Our sense of hearing is often overlooked and taken for granted, but it is one of the most important senses. Taking care of our ears is a must and we must always be prepared with ear first aid.
Medically reviewed by Mike Kenneth Go Doratan, MD · General Surgery · The Medical City Ortigas
Our sense of hearing is often overlooked and taken for granted, but it is one of the most important senses. Taking care of our ears is a must and we must always be prepared with ear first aid.
Objects stuck in the ear are a common scenario in young children (toddlers and preschoolers) since they like to put things either in their mouth, nose, and, of course, ears. But, adults also encounter the same problem when cleaning their ears using a cotton bud.
The most common objects that can lodge inside a person’s ear are
These things might be put in the ear accidentally or intentionally.
If in need of professional help, an otolaryngologist or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor is the one to call. But if a medical professional is not available, knowing how to perform ear first aid can be crucial.
Young children often get things inside their ears out of curiosity. Since this age group likes to explore and are curious, they tend to put things in areas where they should not be like their ears or nose.
While toddlers or preschoolers are playing or eating, they might find it fun to put things inside their tiny ears. The common objects found inside a little child’s ear are tiny toys, little trinkets such as beads and buttons, button, batteries, and foods such as nuts, seeds, and beans.
Do not leave young children unattended especially when playing or eating. Also, you may need to learn how to apply ear first aid to swiftly give action to ear-related accidents.
Be extra careful as well in cleaning their ears.
The most common ear scenario in adults is when the tip of a cotton bud gets left behind inside the ear. Cotton buds are the frequent objects ENT’s remove from their patients. This happens often since some adults like to clean their ears thoroughly.
Cotton buds are made to remove ear wax from the insides of your ear. However, doctors discourage the use of cotton buds as it may cause some serious ear problems if not used correctly.
There are also instances where insects make their way inside a person’s ear. Insects may crawl inside the ear when an individual sleeps on the floor or is camping outdoors. In such cases, it’s a good idea to know how to perform ear first aid.
The following symptoms may show up depending on how long an object stays in your ear:
Although an ENT can extract the object from your ear, there is still possible damage that can affect the functions of the ear, like:
When a sharp object pokes your eardrum then it may cause a tear. This leads to infection and might lead to a ruptured eardrum. A ruptured eardrum can impair your hearing and make your ear (and even brain) vulnerable to infections. However, there are medications and medical procedures that can help heal your eardrum in a matter of weeks.
Follow these ear first aid tips:
If professional help is not yet available, do these steps as ear first aid instead:
Call for immediate medical attention if symptoms worsen and become unbearable.
Learn more about First Aid here.
Disclaimer
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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