Ear Wax Removal Near Me

Ear wax protects your ears from dirt, bacteria, and other small debris that can damage your ear canal and hearing. However, too much ear wax can end up blocking your ear canal and can potentially lead to difficulty hearing. Knowing how to safely and effectively remove ear wax can help you protect your hearing and ear health.

About ear wax — why do we have ear wax?

Ear wax is a natural substance that protects your ears by trapping small debris like dust and bacteria that can enter and damage your ears. According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), ear wax also protects the delicate skin inside your ear canal from water-related irritation.

Ear wax moves from the inside of your ears to the outside part of the ear canal, collecting dead skin cells, dirt, and hair along the way. Harvard Medical School reports that ear wax has antibacterial and antifungal properties that make it an effective natural ear cleanser. It adds that your ears will likely feel itchy and uncomfortable if they do not produce or contain enough ear wax.

Treatment of a common ear condition

Ear wax removal can help you prevent and avoid hearing loss, reports the NLM. The NLM adds, most cases of ear wax buildup can be treated at home using methods that soften the wax so it can be easily removed or washed out. It adds that in some instances, you may need to ask for help from your healthcare provider to avoid damaging your ears or causing an infection.

Difficulty hearing due to ear wax buildup is usually temporary and resolves after the blockage has been removed, adds the NLM. Hearing loss that remains after ear wax removal should be assessed and treated by your doctor.

The side effects of excessive ear wax

Excessive ear wax can lead to discomfort in the ears and hearing problems, reports the NLM. Ear pain, the sensation of having clogged ears, and noises in the ear known as tinnitus are common side effects of ear wax buildup, notes the NLM. You may also experience partial hearing loss that progressively gets worse.

The development of ear wax

Ear wax is also known as cerumen. It is a mixture of secretions from sebaceous glands and sweat glands in the walls of the outer ear canal, reports Harvard Medical School.

When you use your jaw to chew or talk, these secretions move through your inner ear canal to the outer ear canal, where they become dry and flaky. This allows older ear wax deposits to fall out or be removed more easily from your ears, notes Harvard Medical School.

Where wax comes from

Harvard Medical School describes ear wax as a natural ear cleanser that is produced by glands in your ear canal to protect your ears from harmful dirt and other debris. It adds that no one knows why some people tend to have more problems with excessive ear wax than others.

According to the University of Texas at Austin, older adults with coarse, wiry hairs in their ears tend to have more problems with ear wax buildup than others. People who wear hearing aids also tend to have more ear wax than others due to how some hearing devices are shaped in ways that prevent wax from moving easily out of the ear canal.

Ear wax removal tips

Many people use cotton swabs to remove ear wax buildup. However, many medical professionals advise against using this method, as it can push wax further into the ear canal, reports UC San Diego. It adds that the best way to clean ears is to use wax-softening ear drops that can be purchased from nearly any pharmacy.

The NLM suggests using solutions that can soften the wax in the ear, such as baby oil or mineral oil. Then, you can easily remove the ear wax from the outer ear canal using a small piece of cloth or tissue wrapped around your finger once you can see the wax.

The NLM also recommends consulting with a healthcare provider if you are having difficulty removing ear wax. A doctor can remove your ear wax using other irrigation methods or with a curette or suction device.

Tips for hearing-aid wearers

People who wear hearing aids should have their ear canals checked for excess wax every three to six months, suggests the NLM. Harvard Medical School adds that ear wax is responsible for between 60% and 70% of hearing aid damages. If you wear a hearing aid, ask your doctor to check for ear wax buildup no less frequently than every six months.