Foreign bodies in the ear are a common cause for individuals visiting the emergency room at a hospital. Foreign bodies in the ear frequently occur in children but also occur in adults.

Dr. Brett Hodge

What is meant by foreign bodies in the ear?
Foreign body in the ear refers to any object that is placed in the ear that is not meant to be there and could cause harm without medical attention. The vast majority of items are lodged in the ear canal which is the small channel that ends at the eardrum. Common foreign bodies found in ears include the following:
• Toys
• Sand
• Beans or peas
• Pieces of crayon
• Stones
• Small batteries
• Beads

What are the symptoms of foreign bodies in the ear?
Some foreign bodies in the ear may not have any symptoms. Many adults may give a history of the object in the ear, but often this is not very reliable. Depending on their age, some children may indicate that a foreign body is in their ear. Symptoms of foreign body in the ear include the following:
• Ear pain
• Ear discharge
• Loss of hearing
• Discomfort in the ear.

Diagnosis
The physical examination is the main diagnostic tool. No specific lab or X-ray studies are recommended. Examination of the ear by a doctor using a special instrument called an otoscope is recommended. Parents and others should avoid using tweezers in the ear and they should not use their fingers in the ear.

Treatment
Individuals with a foreign body in the ear should be transported to the hospital or medical clinic as soon as possible and should be examined by a health care provider. If an insect is in the ear and there is no evidence of the eardrum being perforated, the insect should be killed, if alive, prior to attempting to remove it. The insect can be killed by using mineral oil or lidocaine (2%). Very often children may need to be sedated prior to attempting to remove the foreign body. There are many methods to remove a foreign body from the ear. They should only be removed by trained individuals. If the foreign body cannot be removed, or if the tympanic membrane (ear drum) is perforated or suspected to be perforated, the patient should be referred to an ENT specialist.

Follow-up
Follow- up care is important after the foreign body is removed. Failure to recognize a second foreign body in the ear or damage to the ear drum can be recognized at a follow-up visit.

Complications
The main complications are damage to the ear drum and infection. Infections tend to occur if the diagnosis and treatment is delayed.

Conclusion
Foreign bodies in the ear are a frequent cause for a visit to the emergency room at the hospital. This medical condition frequently occurs in children, especially toddlers. In the vast majority of cases foreign bodies can be successfully removed by health care providers, but in a few cases referral to a specialist doctor is required.

Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr. Brett Hodge is an obstetrician/gynaecologist and family doctor who has over twenty years in clinical practice. Dr. Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.

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