Ear Blockages

To remove earwax, the doctor may use an

These methods can be quicker and safer than the use of water to flush out the wax (irrigation). Irrigation is sometimes done and may be combined with an agent to soften the ear wax. Irrigation is definitely not used if a person has or has had a perforated eardrum (hole in the eardrum), because water can enter the middle ear (air containing space on the other side of the eardrum) and cause a middle ear infection. Similarly, irrigation is not used if there is any discharge from the ear, because the discharge may be coming from a perforated eardrum. Irrigation is also not used in people with an ear infection, diabetes mellitus, any disorder that weakens a person's immune system, prior radiation therapy to the head and neck, certain ear canal abnormalities, and people on blood thinning drugs. Discharge from the ear is most safely removed with a small suction device and a microscope.

Certain solvents (such as liquid docusate sodium, hydrogen peroxide, glycerin, or mineral oil) help soften earwax before the doctor attempts to remove it. These solvents cannot be used long-term, however, because they may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in the ear canal. People should not attempt to remove earwax at home with cotton swabs, bobby pins, pencils, ear candles, or any other items. Such attempts usually just pack the earwax deeper into the canal and can damage the eardrum. Some people require routine cleaning by a doctor because their ear canal is narrow, their earwax is sticky or thick, or they have a chronic skin condition in the ear canal Dermatitis of the Ear Canal Dermatitis of the ear canal is itching, scaling, flaking, and swelling of the skin of the ear canal and skin at the entrance of the ear canal. There are two types of dermatitis of the ear canal... read more . Ear candling is neither effective nor safe and is strongly discouraged.

Foreign objects in the ear canal should be removed by a health care practitioner and, in some cases, an otolaryngologist (an ear, nose, and throat doctor). The doctor carefully removes the foreign body using a microscope and special tools. For some objects, the doctor uses a small, blunt hook or small vacuum device. Objects with an edge (such as paper) can be removed with small alligator forceps. Objects that are deep in the canal are more difficult to remove because of the risk of injury to the eardrum.

For many children, removal of a foreign body is usually safest when done in an operating room. In an operating room, children can be sedated or given anesthesia to lessen pain and help them remain still, which prevents additional injury to the ear.

Insects, particularly cockroaches, may also block the ear canal. To kill the insect, the doctor fills the ear canal with thickened lidocaine (a numbing agent that provides immediate pain relief) or alcohol (if the eardrum is intact). After several minutes, the insect dies, enabling the doctor to remove it.