Ear irrigation

Earwax buildup can dull hearing and cause discomfort. Your nurse performs a gentle irrigation to clear the ear canal.

Earwax protects the ear, but it can build up and form a plug. You then notice a blocked-ear feeling, duller hearing or discomfort, sometimes more so for people who wear hearing aids. Ear irrigation removes the excess gently, without cotton swabs, which tend to push the plug further in.

Your nurse first looks into the ear canal to confirm there is a plug and that irrigation is appropriate. She then performs a gentle irrigation with warm water and checks the result. The procedure is quick and usually painless. If she sees anything other than a simple wax plug, she recommends that you see a doctor.