What is a common method used to manage earwax blockage before a hearing test?

The practice of ear irrigation is a common and effective method for managing earwax blockage prior to a hearing test. This technique involves the use of warm water or saline solution to gently flush out excessive earwax from the ear canal. It helps in clearing the blockage, which can improve the accuracy of hearing assessments and prevent interference during the evaluation process.

Efficiency and safety are key reasons why ear irrigation is favored. Unlike the use of cotton swabs, which can often push wax deeper into the ear canal and potentially cause damage, ear irrigation carefully removes wax without risking injury to the sensitive structures of the ear.

Listening exercises and ear cleaning sprays are not standard practices for addressing earwax blockage. Listening exercises focus on auditory skills rather than physical blockage, and while certain ear cleaning sprays may help in softening wax, they do not effectively remove blockages by themselves. Therefore, ear irrigation is the recommended approach for ensuring the ear is clear for an accurate hearing test.