Longmont Hearing & Tinnitus Center

What is earwax? Earwax is a substance produced by the body to clean, protect, and lubricate the ear. It is made up of dead skin cells, hair, and oils secreted by glands in the ear canal. While earwax is beneficial, too much of it can cause problems. impacted ear wax occurs when the earwax becomes too hard and dry, or is pushed deep into the ear canal. This can block the ear canal and cause pain, itching, and hearing loss.Impacted ear wax is a common problem. It is more likely to occur in adults over the age of 60, children under the age of 2, people who wear hearing aids, and those who clean their ears frequently.Earwax removal is a simple process that can be done at home or by a healthcare professional. impacted ear wax can be removed using a candle, ear drops, or irrigation. If the impacted ear wax does not respond to home treatment, you may need to see a healthcare professional for further treatment.If you have impacted ear wax, it means that the ear wax has built up and hardened in your ear. This can cause problems with hearing, pain, and even infection. Impacted ear wax is more common in older adults, but anyone can get it. There are several ways to tell if you have impacted ear wax.Signs of Impacted EarwaxIf you have impacted ear wax, you may notice that your hearing is muffled. You may also feel like your ear is full or plugged. You may also have pain in your ear, itchiness, or drainage. If you have any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor. They can safely remove the impacted ear wax and help you feel better.Smelly earwax can be a sign of an infection. If you have smelly earwax, you should see a doctor. Yellow, brown, or bloody earwax can also be a sign of an infection. If you have this type of earwax, you should see an audiologist to have your ears checked.Will impacted ear wax fix itself?Impacted ear wax usually does not go away on its own. In fact, if you leave impacted ear wax untreated, it can lead to more problems. impacted ear wax can cause hearing loss, pain, and even infection. If you think you have impacted ear wax, its highly recommended that you seek medical attention to ensure that your ears are clean and free of dirt and foreign objects.What happens during professional earwax removal?An audiologist or healthcare professional will use a special instrument to remove the impacted ear wax. This is usually done in a doctors office or clinic. The procedure is quick and easy, and you should feel better right away.A  small, curved tool will be used to remove the impacted ear wax. This tool is called a curette. The curette will be inserted into the ear to gently scrape out the impacted ear wax. In some cases, suction may also be used to remove the ear wax. The whole process usually takes less than 15 minutes.If you have impacted ear wax, it is important to see a healthcare professional for treatment. impacted ear wax can cause hearing loss, pain, and even infection. With proper treatment, you can remove the impacted ear wax, feel better, and hear better.If you have any questions, please call Longmont Hearing & Tinnitus Center at 303-651-1178.

For many, television is a big part of our day-to-day. For those with hearing loss, watching TV can be tough. Many are able to hear, but they cant understand, clarity being the biggest issue. Clarity is made worse the further you are from the TV, and by reverberation (how the sound bounces around the hard surfaces in the room before it reaches your ears).TIP #1Spend the extra money on a wireless transmitter. There are stand-alone systems that work without hearing aids that make watching TV with hearing loss less frustrating. Each brand of hearing aid has its own version of a TV transmitter, so you will need to use the one that is specific to your brand.TIP #2Todays flat-screen televisions often leave much to be desired when it comes to sound quality (speakers are sometimes on the back of the TV, so the sound does not project out to you). It may be helpful to buy a soundbar. Some hearing aids may also be programmed with a manual setting designed specifically for watching TV. However, the wireless TV Streamers that connect to most hearing aids provide the best sound quality.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Longmont Hearing & Tinnitus Center. They may be reached at 303-651-1178