Most of the earwax is cerumen impaction or cerumen embolism. Generally, when cerumen forms a hard lump, it cannot be discharged on its own, and it needs to be discharged by means of instrumental removal, external auditory canal flushing and suction after active medical treatment.
1. Instrumental removal: small or flaky cerumen masses can be removed with tweezers; cerumen embolism embedded in the ear canal can be removed with cerumen hooks.
2. External ear canal rinsing: this method can be used if it is difficult to remove cerumen by the above methods. Before rinsing, use 5% sodium bicarbonate solution to soften all or part of the cerumen, and then use warm saline to rinse. If the combination of external auditory canal infection, or acute or chronic suppurative otitis media, or the external auditory canal stenosis, should not be used to flush.
3. Suction method: This method can be used for cerumen after water ingress, infection or softening with medication. In the case of stenosis of the external auditory canal, the pressure of the suction device should not be too high, and the suction is often carried out under endoscopic observation.
When otoliths are detected on examination, it is recommended to seek medical attention for systematic examination and standardized management after evaluation of the condition of the external auditory canal by a specialist.