Earwax often gets a bad reputation, but did you know that it plays a crucial role in protecting your ears? Despite common misconceptions, you don’t typically need to remove earwax. However, in some cases, excessive buildup can lead to muffled hearing or discomfort. When that happens, it’s essential to consult a specialist before attempting any at-home remedies.
How Earwax Affects Your Hearing
Your body produces earwax to trap dust, debris and bacteria, keeping your ears clean and healthy. Normally, wax moves out of the ear on its own. However, excessive buildup can create a blockage that affects your hearing, making sounds seem muffled or distant. If you wear hearing aids, accumulated wax can cause feedback—a high-pitched whistling sound—as sound waves bounce off the blockage.
Safe Earwax Management
If you suspect earwax is causing hearing issues, the first step is to see a hearing specialist. They can examine your ears to determine whether wax buildup is the culprit and, if necessary, remove it safely using professional techniques like irrigation, suction or specialized removal tools. This process is quick and painless and ensures your ears remain healthy.
The Dangers of Unsafe At-Home Earwax Removal
It may be tempting to try removing earwax at home, but doing so without professional guidance can cause more harm than good. Cotton swabs, bobby pins or other small objects can push wax deeper into the ear canal, increasing the risk of impaction or even damaging the eardrum. Similarly, methods like ear candling are ineffective and potentially dangerous.
If your specialist recommends at-home maintenance, they may suggest earwax softening drops or a bulb syringe for gentle irrigation. You should only use these safe at-home removal methods if your hearing specialist recommends regular earwax removal. Otherwise, you could be removing wax unnecessarily, preventing it from doing its job to keep your ears germ-free.
When to Seek Professional Help
Your hearing is essential—don’t take chances with unsafe ear care. If you notice persistent muffled hearing, ear fullness or discomfort, schedule an appointment with Decibel Hearing Services for a safe ear exam and wax removal.