Maddern Ear Care Instructions

We care for a variety of common ear disorders in our office and have put together a series of patient care instructions to assist you. If you have any questions, please call before you proceed with any of these instructions.

Ventilation Tube Care

• Assume the tubes are in your child’s eardrum, in the appropriate position, unless you have been advised otherwise by a physician.
  
• Tubes create a temporary hole in the eardrum and allow medications or water to enter the middle ear space. No drops or ear solutions are required if you do not see active drainage such as pus or mucous from the ear canal.
  
• Ear tubes are self-maintaining.
  
• Do not place any solutions or medications in the ear without calling a physician.
  

Ear Canal Cleaning

• If there is drainage, you may be asked to clean the ear canal and use drops. This requires Q-tip applicators, peroxide solution and prescription eardrops. Only the ear with discharge needs to be cleaned.
  
• You may need an assistant to help hold your child so you can get to the ear. Our suggested technique is to first clean the ear with a Q-tip soaked in peroxide solution. It may take several moist Q-tips to wick the thick material from the ear canal. Only introduce the Q-tip to the depth of the cotton head or bulb. Do not force/push the applicator beyond what you can see. This should not cause any pain. Use the Q-tip to wick the thick material from the ear canal, twirl the Q-tip on the way out to help clean the ear canal. You can then use several dry applicators to clean the loose material and bubbles from the peroxide. The ear canal is now ready to place drops in if you have been directed to do so.
  

Ear Drop Application

• A multitude of drops, solutions and medications are used in the ear canal. These may be used to treat infections through the ear tube (otorrhea), swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) or wax (cerumen impaction). Use only those medications directed by your physician for only the time period prescribed. Overuse of drops can lead to worsening of your child’s condition. If you have questions please call your physician.
  
  
• With your child’s head held over in your lap or arms, drop the solution down the ear canal. They should disappear down the hole. Use your finger to gently massage the front of the ear (tragus) to “pump” the drops down the ear canal. Place a piece of a cotton ball in the ear. This will help to prevent overflow down your child’s neck or onto your clothes.
  

Water Precautions

• If your child has tubes in the eardrum, you should prevent water from intruding into the ear. Older children (over age 5 years) or children who are swimming routinely underwater (more than 3 feet) should wear ear protection. Several types of plugs are available - none are completely waterproof. Custom made plugs will fit the ear canal, so they are more comfortable and provide a better fit.
  
  
• Once the tubes are out of your child’s ears and the eardrum has healed (no perforation) plugs are not necessary. In fact, plugs may be harmful by causing irritation and packing wax or debris down into the ear canal. Consult your physician for proper care of your child’s ears.
  
  
• Surface swimming and bathing with small children does not require earplugs. Towel dry the ear or use a Q-tip as a wick around the outside of the ear canal to dry the ear. Do not insert Q-tip applicators or other objects down the ear canals.
  

Earwax Control

• Earwax is protective to your ear. Overproduction of wax and plugging of the ear canal can lead to pain and hearing loss. Simple Q-tip applicator cleaning around the edge of the ear canal can loosen excess wax. Do not insert the applicator down the ear canal to remove wax. This will push wax farther down the ear canal and worsen your child’s condition.
  
  
• Over-the-counter earwax removal systems should not be used. These are harsh chemicals and may cause irritation to the skin of the ear canal. Baby oil can soften or loosen some impacted wax in the ear canal. One or two drops, once or twice a month to the ear canal can help moisturize the skin. Use this as well as other medications only under the advice of a physician.