i'm waxy

Ear wax (known as cerumen) has been a human problem for a long time. Ancient Egyptian and Roman texts described the use of 'hooks, spoons, and blades' to remove ear wax blockages. More recently, ear candles have been touted as 'ancient' treatments effective at removing the pesky stuff. Interestingly, while ear candles have been reported as used by the ancient Egyptians, Romans, Atlanteans, Mayans, and even the Hopi tribes, there is no evidence to support these claims. Much like ear candle history, there is nothing to support the claim ear candles do anything other than 'feel good'. The process: lie on your side, insert candle (wax paper tube), light candle, wait for it to burn down (but not too far down!), remove candle, witness the results! (not really) If you didn't get burned, what you did get is simply the wax from the candle, not wax from your ear canal. Unfortunately, we've seen complications from these-- wax-coated ear canals, perforated ear drums...OUCH! Bottom line: don't do it.

On the other hand, ear syringing has been around a long time and is a safe and effective (and messy) method of wax removal. As long as you don't have a hole in your ear drum, the water is warm and the pressure is low, we don't see problems. In syringing, the wax is expelled by the irrigation bouncing off the ear drum and pushing the wax out. As you can image, if you have a complete wax blockage, syringing may not be helpful as the irrigation can't get behind this waxy 'brick wall'.

Q-tips...don't get me started. The best hoax that no one needed. Q-tips just push the wax deeper and don't effectively remove anything- and often leaves you with itchy ears!

The most effective method is removing ear wax microscopically! Our preferred method- using an operating microscope (the same used for placing ear tubes), suction, and small instruments to remove any blockage quickly with minimal discomfort. Once the ears are cleared, if you're prone to ear wax blockages, we might suggest a preventive home treatment- used not more than once monthly.

People forget- while ear wax blockages have been a problem for thousands of years, we need ear wax! Ear wax acidifies and waterproofs the ear canal, which is a humid tunnel teeming with microbes. Ear wax keeps these beasties in check preventing ear canal infections (known as acute otitis externa or 'swimmer's ear').

Bottom line: Stay waxy, but not too waxy, my friends.