Earwax Removal
Ear wax removal in Sioux Falls should be simple, safe, and quick. At Stanford Hearing, our providers clear stubborn earwax in the office. Cerumen, also called earwax, forms naturally in your ear canals. It traps dust and protects the skin inside your ears. Most of the time it clears on its own. Sometimes it builds up and blocks the canal. When that happens, a hearing care provider can remove it safely.
Symptoms of an Ear Wax Blockage
A blockage can affect your ears in a few clear ways:
- Earache or a feeling of fullness
- Ringing or noise in the ear
- Muffled hearing or hearing loss
- Ear pressure or discomfort
These signs often point to a wax blockage. Our providers can clear it and check your hearing at the same visit.
How Not to Remove Earwax Buildup
Some home habits do more harm than good. Never push cotton swabs or small objects into your ear canal. Swabs tend to pack the wax deeper instead of removing it. That can bruise the canal or harm the eardrum. Skip ear candles and suction gadgets too, since both carry real risks. For safe home care, see our guide to reducing ear wax at home. When wax keeps building, let a professional take over.
At-Home Earwax Removal
Sometimes a provider sends you home with an earwax softening kit. These kits hold a gentle liquid and a small bulb syringe. You place a few drops in the ear as directed. Let the liquid sit so it softens the wax. A little bubbling or fizzing is normal. Then flush the ear gently with warm water. Clearing a blockage this way can take several days. Ask your hearing care provider first, since some ears should skip kits.
What to Expect at Ear Wax Removal in Sioux Falls
When wax packs in tight, we remove it in our Sioux Falls office. First, we look inside your ear with a light and scope. Then we choose the gentlest method for your ears. We may use irrigation, which flushes the canal with warm liquid. A gentler option is micro-suction or a small curette. Removal should not hurt, and relief usually comes right away. For a large or painful blockage, we may refer you to a physician. Proper care protects your hearing and your comfort.
We care for every patient as an individual, starting with a free consultation. For more than 20 years, our locally owned team has served Sioux Falls and Buffalo. Choose the ear wax removal Sioux Falls families have trusted for two decades. Visit our Sioux Falls hearing center or call to book.