Earwax Maintenance at Home and Clinic

Nguyen, Kenny

Item

Earwax Maintenance at Home and Clinic

Nguyen, Kenny

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Abstract

Earwax accumulation is the most common ear-related problem worldwide, for which patients seek medical care. Earwax impaction affects an estimated 1 in 10 children, 1 in 20 adults, and 1 in 3 older adults/elderly in the U.S. This results in 12 million patient visits for 8 million cerumen removal procedures annually, amounting to over $50 million in Medicare spending annually. While excess accumulation may cause hearing loss, ear pain, infections, or other ear-related pathologies, frequent ear wax removal in the clinic is not necessary and may be safely managed at home. This project details appropriate maintenance and prevention of earwax at home, and outlines when hospital or clinic follow-up is necessary.