Temporary threshold shift following ear canal microsuction

Abstract

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.

Keywords:

• Cerumen
• earwax removal
• microsuction
• noise
• temporary threshold shift (TTS)
• tolerance

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Audiology Medical Services Ltd for supplying patients, resources and equipment and also Mrs Linda Thompson and Ms Claire Sheehan for assisting with data collection. The authors thank the anonymous reviewers and Dr Ross Roeser for their helpful suggestions. The authors also acknowledge Dr Christopher Wigham for his proof reading.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).