Jobson-Horne Ear Probe

This is a commonly used OPD instrument and is also called the wax hook or ring curette.

Uses:

Ear wax removal

Removal of foreign body from the ear

Removal of otomycotic debris or discharge from the external auditory canal

Probing of aural polyp or other mass in the ear canal

Probing of nasal masses and checking their sensitivity to touch

If you look closely, you will find that one end of the probe is shaped like a ring. This end may be used to hook out wax or foreign bodies from the ear canal.

The other end of the instrument is sharp and serrated. An ear wick can be fashioned out of this end by rolling cotton on to it and used to mop ear discharge.

More Information:

• If wax in the ear canal is impacted, it is better to first soften it with wax-softening or dissolving agents and then attempt to remove it.
• Wax in the ear canal can also be removed by syringing using an aural syringe or by using suction apparatus under microscopic visualization.

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Aural Syringe

This instrument is the metallic aural syringe, an instrument used for syringing of the ear, an OPD procedure.


Indications for ear syringing:

• Wax removal
• Foreign body removal
• Removal of otomycotic debris

The syringe has a nozzle for insertion into the external auditory canal. Water at body temperature is loaded into the syringe. The syringe is held by inserting fingers into the rings at the back. The third ring is on the piston that forces the water out when pushed.


More Information:

• Syringing should be avoided in case of perforated tympanic membrane.
• Aural syringing can result in complications like trauma to the external auditory canal and perforation of the tympanic membrane.
• Other methods of wax and foreign body removal include manual removal using the Jobson-Horne wax hook, suction and removal under microscope.

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