Using ear buds for cleaning ears can make you deaf !!!

Ludhiana, March 2, 2015: Ear injuries caused by cotton buds are commonly seen in ear, nose and throat (ENT) practice. Ear injuries Awareness programme was organised by Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana. More than 100 patients and their relatives attended the programme. Separate rounds of Interaction were held and a lot of queries regarding ear injuries were resolved. The whole session was followed by question-answer round on various scenarios of daily life.

“Cotton buds were developed in 1923 by Leo Gerstenzang . After observing his wife using wads of cotton on toothpicks to clean his baby's ears, he developed a cotton-tipped swab that he considered safer. The product was initially called Q-tips Baby Gays (Q for quality) and Q-tips survive to this day. The first instances of medical concern over the use of cotton buds were in 1972 with reports of ear drum perforation, ear canal injury and wax impaction. Manufacturers then advised against use of cotton buds in the external ear canal. Nonetheless, cotton-bud-related injuries are a common reason for attendances at ear, nose and throat (ENT) referral clinics” said Dr.Rajat Bhatia, Senior Consultant E.N.T, Endoscopic Sinus Surgery, Allergy and Voice Clinic, Fortis Hospital Ludhiana.

Giving more information Dr.Bhatia said “Unwise efforts with a cotton bud can produce wax plugs, with resultant discomfort, deafness and dizziness, injury to the ear canal or perforation of the ear drum. Otitis externa can likewise be caused by overzealous use of cotton buds”.

Most cotton bud users, when asked why they did it, merely said 'it seems like a good idea' or family and friends use them.

The main cause of blockage of the ear canal is of course ear wax - which is called cerumen by doctors. This is the waxy substance produced by our ear canals as self-protection. Ear wax is a mixture of gland secretions, epithelium, dust and other foreign debris. The job of earwax is to clean and lubricate the ear canal, and it also provides some defence against infection. There are two types of earwax - and which you have is determined by your genes. The wet type, found in Africans and Europeans, is moist and orange brown, whereas the dry type, found in Asians and Native Americans, is grey and flaky. This was is often confused as dandruff by people and sought aggressive treatment. The solution to this is simply cleaning the outer ear with wet cloth after shower.

Cleaning of the ear canal occurs through a movement of wax and dead skin cells from the inner part of the ear canal to the outside. Moving the jaw aids the process. However, it is easily interrupted, especially if you poke cotton buds or sticks into your ears in the attempt to clean them. This usually results in pushing most wax down against the drum - which can be damaged - and in damaging the delicate lining of the ear canal. The result is a ball of wax that can't get out. Water often then gets trapped behind it, leading to a sudden sensation of blocked ear after a bath or shower.

Ear drops such as docusate sodium (Waxsol) or olive oil often seem to solve the problem by dissolving the wax; however, it may cause clogging of the ear canal and may cause blockage leading to pain or decreased hearing. Thus it’s imperative to get the ear examined by your E.N.T to clean the canal and remove the wax or fungal debris ;if any, This will prevent injury to the ear drum and keep the ear safe

Now E.N.T Specialists are using state of art endoscopic microsuction techniques that are quick, painless and done in OPD setting to free the ears of any was or debris. These are also done in children easily as they are rendered painless.

In order have a trouble free ear in children and adults, a regular Endoscopic check up with the E.N.T is a must so that the ear is healthy and there is no threat to hearing ability. We must say NO to use of ear buds to avoid going deaf in near future..!!

Also present on the occasion were Vivan Gill, Facility Director, Dr.Harpreet Brar, Admin Head, Dr.Ankush Mehta, Medical Superintendent Fortis Hospital, Ludhiana.