It’s only natural for us to want to take care of our bodies to the best of our ability. Part of this includes regular cleaning and looking after ourselves. If you’re someone who actively looks after your hearing, you may be eager to explore a professional ear cleaning.
Most of us will never actually need a professional ear cleaning. Our ears are incredibly sophisticated. Along with allowing us to hear, they are also self-cleaning. Earwax serves an important purpose. It helps to keep your ear canal clean. It traps debris, viruses, bacteria and more from entering your delicate inner ear.
“Just clean it out with a cotton swab,” some may say. Firstly, we’d like to highlight that we do not recommend inserting cotton swabs into your ear. While it can help remove some earwax, cotton swabs can often cause bigger problems down the line.
What is a Professional Ear Cleaning?
Professional ear cleaning is a safe and effective way to get your ears cleaned. A professional ear clean will involve carefully removing any excess earwax or debris from your ears.
How Do I Know I Need A Professional Ear Cleaning?
Not all of us will need to get our ears cleaned by a professional. However, for others it may be recommended. The key is knowing what to look out for. If you recognize these symptoms below, book in an appointment with your local hearing healthcare clinic. They will be able to advise whether or not a professional ear cleaning is recommended.
Blocked Ears
Blocked ears could be an indication of excess wax in your ears. If you feel as though your ears are clogged or blocked, speak to a hearing professional.
Painful Ears
Discomfort and pain in your ears could mean that you need to get a professional ear cleaning. Generally speaking, we would advise that you speak to a hearing healthcare specialist if you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your ears.
In some cases, an infection could be causing you pain or discomfort. In other cases, it could be a build of earwax. If your ears are producing too much earwax, or your ears are unable to self-clean properly, the wax can build up over time. As it hardens, it may end up pressing on a nerve. This can cause quite a bit of pain and discomfort!
Dark Earwax
Most of us are familiar with the yellowish color of earwax. But if your earwax is a darker color, for example more brown than yellow, you may have debris in your ear. If your earwax is darker than normal, speak to your local hearing specialist.
Changes To Your Hearing
If you notice any changes to your hearing, contact your local hearing center. Sudden changes to your hearing are particularly of concern. If you experience a sudden change to your hearing, it could be an indication of a blockage or obstruction in your ear. A sudden loss of hearing is a medical emergency. Please contact your doctor ASAP.
If you’ve noticed that your hearing has changed, it’s time to book a visit with your local hearing healthcare specialists. They will be able to assess your hearing, and determine if a blockage is causing changes to your hearing.
Need Help? Contact Us Today!
Still have questions? At Anderson Audiology, our hearing specialists are on hand to help. Call us today on 702-997-2964. Alternatively, click here to request an appointment online.