Ear Wax Removal

What is ear wax?

Ear wax, clinically known as cerumen, is a product your body makes to protect your ears. It lubricates your ears and traps dust and other debris. It has antibacterial properties that protect you from ear infections. 

Most of the time, jaw movements like chewing push ear wax through your ear, and it comes out when you shower or wash your hair. 

However, in some cases, your ear wax can build up and become impacted in your ear. This is usually due to you accidentally pushing the wax deeper into your ear with a cotton swab.

What are the signs of excessive ear wax?

If you have excessive or impacted ear wax, you might notice symptoms, such as:

  • Ear pain

  • A feeling of fullness in your ear

  • Reduced or muffled hearing

  • Tinnitus

  • Dizziness

  • Itchiness

  • Ear discharge

  • Odor coming from ears

If you notice these symptoms, make an appointment at Beach Cities ENTS. When left untreated, impacted or excessive ear wax can lead to hearing loss, ear infections, or other symptoms. 

What happens during an ear wax removal procedure?

Your doctor at Beach Cities ENTS begins by examining your ears to ensure that a buildup of wax is the root cause of your symptoms. 

If necessary, your doctor uses specialized tools, including a microscope, to see the inside of your ear in detail, to carefully extract your ear wax. In some cases, they might use a tiny vacuum device to suction the wax out of your ears. 

How should I take care of my ears at home?

Your ears are typically self-cleaning, and showering, bathing, and chewing help your ears expel wax and any debris it catches. Some best practice advice for ear care include:

  • Never stick anything smaller than your elbow in your ear

  • Only clean the outside of your ear with a cotton swab

  • Use over-the-counter products like Debrox or Cerumenex to soften ear wax

  • Don’t use a bulb syringe on your ears

Putting cotton swabs, bobby pins, or even your finger into your ear can push wax further into your ear and compact it against your eardrum. You can also scratch the inside of your ear or even damage your eardrum. 

If you’re concerned about excessive ear wax, call Beach Cities ENTS or make an appointment online for an exam and professional ear wax removal treatment.