When You Should See an Audiologist for Ear Cleaning

Under normal conditions, your ears are self-cleaning. Small glands on the inside of the ear canal secrete wax which then sticks to dust particles that find their way into the ear canal. Tiny hairs then slowly move the wax towards the outer ear, where it dries and harmlessly flakes off into the environment.

If you wear hearing aids or have an infection, the time may come when you need to clean out your ears. Wearing devices in your ears and infections can lead to excessive wax production which, in turn, can become lodged in the ear.

There are many home remedies and over-the-counter solutions for earwax removal, but sometimes, when you can’t remove the wax yourself, you need to visit an audiologist.

Use audiologist-approved methods to remove earwax first

Audiologists recommend that you avoid using cotton swabs, ear candling, or picks to remove earwax from the ear. These methods can harm the ears, cause the wax to become even more impacted, and lead to damage to the eardrum.

Over-the-counter commercial remedies are a good option. These remedies usually involve pouring liquid into the ear canal to soften and break down any impacted wax. The solution penetrates the wax, breaks it down, and enables it to flow out of the ears naturally.

Other over-the-counter solutions often make use of syringes. You place the syringe into the ear and then pipe in wax softening solutions over three to four days. Sometimes wax can take up to seven days to soften.

When to see an audiologist

Often, though, safe home earwax removal methods are not sufficient to remove earwax. Earwax buildup can lead to pain, discharge from the ears, and even dizziness. Here are the situations where you should see an audiologist.

When the ear canal is completely blocked

Sometimes earwax can build up to such an extent that it occludes the ear canal entirely. When the ear canal is blocked, sounds cannot pass efficiently from the outer ear to the inner ear, leading to hearing loss. Often, over-the-counter earwax removal methods are not effective in severe cases like these, and so you require the help of a professional. Audiologists have special tools that they use to remove earwax blockages safely and quickly.

When the earwax is impacted

Impacted earwax happens when the earwax becomes compressed. In most situations, earwax collects right next to the eardrum, making it difficult to remove. Again, audiologists have special tools that they can use to remove impacted earwax without damaging the eardrum itself.

When you have an infection

If you have an earwax buildup caused by an infection, then go and see your audiologist. He or she will be able to tell you what kind of infection you have as well as recommend suitable treatment.

If you find that your ears become blocked regularly, then it’s a good idea to speak with your audiologist about what you can do to prevent wax buildup in the first place. Audiologists can offer advice and assistance about looking after your ears and how to prevent them from becoming damaged.