If voices sound far away or muffled, or your ears are feeling full or stuffy but you don’t have a cold, you could be experiencing symptoms of built-up earwax.
Over time, earwax (cerumen) can build up and block the ear canal, leading to reduced hearing acuity. Although cerumen production is natural, hearing aid users often experience earwax buildup more than others because hearing aid insertion can push the wax deeper into the ear canal and/or block it from coming out on its own.
The safest, most effective solution to built-up or impacted earwax is professional earwax removal.
“Where can I find professional earwax removal near me?”
ZN Audiology in Brooklyn, NYC, has you covered with the safest, most effective earwax removal by an earwax removal professional. We are certified in wax management and have access to different systems, techniques, and formulas for earwax removal to address your specific earwax issues.
6 Quick Facts About Earwax
Nature’s way of cleaning your ears, earwax (cerumen) is produced by the skin cells in the ear canal.
In addition to cleaning your ear canal, earwax helps provide moisture and lubrication for the ear canal to prevent irritation.
Earwax has antibacterial and antifungal properties to help prevent infections in your ear canal and middle ear.
The stickiness of earwax traps debris and microorganisms and then works its way to the outer ear as you talk and chew, where it falls out on its own.
Most blockages and impacted earwax are caused when you try to clean out earwax on your own with cotton swabs, bobby pins, paperclips, and other objects (just imagining what they might be makes us shudder).
Sticking objects deep into the ear canal in an attempt to remove earwax or scratch an itch increases the risk of damaging your eardrum.
Symptoms of Built-up or Impacted Earwax
Stuffiness in the ears
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Muffled hearing
Poor performing hearing aids
Earaches
Headaches
Dizziness or vertigo
Balance issues
Itchiness or irritation in the ear canal
At-Home Earwax Removal
Impacted earwax can be painful, irritating, and frustrating. Sometimes you can’t get to an earwax removal specialist fast enough to get the relief you need, so most people look for a quick, at-home solution, but you need to be careful when it comes to trying to remove earwax by yourself.
Methods to Avoid
Methods to Avoid
Cotton Swabs and Other Objects – With cotton swabs and other objects (paperclips, pencils, toothpicks, etc.), you run the risk of making things worse or damaging the ear canal or eardrum.
Earwax Candles – Testing of this method of earwax removal indicates that it is neither safe nor effective as a means of removing earwax, and it also increases your risk of damaging your ears.
OTC Earwax Removal Formulas – The biggest issue with over-the-counter earwax removal formulas is that they may not match the pH of your ears, leading to dryness and irritation or the production of too much earwax.
Safest At-Home Earwax Removal Method
Safest At-Home Earwax Removal Method
Place two to three drops of oil in one ear.
Lie sideways for approximately five minutes to allow for the oil to “sit and soak.” This will help soften the wax, allowing it to work its way to the outer ear canal.
Wipe away earwax and any excess oil from the outside of your ear with a soft cloth.
Repeat on your other ear.
You can continue this treatment for up to four days.
Consult an Earwax Removal Professional
Consult an Earwax Removal Professional
Even if you use the right at-home earwax removal method, ongoing issues with impacted earwax could be an indication of a more serious issue that requires the attention of an audiologist.
We have access to techniques and formulas to help remove earwax and prevent it from building up and becoming impacted.
Our Professional Earwax Removal Service
Not only are we better able to see what we’re doing from our vantage point, but our earwax removal professionals also use proven techniques to both remove earwax and provide ongoing solutions for individuals who experience frequent issues with excessive earwax.
Our four-step earwax removal consultations are similar to our other hearing care appointments, including:
Case History
We ask you about the difficulty you’re experiencing as well as ask questions about your lifestyle, vocation, medical history, and other circumstances that might be associated with excessive earwax production.
Physical Inspection
Using an otoscope, we’ll examine your ears in order to determine the severity of your earwax problem and then plan the best strategy for removal.
Earwax Removal
Our earwax removal experts use flushing (warm water), suction, and curettes. Our special training allows us to safely remove earwax with the least amount of discomfort and without the risk of damaging your ear canal and/or eardrum.
Ongoing Care
If earwax buildup is an ongoing issue, especially for those who wear hearing aids, our audiologists can provide safe and effective long-term solutions to limit the impact of earwax on your quality of life.
Schedule an Earwax Removal Appointment
Impacted earwax is a painful, irritating, and frustrating condition that can interrupt your daily life. You can find the relief you need from impacted earwax or get control over excessive earwax production at ZN Audiology.
To take advantage of our safe and effective solutions for earwax removal and earwax management, just contact us for an earwax removal appointment by using the adjacent form.