How Is Ear Wax Removed?

Ear wax is a yellowish, waxy substance discharged inside the ear. Ear wax protects the ears from bacteria and viruses. An excess of ear wax can cause buildup inside the ear, causing pressure inside the eardrum and negatively impact hearing. Excess ear wax can be removed from the ear in several ways. The least recommended ways of eliminating ear wax include q-tips or cotton swabs and ear candling. A doctor can prescribe ear-wax disintegrating drops or squeeze a syringe full of warm saline in the ear to dislodge the ear wax. Regardless of which method you choose to use, do not clear ear wax from your ears unless your hearing is impaired or you are experiencing pain. Otherwise, ear wax is better left alone.

Significance

Ear wax is a protective coating located in the ear canal. Young children are taught to never put anything larger than your elbow inside your ear. This advice holds true to anyone, including adults who are suffering from itchiness or pain inside their ears. The best action to take is to call a doctor and see what they would recommend.

Types

There are several different ways to remove ear wax from the ear. Ear candling, where a conical candle is placed in the ear and then lit, the wax provide a suction cup to lift the earwax away from the ear, sticking to the cone when it is removed. Ear candling is controversial because there is no official proof that the substance sticking on the candle during removal is actually ear wax. Ear candling is not recommended by doctors.

Identification

In order to see if you should remove your ear wax or just leave it alone, here are a few points to consider: Are you experiencing pain or itchiness inside your ears? Are you having difficulty hearing? Do your ears feel more painful when taking a shower or lying down? If you are experiencing ear pain, see a doctor as soon as possible. Do not use q-tips in your ears, as they will push the wax in further. If you are experiencing pain or hearing loss, you may need to have your ear wax buildup removed.

Time Frame

A doctor may use a syringe full of saline solution to clean out the ear. The doctor will shoot the syringe into the ear firmly in order to loosen ear wax. He or she will then place a tray under the ear to collect the ear wax and saline that pours from your ear. It may take a few days for your ears to feel normal again. Your doctor will probably prescribe ear drops for up to three weeks to keep away infection and clear away the remaining ear wax.

Benefits

Ridding your ears of ear wax can help your balance and hearing tremendously. Getting your ears cleared out when they are blocked can prevent swelling and infection. IEar wax is created in ears to stave off infections and trap bacteria. A certain amount of ear wax is completely healthy, and removing it can be dangerous. As long as you stick to only removing your ear wax when you are experiencing pain or hearing loss, you can maintain healthy ears.

Resources

• eNotes.com: Ear Irrigation
• Doctor Hoffman: Ear

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