Ear Wax
Ear wax is naturally produced by your body to clean and protect the ear. It also, protects the ear from irritation due to water, dust and insects.
Ear wax usually gradually works itself to the opening of the ear where it falls out or is washed away in the shower.
Why ear wax builds up or becomes impacted
There are many reasons why the ear canal can become blocked with wax
Excessive hairs in the ear canal.
Narrow ear canal.
Dry skin conditions in the ears such as eczema.
Using cotton buds to ‘clean’ the ear. Fibres from the bud can become stuck in the ear canal causing blockages. Cotton buds push the wax deep into the ear canal and impacts the wax making it difficult for the wax to fall out naturally.
Hearing aids, ear plugs and ear buds (head phones which sit inside the ear canal) can prevent wax from naturally falling out of the ear.
Symptoms of blocked ear canals/ impacted ear wax
Hearing loss
Ear ache or a feeling that your ears are blocked.
ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus)
vertigo (feeling dizzy or sick)
Ear Wax and Hearing Aids
Audiologists cannot assess hearing if the ear canal is filled with wax. Audiologists will advise ear wax removal prior to a hearing test if ear wax is suspected.
A build up of ear wax can prevent hearing aids from working effectively and can make then uncomfortable in the ear.
What is Ear Syringing/Irrigation
Ear irrigation, more commonly known as ear syringing is the flushing of the ear canal with warm water to remove problematic ear wax, debris or foreign objects such as small insects or food.
Ear syringing is a safe and effective way of removing all of the above.
Ear syringing is NOT painful.
Contraindications
Ear syringing cannot be performed if you: -
have a damaged ear drum, including a present perforated ear drum (tympanic membrane)
have previously had ear surgery
have had grommets inserted within the last 18 months
have a cleft pallet
have an active ear infection