Impacted ear wax, medically referred to as cerumen impaction, is a common condition which can result in varied symptoms, from minor discomfort to severe distress. This condition takes place when a build-up of earwax hardens and blocks the ear canal, creating an obstacle for sound transmission and causing discomfort.

At Bloomfield Urgent Care, we often see patients who experience a sudden or gradual hearing loss due to impacted ear wax. This temporary condition is marked by a decrease in hearing ability. You might also feel like there’s a blockage, pressure or fullness in your ear, along with persistent itchiness or irritation within the ear canal.

Tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing noise in the affected ear, is another symptom. As is discomfort or pain in your ear, which can range from dull to sharp, or even severe, particularly when you’re lying down or applying pressure.

In addition, some patients report an odor or discharge from the ear, which could be yellowish, brownish, or clear fluid. This is often a result of the wax build-up that can sometimes harbor bacteria and lead to an infection. In such situations, you may also experience symptoms like dizziness and high temperature.

In extreme cases, impacted ear wax can lead to serious complications such as total hearing loss, infection, or even damage to the eardrum. Therefore, if you notice any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly.

Regular professional ear cleanings are an essential part of this process. The frequency of these cleanings can vary greatly depending on your circumstances and the condition of your ears.

Our medical team typically recommends having your ears professionally cleaned at least once every 6 to 12 months. However, it’s essential to remember that overly frequent cleaning can irritate the sensitive ear canal and increase the risk of infection. This is due to the self-cleaning design of the ears, with earwax playing a crucial role in trapping dust and other particles before they reach the eardrum.

Certain patients may require more frequent cleanings. This includes individuals who produce excessive earwax, those who wear hearing aids, people with narrow or excessively hairy ear canals, and those with certain medical conditions such as allergies or skin disorders. These factors can all contribute to wax buildup.

If you frequently use earbuds or in-ear headphones, our medical team may recommend more regular professional cleanings to prevent wax accumulation.

If you’re experiencing persistent ear discharge, hearing loss or muffled hearing, ear pain or irritation, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), or a sensation of fullness or pressure in the ear, it’s time to schedule a professional ear cleaning.

Our healthcare professionals utilize specialized tools and techniques for safe and effective removal of excessive earwax. This process helps prevent damage to the ear canal or eardrum, ensuring your ears remain healthy.

While over-the-counter ear drops and solutions can be useful for occasional cleaning, they are not a substitute for professional ear cleaning at our clinic. These products may irritate the ear canal and push earwax deeper, exacerbating symptoms.

Under normal circumstances, the ears have a self-cleaning mechanism. However, excessive cleaning can disrupt this natural process and lead to problems.

If you are unsure about the frequency of professional ear cleanings you require, or have concerns about earwax buildup or related symptoms, our healthcare team is ready to help. We can examine your ears, assess your ear health, and recommend a personalized cleaning schedule based on your specific needs and circumstances.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that urgent care centers are primarily designed to manage non-life-threatening health concerns that require immediate attention. Typically, ear cleaning isn’t considered an urgent medical need, and might be more appropriately tackled by your regular doctor or a specialist such as an otolaryngologist, especially for routine care.

However, the medical professionals at Bloomfield Urgent Medical Care are equipped to safely remove earwax, which might be causing discomfort or hearing loss, using specialized tools and techniques. It’s worth noting, though, that there are risks involved, such as the potential for infection or damage to the ear canal due to inexpert cleaning. This could lead to pain, swelling, and further hearing loss.

It’s important to note that ear cleaning, when done correctly, should not be a painful process. However, there are several circumstances under which ear cleaning can become uncomfortable or even painful.

• Excessive Pressure: Our medical professionals can help you understand how to clean your ears without pushing earwax deeper into the ear canal, which can lead to a blockage known as impaction. This can cause a range of symptoms including earache, partial hearing loss, tinnitus, itching, or even dizziness. Over-enthusiastic or incorrect cleaning can also cause discomfort or damage the delicate structures within the ear canal.

• Sharp Objects: We advise against using objects such as cotton swabs, hairpins, or other sharp objects to clean the ear. These can scratch or puncture the thin, sensitive skin inside the ear, causing pain and potentially leading to infection.

• Irritation: Certain cleaning methods, such as ear irrigation, where a pressurized flow of water is used to remove earwax, can sometimes cause discomfort or pain. Our healthcare professionals can guide you on how to safely clean your ears without causing irritation.

• Medical Conditions: If you have an undiagnosed ear condition, such as an ear infection or a perforated eardrum, ear cleaning can be painful. In such cases, it’s important to seek our medical services for professional advice before attempting to clean the ears.

Our team of healthcare professionals can advise you on the safest techniques to clean your ears, minimizing the risk of pain and discomfort.

If you experience any pain, discomfort, or symptoms such as discharge, hearing loss, or dizziness during ear cleaning, seek medical attention promptly. These could indicate an underlying medical condition that requires professional evaluation and treatment. It’s always best to consult with our healthcare professionals if you’re experiencing pain during ear cleaning, or if you’re unsure about how to clean your ears properly. We serve patients from Bloomfield Hills MI, Plymouth MI, Livonia MI, Novi MI, Worden MI, Canton MI, Southfield MI, Troy MI, Farmington Hills MI and BEYOND.