Child Study Team:From Mrs. Burns, The School Nurse.
Ear Wax!
Is Ear wax good? Yes! Wax or “cerumen” protects the eardrum by trapping dust, dirt, and bugs in the ear canal. Many of us think that any wax in the ear should not be there, but that is just not true. A little wax is a good thing! Wax can then form a sound block that may result in hearing loss. When wax becomes excessive and blocks the ear canal, it is important that it be removed by a professional such as a doctor or nurse. Trying to remove wax with anything “smaller than your elbow” usually results in pushing the wax further into the ear canal, pushing the wax deeper in to the cilia or hair on the canal. Even worse, it is possible to cause permanent hearing damage if the cleaning object pokes at the ear drum. Forbidden objects include cotton swabs and bobby pins. Ear wax comes in two varieties, wet and dry. Both are normal and should usually be left alone. A drop of olive oil in each canal can also soften the wax to improve the potential for the wax to be removed naturally by the hairs in the ear canal. Over the counter liquids are available to loosen wax but you should visit with your doctor before using it the first time. Washing the outside of the ear with warm water and soap, of course, is a good idea, but putting any object into the ear canal to clean it is tempting but a definite “no, no”.
When I screen hearing, I will let you know if your child has excess ear wax. If your child passed the hearing screening, you should just mention this to their physician at their next visit. If they did not pass the screening, you should make an appointment for an evaluation as soon as possible.
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