Ear irrigation is a routine procedure used to remove excess earwax, or cerumen, and foreign materials from the ear.
The ear naturally secretes wax to protect and lubricate the ear as well as to keep debris out and hinder bacterial growth. Under normal conditions, the body keeps the amount of earwax in the ears under control. Too much earwax or hardened earwax can cause a blockage in the ear, resulting in earaches, ringing in the ears, or temporary hearing loss.
Purpose of Ear Irrigation
The ear, especially the canal and eardrum, is very sensitive. Earwax buildup can cause damage to these structures over time. This can affect your hearing. Removing excess earwax with ear irrigation is a safe way to minimize the risk of damage to the ear.
Sometimes foreign materials like food, insects, or small stones can get into the ear. In these cases, the goal is to safely and quickly remove the items before they move deeper into the ear or do damage to the delicate canal. Ear irrigation can be effective in removing foreign materials from the ear.
Earwax irrigation can be done by your doctor or at home using an irrigation kit that includes a bulb syringe.
Ear Irrigation Process
Before your doctor performs an ear irrigation, they will want to look inside your ear to ensure that your symptoms are the result of excess wax buildup or foreign materials and not something more serious.
Your doctor may diagnose excess earwax by inserting an instrument called an otoscope into the opening of your ear. The otoscope shines a light into your ear and magnifies the image.
If wax buildup is the issue, your doctor will perform the irrigation in their office using a syringe-like tool. This tool will be used to insert water or a water and saline mixture into the ear to flush out the wax. You may feel slight discomfort from the water in your ear or from holding your ear in place.
Ear Infection
Otitis externa is a common complication. This is inflammation of the ear canal that could be caused by infection. It can be painful. Another potential complication is otitis media, which is inflammation of the middle ear that could also be caused by infection. Ear infections are one of the most common complications of ear irrigation.
Perforated eardrum
Perforated eardrums are another potential complication of ear irrigation. In some cases, ear irrigation will press against the wax and make it more compacted. This makes it harder to remove and may put more pressure on the eardrum, increasing risk of perforation. In some cases, fluid becomes trapped in the ear canal and causes an increase in pressure that can rupture the eardrum.
Other complications
In rare cases, additional complications can occur. These include:
- vertigo, which is the sensation of the room spinning in circles around you (typically temporary)
- deafness, which can be temporary or permanent
Since earwax buildup can be harmful over time or be the result of other health conditions, see your doctor if your symptoms aren’t improving after at-home care. They may want to try other methods or send you to an ear specialist. Those who use hearing aids are especially prone to having earwax buildup. Additionally, cotton-tipped swabs should not be inserted into the ear canal, as these are known to push wax against the eardrum and ear canal.
