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Earwax buildup is a common problem for almost everyone around the globe. Accumulation of earwax inside the ear canal can cause various disorders like ear itchiness, earache, vertigo, dizziness, or even temporary hearing loss. Hearing problems due to earwax buildup can be really traumatic and frustrating.
If this condition remains untreated for a long-time, it can make you feel isolated and depressed. Therefore, earwax removal is necessary to keep such problems at bay. Keep reading to get an in-depth understanding of this subject.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Earwax Blockage?
If your earwax is not treated on time, it will continue to build-up within your ear canal and eventually worsen the situation. Some common symptoms may include:
- Hearing problems
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Ear irritation
- Cough
- Earache (pain in the ear)
- Stinking from the ears
However, the most common problem of earwax blockage is hearing loss, which can worsen in due course of time.
What Are the Causes of Earwax Impaction?
Following are the circumstances in which you can experience earwax impaction:
- Having hard or dry earwax
- Narrow ear canals
- Having a lot of hair inside the ear
- Wearing earplugs or earphones repeatedly
- Using cotton earbuds to clean the ears regularly
What Are the Treatment Methods for Removing Earwax?
You can either clean your earwax at home or consult an ENT specialist for better medical treatment. Mentioned below are the steps by which you can treat your earwax at home:
Step 1: You can put some drops of hydrogen peroxide, mineral oil, baby oil, glycerine, etc. into your affected ear canal to make the earwax softer. This may help you easily remove the wax.
Step 2: After using the wax softener, consider using a bulb-type syringe and gently clean the ear with warm water. Remember to keep the water at body temperature to avoid problems.
Step 3: After you are done with the above step, gently dry the outer part of your ear with a towel or dryer.
If you are finding it challenging, instead of taking risks, go for a hearing check-up or take medical treatment from an ENT specialist. Take a look at the medical treatment of earwax blockage.
What Is the Medical Treatment for Earwax Blockage?
Doctors will use any of the following methods to remove your earwax:
- They can use a small plastic spoon known as a curette to scoop it out.
- Doctors may use gentle suction to remove your earwax.
- They can moisten your ear with warm water, sodium bicarbonate, or other prescribed ear drops and flush out the wax from your ear.
To be precise, stagnation of earwax inside your ear canal above the eardrum may cause various aural issues as mentioned above. Thus, performing earwax removal from time to time is essential. For this, you can either adopt various natural home remedies or undergo specialised medical care, if the condition is serious.