ENT Clinic Frohnleiten, Am Tabor 4, 8130 Frohnleiten, Austria.
Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2012 Oct;269(10):2291-3. doi: 10.1007/s00405-012-2090-8. Epub 2012 Jun 28.
The objectives of this study were to evaluate noise levels generated during micro-suction aural toilet using an anatomic silicon ear model. It is an experimental study. In an anatomic ear model made of silicone, the eardrum was replaced by a 1-cm diameter microphone of a calibrated sound-level measuring device. Ear wax was removed using the sucker of a standard ENT treatment unit (Atmos Servant 5(®)). Mean and peak sound levels during the suction procedure were recorded with suckers of various diameters (Fergusson-Frazier 2.7-4 mm as well as Rosen 1.4-2.5 mm). Average noise levels during normal suction in a distance of 1 cm in front of the eardrum ranged between 97 and 103.5 dB(A) (broadband noise). Peak noise levels reached 118 dB(A). During partial obstruction of the sucker by cerumen or dermal flakes, peak noise levels reached 146 dB(A). Peak noise levels observed during the so-called clarinet phenomena were independent of the diameter or type of suckers used. Although micro-suction aural toilet is regarded as an established, widespread and usually safe method to clean the external auditory canal, some caution seems advisable. The performance of long-lasting suction periods straight in front of the eardrum without sound-protecting earwax between sucker and eardrum should be avoided. In particular, when clarinet phenomena are occurring (as described above), the suction procedure should be aborted immediately. In the presence of dermal flakes blocking the auditory canal, cleaning with micro-forceps or other non-suctioning instruments might represent a reasonable alternative.
本研究旨在评估使用解剖硅耳模型进行微吸耳垢时产生的噪声水平。这是一项实验研究。在由硅树脂制成的解剖耳模型中，用校准声音级测量装置的 1 厘米直径麦克风替换鼓膜。使用标准 ENT 治疗单元（Atmos Servant 5(®)）的吸盘去除耳垢。用不同直径的吸盘（Fergusson-Frazier 2.7-4 毫米和 Rosen 1.4-2.5 毫米）记录抽吸过程中的平均和峰值声级。在鼓膜前 1 厘米距离处正常抽吸期间，平均噪声水平在 97 至 103.5 dB(A)（宽带噪声）之间。峰值噪声水平达到 118 dB(A)。当吸盘被耳垢或皮屑部分阻塞时，峰值噪声水平达到 146 dB(A)。在所谓的单簧管现象期间观察到的峰值噪声水平与使用的吸盘直径或类型无关。尽管微吸耳垢被认为是一种已建立的、广泛使用且通常安全的清洁外耳道的方法，但似乎需要谨慎。应避免在鼓膜前持续长时间抽吸而没有吸盘和鼓膜之间的隔音耳垢。特别是当出现单簧管现象（如上所述）时，应立即停止抽吸程序。在有皮屑阻塞耳道的情况下，使用微夹或其他非抽吸器械进行清洁可能是一种合理的替代方法。
