Refer to an otolaryngologist if the object has not been removed after a few attempts; there is injury to the external canal or tympanic membrane, perforation of the tympanic membrane, infection of the external canal; the foreign body is smooth, rounded, and not impacted; the object is wedged in the medial part of the external canal or up against the tympanic membrane; or glass or other sharp foreign bodies, disc batteries, magnets, or other foreign objects are present.