Irrigation should not be used to remove cerumen if the patient's eardrum is ruptured or missing; if the patient has a history of chronic otitis media.
Irrigation is the most common method of removing impacted cerumen. It involves washing out the ear canal with water from a commercial irrigator or a syringe with a catheter attached.
Irrigation-- The technique of removing cerumen from the ear canal by flushing it with water.
cerumenThe medical term for it is cerumen.
Impacted cerumen
The diagnosis of impacted cerumen is usually made by examining the ear canal and eardrum with an otoscope, an instrument with a light attached that allows the doctor to look into the canal.
Excessive Cerumen indexes to 380.4Cerumen (accumulation) (impacted) 380.4
Impacted cerumen, or earwax, can lead to deafness by blocking the ear canal, which prevents sound waves from reaching the eardrum and inner ear. This blockage can cause a temporary conductive hearing loss, as the normal transmission of sound is disrupted. Additionally, the pressure buildup from the impacted wax can cause discomfort and further affect hearing. Regular cleaning and removal of excess cerumen can help restore normal hearing function.
The CPT code for the removal of impacted cerumen from one or both ears is 69210. This code is specifically used for the procedure where cerumen (earwax) is removed when it is causing hearing impairment or other issues. If the procedure involves both ears, the same code is applied, as it encompasses removal from one or both ears.
Cerumen is most likely to become impacted when it is pushed against the eardrum by cotton-tipped applicators, hair pins, or other objects that people put in their ears; and when it is trapped against the eardrum by a hearing aid
Ear lavage is rinsing of the ear canal. It's a favorite way of removing impacted cerumen (blocked-up ear wax).
The scientific name for ear wax is cerumen.
They are locally contraindicated if not severe and systemically contraindicated if they are severe.