Understanding the problem
Understanding the problem
Problems in the ear are commonly caused by a build-up of earwax or an infection.
Earwax (also known as cerumen) is a yellowish substance produced by the glands in the ears to protect them from damage and infection. It moves slowly out of the ear, taking any dust and dirt with it. We don’t necessarily notice it and it may fall out when we are sleeping or washing our hair.
Some people produce a lot of earwax or have narrow ear canals, which may result in earwax build-up. Hearing aids, ear plugs, or trying to clean the ears with cotton buds can push wax back into the ear. With age, earwax can be drier and may become impacted.
Signs of a build-up of earwax include a blocked sensation in the ear. Earwax build-up may affect hearing, including triggering temporary deafness after swimming, bathing or showering. It may also make the person feel dizzy.
Infections of the ear are common. Otitis is a term for inflammation or infection of the ear: otitis externa is inflammation of the outer ear, while otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear.
In otitis externa, there is inflammation of the outer ear canal (the pinna or tympanic membrane can also be affected), which may be caused by allergy or infection. It often results from getting water and/or soap in the ear and is common among swimmers – hence its nickname, swimmers’ ear. Symptoms include redness, itching, pain and swelling. It usually affects one ear. Otitis externa is covered by Pharmacy First in Scotland.
Otitis media is when there is swelling and a build-up of fluid behind the eardrum. It often occurs after a cold because mucus can block the eustachian tube. It is common in children, who have smaller eustachian tubes than adults. Symptoms include throbbing or sharp pain, fever, dizziness and sometimes nausea or vomiting. Babies or young children may pull at their ear and show signs of irritability and restlessness. Acute otitis media is covered by Pharmacy First services across the UK.
Customers with ear infections may need to be referred to a GP if they have a high temperature or the infection has lasted longer than three days. Other symptoms that require referral are swelling around the ear, fluid coming from the ear, and hearing loss or a change in hearing.
Did you know?
Ears contain tiny nerve fibres that help us to maintain balance and hear properly. These fibres are very sensitive, and if they are damaged or broken, they don’t grow back.
Other common ear conditions include tinnitus, perforated eardrum and glue ear (otitis media with effusion). Tinnitus is where a noise is heard in the ear – such as ringing, buzzing or hissing – when there is no external sound. A perforated eardrum is when there is a hole in the eardrum, causing symptoms such as sudden hearing loss and pain. Glue ear occurs in younger children, when fluid builds up in the middle ear resulting in hearing loss. In many cases, it gets better over time and no treatment is necessary. For some,
autoinflation (using a product called Otovent) may be appropriate to help relieve symptoms. Surgery may sometimes be necessary – a small incision is made in the eardrum to allow the fluid to be drained. Hollow tubes called grommets are then inserted. Eventually, these fall out as the eardrum heals.
Important note: Customers with any of the symptoms described here should be referred to the pharmacist.
Protect and clean
Headphones or earplugs can be used to protect the ears from high volume noise, such as when attending music events. There are also protective products for swimmers, including drops such as SwimSeal, ear plugs and swimming caps.
To keep ears clean, customers can use specially designed products such as ear cleansing washes based on sea water (e.g. Audiclean). Remind customers not to use cotton buds, fingernails or other sharp objects to clean the delicate and sensitive ear canal, as there is a risk of damaging the ear or pushing wax further into the ear canal.
