Blocked ears can be bothersome, often leading to muffled hearing, dizziness, or even sudden hearing loss. If you’re dealing with one or more of these symptoms, a common cause is the buildup of earwax.
Earwax, or cerumen, is a naturally occurring substance that the body produces to lubricate and protect the ear canal. However, when it accumulates and hardens, it can cause a blockage.
While earwax is essential for keeping our ear canals clean and protecting the eardrums from debris, excessive buildup can lead to discomfort and hearing challenges.
Struggling with muffled hearing or clogged ears? There are several ways to help clean your ears, both at home and with a professional, but which is the most effective for clear and clean hearing?
Safe Methods for At-Home Ear Cleaning
Before you reach for the cotton swabs to relieve clogged ears at home, which can push earwax further into your ears and cause further damage, there are two safe methods to clean your ears at home.
1. Over-the-Counter Eardrops:
Pharmacies offer eardrops designed to soften earwax, allowing it to naturally exit the ear canal. To use these drops, tilt your head so that the affected ear faces upward, apply the drops as directed, and let them work on softening the wax buildup. Then, tilt your head in the opposite way to let the wax and excess drops drain out.
2. Gentle Cleaning of Outer Ears:
For wax that is visible on the outer ear, a gentle wipe with a damp washcloth can help. It is important to avoid inserting the washcloth into the ear canal, as this can cause damage or leave behind water.
When to Seek Professional Help
If at-home treatments provide little relief, it may be essential to consult a health professional. Persistent earwax impaction can lead to more severe health issues, including permanent hearing loss, if not addressed promptly.
Instead of using at-home kits or earwax removal tools that might cause harm, it is advisable to visit a family doctor or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist that can safely remove accumulated earwax and assess your overall ear health.
Comprehensive Hearing Care Services
For those worried about their hearing health beyond earwax issues, professional hearing assessments are crucial. Certified hearing centers, led by compassionate professionals, widely offer hearing tests and can recommend advanced hearing aid technology if necessary for your unique hearing needs.
If you have suspected that earwax buildup might have affected your hearing, seeking comprehensive hearing care services is advisable.
By choosing to consult professionals for ear health issues, you not only ensure effective and safe treatment for earwax impaction but also gain access to ongoing support for your hearing health needs.
Your hearing’s integrity is vital to keeping your independent and active lifestyle, and professional guidance can help preserve it!
To learn more about advanced hearing healthcare, our team is happy to help. Please feel free to visit our website to schedule a hearing assessment, or give us a call at (888) 691-3821.
