In this article, you will learn about the most important points surrounding ear irrigation. If you have any questions or notice discomfort after such a rinse, please contact a hearing care professionals at Amplifon for an appointment. Additionally, if you are experiencing any hearing loss, we offer free online hearings tests to help determine whether your ability to hear is currently at 100%.
Ear irrigation or ear cleaning is a process used to clear away excess earwax or other substances from the ear canal. This painless procedure is usually carried out by an ENT doctor to remove or prevent earwax build-up, inflammation, or other conditions that could temporarily or permanently affect hearing.
Ear irrigation or ear syringing isn't needed all the time. It is typically done after an otoscopy, which looks for the presence of earwax plugs or other substances that could obstruct the ear canal and lead to symptoms such as:
Although ear irrigation is usually a simple and painless procedure, it's important to handle the procedure with care, as the ears are delicate. There are risks associated with ear irrigation too. It's critical to avoid water flowing back into the ear as it may lead to infections or inflammation. For instance, if water gets stuck behind earwax, it may result in an infection in the outer ear.
It's also vital to make sure the water is applied with the right pressure to loosen the earwax, but not too strong that it could harm the eardrum. If the water isn't warmed to body temperature before use, it may cause complications such as dizziness, bradycardia, or nausea.
Once the presence of an earwax plug is confirmed, the ENT doctor removes it by flushing the ear with sterile water or a saline solution. If the plug is hard, the doctor may use softening drops to make it easier to remove. The flushing is then performed with lukewarm water to minimize any damage to the sensitive ear.
For irrigation, the doctor uses a syringe without a needle. After the procedure, the patient tilts their head slightly to allow for easier drainage of the earwax. Depending on the size of the plug or foreign object in the ear canal (such as insects or small stones), the doctor may also use Hartmann forceps, an ear shower, or curettage. Curettage involves using a bent rod-like tool called a curette to mechanically remove the plug. Suction is also a common method where a tube is attached to a suction device to effortlessly remove the earwax.
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