Ear discharge (Otorrhoea)

Discharge that comes out from the ear, that has a foul smell, and is thick or watery.

Overview
Patients with ear pain

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What is Ear Discharge?

Even healthy ears will produce some earwax, however some ears will discharge more, with foul smelling, thick or watery discharge possible. This may be associated with pain but can be painless.

What is the cause of Ear Discharge?

An infection of the ear canal may cause a painful discharge from an otherwise normal ear, a condition called Otitis externa. This most commonly occurs when people have been dipping in and out of a swimming pool on holiday but can happen at any time. The condition may settle with antibiotic ear drops, but removal of the debris from the ear is often necessary.

If the ear discharge recurs frequently, or is painless, there is often an underlying problem with the eardrum or ear canal. This may be a hole or retraction pocket , or trapped skin.

What treatment is available?

The first step in treating a discharging ear is generally to remove the debris and discharge under the microscope  to allow thorough assessment of the ear. Microsuction and the application of appropriate drops or cream to the ear may be all that is required. For some patients surgery will be recommended to correct an underlying problem (such as a perforation or cholesteatoma) and stop the issue from recurring.


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Condition overview
Ear discharge (Otorrhoea)

Causes

Otitis externa

Treatment

Antibiotic ear drops, or removal of the debris f...

Ear discharge (Otorrhoea) Specialists

Our consultants, who are all either heads of service at London teaching hospitals, or have played major roles in clinical innovation, employ their collective expertise, knowledge and deep experience to deliver the best care possible. Each team is made up of some of the country’s most well-regarded experts in their sub-specialist fields.

Earliest availability 22 Nov
Bookings are avaliable

Mrs Hala Kanona

Consultant Otologist and Auditory Implant Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Balance, Tinnitus, Ears, Otology, Ear, Nose and Throat, Hearing Loss, Dizziness, Ear Discharge, Facial Weakness, Blocked Ears, Glue Ear, Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, Cholesteatoma, Otosclerosis, Eardrum Retraction, Vestibular Neuronitis, Labyrinthitis, Tympanoplasty, Ossiculoplasty, Stapedectomy, Meatoplasty, Canalplasty, Bone Conduction Implants, Middle Ear Implants, Cochlear Implants, Wax Impaction, Acute Otitis Media, Ossicular Chain Disruption, Tympanosclerosis, Eardrum Perforation, BPPV, Ménière’s Disease, Superior Semi Circular Canal Dehiscence, Bell’s Palsy, Ramsey Hunt Syndrome, Grommets, Myringoplasty, Mastoidectomy, Revision Mastoid Surgery including Obliteration, Labyrinthectomy, Facial Nerve Decompression, Pulsatile tinnitus surgery, Microsuction, Foreign body removal, Ossiculoplasty.

Earliest availability 25 Nov
Bookings are avaliable

Mr Robert Nash

Consultant Otologist & Auditory Implant Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Ear, Nose and Throat, Otology, Hearing, Tinnitus, Cochlear Implants, Ear wax build-up, Hearing Loss, Deafness, Ear Infections, Otitis Media, Dizziness, Vertigo, Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, Perforated Eardrum, Myringotomy, Cholesteatoma, Tonsillectomy, Meniere’s Disease, Labyrinthitis, Microsuction, Grommet Insertion, Tympanoplasty, Ossiculoplasty, Stapedectomy, Bone Anchored Hearing Aid Insertion, Tympanomastoidectomy, Mastoid Cavity Obliteration.

Earliest availability 25 Nov
Bookings are avaliable

Mr Jeremy Lavy

Consultant ENT Surgeon

Specialist expertise: Ear, Nose and Throat, Cochlear Implants, Hearing, Otology, Hearing Loss, Paediatric ENT, Hearing Restoration Surgery, Stapedectomy, Ossiculoplasty, Myringotomy.

Earliest availability 26 Nov
Bookings are avaliable

Mr Joseph Manjaly

Consultant ENT Surgeon, Otologist & Hearing Implant Specialist

Specialist expertise: Ear, Nose and Throat, Microsuction, Otology, Tinnitus, Cochlear Implants, Hearing Loss, Blocked Ears, Ear Infections, Deafness, Ear wax build-up, Glue Ear, Otitis Media, Otorrhoea, Otalgia, Dizziness, Vertigo, Eustachian Tube Dysfunction, Perforated Eardrum, Eardrum Retraction, Otosclerosis, Tympanic Membrane Retraction, Cholesteatoma, Meniere’s Disease, Vestibular Neuronitis, Labyrinthitis, Tympanoplasty, Ossiculoplasty, Stapedectomy, Bone Anchored Hearing Aid Insertion, Myringotomy, Grommet Insertion, Bone Conduction Implants, Middle Ear Implants, Tympanomastoidectomy, Blind Sac Closure, Canalplasty, Meatoplasty, Mastoid Cavity Obliteration.

Earliest availability 28 Nov
Bookings are avaliable

Mr Nish Mehta

Paediatric and Adult ENT Consultant

Specialist expertise: Balance, Tinnitus, Ears, Otology, Ear, Nose and Throat.

Mr Rupert Obholzer

Consultant Neurotologist & Skull base surgeon

Specialist expertise: Ear, Nose and Throat, Hearing, Cochlear Implants, Vestibular Schwannoma, Facial Palsy, Otology, Hearing Restoration Surgery, Acoustic Neuroma Surgery, Skull Base Disease, Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Leak Repair, Facial Nerve Surgery, Parotid Surgery, Head and Neck Surgery.

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