Professional earwax removal may be something you’ve never considered or even heard of before. Yet, it’s an important procedure that you should be aware of in case you ever need it yourself.
Although earwax plays an important role in ear health, it can also be the cause of pain, discomfort, and other problems if there’s too much of it. Let’s take a closer look at exactly what happens when someone is prone to excessive earwax. Then, we’ll see how professional earwax removal can get you back to feeling better without causing damage to your ears.
What happens when earwax gets stuck?
Normally, earwax builds up inside the ear and then makes its way out on its own. Occasionally, however, it doesn’t come out on its own for one reason or another. When it gets stuck inside the ear canal, it can harden and even block a good portion of the canal. This results in pain, discomfort, and sometimes temporary hearing loss.
If you’ve ever experienced a blockage due to too much earwax, you may have been tempted to clean out your ears with your finger or a Q-tip. Unfortunately, this often makes the problem worse and causes the earwax to become further impacted.
How do you know when it’s time for professional earwax removal?
Earwax buildup is more common than you might think, affecting 1 in 10 children and 1 in 20 U.S. adults according to some sources. While not every case requires professional earwax removal, it’s certainly preferable to trying to remove the buildup yourself and possibly causing further damage.
If you notice any of the following signs, it’s in your best interest to talk to your doctor or audiologist right away:
- Difficulty hearing
- Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in your ears)
- Itchy ears
- Ear drainage
- Ear pain or discomfort
- Sensation of fullness in one or both ears
Depending on what your doctor finds after a thorough evaluation, you may be able to get by with simply using wax softening drops and letting the wax buildup make its way out on its own. Or, professional earwax removal may be recommended.
What does professional earwax removal entail?
If you’ve never had an earwax buildup removed by an audiologist or other healthcare professional, you might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly it can be done with the right tools and expertise. Typically, earwax is removed in one of two ways:
1. Manually – The impacted earwax is removed using forceps, a curette, or via suction. The process may be a little painful or uncomfortable but it’s certainly preferable to the damage that DIY earwax removal can do.
2. Through irrigation – With this method, your doctor will use a water-filled syringe to irrigate the ear canal. This typically softens the earwax buildup and flushes it out. Just like the manual method, this process can be painful or uncomfortable but you’ll feel much better with the buildup removed.
Want to see exactly what the process might look like? Watch this video: Demonstration of Audiologist removing ear wax to help hearing aid performance.
Safe and Professional Earwax Removal in Mesa and Scottsdale
Our audiologists provide safe and effective earwax removal services at all of our locations in Mesa and Scottsdale, AZ. Simply give us a call to schedule an appointment today … we may even be able to offer you a same day appointment!
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