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Finding a worm in your ear can be a terrifying experience, but it’s a rare occurrence
that can happen in certain environments. Earworms, or parasites that enter the ear,
are usually insects or larvae rather than worms in the traditional sense. They can
enter the ear through contaminated water or by accident when we sleep outside,
especially in tropical regions.

Symptoms of an earworm may include itching, pain, a buzzing sensation, or even
difficulty hearing. These symptoms occur because the parasite irritates the sensitive
structures in the ear canal. If left untreated, an earworm can cause serious
complications, including infections or damage to the ear canal and eardrum.

If you suspect there’s a foreign organism in your ear, it’s essential to seek medical
help rather than trying to remove it yourself, which can worsen the problem.
Treatments usually involve using specialized ear drops to dislodge the organism, or
in severe cases, an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist may need to extract it
manually.

To reduce the risk of encountering an earworm, take preventive measures such as
wearing earplugs when swimming in contaminated water and avoiding sleeping
outdoors in areas where such insects are prevalent.