— * ------------- -- VA canntiu or cnoice.

The aim of surgery is to reconstruct the

hearing mechanism and to create an external meatus. Cases having bilateral congenital atresia should
be operated early, usually around 18 months to 2 years. This period corresponds to the timing for
acquisition of speech. The cases suffering from unilateral disease develop normal speech; therefore, in
such cases surgery can be delayed.

FOREIGN OBJECT IN THE EXTERNAL AUDITORY CANAL

Foreign bodies of the ear are relatively common in emergency medicine. Foreign bodies may be
lodge in the ear canal intentionally or accidenlty by the patient or other person (usually in children), or
the patient may be completely unaware as in insect obstruction.
In adults, insects (e.g., cockroaches, mosquitoes, moths, flies, household ants) are the foreign
bodies most commonly found in the ear. Rarely, other objects have been reported (e.g., teeth, hardened
concrete sediments, illicit drugs, plant material).
In children, the range of foreign bodies is extensive. Food particles (e.g., candy, vegetable matter,
beans, chewing gum) and other organic material (e.g., leaves, flowers, and cotton pieces) are
commonly encountered. Inorganic objects such as small toys, beads, pencil erasers, and rocks are also
common.
EAR FOREIGN BODY SYMPTOMS
Fortunately, most people can tell if there is something in their ear. The ear canal,
m where stuck, is very sensitive. The ear canal ends at the eardrum, which is also