Our ear canals produce a waxy oil called cerumen or ear wax. Ear wax can be gray, orange or yellow-ish in colour. Earwax in healthy amounts is actually a good thing for our ears. The wax protects our ears from debris, dead skin cells, dust and foreign particles, and earwax naturally migrates out of the ears. This actually makes our ears self-cleaning. The absence of earwax can result in dry, itchy ear canals.
At AudioSense, we can remove the wax for you, safely. We use specialized tools called curettes and irrigators, and we have been trained to do this.
Different people produce different amounts of wax. Some ears are prone to producing more wax than is necessary, which can lead to wax buildup. A wax buildup only becomes a concern when the wax creates a blockage in the ear canal. This can in turn prevent the migrating wax to do its job and clean our ears, which can lead to infections. If you use hearing aids then ear wax build can result in feedback and muffled sound amplification which can interfere with the existing hearing loss treatment you may be receiving. Other concerns of wax blockage include: temporary hearing loss, tinnitus, ear pain, sensation of fullness in the ears, or discomfort in the ears.
At AudioSense, we remove earwax safely and comfortably using specialized audiology tools. Depending on the nature of the buildup, we may use gentle irrigation (warm water flushing) and/or manual removal with a curette. Our goal is always to be as gentle and comfortable as possible. Most patients experience immediate relief once the wax is cleared. If your wax is impacted, we may recommend softening drops at home first (such as mineral oil) to make removal easier and more comfortable at your appointment.
If you feel blocked, are noticing dull hearing, have new tinnitus, or suspect wax buildup, professional removal is the safest and most effective first step. It often solves the problem quickly.
The most common cause of wax blockage is actually created when people try to clean their ears by removing their own wax at home with Q-tips, bobby pins, cotton or any other objects. Wearing earphones or earbuds can also cause some wax buildup. This is because in both cases, the Q-tip, cleaning tool or earphone can prevent the wax from migrating out naturally, thus allowing it to buildup in the canal and eventually, potentially causing a wax blockage in the ear.
There’s an old saying that goes: “Never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ears”. While this isn’t always realistic advice, it does hold true, to prevent wax buildup and blockage.
If your ears feel plugged, your hearing seems suddenly muffled, or your hearing aids aren't sounding as clear as usual, earwax may be the cause. At AudioSense Hearing Clinic, our audiologists provide safe, gentle cerumen removal that restores comfort and clarity in one visit.
Book your ear wax removal appointment today. We'll help you hear clearly again, quickly and safely.
