The Risks of At Home Ear Wax Removal

Ear wax is a naturally occurring product. Its scientific name is Cerumen and is produced by our bodies to protect the ear canal and ear drum from external dirt and dust. While ear wax is vital in protecting our ear drum and ear canal, a build-up of this can lead to hearing difficulty. For some people their ear wax can become hard, leading to an infection, earaches, hearing loss and other issues. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be time to remove your ear wax.

Many people will turn to cotton buds to do this at home, however there are a number of risks associated with removing ear wax yourself. When tackling an ear wax build up, we always recommend you speak with a trained Audiologist who can remove your ear wax using professional techniques. These are much less likely to cause any harm. Below we have addressed some of the risks associated with removing ear wax at home and some things to consider.

Why you should not remove an ear wax build-up yourself

You cannot see inside your ear

Removing the ear wax build up yourself means you are going in blind. Without the correct tools and understanding of your ear’s structure, you cannot see inside the ear to be sure you are removing all the wax and avoiding damage. By taking a cotton bud and blindly poking around inside your ear, you are putting yourself at risk of harm or infection. When visiting an Audiologist, a video otoscopy will be undertaken to examine the build-up before the removal process takes place. The trained Audiologist will use this video to examine for any existing infections or concerns within the ear.

You could potentially cause a lot of damage to the internal ear

As the internal ear is so fragile and delicate, the structure is easily damaged. Many people have found DIY ear wax removal has caused issues with their ear drums, leaving them in a lot of pain. The ear drum is particularly sensitive and can rupture incredibly easily, even with a small amount of pressure from what many would consider a gentle device, like a cotton bud. A ruptured ear drum is very painful and may cause further issues, such as hearing loss, if not treated quickly.

An Audiologist is very aware of the sensitivity of an ear drum and will remove a build-up of ear wax, working around the ear drum to avoid any unnecessary and painful damage.

The earwax could be pushed further into the ear

Most people will not realise they are doing this but by using various objects to remove the wax, you may also be pushing the wax further into your ear. This could eventually lead to a blockage and pain or discomfort from within the ear. With a professional ear wax removal, the Audiologist will consult the results of a video otoscopy to ensure the entire build-up has been removed.

You are putting yourself at risk of an infection

By using foreign objects to remove the wax build up from your ear canal, you are putting yourself at risk of an ear infection. The skin inside and around the ear is very delicate and has natural occurring bacteria, which, if disturbed, can increase your chances of an infection. Ear infections are usually easily treated, often with some medication. However, if left untreated an infection can spread and become much more problematic.

Professional Ear wax removal from London Hearing Specialist

At London Hearing Specialist we offer professional ear wax removal for both adults and children. Our Audiologists have spent time having specialised training in Micro-Suction ear wax removal, to offer this service to our clients. All our Audiologists work to offer tailored solutions to all our patients, using the latest in cutting edge technology. Coupled with great clinical standards and a human touch, the team at London Hearing Specialist work to ensure all our patients leave with faith in their Audiologist. For our professional ear wax removal services, get in touch today.