Ear Wax Removal

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Ear wax, also known as cerumen, is natural and serves a beneficial purpose. Ear wax is produced by glands that line the outer third of the ear canal and it isn’t wax at all. It’s water-soluble (it dissolves in water) and it’s there to collect dust, debris, dead skin cells, hair spray and all the other particles that would, otherwise, work its way down the ear canal to the tympanic membrane or ear drum.

According to The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head Neck Surgery Foundtion (AAO-HNSF) approximately 12 million people a year in the US seek medical care for impacted or excessive ear wax, which leads to roughly 8 million ear wax removal  procudures by hearing care professionals.

So you are not alone.

Ear wax removal home remedies consist primarily of using wax disovling agents. There are many over-the-counter products availabe that can manage ear wax build-up.

If you ear wax is excessive and the disovling agents are not working you should consult your physician or hearing care professoinal. The following ear wax removal techniques may be performed by your physician or hearing care professionals:

• irrigation - removal of ear wax with water under mild pressure
• manual removal of ear wax with special insturments
• suction performed and closely monitored by a hearing care professional