Ear wax removal at Urgent Care Center of Westmont in Westmont, IL. If your ear feels plugged, rings or hears less, a provider can look in the ear and gently clear built-up wax. Walk in or check in online.
Ear wax (cerumen) is normal and helpful. It traps dust and germs and protects the skin of the ear canal. Sometimes it builds up and hardens, causing a plugged feeling, earache, ringing (tinnitus), dizziness or muffled hearing.
Urgent Care Center of Westmont, also known as Immediate Care Center of Westmont, can examine your ear to see whether wax is the cause and remove it gently when needed, for adults and children. We also check for other causes of your symptoms, such as an ear infection.
Key facts
Wax blockage is a common cause of hearing loss (ENT Health, American Academy of Otolaryngology).
People who use hearing aids or keep getting wax buildup may benefit from an ear check every 6 to 12 months.
Softening drops such as mineral oil, baby oil, glycerin or peroxide-based drops can loosen wax before removal.
Rinsing is avoided for people with diabetes, a hole in the eardrum, ear tubes, ear canal eczema or a weakened immune system.
Symptoms of ear wax buildup
A blocked or full feeling in the ear
Muffled or reduced hearing
Earache
Ringing or buzzing in the ear
Dizziness
These symptoms can also come from infection or other ear problems, so an exam helps find the real cause.
Safe home care and what to avoid
MedlinePlus and the NHS say a few drops of mineral oil, baby oil, glycerin, olive oil or over-the-counter ear drops can soften wax. Do not put cotton swabs or other objects in the ear canal, since they push wax deeper. The NHS says there is no evidence that ear candles remove wax. Do not rinse your ears if you have a hole in your eardrum or have had recent ear surgery.
If your ear is still blocked after several days of drops, or you have pain or drainage, have it checked.
How we remove ear wax at our Westmont, IL clinic
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A provider first looks in your ear with a lighted scope to confirm that wax is the problem and check the eardrum. If removal is needed, we use gentle methods such as irrigation (rinsing with body-temperature water) or manual removal with a small instrument called a curette. Softening drops may be used first for hard wax. We then recheck the ear and share tips to help prevent future buildup.
If you have a known eardrum hole, ear tubes or recent ear surgery, tell us, because irrigation may not be safe. Some cases need an ear, nose and throat specialist.
You can walk in during open hours or check in online before you arrive. We are open weekdays 9 AM to 6 PM and weekends 9 AM to 5 PM at 29 N Cass Ave, Ste A, and inside Jewel-Osco at 4 E Ogden Ave, both in Westmont, IL 60559.
Our clinic works with most major insurers, such as Cigna, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Multiplan/PHCS and Medicare. Call (630) 324-6825 to confirm that your plan covers ear wax removal, or review our accepted insurance and costs.
Paying on your own? Read about our flat, upfront self-pay pricing, and ask us for the cost of any lab work before it is done.
What happens at your visit
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Look firstYour clinician checks both ears with a lighted otoscope to confirm that wax is the problem and to see the eardrum if possible.
Health checkExpect questions about diabetes, past ear surgery, ear tubes, eardrum holes and hearing aid use, since these change which method is safe.
Soften if neededSoftening drops may be placed first to loosen hard, packed wax.
Gentle removalWax is removed with a gentle rinse of body-temperature water or with a small instrument. Tell us right away if you feel pain or dizziness.
Recheck and tipsThe clinician looks again to make sure the canal is clear and shares ways to prevent buildup.
Oil, glycerin or peroxide-based drops loosen wax over a few days
A known or possible hole in the eardrum, unless a doctor says it is okay
Irrigation
Warm water or saline gently rinses wax out
Diabetes, eardrum hole, ear tubes, ear canal eczema or a weakened immune system
Manual removal
A small curette or loop lifts wax out under a light
Very narrow or sensitive canals may need a specialist
Suction under a microscope
Done by an ear, nose and throat specialist
Usually saved for harder cases
Who tends to get wax buildup
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Ears usually clean themselves. Wax moves out of the canal on its own and flakes away. Buildup happens when something keeps that from working.
Cotton swabs, bobby pins and similar objects push wax deeper, and a swab pushed too far can injure the eardrum.
Hearing aids and earplugs can block the natural flow of wax.
Repeated buildup runs in some people, who may need regular checks.
ENT Health suggests that people who use hearing aids or get repeated wax buildup see a doctor every 6 to 12 months for a check and preventive cleaning.
Keeping ears clear after your visit
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Clean only the outer ear with a soft, damp cloth.
Keep cotton swabs out of the ear canal.
If you are prone to buildup, ask whether occasional softening drops make sense for you.
If you wear hearing aids, clean them as the maker directs and keep up with regular ear checks.
Come back if hearing drops again or you notice pain or drainage.
No. Swabs push wax deeper and can hurt the ear canal. Clean only the outer ear with a washcloth.
Do ear candles work?
The NHS says there is no evidence that ear candles or ear vacuums remove wax, and they are not recommended.
Does ear wax removal hurt?
It is usually painless. Tell the provider if you feel pain or dizziness, and we will stop.
Can children have ear wax removed?
Yes. We see children and adults. Children with ear tubes should tell us before any rinsing.
Is hydrogen peroxide safe to put in my ears?
Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide drops are one of the softening options ENT Health lists. Use them only as the label directs, and don't use them if you might have a hole in your eardrum or ear tubes. Read more in is hydrogen peroxide damaging to ears?
Can ear wax cause dizziness?
It can. Built-up wax may cause dizziness along with a plugged feeling, ringing or muffled hearing. Because dizziness has many causes, a clinician looks in your ear first and checks for other problems. Our dizziness guide explains other common causes.
How often should I have my ears cleaned?
Most people never need professional cleaning, because ears clean themselves. ENT Health suggests that people who use hearing aids or keep getting wax buildup see a doctor every 6 to 12 months for a check and preventive cleaning.
Can I have ear wax removed if I have diabetes?
Yes, but the method may change. ENT Health advises against rinsing the ear for people with diabetes or a weakened immune system, so removal with a small instrument or a referral to an ear, nose and throat specialist may be safer. Tell us about your health conditions before any removal.
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