Ear emergencies

• The most common cause of a perforated eardrum is trauma such as the deliberate or accidental insertion of sharp objects like cotton swabs, bobby pins, or toothpicks.
• Sudden, excessive changes in pressure such as an explosion, a blow to the head, flying, or diving can injure the ear.
• The injury may also result from middle ear infection ( otitis ).
• Types of objects that get lodged in the ear include inserted objects, insects, or airborne objects.

Symptoms:

• bleeding
• bruising
• dizziness
• loss of hearing
• nausea and vomiting
• noises in the ear
• earache
• redness
• swelling
• foreign object visible in the ear
• the sensation of a foreign object in the ear
• loss of or impaired hearing

Do not:

• DO NOT block any drainage coming from the ear.
• DO NOT try to clean drainage or irrigate inside the ear.
• DO NOT attempt to remove the foreign object by probing with a cotton swab, pin, or any other tool. To do so will risk pushing the object farther into the ear and damaging the middle ear.
• DO NOT reach inside the ear canal with tweezers.

Call Your Healthcare Provider if:

• you suspect any serious head injury .
• first aid methods are unsuccessful and the victim is experiencing pain, reduced hearing, or a sensation of something lodged in the ear.

First Aid:
1. If there is bleeding from cuts on the outer ear, apply direct pressure. If part of the ear has been cut off, keep the part and get medical help immediately. Cover the injured ear with a sterile dressing shaped to the contour of the ear and tape it loosely in place. Apply cold compresses over the dressing to help reduce pain and swelling .

2. If there is drainage from inside the ear, cover the outside of the ear with a sterile dressing that conforms to the contour of the ear and tape it loosely in place. Have the victim lie down on the side with the affected ear down so that it can drain. However, do not move the victim if a neck or back injury is suspected. Get medical help.

3. If the eardrum has been ruptured (there will be severe pain), place sterile cotton gently in the outer ear canal to keep the inside of the ear clean. Get medical help.

First aid for object in the ear
1. Calm and reassure the victim.

2. Do not attempt to remove the foreign object by probing with a cotton swab or any other tool.

3. If the object is clearly visible at the entrance of the ear canal and can be easily grasped with tweezers, gently remove it. Then get medical help to make sure the entire object was removed.

4. If you think a small object may be lodged within the ear, but you cannot see it, do not reach inside the ear canal with tweezers. You can do more harm than good. Get medical help.

5. Try using gravity to get the object out by tilting the head to the affected side. Do not strike the victim's head, but shake it gently in the direction of the ground to try to dislodge the object.

6. If the object is an insect, don't let the victim put a finger in their ear since this may make the insect sting. First turn the victim's head so that the affected side is up and wait to see if the insect crawls out. If this doesn't work try to gloat the insect out by pouring mineral oil, olive oil, or baby oil into the ear. It should be warm but not hot. As you pour the oil you can ease the entry of the oil by straightening the ear canal: pull the ear lobe gently backward and upward for an adult, and backward and downward for a child. The insect should suffocate and may float out in the oil bath. Avoid using oil to remove any object other than an insect, since oil can cause other kinds of objects to swell.

Prevention:

• Never put anything in the ear canal without first consulting a physician.
• Never thump the head to try to correct an ear problem.
• Following an ear injury , avoid nose blowing and getting water in the injured ear.
• Teach children not to put things in their ears.
• Avoid cleaning the inner ear canals altogether.

This is an illustration of the external, middle, and inner ear. The detailed section is of the eardrum and the three tiny bones that conduct sound from the drum to the cochlea.