If you’re familiar with how your body works, you’ll surely agree that it’s a marvel of natural engineering. One of the lesser-known wonders of your body is the ear’s ability to remove ear wax on its own.
It’s normal for your ears to produce ear wax. This substance helps to keep the ear canal protected against bacteria and fungi. It also shields against dust, debris, and other harmful particles. Naturally, the earwax also moves to the ear canal, self-cleaning itself in the process.
As amazing as the self-cleaning process is, you need to know that it also has its issues. This process doesn’t always work perfectly for everyone. It may come with discomfort, hearing issues, or infections. As such, knowing exactly when to trust the process or seek professional ear cleaning is crucial to maintaining your overall ear health.
Understanding how the self-cleaning process works
Your earwax is produced at your ear canal’s outer third. After production, the substance works by trapping dead skin cells, dirt, and other harmful particles. Over time, the wax also moves outward towards your ear opening. At this spot, the wax starts to dry up and fall out on its own. The entire process is known as self-cleaning. For many people, ear self-cleaning occurs without any issues. To other people, the process may fail, requiring external intervention.
Different factors contribute to why removing earwax via self-cleaning often fails for many people. Excessive accumulation is a common factor. Improper cleaning techniques also contribute to this issue.
Signs of impacted ear wax
Below are a few ways to know you need professional ear cleaning:
- Partial hearing loss
- Itching ears
- Pain
- A sensation of fullness
- Tinnitus
If care isn’t taken, these aforementioned factors can increase the risk of ear infections. Here’s where the need to seek professional ear-cleaning solutions comes in.
Understanding how professional ear cleaning works
Unless your ear self-cleaning process fails, there’s no reason to see professional help. You only need professional ear cleaning when your ears aren’t self-cleaning and you currently experience any of the aforementioned symptoms.
With professional help, you can safely remove the impacted wax from your ear canal. At-home remedies, such as the use of cotton swabs, only tend to worsen the problem. To avoid complicating matters, it makes more sense to seek professional ear wax cleaning. Experts at Audiology Island use advanced tools and techniques to ensure the wax gets removed without discomfort.
Depending on your condition, below are a few common professional ear wax cleaning approaches you can expect:
- Microsuction—in this case, the hearing aid doctor will insert a suction device into your ear to remove the impacted wax. The entire process is gentle and harmless to your ear canal.
- The irrigation process involves flushing out the ear wax with warm water.
- Curettage—for this process, a small, curved tool is required. The audiologist uses the instrument to eliminate the impacted wax without any harm.
Consider visiting Audiology Island today if you currently experience any of the aforementioned warning signs of impacted wax.
