DIY earwax removal
Having blocked ears due to earwax can be a real pain and often, as human beings, we take matters into our own hands when it comes to health issues. Unfortunately, a quick search of the internet reveals how many people have bought devices such as ‘spiral removers’ and found them to be completely useless. Indeed, quite often they can make the problem worse by pushing earwax further down the ear canal.
Earwax, when blocking the earcanal can be quite hard and stuck to the skin inside the ear. Devices such as Q-grips claim to remove earwax very easily. If it were so easy to do, then health professionals would be using them routinely instead of spending 30-40 minutes using microsuction or irrigation techniques for ear cleaning.
What could go wrong?
As well as pushing earwax further down the ear, making it more difficult for an earwax removal specialist to remove, there is the possibility of damage to the very delicate structure of the eardrum. There have been reports of people damaging their eardrum following DIY methods of earwax removal. That is not to say that for some people, removing earwax at home or through a hearing test at home is impossible. But it all depends on how much wax there is, how dry it is, and how long it has been there.
You should always seek the advice of a qualified professional to look at your ears if you think they may be blocked with wax.
Can I use cotton buds (Q-tips) to clean my ears?
Hopefully after reading the above, you should know the answer to this question! Using anything that goes inside the ears to clean them is potentially problematic. Q-tips or cotton buds should not be used to clean ears. If you shower or bathe and wash the outside of your ears regularly, this is all that needs to be done. Earwax naturally works its way out of the ears (unless you are constantly pushing it back in, with for example, earphones). So, the advice from all ear professionals is dont attempt to push anything into your ears!
Most of us have had our fair share of DIY disasters. Don’t let your ears be one of them.
For safe, effective earwax removal, book an appointment with our Clinical Audiologist today