Ear wax removal tool is essentially used to remove wax from the ear inorder to keep it clean and neat. The ear is an essential and delicate sense organ and part of the body that needs a high degree of attention and cautiousness. Hence, there is need for using ear wax removal tool to clean the ear and to get rid of the wax which may cause discomfort and possibly other complications if not properly taken care of.
Ear wax removal tool is essential for removing ear wax properly to avoid the risk associated with applying the wrong approach. Cleaning of the ear is one of the important part of personal hygiene and body care that should not be neglected. However, most people seem to focus more interest in other parts of the body and sense organs such as the eye and the skin. We should also endeavour not to neglect the other three sense organs: ear, nose and tongue. Likewise, as we purchase skin care products and eye care products, importance should also be attached to ear wax removal products. Non removal of the wax might cause ear crackling
What is Ear Wax?
Ear wax otherwise known as ‘cerumen’ is a substance that occurs naturally, which protects, lubricates and cleans the external auditory canal. It is composed of dust, old skin cells and oil from ear glands. Ear wax is usually brownish or yellowish brown in colour and could be dry ear wax or wet ear wax.
Wax build-up usually occur when the ear is exposed to dust, frequent use of ear plugs to protect the ear, which could be based on the nature of your work, consistent use of hearing aids such as ear phones and ear buds.
Though it is majorly not harmful and the ear is self-cleaning such that the wax could come out by itself, ear wax is also the main reason the ear canal gets blocked. It can lead to many effects such as difficulty/loss of hearing, itching, odour, discharge, tinnitus (noise in your ears), cough and even infection. There is therefore need for ear wax management
Ear wax removal Tools
You may be asking yourself; how do I remove ear wax? There are several ear wax removal tools and products and different ways of removing ear wax. However, it is not advisable to use cotton bud or swabs because they tend to push the wax inside the ear canal. Ear wax can be removed manually by carefully sucking out the ear wax from the ear canal using a removal tool or by irrigation, where the ear is flushed with a solution (water, hydrogen peroxide) to aid the removal of the ear wax.
Ear wax removal kits and Products:
(1)Ototek Loop Ear Wax Removal Device:
This is one of the best manual ear wax removal tool. It is a non-irrigation ear wax removal, tool easy to use without multiple set-up. Though it is not durable due to its plastic nature, this ear wax removal tool is effective when carefully used for pulling out the ear wax than using a cotton bud. The tool can be washed and reused. Ototex Loop Ear Wax Removal Kit is a cheap ear wax removal tool.
(2)Vafee Soft Silicone Ear Cleaning Tool:
Vafee Ear cleaning tool is also a manual ear wax removal tool, easy to use and good for soft ear wax. It has a soft silicone tip which is disposable, attached to the handle. The soft tip enables it to be twisted according to the direction of the arrow on the handle. The disposable tips are 16 in number and the tool can be reused.
(3) Debrox Ear wax Removal Kit:
This ear wax removal kit is best for hard ear wax and it is used by irrigation method. The ear wax removal kit consists of ear wax drops and a bulb. The ear wax removal drops soften the ear wax before it is flushed with water while the bulb helps in removing excess moisture. Only the drops can be reused.
(4)Tvidler Spiral Ear Wax Removal Kit:
This manual ear wax removal tool is suitable for sensitive skin. It is comfortable and effective, contains six disposable tips. Its spiral design makes it easier to remove the ear wax.
(5)Tilcare Ear wax Removal Tool:
Tilcare Ear wax removal tool is good for ear wax resulting from the use of hearing aid. It is used by irrigation method of removing ear wax. Contains a spray and up to 30 disposable tips.
(6)Waxiway Ear wax Removal kit:
This is a highly rated but affordable ear wax removal tool. The ear wax removal kit contains a bulb and a saline solution, towel and also a basin. The saline solution is used for loosening the ear wax, which is then flushed out. The kit is reusable and includes up to 5 disposable tips.
(7)QISXROVY Ear Cleaning Kit:
It is considered as best hydrogen peroxide kit because its solution contains hydrogen peroxide. The kit also include silicone bulb for removing solution and dissolved ear wax, also other looped tools. It is affordable.
(8) Ear Wax Removal Tool with camera:
This is an electric ear wax removal tool that uses LED as its light source. It is also made up of silicone and metal. Electric ear wax removal tool have different voltage and outlets. You therefore have to check the compatibility before purchasing.
Conclusion
Ear wax is beneficial to the ear but can also be detrimental thereby causing some negative effects. The use of good and appropriate ear wax removal tool is strongly recommended for proper and effective management of ear wax. It is advisable to seek guidance or contact a medical professional if you cannot use ear wax removal tool correctly. The ear canal or ear drum can be damaged and the ear drum pierced as a result of improper or wrong use of the ear wax removal tool.
References
Agrawal V. and Deshmukh P. T. (2021). “Ear Wax and its Impaction: Clinical Findings and Management”. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International. 33(60A): 176-182.
American Speech-Language-Hearing (2021). Earwax. Audiology Information Series.
Deanma, P. (2022). The 8 Best Ear-Cleaning Kits of 2023 According to Audiology Experts. https://people.com/best-ear-cleaning-kits-6743392#toc-best-softening-debrox-earwax-removal-kit