Foreign Body in the Ear
Foreign bodies in the ear are common, especially in children, but can occur in adults too. They can lead to discomfort, hearing loss, and infection if not promptly recognised and managed. Early and safe removal is essential to prevent complications and preserve ear function. Causes Inorganic objects: Beads, small toys, buttons, stones Organic materials: Food particles, insects, cotton wool, seeds Accidental insertion: Common in children during play Intentional insertion: Seen in psychiatric illness or in prisoners Trauma-related: Parts of hearing aids or broken cotton bud tips lodged during cleaning Pathophysiology The foreign body may cause a local inflammatory reaction. Organic materials tend to swell and worsen symptoms by exerting pressure