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Postural changes during showering affect the entry of water into the ear canal
Author(s) -
Ibrahim S.I.,
Mal R.K.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
clinical otolaryngology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.914
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1749-4486
pISSN - 1749-4478
DOI - 10.1111/j.1749-4486.2008.01658.x
Subject(s) - medicine , ear canal , head (geology) , audiology , prospective cohort study , dentistry , surgery , radiology , geomorphology , geology
Objective: The aim of the study is to demonstrate the effect of postural changes in keeping the ears dry during showering. Design: A prospective, randomized, single blinded trial. Setting: Tertiary otolaryngological unit. Participants: Forty adult volunteers were recruited and randomly allocated to have a shower either with a head down or a head up posture. Main outcome measures: Presence of fluorescein in the deeper ear canal. Results: Ninety‐three per cent of ears in the head down group had no flourescein and 95% of ears in the head up group showed the presence of fluorescein, indicating presence of water in the deeper ear canals. Conclusion: When a head down position was assumed during showering, water did not enter the deeper part of the ear canal in 93% of ears.