Earwax ENT
Earwax, known as cerumen, is a natural part of your body’s defense against bacteria and dirt in the ear canal. It usually washes away naturally, but sometimes it may block your ear, and in these cases, an ENT doctor can simply and safely remove the earwax and open up the ear canal. Dr. Burnett, one of New York’s leading ENT specialists, can solve this problem quickly in an office visit.
Symptoms of Earwax Blockage
In most cases, people don’t notice their earwax, but if you have a blockage you may experience an earache or ringing in your ear, known as tinnitus. Sometimes, the ear that is affected can feel full, and your hearing may be decreased. If you are experiencing these symptoms of earwax blockage, you should see a top New York ENT doctor for earwax removal.
Why Should I See an ENT Doctor?
ENT doctors are specialists in diseases of the ear, nose, and throat. Although you may be tempted to try to remove your earwax at home, the symptoms you are experiencing may be the result of another, more serious condition. Also, if you try to remove earwax at home, you may puncture or damage one of the delicate structures of the ear, like the ear canal or the eardrum. Placing an object into your ear to remove excess earwax can be very dangerous, and if you are having any pain or drainage from the ear, only a physician can properly determine the cause of your problem. If you try to dig out the earwax with a Q tip or a hairpin, you may even push the wax further into the ear canal, causing damage. An ENT doctor can examine your ear with an otoscope, which will light and magnify the structures of your ear.
Treatment of Earwax Blockage
Dr. Burnett, a top New York ENT doctor, removes excess earwax with a curette, which is a small, curved instrument. Sometimes, suction is used to remove earwax, but it must be done while the doctor is looking carefully into the ear. Finally, sometimes your doctor may flush out wax buildup using a device like a bulb-syringe or a water pick that is filled with warm water.
When earwax builds up repeatedly, Dr. Burnett sometimes recommends that patients use a medication that helps maintain an open ear canal. Debrox, which is carbamide peroxide, is often prescribed for patients with recurrent earwax blockage to use every four to eight weeks to prevent buildup. These drops can irritate the lining of the ear canal and the eardrum, so they should only be used in consultation with your physician.
If you are troubled by excess cerumen, or earwax blockage, you should call today for an appointment with Dr. Burnett, one of the city’s top ENT doctors. Call us at 212-867-4813 to schedule your appointment for earwax removal.
