Professional Earwax Removal in Wilmington & Southport, NC

Earwax (cerumen) is a natural, healthy substance produced by the ear canal to protect the ear from dust, debris, and bacteria. In most people, earwax naturally migrates out of the ear canal on its own. But for many individuals, wax can build up, harden, and become impacted — causing muffled hearing, fullness, discomfort, and even tinnitus.

At Excel Audiology, Dr. Jason Rickman, Au.D. provides safe, professional earwax removal for patients who are experiencing symptoms of cerumen impaction. If you’re struggling with clogged ears, don’t reach for a cotton swab — come see us instead.

Why Earwax Builds Up

Some people simply produce more earwax than their ears can naturally eliminate. Others have narrow or curved ear canals that make self-clearance more difficult. Common factors that contribute to earwax buildup include:

  • Using cotton swabs (Q-tips) — despite being a common habit, cotton swabs push wax deeper into the ear canal rather than removing it
  • Wearing hearing aids or earplugs — regular use can prevent wax from migrating out naturally
  • Narrow or irregularly shaped ear canals
  • Older age — earwax becomes drier and harder to move as we age
  • Excessive hair in the ear canal
  • Producing unusually large amounts of cerumen

Symptoms of Earwax Impaction

Cerumen impaction can cause a range of symptoms, including:

  • Sudden or gradual muffled hearing
  • A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
  • Ear pain or discomfort
  • Ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus)
  • Itching in the ear canal
  • Dizziness or balance disruption in some cases
  • Coughing (the ear canal shares nerve pathways with the throat)

These symptoms can appear in one or both ears. Importantly, earwax impaction can also interfere with hearing aid function, causing feedback (whistling) or reduced performance.

How We Remove Earwax at Excel Audiology

We begin every earwax removal appointment with a visual examination of the ear canal using an otoscope. This allows us to confirm that earwax is the cause of your symptoms and to assess how much wax is present, its consistency, and the best approach for removal.

Earwax removal methods used at our practice include:

Manual Removal (Curette or Loop)

Using a small, specialized instrument, Dr. Rickman carefully removes earwax under direct visualization. This is the most controlled method and preferred for dry, hard wax.

Irrigation (Ear Syringing)

Warm water is gently flushed into the ear canal to loosen and wash out softer wax. This is only appropriate when the eardrum is intact.

The method chosen depends on the type and location of the wax, the condition of the ear canal, and the patient’s history.

What NOT to Do for Earwax

Never use cotton swabs (Q-tips) to clean inside your ear canal. The ear canal is a delicate structure, and pushing objects into it — even soft ones — risks:

  • Pushing wax deeper and causing a harder impaction
  • Irritating or scratching the sensitive skin of the ear canal
  • Perforating the eardrum

Avoid ear candling. Ear candles (hollow cones burned in the ear) have no proven benefit for earwax removal and carry genuine risks including burns to the face and ear canal, eardrum damage, and fire hazard.

Use over-the-counter drops with caution. Softening drops (like hydrogen peroxide-based products) can help loosen mild wax buildup when used as directed. However, if you have a history of ear surgery, a perforated eardrum, or tube placement, do not use drops without consulting us first.

Hearing Aid Users and Earwax

Earwax is the number one cause of hearing aid malfunction. If you wear hearing aids, regular earwax management is an important part of your hearing health routine. We offer free hearing aid cleaning at Excel Audiology, which includes checking for and addressing cerumen buildup in the ear canal that may be affecting device performance.

Professional Earwax Removal in Wilmington & Southport, NC

Don’t let earwax impaction hold you back from hearing clearly. Excel Audiology provides safe, effective, in-office cerumen management for patients throughout coastal North Carolina.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. When performed by a trained audiologist using appropriate tools and direct visualization, professional earwax removal is very safe. It is far safer than attempting to remove wax at home with cotton swabs or ear candles.

This varies by individual. Some patients need earwax management every few months; others need it annually. If you wear hearing aids, more frequent earwax monitoring is advisable.

Impacted earwax alone causes temporary, conductive hearing loss — once the wax is removed, hearing typically returns to its prior level. If underlying hearing loss exists, it will still be present after wax removal.

Many insurance plans, including Medicare, cover professional cerumen removal when medically indicated. Please call our office and we can help verify your coverage.

Softening drops used 1–2 days before your appointment can make removal easier. However, if you have any history of ear tube placement, eardrum perforation, or ear surgery, check with us before using any ear drops.