If you’ve scheduled an earwax removal appointment at your local audiologist’s office, it might be helpful to know what to expect during your visit. After all, the more you know in advance, the more relaxed you’ll be and the easier it can be for your doctor to do the job!
First, it’s important to remember that earwax plays an important role in ear health. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about here … everyone has it! Next, it’s important to know why professional earwax removal is recommended instead of trying to remove a wax buildup yourself.
Today, we’ll walk you through when to enlist the help of a hearing professional as well as what to expect when you do.
When is professional earwax removal necessary?
Many people never need to even be concerned about earwax removal. Their bodies create the right amount of earwax and the wax is just the right consistency. It traps sloughed skin cells and other debris and makes its way out of the ear canal all on its own.
Some people, however, are over-producers, meaning their bodies create more earwax than is necessary. Others have earwax that’s sticky and clumps easily. Excessive amounts of wax and wax with a sticky consistency can both lead to earwax buildups.
While some people attempt DIY earwax removal, we don’t recommend it. That’s because most people don’t have the knowledge or tools to safely and effectively remove an earwax buildup. Instead, their efforts tend to push the wax further into the ear and can even cause damage to delicate ear parts.
In general, you should seek the help of a hearing professional if you:
- Experience ear pain or discomfort
- Have itchy ears, feel pressure, or experience a feeling of fullness inside your ears
- Notice hearing loss or tinnitus that you didn’t previously have
These are common signs that you may need to schedule a professional earwax removal appointment. If an earwax buildup is not the cause of your pain, discomfort, or hearing loss, a hearing professional can recommend further testing or evaluation to get to the root of the problem.
How long does the average earwax removal appointment take?
When you arrive for your appointment and are taken to the appropriate treatment room, you’ll have the opportunity to explain your symptoms to the audiologist or other hearing professional. If you’re not already a regular patient, they will also want to know about your medical and health history.
Then, the audiologist will perform a visual examination with an otoscope to determine whether an earwax buildup is, in fact, present. If it is, they will then decide upon the appropriate wax removal method for your specific situation.
For most patients, an earwax removal appointment takes between 15 and 30 minutes. With larger buildups, treatment may require a longer time frame and multiple methods. On the other hand, if it’s only a small buildup and/or you’ve had removal done before, your appointment could be finished in as little as 15 minutes.
How is an earwax buildup removed by an audiologist?
Now that you know when professional earwax removal is necessary and how long it takes, let’s talk about how it’s actually done. In general, there are two primary earwax removal methods:
- Manual method: A small tool called a curette is used to scoop earwax out of the ear canal. Alternatively, your doctor may use suction or forceps to remove the buildup. A video otoscope gives your doctor an inside look at the ear canal so he/she can see what they’re doing and how much wax is left.
- Irrigation method: Yep, this is just what it sounds like! The irrigation method entails using a water-filled syringe to gently soften and flush out the impacted earwax.
Sometimes, both earwax removal methods are warranted during the same appointment. It all depends on the size of buildup and the consistency of the wax. Want to know exactly what professional earwax removal looks like before you go? Check out this video of 10 different earwax extractions …
What happens after an earwax removal appointment?
The good news is that once your earwax removal appointment is finished, you can go back to everyday life as you know it. Many of our clients report being able to hear better once the wax buildup has been removed. They often experience less ear pain and discomfort as well. Just be sure that you don’t return to old habits of using Q-tips or other objects to clean your ears.
The less exciting news is that if you’re prone to having too much earwax, or your earwax is of the consistency that promotes buildups, you’ll likely need another earwax removal appointment in the not-so-distant future. While this may feel like an inconvenience, remember that keeping your ears clean and free of debris is important for your hearing health.
Professional earwax removal services in Mesa and Scottsdale, AZ
At Advanced Hearing Group, we are committed to providing expert hearing healthcare services so that people can hear well and live well. With offices in both Mesa and Scottsdale, AZ, our audiologists are able to help clients from all over the greater Phoenix area including Gilbert, Tempe, Queen Creek, Chandler, and more.
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms associated with an earwax buildup, please contact us today to schedule an earwax removal appointment. We are often able to accommodate same-day or next-day appointments so you can be back to feeling better as soon as possible!