The ear is the anatomical organ that detects sound. It not only acts as a receiver for sound, but also plays a major role in the sense of balance and body position. In humans the only visible portion of the ear is the outer ear. The outer ear does help get sound (and imposes filtering), but the ear canal is very important. Unless the canal is open, hearing will be dampened.

 

Outer Ear Problem

The ear canal is most often self-traumatized from efforts at ear wax cleaning. Earwax, also known by the medical term cerumen, is a yellowish waxy substance produced by glands in the skin of the outer portion of the ear canal. It protects the skin of the ear canal, assists in cleaning and lubrication, and also provides some protection from bacteria, fungi, insects and water. Excess or impacted cerumen can press against the eardrum and/or occlude the external auditory canal and impair hearing. The primary components of earwax are shed layers of skin, with 60% of the earwax consisting of keratin, 12–20% saturated and unsaturated long-chain fatty acids, alcohols, squalene and 6–9% cholesterol. Fear, stress and anxiety result in increased production of earwax from the ceruminous glands. There are two distinct genetically determined types of earwax: the wet type, which is dominant, and the dry type, which is recessive. East Asians and Native Americans are more likely to have the dry type of cerumen (grey and flaky), whereas Caucasians and Africans are more likely to have the wet type (honey-brown to dark-brown and moist). The consistency of wet type earwax is due to the higher concentration of lipid and pigment granules (50% lipid) in the substance than the dry type (30% lipid).

Excessive cerumen may impede the passage of sound in the ear canal, causing conductive hearing loss. It is also estimated to be the cause of 60–80% of hearing aid faults. Movement of the jaw could help the ears' natural cleaning process. Jaw movement assists this process by dislodging debris attached to the walls of the ear canal, increasing the likelihood of its expulsion.

Treatment Of The Ear Wax

 

Ear Candling

 

Ear candling treatments provide an effective method of removing ear wax build-up. A tapered candle is placed in the ear and lit. As the candle burns, for around 10 minutes, the candle flame creates a vacuum at the opposite end of the candle and this sucks up the wax into the candle chimney. When the candle is removed from the ear canal the end will be dark in colour.

 

Ear Canal Irrigation

 

Irrigation of the ear canal is a cleansing procedure that releases ear wax that may have hardened which cannot be removing by ear candling treatment. In our center we offer a safe and effective means to remove troublesome ear wax or foreign bodies from the ear through the use of ear candling and suction technology. Hardened or excessive ear wax can become embedded in the ear, causing pain, balance problems, increased tinnitus and can interfere with hearing. With professional examination procedure either ear candling or ear canal irrigation, we can ensure safe and effective means of wax removal. The treatment of ear is also greatly enhanced through the use of suction to remove any debris and allows a more efficient use of any prescribed medicated ear drops or powders.

 

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