Although the production of ear wax by glands present in the ear is a natural phenomenon for the protection of the ear canal, our ears are prone to becoming blocked by excessive ear wax.
Excessive wax can interfere with hearing, cause dizziness and tinnitus, and give way to infections. Therefore, especially in summer, when sweat and humidity increase the build-up of ear wax, its removal becomes essential for maintaining the health of the ears.
While removal of the ear wax can also be done at home using safe tools just like the ear wax removal camera by Bebird, you can get rid of the wax at a clinic as well. So, let us talk about how do doctors remove ear wax.
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When is Necessary to See Doctor for Ear Wax Removal?
It is important to remember that ear wax can evaporate on its own and wax from the inner ear moves to the outer ear during mastication and speaking which helps in its natural removal through the self-cleaning mechanism of the ear.
However, let us help you explore why should you get it removed by external assistance when your ears can help themselves.
Why is Ear Wax Necessary?
Ear wax is produced by cerumen-producing glands present in the ear. Cerumen, also called ear wax, also accumulates because of the addition of dead skin cells and hair in the ear. So, it creates a protective layer in the ears and lubricates them.
Not only this, cerumen or ear wax also helps fight microbes, repel insects, and prevent impurities from entering the inner ear.
What Happens if Ear Wax Builds Up?
Excessive wax can buildup in the ear canal because of,
- Excessive production of the wax caused by weather, lifestyle, genes, diet, and hobbies like swimming
- Reduced removal of the wax by abnormalities involving the ear, jaw, or temporomandibular joints
The buildup of the wax in the ear gives rise to symptoms like tinnitus, vertigo, reduced hearing, uncomfortable sensation in the ears, pain in the ears and head, ear pressure, reflex cough, and discharge.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While mild symptoms like itching, uncomfortable sensation, and mild earache might be dealt with by home remedies, here are some symptoms when it is essential to visit a doctor for ear wax removal,
- Discharge of pus or blood coming out of the ears
- Vertigo or difficulty in maintaining balance
- Ear fullness
- Problem with hearing effectively
- Symptoms of infection like fever
How Do ENT Doctors Remove Ear Wax?
Depending upon the type of ear wax you have, doctors use one of the following methods to remove ear wax.
Removal with the Help of Curette
Curete removal of the ear wax is one of the simplest methods to remove ear wax, especially in people who use Q-tips often. Cotton buds push the wax deep inside the ears.
Therefore, the doctor uses a small spoon-like instrument with an elongated handle to carefully dislodge the wax from the deep parts of the ear and help you get rid of it. Also, a small camera is used throughout the procedure.
Irrigation of the Ear Canal
Another safer way to remove ear wax is the irrigation of the ear canal. In this procedure, a syringe with a metal or bulb handle is used.
This apparatus helps the healthcare professional in putting warm water or normal saline into the ear in a strategic way. This is how the water creates pressure behind the ear wax and pushes the excessive wax out of the ears.
Vaccum Removal of the Wax
Last but not least, microsuction of ear wax is also routinely done to remove excessive ear wax. In this method of ear wax removal, a vacuum apparatus designed for the ears is used.
It consists of a small and thin vacuum tip which is inserted into the ear and a vacuum is created. Then, it allows the doctor to remove the ear wax with micro-suction.
Ear Drops
In cases where ear wax is hard or impacted, its removal with the methods mentioned above can become tricky. Therefore, doctors prescribe drops to allow the wax to soften and remove it once it is soft enough.
Here are a few options,
- Medicated ear-softening drops: The over-the-counter drops are made up of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide
- Home remedies: Here the solutions can be baby oil, olive oil, glycerine, and mineral oil
What to Expect During Ear Wax Removal?
We discussed the procedures of ear wax removal earlier, now let us talk about how doctors approach a case of ear wax buildup and what you can expect. This will help you prepare mentally before your appointment.
History and Examination
In the history, the doctor asks questions about your symptoms, your lifestyle, normal health of the ears, the number of times you get a regular ENT check-up, and similar questions.
In the examination, he looks at your ears, nose, and throat to see their anatomy, signs of infection and more.
Investigation
While there is no specific investigation for ear wax removal, healthcare professionals use a tool known as an otoscope to look into your ears and diagnose the ear wax.
This tool is like a small camera that shows the details of the ear canal and wax buildup in the ears allowing the doctor to remove the wax accurately.
Procedure
Once the diagnosis is made,
- You can look forward to the removal of the wax through the methods we discussed earlier
- Furthermore, the doctor might ask you to use ear drops and come for ear wax removal treatment after a few days.
- Some patients can feel discomfort or itching in their ears during the process.
Aftercare
If you feel dizziness or itching during your ear wax removal, it might last for a few minutes to an hour after the process. In such cases, the doctor prescribes some solutions for maintaining ear health.
Alternative Approaches to see doctor Ear Wax Removal
Let us break the good news and introduce Bebird Note 5 Pro ear wax camera which allows you to remove your ear wax at home safely. This small tool provides an economical and specialist-trusted solution to expensive clinic visits.
It comes with a high-quality camera to look inside the ears, small silicone curettes to remove the compressed wax, and high-precision tweezers to remove any foreign body or impacted wax from the ears.
Conclusion
Excessive ear wax accumulates in the ear, is compressed deeper by unguided use of Q-tips, and can irritate your ear canal. Additionally, it interferes with the functions of the inner ear leading to a loss of balance. Not to mention that the chances of ear infections also increase.
Thus, the removal of the ear wax by a doctor becomes mandatory. A healthcare professional can use a curette, micro-suction, or bulb syringe to remove the excessive wax. We discussed the details of the procedures in this article.
Lastly, we suggest you try the Bebird ear wax removal tool as an economical alternative to clinic visits.