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Temporary threshold shift following ear canal microsuction

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Version 2 2020-09-17, 19:20
Version 1 2020-04-13, 16:05
journal contribution
posted on 2020-09-17, 19:20 authored by Trevor Cronin, Fei Zhao

Objectives: To investigate a temporary threshold shift (TTS) of hearing and pain/discomfort caused by the microsuction procedure. Hearing loss induced by impacted cerumen was also investigated.

Design: Impacted cerumen was removed from patients using microsuction. Hearing assessments were carried out before the procedure, immediately after and 1-week later. Hearing thresholds measured in different sessions were compared to determine the TTS caused by the microsuction procedure and hearing loss induced by impacted cerumen. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the pain/discomfort experienced by patients.

Study Sample: 30 patients (50 ears) were recruited from a cerumen removal clinic.

Results: Significant hearing loss caused by impacted earwax was found across individual frequencies (mean 11.4 dB, maximum 38.1 dB). A TTS appeared in 43/50 (86%) ears, ranging from 0 to 16.2 dB averaged across frequencies between 0.25 and 8 kHz, with the highest TTS at 6 kHz. Pain and discomfort levels were both rated low, the mean levels were 1.2 (SD = 0.5) and 1.6 (SD = 0.5) respectively on a scale from 1 to 10.

Conclusions: Microsuction appears to be a well-tolerated and preferred procedure for removing impacted cerumen. Because of the significant TTS induced by the microsuction procedure, safety concerns from a hearing perspective should be raised with the patient.

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    International Journal of Audiology

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