To install the ear drops correctly you may need someone to help, if you do not have someone stand in front of a mirror so you can see what you are doing.
Steps:
- Wash your hands
- Lie the person on their side
- Clean around the ear canal opening if there is discharge visible
- Warm the bottle in your hands to get to near body temperature for a few minutes. Do not run under hot water
- Gently pull back the ear to open the ear canal. For adults pull the ear back and upwards to open the canal and for children under the age of 3 pull back and downwards to open their canal
- Drop the right number of drops prescribed into the open ear canal – being very careful not to touch anything with the dropper bottle top as this can infect the bottle
- Gently pump the Tragus at least 10 times (the bump in the middle of the ear) to move the drops deeper into the ear
- If there is a grommet or perforation the patient may taste the drops as they go down the Eustachian Tube – have a drink or sweet ready
- Lie still for 5-10 min,
- Wipe away excess and repeat for the other ear if needed
- Wash your hands and store the drops as instructed
Do not put ear drops into ears that contain grommets or tubes unless advised by your ENT specialist or Doctor.
