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INSTILLATION OF EAR DROPS
Preparation for wax removal - or to encourage normal
expulsion of wax from the outer ear.
It is advisable to buy a 'dropper bottle' from your Chemist
WHEN USING OLIVE OIL
Apply olive oil as directed by your Doctor or Nurse
Most patients find that applying drops 1-2 times daily for 3-4
days prior to a consultation for wax removal is helpful. Your nurse
or doctor may suggest using olive oil once every week as a preventative
treatment
- Lie down on your side with the affected ear uppermost
- Pull the pinna (outer ear) backwards and upwards (see diagram
below). Drop 2 or 3 drops of oil, at room temperature, into the
ear canal and massage the tragus just in front of the ear
- Remain lying down for 5 minutes and then wipe away any excess
oil. DO NOT leave cotton wool at the entrance to the ear
- Repeat the procedure with the opposite ear if necessary
WHEN USING ANTIBIOTIC / ANTI-INFLAMMATORY EAR DROPS
- Hold the head to one side with the affected ear uppermost
- Pull the pinna (outer ear) backwards and upwards (see diagram
below). Drop 2 or 3 drops of oil, at room temperature, into the
ear canal and massage the tragus just in front of the ear
- Return the head to the upright position and wipe away any excess
drops
DO NOT leave cotton wool at the entrance to the ear
FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD A MASTOID OPERATION
A. When using Olive Oil
- The olive oil drops have to reach 2 areas of the ear: straight
down the ear canal, as previously described, and also backwards
- FIRSTLY, put the drops in as previously described
- THEN, in order to reach the wax which may accumulate in the
"back space" (see diagram below)
- Lie on your back and drop 2-3 drops of oil upwards and backwards
into the ear canal
- Stay in this position for 5 minutes and then wipe away excess
oil - as previously explained
B. When using Antibiotic/Anti-Inflammatory Ear
Drops
- Remember to not only put the prescribed drops into the ear
canal, but also into this "back space"
Download
document on "How To Use Ear Drops". (200kb pdf)
TRAVELLING BY AIR
Ear problems are the most common medical complaint of air travellers. The problems may be simple discomfort or temporary pain and hearing loss. This leaflet will help you to understand why these ear problems occur and how they can be reduced.
The ear has three parts:
1. The outer ear - the part you can see and the canal leading down
to the ear drum.
2. The middle ear - the ear drum, three small bones, the air space behind the ear drum and the air entry tube (Eustachian tube).
3. The inner ear - inside the head where the nerve endings are found for the organs of hearing and balance.
It is the middle ear which causes discomfort during air travel. Normally you swallow several times every minute. Air passes up the back of the nose when you swallow and sometimes enters the tube which leads into the middle ear space. The air in the middle ear is constantly being absorbed by its lining. This is replaced by air from the tube. In this way the air is kept at equal pressure on either side of the ear drum allowing it to vibrate when sound enters your ear. If the air pressure on each side of the drum is not equal then your ears will feel blocked.
What causes the air pressure to be unequal:
The back of the nose can be congested, which blocks the entrance to the Eustachian tube. This prevents air from passing into the middle ear. The air already in the middle ear is absorbed, and as no more air is allowed up the tube a vacuum occurs, 'sucking' the ear drum inwards. The drum is unable to vibrate effectively and sounds become muffled. The vacuum effect draws fluid from the lining of the middle ear, which increases the ‘blocked up’ feeling.
The most common cause of Eustachian tube blockage is the 'common cold'. However patients who suffer from hay fever or nasal allergies can experience the same symptoms. Many children have repeated 'colds' and 'runny noses' which may prevent the tube from working effectively and can result in persistent fluid in the middle ear.
How Air Travel Causes Problems
Each time the air pressure outside the ear changes it is advisable to swallow or yawn to open the tube and let air into the middle ear to equalise the pressure. You will notice the greatest air pressure changes when an aircraft is descending prior to landing. The air pressure is lower while the aircraft is in flight and it increases nearer the ground. The changes as the plane descends cause a vacuum to form in the middle ear even faster than normal and there is even more need to swallow and let air enter the middle ear. Some pressure changes are unavoidable especially if there is a sudden descent because of air turbulence. You may have experienced similar problems when travelling by train through a tunnel, when diving or when driving in hilly country.
Things You Can do to Help
Clearing the back of your nose is most important so that when you swallow air can pass more easily into the Eustachian tube. There are nasal sprays on the market which can help clear the nose and these should be used an hour or so before descent. Do not make regular use of these sprays, which can cause the nose to become more congested than before. Steam therapy is advised for a few days prior to travel. This may help children who have nasal congestion.
When your nose is clear of congestion keep swallowing during descent. Chewing mints or gum is helpful. Yawning will also help because it is a stronger activator of the tube opening. Try not to sleep during descent as you may not swallow enough to keep up with the pressure changes.
Another way to unblock your ears is to force air into the tube by pinching your nose shut and then swallowing until you feel your ears "pop". Ear plugs will protect the outer ear from sudden pressure changes and reduce the need to swallow so frequently. These may be helpful for small children. Pressure on the outer part of the ear at the front will close off the outer ear canal for a while, which may also help in the short term. Babies cannot equalise the air pressure like adults and it may help if they are sucking on a bottle or dummy during descent.
Reversed Problem: It is important that the outer ear canal is not completely blocked if there is no problem with your nose or Eustachian tube, because it will cause unequal pressure possibly resulting in pain and discomfort. This can happen when your ear canal is full of wax.
(Peter J Casano, American Academy of Otolaryngology - Alexandra VA)
If you continue to have ear pain you are advised to see your doctor or ear care trained nurse
Download Ears and Air Travel leaflet
HEARING AIDS
This is a useful document for hearing aid wearers, containing advice on maintenance, cleaning and problems
Download Tips on Hearing Aid Use leaflet
If you experience any difficulty, please contact us:
The Primary Ear Care Centre
Doncaster Gate Hospital
Doncaster Gate
Rotherham
S65 1DW
Tel: 01709 304987
Fax: 01709 304968
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