ENT: Impacted Ear Wax: Free MSRA Podcast

⚕️ FREE MSRA PODCAST – Impacted Ear Wax🎧 A clear, high-yield breakdown of this super common ENT presentation – perfect for exam prep and real-life clinical scenarios.🧠 Key Learning Points📌 Definition• Cerumen impaction is the accumulation of earwax in the external ear canal causing blockage and symptoms like hearing loss or discomfort.📌 Causes & Risk Factors• Overproduction of earwax• Narrow or curved ear canals• Cotton bud use pushing wax deeper• Hearing aids or frequent earplug use• Age-related changes (drier, harder wax)🧠 Mnemonic: CLEAN – Canal shape, Lubrication lost (age), Excess wax, Aids/earplugs, Not using drops📌 Pathophysiology• Wax obstructs the canal → conductive hearing loss• Irritation of the canal wall → pain, tinnitus• May lead to infections or vertigo in severe cases📌 Symptoms• Muffled hearing or sudden loss• Fullness or pressure• Tinnitus (buzzing/ringing)• Dizziness or imbalance• Itchiness or earache📌 Differential Diagnosis• Otitis externa• Foreign body• Otitis media with effusion• Eustachian tube dysfunction• Perforated tympanic membrane• Otosclerosis• Tumours of the ear canal📌 Diagnosis• Otoscopy: visual confirmation of wax• Tuning fork tests (Rinne & Weber)• Audiometry if uncertain or complex🔍 Tip: Look for total occlusion or dull tympanic membrane📌 Management• Ear drops: olive oil, sodium bicarb, hydrogen peroxide• Irrigation (if safe): warm water flush after drops• Microsuction: safe, effective in trained hands• Manual removal: by ENT with curettes🚫 Contraindications to irrigation: perforation, grommets, only hearing ear, recent ear surgery📤 Refer to ENT if: unsuccessful removal, complications, suspicion of foreign body📌 Complications• Otitis externa• Temporary hearing loss• Tinnitus exacerbation• Pain or vertigo• Rare: facial nerve palsy post-irrigation📌 Prognosis• Excellent if managed correctly• Symptoms resolve quickly post-removal• Recurrence common – patient education essential📎 More MSRA Resources for Impacted Ear Wax📝 Revision Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/impacted-ear-wax-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/impacted-ear-wax-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/impacted-ear-wax-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/impacted-ear-wax-rapid-quiz/🎓 Full Course:https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/ent-for-the-msra/Hashtags#MSRA #MSRARevision #MSRATextbook #MSRAQuiz #MSRAQuestionBank #MSRAFlashcards #MSRAQ&ANotes #MSRAAccordions #MultiSpecialityRecruitmentAssessment #MSRAOnlineRevision #MSRARevisionWebsite #ENT #ImpactedEarWax