Removing the sulfur plug by a non-hardware method

Earwax is a yellow, waxy substance that is formed by the sebaceous glands of the ear canal. Sulfur protects against the ingress of water, foreign bodies (dust, dirt, insects). Normally, sulfur, which is formed in the external auditory canal physiologically, goes out by itself.

Therefore, do not use earplugs, pins, hairpins, or other devices to remove earwax. Do not try to remove the wax from the ear canal yourself! You can remove the wax by showering or washing your face with a soapy fingertip at the opening of your ear canal.

In some people, wax can build up in excess and accumulate in the ear canal, leading to the formation of wax plugs and blocking its lumen.

But the reasons for the formation of earplugs can also be the human factor:

• the use of cotton swabs, hairpins for cleaning the ear canal;
• frequent use of such devices as earplugs, hearing aids, cotton swabs, which leads to excessive accumulation of earwax;
• swimming leads to excess sulfur formation.

Removal of the earplug is contraindicated in the presence of perforation of the tympanic membrane or acute inflammatory process of the ear canal.

The manipulation is carried out on an outpatient basis. The duration of the procedure is about 15-20 minutes. This is a painless and safe procedure.

For the procedure, a special large syringe (Janet's syringe) and/or special instruments are used. Before the procedure, for 7-10 minutes, special preparations or hydrogen peroxide are used to soften the sulfur, which is instilled into the ear, after which the patient lies on his side.

About 200 ml of warm saline is drawn into Janet's syringe, which, under high pressure (permissible pressure), is directed towards the tympanic membrane along the back wall of the ear canal. This flushes the wax plug out of the ear. The auricle is retracted outward and backward during the procedure.

In some cases, curettage is shown (dense earplugs, postponed purulent otitis media). For cleaning, a special device is used - a probe or a hook. Under visual control (otoscope or microscope), the ENT removes wax from the ear canal by precisely performing its movements.

You can find out the details of the procedure, the cost of non-hardware earplug removal at Dobrobut Medical Center, as well as sign up for a consultation with a doctor by filling out the feedback form on our website, or by calling the call center number.

If you have hearing problems and sulfur congestion haunt you, do not postpone your visit to the ENT for tomorrow, sign up for a consultation with our specialists at Dobrobut Medical Center today!

1. Богомильский М. Р., Чистякова В. Р. Серная пробка // Детская оториноларингология. — М.: ГЭОТАР-Медиа, 2002. — С. 73—74.
2. Roeser R.J., Ballachanda B.B. Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Anthropology/Epidemiology of Human Earcanal Secretions// J. Am. Acad. Audiol. : journal. — 1997. — Vol. 8, no. 6. — P. 391—400.
3. Wade, Nicholas. Japanese Scientists Identify Ear Wax Gene (англ.) // New York Times : newspaper. — 2006. — 29 January.
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