Can Removing Ear Wax Help My Tinnitus Go Away?
Tinnitus is a miserable condition that involves ringing in the ears, sometimes very intense ringing. It can remain for long periods or come and go, but whatever type you have, you’ll want it gone as quickly as possible.
Since there are so many causes for tinnitus, a trip to the doctor is always recommended because this is the only way to receive proper treatment for the condition.
If you’re curious whether tinnitus will go away by removing ear wax, the answer is, it depends. The fact is that many things can cause tinnitus, and if the cause of your tinnitus isn’t excess ear wax, then removing the ear wax won’t get rid of this condition.
Can earwax cause tinnitus ?
Tinnitus can be caused by many things, including:
- Noise-induced hearing loss
- Certain medications
- Some medical conditions
- A buildup of ear wax
This is why seeing a doctor is the first thing you should do when you’re suffering from tinnitus. A doctor needs to determine exactly what is causing the tinnitus so that an effective treatment plan can be developed.
It is also good to mention that at-home remedies are usually not recommended if you discover that you do have a buildup of ear wax. Home remedies can make things worse in the long run.
Ear wax is known as cerumen, and everyone has it. It is a substance produced by glands found in the ear. Cerumen protects the interior of your ear by catching debris, then it normally exits the ear canal on its own.
Normally, the only cleaning of the ear canal that is needed is to occasionally wipe the outer ear area with a wet rag. As you’ve likely already heard, items such as bobby pins and cotton swabs should never be pushed inside of the ear because this can result in damage to the ear canal.
In most people, ear wax can be left alone as it does its job, but in some people that is not the case. In some people, the wax becomes impacted and this is where problems begin.
One of the most common reactions to ear wax that is impacted is tinnitus. Tinnitus can cause a lot of irritation and pain, preventing you from being able to focus on everyday activities.
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Can Removing Ear Wax Help My Tinnitus Go Away?
Trying to remove ear wax yourself might seem harmless — but it can make tinnitus worse or even cause ear damage.
Avoid using:
- Cotton swabs (they push wax deeper)
- Ear candles (dangerous and ineffective)
- Water jets or unverified devices sold online
These methods can lead to infection, irritation, or even a perforated eardrum.
Instead, professional microsuction ear wax removal is recommended as the safest and most precise way to clear blockages.
What Does Tinnitus Feel Like?
Simply put, tinnitus is miserable. Symptoms can include earaches, congestion in the ear canal, loss of hearing, and even dizziness, among other things.
Some people also experience discharge from the ear and even odors. These are just some of the reasons why tinnitus patients need the services of a physician experienced in this condition.
While there are over-the-counter medications available, such as drops that soften the ear wax, these usually only provide temporary relief. Many times, they will get rid of some of the pain but do little to take care of the underlying problem of impaction of the ear wax.
There are also brand-new devices that promise to eliminate ear wax in the canal, but it is recommended that you never use these since they are so easy to use incorrectly. You can easily use them incorrectly without even realizing it.
How Professionals Remove Ear Wax
One of the reasons it is recommended that only professionals remove your excess ear wax is that some at-home methods are downright dangerous when done incorrectly.
Today, doctors remove excess ear wax in one of numerous ways, including the following methods:
- Microsuction. This is a common method that utilizes a microscope to magnify the inside of the ear canal. Then, the ear wax is removed with a small suction device. Most experts agree this is the safest method of ear wax removal.
- Irrigation. This method involves using a small water pick that is inserted in the ear canal to remove the excess wax. However, it is dangerous for certain people, including people with diabetes or who have tubes or holes in the eardrum.
The bottom line is this: if you’ve been told by a doctor that you have impacted or blocked ear wax, you need to trust the removal of that ear wax to the doctor.
If you go online, you’ll notice many at-home treatments that claim to be able to remove blocked ear wax. These treatments can include water picks and even candles, but most experts claim that you should avoid them altogether. Sometimes, tinnitus can be made much worse with at-home methods because these devices are so easy to use incorrectly.
In addition, you should never use a cotton swab to try and remove the ear wax because in many cases, it can push the ear wax in there even further. Sometimes, this will cause tinnitus to get worse and can even result in loss of hearing.
How to get hearing back from ear infection
Since tinnitus can be caused by numerous things, including impacted ear wax, removing the ear wax only works to relieve this condition if this is what caused it in the first place.
After a complete examination, your doctor can tell you what is causing your case of tinnitus so that you’ll know what to do next.
If a blocked ear canal is the cause, you can simply have it removed and this should get rid of the tinnitus.
Regardless of the cause, your doctor can help you determine how to best get rid of your tinnitus so that you can go back to having a pain-free life.
Conclusion
Tinnitus is a constant ringing, ticking, or buzzing in the ears that can continue 24/7 until you take care of the problem.
And the simplest way to take care of tinnitus is to pay a visit to a doctor for a proper diagnosis.
While getting rid of ear wax will get rid of tinnitus if the problem is caused by a blockage of ear wax in the ear canal, it could be caused by other things as well. This is why you should only trust the professionals to diagnose and correct any ear problems you might be having.
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