How to Flush Out Ear Wax

Be gentle when working with the sensitive ears.

Earwax builds up in the ear canal, blocking the sound vibrations from entering the ear that allow people to hear. Flushing the ears can be done by yourself or with the help of another person. It will take some time to flush the earwax out of the ear canal if the buildup has been longer than a few months. Flushing the ear is also done to help fight infections. With a few easy steps, you can flush out the ears with little to no trouble at all.

Things You'll Need

• Syringe
• Warm water
• Angled dish to catch water and wax

Instructions

1. Fill a large bowl with warm water. The water temperature should be as warm as possible without burning. You will need at least 5 cups of water to start.

2. Fill the plastic syringe with the warm water. Pull the plunger part of the syringe upward to fill with water.

3. Place a bowl under the ear or bend over a sink so the water coming out of the ear does not get all over. If using a sink, block the drain so you can see if the wax is coming out of the ear.

4. Insert the syringe tip at the base of the ear canal. Start pushing the plunger down to force the water into the ear canal. Do not block the hole or the wax will not have a way out. Use gentle pressure.

5. Repeat steps 2 and 4 until all the wax is out of the ear. Then do the other ear. Keep repeating until the ear is clear of all wax.

Tips & Warnings

• If the wax is too hard, it might take awhile to get the wax to come out.

• If the wax needs to be softened first, use a few drops of mineral or vegetable/olive oil in the ear to help the wax flush out easier.

• Do not use cold water or water that is too hot.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish