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Piccolo Hearing

Sound familiar?

  • Your ear feels plugged, full, or "underwater"
  • Sounds are muffled, or your own voice sounds loud
  • Your ear won't pop after a shower or a swim
  • Drops or cotton swabs didn't fix it
  • Your hearing aid whistles or sounds weak
  • Ringing or itching along with that blocked feeling

These are common signs of earwax buildup, but not always. That's why every visit starts with a look.

Why people come to us

See it for yourself

We look first with a video otoscope, so you can see your own ear canal on the screen, before and after. We only remove wax if wax is the problem.

Gentle and quick

Removal usually takes just a few minutes and is usually comfortable. You may feel a tickle or hear some noise. Say the word and we stop.

An honest next step

If it looks like an infection, an eardrum problem, or anything that isn't wax, we'll tell you and refer you to an ENT.

Hearing aid wearers

Wax in the ear canal can keep a hearing aid from sealing, which causes whistling. Wax on the aid itself makes it sound weak. We can take care of both.

A clearer hearing check

Blocking wax can throw off a hearing test, so we clear it first. If you'd like, we can check your hearing afterward.

In your language

Our Houston team speaks English, Korean, Vietnamese, and Chinese.

Tell us when you book if you have: a hole in your eardrum, ear tubes, past ear surgery, diabetes, a weakened immune system, or take blood thinners. If you have ear pain with drainage or bleeding, or hearing that dropped suddenly, please see a doctor first.

What to expect

  1. 1

    Book an ear check

    Pick a time online or give us a call.

  2. 2

    We look, and you see it too

    We check both ears with a video otoscope, show you on the screen, and explain before anything is done.

  3. 3

    Gentle removal, then a second look

    If it's wax, we remove it and check again. If it's not, we'll point you to the right doctor.

Questions people ask

Does it hurt?

It's usually painless. Most people feel a light tickle or pressure and hear some noise. If anything is uncomfortable, tell us and we'll stop.

How long does it take?

The removal itself usually takes a few minutes. Plan on about half an hour for the whole visit, including the ear check.

How much does it cost?

Earwax removal is $100. Every visit starts with an ear check, and if there's no wax to remove or it's something a doctor should see, we'll tell you before anything is done.

What if it isn't earwax?

Sometimes a blocked feeling comes from an infection, fluid, or the eardrum. If that's what we see, we'll explain it and refer you to an ENT.

Urgent care flushed my ear and it's still blocked. Now what?

Hard or dry wax doesn't always come out with flushing. We'll look at what's left and choose the gentlest way to remove it.

I used cotton swabs, drops, or ear candles. Did I make it worse?

Very common, so don't worry. Cotton swabs can push wax deeper, and ear candles aren't recommended (the FDA has warned against them). Just let us know what you tried.

Should I use drops before my visit?

Not unless we ask you to. Don't use drops if you have a hole in your eardrum or ear tubes.

Can it damage my eardrum?

That's why we look first and ask about your ear history. Serious problems are rare, and we'll let you know if your ear needs a doctor instead.

Will I hear better right away?

Many people notice a difference as soon as the wax is out. If your hearing still seems off, we can check it while you're here.

Why does my hearing aid whistle?

Wax in the ear canal can stop the hearing aid from sealing, so sound leaks out and gets picked up again as a whistle. Wax clogging the aid itself usually makes it sound weak instead. We can check your ears and your hearing aid.

I wear earbuds or earplugs every day. Does that matter?

It can. Anything worn in the ear can push wax in and keep it from working its way out on its own.

Can earwax cause ringing or dizziness?

Wax can cause ringing and, occasionally, dizziness. If your hearing dropped suddenly, please see a doctor promptly.

Do I need an appointment?

Booking ahead is best. Most weekdays have openings, and you can see them online, or call and we'll find you a time.

Can I see what you see?

Yes. We use a video otoscope, so your ear canal shows up on a screen. You'll see the wax before, and the clear canal after.

Do you offer this at your Duluth clinic?

Not at this time. Earwax removal is available at our Houston clinic.

Still feel blocked? Book an ear check.

We'll look, explain what we see, and either take care of it or point you to the right doctor.

Earwax removal is offered at our Houston clinic. It does not replace medical care; please see a doctor for ear pain, drainage, infection, or sudden hearing loss.

Call Book an ear check