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.
These symptoms can also come from infection or other ear problems, so an exam helps find the real cause.
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.
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.
Get medical care right away for sudden hearing loss. Seek emergency care for severe ear pain after a head injury, clear fluid or blood from the ear after an injury, or severe dizziness with trouble walking or a sudden severe headache. Call 911 for signs of a stroke or chest pain or pressure, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, trouble speaking, sudden loss of balance or vision), severe bleeding, fainting or a seizure.
We see patients from Westmont, IL and nearby towns such as Clarendon Hills, IL, Hinsdale, IL, Oak Brook, IL and Burr Ridge, IL.
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.
No. Swabs push wax deeper and can hurt the ear canal. Clean only the outer ear with a washcloth.
The NHS says there is no evidence that ear candles or ear vacuums remove wax, and they are not recommended.
It is usually painless. Tell the provider if you feel pain or dizziness, and we will stop.
Yes. We see children and adults. Children with ear tubes should tell us before any rinsing.
Sources: MedlinePlus: Ear wax, NHS: Earwax build-up.
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
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