Aural Toilet Guidelines

Introduction:

The ears are sensitive organs that play a vital role in listening to noises or sounds and balancing pressure. Damage to the ear could be caused by factors like ear wax and microorganisms. It is important to clear the dirt from the ear to avoid any form of infection. This is achieved by a process called an aural toilet that targets the ear wax and clears out any form of infection.

What Is Ear Wax?

The ear canals are lined with hair follicles and glands that produce waxy oil. The wax mostly moves to the ear opening. It will eventually fall out with regular washing. The built-up wax can block the ear canal, which is the most common cause of hearing loss. The ear wax plays a crucial role in protecting the ears from trapping and preventing dust particles and microorganisms from entering the ear. It also protects the delicate skin of the ear canal from getting infected or irritated.

What Are the Symptoms of Ear Impaction?

Every human has earwax, which acts as a self-cleansing agent that helps collect bacteria, dirt, and debris. In general, the wax slowly works while chewing and other jaw motions. Many individuals may not have the need to clear their ears. But, wax accumulation may naturally affect the hearing efficiency of the ear. When the ear wax reaches the hearing loss limit, it is called impaction. Any individual with impaction could experience the following symptoms:

• Aching of the affected ear.

• Fullness or ringing of the ear.

• Impaired hearing.

• The odor from the affected ear.

• Cough.

• Dizziness.

Individuals using hearing aids have higher chances of accumulating ear wax. In addition, older individuals with disabilities are also at a higher risk of hearing loss. The natural shape of the ear canal could make it extremely challenging to clear out the ear wax.

What Is an Aural Toilet?

The aural toilet is a procedure done to clean the external ear, which could be easily filled with debris, ear wax, and discharge. It helps to dry the external ear thoroughly after irrigation. Techniques used include wiping (“wicking” with cotton or tissue paper), aspiration (usually under a microscope), or rinsing (manually or with an automatic syringe).

What Are the Guidelines for an Aural Toilet?

The guidelines for aural toilets are mentioned below. It is important to carefully examine the ears by following the guidelines to completely clear the ears from debris and restore ear health.

• Examine the ear properly with the help of an otoscope.

• Dry mop the ear with a Jobson horne ear probe or with the help of a carbon curette.

• Clean the external ear in a gentle rotatory action. Avoid touching the tympanic membrane.

• Replace the cotton wool, as it gets soiled if used directly.

• Intermittently re-examine the ear with the help of an otoscope. While cleaning, closely check for any debris, discharge, or crusts that could be attached to the ear at awkward angles.

• Patients presenting with mastoid cavities should follow up with a specialist or audiologist. The frequency of ear cleaning may vary with each individual.

• If the ear cavity is constantly infected, the individual should consider revision surgery.

Why Is Aural Toileting Important?

Some ear wax is completely good for the ear canals, as it protects the ear from foreign particles. But excess ear wax could cause various complications. Often ear wax may lead to ear infections. Accumulation of excess ear wax may eventually result in hearing loss. Hence it is important to clean and maintain the ears to avoid any complications.

How Often Should an Aural Toilet Be Performed?

Cleaning the ears very often may irritate and damage the ear canal. Also, it can lead to impaction if not done correctly. It is recommended to clean the ears very often unless there is a blockage, damage, or infection. Following a few basic steps can be extremely helpful.

• Just clean the outer portion of the ear with a wet washcloth. Washing the external ear helps eliminate any ear wax that has moved out from the ear canal.

• In case of experiencing symptoms like wax build-up, using an over-the-counter kit might be quite helpful. Follow the directions mentioned in the packet for proper cleaning assistance.

• People with holes in their eardrums should avoid using over-the-counter kits and get a professional cleaning for safety.

What Are the Things to Avoid in an Aural Toilet?

Never use bobby pins, cotton swabs, or napkin corners; they may push the wax deep into the ear canal. As the wax builds up, it may get impacted. Never put anything smaller than the elbow into the ears. Also, avoid using sharp objects as they may potentially injure the eardrum. This may result in permanent ear damage and affect hearing. Do not attempt to irrigate the ears in case of the following conditions:

• Diabetes.

• Compromised immune system.

• Hole in the eardrum.

• Affected ear tubes.

Ear candles should also be avoided. Inserting cone-shaped candles into the ear canal and lighting a fire should help to draw wax with upward suction; however, the fire could damage the ears. In addition, accidentally the candle wax may also get inside the ear.

What Is the Equipment Required for an Aural Toilet?

The following are a few pieces of equipment required for aural toilets.

• Otoscope.

• Otoscope specula.

• Head mirror and headlight.

• Jobson Horne probe.

• Carbon curette.

• Tissues.

• Sharp bin.

• Disposable gloves.

Some of the supporting materials that could be used during the procedure include:

• Otoscope and a halogen bulb.

• Single-use specula.

• Cotton wool.

What Are the Risk Factors of Aural Curette?

The following potential complications or risk factors are noticeable in aural toilets:

• Cough.

• Infection.

• Trauma.

The risk factors may vary with each individual depending on the amount of wax accumulated and the degree of ear damage or infection.

Conclusion:

The aural toilet is a method to cleanse the ear professionally for a healthy ear canal thoroughly. Most people have ear wax, which is a natural cleanser that acts as a shield and protects the ears from external foreign particles. Ignoring excess ear wax could extensively damage the ears. Many over-the-counter ear cleansing kits help to maintain the ears free of dirt. But, this is not encouraged in individuals with a history of ear problems like damaged ears or holes in the ear drum. So performing an aural toilet can be successful in such individuals and helps maintain ear health.