Things About Ear Cleaning You Need to Know
Ear cleaning is a procedure performed to clean up the dirt that builds up in the ear canal and cause hearing loss. In addition to earwax, foreign objects, such as cotton or insects , can also block the ear canal, thus requiring ear cleaning . p>
Under normal conditions, earwax that is shaped like a thick liquid serves as part of the protection of the ear canal from the entry of foreign objects. However, the dirt can also accumulate and harden so that it interferes with hearing.
Ear cleaning can be done by a doctor, or done alone at home. However, to minimize the risk of side effects due to ear cleaning, ear cleaning should be done by a doctor.
Ear Cleansing Indications
Ear cleaning can be requested by the patient if it feels necessary. However, ear cleaning will be recommended by the doctor, if earwax results in conditions, such as:
- Otitis externa.
- It's hard for the doctor to examine the ear, like the eardrum.
- Clog the ear canal.
- Gives complaints in the form of hearing loss, ear irritation, as well as pain, discomfort, or itching in the ear.
Ear cleaning will also be done to remove foreign objects that enter the ear.
Ear Cleaning Alerts
Some conditions that cause a person to be careful before undergoing ear cleaning, include:
- Have a history of damage to the eardrum.
- Having pain while undergoing ear cleaning before.
- There is liquid coming out of the ear.
- Have undergone a surgical procedure in the middle ear.
Especially for children who will undergo ear cleaning, parents should as much as possible ask the child to follow the doctor's directions, so there are no complications. If the child or patient is difficult to follow the doctor's directions during ear cleaning, this procedure should not be performed. Ear cleaning must also be done with caution in patients who have had mastoidectomy or surgery on the bones around the ear.
Ear Cleaning Preparation
Ear cleaning can be done by a doctor, and generally by an ENT doctor. The doctor will check whether the patient has pain in the ear and hearing loss, and check for the fluid coming out of the ear. The doctor will also ask if symptoms occur continuously or occasionally. After the examination is complete, the doctor will then examine the condition of the ear canal visually with the help of an instrument called the otoscope, then determine whether ear cleaning needs to be done.
Ear Cleaning Procedure
Patients will be positioned to sit or half lie down. One common ear cleaning technique is mechanically. Through this technique, special corrector shaped like a spoon made of metal will be used to remove dirt and foreign objects from the ear. The doctor will first insert a small corrector, and remove dirt by means of a hook. If the dirt to be removed is hard enough and piles up, the doctor will use a larger and stronger size.
During this mechanical ear cleaning procedure, the doctor will occasionally examine the condition of the ear hole visually to see the remaining dirt. If the dirt or foreign matter to be removed is very hard, and causes the patient to get sick or uncomfortable during cleaning, the doctor can delay ear cleaning for about 2 weeks. During this delay period, doctors can provide patients with ear drops for daily use to help soften earwax that has accumulated.
Other ear cleaning techniques are by irrigation method. After the patient is positioned properly, the doctor will insert a special liquid into the ear using an injection tube. This liquid will be left in the ear for several minutes. If all the dirt is felt to have been released from the ear hole, the doctor will then rinse with water or salt solution to remove the dirt from the ear. To ensure that there is no more dirt and the eardrum is not damaged, the doctor will visually check the condition of the patient's ear by using an otoscope. Remnants of fluid that seep from the ear will then be cleaned and dried using a cloth or tissue.
After Ear Cleaning and Possible Risks
Patients who have undergone ear cleaning can go home the same day if allowed by the doctor. Ear cleaning is a medical procedure that is safe to live. However, the risk of side effects remains. Among them are:
- Pain and discomfort in the ear.
- Ears ring.
- Vertigo.
- Injuries to the ears due to scraping of the tool.
These side effects are usually only temporary and will disappear on their own. In rare cases, the patient can experience a ruptured eardrum after undergoing an ear cleaning procedure.