Everything You Need to Know About Professional Ear Cleaning

Although not a very popular process, professional ear cleaning is a mandatory part of the health maintenance of any individual. Everyone needs to get his ears cleaned at least once or twice a year. Some people might need more than that.

So, are you looking forward to knowing more about professional ear cleaning as you are tired of the wax that blocks your ears and obstructs your routine life? If yes, we have got you covered in this article.

Let us learn everything you need to know about professional ear cleaning in this article.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Why Have a Professional Ear Cleaning?

Part 2: What Does Professional Ear Cleaning Like?

Part 3: Professional Ear Wax Removal Tools

Part 4: Where to Get Professional Ear Cleaning?

Part 5: Professional Ear Wax Removal Cost

Part 1: Why Have a Professional Ear Cleaning?

One of the most common questions people with ear wax have is what is the need for professional ear cleaning when ears can be easily cleansed at home without an expensive fee. 

Here is the answer.

Benefits of Professional Ear Cleansing Over Self-Care Methods

At-home ear cleaning cannot replace professional ear cleaning because of the benefits of professional sessions given below.

• It removes the wax that has been stuck in the ears without displacing it deeper
• There is no risk of accidental perforation with professional cleaning
• Hearing is protected by professional 
• It is effective for the long-term health of the ear canal
• The ear is completely evacuated from the wax with professional sessions

Risks of Improper Ear Cleaning at Home

At-home ear cleaning used to be a cautious procedure in the past. It has been greatly improved over the years with the latest devices.

However, there are still some safety concerns related to at-home ear cleaning. These are given as. 

• Ear wax is pushed deep into the inner ear instead of being removed when using a cotton stick instead of the tools designed to be used at home
• There can be trauma to the ear canal or tympanic membrane caused by earwax scoop if no precautions are followed
• The ear can become infected by using random products that interfere with the natural flora of the skin and the pH level inside the ears
• Incomplete evacuation of wax that results in discomfort, poor hearing, and itching 

The Need for Professional Expertise for Certain Diseases

Cleaning of the ear for simple wax is one thing,  these are certain ear conditions where a professional procedure is required. These are given below.

• Discharge from the ear
• Dark wax impacted in the ear canal 
• Tinnitus and poor hearing
• Ringing sounds in the ear
• Pain in the ear canal 
• Fever or other signs of infection
• Dizziness and loss of balance on moving
• People who have eczema
• People who wear hearing aids

Part 2: What Does Professional Ear Cleaning Like?

Going to an ENT doctor is as scary as going to a dentist as you are not aware of what is going to happen to you there. So, let us calm you with the information about how professional ear cleaning feels like.

The Process of Ear Cleaning

Before cleaning an ear, the doctor examines the ear canal in detail with an otoscope to see if it has wax and what is the condition of the wax. After that, 3 methods can be used to clean the ear.

• Curette: In this method, the expert uses a spoon-like instrument attached to a light source to scoop the wax out of your ears safely.
• Suction: A small suction machine is used to remove the wax from the ear. This works on the principle of vacuum.
• Irrigation: Here, water is injected into the ear. The water softens the wax and creates pressure that pushes the wax out of the ear.

The Experience of the Customer

Customers can expect to spend 10-20 minutes in an ear clinic to get the wax removed regardless of the procedure used. Professional ear wax removal is not a painful procedure. 

However, it is not comfortable either. Patients experience slight discomfort or a sucking sensation or pressure in the ear during the procedure. 

After the process, ears become sensitive to the sound and the patient might experience tinnitus and vertigo.

Ways to Deal with the Discomfort 

The discomfort felt during professional ear cleaning is normal. So, the patient is simply guided about the imminent discomfort. 

Furthermore, it is important to reassure the patient that the side effects he/she might feel after the treatment are temporary and will resolve on their own. Some doctors also prescribe ear ointments or liquids to reduce the aftereffects of ear cleaning.

Also, hearing improves the removal of the wax, there is a low risk of ear infection, and the itching sensation caused by impacted wax is also resolved with ear cleaning. Therefore, this process is worth a try.

Part 3: Professional Ear Wax Removal Tools

Let us talk about the tools that can be used to clean the ears now,

Tools Used at Clinics

We discussed three types of ear-cleaning procedures. The tools used in these procedures are given as.

• Otoscope: Otoscope is a small camera that is used to see inside the ear. It helps in getting rid of ear wax without damaging the ear canal.
• Curette: A curette is a device with an elongated handle and a small loop at its end. It also has a source of light. The looped end is used to hold the wax and get it out of the ear.
• Syringe: Plastic or metal syringes can be used to irrigate the ear with water, hydrogen peroxide, or saline. 
• Ear suction tube: Ear suction tube is a vacuum-based device with a narrow end. It is attached to a suction apparatus to remove the wax.

Tools That Can be Used at Home

Although professional ear cleaning is the answer to stubborn ear wax, it is not always the most convenient option. Lack of time and expensive costs might make the patient delay his/her treatment. 

Under such cases, at-home professional ear cleaning tools can be used for safe and effective ear wax removal. The biggest problem of at-home ear wax cleaning is not being able to see inside the ear. It is solved with professional ear-cleaning tools.

So, you would be able to clean your ears by yourself if you could look into it, right?

That is why the Bebird Note5 Ear Wax Removal Tool is designed. It features a 10-megapixel otoscope to look inside the ear and 360-degree mobile tweezers to remove the wax. Additionally, the silicone covers of these tools make them more safe for the ears.

The automatic turn-off lid with a magnet and LED lights adds to the precision of this device. Lastly, the economical price of this device makes it a pocket-friendly alternative to expensive professional ear cleaning.

Part 4: Where to Get Professional Ear Cleaning?

Professional ear cleaning can be done in several settings. First of all, most healthcare centers offer ear cleaning services as they have professionals from multiple disciplines who can accommodate your requirements.

The second option is an audiologist, a healthcare professional who has studied a lot about the ear, its problems, and treatments as well. All audiologists have the instruments to remove ear wax. Some spas have audiologists to remove the wax.

Last and the best option is an ENT clinic. Such clinics mainly treat patients with ear, nose, and throat diseases and are skillful in removing the impacted wax quickly and safely.

Part 5: Professional Ear Wax Removal Cost

While professional ear cleaning is looking like the best option for ear wax, let us talk about its price to know if it is worth it. 

Factors that Influence the Cost

The Following factors influence the cost of professional ear wax removal.

• Location of the clinic
• Popularity of the clinic 
• The type of procedure done to clean the ear
• Use of over-the-counter medications
• Whether you are getting it at a spa, healthcare center, or specialist clinic
• Insurance 

Average Cost

The average cost of professional ear wax removal varies from $50 to $300 depending upon the factors stated above. A simple cleaning at a spa will only cost $50 for one ear. However, getting your treatment done by an ENT expert will cost up to $300.

Insurance Coverage 

Insurance can cover professional ear cleaning. However, it is not true for everyone. Certain diseases require ear cleaning and the insurance covers that.

Also, some insurance plans cover the treatment of ear wax while others do not. In these cases, you either have to pay or co-pay for the treatment of the ear wax.

Conclusion

Professional ear cleaning is the safest and most effective way to get rid of the wax from the ears. It is a procedure done at a clinic, hospital, or spa to remove the wax that has been impacted in an ear. 

It can be done by irrigation, suction, or curette with the help of an otoscope. Therefore, if you are trying to get rid of the wax from your ear, consult a doctor as soon as possible for the sake of healthy ears and clear hearing.