Do you like me suffer from a build up of Ear Wax and want a method of safe Ear Wax Removal? I have set this site up to offer advice to people wishing to eliminate the problem of Ear Wax Removal.

It got that bad I lost all hearing in my left ear. So picture the scene. I was having a particularly bad day and after swimming I could hear nothing out of my left ear. I had that horrible feeling of fullness in my ear. I walked to my kitchen and pulled out the cocktail sticks. I slowly started flicking at my ear and little bits of wax were coming out. I was careful not to go to deep. I did this a few times then on the last time. WOW a huge plug of wax came out and landed in my sink. I COULD HEAR it was an amazing sensation.

Now I am in no way suggesting you should do this at home. I have put some information together on this site along with links to sites that offer remedies to the build up of wax and methods to extract wax safely.

Some of the traditional tools used to remove ear wax can cause Tinnitus. Which in its self can be painful and uncomfortable. This can also lead to ear infections which could lead to loss of hearing.

Ear Wax Removal The Facts

Removing wax--- Wax softeners for five days can be tried first and are often effective. Mechanical methods are the next step. The traditional way is with irrigation, after softening, with a metal hand held syringe. A safer method is an electric oral jet irrigator (with special ear irrigator tip), which provides better water pressure control and more precise water jet direction. Some people need further intervention, with wax removed under direct vision using suction, probes, or forceps.

Effects of impacted wax---Though some people are asymptomatic, others may have (in addition to some hearing loss) earache, itchinessin the ear, reflex cough, dizziness, vertigo, or tinnitus. Hearing impairment can cause frustration, stress, social isolation, paranoia,and depression.

Contraindications to syringing---Perforation (past or present) of the ear drum, ear infection, presence of a grommet, history of ear surgery, and young children who are uncooperative are contraindications to ear syringing.

Complications of syringing---Adverse effects are common. Perforation of the ear drum, otitis externa, damage to the external canal, pain, deafness, vertigo, and Tinnitus are all possible complications.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a wax plug within the ear can include:

    * Mild deafness

    * Earache

    * A sensation of fullness inside the ear

    * Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)

    * Dizziness.

Wax keeps the ears clean

The skin lining the ear canal contains glands that produce cerumen. This yellowish - brown waxy substance protects the tissues, and helps prevent infection by trapping micro-organisms, dirt and other irritants. Wax is constantly traveling towards the outer ear where it can drop out. Actions of the jaw, such as talking and chewing, help to ‘massage’ the wax out of the canal. The ear wax you see is a combination of cerumen, shed skin cells and dirt.

Risk factors

Some people are more prone to ear wax blockages than others. Reasons for this include:

    * A tendency to produce a lot of ear wax.

    * Narrow ear canals.

    * Hairy ear canals.

    * Overzealous cleaning with fingertips or cotton buds, which pushes wax further down the canals.

    * Working in dusty or dirty environments.

    * Inflammatory conditions of the skin or scalp.

Possible complications

In most cases, blockage of the ear canal with wax is a harmless event.

Diagnosis and treatment options

Your doctor diagnoses the condition by looking into the ear canal with an instrument called an otoscope. Treatment options may include:

    * Drops to soften the ear wax and help it to fall out on its own.

    * The use of an ear syringe to squirt warm water into the ear canal and float out the wax plug.

    * Withdrawal of the wax using a suction device.

    * Removing the wax with forceps or a special hook.

    * Large quantities of hardened wax may need to be treated by an ear specialist.

Prevention strategies

It is not possible to reduce the amount of ear wax you produce or widen your ear canals. However, there are ways to reduce the incidence of wax build-up, including:

    * Use wax-softening drops or oil twice a week, or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

    * Avoid cleaning the ear canals with cotton buds or fingertips, as any object poked into the ear can compact the wax.

    * Limit ear cleaning to the outer ear only.

    * Treat any associated inflammatory skin conditions.

Things to remember

    * The ear canal cleans itself with a waxy secretion called cerumen.

    * Sometimes, the wax builds up and causes symptoms, including mild deafness and a sensation of fullness inside the ear.

    * This condition is harmless and easily treated.

1. *Treatment options include drops to soften the wax, or irrigation of the canal with warm water squirted from a syringe.