A Case of Foreign Bodies in Middle Ear and Eustachian Tube When Making Impression of Hearing Aid / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

Making impression is the first step of making hearing aid. Because it needs silicon injection on external auditory canal and lateral side of tympanic membrane, careful evaluation is required regarding the presence of any tympanic perforation or problems of external auditory canal prior to making ear impression. Recently, we experienced encountering one case of foreign body in ear while making impression of hearing aid by a local hearing aid seller. Silicone mold material, impacted into the middle ear, had perforated the tympanic membrane; a metallic foreign body was also found in the eustachian tube. Reporting this case, we suggest that special attention be paid to tympanic membrane and external auditory canal conditions when making an ear impression for hearing aids. Therefore, physical examination by otolaryngologist should precede any application of hearing aid.