Earwax Impaction

If you are experiencing reduced hearing, chronic earaches, or a stiff feeling In the ear then you may be dealing with Earwax impaction. This is an uncomfortable illness caused by infection and earwax buildup. To get treatment started come into WellCare Urgent Care center in Grand Rapids.


Who Can Have Earwax Impaction?

Children often have earwax impaction due to frequent respiratory illnesses and colds, but this problem also occurs in teenagers and adults. Exposure to the dirty water in a swimming pool or from pollutants in the air can lead to an infection in the ear, and your ear will manufacture earwax to rinse away the contamination. Senior citizens often develop earwax buildup as part of the natural aging process and hormonal changes.

Can You Use Store-bought Drops for Earwax Impaction?

Occasionally, your ears will contain too much earwax, leading to impaction that makes it difficult to hear or that can cause pain inside the ear as the cerumen presses against the inner components of the ear. Do not try to use homemade remedies to eliminate this excess earwax because it can lead to serious damage. It is better to use special drops that you can buy at online and local drugstores, or you can request a prescription for the drops.

Use the Guidelines That Are On the Package of Drops

Make sure to use the drops as recommended on the product’s label to avoid any complications. This type of medication works by softening the earwax so that it begins to drip from the ear canal. You can place a cotton ball in the outer ear to capture the earwax that may have a clear, yellow, or brown color. If you have impacted earwax, then repeat applications of the drops is okay, but if you have any discomfort from the medication, then stop using it before visiting an urgent care center.

What Are the Symptoms from Earwax Impaction?

There are additional symptoms from earwax impaction that include:

  • Chronic earaches
  • Reduced hearing acuity
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Additional infection
  • Dizziness
  • Fever
  • Feeling of stuffiness in the ear

What Can Cause Earwax Impaction?

An earwax impaction may occur after having a sinus infection, cold, or influenza. Your ear may produce extra wax to get rid of debris such as dust or insects that are in the ear canal. A physician has the proper equipment to irrigate your ears professionally, or you may receive antibiotics for an ear infection. If the inner components of your ear are damaged, then you may need surgery or additional treatments from an ear, nose, and throat specialist.

Come into WellCare

WellCare Urgent Care in Grand Rapids has a great team of highly-skilled physicians who can help you get rid of earwax impaction. Contact our urgent care center to learn more about earwax impaction treatments. You can schedule a same-day appointment at our Cascade and Leonard offices to get relief.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ear Wax Impaction

Can an impacted ear fix itself?

Unfortunately, it’s unlikely for an impacted ear clogged with ear wax to clear on its own. It most likely needs to be unclogged by a professional.

Does it hurt to fix an ear wax impaction?

You may feel some discomfort during the treatment for ear wax impaction but you shouldn’t feel any pain.

How can you prevent having an ear wax impaction?

To prevent ear wax impaction, avoid sticking anything in your ears, regularly soften your earwax with diluted hydrogen peroxide, keep your ears clean but don’t overclean, and avoid using ear candles.

What are the symptoms of severe ear wax impaction?

Some of the symptoms include an earache, a feeling of fullness in the ear, hearing loss, dizziness, and a ringing noise in the ears.

How do you fix an ear wax impaction?

Fixing an ear wax impaction on your own can be difficult and cause more harm than good. Seeking the help of a physician at WellCare Urgent Care to help you remove the earwax properly and safely is the best option.

Should I visit Urgent Care or Emergency Room?

Urgent Care

When you have any medical condition that is non-life threatening or have general medical needs, then an Urgent Care center can take care of these. WellCare Urgent Care takes care of a variety of medical concerns such as the flu, vaccinations, physicals, allergy symptoms, and more.

WellCare Urgent care is convenient because it is quick and cost-effective.

Average visit time: 1 hour
Average cost: $150

Emergency Room

Emergency care is necessary when you are suffering from a life-threatening condition. This could be a heart attack, stroke, head injury, or other trauma that requires more advanced treatment. If you or someone you love has a life-threatening illness or injury, then you need to call 911 and get to the closest Emergency Room.

Emergency Rooms, while the best option for serious trauma, do take time and are costly.

Average Time Spent: 4.5 hours
Average Cost Per Visit: $1700

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