Clinical trial NCT04094116: Comparison of Effectiveness of Ear Syringing With or Without Pre-Ear Oil Application , Non-randomized Control Trial.
Official title: Comparison of Effectiveness of Ear Syringing With or Without Pre-Ear Oil Application , Non-randomized Control Trial.
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: UNKNOWN
Phase: NA
Conditions: Cerumen Impaction of Both Ears
Lead sponsor: Hospital Authority, Hong Kong
Sponsor class: OTHER_GOV
First posted: 2019-09-18
Enrollment: 120
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 100
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Intervention model description: non randomised control trials
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: Patients in Wong Siu Ching Clinic and Tai Po Clinic who are found to have ear wax after physical examination will have ear syringing done, without pre-ear oil application. On the other hand, patients in Fanling Family Medicine Centre with ear wax will be given ear oil one week before performing ear syringing. We will compare the respective success rates of ear syringing from these 2 groups, the mean numbers of syringing attempts , as well as any complications such as ear canal abrasion, ear drum perforation, any pain or vertigo reported by patients. For those cases who fail ear syringing , olive oil will be prescribe and arrange 1 week follow up for ear syringing .

Detailed description: Patients in Wong Siu Ching Clinic and Tai Po Clinic who are found to have ear wax after physical examination will have ear syringing done, without pre-ear oil application. On the other hand, patients in Fanling Family Medicine Centre with ear wax will be given ear oil one week before performing ear syringing. We will compare the respective success rates of ear syringing from these 2 groups, the mean numbers of syringing attempts, subjective improvement in hearing , as well as any complications such as ear canal abrasion, ear drum perforation, any pain or vertigo reported by patients. For those cases who fail ear syringing , olive oil will be prescribe and arrange 1 week follow up for ear syringing .

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients \>18 years old, who complain about blocked ear found to have ear wax which impacts ear drum and able to sign consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who are contraindicated to ear syringing will be excluded : otitis externa , otitis media , history of tympanic membrane perforation , history or ear surgery , unilateral deafness , in-co-operated patient (eg. Children ) , history of vertigo after ear syringing .

Primary outcomes:
measure: The mean number of syringing attempts (50 ml syringe)
timeFrame: 1 day
Secondary outcomes:
measure: The presence of ear canal abrasion,
timeFrame: 1 month
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Hong Kong
country: Hong Kong
facility: Fanling Family MEdicine Centre , 1/F , 2 , Pik Fung Road , Fan Ling
city: Hong Kong
country: Hong Kong
facility: Tai Po Jockey Club Clinic , 37 Ting Kok Road , Tai Po , Hong Kong
city: Hong Kong
country: Hong Kong
facility: Wong Siu Ching Family Medicine centre . 1 , Po Wu Lane , Tai Po
Study officials:
References:
citation: Eekhof JA, de Bock GH, Le Cessie S, Springer MP. A quasi-randomised controlled trial of water as a quick softening agent of persistent earwax in general practice. Br J Gen Pract. 2001 Aug;51(469):635-7.