For example, older adults with hearing aids may lose a button battery or hearing aid in their canal and not realize it until damage has occurred. A child, depending on age, may be able to tell the parent and physician what is in his or her ear. If not, the foreign body may not be found until later. Patients may be in significant discomfort if a live insect is involved. Patients may present with hearing loss or sense of fullness.
Physical findings vary according to object and length of time it has been in the ear.
An inanimate object that has been in the ear a very short time has few physical findings. Pain or bleeding may occur with objects that are forced in and abrade the ear or fracture the tympanic bone. Hearing loss may be noted. With delayed presentation, expect a foul-smelling discharge and other signs of infection. Insects may injure the ear while inside, scratching or stinging the canal or tympanic membrane.