
  2. Have the person lie down on the side with the affected ear down so that it can drain. However, DO NOT move the person if a neck or back injury is suspected.
  3. Get medical help immediately.

DO NOT    Return to top

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

The following symptoms, which may indicate significant trauma to the ear, should be evaluated by a physician:

Prevention    Return to top

If you tend to feel pain and pressure when flying, drink lots of fluid before and during the flight. Avoid the use of alcohol, caffeine, or tobacco on the day of the flight. Chew gum, suck on a hard candy, or yawn during take off and landing. Talk to your doctor about taking a decongestant or using a nasal spray before you fly.

References    Return to top

Auerbach PS. Wilderness Medicine. 4th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001:468-470.

DeLee JC, Drez, Jr., D, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2003:758.

DiMuzio J Jr, Deschler DG. Emergency department management of foreign bodies of the external ear canal in children. Otol Neurotol. 2002 Jul;23(4):473-5.

Update Date: 2/12/2007

Updated by: Alden J. Pearl, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2008, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.