The Effects Of Earphone Usage On Ear Wax (Cerumen) Impaction

Abstract

Aim: To determine whether the use of earphones affects ear wax accumulation, to reveal whether it increases the need to consult a doctor, and to try to understand whether these situations vary according to earphone type.Methods: In this study, patients who applied to Ear Nose and Throat Clinic due to ear congestion between 2020 March and September and who were found to have ear wax in the ear examination were included. Those who do not use headphones are classified as the control group, and those who use headphones are classified as the study group. Earpiece types, frequency of self ear care, frequency of applying to the physician due to earwax removal were noted. Results: A total of 46 patients were included in the study. The control group consists of 16 people, and the study group consists of 30 people. The mean age was 48.5 ± 18.01 for the control group and 40.87 ± 21.28 for the study group. Weekly ear care of the patients was 3.25 in the control group and 2.9 in the study group. (p> 0.05) The groups' period to consult a physician for ear wax removal was 62.63 months in the control group and 60.9 months in the study group. (p> 0.05Conclusion: The use of headphones does not affect the frequency of the patients' self weekly ear care or visiting a physician for ear wax removal. Similarly, no significant relationship was found between earphone types and frequency of self ear care and frequency of visiting a physician.