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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou're likely to start by first seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. In some cases, however, you may be referred to an otolaryngologist, a specialist in ear disorders.
As you prepare for your appointment, it's a good idea to write a list of any questions ahead of time. Your doctor may have questions for you, as well. He or she may ask:
- How long have you been experiencing symptoms, such as earache or difficulty hearing?
- Have you had any drainage from your ears?
- Have you experienced earache, difficulty hearing or drainage in the past?
- Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
What you can do in the meantime
Don't attempt to dig out your earwax with cotton swabs or other items — such as hairpins or pen caps. This can push the wax farther into your ear and cause serious injury to your ear canal or eardrum.
- Earwax. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/earwax.cfm. Accessed May 25, 2009.
- McCarter DF. Cerumen impaction. American Family Physician. 2007;75:1523.
- Dinces EA, et al. Cerumen. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 26, 2009.
- Clinical practice guideline: Cerumen impaction. Alexandria, Va.: Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/Practice/upload/FINAL-CerumenImpaction-Journal-2008.pdf. Accessed May 26, 2009.
- Beatty CW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 2, 2009.
