Stuffiness, a feeling of fullness, aching, and muffled conversations are hearing issues that just about everybody deals with once in a while. Usually, these problems are symptoms of the excessive buildup of cerumen, also called earwax.
Generally speaking, earwax build-up is harmless, but it can also be a sign that something isn’t working as it should within your ears, which is why an earwax removal appointment at SLENT Hearing and Balance Center includes a comprehensive hearing assessment to check your overall hearing health, as well as safe, effective earwax removal.
Our professional earwax removal appointment and hearing assessment will typically last around 60 minutes. The hearing evaluation will probably be covered by your insurance, but earwax removal is not, which means you’ll have a $40 out-of-pocket fee for that portion of the appointment.
What Is Earwax?
The natural substance produced by cells in your ear canal to attract and trap unwelcome dirt and debris is known as cerumen, or, more commonly, earwax. In addition to helping clean your ears, it also has lubricating and protective properties that limit itching and irritation, as well as preventing the growth of various types of bacteria and fungi capable of producing ear infections.
In most cases, earwax is very useful and should be appreciated.
However, an extensive buildup of earwax can occur, or earwax can become impacted, leading to temporary hearing loss, ringing in your ears, a feeling of fullness, dizziness, headaches, balance issues, and ear pain.
Impacted earwax stems from a variety of problems, but one of the most common is the use of cotton swabs to “clean” your ears. When you clean your ears with a cotton swab or some other object (we really shudder at the thought), you will push the wax deeper into your ear canal, causing a buildup or blockage.
Busting the Myths About Earwax
MYTH #1 – “My body produces too much earwax!”
Fact: This is rarely the case. Your ears produce the right amount of wax to keep your ears free of debris and infection, while also keeping them lubricated to prevent itching and irritation. Too much cleaning may cause your ears to produce more than necessary to replace the shortage, leading to additional earwax issues.
MYTH #2 – “Cotton swabs are great for removing earwax.”
Fact: Blindly digging at the earwax in your ear with a cotton swab is likely to cause more harm than good, and it can even be dangerous. Besides pressing earwax tighter or pressing it against your eardrum where it can cause an infection, you risk puncturing your eardrum if you become too aggressive. Use cotton swabs to clean the outer ear, but not the ear canal.
MYTH #3 – “Just follow the online tutorials to remove your own earwax.”
Fact: There are online tutorials for cutting your own hair, rewiring your house, or building homemade fireworks, but that doesn’t mean that they provide the safest, most effective advice. The long-term risks of removing your own earwax instead of consulting a professional are far worse than the small investment required to seek the help of a hearing care specialist.
MYTH #4 – “My ears will naturally clean/fix themselves.”
Fact: Under normal circumstances, earwax works its way from deep inside the ear canal to the outer ear while you talk and chew. However, once earwax buildup has become impacted, your ears will need some help in order to prevent an ear infection and the potential for ongoing damage to your ears.
What Happens During an Earwax Removal Appointment?
Earwax removal isn’t a complicated process, but we like to be upfront with our patients about
what we’re going to do, so here is what happens during an earwax removal appointment:
1. We Welcome You to Our Office
Our comfortable waiting room features magazines and toys for adults and children in order to help you relax and welcome you to SLENT Hearing and Balance Center. Once one of our private exam rooms is available, we’ll walk you to it and do all we can to make you comfortable.
2. We’ll Talk About Your Ears
We’re concerned about your earwax issues, but we also want to make sure we meet all of your hearing health needs, so we’ll also ask about any related symptoms or hearing challenges you’ve been experiencing.
3. A Physical Examination of Your Ears
We could just start poking around inside your ears, hoping to get all of the earwax out, but that’s not what we do. Using an otoscope, your audiologist will take a look into your ear canal to see what’s going on in there so we can develop a plan for targeted removal.
4. We Clean Out the Earwax
Usually, your ears just need a little warm water to soften up the wax and flush it out. When built-up or impact earwax is a bit stubborn, your audiologist will reach for a curette to scoop out any earwax that doesn’t come out on its own.
5. Relief!
The pain, stuffiness, muted sound and ringing in your ears that was bothering you will disappear the instant all of the earwax is gone. It’s a relief that some of our patients describe as “heavenly.”
Signs You Need Earwax Removal
Understanding when to seek professional earwax removal is crucial for maintaining healthy ears. Here are common signs indicating it may be time for earwax removal:
Hearing Loss
A noticeable decrease in hearing ability can often be attributed to the buildup of earwax.
Earache
Discomfort or pain in your ears can be a sign of impacted earwax.
Tinnitus
Ringing or buzzing noises in the ear are sometimes caused by excess earwax pressing against your eardrum.
Itchy Ears
Persistent itching inside the ear canal could indicate an accumulation of wax.
Ear Fullness
A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear often points to wax buildup.
Dizziness
Excessive earwax can affect your balance, leading to dizziness or vertigo.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, a professional evaluation at SLENT Hearing & Balance Center can determine if earwax removal is necessary. Our experts safely and effectively remove earwax, ensuring your ear health is in the best hands.