Ear wax removal performed by a medical professional can clear any built up ear wax in the ear canal. But what is ear wax and what causes it build up?
What is ear wax?
The ear canal produces a waxy oil called cerumen; this is more commonly known as ear wax. The wax protects your ears from various elements such as microorganisms, dust or any other foreign particles that may be in the air. It also protects your ear canal from any irritation. Ear wax usually finds its own way out your ear canal or is washed away. However, in some cases, this wax can build up.
Symptoms of Earwax Buildup
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it may be a sign that the wax in your ears has built up and created a blockage. These are:
- Partial & sudden hearing loss
- Earache
- Tinnitus (ringing/buzzing sounds in the ear)
- Itchiness in or around the ear
- Ear infection
What are the Causes?
There are many different causes that can create ear wax build up. It can happen naturally as some people are prone to producing too much ear wax or ear wax that is hard or dry. If you have narrow ear canals, it can be difficult for the ear wax to leave the canal causing a blockage and being elderly can have an impact as your earwax becomes drier as you age.
However, ear wax build up can also occur if you frequently insert objects into your ear. This could be earphones, ear plugs, hearing aids and cotton buds as they push ear wax further into the ear canal. If you try at home remedies to remove ear wax, this can do the opposite and push the wax further into the ear canal also.
How to Remove Ear Wax?
There are different ways to remove ear wax from the ear canal, the most common are:
Ear Drops
Ear drops can be used to soften the wax in the ear canal so that it can naturally leave. This is ideal if you are elderly or have dry, hard ear wax. There are two main kinds of ear drops that may be suggested to you, these contain either olive oil or hydrogen peroxide. Ear drops with olive oil are usually suggested first and then ear drops with hydrogen peroxide will be advised if you have more stubborn ear wax. These drops are available at most pharmacies.
Syringing
In this method, a syringe like tool is used to insert a solution that consists a saline mixture into the ear. This works to flush out war wax. It may feel slightly uncomfortable when the solution or water is in your ear, but it is usually a painless treatment option. However, the syringing method does can often come with complications such as perforation of the ear drums and other problems.
Microsuction
Microsuction is the one of the safest, effective and efficient methods of removing ear wax from the ear canal. At the Medical Hub, we use a binocular microscope to take an in-depth look inside your car canal. We then use a fine suction device to suck the wax out of your ear canal, relieving any discomfort or pain in the ear. It is a quick procedure that doesn’t expose your ear canal to any extra moisture.
