Cerumen impaction.

M A Jabor; R G Amedee

Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 9347631

Cerumen impaction.

M A Jabor·R G Amedee

View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Cerumen impaction represents the most common otologic problem encountered by physicians. It can affect up to 6% of the general population and a much higher percentage in the mentally retarded population. Cerumen is a mixture of secretory products of two glands in the external auditory canal where it serves a protective function. The external auditory canal possesses a unique anatomy and physiology that permits an efficient self-cleaning system. In most cases, a breakdown in the epithelial migration of the external auditory canal is thought to cause cerumen impaction. The management of cerumen impaction include direct removal, irrigation, and the use of cerumenolytics.

Explore related subjects

Cerumen Ear Canal Hearing Loss, Conductive Humans Mental Disorders Therapeutic Irrigation Journal Article

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeX RIS

M A Jabor, R G Amedee. 1997. Cerumen impaction.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9347631/

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2000

[Some viewpoints on ear cleaning].

The present paper discuss the cleaning of the external auditory canal. It is purpose of this article to show that the insertion of foreign bodies in form of cotton buds, into the ear, is absolutely unnecessary and may be a dangerous practice. We conclude that cotton-tipped swab use may be associated with cerumen accumulation.

Cerumen↗

PubMed2000

External and middle ear effects on infant hearing screening test results.

This study investigated the relationship between external and middle ear factors and hearing screening results by automated auditory brain stem response (ABR) and transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOAEs). The ears of 200 healthy newborns aged 5 to 48 hours underwent screening by ABR and EOAE, followed by otoscopic examination. The pass rates for ABR and EOAE were 91% and 58.5%, respectively. On otoscopic examination, 28% (112/400) ears had occluding vernix obscuring the view of the tympanic membrane. Cleaning of vernix was successfully performed in all but 2 ears that had occluding vernix. Cleaning of vernix significantly increased the pass rates of all 400 ears for ABR and EOAE to 96% and 69%. Decreased tympanic membrane mobility was found in 22.7% (90/396) of ears that were evaluated otoscopically. Decreased tympanic membrane mobility had a significant effect on EOAE screening; only 33.4% of ears passed EOAE testing. Decreased tympanic membrane mobility did not significantly affect pass rates for ABR screening; 95% of these ears passed the automated ABR screen. Implications for newborn hearing screening are discussed.

Cerumen↗

PubMed1999

[Cotton swabs and ear cleaning. Should one do it or not?].

Cotton tips for cleaning out the auditory canal are readily available from drugstores and supermarkets. They supposedly represent a safe means of cleaning the ears and nose. It is the purpose of the present paper to show that the insertion into the ear or nose of foreign bodies in the form of cotton tips is not only absolutely unnecessary, but is also potentially dangerous.

Cerumen↗