Excessive ear wax and ear wax removal in children: understanding the basics
As a parent, it's common to worry about your child's hearing and overall health. One condition that can affect your child's hearing is excessive ear wax. This can be a concerning issue, but with the right information and proper treatment, your child can retain healthy ears and hearing.
Ear wax, also known as cerumin, is a naturally occurring substance that helps to protect the ear from dust, debris, and other irritants. However, sometimes the wax can build up and become impacted, leading to symptoms such as pain, hearing loss, and tinnitus. This is known as excessive ear wax.
While anyone can develop excessive ear wax, certain children are more at risk, including:
Children with small or narrow ear canals
Children with a history of frequent ear infections
Children who use cotton swabs or other objects to clean their ears
Children with a history of skin conditions such as eczema
If you suspect that your child may have excessive ear wax, it's important to schedule a diagnostic assessment with an Audiologist. This will help to determine the severity of the issue and ensure that proper treatment is provided.
Diagnosis and treatment
An Audiologist will perform a thorough examination of your child's ears, which will include using an otoscope to visualise the ear canal. They may also perform a hearing test to determine if there has been any hearing loss as a result of the impacted wax.
If left untreated, excessive ear wax can cause a range of symptoms, including:
Hearing loss
Pain or discomfort in the ear
Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
Dizziness
Ear infections
In many cases, an Ear nurse or an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor can perform ear wax removal. This is a relatively simple procedure that can be performed in the clinic, and usually takes just a few minutes.
There are a number of techniques that can be used for ear wax removal, but the safest and most comfortable option is microsuction. This advanced technique uses a microscope and suction device to safely remove the impacted wax.
Ear wax removal is a quick and painless procedure. Your child may experience some sounds in their ear during the procedure, but this should be minimal. After the procedure, your child may experience some itching in the ear, but this should resolve quickly. It's important to avoid using cotton swabs or other objects to clean your child's ears following the procedure, as this can increase the risk of developing excessive ear wax in the future.
After the procedure, your child's hearing should improve if the ear canal was blocked. If you notice any improvement, this is a good indication that the procedure was successful. If you have any concerns, it's important to follow up with your Ear Nurse or ENT doctor for a reassessment.
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