What should I do if something falls into my ear?

People often encounter things getting into the ears. For example, water will get into the ears when swimming, and some fine dust will get into the ears. In addition, sometimes some small insects will crawl into the ears. When something enters the ears, abnormal noises will be made. Severe cases can cause tinnitus symptoms. So, what are some ways to get foreign objects out of the ears?

What should I do if something falls into my ear?

●Insects - Various insects may enter the external auditory canal. Cockroaches are the most common and they prefer warm, dark environments. The feeling of having a live insect crawling around in your ear canal can only be described as "irritating and unsettling". There are not many reports of insects damaging the eardrum and middle ear, and they will not enter the brain because there is bone between the ear and the brain. Before removing the insects, mineral oil, ethanol, etc. should be used to restrict the insects' activities, which will facilitate the removal of foreign objects. Some very small insects, such as ants and mosquitoes, should be killed first and removed under an otoscope as soon as possible to avoid damaging the ear canal tissue during the operation.

● Penetrating foreign bodies - Foreign bodies that may penetrate the tympanic membrane and cause damage to middle ear structures require immediate attention. Cotton swabs, pencil tips, twigs, and hairpins are the most common. These foreign bodies often cause pain, dizziness, pus in the ears, and even hearing loss and facial paralysis.

For other foreign bodies in the external auditory canal (such as beads, paper, or foam rubber), as long as the patient is asymptomatic, they should be removed as soon as possible when appropriate conditions permit.

Different tools are needed to remove different foreign objects:

Another type of foreign body that is very difficult to deal with is the metal particles brought in when electric welding sparks splash into the ear canal. They can stay in any part of the ear canal, such as the ear canal skin and the surface of the eardrum. Sometimes particles penetrate the eardrum and enter the middle ear. Because of the impact when it splashes into the ear canal, and the high temperature of the metal particles can damage and burn tissues. In this case, remove the foreign body as much as possible to prevent infection.

Finally, I hope everyone protects their own ears and the ears of those around them, and try to avoid foreign objects entering the ear canal.