The Importance of Professional Earwax Removal for Your Hearing Health

Earwax, or cerumen, is a natural substance produced by the body to protect the ear canal. While it serves important functions, such as trapping dust and debris and preventing infections, excessive earwax can lead to discomfort and hearing issues. In this blog post, we will explore the earwax removal methods we use at Our Hearing Hub, and some we don't recommend!

Close-up view of an earwax removal tool on a clean surface

Understanding Earwax

What is Earwax?

Earwax is a yellowish, waxy substance produced by glands in the ear canal. It plays a crucial role in keeping the ears healthy by:

• Trapping dirt and debris: Prevents foreign particles from reaching the eardrum.

• Moisturising the ear canal: Prevents dryness and itching.

• Providing antibacterial properties: Helps protect against infections.

  
  

Why Does Earwax Build Up?

While earwax is beneficial, some individuals may experience excessive buildup due to:

• Overproduction: Some people naturally produce more earwax than others.

• Ear canal shape: The structure of the ear canal can affect how earwax exits the ear.

• Use of earplugs or hearing aids: These can push earwax deeper into the canal.

• Improper cleaning methods: Using cotton buds can push wax further in rather than removing it.

  
  

Signs of Earwax Buildup

Recognising the signs of earwax buildup is essential for timely intervention. Common symptoms include:

• Hearing loss: A feeling of fullness or muffled hearing.

• Earache: Discomfort or pain in the ear.

• Itching: Persistent itching in the ear canal.

• Tinnitus: Ringing or buzzing sounds in the ear.

• Odour: Unpleasant smell coming from the ear.

  
  

If you experience any of these symptoms, it may be time to consider earwax removal.

Earwax Removal Methods

At-Home Remedies

Before seeking professional help, you can try using clinical grade olive oil drops which may soften the earwax, loosening its adhesion to the ear canal walls, and make removal easier and quicker. The earwax may even disperse naturally on its own.

Professional Clinical Earwax Removal

However, it may be necessary to consult an audiologist or hearing healthcare provider, like the team at Our Hearing Hub for professional advice and services.

At Our Hearing Hub, our Audiology Assistants and Audiologists are trained and experienced at using a variety of techniques to safely and carefully remove earwax. Common methods include:

• Microsuction: A gentle suction method that removes earwax without water.

• Curettage: A small instrument is used to scoop out the wax.

• Water Pulse Irrigation: A controlled irrigation technique where a pulse of warm water is gently directed at the earwax in the canal to loosen it and allow for it to be expelled.

  
  

Safety Precautions

When considering earwax removal, keep these safety tips in mind:

• NEVER use cotton buds: they can push wax deeper and cause it to become impacted.

• Do not insert any objects into the ear canal.

• Tell us if you have a history of ear problems or have had any operations on your ears, head or neck.

  
  

What we don't recommend

• Ear Candling: This dangerous practice does not remove earwax. Lighting a roll of waxed paper and placing in the ear canal cannot and does not "draw up the earwax into the candle". Earwax cannot migrate through waxed paper. Earwax adhered to a canal wall cannot move upwards. when opening the waxed paper, which has been burning, the wax lining the paper is the only type of debris you will see, it is not earwax, which will remain in your ear. There is a high risk of burning the outer ear, or the delicate skin of the ear canal or burning candle wax dripping into the ear canal.

• Caustic substances: the ear canal skin is very delicate. Any harsh or agressive chemicals may also damage the canal walls as well as 'dissolving" earwax. Remember; if it's used for cleaning your oven, it's unlikely to be safe for your ear

• Home remedies such as white vinegar, bicarbonate of soda solutions, for the same reason as above

• Home irrigation kits: hopefully your problem is earwax blockage, but unless a healthcare professional has examined your ears, you simply can't be certain. With water pulse irrigation techniques the water is delivered at a specified temperature to ensure that an effect called the calorific effect does not occur, or is minimised; this is where you can become dizzy or disorientated. Whilst the practitioner is able to accurately direct the pulse of water to loosen the earwax in the canal, trying to do this yourself is extremely difficult.