Things You Should Know About Having a Foreign Object in the Ear

4. Potential Damage

Objects in the ear should be removed as soon as possible, although they seldom cause any permanent damage. The object may even fall out on its own. Foods a child might place in his or her ear, such as popcorn or beans, tend to expand in the ear’s moist environment, which might make removal more difficult. If pieces are left behind, they can cause infection or, in more severe cases, loss of hearing. Rigid instruments should not be used to remove objects from the ear because there is a possibility of abrasion.

Pixsooz / Getty Images