Why “Ear Cleaning Near Me” Is Going Viral: The Rise of Ear Wax Removal
Author: Liam Hickson, Victorian Hearing Audiologist
I never imagined that my job as an audiologist would take me here. For over 15 years, I’ve been fascinated by ears – everything from hearing tests and ear plugs to hearing aids. I used to be that person at parties – the one who’d start talking about hearing health and watch as people’s eyes slowly glazed over.
But not anymore. Thanks to TikTok and Instagram… I’m a hero. Why? Because of ear wax.
From Crickets to Conversations: The Rise of Ear Wax Fame
These days, strangers’ faces light up when I say I’m an audiologist. They excitedly ask me, “Do you clean ears? My ears get so blocked – do you work near me? I need to come in for an ear clean!”. Many go on to confess that their guilty pleasure is watching ear wax removal (and sometimes pimple popping) videos online. Thanks to modern technology, anyone can get a front-row seat to see a professional expertly unblock ears, right from their phone. And trust me, you’d be surprised just how much wax the average ear can produce!
Seven Signs You Might Need an Ear Cleaning
Ear wax buildup can cause discomfort and affect your hearing, but how do you know when it’s time for a professional ear cleaning? Here are seven common signs that indicate you may need to have your ears checked and cleaned by an expert.
- Feeling blocked in the ear
- Ear fullness
- Your voice sounds loud in your ear
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- A recent change in hearing
- Regular use of ear buds, cotton buds, or ear plugs
- Your hearing aid suddenly starts to whistle
Ear Wax Removal – an Evolving Art Form
For the longest time, audiologists weren’t trained to remove ear wax. I lost count of how many times, early in my career, I had to refer clients elsewhere because a blocked ear canal prevented me from seeing the eardrum – making it impossible to conduct an accurate hearing test.
It’s completely reasonable to expect a hearing specialist to manage one of the most common (and reversible) causes of hearing loss. But back then, patients often had to book multiple appointments with different specialists to resolve what should have been a simple issue. It was frustrating for everyone involved.
For a long time, the go-to method for unblocking a waxy ear was ear irrigation – flushing it out with water. It was a convenient option to clear out a wax occlusion: you could simply visit a nearby medical clinic where a doctor or nurse could perform the procedure. While irrigation is generally safe and reasonably effective, it doesn’t always work, especially for firm or impacted wax – and it isn’t suitable for everyone. In fact, fewer GP clinics offer ear irrigation these days, partly due to the potential risks involved in flushing the ears with water. For those with stubborn wax that couldn’t be cleared this way, the only other option was to see an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist to have it physically removed.
Why Microsuction is the Safest Way to Remove Ear Wax
About ten years ago, I completed a wax removal course, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my career. I learned how to remove ear wax using a ‘curette’ – a fancy name for a tiny metal loop that looks a bit like the ring on a children’s bubble wand. It allowed me to reduce the number of clients I had to refer to their doctor, which was a big improvement. Still, the curette couldn’t always remove all the wax, and for some people, it was a little uncomfortable. But it was a step in the right direction.
A few years later, I trained in what I now consider the holy grail of ear wax removal: microsuction. This technique uses a miniature vacuum to gently and precisely suction wax out of blocked ear canals. Finally, as an audiologist, I could offer my clients the instant relief they were hoping for, right in the audiology clinic.
Professional ear cleaning at Victorian Hearing
Nowadays, I use a combination of microsuction, curettes, irrigation and ear wax softeners for a comprehensive ear cleaning service (shout out to Biorevive Clean Ears spray for what I think is the best ‘wax dissolver’ on the market). The result? Happy ears and even happier clients. You can now access convenient, professional ear cleaning near me, and I get the joy of seeing someone’s relief as their hearing clears – often within just minutes.
Many people come in after watching a TikTok or Instagram Reel featuring professional ear wax removal. Sometimes, it’s their partner who saw the video and insisted they come in – or tagged along just to watch out of morbid curiosity!
If you feel like ear wax buildup is becoming an issue for you or a loved one, please contact the team at Victorian Hearing for a gentle, expert ear wax removal service.