Earwax removal – why use the professionals?
When it comes to earwax removal, there is one thing to stress. Earwax removal isn't necessary unless you are experiencing a medical issue. That means discomfort, pain, ringing in the ear, impaired hearing, odour or dizziness.
But that doesn’t stop the internet and pharmacies from providing you with lots of helpful tips and products for removing earwax from your own ears. Everything from hydrogen peroxide, saline solution, glycerin, bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) and apple cider vinegar, to any number of oils including baby, mineral, olive and almond. Plus, let’s not forget the array of over the counter products, including drops, sprays and tools. And then there is Hopi Ear Candling – read our recent blog to find out how that worked out!
Don’t treat what you can’t see
The major problem here is simple. You can’t see inside your own ear. So whilst you might think you are doing the right thing, armed with your cotton bud and/or syringe, think again. Using cotton swabs and other similar tools does not actually remove earwax. Instead, these items can actually push earwax further down into your ear canal and can even get stuck, which can cause, even after one attempt:
Discomfort
Changes to your hearing
Pressure changes resulting in dizziness
Stripping away the protective layer of earwax, making your ear more susceptible to infections
Potential damage to the eardrum
Plus, with no direct sight of what you are doing, it’s impossible to assess what sort of wax you are dealing with. Is it hard, old and dry, or mobile and golden? With earwax removal, it’s important to know the difference and treat it accordingly. Plus you might also be allergic to whatever product you are using and as a result end up experiencing itchiness, a rash, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
““As a rule of thumb, don’t put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear.””
There is another way!
Taking all of this into account, it makes sense to engage the services of a hearing professional. They have had the necessary training and experience and their knowledge and skill set are far superior to your own. Your audiologist will take a look inside your ear, using a microscopic camera to get a clearer picture of your situation. They will be able to see what type of wax you have, how much needs to be removed and to locate any blockages. Following this, they will be able to advise you of the right treatment and then undertake it safely, carefully and using extreme precision.
At the newly opened Earwax Removal Centre in Banbury, part of The Sense of Hearing, we specialise in the removal of earwax using two different methods:
Microsuction - This involves using a small suction device to gently remove ear wax. This technique is highly precise and minimises discomfort.
Ear Irrigation - This method uses a controlled pulsed stream of water to soften and flush out ear wax. It's a gentle process where water is carefully directed into the ear canal to dislodge and remove the wax build-up.
Jo, one of the earwax specialists at the Banbury Earwax Removal Centre performing microsuction
Audiologist at The Sense of Hearing, David Peel also offers this service in the comfort of your own home right across Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds.
Optimal ear health
David says: “Having your earwax build-up professionally removed will help to alleviate your symptoms and can sometimes even deal with issues you didn’t even realise were being caused by it. Just to reiterate the comment from Gordon Harrison, chief audiologist at Specsavers, ‘As a rule of thumb, don’t put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear.’ He’s absolutely spot on; ears are delicate and can be easily damaged if you don’t know what you are doing."
“Like most things medical, prevention is always better than cure. If you are experiencing hearing issues, regular check-ups, especially for hearing aid users, can help to prevent excessive ear wax build-up.”
If your ears feel blocked and/or you are worried about your earwax, then get in touch with us today.
