How to Hold Your Head for Ear Wax Drops to Work

Buildup of earwax is a common affliction and is often treated with the use of ear drops. These over-the-counter medicines can be effective in loosening earwax buildup.

Ear drops can irritate the ear and should only be used occasionally and under qualified medical supervision.

For ear drops to work properly, they must flow into the ear canal. Because anatomy can vary between humans, discovering the most effective means of applying these drops might require experimentation.

Things You'll Need

• Flat surface such as a bed or floor
• Towel
• Ear drops
• Ear syringe

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Instructions

• 1

  Lie down on a flat surface with the ear you wish to treat facing upwards. Keep the opposite ear flat against the surface.

  Ear drops can be messy, so you might place a towel under your head to catch any overflow.

• 2

  Place ear drops into the ear as directed.

• 3

  Pull up and forward slightly on the ear lobe. This will keep drops from accumulating in the ear lobe.

• 4

  Tilt or rotate your head slightly as the drops begin to flow into the ear canal. It will take experimentation to discover the right angle because the ear canal rises slightly towards the top of the head. You should be able to feel the drops as they flow down the ear canal.

• 5

  Remain in that position as directed. You may feel a bubbling sensation as the ear drops are working.

• 6

  Rinse the ear with warm water. This is best accomplished by using an ear syringe, which resembles a small turkey baster. Use warm water and hold the affected ear down to allow the water to flow out.