Ear Wax Removal – What, Why, When and How?

Ear wax is naturally produced by your ear canal and plays a crucial role in protecting your ears and keeping them healthy and working well. However, excessive production of ear wax can lead to discomfort and hearing difficulties. When wax builds up in the ear professional ear wax removal is often required. In this guide we will look into:

• What ear wax is and why we need it
• How to know when ear wax has become a problem
• Methods of ear wax removal

What is ear wax?

Ear wax, or cerumen, is an oily or waxy substance that is produced by the skin of the outer part of the ear canal. Ear wax is a completely normal, natural substance that your ears require to stay clean and healthy. It acts as a protective barrier that traps dust, dirt and any other foreign objects that enter your ear canal. Ear wax is also creates a slightly acidic environment that prevents the growth of viruses, bacteria and fungi to help to protect against ear infections. On top of all this, ear wax also works to keep your ears moisturized, helping to prevent dryness and itching!

How do I keep my ears clean?

Ear wax is an important part of the self-cleaning function of your ears. Most people produce ear wax naturally in just the right amount. This ear wax gradually moves out of the ear naturally through a process called migration. As the wax moves out of the ear it will take dead skin cells, dust and debris with it, keeping the ear canal clean and healthy. This process happens so slowly that most people don’t notice it, and you can clean this ear wax away during the regular cleaning of the outer ear. There is no need to clean inside the ear – in fact this can often result in wax being pushed further into the ear canal!

However, some people do suffer from a buildup of ear wax, which can lead to discomfort or loss of hearing. Some reasons this might happen include:

• Spending time in dusty environments can encourage the production of excessive cerumen
• Sharp bends in the ear canals can prevent the wax moving easily out of the ear
• Narrow ear canals take only a smaller amount of wax to build up before the ear is blocked
• Genetic predisposition can lead to the production of higher levels of ear wax

If you are suffering from a blockage of ear wax the the quickest and most effective way to resolve this is to visit a professional. Book an appointment with us today at our Daventry ear wax removal clinic.

When Is Wax Removal Needed?

Most of the time your ears will keep themselves clean and clear or ear wax. However, if you do develop a blockage in your ear canal it can cause a number of symptoms. Some of the possible symptoms of ear wax occlusion include:

• Hearing loss: A decrease in your ability to hear clearly could be a sign of excessive ear wax buildup. Hearing loss can lead to a number of symptoms includig communication difficulties, fatigue and loss of concentration.
• A feeling of fullness in the ears: A sensation of pressure within your ears can indicate an ear wax blockage. It is important to seek support so that this feeling of fullness does not develop into pain.
• Discomfort or pain: If ear wax continues to build up in your ears the pressure that it places on the walls of the ear canal, or the ear drum, can cause symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to intense pain.
• Itching or irritation: When ear wax builds up it can sometimes become stuck to the walls of the ear canal. This can cause itching and irritation which is often very intense.
• Tinnitus: In some people a blockage of ear wax can lead to the development of tinnitus, a ringing or buzzing sound in your ear. The good news is that this normally goes away completely once the ear wax is removed!
• Dizziness or vertigo: Due to the build up of pressure some people develop a feeling of dizziness when their ear is blocked. Other people can experience a feeling of imbalance or disorientation due to hearing more in one ear than the other.

Is It Ear Wax Or Something Else?

Some of the symptoms of a blockage of ear wax could also be caused by other conditions. It’s important to visit a health professional to have your ears checked out urgently if you experience the following symptoms:

• A sudden hearing loss. Although this could be due to a blockage of ear wax, it could also be due to a sudden sensorineural hearing loss. This can lead to a permanent loss of hearing if not treated early, so it is important to see a professional as soon as possible.
• Dizziness which causes you to fall over, or that causes nausea and vomiting. A blockage of ear wax rarely leads to vertigo of this severity and so this could be a sign of damage to your inner ear.
• Intense pain. Although this could be due to ear wax it may also be a sign of an ear infection. To prevent long term damage it is important to receive prompt treatment for ear infections.

At Zest Hearing Care all of our ear wax removal appointments include a thourough ear health and hearing check also. If any other conditions are identified we will ensure that you receive the right support.

How Is Ear Wax Removed?

This section discusses various methods for removing ear wax, including ear drops, ear irrigation and microsuction.

Ear Drops

There are a number of different types of ear drops, and they are available from most pharmacies. The most common types of ear drops are olive oil and sodium bicarbonate. Olive oil ear drops work by softening the ear wax, which helps it to move of your ear canal. Sodium bicarbonate ear drops help the wax to break up into smaller pieces which can more easily leave your ear.

Although for some people ear drops can work well, for the majority of people the results are temporary. After using drops the wax softens, or begins to break up. This opens up a small channel though your ear canal, leading to a relief from your symptoms. However the majority of the ear wax often does not move out of your ear canal. This means that as your ear continues to produce wax the symptoms will return, often more severely than before.

For this reason at Zest Hearing Care we recommend that you arrange an appointment to visit us for a professional ear wax removal procedure as soon as you first notice symptoms of ear wax blockage.

Microsuction

Microsuction is a relatively new method of wax removal and uses a small vacuum to gently suck the ear wax out of the ear. It is important to make sure that you see an experienced, qualified ear care professional to perform microsuction, as any mistakes can cause lasting damage to your ear and hearing.

Irrigation

Ear irrigation is a more traditional method for removing ear wax, involving the use of warm water to wash out the wax. This method is safe for most people, but is not suitable for anyone who has perforated eardrums or has had surgery on their ears in the past.

Manual Removal

If the wax is near to the entranceto the ear canal it is sometimes possible to remove the wax manually. Your clinician might use a small hook or a special pair of tweezers to grab hold of the wax and move it out of your ear.

At Zest Hearing Care our clinicians are qualified and experienced in all methods of ear wax removal. You can be certain that your comfort and safety is our highest concern. If you are worried about a build up of ear wax book an appointment today and see what we can do for you.