Symptoms of earwax blockage include:

• Earache
• Tinnitus (noise in the ear)
• Hearing loss
• Ear pressure

There is no one cause for wax build-up in the human ear. Some people tend to produce more significant amounts of earwax than others. When this quantity becomes excessive, it is essential to remove the build-up before the earwax becomes impacted. It should be noted that the use of hearing aids, earplugs, and cotton swabs may impact earwax for some people. Irrespective of the cause, blockage caused due to earwax should not be ignored and should be treated appropriately.

The natural movement of your facial muscles and jaw when you chew or talk typically creates enough movement for earwax to be moved toward the outside of the ear canal. In this way, your ears keep themselves clean naturally. However, if you notice a problem with wax build-up or blockage, earwax removal becomes important. This can be done at home or your doctor’s office, depending on the size and severity of the blockage.

Cleaning earwax from your ears at home can be carried out by:

• Using a soft, warm cloth to remove wax from the outer ear.
• Using drops of warm olive oil, almond oil, water, or a commercial solution to remove larger amounts of stubborn earwax.
• Irrigate the ear and gently rinse with water.

Additionally, you can also use an over-the-counter at-home earwax removal kit. The kit will usually have some type of liquid to soften the earwax and a rubber bulb syringe to flush the ear with water.

However, if you have an ear condition that precludes you from using store-bought earwax removal kits, check with your doctor first to see if it is safe for use.

If the earwax has become too hard or is difficult to clean at home, you may need to visit a doctor’s office for earwax removal. Two methods are generally used for cleaning earwax: irrigation and curettage.

Irrigation is the most commonly used method for clearing earwax. The doctor uses a more potent medicine than those in at-home ear wax removal kits to dissolve the wax and then use irrigation to wash it away. Carbamide peroxide is typically the main ingredient in these medications.

Curettage is not used as commonly but involves using a curette (a long curved instrument) along with suction to scrape earwax gently from the ear canal. 

Cotton swabs are very popular for at-home earwax cleaning. However, doctors typically advise against cotton swabs because they can cause more damage by pushing the earwax further down the ear canal and cause more serious problems like eardrum ruptures or earwax impaction.

Doctors stress the use of cotton swabs only for the outer ear. Never insert cotton swabs or other small objects in your ear canal. Ear candles should also never be used for earwax removal. They have historically proven to cause serious injury to the ear.

If you suspect you may have earwax build-up or impacted earwax, contact Advanced Audiology Care at (848) 231-6637 or request an appointment online.