The Strangest Things I've Found In Patients' Ears
Have you ever had that strange feeling that there's something in your ear, but couldn't work out what it was?
It's a surprisingly common concern. Patients often tell me their ear feels like something is in it, that it feels tickly, itchy, blocked or as though something is moving around inside. Sometimes they're worried they've got an insect in their ear, while others think it's simply excess earwax.
Over the years, I've discovered that although earwax is often the cause, occasionally it's something much more unexpected.
A Quick Answer If Your Ear Feels Like Something Is In It
If your ear feels unusual, blocked or as though something is stuck inside, don't panic.
Sometimes the cause is earwax, but it could also be a hair, a foreign object, congestion or another ear condition. Trying to investigate yourself with cotton buds or other objects will often make the problem worse.
The safest option is to have your ear examined properly so you know exactly what's causing your symptoms.
It's Not Always Earwax
Many people arrive expecting me to remove earwax, only for me to find something completely different.
Although unusual findings are much less common than wax build-up, they do happen from time to time. They're also a good reminder that symptoms alone don't always tell us what's causing the problem.
One of the things I enjoy most about my job is showing patients exactly what I'm seeing using high-definition images. Quite often there's an audible sigh of relief when they finally have an answer to what's been bothering them.
"I Think I've Got A Spider In My Ear"
One patient contacted me requesting an urgent appointment because they were convinced a spider had crawled into their ear.
They explained that they could feel something moving, which was understandably making them feel quite anxious.
When I examined the ear, the cause turned out to be much less dramatic.
A thick black cat hair had worked its way into the ear canal.
Once it was gently removed, the uncomfortable sensation disappeared immediately. Afterwards, the patient mentioned that their black cats often liked sitting on their shoulders, making it much easier to understand how it had happened.
Although thankfully it wasn't a spider after all, it shows why symptoms alone can be misleading.
When It Wasn't Earwax... It Was A Beard Hair
Another memorable appointment involved a gentleman who was certain something was inside his ear.
He had already visited both his GP and another ear clinic, but nothing had been found.
When I examined his ear carefully, I discovered a beard hair sitting inside the ear canal.
As soon as it was removed, he immediately said the irritation had gone.
Even something as small as a single hair can cause surprisingly irritating symptoms.
Cotton Buds Continue To Surprise Me
Cotton buds remain one of the most common things I see causing unnecessary ear problems.
One patient came to see me after part of a cotton bud had detached inside their ear. The cotton tip had become lodged within the ear canal and needed careful removal.
Many people are surprised to learn that cotton buds rarely remove earwax. Instead, they usually push it further into the ear, increasing the risk of impaction, irritation and sometimes injury.
It's one of the reasons I always tell patients:
"Never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear."
Why It Isn't Worth Trying To Find The Problem Yourself
When your ear feels blocked, itchy or simply doesn't feel right, it's tempting to investigate.
Unfortunately, trying to remove something yourself often makes matters worse.
I regularly advise patients to avoid:
- Cotton buds
- Hair grips
- Ear candles
- Home ear cleaning tools
- Any object inserted into the ear canal
The ear is delicate, and even a seemingly harmless attempt to help can push wax or a foreign body deeper into the ear or cause unnecessary irritation.
Sometimes, simply knowing what's there is the biggest relief.
What Else Have People Found In Their Ears?
Although the cases I've shared are all real experiences from my own clinic, they're certainly not the only unusual things healthcare professionals have found in ears.
Over the years, foreign bodies removed from ears have included:
- Small insects
- Beads
- Hearing aid domes
- Cotton bud tips
- Pieces of tissue
- Tiny toy parts
- Seeds and plant material
- Hearing aid domes
- Rubbery ends of earbuds
Fortunately, these aren't everyday occurrences, but they highlight why it's always safer to have your ear examined than to try removing something yourself. Without looking inside the ear, it's almost impossible to know exactly what's causing the problem.
When Should You Have Your Ear Checked?
Not every unusual sensation means there's a foreign body in your ear, but it's worth arranging an examination if you notice:
- Your ear feels like something is stuck inside
- A persistent tickling or crawling sensation
- Itching that doesn't settle
- A blocked feeling that won't go away
- Reduced hearing
- Discomfort or irritation
- You think part of a cotton bud or another object may have become lodged in your ear
Even if the cause turns out to be something simple, it's reassuring to know exactly what's going on rather than continuing to wonder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Does My Ear Feel Like Something Is In It?
This feeling can be caused by earwax, a hair inside the ear canal, congestion, irritation, an infection or, occasionally, a foreign body. A proper examination is the best way to identify the cause.
Can A Hair Get Stuck In Your Ear?
Yes. Although it's uncommon, hair can work its way into the ear canal and cause irritation, itching or the sensation that something is moving inside your ear.
What Should I Do If I Think Something Is Stuck In My Ear?
Avoid trying to remove it yourself, especially with cotton buds or other objects. It's much safer to have your ear examined professionally so the cause can be identified and, if necessary, removed safely.
Can Cotton Buds Get Stuck In Your Ear?
Yes. Occasionally, the cotton tip can detach from the stick and remain inside the ear canal. Cotton buds are also one of the most common causes of impacted earwax because they tend to push wax deeper rather than removing it.
Will I Always Know If Something Is In My Ear?
Not necessarily. Some foreign bodies cause immediate discomfort, while others simply create a blocked, tickly or unusual sensation. That's why an examination is often the quickest way to find the answer.
Sometimes The Answer Is Simpler Than You Think
Although earwax is a common cause of blocked ears, it is certainly not the only one. Congestion, infection, hearing changes and other conditions can produce very similar symptoms.
One of the things I enjoy most about my work is helping people understand what's actually happening inside their ears.
Sometimes it's earwax, sometimes it isn't, but either way I believe you should leave your appointment knowing exactly what I've found, why it's causing your symptoms, and what the next step should be. That's why I schedule enough time for every appointment and explain everything as we go.
Telephone: +44 01206 978783 | +44 787 9696981
E-mail: churchgateearclinic@gmail.com