An object in the ear that you cannot remove

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An object in the ear that you cannot remove

An insect or object in an ear may cause minimal symptoms. When this is the case, it is reasonable to try to remove the object. An object that cannot be removed may fall out on its own over the next 24 hours.

If you are unable to remove a button disc battery that has been inserted in the ear, call your health professional. If you are not able to reach your health professional immediately, go directly to the nearest hospital emergency department. Do not place eardrops or other solutions of any kind in the ear in an attempt to remove the battery. Eardrops can cause the battery to corrode quickly, causing severe damage to the ear canal.

The longer an object is left in the ear, the more difficult it is to remove. Infection can result from the prolonged presence of an object in the ear. If an object remains in the ear for longer than 24 hours, a visit to a health professional is needed.

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Author	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology
Last Updated	February 13, 2008

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Last updated:	February 13, 2008
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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