Overview

4.7 out of 5 (61 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Post-Assessment Questions

5

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

23 Feb 2026

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


Unlimited Nurse CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6345 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7566.5 hours of CE.

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Activity Description

Cerumen impaction is defined by the American Academy of Otolaryngology as an accumulation of cerumen in the external auditory canal (EAC) that causes symptoms, prevents necessary ear assessment, or both. The EAC functions to collect and amplify sound while protecting the middle and inner ear from infection, trauma, and foreign bodies. Cerumen forms a hydrophobic barrier, and the delicate skin of the EAC facilitates directional desquamation, promoting natural self-cleaning. While excessive cerumen is often asymptomatic, patients may present with hearing loss, ear fullness, pruritus, dizziness, tinnitus, or otalgia. Diagnosis relies on clinical assessment, and management strategies range from observation in asymptomatic cases to procedural removal, with ear irrigation being a common, controlled method for symptomatic individuals or those requiring clearance before topical therapy. Careful consideration of contraindications, including tympanic membrane perforation, acute otitis externa, or recent ear surgery, is essential to prevent complications such as canal laceration, vertigo, infection, or tympanic membrane injury.

This activity enhances clinicians’ competence in evaluating and managing cerumen impaction using ear irrigation. Participants review relevant anatomy, indications, contraindications, procedural technique, and risk mitigation strategies. Emphasis is placed on patient safety, proper equipment use, and the prevention of complications. Clinicians gain practical skills for assessment, irrigation, and follow-up care while learning to collaborate effectively with interprofessional team members, including nursing, audiology, and primary care colleagues, to ensure coordinated, high-quality care and optimize patient outcomes.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify patients at increased risk for recurrent cerumen accumulation, such as those with dermatologic disorders, narrow canals, or hearing aids.

  • Apply best practices for patient preparation and procedural techniques for safe and effective ear irrigation for cerumen impaction.

  • Determine which cases of cerumen impaction require referral to an otolaryngologist rather than management with ear irrigation alone.

  • Implement effective collaboration and communication among interprofessional team members to improve outcomes and treatment efficacy for patients with cerumen impaction.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Nurses: StatPearls designates this activity for 1.00 ANCC contact hour(s). Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

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Preview

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Excellent topic!

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Unlimited Nurse CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6345 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7566.5 hours of CE.

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$25 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$89 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$139 per 1 year per user