Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is persistent inflammation of the middle ear and mastoid cavity. It is a significant cause of preventable hearing loss in some parts of the developing world, but is relatively rare in the UK. It is diagnosed in patients who experience discharge for more than two weeks without pain or fever and have a history of AOM, OME or ear trauma. CSOM requires an ENT referral.

Reflective exercise

Ask a group of people (e.g. colleagues or customers) how they clean their ears. Is the advice to only clean the outer ear with a cloth being followed?