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The ability to hear is one of the most beautiful functions of our human bodies. As our hearing plays a significant role in our daily productivity, safety, and even maintaining balance, it is just right for us to take care of it in the best way we can. Our ears help us navigate busy streets safely, let us effectively communicate with loved ones, and allow us to listen to the music we enjoy. Neglecting our ears can have serious consequences, impacting our overall well-being.
The question now is, what is the proper way of caring for our ears? Taking steps to keep our ears free from earwax buildup and other potential issues is vital not only for maintaining optimal hearing but also for preventing infections. However knowing how to clean ears safely is crucial, as improper methods can lead to more harm than good.
Continue reading to the end of this post as we try to answer the frequently asked questions pertaining to the best ear cleaning methods.
What is Ear Cleaning and Why Is It Important?
Earwax, or cerumen, is a sticky substance that plays a vital role in the natural protection of your ears. The importance of earwax is its ability to act as a self-cleaning agent, trapping dust, dirt, and foreign particles, and preventing them from reaching the eardrum. It also lubricates the ear canal and offers some antibacterial protection.
Ear cleaning, therefore, is about maintaining this delicate balance. While your ears are generally self-cleaning, sometimes earwax can accumulate, leading to blockages. Clearing such blockages is one of the benefits of ear cleaning.
Proper ear hygiene is crucial for your overall ear health and hearing. Excessive earwax can cause discomfort, itching, a feeling of fullness, and even temporary hearing loss. Many people seek ear cleaning services when they experience these symptoms, or when they notice a significant wax buildup affecting their daily lives. However, you must learn how to safely clean ears or risk damaging your hearing.
How Earwax Affects Hearing and When to Take Action
Excessive earwax can impact your hearing by creating a physical barrier that blocks sound waves from reaching your eardrum. This results in muffled hearing, a feeling of fullness in the ear, or even a temporary reduction in hearing clarity. You might also experience earaches, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or dizziness.
If you're wondering, "Should you clean your ears?", watch out for these symptoms. When these signs become persistent, uncomfortable, or affect your daily life, it's a strong indication that professional intervention might be necessary.
Should You Clean Your Ears? Risks & Benefits Explained
Before we answer the ‘how’ and ‘how often’ questions, let’s get this one straight first. Ideally, you should not clean your ears. Yes, you heard that right. There’s no need for us to clean our inner ears. Why so? Because our ears can clear out earwax naturally. This natural ear cleaning process involves the earwax naturally migrating out of the ear canal, carrying with it any debris or dust.
However, sometimes this natural process is disrupted, and earwax can accumulate, leading to a buildup. If your ears feel full and you think you’re suffering from an earwax buildup, this is when intervention may be needed. While some at-home methods can help with minor buildup, it's important to avoid inserting objects like cotton swabs into the ear canal.
In cases of excessive or stubborn earwax buildup, this is when you should learn how to get your ears professionally cleaned by seeing a healthcare provider or an audiologist. They can safely and effectively remove the blockage and provide guidance on proper ear cleaning and maintenance.
Best Ear Cleaning Methods: How to Clean Your Ears Safely
Contrary to popular belief, sticking cotton swabs inside your ears is not the answer. Ear candling doesn’t work either. If there’s anything, these popular cleaning options may even do more harm than good to your ears. Using cotton swabs or other pointy tools to pick your earwax may just push it further inside your ears, potentially causing impaction or damage. Ear candling can cause burns or other injuries.
The best way to care for your ears is by cleaning the outer parts of it only. For those who want to know how to clean ears safely at home, we recommend using a soft cotton swab or a warm and damp washcloth to wipe the area. Be careful not to insert the cotton swab into the ear canal itself.
If needed, you can also try putting a few drops of baby oil, mineral oil, or glycerin in your ear to soften the wax inside if you want to remove stubborn ear wax. After waiting for a certain amount of time, these solutions will be drained or rinsed out of the ears. Just make sure to read carefully and follow the instructions stated on the box of these over-the-counter eardrops. Keep your ear cleaning frequency to a minimum as over-cleaning can strip away the protective earwax, irritate the delicate ear canal, and potentially lead to more problems than it solves.
However, if you feel stuffed in your ear and you suspect that you have an earwax buildup, the best thing to do is to pay a visit to your trusted ear cleaning service provider. Leave this to the ear experts who have special devices to look inside your ear canals and remove the impacted earwax.
Is Hydrogen Peroxide Safe for Ear Cleaning? What You Need to Know
Is hydrogen peroxide safe for ear wax removal? While hydrogen peroxide for ear wax is a common ingredient, it’s always best to consult with your doctor or audiologist in Malaysia first before using it for your ears.
A few drops of hydrogen peroxide in the ears can be effective in softening and breaking down earwax, but it's not suitable for everyone. For instance, using hydrogen peroxide for ear cleaning can be harmful if you have an ear infection, a perforated eardrum, or sensitive skin. Using it too frequently or in high concentrations can also dry out the ear canal and lead to irritation.
If your doctor or audiologist determines that hydrogen peroxide ear cleaning is appropriate for you, they will advise you on the proper usage and concentration. They may also recommend alternative drops or earwax removal methods if necessary.
Common Misconceptions About Ear Cleaning
Should you clean your ears? What are the best ear cleaning methods? There are many myths surrounding ear cleaning. Let's clear up some common misunderstandings:
"Earwax is dirty and should always be removed." This is false. Earwax (cerumen) is a natural, protective substance, vital for ear health. The importance of ear wax cannot be overstated; it's a self-cleaning agent that prevents dust and bacteria from reaching the eardrum. It's not inherently "dirty" unless there's an excessive buildup causing issues.
"Cotton buds are safe for cleaning inside the ear." Absolutely not. This is one of the most persistent and dangerous myths. Inserting cotton buds, ear picks, or any other objects into the ear canal can push earwax deeper, leading to impaction, injury to the eardrum, or even infection.
"You should clean your ears daily or very frequently." Over-cleaning can strip the ear canal of its natural protective wax, leading to dryness, irritation, and potentially inviting infections. Your ear cleaning frequency should be minimal, as your ears are designed to clean themselves. Intervention is only typically needed when blockages occur.
"Ear candling is an effective and safe ear cleaning method." Ear candling is widely debunked by medical professionals. There's no scientific evidence to support its claims of drawing out wax, and it carries significant risks, including burns, ear canal obstructions, and even eardrum perforation.
When & Why You Should Seek Professional Ear Cleaning?
While our ears are naturally self-cleaning, sometimes earwax can accumulate and cause a buildup. If you experience any of the following symptoms, it's essential to seek proper professional ear cleaning services:
- Hearing loss: Earwax buildup can muffle sounds and make it difficult to hear clearly.
- Ear discomfort: You may feel a sense of fullness, pressure, or even pain in your ear.
- Tinnitus: A ringing or buzzing sound in the ears can sometimes be associated with earwax blockage.
- Dizziness: In some cases, excessive earwax can affect balance and cause dizziness.
- Itching or irritation: A persistent itch or irritation in the ear can be a sign of impaction.
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, don't hesitate to reach out to Listening Lab. Our experienced audiologists are equipped to safely and effectively remove earwax buildup, providing relief and restoring your hearing.
Some common professional techniques include:
Microsuction: A gentle suction device is used to remove wax under direct microscopic vision
Ear irrigation: Uses a controlled stream of warm water to flush out the wax
Manual removal: Specialized instruments are used to directly extract the earwax.
How Much Does Professional Ear Cleaning Cost in Malaysia?
The cost of professional ear cleaning in Malaysia varies depending on the provider and the complexity of the earwax removal.
Generally, the ear cleaning price range is anywhere from RM90 to RM230 or more.
Factors that can influence how much ear wax removal costs include the experience of the practitioner, the techniques used for the ear cleaning, and whether any additional diagnostic tests are required.
Our advice for hiring a professional to clean your ears is to make sure that you have it done by a general practitioner (GP) or an ENT specialist in a hospital or specialised clinic like Listening Lab. Consulting a healthcare professional for earwax removal offers several benefits like accurate diagnosis, safe removal, and personalised advice.
How Often Should You Clean Your Ears?
Ear cleaning frequency really depends on your individual needs. For people who produce just the normal amount of earwax, the most you’ll need to do is gently wipe the areas of your outer ear. Let your ears naturally clean itself of earwax. Remember, earwax is beneficial for your ear health. Over-cleaning can disrupt this natural process, potentially leading to dryness, irritation, and even increased earwax production.
For people who produce too much earwax, it’s best to schedule a consultation with a doctor to talk about how often to have your ears cleaned professionally to avoid crossing to a point of impaction and hearing loss.
Why Trust the Experts for Your Ear & Hearing Care
When it comes to your hearing health, it's crucial to prioritise safe and effective practices. While our ears have a natural self-cleaning mechanism, excessive earwax buildup can sometimes occur, leading to discomfort and even hearing difficulties. In such cases, seeking professional help is essential.
At Listening Lab, we understand the importance of proper ear care. Our team of trained audiologists possesses the expertise and utilise advanced technology to safely and effectively remove earwax buildup. With our gentle and thorough approach, you can trust us to provide the highest quality care for your ears.
Don't let earwax buildup affect your hearing or overall well-being. Book an appointment with Listening Lab today for a comprehensive ear examination and professional assisted cleaning service. For more informative pieces of content about hearing care, head over for a browse at our blog section.
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