Combine dead skin cells, hair and secretions from the ceruminous and sebaceous glands and you’ll have cerumen, although you probably know this substance better as ear wax. Yes, that’s right—that sticky, waxy, goldish-brown substance found in your ears is actually some pretty nasty stuff. However, as nasty as it may sound, cerumen does a lot of good. Cerumen cleans and lubricates your ear and also helps protect it from bacteria, fungi and even insects. While it may not seem like much, cerumen is actually really important to the health of your ear.

While a little cerumen is good, too much of anything can be harmful. Too much cerumen can not only cause pain and hearing loss, but it makes performing regular audiological procedures particularly challenging. If your ear is producing too much ear wax, the experts at McGuire’s Hearing Aids & Audiology Services can help. We offer a variety of services and procedures for ear wax removal in Long Island, NY. If you’re suffering from a buildup of ear wax, here are a few options for treatment:

  • Mechanical removal: The mechanical removal of ear wax refers to the use of special instruments designed to help safely remove ear wax from inside your ear. These instruments come in a variety of designs, including curettes, loops, hooks and forceps. While the thought of forceps or hooks being inserted into your ear may sound scary, these tools are very tiny and, when in the hands of a well-trained professional, will do the job very nicely with minimal discomfort.
  • Irrigation: While you can pick up ear irrigation kits at your local pharmacy to use at home, this can be harmful to your ear if not done properly, and these kits are not always effective. A trained audiologist will be able to ensure that the procedure is necessary and performed correctly. Your audiologist will use a syringe-like tool to insert water or a mixture of water and saline into your ear to help loosen and flush out the buildup of cerumen.
  • Suction: An ear wax suction procedure is typically performed using both mechanical instruments and a low-grade suction unit. A metal tube that is attached to the suction unit is inserted inside the ear canal and, just like a vacuum, the buildup of ear wax is sucked out of your ear. Any small pieces of wax left behind are removed mechanically.
  • Medication: If ear wax buildup is a recurring problem for you, your doctor may decide to prescribe an ear drop, such as carbamide peroxide, that will help treat and prevent excess ear wax from accumulating in your ear.

If you’re suffering from a sudden loss of hearing or a feeling of pain and a blockage in your ear, schedule an appointment with McGuire’s Hearing Aids & Audiology Services today. We’ll evaluate the cerumen in your ear and provide a treatment plan that’s right for you. To learn more about our services for ear wax removal in Long Island, NY, contact us today.