Wax Removal

Wax removal, or cerumen management, is the clinical process of clearing accumulated earwax from the ear canal when it is causing symptoms or obstructing examination. While cerumen normally migrates out of the ear canal on its own, some individuals produce more wax than the canal can clear, have narrow canals that accumulate wax more readily, or push wax deeper by using cotton swabs. A blocked ear canal can cause muffled hearing, a plugged sensation, tinnitus, itching, ear pain, or interference with hearing aid function.

Professional removal methods include microsuction (a small suction device under direct visualization), curette removal (a small scoop or loop instrument), and irrigation (a controlled stream of warm water). The appropriate method depends on the type of wax, the condition of the ear canal and eardrum, and the patient's history. Irrigation is not appropriate when there is a known or suspected eardrum perforation.

Regular cerumen management is part of ongoing hearing aid care for many users, as hearing aids can trap wax and accelerate buildup in the ear canal.