Ear Wax

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Ear wax removal: The Do’s and Don’ts

 

Ear wax is a natural substance produced by the body to keep our ears healthy and clean. However, sometimes it can build up and cause discomfort, hearing loss, and even infections. That’s why it’s essential to practice good ear hygiene and know the right way to remove ear wax. In this blog, we’ll cover everything you need to know about ear wax removal and the dos and don’ts of ear cleaning.

  1. Ear Wax Removal Methods There are several methods for ear wax removal, including:
  • Wax removal from ears: This can be done by an audiologist using specialized tools or techniques, such as ear irrigation or microsuction wax removal.
  • Ear wax removal drops: These are over-the-counter drops that soften the wax, making it easier to remove.
  • Ear cleaning solution: Similar to ear wax removal drops, these solutions can be used to soften the wax and make it easier to remove.
  • Ear wax suction: This method involves using a specialized tool to suction out the wax.
  • Manual ear wax removal: This is done by a healthcare professional using specialized tools to gently remove the wax.
  • Ear syringing: This involves flushing the ear canal with water to remove the wax.
  • Ear vacuuming: This method involves using a specialized vacuum to suction out the wax.
  1. The Dos and Don’ts of Ear Wax Removal

DO:

  • Practice good ear hygiene: Clean the outer ear with a damp cloth, but avoid putting anything inside the ear canal.
  • Use ear wax removal drops or a cleaning solution to soften the wax before removal.
  • Consult with an audiologist before attempting to remove ear wax yourself.
  • Follow the instructions carefully if using over-the-counter ear wax removal products.
  • Use specialized tools designed for ear wax removal, such as ear wax suction or microsuction wax removal.

DON’T:

  • Use cotton swabs or other objects to clean inside the ear canal. This can push the wax deeper and cause damage to the ear.
  • Use ear candles as they don’t but can cause burns, ear canal obstructions, and other complications.
  • Attempt to remove ear wax if you have a history of ear infections or a perforated eardrum.
  • Attempt to remove ear wax if you are experiencing pain, discharge, or hearing loss.

In conclusion, ear wax removal is an essential part of ear hygiene, but it’s essential to do it safely and correctly. Always consult with an audiologist before attempting to remove ear wax yourself and choose specialized tools designed for this purpose. Remember, the goal is to keep your ears clean and healthy.

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Ear Wax and Removal Options

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Ear Wax and Removal Options

Ear wax is a much maligned bodily excretion.  Ear wax, known as cerumen, is secreted by 2 glands in the ear canal.  It is produced in the outer third or cartilaginous portion of the ear canal.  The purpose of ear wax is to lubricate the ear canal and give some protection from infection.  Ear wax is a combination of the waxy excretions, dead skin and hair.

Some people associate a lot of ear wax with poor hygiene and are horrified to hear that their ear canal is full of the stuff.  Of course we have no control of the amount of wax we produce or whether our ear canal “traps” wax causing a wax build-up.  Most people only need to clean the opening portion of the ear canal as the ear canal is self-cleaning dragging the wax out as the skin in our ear canal grows.

People who do produce a lot of wax, and have narrow and bendy ear canals do tend to suffer more from wax build up.  A build-up of wax is often associated with a slight reduction in hearing, echo of your own voice and a blocked feeling.  It is possible though to have none of the above symptoms but still have a significant build-up of wax.

Ear wax can be removed by someone who is trained to do so safely, namely your GP/nurse, ENT or Audiologist.  There are 3 ways to safely remove ear wax from an ear canal:

  • Syringing ear canal with water
  • Microsuction
  • scooping the wax out using special tools.

i) Syringing

This is still the most common method used at GP practices by nurses and GPs.  It is, however, statistically the most likely to do damage to the ear canal and/or tympanic membrane.

This technique involves flushing the ear canal with water using a syringe.  While it can be effective, the force at which the water leaves the syringe is the concern.

ii) Microsuction

Microsuction ear cleaning is a technique that involves the use of a tiny vacuum to gently suction wax from the ear canal.  This technique requires the wax to be relatively soft so wax drops may be required before the appointment.

Historically, ENT specialists have only had access to this technique.  Now many audiologists and GP practices have this service available to their patients.

iii) Ear Curettes

Specialised ear curettes are used to gently pick or pull ear wax from the ear canal.  Again, if the wax is very hard, then a wax drop treatment for a few days prior to the appointment is recommended to help soften the wax.

 

Ear Wax Techniques NOT Recommended

Cotton buds

You may have heard the saying “You should not put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear canal” and it is a good one to live by.  Cotton buds should not be used to clean wax from the ear canal.  Not being able to see in our own ears makes it impossible for us to clear wax using a cotton bud.  The problem with cotton buds is that they can damage the ear canal, which can lead to an infection.  Damaging the ear drum itself is also possible when using cotton buds to remove wax.  The cotton buds will only push the ear wax deeper into the canal making it harder to get out.

Ear Candling

Some people use ear candling to remove wax from their ear canals.  Under no circumstances should you use ear candles.  Scientific analysis has shown that the suction created by the ear candle is not strong enough to have any effect on ear wax.  They can be very harmful to the ear by depositing hot candle wax on the ear canal or the ear drum.

The audiologists at Audiology Trio are trained to safely remove ear wax using the ear curette technique.

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