Ear Ache - Medtick
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Ear Ache

Wax builds up

  • One of the functions of the ear is that it cleans itself. It does that by making wax move out of the ear slowly and along the way, the wax picks up trapped dust and dirt.
  • Some people produce more wax than others hence having excess wax and needs to be removed.
  • Acute hearing loss or muffled hearing is often attributed to the build-up of wax in the ear canal. Wax may totally occlude the ear canal in patients:
    • With narrow or hairy ear canals
    • Who have exostosis or osteomas (bony growths)
    • Using cotton buds, which instead of cleaning the ears can result in wax impaction
  • Other reason to remove wax is ones ear canal may be narrow and formed at an angle causing the wax to move out slowly otherwise one builds up of ear wax.
  • Ear drops help to break, soften or dissolve the wax making it easier to remove.

 

Infections:

Middle ear infections (Otitis media)

  • Cold and flu (Streptococcal bacteria, Haempohilus influenza bacteria, M.cattarahlis bacteria)
  • Allergens
  • Sore throat

 

Outer ear soreness and infections Otitis externa (known as swimmers ear)

  • Foreign particles entering the ear (Streptococcal bacteria, Staphylococci bacteria, Pseudomonas aureginosa bacteria).
  • Ear injury (Perichrondritis)

 

Ear fungal infections

  • Exposed to a moist environment i.e. after swimming (Aspergillosis, Candida fungus) but this should be first confirmed by a medical doctor.

Balance and Dizziness

  • The ear plays an important role in one’s balance, Problems in the ear can affect your balance and dizziness, for further investigation please to ‘Refer to Dr’ , ‘Infection service’ and ‘The Aftercare service’.

Symptoms

Does one have:

Wax Removal Questions
  • ‘Popping’ sound in the ear after a hot bath/shower?
  • Wax coming out of ear?
  • Increasing in difficulty or difficulty in hearing?
  • Mild pain in the ear (when ear is touched or pulled gently)?
  • Noise or ringing in the ear?
  • Blocked feeling in the ear?
  • Discomfort in the ear?
  • Itch in the ear?
Mild Outer Ear Infection

(Inflammation of ear canal)

  • Mild Pain in the ear (when outer ear is touched or pulled gently)?
  • Pain in the ear made worse by movement of jaw?
  • One has a mild fever?
  • Itchiness?
  • Redness and flaky skin?
  • Temporary ear block, discomfort and/or itchiness after swimming/bathing?
  • Recently used ear plugs/cotton buds/use hearing aids?
  • Habit of fiddling or picking your ears?
  • Hairsprays or hair colour shampoo that got into ear?
  • Are you in smoky/pollutant environment?
Middle Ear Inflammation

Does one have:

  • Difficulty in hearing (if a child, call their name or clap your hands and see if they react?
  • Sickness feeling?
  • Feeling slightly dizzy?
  • If a child, is one inexplicably crying or tugging at ear?
  • Mild pain in the ear (when after ear is pulled gently or touched)?
  • Pain in ear made worse by movement of jaw?
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