How to Clear Clogged Ears

The human ear is designed to produce wax to catch and carry foreign particles out of the ear. However, the wax itself can become a problem, building up inside the ear to affect hearing, and cause discomfort. Many people use cotton swabs to try to clean out ear wax, but this only worsens the problem. Instead, the ears should be flushed, as explained below.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Bulb syringe
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Cup
• Small towel

1. Obtain a bulb syringe. These can be found in drug stores or in the section of the grocery store where cold remedies and first aid supplies are located. Bulb syringes are often sold as part of an earwax removal kit.
2. Pour a small amount of hydrogen peroxide into a cup. This is a weak acid that is safe to use for a variety of purposes in the bathroom. You can buy a large bottle in the drug store or grocery store.
3. Fill the bulb syringe with hydrogen peroxide, tilt your head and gently squirt it into your ear. Tug gently on your outer ear to help the solution get into your ear canal.
4. Lie down on your side for 10 or 15 minutes. You will hear the hydrogen peroxide pop and sizzle as it loosens the ear wax. You may suddenly feel a cold sensation as it breaks through the blockage to reach deeper recesses of your ear canal.
5. Get up and return to the bathroom, keeping your head tilted to the side so the hydrogen peroxide doesn't run out of your ear. You may want to hold a small towel against your head to keep your neck and clothing dry.
6. Stand over the sink and tilt your head in the other direction so the hydrogen peroxide runs out of your ear.
7. Fill the bulb syringe with tepid water and squirt it into your ear to flush out the ear wax which has been loosened by the hydrogen peroxide. You should see bits of ear wax land in the sink and feel immediate relief in your ear.
8. Dry your ear and repeat on the other side. If you tend to suffer from swimmer's ear, you can put a hair dryer on its low setting and blow air into your ear, or place a couple of drops of rubbing alcohol into your ear.

Tips & Warnings

• You may want to perform these steps monthly to keep your ears clean and prevent problems from occurring.
• If you can't remove the ear wax despite following these steps two or three times, see your doctor who will be able to remove it.
• Never stick a cotton swab or any other object into your ear in an attempt to dig out ear wax. Cotton swabs merely cause the ear wax to become impacted, making it harder to remove. Other objects inserted into the ears may puncture your eardrum.
• Never put anything into your ears if you know you have a punctured eardrum.