The hearing-aid battery: a hazard to elderly patients.
Owing to the severity of its corrosive effects, an alkaline hearing-aid battery in the external auditory meatus is an otological emergency. This report emphasizes the particular risk to confused elderly patients and points out that a delay in diagnosis is common. Aetiology, clinical features and treatment are discussed with reference to three recent cases.
Strachan
D R
DR
Ear, Nose and Throat Department, York District Hospital.
Kenny
H
H
Hope
G A
GA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000209:etiology*; D004431:Ear, External / Q000293:injuries*; D011211:Electric Power Supplies / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000209:etiology*; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors
D015386:Hazardous Substances