Earwax, or cerumen, is naturally made by glands in your ears to keep the ear canals lubricated and to help block dust and debris from reaching deeper inside.

Earwax usually moves out of the ear on its own through chewing and jaw movements, but sometimes it can build up and cause a blockage, especially if you wear earmolds or hearing aids.

Symptoms of a cerumen blockage include:

Earache
Tinnitus (ringing of the ears)
Decreased hearing
Feeling of ear fullness
Dizziness

Clearing earwax blockages can take several days to fully resolve. Using earwax removal kits may carry risks for some people, especially those with certain ear conditions. Before attempting at-home earwax removal, it is advised to speak with your hearing care provider to be sure it is safe for you.

Earigator on Stand

Removal at Your Hearing Provider’s Office

Earigator™

If the earwax blockage is more significant, it may need to be removed at your hearing care professional’s office.

Irrigation is the most common method your hearing specialist will use to remove blockages. The Earigator™ Cerumen Management System was designed by an otologist to be a safe and highly effective earwax removal method. The irrigation system carefully controls the water flow and temperature, while allowing the professional to see into your ear for effective and painless removal of excess wax.

Suction

Suction uses a small suction tube to remove wax from the ear canal. Your Hearing Care Professional carefully guides the tube while viewing inside your ear. This method removes wax without flushing the ear with water.

Curettes

Curettes are small, specialized instruments used to manually remove earwax. Your Hearing Care Professional carefully lifts and removes the wax while viewing the ear canal. This method does not require water irrigation.

Removing Earwax at Home

Please consult your Hearing Care Professional if you suspect earwax buildup. We do not recommend attempting earwax removal at home.

Your Hearing Care Professional can assess your ears and recommend an appropriate approach to managing the blockage.

Earwax Removal Methods to Avoid

Many people use cotton swabs to remove earwax or clear a blockage, but this can actually make things worse. Swabs often push the wax deeper into the ear canal, which can lead to more serious problems or damage. Cotton swabs themselves can also be accidentally inserted too far into the ear canal and can compact wax further or even puncture your eardrum.

Hearing professionals generally agree that cotton swabs are a bad idea for removing earwax and should only be used to clean the outer portions of your ear. You should never insert cotton swabs or any small object into your ear canal.

If you experience pain or discomfort as a result of earwax or suspect you have a blockage, it’s important that you see your hearing professional as soon as possible to address the issue. Removing earwax doesn’t have to be uncomfortable and should bring you relief.