Earwax Removal
PACIFIC HEARING SERVICE
Earwax Removal
Are You Experiencing Earwax Blockage?
Your body produces earwax (also called cerumen) to moisturize the ear canal, fight off infections, and shield against dirt. Although earwax helps keep your ear canals healthy, it can often block the ear canals, causing reduced hearing. Fortunately, this is one hearing problem that is easily remedied!
The audiologists at Pacific Hearing Service are experts in earwax removal. We use a range of removal techniques to safely extract a build-up of earwax and improve your hearing. These techniques may include suction, gentle use of curettes, application of ear wax softeners, and irrigation.
With just a few steps, occluding earwax can be removed, making a significant difference in your hearing.
What is Earwax?
Earwax consists of dead skin cells and secretions in the ear canal created by the ceruminous and sebaceous glands. Typically, earwax works its way along the ear canal toward the outer ear, coating the canal to collect debris.
When earwax reaches the opening of the ear it either falls out or is removed when you wash. Most of the time, you don’t even notice this.
How Does Earwax Become Impacted?
One of the main factors contributing to earwax impaction is the use of cotton swabs.
When you try to remove earwax by inserting a cotton swab in your ear, you usually make things worse.
You may get a small amount on the tip of the swab making you think you have been successful, but you have likely pushed even more wax deep into the ear canal where this excess can start accumulating. The deeper the accumulation, the more challenging it may be for your hearing care professional to remove it.
Removal may also be more uncomfortable when the buildup is deeper, in the more sensitive portions of the ear canal. Remember what your mother told you: “Never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear canal!”
How Do I Know I Have a Buildup?
There are various indicators of wax buildup, but the most common include:
- Hearing loss
- Earache
- Sense of ear fullness
- Itching in the ear
- Dizziness/vertigo
- Ringing in the ears
Earwax Removal Treatment
The best way to extract earwax is to consult with a specialist who can use expert tools to safely remove it and clean your ear.
At Pacific Hearing Service, we offer earwax removal by using a syringe or curette.
Our team simply fills the syringe with water and inserts it into the ear to flush out any compacted wax. For stubborn blockages, we can use a scoop tool that allows us to carve out the wax with a curette.
What we emphasize is that our team is expertly trained in earwax removal and has been practicing for many years.
Although an at-home DIY removal can be a quick band-aid to the problem, one simple mistake can be extremely detrimental to your ear health, causing further impact, infection, or even eardrum perforation.
If you’re experiencing a buildup of ear wax or any other troubles with your hearing, get in touch with a member of our team and we can assist you with your earwax removal and help you prevent any problems in the future.
Testimonials
// STORIES //
Proud To Care for Some of the Most Influencial People in Silicon Valley
// MY STORY
How past Secretary of Defense William J. Perry found Pacific Hearing Service the right experts for his needs
As a former Secretary of Defense, William J. Perry has lived a life that few could imagine. But just like millions of people across America, he’s also had to contend with a hearing loss.For over sixteen years, Pacific Hearing Service has been proud to provide William with innovative treatments and excellent care. It’s been fantastic to help him on his journey to better hearing.
// MY STORY
We’re proud to call Ann Hardy a patient: she’s a true Silicon Valley pioneer and a friend.
As a pioneer in computer programming, Ann joined IBM in New York in 1956. Among other projects, Ann worked on one of the first Fortran compilers, which was for STRETCH, IBM’s supercomputer of the day. STRETCH can now be seen in the Computer History Museum.
Ann’s hearing loss journey started when she visited her doctor to complain that she couldn’t hear very well. He referred her to Dr. Deborah Clark at Pacific Hearing Service.
// MY STORY
How Dr. Deborah Clark saved Tom from Brain Surgery
Tom went to Dr. Deborah Clark at Pacific Hearing Service for a second opinion, and his own words says, “She saved me from brain surgery.” – She advised that he may not need surgery and her help resulted in him getting the advice of a neurologist that advised that he didn’t need brain surgery.
The rest is history and Dr. Deborah has been helping Tom to achieve better hearing and continue to bring his unique and memorable personality to the world.
// MY STORY
‘I call them my ears’ – find out why writer and NPR commentator Debbie Duncan loves her Widex hearing aids
Like many people, writer and NPR contributor Debbie Duncan’s children were the first to notice that she had a hearing loss, a friend recommended that she talk to the experts at Pacific Hearing Service. This is where she met Dr. Clark, clinical audiologist at the Los Altos office. “She’s wonderful,” Debbie says. “She figured out that I have a weirdly shaped right ear. She made wearing hearing devices comfortable.”
// MY STORY
They are committed to getting the best results for each patient.
My first experience of a hearing challenge was when I had a sudden and profound hearing loss in my left ear. Prior to visiting Pacific Hearing Service, I didn’t have any concerns, but I was anxious to see what Dr. Baxter and her team could do for me.
My first impression was that Dr. Baxter and her team were extremely passionate about helping those who have lost their hearing and committed to getting the best results for each patient. They are also very thorough and knowledgeable.
They have improved my hearing so that I am not constantly having to say, “What did you say?” or, “Sorry, but I can’t hear you.”My overall verdict of Pacific Hearing Service is that they are excellent.