When and How to Administer Ear Drops

The most common medical problems that can affect the ear are excess wax in the ear and perforation of the ear drum. In the case of excessive production of wax, or cerumen, in the ear drum symptoms of deafness or irritation can be experienced. Perforation of the ear drum means that there is a break in the dear drum, or tympanic membrane. This can be caused by infection in the middle ear, a common complaint in children. Pus builds up behind the drum and eventually bursts through the center, the weakest place. The other cause is injury, which is likelier to occur in children than in adults.

The two conditions are fairly common. What actually happens is that wax is produced by the ceruminous glands in the outer ear passage to lubricate the skin of the ear passage, ensuring it does not dry or crack, and also the surface of the ear drum. This is a thin membrane that stretches across the bottom of the ear passage.

The drum is set into vibration by sound waves, which are conveyed by a chain of minute bones in the middle ear to the sensitive inner ear. There, the vibrations are analyzed and the signals conveyed to the brain for decoding and interpretation.

If the ear drum has a lump of wax against it, or the ear passage is blocked, this whole system is put out of gear. The result is conductive deafness.

Ear wax is the most common cause of hearing loss, except for normal deterioration from increasing age. One or both ears may be affected; if infection has set, often the result of attempts to hook the wax out, discomfort, irritation and possibly a discharge may occur.

If your ear drum is perforated by injury, you may feel pain. You cannot hear properly and you feel a hollow echo in the head. You may become dizzy, nauseated or actually vomit. Blood may also appear in the ear canal.

In both cases, physical examination of the ear is made, by a doctor, who will determine the best method of treatment. If your doctor prescribes ear-drops, it is important not to damage the inner part of your ear when administering them. It is best to get someone else to help you with this.