An 8-year-old girl from central Israel was taken to hospital after particles from a squishy toy she was playing with broke off and entered deep into her ear. The girl, identified as Hadar, was playing with friends when the toy tore, scattering small internal pieces. Soon afterward, she felt discomfort in her right ear and tried to scratch it, sensing that something was stuck inside.
When she got home, her mother saw that one of the toy fragments had entered the ear canal. Attempts to remove the foreign body at home failed, so the family sought medical help. Examination showed that several pieces had penetrated deep into the ear canal and could not be removed by ordinary means, leading to referral to the hospital.
At the hospital, ENT specialists found that the earlier removal attempts had caused a minor injury in the area. They used a microscope and specialized equipment to see inside the ear canal precisely and safely extract the foreign bodies. After a careful procedure, doctors removed the remaining particles and beads, cleaned the area, and confirmed there was no damage to the eardrum or ear canal.
The girl was discharged home and remains under medical follow-up. ENT experts said foreign objects in children’s ears and noses are relatively common, including beads, toy parts, paper, and other small items. They warned against repeated attempts to remove such objects at home, saying they can push them deeper or cause local injury, and advised seeking medical evaluation quickly. The case comes amid recent reports involving squishy toys and highlights the need for adult supervision and checks on toys containing small parts.
