How to Remove Impacted Ear Wax

People with impacted ears complain of dizziness, feeling that their ears are "full," hearing loss and irritability. Remember that while impacted ears need medical attention, some ear wax is normal. Wax is produced by the ears to keep the ear canal lubricated and clean. The wax is produced by special sweat glands located in your outer ear canal. As the wax is formed, it moves slowly towards the opening of your ear. Wax is good for your ears because it helps to keep water out and traps foreign particles such as dirt and dust. What happens in most cases of impaction is that a cotton swab has been used. Cotton swabs do not remove wax, but push it farther into the ear canal where it does not belong. Wax will continue to build, deep within the ear, until impaction occurs. If you know what you are doing and have the right instruments, you can get rid of the wax impaction at home.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Glycerin
• Eye dropper
• Debrox
• Rubber ear syringe
• Cotton balls
• Towel
• Plastic ear loop

1. Put glycerin drops in your ear. Get the glycerin, eye dropper and a cotton ball. Draw up glycerin into the eye dropper. Tilt your head to the opposite side, putting your unaffected ear on your shoulder. This lifts and exposes your impacted ear. With your head tilted, slowly squeeze the eye dropper until you have three to four drops of glycerin in your ear. Put the cotton ball into your ear. Leave the glycerin and cotton ball in until the next day. When you shower, take out the cotton ball and rinse your ear gently, allowing it to drain. Be sure to sleep with a towel on your pillow while performing this treatment so your linens stay clean. Repeat this step until the impacted wax softens and dislodges. Quite often, you will only need one application.

2. Purchase and use Debrox. If the glycerin treatment does not work, or if you want to use a peroxide-based treatment, purchase Debrox from the pharmacy. This is an over-the-counter ear wax removal medication. Get the Debrox and fill the applicator. Tilt your head, exposing the affected ear. Put in the recommended amount of drops and place a cotton ball in your ear. Do this twice daily. In between doses, take out the cotton ball and flush your ear canal. To do this, get the rubber ear syringe (you can purchase this at the pharmacy) and a towel. Stand so that your head is over the bathroom sink and drape the towel over your shoulder and under the affected ear. Fill the syringe with warm water and gently squeeze it into your ear. This process removes the impacted wax. Repeat the entire process as needed over a four day period.

3. Purchase a plastic ear loop. Ear loops are what doctors use to remove impacted wax. Get an ear loop at the pharmacy. Carefully insert the loop into your affected ear. Do not force the loop into the ear canal and do not insert it too far. Start at the outer opening and slowly work your way in. Gently pick until you have removed the impacted ear wax. If you experience pain, stop immediately.

4. See your doctor. If you have tried to remove the ear wax on your own but were unsuccessful, make an appointment to see your physician. She can easily remove any impacted wax in her office with special instruments. She also can see deep into your ear with an otoscope, ensuring that the wax is completely removed. If there is any damage or infection, she will prescribe antibiotics and possibly, pain medication, until your ear has fully healed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you experience ear pain that is severe or note drainage coming from your ear canal, see a physician. You may have an infection that requires antibiotics.
• Using devices to pick out your ears is dangerous. Any time you put an object inside your ear canal, you risk rupturing the ear drum.

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