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Foreign bodies of the external auditory canal: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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Foreign bodies in the external auditory canal can be various objects (bones, seeds, small balls, beads, leaves, batteries, parts of hygiene sticks, etc.), as well as insects (flies, cockroaches, bugs).
ICD-10 code
T16 Foreign body in the ear.
Epidemiology of foreign bodies in the external auditory canal
Foreign bodies in the external auditory canal are frequently observed, especially in children.
Prevention of foreign bodies in the external auditory canal
Supervision of children (do not leave small objects unattended), explanatory conversations with parents.
Symptoms of Foreign Bodies in the External Auditory Canal
The presence of one or another foreign object in the external auditory canal.
Diagnostics of foreign bodies in the external auditory canal
Physical examination
To determine the presence of a foreign body in the external auditory canal, otoscopy is performed.
Treatment of foreign bodies in the external auditory canal
Non-drug treatment
If the foreign body is not prone to swelling, it is removed by rinsing the ear, directing the stream into the gap between the foreign body and the wall of the ear canal. If the foreign body is capable of swelling and has been there for several days, it is advisable to first instill alcohol drops into the external auditory canal for 2-3 days. Foreign bodies of plant origin shrink and are more easily pushed out during subsequent rinsing. Live foreign bodies are first destroyed by instilling oil or alcohol drops, and then washed out.
In the absence of inflammation and signs of irritation of the walls of the external auditory canal, with sufficient visibility, the foreign body can be removed using instruments (a probe with a curved end, Voyachek's attic probe, a curette). The hook is inserted behind the foreign body parallel to the wall of the external auditory canal, then turned 90° and the foreign body is pulled out.
Drug treatment
After removal of the foreign body, the ear canal is tamponed (povidone-iodine, hyoxyzone).
Surgical treatment. When a foreign body is wedged into the tympanic cavity, removal is performed under anesthesia, partially removing the anterior or posterior walls of the external auditory canal.
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