Earwax Removal

Professional Cerumen (Earwax) Removal In Anchorage & Eagle River

If you’ve had the feeling of blocked or clogged ears which is impacting your hearing, then you may have impacted earwax.

But don’t worry, you’re not alone, as a lot of people come to see us with this problem.

The good news is that this is very normal and our bodies actually need this wax for many reasons, as wax is a natural substance that the body produces as protection against bacteria and fungi that could lead to ear infections.

So, on that front, we should embrace earwax, but only in small doses.

If you have an increased amount of wax or worse, impacted earwax, then this can lead to other issues that will challenge more than just your hearing. If left untreated, this can lead to a sudden or temporary hearing loss, dizziness, headaches, balance issues and even ear pain.

The causes of impacted earwax are very different from person to person, but we have narrowed it down to one common denominator: Cotton swabs.

The use of cotton swabs is a huge contributor to impacted earwax. Using these only serves to push the wax further into your ear instead of removing it and definitely leads to buildup, or even blockage.

Throughout our many years of serving thousands of Alaskan ears, we have come across a few myths about earwax and its removal. We want to take this opportunity to address them as hearing care professionals and let you know which ones are true or false.

Dr. Emily was super helpful last year when my son was having trouble with his ears. She is friendly, obviously very educated (and excited!) about ears, and expresses much warmth and care toward her patients. She would be my first call if an ear issue ever came up again in my family!

Amie Goetsch

The Myths & Misconceptions Surrounding Earwax

Myth #1 – I just naturally produce too much earwax!

Hardly is this the case. Your body knows how much earwax to produce in order to keep your ears safe from debris. If you try to clean them too often, then your body may misinterpret that and start producing even more wax.

Myth #2 – Cotton swabs will do the trick

Using cotton swabs has proven to be more harmful than beneficial. This is one of the most common reasons for impacted earwax and can lead to more serious issues if the swab is forced too deep.

Myth #3 – There are tutorials online that I can follow to remove my own earwax

Online tutorials can be very helpful if you want to make a spice rack or learn how to change a tire. When it comes to medical practices and the health of your body, we strongly encourage you to seek professional assistance. While these remedies may have short-term benefits, it’s impossible to tell if you have caused long-term damage until it is too late.

Myth #4 – My ears can naturally fix themselves

If your ears are blocked, then that is your body telling you that something is wrong and to seek professional help. Avoiding a medical issue never leads to good things.

Dr. Emily E McMahan of Alaska Hearing & Tinnitus Center demonstrating earwax removal procedure

Dr. Emily McMahan Using Earwax Removal Equipment During Appointment

How Does Earwax Removal Work?

At Alaska Hearing and Tinnitus Center, we love to clean ears, and our very own Dr. Emily E McMahan is highly experienced in performing the procedure.

Here’s the lowdown on what you can expect at an earwax removal appointment with us:

#1 – A Friendly Conversation

We want to get to know the history of your hearing before we make any assessments. This information will tell us a lot about how you got to this point, what brought you into our office, and how we can improve the future of your hearing.

#2 – Ear Inspection

Using a range of equipment, including an Earigator, Head Loop and Manual Removal, we can see what’s really going on within your ear. This helps us locate the blockage and show us how to remove it. The best part is, you can watch all the action at the same time on a monitor.

#3 – No More Earwax

The most common way to remove earwax is by flushing it out. To do this, we use a small syringe filled with water that we gently insert into your ear. Once the water has loosened the wax, it comes out easily. For more stubborn blockages, we use a tool called a curette. It is a small scoop that makes it easier to reach the more compacted spots.

#4 – And It’s All Done

This is usually a nice moment as you realize just how much of an effect that earwax was having on your hearing all this time.

Before and After the Removal of Earwax

Before and after professional earwax removal and ear cleaning at Alaska Hearing & Tinnitus Center inside the ear image

Ready To Schedule An Appointment In Anchorage Or Eagle River?

We want to make sure every resident In Anchorage and Eagle River is hearing at their very best. If you or a loved one has any issues with your hearing due to wax buildup, then we are here to help.

To speak to one of our professionals and book your earwax appointment, please fill out the form and we’ll be happy to take care of you.

Complete the form below and we will contact you to discuss how we will be able to assist you