As you tilt your head, pull on the pinna, the outermost part of the ear (not the lobe, but the circle that begins at the top of the ear and stretches down to the lobe). Wiggling this can dislodge the object, after which gravity will do the rest. This method works well for objects like earbuds and cotton. It can also help dislodge live bugs. You can tell something is stuck in your ear if it’s swollen or red. You might also have difficulty hearing or hear something deep inside of your ear (like a bug).
If the object is far enough inside of the ear that you can’t see it, do not use this method. Tweezers have the potential to push the object deeper inside of your ear canal, which can lead to injury. If you’re trying to remove something from a child’s ear and they won’t hold still, take them to a doctor instead. Moving around with tweezers inside of your ear is dangerous, and it could lead to a perforated eardrum.
If you have an ear infection or believe you may have perforated your ear drum, do not use water to flush your ear. Instead, head to the doctor.
If you’re struggling to get a bug out of your ear, warm the oil up in the microwave so it’s warm, but not hot. The heat from the oil will help kill the bug faster. Only use oil if you are attempting to remove an insect. If there has been pain, bleeding, or any discharges from the ear, it is possible that you have a perforated eardrum, and you should not use oils. See a doctor after using this method to make sure that all insect parts have been removed from the ear.
Your doctor will likely use an otoscope tool to take a closer look inside your ear. [7] X Expert Source Monica Kieu, DO, FACSBoard Certified Otolaryngologist Expert Interview. 20 October 2020. If your ear is bleeding or extremely painful, don’t try to remove the object at home, and instead get medical attention right away.
If the object is metal, your doctor can also use a long instrument that has been magnetized. This will make extraction much easier.
Symptoms of a perforated eardrum include pain, discomfort, a feeling of fullness in the ear, dizziness, and fluid or blood draining from the ear.
