Paper Contents
Abstract
Abstract Background: Aural irrigation (ear syringing) is a routinely performed otologic procedure for the removal of impacted cerumen. Although generally safe, a subset of patients experience dizziness following the procedure, which is often transient but clinically concerning. This dizziness is thought to arise primarily from vestibular stimulation due to caloric effects, pressure changes, and individual susceptibility. Objective: To evaluate the incidence, duration, and characteristics of dizziness following ear syringing and to analyze contributing factors such as age, vestibular history, and irrigation water temperature. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study included 70 adult patients (18–75 years) undergoing ear syringing for cerumen impaction. Patients with active middle ear disease, tympanic membrane perforation, recent vestibular pathology, or neurological balance disorders were excluded. Syringing was performed using standard techniques with water at room temperature (22–24°C). Pre- and post-procedure assessment was conducted using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and a visual analog scale (VAS). Patients were observed for 15 minutes post-procedure. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and ANOVA were applied, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Post-syringing dizziness was reported by 26 patients (37.1%). The majority experienced brief symptoms lasting less than one minute (25.7%), while 2.8% reported dizziness lasting more than five minutes. The mean VAS score was 3.2 ± 1.4, indicating mild to moderate severity. A significantly higher incidence of dizziness was observed in patients aged over 50 years (p = 0.031). Individuals with a prior vestibular history demonstrated significantly higher dizziness severity scores (p = 0.002). Pilot observations revealed a markedly lower incidence of dizziness when warm water (37°C) was used compared to room-temperature water. Conclusion: Dizziness following ear syringing is a common but typically transient phenomenon, particularly among older adults and individuals with pre-existing vestibular vulnerability. Water temperature plays a crucial role in symptom induction, supporting the vestibular caloric mechanism. Routine pre-procedural screening and the use of body-temperature irrigation fluid may substantially reduce post-procedural dizziness and improve patient safety and comfort. Keywords: Aural irrigation, ear syringing, dizziness, caloric effect, vestibular stimulation, cerumen removal.
Copyright
Copyright © 2026 Dr Arun P T, Dr Sonia Narang, Shipra , Ravi Shankar kumar . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
