If you would like to schedule an appointment or have questions about our services, you can click here to fill out our contact form or if you prefer, call us at 919-851-3800.Ever use a cotton swab to clean the inside of your ear? This seemingly harmless act, often used to remove excess earwax, is actually a dangerous method that medical professionals warn adamantly against.
According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAOHNS), one of the most common causes of hearing loss is wax blockage — which is most often caused by attempts to clean the ear using cotton swabs.
While earwax, also called cerumen, is a naturally occurring that substance with health benefits, too much earwax can actually lead to hearing loss. Audiologists recommend that people clean their ears with a damp, warm washcloth daily, during a bath or shower. The ears should be dried thoroughly afterward.
Sometimes, additional cleaning is needed, especially when individuals produce too much earwax. When too much earwax is produced, it needs to be cleaned in order to prevent cerumen impaction. According to the AAOHNS, cerumen impaction is characterized by symptoms such as:
