When I was completing my otolaryngology residency, we used to joke about training for eight years of pre-med and medical school, and then another five years in otolaryngology – all to do the not-so-glamorous work of cleaning wax out of ears. Of course, there is more that an ear, nose and throat specialist is capable of doing; but in my practice, I see no less than five patients a day simply to help them with their ear wax issues.
Ear wax, also called cerumen, is made by the body to protect the ears. Some people produce an excessive amount and it creates a blockage in the ear canal. When such a seemingly simple and common problem affects a person dramatically by causing them deafness for days or weeks, everyone reaches for a quick solution. In any pharmacy, there is a whole section of products created for ear wax removal.
So, here is my opinion on some of the methods that are currently out there to address this age-old problem.
I hear a lot about ear candling as the newest and best way to remove ear wax. It’s been around for close to 20 years, but seems to be making a resurgence. This method involves lighting a fire at one end of a tube and placing the other end in the ear canal, which melts and draws out the wax by creating a vacuum. It makes sense in theory; but in reality, it lacks a bit in effectiveness. I’ve read many scientific articles testing this methodology. Yes, the heat generated has a melting effect on the wax, but the vacuum theory falls short. In fact, a patient once told me about an ear candling experiment she performed on a doll. After she went through the process, she opened up the doll to find that it was still full of a waxy material, and clearly, dolls don’t produce ear wax, no matter how realistic they are.
There are some pretty cool motorized gadgets showing up on shelves now that are created to electronically twist out ear wax. I’ve read some positive reviews about them – the major drawback is the expense. On Amazon.com, a popular gadget sells for $39 and has a 3.5-star rating. From what I have seen, the device does a decent job of maintaining a reasonably clean ear canal. But if you’re already plugged up, these things are unlikely to remove the impaction. It’s also a little pricey to buy and maintain when you factor in battery and tip-replacement costs – especially when an annual office visit for wax removal is $45, and cheaper yet out-of-pocket with health insurance.
So, if I was a chronic ear wax producer, I would probably opt for the simple, tested, tried and true wax-softening drops. You simply put them in your ears, let them bubble and fizz for a few minutes, and then jump in the shower and wash it all out. Doing this once weekly should be effective for keeping clean ears clean. If they are already plugged, you can try one of the above methods, or come on by my office and let me put my 20 years of cerumen-ology experience to work for you!
Ear wax, also called cerumen, is made by the body to protect the ears. Some people produce an excessive amount and it creates a blockage in the ear canal.
