Ear Aspirators: Definition, Uses, and Medical Applications

Question
Could you please tell me exactly what an "ear aspirator" is and what it does? Thank you very much. Al Brown

Answer
Al,

From this description and ear aspirator would be a suction device used in the ear canal that would be used to evacuate water, cerumen (wax), or any other foreign body (bead, insect, etc.).  In the ER we would use such a device hooked up to low wall suction to extract usually wax build up or a foreign body.  An ear otoscope insufflator on the other hand is a bulb device used to "puff" air into the canal to test the mobility of the ear drum (tympanic membrane).  An ear syringe is usually a large metal syringe that is used to flush water or other liquids into the canal to remove debris, wax, foreign matter.  Hope this helps.

JP Saleeby, MD
www.saleeby.net