How to Remove Earwax Safely

Wax helps to protect the ear.

Many people believe that earwax should be removed immediately and that it is not beneficial to the ear canal. Earwax or cerumen actually is there to protect the inner lining of the ear from particles that can contain bacteria or dust. But when there is an overabundance of wax and it is causing hearing loss, you should learn how to remove the earwax safely. A certain amount of earwax should always be in the ear canal, so you should only do this once or twice a year.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic water syringe
• Cotton balls
• Mineral oil
• Alcohol
• Cotton swabs

Instructions

Ear Syringe

1. Purchase a plastic ear-cleaning syringe at your local pharmacy. It should consist of pliable plastic and should also have a bulb on the bottom to hold water. The top should have a longer spout that is placed at the front of the ear canal. This water syringe is used to rinse out the earwax.

2. 

   Mineral oil

   You can also purchase a specific brand of earwax cleaner. These cleaners are made to soften the wax, so you can easily remove it. But you do not have to purchase an expensive product. You can also use either mineral or baby oil.

3. 

   Cotton balls

   Take whatever type of earwax remover you are using and place a few drops in each ear. It helps to put a few pieces of cotton ball into the ear canal to stop the solution from draining out of the ear. You should lie down for at least 10 minutes and let the solution soften the earwax.

4. After you have allowed the solution to soak inside of the ear canal, fill the plastic water syringe with lukewarm water. Never use hot water to remove earwax because it will quickly make you feel dizzy and nauseous. Gently squirt the warm water into the ear canal, and continue to rinse until the wax is removed.

5. 

   Cotton swabs

   When you have completed this process, dry the ears thoroughly. Use a cotton swab dipped in alcohol to clean the entire outside of the ear. Follow up by using a hand-held hair dryer to dry the inner ear. Make sure the dryer is on a cooler setting while doing this.

Tips & Warnings

• You may have to repeat this process a few times to remove stubborn wax build-ups.

• Wait a full day in between wax removals.

• If you are unable to remove all of the wax, you will have to have it professionally removed by a doctor.

• Never use a syringe that isn't specifically made for ear cleaning because the water stream may be too strong for the ear canal and it can also damage the ear drum.

• Never clean the inner ear canal with a cotton swab because it will push the wax further back into the ear.

References

• Evaluation and Management of Obstructing Cerumen