Study: Cotton swabs prove problematic for ear health

Henry Ford Health System ^ | April 28, 2011 | Unknown

[decimon]

DETROIT – A study by Henry Ford Hospital shows a direct association between cotton swab use and ruptured eardrum.

The study also shows that in most cases the rupture heals on its own and surgery is only necessary for the most severe cases.

"In the past, many otolaryngologists have wondered if surgery is really necessary to treat a ruptured eardrum. The results of this study show that 97 percent of cases healed on their own within two months, proving that most cases do not require surgery," says Ilaaf Darrat, M.D., an otolaryngologist at Henry Ford Hospital and co-author of the study.

The study is being presented April 29 at the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting in Chicago.

More than half of patients seen in otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) clinics, regardless of their primary complaint, admit to using cotton swabs to clean their ears. But if the cotton swab is pushed too far in the ear canal, it can cause serious damage, including ruptured eardrum, also known as tympanic membrane perforations (TMP).

Severe TMP can cause facial paralysis and vertigo.

"If a patient is experiencing symptoms such as hearing loss, drainage, dizziness or abnormality in their facial movements they should see a doctor immediately to assess the possible ear damage," says Dr. Darrat.

Study co-author Michael Seidman, M.D., FACS, director of the division of otologic and neurotologic surgery at Henry Ford Hospital, recommends instead of cotton swabs, using these alternatives to clean the inner ear.

Take cool peroxide, hot tap water and mix equally. Be sure it is body temperature and gently irrigate the ear one or two times per month.
Take plain vinegar and water and use four or five drops in the ear once a week.
See a doctor, who can remove ear wax for you.
Try an over-the-counter treatment such as Debrox.

The Henry Ford study included 1,540 patients with a diagnosis of TMP from 2001-2010. Patients with a cotton swab injury were subdivided into two groups: observation and surgery. Successful outcomes were defined as healed TMP, resolution or improvement of vertigo, tinnitus or facial nerve paralysis, and/or closure of the air-bone gap.

A ruptured eardrum can be treated in one of two ways, depending on the severity of the symptoms. The most common method of treatment is observation of the perforation by an otolaryngologist because often times the eardrum will heal on its own within two months. More severe cases are treated with surgery.

While the study found that most cases or ruptured eardrum heal on their own, neurological deficits, such as facial nerve paralysis, require surgical intervention to repair the eardrum.

Surgical intervention proved very successful, with only one patient suffering mild, but improved vertigo.

Dr. Darrat and her colleagues concluded that proper follow-up with a doctor to test hearing after a case of ruptured eardrum is healed is essential to ensure that no hearing loss was caused from the injury.

###

The study was funded by Henry Ford Hospital.

[fish hawk]

Here in Hawaii there is a thing called “swimmers ear”. Swimming in the pool or even the ocean a lot can leave water in your ear. The hot weather here causes some bacteria to grow in the water and cause extreme ear aches. Kids here get that a lot. What we have always done was mix half and half of peroxide and alcohol in a small container and get one of those rubber squeezer ear drop tubes and apply a few drops into each ear and let it work in there for awhile. It will kill the bacteria. Got this info from a Dr. when my girls were small and been using it for years.

[SoothingDave]

See a doctor, who can remove ear wax for you.

Is this covered under Obamacare. Say twice a week?

[Calvin Locke]

A neighbor once told me that a doctor recommended a waterpik for her daughter's "over production" of earwax.

I've worn out a bulb using it every four weeks or so.

Split the seam at the bottom.

[hellbender]

Any fool knows a Q-tip is much too small to clean the Ear-y canal.

[Starboard]

“Idiots should not clean out their own ears...”

Uh oh, here comes another set of product warning lables and government regulations. Perhaps a new federal agency even.

[Revolting cat!]

[Starboard]

“Doctors have been warning against Q-tips for at least 30 years........”

Years ago a family doctor told me the only thing you can put in your ear is your elbow. Probably very good advice.

[Peter from Rutland]

I love this place.

[dfwgator]

[Revolting cat!]

[Red_Devil 232]

Same as bobby pins! Lots of different sizes to choose from!

[Teflonic]

I actually haven't had an ear infection in over a decade since I started drying deep in my ears with qtips. My hearing is above average as well. Perhaps I've just found the right way to do it without causing damage? Gotta keep my jaw slack to keep the canal open wide enough and I don't go beyond the cilia cavity about 2" into the ear canal.

[hellbender]

It’s cilia you to put Q-tips in your ears. The wax is there to protect your ear canal from pathogens. Unless it completely blocks the tube, it should be left alone.

[KYGrandma]

And it burns the h-—l out of the ear. No thanks, not any more.

[Signalman]

I would get ear infections if I didn’t twirl a cotton swab deep in the ears to soak up moisture after showering.

Medical Term: Otitis Externa (swimmer's ear). I've had it, on and off, for years. Cotton swabs after shower and, when required, prescription antibiotic eardrops.

[Hot Tabasco]

Years ago a family doctor told me the only thing you can put in your ear is your elbow

Mine said the end of a football.......LOL!

[Hot Tabasco]

I actually haven't had an ear infection in over a decade

Whatever works I guess..........

[brytlea]

Yup, see my post #23. I’m baffled why it hasn’t been done. I guess no democrat congressperson’s friend or supporter has figured out a way to make money on the idea..

[brytlea]

Arf! :)

[brytlea]

Hot Tabasco might work!