OpenHealth Q&A

Concerns About Ear Irrigation at the Pediatrician's Office for My Son

Summary: Can using a spray-type irrigation for ear wax removal harm a five-year-old? My child had a extreme reaction and experienced significant pain during and shortly after the procedure. I have a five-year-old son who suffers from severe allergies to both foods and environmental factors, alongside eczema which is mostly controlled. He takes Famotidine to manage reflux and a daily children's multivitamin, but does not regularly take any other medications. He has no history of surgeries. Although he has consulted with an ENT in the past, I don’t believe this is particularly relevant to the current situation, yet I will provide details later. During a recent well-visit at the pediatrician's office for five-year-olds, my son struggled with the hearing test, which marked the first time he did not perform well. In this examination, he wore headphones that emitted various beeps and was supposed to indicate which ear he heard the sounds from. The staff expressed concerns regarding his performance on the left side. As our assigned provider, the Physician's Assistant (PA) examined his ear and noted the presence of wax, suspecting it might be impeding his hearing. When she attempted to use a plastic curette, my son resisted and stated that it hurt. The PA remarked that the wax was harder than she anticipated, leading her to opt for an irrigation method to remove it. The nurses proceeded to administer some red-tinted drops, which he tolerated other than their cold temperature. A few minutes later, he laid down, and they used a spray bottle to irrigate his ear. At this point, he screamed as though we had never experienced before—he fought against the staff and cried intensely, even holding his breath to the extent that they needed to remind him to breathe. His reaction was reminiscent of when he has sustained a severe injury, such as from a significant fall. His cries of pain made it clear that he was genuinely suffering. After only a few moments, they decided to halt the procedure, presumably realizing that his discomfort was not an act of dramatization, and I was on the verge of stopping them myself due to my rising concern. When he eventually settled down, I inquired about the nature of his pain: whether it was a hot or burning sensation, a sting from the cold water, or a feeling of pressure in his ear. He communicated that it felt like it was going to burst inside, which suggests pressure-related pain. The irrigation attempt did not fully clear the wax they noticed. Now they are recommending that we use Debrox drops daily combined with a warm washcloth pressed against his ear after a steamy bath each night. We are to return in two weeks to check if the wax has been successfully removed and to retest his hearing. Though he appears to be okay now, he is visibly upset due to the discomfort from the procedure, especially since he had begged them to stop. He has also mentioned a sensation of water still being trapped in his ear and has been tilting his head intermittently as if it bothers him. This all transpired today right after the irrigation session. Could the forceful spraying of water have caused any damage to his eardrum, especially considering the intensity of his screams? I have previously experienced a perforated eardrum and am anxious about the potential harm this procedure may have inflicted on him. We avoid using Q-tips and inserting anything into his ears. What preventive measures should we adopt routinely to avoid wax buildup? This marks the second instance of noticeable wax at his pediatric visits, despite him bathing daily. I am puzzled as to why only one side is accumulating wax. Last year, the first attempt at wax removal was successful using a curette. ENT Background: At age three, my son was having trouble sleeping. An ENT suggested a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, although there were no other alarming symptoms to justify the surgery besides his restlessness at night. We sought a second opinion, where the new ENT indicated that while his tonsils appeared fine, his adenoids were mildly enlarged and might be beneficial to remove. However, due to COVID-19 and RSV, the surgery was postponed twice, leading us to reconsider the necessity of the operation. Given that he is now sleeping better, we have yet to pursue surgery thus far. I appreciate you taking the time to read through this lengthy account!

Answers (1)

2/7/2026, 1:40:47 AM

OpenHealth AI

It's understandable to feel concerned about your son's experience with ear irrigation and the pain he endured during the procedure. I want to reassure you that while these experiences can be distressing for both children and parents, there are steps you can take to assist your son moving forward.

Main Points:

1. Pain During Ear Irrigation: It's possible that your son experienced discomfort due to the pressure from irrigation, especially since he described a feeling of pressure and the sensation of water being trapped in his ear.
2. Potential Effects on the Eardrum: While ear irrigation can sometimes cause complications such as trauma to the eardrum, your son's immediate reaction and the staff's decision to stop the procedure suggest they were attentive to his distress. However, monitoring him is crucial.
3. Wax Buildup Prevention: To manage earwax buildup, gentle care at home can help.

Explanation:

• Ear Irrigation Reaction: It’s not uncommon for children to react strongly to medical procedures, especially in sensitive areas like the ears. The extreme pain he felt may have been due to pressure changes or discomfort from the irrigation itself. Typically, irrigation is safe when performed by professionals, though individual reactions can vary.
• Hearing and Ear Health: Experiencing one-sided wax buildup can happen for various reasons, including anatomical differences or the way his ear produces wax. Regular monitoring at home and proper hygiene can help manage this.

Next Steps:

1. Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on your child's ear symptoms over the next few days. If he continues to complain about pain, sensitivity, or if you notice any fluid drainage, further evaluation might be necessary.
2. Debrox Drops Usage: Follow the recommendation for the Debrox drops. This can help soften the wax without causing discomfort. Ensure you administer them as directed.
3. Warm Washcloth: After steamy baths, applying a warm washcloth can help with comfort and drainage. Encourage your son to tilt his head gently to let any trapped water escape.
4. Ear Hygiene: Avoid inserting anything into your son’s ears to prevent injury or further wax buildup. Instead, you can use a soft washcloth to clean the outer ear during bath time.
5. Consult an ENT if Uncertain: If you remain concerned about the pain or the potential for damage to the eardrum, consider reaching out to your child's ENT specialist for reassurance and guidance on future wax management.

Remember, it's important to address any discomfort your son feels, and you are doing well by monitoring his condition. If he seems still distressed about the experience, talking through it and providing comfort can be very helpful. Let me know if you need further information or support!