The ear canal makes earwax to lubricate and protect the ear. Earwax is made from the lining of the ear canal. The ears make wax to protect the ear from bacteria, infection, and damage from water or trauma. The wax naturally moves towards the outside and falls out. However, overproduction of earwax may cause hearing health concerns and could make it difficult for doctors to see inside the ear. In cases of impacted earwax or excessive wax production, professional earwax removal may be necessary.
How Do You Know If You Have Ear Wax?
There are a number of things that can lead to earwax buildup. This includes skin problems, a narrow ear canal, or too much earwax production. When you use cotton swabs in your ears, it pushes the wax deeper into your ear and can lead to more wax buildup.
How Do You Clean Your Ears?
It is usually not necessary to remove earwax unless it is causing a problem. Do not remove ear wax by sticking objects such as cotton swabs or other sharp objects or devices into your ear unless you are advised to do so by your healthcare provider.
Healthcare professionals can safely remove earwax. Water flushing (irrigation) and syringing are frequently effective at removing the wax. To remove the wax, devices or suction are sometimes used. It’s crucial to remain motionless during the procedure to avoid damaging the ear canal. Removing earwax seldom is generally painless but individuals who are ticklish or sensitive may feel a slight pressure in the ear or discomfort.
Signs That You Need Professional Earwax Removal
While earwax is crucial in keeping the ear canals healthy and free of debris, sometimes earwax buildup can occur. This can happen when earwax gets pushed deep into the ear canal or if it’s produced in excess. When earwax buildup occurs, it can lead to symptoms such as:
- Earache
- Ear pain
- Ear infection
- Hearing loss
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Itchiness in the ear
- A feeling of fullness in the ear
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, professional ear cleaning by an audiologist may be necessary.
What does dark earwax mean?
We’ve all cleaned our ears before, and we’re all aware of the yellow color of wax. If you see that the wax coming out of your ears is darker than usual, for example, has a brown tint to it, this might indicate that more debris is present in the ear, and a hearing professional may recommend expert ear cleaning.
How Does An Audiologist Clean Ears?
An audiologist performs an ocular examination with an otoscope to begin the process of cleaning the ears. Impacted or hardened earwax will be discovered through this approach. Doctors Hearing Care has specialized instruments and equipment for removing trapped or clogged earwax. A cerumen spoon, or irrigation can all be utilized to remove excessive earwax.
An audiologist is a healthcare professional who is specially trained in earwax removal. Audiologists use special ear irrigation devices to flush earwax out of the ear canal. The ear irrigation device releases a stream of water into the ear canal, which loosens and washes away the earwax.
If earwax buildup is a problem for you, make an appointment with an ear doctor today!
Ear Irrigation to Remove Earwax
Ear irrigation is a process where earwax is flushed out of the ear using a stream of water. Audiologists will use a special ear irrigation device to direct the stream of water in the ear canal. This will loosen and wash away the earwax.
This is generally a painless procedure, but some people who are ticklish or sensitive may feel a slight pressure in their ear or discomfort. When performed by a trained hearing care provider, ear irrigation is a safe and effective way to remove earwax.
What Are the Treatment Guidelines for Impacted Earwax Removal?
Earwax impaction is a serious health problem that affects almost everyone at some time in their life. However, young children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to earwax impaction. If left untreated, ear wax impaction can cause deafness and damage the inner ear.
A thorough examination of the ear will be done before the removal of earwax to ensure that the obstruction is entirely due to wax accumulation or other foreign objects. An otoscope is used to examine the ear’s aperture. The otoscope is a device for examining ears using light and magnification.
If you think you have an earwax impaction, you should see a qualified healthcare provider for treatment. Do not try to remove the earwax yourself.
The Connection Between Impacted Earwax and Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can be caused by a variety of factors. In the early stages, an audiologist will often want to rule out underlying causes that might be treated to potentially enhance hearing. Ear infections and excessive earwax are two examples. If your ears are cleaned professionally, your hearing may improve dramatically. It’s crucial to contact a hearing care professional as soon as you suspect you might have a hearing loss.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, or if you are concerned about your hearing, the best thing to do is to make an appointment with an audiologist. At Doctors Hearing Care, we can check your ears and conduct tests to see whether there is a blockage or wax buildup that may be removed using expert cleaning techniques.
If you think you might have earwax buildup or impaction, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with our ear doctors today!
Earwax Removal Services in New Albany, IN
Doctors Hearing Care offers professional audiology services for children, infants, and adult patients with hearing difficulties. Our clinic offers a wide range of preventative, diagnostic, and rehabilitation hearing treatments for children and adults including earwax removal services.
Contact us to book an appointment!