Ear Irrigation

7/31/2019 Ear Irrigation

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Definition

Ear irrigation is the process offlushing the external ear canal with

sterile water or sterile saline. it isused to treat patients who complainof foreign body or cerumen (ear

wax) impaction


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Ear irrigation entails rinsing the externalear canal with saline solution. Irrigatingthe ear canal will remove excess earwax

and cleanse the ear canal. Proper irrigation can leave the ears wax

free and minimize risk of bacterial

infection.


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Indications

The purpose of ear irrigation is toremove earwax that is obstructing theear canal or to remove a foreign objectlodged in the ear canal.

Ear irrigation is most commonlyperformed on those who experience awax buildup that has impaired hearingand irritated the outer ear canal.


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Ear irrigation is performed in the emergency

department as a first-line treatment for aforeign object in the ear canal, because it is lessinvasive than using an instrument. If theobject is a live insect, oil is inserted into the ear

to kill the insect; then, the ear canal isirrigated to remove the dead insect.

Some foreign objects may be removed from theear using irrigation alone, but most require acombination of both irrigation and the use ofinstruments by the physician.


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Instruments for Ear Irrigation Kidney basin

Sterile gloves

Otoscope

Cotton swab

500-cc syringe (200-cc syringe forchildren

bore IV(intravenous)catheter (with theneedle removed)

disposable earirrigation connector

100cc of f luid for anadult and 30cc offluid for a child


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Contraindication

Ear irrigation is contraindicatedwhen:

perforated eardrum

the eardrum is ruptured,because the procedure may force

bacteria through theperforation into the inner ear.


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patients with fever and ear pain, asthese symptoms may indicate an innerear infection.

If a foreign object is made of vegetable

matter (e.g., a bean or pea), irrigation iscontraindicated because the water willcause the object to swell and complicate

extraction of the object.


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Of ear irrigation are rare, but may include :

trauma to the external ear canal,

external ear infection,

pain, nausea,

or vertigo.

Forceful irrigation with high pressure canrupture the eardrum and force bacteria intothe inner ear.


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Preparation:

Make sure that the wax inside theear is soft. Use an eyedropper to

place two drops of baby oil in eachear for five days before ear irrigation.This will loosen up the wax and

make it easier to flush out.


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Procedure:

1. Make sure that the wax inside the ear is soft. Usean eyedropper to place two drops of baby oil ineach ear for five days before ear irrigation. Thiswill loosen up the wax and make it easier to flush

out.2. Fill a bulb syringe with the sterile saline solution.

3. Tilt your head to the side and pull back on yourear to comfortably insert the syringe. Never force

the syringe into the outer ear canal.4. Gently squeeze the bulb to release the saline

solution into the outer ear canal. Remain in thisposition for 30 seconds.


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This allows the saline solution to furthersoften the earwax.

5. Cover the ear with a clean wash cloth andtilt your head to the other side so that thewater drains out.

6. Repeat the process with the other ear.Perform an ear irrigation every other weekas part of your personal hygiene routine.

7. Dry the ear thoroughly to avoid ear

infection. Use a towel to dry the outside ofthe ears. Use a hairdryer set on low-cool todry the inside of each ear canal.

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Ear Irrigation