Why it is important to remove ear wax

by David K. Business Development

Earwax is a natural substance that helps keep your ears clean and healthy. However, excessive buildup of earwax can cause discomfort, hearing loss, dizziness, and even infection. Removing earwax can help alleviate these issues and improve your overall ear health. It's essential to clean your ears properly and avoid using objects like cotton swabs, which can push earwax further into your ear canal, leading to complications. If you experience persistent earwax buildup, it's best to consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional who can provide appropriate treatment based on your condition.

So what are the ways that ear wax can be removed?

Ear syringing is a commonly used method to remove such blocks, but only when necessary. Ear syringing, also known as ear irrigation or ear flushing, is a process of removing earwax buildup from the ear canal using a jet of water. Whilst the two terms are often interchanged, there is a difference between them. Syringing uses a large syringe that is manually depressed to jet out a stream of water. This means that the pressure of the water can vary and is controlled manually, which us why its practice has dramatically reduced. Ear irrigation uses a machine to eject the warm water so it is precisely controlled and therefore, not risk of damage to the eardrum can occur due to excessive water pressure.

A trained professional, usually a nurse or doctor, can carry out the procedure. They may begin by examining the ear canal using either an otoscope or video otoscope to check for any abnormalities or signs of infections. If the earwax is visible and soft, they may use a hook-like instrument, called a curette, to remove it directly.

If the earwax is deeper in the ear canal or is hard, the clinician may use water at body temperature to flush the wax out. For this, they use an irrigator, which enables the water to be pushed into the ear canal through a small tube. The water is then directed into the ear canal through the tube. The water is directed at the earwax, causing it to loosen and break down into smaller particles. Then, the excess water is drained out, carrying the wax residues with it.

The ear syringing procedure is generally safe but may cause discomfort or pain if carried out carelessly or incorrectly. People with narrow ear canals, ear infections, or damage in their eardrums should not have ear syringing performed. Also, people who use hearing aids or have a history of ear surgeries should consult their doctor before the procedure.

After the procedure, there may be some temporary symptoms, such as mild dizziness, itching, or temporary hearing impairment. These symptoms usually go away within a few hours, but if they persist or worsen, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional. Overall, ear syringing is a safe and effective method of removing excess earwax buildup for people with normal ear anatomy and without other ear conditions that the procedure could complicate.

For more complicated wax and ear issues, ear microsuction would be preferred. This technique is used to remove ear wax using a small suction device. In contrast, endoscopic ear wax removal involves using a small camera to visualize the ear canal while removing the wax with instruments.

The main difference between the two methods is the level of visualization. With ear microsuction, the practitioner uses a high-powered microscope to visualize the ear canal and remove the wax. With endoscopic ear wax removal, a small camera is inserted into the ear canal to provide a visual image of the ear canal and wax buildup.

While both techniques effectively remove ear wax, endoscopic ear wax removal provides more precise visualization and is generally considered a more thorough method. However, it may not be suitable for all patients, as using instruments can be uncomfortable for some individuals. Ultimately, the choice between the two methods will depend on the patient's individual needs and preferences and the practitioner's experience and expertise.