Dealing With Earwax Build-Up
Earwax, known as cerumen, is part of the ear’s natural process to keep dust and dirt from reaching the eardrum and reduces the risk of ear infection. Normally, dust and dirt are trapped in the earwax, which then dries up and falls out of the ear. But some people experience a build-up of earwax, which causes a blockage that reduces hearing and requires earwax removal. Hearing aid and earplug users have a higher incidence of earwax blockage than others. However, using a cotton swab to clean your ear can also contribute to earwax build-up. (It is recommended that you do not use a cotton swab to clean your ear as it may pierce the eardrum).
Symptoms of Earwax Blockage
Earwax blockage can lead to a variety of symptoms, including decreased hearing, muffled sounds, dizziness, ear pain, or a ringing sensation in the ears (tinnitus). These symptoms can be caused by a buildup of earwax that blocks the ear canal, affecting hearing and causing discomfort.
Ear Cleaning Methods
To address earwax buildup, you can try several home remedies. Wax-softening drops are one option that helps to soften the earwax, making it easier to remove. Another common method is irrigation, where warm water is used to gently flush out the earwax. While these methods may be effective for mild cases, they may not be sufficient for more severe blockages.
When to Seek Professional Help
In cases of severe earwax buildup or if home remedies don’t provide relief, it may be necessary to consult with a ENT specialist near you. An ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctor or an otolaryngologist can provide professional ear cleaning services and safely remove the earwax. If you experience symptoms like persistent ear discomfort, muffled hearing, or pain, seeking medical advice is strongly recommended to prevent further complications.
Schedule an Appointment
If you live in or near Boise, ID, and are experiencing earwax blockage, feel free to contact our office to schedule an appointment with one of our otolaryngologists. Our specialists will carefully assess your ear health and offer professional ear cleaning to safely remove earwax buildup and alleviate any discomfort.
Common Earwax FAQs
Is It Good To Remove Earwax?
As stated above earwax serves a very important protective purpose for your ears, acting as a barrier and reducing the amount of dirt, bacteria, and other irritants that can reach your eardrums. Because of this, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery recommends just leaving earwax alone in your ears as long as it is not causing you hearing loss or other health issues.
How Can I Tell If My Ear is Blocked with Earwax?
The easiest way to tell if you have a build-up of earwax is if your hearing becomes muffled or if there is some other hearing loss accompanied by the feeling of a blockage. Someone with an earwax build-up might also experience dizziness or ear pain, although these symptoms could signify a different issue with your ears. If you are experiencing any of the following and have tried to remove the earwax yourself it could be necessary to book a consultation with an ENT specialist near you to help remove the earwax and assess to make sure that is the only issue going on with your ears.
How Often Should I Clean My Ears?
If you don’t suffer from earwax build-up then there actually isn’t much need to clean out your ears, however, if you might that you have excessive earwax that negatively impacts your ability to hear then it could be necessary to clean the wax out of your ears. If this is the case ENT doctors suggest only removing earwax from your ears every 2-4 weeks as needed. In this way you will preserve some of the protective lining and barrier the earwax provides for your eardrums.
Can You Use Cotton Swabs or Q-Tips To Remove Earwax?
ENT specialists do NOT recommend using cotton swabs (aka Q-tips) to remove earwax. Why should you not put Q Tips in your ears? Well, there are two main reasons.
- Although cotton swabs can help to remove some earwax from your ear canal it is much more likely that it will push the earwax further into your ear increasing the chance of it becoming impacted and making the blockage worse.
- It is not recommended to stick anything into your ears whether that be a cotton swab, a pencil, a finger, etc. as this increases the risk of ear infection due to the spread of bacteria in the ears.
Can You Use Hydrogen Peroxide to Remove Earwax?
It is possible to use hydrogen peroxide to help with earwax removal as an at-home remedy. You can also try mineral oil or baby oil to loosen up and remove the earwax. A warm washcloth can also be an effective way to remove earwax. These would all be considered the best ways to remove earwax instead of using cotton swabs. If you do use hydrogen peroxide to remove troublesome wax from your ears, it is important to be mindful not to use too much. No more than 10 drops at a time should be administered into your ear canal when using hydrogen peroxide to remove earwax.
How Do ENTs Clean Ears?
When you come to an ENT to have your ears cleaned and excess ear wax removed, the ear doctor will examine your ear canal to see how blocked it is. Sometimes this requires the use of a microscope. Once they have assessed the situation, they will remove the earwax using one of three methods; removing it with a small tool like a curette, or alligator forceps which can scoop and grab the small bits of ear wax out of your ear, with the use of suction, or by using the irrigation method where the doctor uses warm water to flush the ear wax out of your ear. All of these methods are much safer than using a Q tip, which can push the ear wax further into the ear canal.
Book Your Ear Cleaning in Boise
It’s important to keep your ears clean, and sometimes that requires the help of a professional ENT who can do it safely. If you are looking for effective ear wax removal in Boise, let the team here at Boise ENT Sinus & Snoring Specialists help. We have years of experience providing proper ear cleaning services to our patients, bringing them relief so that they can hear clearly once again. Call our ENT office at (208) 314-4044 or contact us online to book your ear cleaning appointment in Boise.