Earwax Removal

Professional earwax removal in Palos Park

Earwax (cerumen) is normal and protective. It keeps the ear canal clean and guards against dust and bacteria. Most of the time earwax clears on its own. But some people produce more than their ears can clear, and it builds up and hardens against the canal wall. When that happens, it’s safest to have a professional remove it rather than reaching for a cotton swab, which usually pushes wax deeper.

Professional earwax removal at Prescription Hearing involves more than a simple cleaning. Our providers will examine your ear canal and eardrum, safely remove the blockage with proper tools, and check whether the wax was affecting your hearing. If your symptoms point to something beyond wax buildup, your provider will evaluate further and recommend the best next steps for your hearing.

Signs you may have an earwax blockage

Consider booking a visit if you’re noticing any of these signs of earwax buildup:

• Muffled or reduced hearing in one or both ears
• A feeling of fullness or that your ear is “plugged”
• Ringing or buzzing (tinnitus)
• Dizziness or a sense of imbalance
• Earache or mild discomfort
• Itching in the ear canal

Your hearing aids whistling or sounding weaker than usual
Wax is one of the most common causes of sudden muffled hearing, and it’s completely reversible.

How earwax relates to your hearing

When wax blocks the ear canal, sound can’t travel to the eardrum properly, and the result can feel just like hearing loss. Impacted wax can also press near the eardrum and trigger ringing or a sense of fullness. The good news is that this kind of hearing change is temporary, and clearing the blockage usually restores your hearing right away.

This is also why we check your ears before a hearing test or hearing aid fitting: we want to be sure we’re measuring your true hearing, not hearing affected by wax blockage. If you wear hearing aids, regular wax checks help your devices work their best, since wax can clog them and dampen their sound.

Earwax FAQ

Can earwax cause hearing loss?

Yes, but it’s temporary. A full blockage can muffle sound and mimic hearing loss. Once the wax is removed, hearing typically returns to normal. Persistent hearing loss after removal should be evaluated, and we can do that in the same visit.

Can earwax cause tinnitus?

It can. Wax built up near the eardrum sometimes causes ringing or buzzing, which often eases once the blockage is cleared.

Can earwax cause dizziness or vertigo?

Sometimes. A deep blockage pressing against the eardrum can affect your balance and cause dizziness. If dizziness continues after wax is removed, it’s worth a further look.

What causes earwax buildup?

Some people simply produce more wax than others. Narrow ear canals, aging, frequent earbud or hearing aid use, and cotton-swab cleaning (which pushes wax deeper) all make buildup more likely.

Is it safe to remove earwax myself?

Gently wiping the outer ear with a cloth is fine. But cotton swabs, ear candles, and picks can damage the canal or eardrum and often make blockages worse. For anything beyond the ear’s opening, it’s safest to see a professional.

Do I need to be an existing patient?

No. Earwax removal is available whether or not you’ve been seen here before. Call us and we’ll get you scheduled.