If voices have started to sound muffled, you feel a stuffiness in your ears, or you’re dealing with headaches or earaches, impacted earwax could be to blame.
Earwax, or cerumen, is a naturally produced substance that protects our delicate ears from dust, dead skin, debris, and even insects as they enter the ear. However, too much of a good thing can lead to irritating itching in the ear, loss of hearing, and more if you’re dealing with too much earwax.
Professional ear cleaning is much safer and more effective than cotton swabs or trendy methods you might see online, but some individuals often worry about the comfort or safety of the method. As professionals in all things ear-related, we’re here to help answer some of the most common questions we get in the clinic.
How Often Should You Clean Your Ears?
We often have patients come in to visit us for an ear cleaning and wonder how often they should clean their ears at home. Funnily enough, the answer isn’t as often as you might think.
Our ears clean themselves – earwax will naturally remove itself from your ear canals by moving it along and out of your ears as you chew, talk, or move your jaw. For some, that earwax can build up quickly, which will require professional assistance.
We recommend getting your ears professionally cleaned at least twice a year (every 6 to 12 months). That way, if you’re struggling with excessive earwax buildup, an audiologist can help take care of the issue before it leads to more serious effects.
Can Clogged Ears Cause a Headache?
Clogged ears can lead to headaches or earaches in some circumstances, as the pressure will cause discomfort in your ears and head. An earwax impaction could also lead to loss of hearing, dizziness, tinnitus symptoms, itchiness in the ear canal, and decreased performance of hearing aids if you wear them.
If you’re experiencing any one of the symptoms listed above, it might be time to book a professional ear cleaning.
Does Earwax Removal Hurt?
Quite the opposite!
Professional earwax removal is safe, painless, and very comfortable. Some individuals have even commented on the intense relief that they feel after the impacted wax is removed!
Earwax removal of major impactions can sometimes cause dizziness for a few seconds after it’s removed, but this passes very quickly and should not affect you past that initial lightheaded feeling after the removal is done.
Safe and Effective Ear Cleaning with Nelson Audiology
There are some things in life that are best left to the professionals – removing stubborn earwax is one of them. With an expert cleaning your ears of stubborn earwax, you can rest assured that your hearing health is in good hands.
For those hesitant about discomfort or worried about getting hurt in the process, we guarantee that your safety is at front of mind when we’re cleaning your ears, alongside making sure you get the most relief possible!
Please feel free to request a callback for any questions or concerns you’d like to address, and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible to help.
Alternatively, you can find your closest clinic and give us a call for a more immediate conversation.
