Foreign Body in the Ear

"Do or do not. There is no try."⁕

Red Flags

• Ear pain and discharge may represent infection
• Loss of hearing — especially when this persists after removal of the foreign body
• Beware button batteries

Why Is This Important?

• A persistently discharging ear in a child should raise the possibility of a foreign body
• Persistent hearing loss after removal of the foreign body, exudate, etc. might be due to damage to the tympanic membrane or ossicular chain
• Removal can be difficult, especially in children or those with learning disability. You should brief the patient, parents, and carers beforehand and prepare well to ensure you have a reasonable chance of success.
• Consider an outpatient pure-tone audiogram for persistent or disproportionate hearing loss

See Procedure: Removing Foreign Bodies

When to Involve the ENT Registrar

• Soon (working hours): if you feel a general anaesthetic is required, or if you have failed to remove the foreign body
• Immediately: if the foreign body is a button battery

Who to Admit

• Patients with aural foreign bodies do not need admission unless there are logistical (waiting for emergency list slot) or anaesthetic reasons (post-procedure)

Link to ExR Virtual Reality: Foreign Body in the Ear

⁕ apologies to Yoda

Page last reviewed: 04 May 2024