EAR WAX REMOVAL
Symptoms of Ear Wax Build-Up
Do you feel that you need ear wax removal (clinically referred to as cerumen removal) because one or both ears feel stuffed, clogged, stopped up, plugged or that sound is muffled? Do one or both ears ring (tinnitus) or do they itch? The following provides information about evaluation of ear canals, cerumen removal and how a hearing healthcare provider can determine if you have ear wax in ear by first examining your ear.
What is Ear Wax
The wax in your ear (cerumen) is a natural substance produced by the secretion of oils by glands in the ear canal (sebaceous glands) to lubricate the ear, trapped dust or other substances that enter the ear and dead skin cells lining the ear canal. Mother-nature recycles wax naturally approximately every 4-6 months. Old cerumen flakes out of the ear canal in tiny amounts at a time on its own through jaw movement, bathing and desiccation (drying out). Because of this, most people never need cerumen removal their entire lives.
Wax is also important to the good bacteria in the ear canal so some wax is good for your ears. The best policy is to leave your ears alone and leave it up a healthcare provider to look into the ears to determine if wax is excessive or not. They can tell you instantly if there is too much or just the right amount.
No Ear Wax

Mild Ear Wax

Significant Ear Wax

Causes of Ear Wax Buildup
There are 4 main reasons why some individuals experience wax buildup:
Treatments
Prior to performing any treatment for cerumen removal it is a MUST for a hearing healthcare professional to look in your ears to determine that wax in ear is truly what causing your symptoms of plugged ear feeling or reduced hearing. At Peninsula Hearing Services, a special video camera for the ears called a video otoscope is used to view ear canals on a large big screen monitor so both the audiologist and patient can perform a visual examination of ears together to determine if it is necessary to remove ear wax from ear.
The following are the best ear wax removal treatments.
Self Care
Over the counter (OTC) wax removal treatments.
There is no shortage of ear wax removal products in your local drug store. These use a combination of wax softeners and a water delivery system in the ear canal using a water bulb syringe that looks like a small turkey baster. Such treatments are not well studied and rely on proper insertion into the ear canal of the softeners and syringe. They also require that the right amount of softener and water are discharged into the canal and properly removed. A lot of steps and technique for the layperson. Finally use of such systems for ear concerns when no wax exists could damage your ear and/or hearing.
OTC removal treatments also don’t allow for a pre and post treatment visual examination of the ear canal to determine if wax removal is needed due to an ear infection or hearing loss posing as wax blockage and if the wax was successfully removed by the treatment.
Some use medicated ear drops that can irritate the delicate skin of the ear canal and eardrum .
Alternative Treatments
Ear candling, which involves use of a cone shaped candle placed into the ear canal to draw wax out of the ear canal has been found to not work. This procedure may be harmful because it can burn your ear drum or ear canal.
Essential oils have also not been proven to work and some people may experience an adverse effect or irritation on their ear canal or ear drum to the oils.
Schedule Your Ear Wax Removal Appointment Today
You don’t have to put yourself at risk by trying to perform ear wax removal at home. If you suspect wax buildup or have any questions about ear wax removal, we’re ready to help.