Earwax Removal
Safe, gentle, and effective removal of excess earwax by trained hearing healthcare professionals.
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Expert Earwax Management
At Hearing Doctors of the Heartland, we provide professional earwax (cerumen) removal services performed by our experienced audiologists and hearing instrument specialists. Using specialized equipment and techniques, we safely and effectively remove troublesome earwax buildup that can cause discomfort, hearing difficulties, or interfere with hearing aid performance. Our gentle approach prioritizes your comfort while thoroughly addressing excess cerumen that home remedies cannot safely remove.
Why Professional Earwax Removal Matters
Earwax is a natural substance that protects and lubricates the ear canal, trapping dust and debris before they reach the eardrum. However, some people produce excessive amounts of earwax or experience impactions that can cause symptoms such as fullness, itching, pain, hearing loss, or tinnitus. While earwax typically migrates out of the ear naturally, sometimes it needs professional attention. Home removal attempts with cotton swabs often push wax deeper into the canal, worsening the problem and potentially causing injury to the ear canal or eardrum.
Immediate relief from earwax-related symptoms
Reduced risk of ear canal or eardrum injury
Improved hearing aid performance and comfort
Expert assessment of ear canal health
Signs that you may need professional earwax removal include a feeling of fullness in the ear, muffled hearing, earache, itching, discharge, odor, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), or dizziness. If you wear hearing aids, excessive earwax can also cause feedback or reduced sound quality from your devices.
We use several safe and effective techniques depending on your specific situation, including microscopic visualization with specialized instruments, gentle irrigation with body-temperature water, suction for precise removal, and the curette method for targeted extraction; our audiologists select the most appropriate method based on your ear canal's condition and the nature of the wax buildup.
Professional earwax removal should not be painful when performed correctly. You may feel some pressure or strange sensations, but our gentle techniques prioritize your comfort throughout the procedure. Our providers use microscopic visualization to ensure precise and careful removal.
Most earwax removal appointments take 15-30 minutes, depending on the amount and consistency of the wax and whether both ears need treatment.
This varies greatly among individuals. Some people need professional cleaning every few months, while others may only need it once a year or less. We can help determine an appropriate schedule based on your body's earwax production and any hearing aid use.
We recommend avoiding insertion of anything into your ear canal, including cotton swabs, which can push wax deeper and cause impaction or injury. For routine cleaning, wiping the outer ear with a washcloth is sufficient. If you produce excessive earwax, we can recommend safe home maintenance methods appropriate for your specific situation.
Earwax and Hearing Aid Care
If you wear hearing aids, regular professional earwax management is especially important. Excess earwax can block the sound outlet of hearing aids, reducing their effectiveness and potentially causing feedback issues. Additionally, hearing aids can sometimes interfere with the natural migration of earwax out of the ear canal, increasing the likelihood of buildup.
During your earwax removal appointment, we can also thoroughly clean your hearing aids, ensuring optimal performance. We'll check for wax blockage in microphone ports and receivers, replace wax guards if needed, and verify proper function. This comprehensive approach helps maintain both your ear health and your hearing aid performance.
For hearing aid users, we may recommend more frequent earwax checks as part of your regular hearing healthcare routine. This preventive approach can help avoid sudden hearing aid problems and ensure consistent sound quality from your devices.
Expert Care for Your Ear Health
At Hearing Doctors of the Heartland, our approach to earwax removal emphasizes both safety and effectiveness. Our providers have specialized training and equipment to visualize your ear canal throughout the procedure, ensuring thorough removal without damage to delicate ear structures.
As part of our comprehensive ear care, we also provide education on ear health and safe cleaning practices. We can help you understand your personal earwax production patterns and develop an appropriate maintenance plan that may include periodic professional cleanings and safe home care techniques.
Prior to any earwax removal procedure, we conduct a thorough examination of your ear canal and eardrum to check for any conditions that might require medical attention or affect the removal process. This careful assessment helps ensure the safest possible outcome.
Schedule Your Earwax Removal Appointment
If you're experiencing symptoms of earwax buildup or your hearing aids aren't performing optimally due to wax accumulation, professional removal can provide immediate relief. Contact our Ankeny location to schedule an appointment with our experienced providers.
Don't risk injury to your ears with unsafe home removal attempts or endure unnecessary discomfort from excess earwax. Our gentle, effective removal techniques can quickly resolve earwax issues and help maintain your overall ear health and hearing wellness.