Pregnancy SmartSiteTM
DefinitionEar emergencies include objects in the ear canal, ruptured eardrums, sudden hearing loss, and severe infections. ConsiderationsChildren often put objects into their ears. These objects can be hard to remove. The ear canal is a tube of solid bone that is lined with thin, sensitive skin. Any object pressing against the skin can be very painful. In many cases, a health care provider will need to use special instruments to examine the ear and safely remove the object. CausesPain, hearing loss, dizziness, ringing in the ear, and ruptured eardrums can be caused by:
SymptomsSymptoms include:
First AidDepending on the type of ear emergency, follow the steps below. OBJECT IN THE EAR Calm and reassure the person.
INSECT IN THE EAR DO NOT let the person put a finger in the ear. This may make the insect sting.
RUPTURED EARDRUM The person will have severe pain.
CUTS ON THE OUTER EAR Apply direct pressure until the bleeding stops.
DRAINAGE FROM INSIDE THE EAR Cover the outside of the ear with a sterile dressing shaped to the contour of the ear, and tape it loosely in place.
Do NotIf someone has an ear emergency, remember the following:
When to Contact a Medical ProfessionalSome symptoms may mean you have had serious injury to your ear. See a provider if you have:
PreventionFollow these steps to prevent ear emergencies:
If you tend to feel pain and pressure in your ears when flying:
ReferencesGoodloe JM, Skoulek J. Foreign bodies. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 51. Matlock AG, Pfaff JA. Otolaryngology. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 58. | ||
Review Date: 5/30/2022 Reviewed By: Josef Shargorodsky, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. | ||
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