By Saiful Bahri Kamaruddin
Pix Shahiddan Saidi

BANGI, 11 Feb, 2016 – The number of ear infection cases can be reduced if common sense practices are observed said Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Senior Consultant Prof Dr Asma Abdullah of the Canselor Tuanku Muhriz Hospital (HCTM) of The National University of Malaysia (UKM).

In a recent study of several ENT clinics in the Klang Valley, she found that the major cause of inflammation of the outer ear and ear canal, Acute Otitis Externa (AOE), were from do-it-yourself ear-cleaning with cotton swabs and ear-digging.

Swimming came at a distant third, while listening to music on ear-phones is not cosidered a major factor.

“It is important to realize that nothing should be placed inside the ear to remove dirt and debris as it is dangerous and could cause hearing loss or a damaged ear canal,” she advised.

The study also looked at cost incurred in treating the cases and estimated that the average sum to treat one case of AOE per visit was RM 84.60, which is subsidised at government hospitals.

With a total of 180 cases analysed in the research, the total cost of treatment was about RM35,000.

She proposed that the authorities implement strategies to educate the public on ways to prevent AOE as a measure to reduce costs for treatments, which are borne by tax-payers.