Ear Syringing

Ear irrigation is a medical procedure to remove cerumen impaction or foreign objects from the external auditory canal. The method involves using a jet of warm water or saline solution, which is pressurized to flush out the contents.

This is one of the most common and effective ways to clean the auditory canal. However, to ensure safety, it must be performed by a medical professional, as there are a number of contraindications and potential risks.

Indications and Contraindications

The main indication for irrigation is the presence of a cerumen impaction causing symptoms such as decreased hearing, ear fullness, tinnitus, or dizziness.

The procedure must not be performed in the following cases:

• Perforation of the tympanic membrane. The solution can enter the middle ear and cause inflammation.
• Acute or chronic otitis. Irrigation may aggravate the inflammatory process.
• A patent tympanostomy tube or the condition after some ear surgeries.

Performance Techniques and Possible Complications

Before the procedure a doctor should conduct otoscopy to ensure the tympanic membrane is intact and the cerumen impaction is present. A patient sits with his or her head tilted towards the affected ear. A doctor straightens the auditory canal by pulling the auricle upward and backward, and then injects solution along the posterosuperior wall of the canal using a special syringe (Janet syringe).

The solution flows round the cerumen impaction pushing it out. It is important that the temperature of the solution is close to the body temperature (about 37 °C), as using cold or hot water can cause severe dizziness (vestibular reaction).

If the procedure is performed incorrectly complications may develop, including tympanic membrane perforation, otitis externa, dizziness and tinnitus.