Foreign bodies in the Ear

Various objects may be found, including toys, beads, stones, folded paper, cotton buds, insects or seeds.

• Foreign bodies of the ear are relatively common.
• They are seen most often in children.¹

• Most older children and adults will know that there is something in their ear but sometimes a foreign body may get into the external ear canal without the patient realising.
• May present with pain, deafness or discharge. Live insects may cause a buzzing in the ear.
• The appearance will vary according to the object and length of time it has been in the ear.
  • An inanimate object that has been in the ear a very short time presents with no abnormal finding other than the object itself.
  • Pain or bleeding may occur with objects that abrade the ear canal, rupture the tympanic membrane, or from the patient's attempts to remove the object.
  • With delayed presentation, erythema and swelling of the canal and a foul-smelling discharge may be present.

A great deal of care is required in order not to push the object deeper into the ear canal and not to damage the ear canal.

• Insects should be killed prior to removal, using 2% lidocaine.
• Remove batteries or magnets as soon as possible to prevent corrosion or burns. Do not crush battery during removal.
• Adhesives, e.g. Superglue, may be removed manually within 1-2 days once desquamation has occurred. Referral to an ENT specialist is required if adhesive is in contact with the tympanic membrane.²

Methods for removal

• Forceps or hook: grasp the object with forceps, or place a hook behind the object and pull it out.
• Irrigation is often effective. Irrigation with water is contraindicated for soft objects, organic matter or seeds (which may swell and increase the level of pain and difficulty to remove if exposed to water).
• Suction with a small catheter held in contact with the object may be effective.

It is advisable to only have one attempt at removal in children before referring in order to decrease the distress caused. Referral is also indicated if:

• The patient requires sedation
• If there is any difficulty in removing the foreign body
• If the patient is uncooperative
• If the tympanic membrane has been perforated
• If adhesive is in contact with the tympanic membrane