Cerumen Impaction
Overview
Causes
This problem may be caused by:
- The ear not naturally clearing itself—the earwax dries and hardens
- The ear producing too much earwax
- Putting objects into the ears—this pushes earwax deeper into the ear canal
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Symptoms
Symptoms of earwax impaction may be:
- Hearing loss
- Pain, itching, or fullness in the ear
- Ringing in the ear—tinnitus
- Ear discharge or odor
- Hearing aids making noise or not working properly
Treatments
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to remove earwax from the ear canal. This can be done with:
- A curette—an instrument shaped like a scoop
- Suction—vaccuming the loosened earwax
- Flushing—the impacted earwax is flushed out
- Ear solutions to soften earwax and ease removal
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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