Ear / Cleaning

What is Cerumen?

Cerumen is commonly known as “earwax’. It is a substance that is naturally produced by the glands in your ears and serves to lubricate the ear canals and keep dust/debris out.

In some cases, cerumen may begin to accumulate and cause a blockage. Some symptoms include:

Earache
Ringing in the ears (also known as Tinnitus)
Hearing Loss
Ear Pressure

Removing Ear Wax

Earwax should be professionally removed. Depending on the consistency of the wax, your audiologist will utilize one of the following methods to remove it.

Curette – if the wax is not deep and is a softer consistency, the audiologist will remove it using a metal curette. This is the simplest and least invasive method but requires great skill so that the ear canal is not abraded or irritated while removing.

Suction– if the wax is deep and cannot be reached safely with a curette, the audiologist will use suction to pull the wax closer to the entrance of the ear canal. This can only work if the wax is a soft consistency. The audiologist may choose to soften the wax prior to using suction for a more comfortable and safe removal.

Earigator – irrigation is an effective and comfortable way to remove wax. By using warm water and effectively softening the wax while flushing it, the wax is removed comfortably and painlessly. It is not used if the patient has a perforated eardrum.

Cerumen Management

Cerumen management is a preventive maintenance procedure. The audiologist will work with the patient on routine ear care and set a quarterly schedule for cerumen removal and follow-up visits.

Call our office, if you are experiencing pain or discomfort as a result of earwax. Our audiologists are available to help.