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StatPearls, LLC

  • Foreign Bodies
  • Hearing Loss, Conductive
  • Patient Compliance
  • Tinnitus
  • Tympanic Membrane Perforation

Ear Foreign Body Removal

Foreign bodies in the external auditory canal present a common yet challenging clinical problem, particularly in children, who are prone to inserting objects in their ears. Risk factors include young age, behavioral tendencies, and limited ability to describe symptoms. Adults may also be affected through accidental introduction of insects, cotton swabs, or hearing aid fragments into the canal. Clinical presentation ranges from asymptomatic cases to pain, pruritus, otorrhea, bleeding, tinnitus, and conductive hearing loss. Diagnosis may be delayed, owing to the nonspecificity of symptoms or limited patient cooperation. Ear foreign body removal involves direct visualization and careful extraction with appropriate instruments. Indications include symptomatic obstruction and risk of infection, as well as the presence of sharp or caustic objects and button batteries requiring urgent intervention. Contraindications include poor visualization, suspected tympanic membrane perforation, and deep impaction of the object near the middle ear. Procedural challenges include limited patient cooperation, narrow anatomy, and operator inexperience. Potential complications of attempted removal include canal trauma, bleeding, infection, and tympanic membrane perforation, whereas untreated foreign bodies risk chronic infection, persistent hearing loss, and long-term morbidity. This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to advance learners’ proficiency in removing ear foreign bodies and evaluating individuals with indications for the procedure. Participants will gain deeper insights into the relevant anatomy, clinical benefits, indications, contraindications, required equipment, preparation, and technical approach. Strengthened procedural competence will support safe practice and effective collaboration within interprofessional teams managing patients with ear foreign bodies.

Credit & MOC Details

Credit information is provided by the course provider. We recommend confirming credit eligibility with the provider or your licensing board before starting the activity.

Credit types

AAPA Category 1 Credit™Up to 1.5 creditsAMA PRA Category 1 Credit™Up to 1.5 creditsNursingUp to 1.5 creditsPharmacyUp to 1.5 credits

MOC types

ABS — Accredited CMEUp to 1.5 pointsABTS — Accredited CMEUp to 1.5 pointsABIM — Medical KnowledgeUp to 1.5 pointsABP — Lifelong Learning and Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 pointsABOHNS — Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 points

FDA REMS

No

Qualifies for MIPS

No

Target Specialties

Cross-Specialty

Relevant across 6 specialties.

Pricing

Fee varies

This provider typically $49–98

See fees on statpearls.com

Listed by the provider

  • Article / monograph / reference
  • Credit · Up to 1.5 credits
  • MOC · Up to 1.5 points
  • Fee varies · this provider typically $49–98
  • Released
    Sep 1, 2026
  • Last day to claim credit
    Sep 1, 2029 3 years left

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