Your ears need wax. Earwax is a natural substance produced by the body to combat various other harmful conditions.
You may have already experienced this sensation after you went swimming and got water in your ears. Imagine that feeling 24/7; that’s what clogged ears feel like.
A buildup of wax, or impacted wax, can present itself in many ways. The most common of which will be the feeling of your ears being blocked or clogged up.
Too much earwax, or impacted earwax, can present many different challenges if left unattended. Temporary hearing loss, a feeling of fullness in your ears, dizziness, headaches, or even balance issues can all be due to wax buildup.
While there are many ways to create impacted earwax, we have noticed a clear number one cause – cotton swabs. This everyday bathroom staple used to remove earwax can actually push it deeper into your ear canal, which leads to blockage.
I have seen this problem in many people who think they have a hearing loss. This is relieving when they find out that the problem is a blockage and can be treated quickly.
Our team of professionals is trained in the removal process and can promptly have your hearing back to normal.
SIDE NOTE: It may be tempting to get an over-the-counter hearing aid to remedy this problem since most people think it’s due to hearing loss. However, with no consultation from a professional, you may end up causing more problems than solving them. Thousands of people have made this mistake and incurred long-term problems because of it. A professional consultation is highly recommended for any medical issue you may be experiencing.
You don’t have to look far online to find someone promising you relief from your hearing issues.
Unfortunately, most of these companies are there to sell a product more than to help you improve your hearing. Any medical products being sold without consultation should raise red flags.
We have been helping residents of Central Florida with better hearing since 1993. If you prefer to try and clear your ears yourself, please read about these 5 most common ways so you can make an informed decision.
1. Ear Drops Sold Over The Counter
Over-the-counter ear drops can be used to relieve mild cases of earwax buildup.
The tricky part is knowing whether your case is “mild” or not. Self-diagnosis is a slippery slope and should be used with caution.
Chances are, if you are having a sensation of blocked or clogged ears, then you have already surpassed what would be considered “mild.”
Many patients get swayed by the low cost of ear drops but end up having to come to visit us anyway. The choice of cheap relief with the possibility of no results should not be tempting when compared to the overwhelming effectiveness of partnering with a professional.
2. Ear Candling
This method is prevalent online, as people love how cheap it is and get attracted by its simplicity. This technique involves placing a hollowed out wax coated candle in the ear in attempt to draw earwax from the canal.
There is debate that the waxy substance that remains on the cone at the end of the procedure is in fact just debris from the candle itself.
At this time, there is no proof that this method is successful. However, as hearing care professionals, we strongly advise against ear candling, as it is highly unsafe and can result in facial burns and ear injuries.
3. Remove Wax Using A Cotton Swab
This technique has been used for decades by parents all over the US and the world.
With little instruction and even less technique, it used to be commonplace to insert a swab and just start twisting and poking around in the hopes of digging out your earwax.
What most people don’t realize is this method is most likely the cause of your impacted earwax. The reason is that the swab pushes the earwax further into your ear rather than remove it.
Poking around too much can also cause physical damage to the ear canal as well.
Please do not use cotton swabs on your children. Speak to your local hearing care professional for advice on safe earwax removal techniques.
4. Olive Oil – Not Just For Salad Dressing
If this sounds like an old-school technique that has been handed down from generation to generation, then that’s because it is.
Used by grandmothers worldwide, this technique can be effective for some. As long as the olive oil is administered in small quantities, it can positively affect softening your impacted earwax.
It’s not a quick fix and may take a couple of days for the olive oil to soften the wax enough for it to fall out eventually, but it’s still much safer than other methods.
Use low-cost, over-the-counter olive oil that is available for this exact reason.
There are a couple of cautionary notes to make.
If you have a history of allergies to olive oil, then you should avoid this entirely. Also, if you have a ruptured eardrum, then olive oil can make it worse, so please avoid it and speak to your hearing care professional for advice on your next best steps.
5. Earwax Removal By A Hearing Healthcare Professional
If you’re looking for the most successful way to clear your ear blockage, then seeking professional help is your best bet.
Most people who inquire about these remedies are already past the point of them having a lasting effect. As Florida’s most trusted hearing care professionals, Preferred Hearing Centers is the go-to place for local people that want the highest level of hearing care.
Our experienced team of specialists uses the latest and safest tools available to remove your blockage and get you back to hearing correctly again. We have at our disposal an earigator, head loop, curette, and manual removal. With all these options available to us, you can be sure you’re in the best of hands.
We also use this opportunity to take notes of your current hearing, which may help you in the future.
Your Next Steps
Our team at Preferred Hearing Centers has helped thousands of patients in Florida, and many of them were in the same situation you’re in right now.
With offices in Winter Springs and East Orlando, we’re the local family-owned hearing care experts you can trust.
To ask a question or schedule an earwax removal appointment, please click here for full information.
