Obstructed earwax, or cerumen embolism, can be removed by instrumental removal, external ear canal flushing, and endoscopic suction. According to the nature of cerumen and its relationship with the surrounding tissues, the applicable measures should be selected, and there is no fastest solution.
1. Instrumental removal: Cerumen that is movable and does not completely obstruct the external auditory canal can be removed by knee forceps or cerumen hooks. For softer cerumen, it can be separated from the wall of the external auditory canal and removed in stages. For hard cerumen, a cerumen hook is used to separate the cerumen from the wall of the external auditory canal through the upper wall of the external auditory canal, and then the cerumen hook is inserted into the middle of the cerumen mass and slowly hooked out, so that the cerumen can be removed as completely as possible.
2. Rinsing of the external auditory canal: If the cerumen is dry and hard and difficult to be removed, 5% sodium bicarbonate solution can be dropped into the earwax, and after the cerumen is sufficiently diluted and softened, warm saline can be used to rinse out the cerumen. For those who have otitis externa, antibiotics should be given to control the inflammation, such as levofloxacin ear drops.
3. Endoscopic suction: If the cerumen is deep and difficult to remove, it can be removed by negative pressure suction using a suction device with the aid of an endoscope after sufficiently softening the cerumen, so as to adequately clean up the cerumen from the external auditory canal and to avoid damaging the external auditory canal and the tympanic membrane.
When earwax blockage occurs, you can actively consult a doctor for a systematic examination to clarify the extent of the disease, and then follow the doctor’s instructions to standardize the treatment.