Біль у вусі

A foreign body in the ear canal is any foreign object, living organism, or substance that accidentally or intentionally enters the external auditory canal. Such cases occur across all age groups: from children exploring their own bodies to adolescents and adults working in fields or forests, or even during sleep when an insect may enter. Plant seeds are particularly dangerous as they swell rapidly and can cause additional trauma to the ear canal during removal. Occasionally, local or even general anesthesia is required to extract a foreign body. The range of potential foreign bodies is much broader than listed above, but these are the most common examples from clinical practice. Clinical Case: A 12-year-old boy presented after helping clean a workshop. He found metal bearing balls and decided to insert one into his ear. He was unable to retrieve it on his own. Over time, pain, swelling, tinnitus, and hearing impairment developed. The ball became tightly impacted in the ear canal, creating a vacuum effect, cerumen secretion increased, and any attempt to manipulate it pushed it deeper, causing severe pain. The following day, his parents brought him for a consultation, and the ball was successfully removed using a magnet. Potential Complications A foreign body can traumatize the tympanic membrane, cause its rupture (perforation), and spread infection to the middle ear. The warm and moist environment there creates favorable conditions for infection to develop, potentially leading to further hearing impairment. What to do: If an object enters the ear and cannot be naturally dislodged: try tilting the head so the affected ear faces downward and gently shake it; under no circumstances use tweezers or other instruments for self-removal; be sure to consult an otolaryngologist. In the slides below, you can see various objects that were extracted from patient ears, as well as complications that arose due to delayed medical evaluation and neglect of one's health. Stay cautious and take care of your health!