When to See a Professional for Ear Cleaning

Beyond helping to detect and treat hearing loss, ear wax is one of the most common issues a hearing care provider has to deal with. Some people produce a lot more wax than others and, if it’s allowed to build up, it can diminish your hearing and make you more prone to infection, and other health issues. To make sure that doesn’t happen, here’s when you need to see your hearing care provider for an ear cleaning.

You’ve experienced these symptoms for an hour or more

There are a variety of minor symptoms that can point to the fact that you may have too much earwax in your ears, causing an impaction. These symptoms include

• Your ear is itchy
• You have a damp feeling in your ear or feel wax draining from it
• You experience popping sounds when eating, talking, or moving your jaw
• Your ear feels clogged or full
• Sounds are muffled, distorted, or simply lower than you’re used to

If any of these symptoms persist for longer than an hour, it’s a sign that you might need an ear cleaning. First, try taking a warm shower, which can help clear your ear, and wipe any excess wax on the outer ear with a towel. If that doesn’t work, you should schedule a cleaning.

You experience any of these symptoms even once

While the symptoms above are not severe, there are significant problems than an earwax impaction can cause. Earwax can lead to trapped bacteria in the ear, leading to an infection, or it can cause issues with the inner ear, leading to balance issues such as vertigo. Other potential issues include tinnitus, permanent hearing loss, and damage to the inner ear.

If you feel nauseous, experience any pain in your ear, develop a fever, or your ear causes you any difficulty with sleep, you should call your hearing care provider as soon as possible to arrange a cleaning and to ensure there is nothing else to worry about.

You have regular build ups of wax

If you have had to visit for regular ear cleaning appointments, there’s a good chance that you might simply produce more wax than others. This is particularly common for those who wear hearing aids and other devices in their ears regularly. Regular ear wax impactions are a good reason to see your hearing care provider for a cleaning every year or twice a year. As we get older, we also tend to produce more wax, so a little preventative maintenance to stop earwax blockages early and to prevent any risk factors of hearing loss might be a good idea. Your hearing care provider will help you know whether or not you need more regular cleanings.

If any of the above concerns apply to you, then it’s recommended you schedule an appointment for an ear cleaning with your hearing care provider. Do not attempt to clean your ears with dangerous methods like using a cotton bud or candling as these can do you much more harm than good.