Ear wax, also called cerumen, is a natural substance produced by glands in the ear canal. It plays a vital role in keeping ears clean and protected.
Dust, debris, and bacteria can get trapped in the wax, preventing them from reaching the eardrum. Sometimes, the body overproduces wax, causing blockages.
Using cotton swabs or inserting objects can push wax deeper, leading to buildups. Water exposure can also soften wax and make it hard to remove.
In such cases, you may need the help of an ENT specialist to help with impacted earwax removal. Learn more on this page; https://drsomaent.com/condition/impacted-earwax/.
So, is it Healthy to Remove Ear Wax?
First things first; in an ideal scenario, your ears are designed to be self-cleaning, and meddling with ear wax removal might not be necessary. However, an excess buildup of earwax, leading to symptoms or hindering proper medical examinations, can result in cerumen impaction.
This condition occurs when the ear canal is entirely filled with earwax, affecting one or both ears. Under these circumstances, extracting the excess ear wax could indeed offer health benefits.
Nevertheless, a crucial point to remember is that attempting to remove ear wax by yourself could lead to more harm than good. There exists a genuine risk of inadvertently pushing the earwax deeper into your ear canal, exacerbating the problem and potentially causing complications.
So, when might you consider seeking professional help for ear wax removal? If you experience symptoms such as earache, decreased hearing, ringing in the ears, or a sensation of fullness in the ear, consult an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist.
They can conduct a proper examination, determine whether cerumen impaction is present, and employ safe and effective methods to remove the excess earwax. It’s essential to resist the urge to insert cotton swabs, hairpins, or any other objects into your ear canal.
These actions can inadvertently push the wax deeper and lead to injury. Instead, entrust the task to a qualified ENT specialist who can utilize appropriate tools and techniques to ensure a successful and safe removal process.
What Happens if you Remove Ear Wax?
To begin with and as earlier explained, the ear wax acts as a natural defense mechanism, safeguarding the delicate ear canal. It does not only trap dust.
It also helps trap debris, and harmful microorganisms, preventing them from reaching the eardrum and causing potential damage or infection. And what’s more, ear wax also moisturizes the skin inside the ear.
So, it helps prevent dryness and itching in the ear. Now, when it comes to ear wax removal, many people resort to cotton swabs or other objects to remove ear wax.
In many cases, those who try this are unaware of the risks involved. Again, as earlier explained inserting objects into the ear canal can push wax deeper, causing blockages and impacting the eardrum.
This may not only lead to pain. It can also cause other adverse effects like hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), or even rupture of the eardrum. Moreover, self-removal attempts can lead to skin irritation, infection, or damage to sensitive structures within the ear.
But professional ear wax removal, performed by trained medical personnel, offers several advantages. Key among these includes;
- Safe and Effective: If you undergo a professional ear wax removal, you should experience an improvement in your hearing. In fact, your hearing may return completely once the doctors remove the blockage. This is because, professionals use specialized tools and techniques to gently remove ear wax without harming the ear canal or eardrum. This ensures effective removal without risking complications.
- Accurate Assessment: A qualified healthcare provider can evaluate the extent of wax buildup and determine if removal is necessary. They can identify underlying issues that might be contributing to excess wax production.
- Preventing Complications: Professionals can identify signs of ear infections, eardrum perforations, or other ear conditions that might not be apparent to the untrained eye. Timely detection can prevent worsening of these conditions.
- Minimized Discomfort: Properly trained practitioners are skilled in minimizing discomfort during the procedure. This helps reduce the risks of pain or irritation. Also, professional ear wax removal reduces the risk of pushing wax deeper into the ear canal or causing damage to delicate structures.
- Tailored Approach: ENT specialists customize the approach based on individual circumstances. They consider factors like the type of wax, any pre-existing conditions, and the patient’s medical history.
- Quick and Efficient: Trained practitioners can efficiently remove ear wax, often in a single session. This helps save time and hassle compared to repeated attempts at home.
- Reduced Risk of Infection: Improper self-removal can introduce bacteria into the ear canal, increasing the risk of infection. Professional removal minimizes this risk and ensures a sterile environment.
When to Seek Professional Help: While ear wax removal can offer benefits, it’s essential to know when to seek professional assistance. Book an appointment with an ENT specialist for ear wax removal if you;
- Experience Persistent Symptoms: If you find yourself grappling with persistent symptoms such as earache, diminished hearing, persistent ringing sounds (tinnitus), or a sensation of fullness within the ear, it’s a prudent step to seek guidance from a healthcare professional. These symptoms could signal an underlying issue that requires attention to prevent any potential complications from arising.
- Have Underlying Conditions: For individuals with a history of prior ear problems, past ear surgeries, or eardrum perforations, opting for the expertise of a trained professional for ear wax removal is a judicious choice. Such conditions can make the ear more vulnerable, and attempting self-removal may exacerbate existing problems and lead to undesirable outcomes.
- Have Health Concerns: Individuals living with health conditions such as diabetes, compromised immune systems, or circulatory impairments should exercise caution when considering self-removal of ear wax. Engaging in self-removal under these circumstances can heighten the likelihood of infection due to the compromised ability of the body to combat potential pathogens.
- Impacted Wax: In scenarios where ear wax buildup leads to noticeable blockage or discomfort, entrusting the task of removal to a trained professional is a prudent course of action. Attempting self-removal in such instances could inadvertently push the wax further into the ear canal, worsening the blockage or potentially causing harm.
The Bottom Line
Professional ear wax removal offers numerous benefits, ensuring safe and effective management while preventing potential complications. Seeking trained medical assistance for ear wax concerns is a responsible choice that contributes to maintaining healthy ears and optimal hearing function.
Remember, when it comes to your ears, it’s always best to prioritize safety and consult a healthcare professional. To learn more about impacted ear wax removal in Singapore or schedule an appointment for a professional assessment, call or visit us at;
Allergy & Sinus ENT Specialist Centre Head & Neck Surgery Singapore
321 Joo Chiat Place,
#05-01 Parkway East Specialist Hospital
Singapore, 427990
+65 9856 8391