Ear emergencies

Definition

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

See also: Acoustic trauma

Considerations

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

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

• Inserting cotton swabs, toothpicks, pins, pens, or other objects into the ear.
• Sudden changes in pressure, as from an explosion, blow to the head, flying, scuba diving, falling while water skiing, or being slapped on the head or ear.
• Loud percussions, such as a gun going off.

References

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.