HEAR & NOW

While some forms of hearing loss fall into the sensorineural category (involving damage to the inner ear), conductive hearing loss is associated with a problem in the middle or outer ear that impedes sound waves from reaching the inner ear. Most common among this type of hearing loss are blockages caused by earwax (cerumen), which is the yellowish, waxy substance secreted by glands in the outer portion of the ear canal. Normally, as the skin of the ear canal grows outward from the eardrum, it carries wax to the ear opening as if it were on a conveyer belt. While proper, routine cleaning generally prevents earwax build up, overthe-counter earwax softener may be called into use when earwax impedes hearing. Earwax that resists normal cleaning efforts should be brought to the attention of an otolaryngologist. Irrigation or ear syringing is typically used for cleaning and can be performed by a physician or at home using a commercially available irrigation kit. If you are prone to repeated wax impaction or use hearing instruments, consider seeing your doctor every 6 to 12 months for a checkup and routine preventive cleaning. For more information, please call Accura Audiology at 716633-0721. We are located at 6645 Main St., Suite B in Williamsville where Better Hearing is Better Living.