What many people don’t realize is that ear wax (cerumen) is important for ear health. The wax lubricates the delicate skin in your ear, keeping it moisturized. It can also stop debris like bugs or dirt from entering the ear. It’s normal for your body to produce it, and it actually helps protect your ears. If you didn’t have earwax, your ears would probably be itchy and dry. Show Most people don’t need to do anything to remove ear wax beyond their daily shower routine. However, some people may overproduce ear wax, which can plug the ear canal and cause earaches, infections, and other problems. An excess of earwax can result in some hearing loss, which typically resolves once the wax is removed. Ear wax removal should only be done by a licensed audiologist or a physician who has been trained to remove ear wax. If your problem isn’t serious, but you do feel like you have too much earwax buildup, it is safe to gently clean the outside of your ears with a washcloth. You also can try putting a few drops of baby oil, hydrogen peroxide, mineral oil, or glycerin in your ear to soften the wax, as long as your physician feels that it is safe for you to use these methods. Most over-the-counter wax removal kits are effective at softening wax so it can work its way out of the ear naturally. Audiologists caution people about unsafe ear wax removal practices. In particular, Ear candling is not only ineffective at removing ear wax, but candle wax can also potentially deposit into the ear, cause an increased risk of burns to the ear, face, and scalp as well as an increased risk of puncturing the ear drum. Q-tips can push wax further into the ear canal, which can cause impaction, discomfort, or a rupture in the ear drum. If the wax gets pushed too far into the ear canal, it could require surgical intervention. If left untreated, long-term complications can even lead to infections or hearing loss. If you have excessive earwax, make an appointment with an audiologist to have it properly removed. Audiologists at the Pennsylvania Ear Institute (PEI) can remove earwax safely through one of three methods: irrigation, suction, or instrumentation. The audiologist will assess the seriousness of the ear wax buildup before deciding what actions to take. Removing earwax generally doesn’t hurt. You won't need anesthesia or pain medicine when PEI’s expert audiologists remove the earwax. To schedule an appointment with one of the Pennsylvania Ear Institute’s (PEI) audiologists, please call 215.780.3180. Cerumen, also known as earwax, is naturally produced by the glands in the ears to lubricate the ear canals and keep dust and debris from getting too far down in the ear canal. Cerumen typically clears itself from the ears, but in some instances, it can accumulate and cause a blockage. Symptoms of EAR WAX blockage include:
If a blockage occurs, it may need to be removed. This can be done at home or at your audiologist’s office, depending on the size and severity of the blockage. How Not to Remove Earwax BuildupPeople commonly use cotton swabs to try and remove earwax or dislodge a blockage. However, this can sometimes cause more problems as cotton swabs often push the blockage further down into the ear canal, risking even more damage to the ear. Cotton swabs themselves can easily be inserted too far into the ear canal, causing damage to your ear and risk of a perforating the eardrum. Audiologists generally agree that cotton swabs are a bad idea for removing earwax and should only be used on the outer portions of your ear. You should never insert cotton swabs or any small object into your ear canal. At-Home Earwax RemovalIn some instances, your audiologist may send patients home with an at-home earwax removal kit. Earwax removal kits can also be purchased over the counter in most drug stores. These kits generally consist of a liquid that softens earwax and a small, rubber syringe. You will be given directions on how much and how often to apply the liquid into your ear canals. Bubbling and fizzing sensations in your ears are normal with use. You will then use the syringe to gently flush your ears with warm water to remove the remaining earwax. It may take several days to completely clear an earwax blockage from your ear canal. Removal at Your AUDIOLOGIST’s OfficeIf the earwax blockage is more significant, it may need to be removed in your audiologist’s office. Audiologists typically use one of three methods to remove earwax: irrigation, suction, or curettage. Irrigation is the most common method your audiologist will use to remove blockages. Unlike at-home earwax removal kits, your doctor may use stronger earwax removal medications in conjunction with irrigation. Carbamide peroxide is typically the main ingredient in these medications. Suction is another common method your audiologist will use to remove blockages. This procedure is performed by using a small vacuum aspirator that gently extracts the earwax through soft suction. The least common method is curettage removal, which involves the use of a lighted curette. A curette is a long, curved tool that is used to gently scrape cerumen from the ear canal, removing the blockage. If you experience pain or discomfort as a result of earwax buildup, or suspect you have a blockage, it’s important that you see your audiologist as soon as possible to address the issue. Do audiologists remove earwax?Audiologists have the professional tools for the job
In many cases, they'll use a vacuum to suck large globs of earwax out of your ear while also loosening any bits of earwax stuck to the sides of your ear. This provides a complete clean that is hygienic, performed by a professional, safe and ultimately fast.
Can an audiologist help with blocked ear?Audiologists are professionals who can help with clogged ears. If you have tried these simple remedies and continue to experience a clogged ear and hearing loss in that ear, it's time to make an appointment with an audiologist to diagnose the culprit.
What kind of doctor removes wax from ears?The ENT doctor may remove your excess wax using any of the techniques above such as inspecting your ear while using suction or using a curved, small instrument called a curette. They might also use a rubber-bulb syringe filled with warm water or water pick to flush out the wax.
Should I get my ear wax professionally removed?In the vast majority of cases, the ears will clean themselves without any problems. However, sometimes, there is a risk of wax buildup, and if you spot signs of excessive earwax, you may benefit from professional ear cleaning.
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Can an audiologist remove ear wax
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