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Peninsula Hearing & Balance Center

Hear Clearly Again — Same-Day Earwax Removal

Doctors of audiology. Video-guided exam. Complete removal. Serving Point Loma, Coronado, and greater San Diego.

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Earwax buildup is the most common — and most overlooked — cause of muffled hearing, ear fullness, and hearing aid failure. One appointment with our doctors of audiology confirms the cause and clears it the same day.

patient smiling in exam room

Why Professional Removal Matters

Cotton swabs and at-home irrigation kits push wax deeper into the canal, compact it against the eardrum, and can cause abrasions or damage to delicate tissue. Over-the-counter drops soften wax but can't remove it — and in ears with certain histories, they can do harm. Our audiologists examine your canal before touching anything, so removal is guided by what's actually there, not a generic protocol.

What the Appointment Looks Like

Your appointment begins with a video otoscopy — a close-up view of your ear canal and eardrum displayed on a screen you can see. We walk you through what we're looking at, explain what we find, and confirm the safest removal approach for your specific situation. The procedure itself is gentle and typically takes less than thirty minutes, with most patients reporting immediate relief from the sensation of fullness or blocked hearing.

Hearing Aid Wearers: This Is Especially for You

Earwax is the number-one cause of hearing aid performance problems, and it accumulates faster in ears that wear devices regularly. If your aids are whistling, sounding distorted, or seem quieter than usual, earwax buildup in the canal — not a device failure — is often the cause. Combining a professional cleaning visit with a canal evaluation keeps both your ears and your devices functioning the way they should.

Who This Appointment Is Right For

This service is a fit for anyone experiencing muffled hearing, a sensation of fullness or pressure, itching, tinnitus that appeared recently, or sudden difficulty understanding speech. It's also appropriate for patients with a history of wax buildup who want routine maintenance rather than waiting for symptoms to return. If you've been told in the past that your canals produce wax quickly, regular professional removal is the most effective way to stay ahead of it.

Our doctors of audiology examine your ear canal and eardrum before any instrument is introduced — because safe removal starts with knowing exactly what you're working with.

Common Questions

Is earwax removal painful?
For the vast majority of patients, the procedure is pressure-free and comfortable. Micro-suction and manual removal with proper instruments are gentle when performed by a trained clinician who has examined the canal first. If your wax is significantly impacted, there may be mild pressure, but we move at a pace that keeps you comfortable throughout.
How do I know if my hearing problem is earwax or something else?
Earwax-related hearing loss tends to feel sudden or come with a sensation of fullness, pressure, or blockage — often worse after a shower or swimming. Our audiologists examine your ear at the start of every appointment, so if wax isn't the issue, we'll tell you that immediately and point you toward the right next step.
Can I just use ear drops at home instead?
Softening drops can help in mild cases, but they don't remove wax — they only change its consistency. In ears with a perforated eardrum or certain histories, even drops can cause problems. If you've had wax buildup before or your symptoms are persistent, a professional evaluation is the safest and most effective option.
How often do I need earwax removal?
It varies by person. Some patients need one visit and are fine indefinitely; others produce wax quickly and benefit from maintenance appointments every few months. After your first visit, we'll give you a candid picture of what your canals look like and what makes sense for your situation going forward.
Do I need to do anything to prepare before my appointment?
No special preparation is required. If you've been using softening drops for several days before your visit, that can make removal easier, but it isn't necessary. Just come in as you are — we handle the rest.

Available at all our locations

Earwax Removal is offered at every Peninsula Hearing & Balance Center office. Pick the location nearest you:

Point Loma→Coronado→

Ready to Hear Clearly Again?

One appointment is all it takes to find out whether earwax is behind the muffled, plugged-up feeling — and to leave with clearer hearing the same day. Our doctors of audiology serve patients across San Diego Metro, Point Loma, Coronado, and greater San Diego County, and we will get you in promptly.

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