Ear Problems

Ear, Nose and Throat 0087 2011

Ear Problems

Ear problems can involve the outer, middle or inner ear and commonly include infection, inflammation, damage from foreign bodies and wax build up. The diagnosis of ear problems is often best made by a doctor who can examine the ear with a special instrument. Treatment is usually simple and effective.

Ear wax water or saline (called ‘syringing’). A doctor can also remove ear wax with Production of ear wax is normal in a special instrument. Ask a doctor or children and adults. The wax usually pharmacist for advice. moves outward along the ear canal assisted by repetitive movements such Self care as chewing and talking. Wax build up in • Let each ear clean itself – as wax the outer ear is one of the most common comes out of the ear canal, wipe it causes of temporary hearing loss. away with a cloth covered finger. Symptoms include: • Do not clean ear canal with hairpins, cotton buds, pencils or other objects • Ear discomfort – wax may be pushed further down • A feeling that ear is blocked or full the canal or the canal or ear drum • Noise in ears (tinnitus) damaged. • Reduced hearing. Otitis externa Treatment Otitis externa is inflammation or Ear wax can often be dislodged by infection of the outer ear canal. wax softening ear drops. (Note: some The outer ear canal is the skin lined products contain oils derived from nuts). canal which leads into the ear as far as If ear drops are not successful, a wax the ear drum. Otitis externa is also called plug may be flushed out with warm

Self Care is a program of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia. Self Care is committed to providing current and reliable health information. swimmer’s ear or tropical ear, because may put in their ears (e.g., beads, food). it is commonly caused by moisture in Symptoms include: the ear. • Ear pain Symptoms include: • Discharge from ear (may be smelly) • Irritated, itchy ear • Reduced hearing • Ear pain, often made worse by • Noise if object is an insect. movements such as chewing Treatment • Discharge from ear (may be smelly) It is best to consult a doctor for removal • Feeling of fullness in ear of foreign bodies. • Reduced hearing. Self care Treatment Do not poke anything into the ear canal Consult a doctor or pharmacist about to remove a foreign body. otitis externa. Treatment may include: • Pain relieving medicine Otitis media (e.g., paracetamol, ibuprofen) Otitis media is inflammation or infection • Careful cleansing and drying of of the middle ear. The middle ear is the ear canal air-filled cavity immediately behind the ear drum. The air pressure in the middle • Ear drops to relieve inflammation and ear is kept normal by the eustachian clear infection. tube, which connects the middle ear to Self care the back of the nose. When the nose is To prevent otitis externa, keep the ear congested (e.g., during a common cold), canals dry. fluid can build up in the eustachian tube and the middle ear, leading to increased • Shake water from ears after pressure and infection in the middle ear. swimming and bathing. Otitis media is especially common in • Use drying, antiseptic ear drops after young children. swimming and bathing. Ask a pharmacist. Symptoms include: • Use water-repelling ear plugs during • Ear pain swimming and bathing. • Reduced hearing Ask a pharmacist. • Discharge from ear Foreign body • Fever A foreign body in the outer ear canal • Vomiting can cause inflammation, damage and • Irritability – infants may be unsettled, infection. Foreign bodies include small wake at night, rub their ears, have insects, cotton buds and things children diarrhoea, loose their appetite.

To find your nearest Self Care pharmacy go to the pharmacy finder at www.psa.org.au Treatment Important Consult a doctor about otitis media. Treatment may include: • Take children with ear ache to a doctor as soon as possible. • Pain relieving medicine • If you have recently had a discharge (e.g., paracetamol, ibuprofen) from your ears or an ear infection, • Antibiotics. Antibiotics are not always or have had a burst eardrum in the needed. Otitis media often clears past, get a doctor to check your without antibiotics, but children eardrum before using ear drops. should be reviewed again by a doctor • Consult a doctor if any of the in 24–48 hours if their symptoms have following occurs with an ear not improved. problem: Self care – Pain lasting more than 24 hours • A warm pack or cold pack may help – Fever, dizziness, stiff neck relieve ear pain. – Discharge • Avoid swimming with a – Hearing loss or ringing in the ears congested nose. – Balance problems. • Avoid deep diving, as water can be forced into the middle ear. Glue ear may lead to permanent • Decongestants may help prevent ear ear damage and impaired speech pain when flying soon after an ear development. infection. Ask a pharmacist. Treatment Glue ear (otitis media Consult a doctor about glue ear. with effusion) Treatment may include: Glue ear is persistent build up of thick • Antibiotics fluid in the middle ear, with no signs of acute infection. Some children who get • Tiny drainage tubes (grommets) frequent otitis media develop a glue ear. inserted through the ear drum. It occurs when fluid in the middle ear Self care does not drain out properly. Children with grommets should not get Symptoms include: water in their ears. Water-repelling ear • Ear pain plugs may help. • Reduced hearing Inner ear problems • Behavioural problems due to Problems in the inner ear can affect reduced hearing. hearing and balance. The most common cause of inner ear problems is infection, usually viral. Consult a doctor.

To find your nearest Self Care pharmacy go to the pharmacy finder at www.psa.org.au For more information Related fact cards Antibiotics Healthdirect Australia Colds and Flu Phone: 1800 022 222 Pain Relievers Website: www.healthinsite.gov.au Sinus Problems Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) Your pharmacist can advise on CMI leaflets. National Prescribing Service (NPS) Medicines Information Phone: 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424) Website: www.nps.org.au The Poisons Information Centre In case of poisoning phone 13 11 26 from anywhere in Australia.

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