Ear cleaning is a procedure performed to clean dirt that has accumulated in the ear canal and results in hearing loss. In addition to earwax, foreign matter, such as cotton or insects, can also obstruct the ear canal, thus requiring ear cleaning.
Under normal conditions, ear wax that is shaped like a thick liquid functions as part of the protection of the ear canal from the entry of foreign matter. However, the dirt can also accumulate and harden so that it disturbs hearing.
Ear cleaning can be done by a doctor, or done alone at home. However, to reduce the risk of side effects from ear cleaning, it is best to do ear cleaning by a doctor.
Indications for Ear Cleaning
Ear cleaning can be requested by the patient if necessary. However, ear cleaning will be recommended by a doctor, if earwax results in conditions, such as:
- Otitis externa.
- The difficulty of the doctor examining the ear, like the eardrum.
- Block the ear canal.
- Cause complaints in the form of hearing loss, ear beds, and pain, discomfort, or itching of the ears.
Ear cleaning will also be done to get rid of foreign objects that enter the ear.
Ear Cleaning Warning
Some conditions that cause a person to be careful before undergoing ear cleaning include:
- Have a history of damage to the eardrum.
- Experiencing pain during previous ear cleaning.
- There is fluid that comes out of the ear.
- Have had 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 direction, so that complications do not arise. If the child or patient has difficulty following the doctor's directions when cleaning the ear, this procedure should not be performed. Ear cleaning must also be done carefully on 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, as well as checking for fluid coming out of the ear. The doctor will also ask if the symptoms occur continuously or only occasionally. After the examination is complete, the doctor will then examine the condition of the ear canal visually with the help of a device called an otoscope, then determine whether ear cleaning is necessary.
Ear Cleaning Procedure
The patient will first be seated or half-lying. One of the ear cleaning techniques that is commonly done is mechanically. Through this technique, a special spoon shaped like a spoon made of metal will be used to remove dirt and foreign matter from the ear. The doctor will first insert a small sized scrap, and remove the dirt by being examined. If the impurities to be removed are hard enough and accumulate, the doctor will use a bigger and stronger sized scrap.
During this mechanical ear cleaning procedure, the doctor will occasionally examine the condition of the ear hole visually to see any remaining dirt. If dirt or foreign objects that will be removed very hard, and cause patients pain or discomfort during cleaning, doctors can delay ear cleaning to be done for about 2 weeks. During this delay period, the doctor can give ear drops to the patient for daily use to help soften the accumulated earwax.
Another ear cleaning technique is the irrigation method. After the patient is well positioned, the doctor will insert a special fluid into the ear using the injection tube. This fluid will be left in the ear for several minutes. If all the impurities are deemed to have come out of the ear hole, the doctor will then rinse with water or a salt solution to remove the impurities from the ear. To ensure that there is no more dirt and the eardrum is not damaged, the doctor will re-examine the condition of the patient's ear visually using an otoscope. The remnants of the liquid that seep from the ear will then be cleaned and dried using a cloth or tissue.
After Ear Cleanup and Possible Risks
Patients who have undergone ear cleaning can go home the same day if allowed by the doctor. Ear cleaning is a safe medical procedure to undergo. Nevertheless, the risk of side effects still exists. Among others are:
- Pain and discomfort in the ear.
- Ears ringing.
- Vertigo.
- Injury to the ear due to scraping of the scraper.
These side effects are usually only temporary and will disappear by themselves. In rare cases, patients may experience a ruptured eardrum after undergoing ear cleaning procedures.
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