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.
Review Date: 4/11/2005
Reviewed By: Kevin Fung, MD, FRCS(C), Department of Otolaryngology, Division of Head and Neck Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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