How to Treat Blockage & Ringing in the Ears
Hearing ringing or other unexplained noises in the ears is a condition known as tinnitus. One possible cause is partial or full blockage of the ear canal due to buildup of earwax. In addition to tinnitus, common symptoms of earwax blockage include a full feeling in the ear, decreased hearing or ear pain. Earwax blockage is likely if you've been digging or picking at your earwax, which can easily push it deeper into the ear. Usually you can remove earwax using self-care measures. If earwax is indeed the cause of the ringing, the sound should go away when you clear the blockage.
Instructions
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Put a few drops of mineral oil, baby oil or a mixture of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water into the ear canal and let the liquid sit for a few minutes to help soften the wax. (Make sure the liquid is at body temperature.) Do this twice a day for up to five days.
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Use a bulb syringe to gently irrigate the ear with warm water to help remove the softened wax. Do this after you've used hydrogen peroxide or oil once or twice. You may have to repeat the oil or peroxide mixture followed by irrigation for a few days until you start to see results.
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Purchase over-the-counter eardrops designed to aid in removing wax if ear irrigation does not work. You may find these more effective than your oil or peroxide mixture.
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Visit your doctor if these home care measures do not clear the blockage or if your tinnitus does not improve despite earwax removal. Your doctor will examine your ear and clear any existing blockages or attempt to determine if there's another cause for your tinnitus.
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Tips & Warnings
Try self-care coping strategies if the ringing in your ears bothers you while you wait for home earwax removal to work, for example, covering up the noise with music or a fan. Also avoid triggers that worsen your tinnitus, such as alcohol or nicotine.
Consult your doctor if the ringing in your ears is accompanied by feelings of dizziness, nausea or vomiting. Something more serious than an earwax blockage may be causing the tinnitus.
Do not try to remove earwax by sticking anything in your ear such as a bobby pin or a finger. Usually this only exacerbates the problem and may make the tinnitus worse.
Keep in mind that tinnitus cannot always be attributed to an exact cause and effective treatment is not always attainable.
