Whether it leads to ear pain or pressure, a buildup of earwax is associated with many uncomfortable symptoms. A blockage of earwax is usually caused by an overproduction of earwax or insufficient cleaning.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of an earwax buildup, an ear specialist on our team can help remove the blockage and ease these painful symptoms.
Do I Have an Earwax Buildup?
Symptoms of earwax buildup include an earache, a feeling of fullness in the ear and tinnitus. Eventually, the buildup may lead to severe ear pain or a fever.
How Do ENTs Remove Excess Earwax?
It’s always best to consult with a medical professional about earwax removal. If you’re experiencing discomfort or other uncomfortable symptoms, our providers at ENT NOW – Des Peres can help.
During your appointment, our provider will examine your ear with an otoscope. Your doctor can remove excess wax by using:
- Suction
- Flushing with a water pick or warm water
- A surgical instrument called a curet
Our provider will explain each option to you and determine which will be the most helpful for your situation.
How Can I Safely Remove Earwax at Home?
Your doctor will walk you through the process of removing earwax at home and determine if it’s a good fit for you. You should not remove wax yourself if you have ear tubes. Additionally, avoid using cotton swabs to attempt to remove earwax, as this often simply pushes the wax deeper into the ear.
To safely remove earwax:
- Use an eye dropper to apply a few drops of baby oil, mineral oil or hydrogen peroxide into the ear canal in order to soften the wax.
- Once the wax is softened, use a rubber bulb syringe to gently squirt warm water into your ear canal.
- After the water has drained out of the ear, the ear should be dried with a towel.
You may need to repeat this process several times to remove all the wax.
How Can I Prevent Earwax Buildups?
If earwax buildup is a frequent problem for you, our provider might write a prescription for wax-removal medication. We want you to be as comfortable as possible, and we’ll work to find the best solutions if earwax blockage becomes a long-term issue.
Whether this is your first earwax buildup or the next in a long line of blockages, our providers are here to help. We’ll help you determine which treatment method is the best fit for you.