Treating ear infections

Paul Kelsall, 50, from Rotherham is one of the many people throughout the UK who suffers with troublesome ears. Although unsure why, he has had infections of the outer ear, known as otitis externa, at least three times a year for the past thirty years.

Otitis externa is a common complaint that affects people of all ages. It is an inflammation and sometimes infection of the skin of the ear canal that can cause symptoms such as itchiness, dulled hearing and pain.

Mr Kelsall’s earliest memories of his ear troubles stem back to his childhood when he couldn’t go swimming with the school because of the high likelihood he would get an infection.  Swimming is a common cause of otitis externa, especially in regular swimmers. “Over the years otitis externa has regularly affected either one or both of my ears," says Mr Kelsall. "Sometimes it causes hearing loss to the point where I have been stone deaf for a few days. I have also frequently suffered with ear pain.”

Mr Kelsall has always sought treatment for his infections but is conscious that he has received differing advice and treatments by doctors over the years. “I have been given oral antibiotics, sprays for the ears and had ear syringing, even if there wasn’t a lot of wax to remove. Sometimes I have been told by doctors and nurses to keep my ears dry, other times to get them wet!”

It is only in the last few months that Mr Kelsall has seen a vast improvement in the condition of his ears, having been referred to an ENT nurse. “When I was first referred, my ear was so inflamed that she could not see into it. However, after one week of treatment when she had started to gently wash out the infected debris, dry my ear canal and place a dressing covered in antibiotics into my ear, she was able to use a camera to show me what it looked like. The skin was very sore and red and there was a build up of dry wax. After two weeks, she was able to further clean my ear, removing remaining debris and renewing the dressing. After several weeks the ear was totally free from infection.

"This was the first time I have had antibiotics placed directly in my ear and so far I haven’t had another infection. Also, last December, I flew without experiencing ear pain and without a loss of hearing for the first time in thirty years.  I used to use cotton buds in my ears but I now know they can also aggravate the delicate skin of the ear canal.”

Mr Kelsall feels very grateful for the treatment he has received and would encourage anyone who like him has suffered for years to seek a referral to a healthcare professional specifically trained in ear care.