Our body produces earwax to keep foreign objects such as dirt and debris out of our ears. Alas, wax build-up can pose some problems not only for hearing aid wearers.
About hearing. What is earwax for?
Earwax is a substance that is naturally produced by the glands in the ear canal. It traps dirt and germs before they reach the eardrum and cause infection. When a person eats, speaks, or moves the jaw, the earwax is gradually flushed out of the canal, preventing congestion. Although your body usually gets rid of excess earwax on its own, under certain conditions it can build up in the ear canal.
Should you clean your ears?
There are a number of studies and sources that do not recommend the use of additional cleaning agents, cotton swabs, tweezers, and cleaning machines. Excessive cleaning can lead to injury or even hearing loss. Non-invasive methods are available, such as earwax drops and specialty kits, but their efficacy and safety are controversial.
A wax removal candle is not effective, but kits and drops can help remove it. Although, if you do not suffer from the formation of traffic jams on a regular basis, there is no point in using these methods.
If you suffer from the formation of sulfur plugs, it is safer to leave this problem to a professional. They have the tools and the training to deal with this problem in a safe, effective manner, and you don’t have to worry about accidentally getting hurt.
Can Earwax Damage Hearing Aids?
However, if you use hearing aids, you will have to take ear cleaning more seriously. Hearing aids often stimulate the production of sulfur, while at the same time it prevents the sulfur from naturally flowing out of the ear as the hearing aid is constantly in the canal. Unfortunately, this often leads to the formation of sulfur plugs, as well as clogging and removal from the working state of the apparatus. To prevent this problem, you need to use professional earwax removal services such as audiologyisland.com specialists offer.
If earwax is not removed naturally or artificially, it will build up in the ear. This can lead to further problems and the formation of sulfur plugs, as well as ear pains and unpleasant infections. Hearing aids will behave in a special way when your ear canals are too blocked for sound to pass through. Sound waves will not go anywhere, but will be reflected from the traffic jam and sent back to the SA. This can cause an unpleasant response from your hearing aid (whistle, squeak), which can be mistaken for a technical problem.
If you don’t clean your ears often, earwax can clog your hearing aid. It gets caught in the microphone and vents, disrupting the normal operation of the hearing aid. The chemical components in earwax can also degrade delicate internal parts, damaging vital components of the hearing aid.
Approximately about 70% of all damaged hearing aids that are sent for repair are simply clogged with earwax or spoiled by organic matter, for example, sweat. Since hearing aids come in constant contact with your skin and ears, it is important to keep these areas clean. The cleanliness of CAs can also extend their life.
When should I clean my ears with a doctor?
It can sometimes be difficult to determine when to seek professional help with ear cleaning. If you notice that you have a tendency to accumulate sulfur, try making regular visits to your doctor to get a solution to the problem. If you experience ear pain, wheezing when using hearing aids, or get dirty very quickly, it is recommended that you get your ears cleaned professionally. Do not rinse them if you also have an ear infection or a ruptured eardrum.
