Wax (Cerumen) Impaction
Cerumen, or earwax, is a natural substance produced by the ear to protect and moisturize the ear canal. It comes in a variety of colors and textures—some may have light, dry, flaky wax, while others may have darker, thicker, and stickier wax. When earwax builds up, it can lead to cerumen impaction, making it difficult to properly examine the ear and blocking the view of the eardrum. Symptoms of impaction include a feeling of fullness in the ear, itchiness, ear pain, and ringing. In our office, we use several techniques and tools to safely remove wax. Dr. Sipp also recommends Nutribiotic ear drops to help soften the wax and support the ear’s natural cleaning process. These can be purchased at places such as whole foods and amazon.