Tinnitus is a significant challenge, often resulting in discomfort and helplessness. Many factors can cause such a state. The underlying condition can occasionally be as straightforward as earwax accumulation. The frequent question is whether earwax removal alleviates or even removes tinnitus. This article examines the connection between these two problems and how earwax removal in London can bring relief.
How Does the Buildup of Ear Wax Affect Tinnitus?
Cerumen, often known as ear wax, is our bodies natural way of maintaining healthy, clean ears. The glands in the ear canal produce the wax, which also guards against unwanted dust, dirt, and any other foreign particles that might try to harm our gentle tympanic membrane.
This is where it gets complex. While earwax is a vital protection, the excessive amount of ear wax that sometimes occurs may cause many problems. In everyday situations, wax is pushed into the outer ear canal through natural body movements such as talking, chewing, and using a hair dryer. When it builds up and gets complicated, it is forced deep into your ear, and you may experience pressure, irritation, and pain.
Connection Between Ear Wax and Tinnitus
Sound waves that enter the ear canal cause the eardrum to vibrate. These vibrations are converted by the ear into impulses, which are subsequently transmitted to the brain and experienced as sounds.
With a blockage in the way, the sound transmission gets disrupted. It’s possible that the eardrum vibrates unevenly or muddledly. Your brain may become confused and perceive these changed impulses as imaginary noises, such as whooshing, buzzing, or ringing. If these symptoms worsen, visiting the tinnitus clinic in London is ideal for immediate relief.
Removal of Ear Wax
Methods for Safe Ear Wax Removal
Here are some practical ways to remove earwax:
- Warm water irrigation: This technique softens the ear tubes with warm water. You can comfortably use a hypodermic syringe filled with warm water, set to body temperature. The head should be turned to one side. Gently press the bulb to discharge a stream of water into the ear. Just let it dry naturally, then repeat on the opposite side.
Pro tip: Over your shoulder, place a towel to prevent the water from dripping.
- Over-the-counter ear drops: Plenty of eardrops are available to help soften the earwax. Follow the steps on the eardrop package, usually positioning the affected ear facing upwards while putting a few drops of the solution in your ear. Let it be for the specified time, and then tilt your head so the wax and liquids can drain out.
- See a doctor: If you have extreme pain, swelling, excessive earwax, serious hearing problems, or some sensation of fullness in your ear, you should see an ENT specialist in London. They can safely get into ears to take out earwax using specialized tools with a medical-grade device.
Risks Associated with Improper Removal
If you detect you have a thickening, don’t grab the nearest cotton swab. The cotton swab in the ears is not the fastest and preferred option. Wax can accumulate if the cotton buds push it further into your ear canal. Such impaction could eventually lead to a damaged eardrum.
- Cotton Swabs: These are ear canal antagonists. Cotton swabs only push earwax further inwards impaction, resulting in and may eventually damage the eardrum.
- Hairpins and Other Sharp Objects: While using handy tools like a bobby pin or paperclip might sound very safe, the reality is different. The pointed objects can poke the eardrum, leading to severe pain, loss of hearing, and infection.
- Excessive Force: The ear canals are fragile, so refrain from unnecessary forceful washings and do only what you are comfortable with.
Potential Effects on Tinnitus
Likelihood of Tinnitus Improvement Post-Ear Wax Removal
- High Chance: If your tinnitus is relatively new (a few weeks old) and coincides with symptoms of ear fullness or muffled hearing, earwax removal will likely resolve the tinnitus completely.
- Moderate Chance: If your tinnitus has been present for a while (a few months) but seems to fluctuate in intensity, earwax removal might offer some improvement. You might experience a decrease in the volume or frequency of the ringing.
- Low Chance: If your tinnitus is chronic (present for years) and doesn’t seem linked to ear blockage, earwax removal is unlikely to offer significant relief. However, it’s still worth consulting a doctor to explore alternative management strategies.
Factors Influencing Tinnitus Resolution
Several factors influence whether removing earwax will improve your tinnitus:
- Severity of blockage: A complete blockage with significant hearing loss is more likely to cause tinnitus and offer more remarkable improvement upon removal.
- Duration of tinnitus: Recent-onset tinnitus is more likely to be linked to earwax and improve with removal.
- Underlying cause: If another condition is causing your tinnitus, earwax removal alone won’t provide lasting relief.
Contact ENT LDN for a Customised Tinnitus Evaluation!
If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned its recommended to consult with a tinnitus specialist in London for diagnosis and treatment. It is a professional procedure and must be handled carefully to avoid ear canal damage. ENT LDN provides the highest standard of care to its patients. We use on-site hearing assessments to get a clear picture of your concern. For more information related to ear wax removal, visit our website or contact us to get your procedure started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, a wax removal from a professional is safer. This is because it helps you to avoid various risks. There are some home techniques, but they may be hazardous and push the wax even deeper inside the ear canal.