Why People Reach for DIY Solutions
A blocked or itchy ear is uncomfortable, and it is understandable to want to sort it out yourself and quickly. Cotton buds are already in most bathroom cabinets, and ear candles and home wax-removal kits are widely sold and marketed as simple, at-home fixes.
The trouble is that most DIY methods either fail to remove wax properly, or carry a real risk of harm.
The Trouble With Cotton Buds
The ear canal is largely self-cleaning: normal jaw movement from talking and chewing gradually shifts old wax toward the opening, where it clears on its own. Pushing a cotton bud into the canal usually does the opposite of what people intend. It tends to pack wax further down toward the eardrum rather than removing it, and it carries a real risk of scratching the delicate skin of the ear canal or, in more serious cases, damaging the eardrum.
The Trouble With Ear Candling
Ear candling involves placing a hollow, lit candle into the ear, on the idea that it draws wax out through suction. There is no credible evidence that this actually removes ear wax, and it carries a genuine risk of dripping hot wax into the ear canal, burning the skin or eardrum. It is generally considered unsafe by hearing health professionals.
The Trouble With Home Syringe and Bulb Kits
Over-the-counter ear syringing or irrigation kits can be risky if there is an undiagnosed perforated eardrum, an active ear infection, or grommets in place, none of which are easy to check for yourself at home. Incorrect angle or water pressure can cause pain, dizziness or push wax further into the canal instead of clearing it, and results tend to be inconsistent even when nothing goes wrong.
What Professional Ear Wax Removal Involves
A trained clinician, like at RT Speech and Hearing has the equipment and training to see directly into the ear canal while they work, which is the key advantage over any DIY method. Common professional techniques include microsuction, where wax is gently removed under magnified or microscopic view, irrigation using controlled equipment, and manual removal with specialised instruments. The right method depends on the type and location of the wax and the individual’s ear health.
The Benefits of Getting It Done Professionally
- Our clinicians can see exactly what they are doing throughout the procedure, rather than working blind
- Lower risk of injury to the ear canal or eardrum compared with DIY methods
- More effective at fully clearing wax, rather than softening or compacting it further
- Other issues, such as infection, a perforation, or unusual growths, can be identified while the clinician is already looking
- Often more comfortable than people expect, particularly with microsuction
When to See Someone
It is worth booking professional ear wax removal if you notice a feeling of fullness, muffled hearing, itchiness or mild discomfort, especially if you wear hearing aids or earbuds regularly and experience recurrent buildup.
Leave It to the Professionals
Ear wax removal is one of those tasks that feels simple but is genuinely safer left to a trained clinician. RT Speech and Hearing offers professional ear wax removal in Perth as part of our audiology services.
Book with us
To make a booking with a clinician from RT Speech and Hearing at our Wesley Medical location, click here to get started.
Find us: Wesley Quarter, Shop 7, 93 William Street, Perth WA 6000