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Earwax Management
What's the Point of Earwax?
When earwax builds up or becomes impacted, it can block sound, cause muffled hearing, pressure, ringing, dizziness, discomfort, and even interfere with the performance of hearing aids. Professional earwax (cerumen) management is a safe, in-office procedure where an audiologist carefully examines your ear canal using specialized lighting and magnification, then gently removes excess wax with precise instruments or medical-grade suction. The process is quick, comfortable, and designed to restore clear hearing immediately while protecting the health and natural integrity of your ears.
When Should Earwax Be Removed?
Normally, you shouldn’t need to remove earwax; your ears will naturally handle that function by pushing out the excess.
At times, however, the ear glands may produce more wax than necessary, and earwax blockage can occur. People who use hearing aids, wear earplugs, or push objects like cotton swabs into their ears can be more prone to these problems.
About 10 percent of children and more than 30 percent of older and cognitively-impaired patients have excessive earwax, according to a report published by the American Family Physician. The excess buildup — more than the ear can remove naturally — may cause one or more symptoms, such as the following:
• Itch, odor, or drainage
• Partial hearing loss
• Sensation of a plugged ear or of fullness in the ear
• Humming, ringing, or buzzing in the ears, or tinnitus
• Pain in the ear
• Vertigo, dizziness, or balance problems
When earwax builds to the point of causing pain or other symptoms, or preventing a professional examination of the ear, it’s time to clean it out.
DO:
Use a warm, soft cloth
...after washing or showering, to remove normal amounts of earwax at the outer ear, if needed.
DON'T:
Use ear candles
Ear candles may cause serious injury and have not been proven effective in limited clinical trials.
DO: Soften earwax with warm oil / liquid
Gently soften the earwax with drops of warmed olive oil, almond oil, water, or a commercial solution to remove larger amounts of earwax or an earwax plug.
DON'T:
Use cotton swabs
DON’T stick cotton swabs or other objects in the ear; they can cause injury and push wax farther into the ear canal.
DO:
Irrigate with water
Try irrigating the ear by gently rinsing it out with water.
DO: Get a professional cleaning
We have the experience and the best equipment to get the job done right, no hassle or stress.
Ready to Book an Appointment?
(801) 484-3277
When Should I See a Hearing Care Professional?
Sometimes, earwax buildup requires the attention of a professional who can examine your ears, determine the nature of the problem, and customize a treatment.
Treatment may include prescribing ear drops, applying wax-dissolving agents, using a suction technique, or providing another appropriate solution.
Consult your hearing care professional if one or more of the following apply:
• Your symptoms persist, especially with pain or hearing loss
• Home remedies seem ineffective
• Earwax buildup is blocking your ear canal
• Your eardrum could be perforated or punctured
If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with earwax, contact us for an evaluation and customized treatment options for your individual needs. We can help with all your questions and concerns.