Ear wax or “cerumen” is the normal defense mechanism of the skin lining our ear canals. It is a combination of glandular secretions and shredded skin lining the ear canal. Our ear canals have the innate ability to remove extra built-up wax. When it causes ear pain, hearing loss, persistent itching, or as part of an ear checkup, excess cerumen or wax may need to be cleaned” says Dr. Karan Aggarwal, ENT specialist at SPS Hospitals, Ludhiana.

“The use of earbuds, oils, hydrogen peroxide, or similar materials is not recommended as these may cause injury to the ear skin or even the ear drum. It is always best to seek the opinion of an otolaryngologist (ENT Specialist) for cerumen removal,” he added. Your ENT specialist may recommend using was solvent ear drops for a few days to soften the wax before removing it.

To remove built-up wax, ENT professionals typically employ gentle suction, ear probes, or water syringing techniques. You may experience short-lasting mild dizziness after wax removal which is more common with the syringing method than with other methods. Visit SPS Hospitals for all kinds of ear, nose, or throat-related issues.

Dr Karan Aggarwal is a dynamic ENT and Head-Neck Surgeon. He completed his MBBS in 2012 from the prestigious Government Medical College, Patiala. Thereafter he completed MS in ENT and Head & Neck Surgery in 2016 from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. Following this, he did a fellowship in Laryngology and Phonosurgery from Medanta, the Medicity, Gurugram from 2016-2017.

Thereafter, he joined AIIMS, New Delhi again to do his Senior Residency in ENT from 2017-2020. With a keen interest in Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery, he then worked as Fellow in Skull Base Surgery at AIIMS from 2020-2021 being trained in the departments of ENT and Neurosurgery.