|  | Conditions Treatments | Ears Hearing

The Best Way to Get Rid of Earwax

Earwax builds up in your ear canal to protect your ear. Your earwax is not an unhealthy thing. However, from time to time you may find that the wax has built up in your ear so much that you have trouble hearing. If this is the case, or if the earwax buildup is uncomfortable in any way, you might want to consider removing it. Safety is very important in effective earwax removal, and you should avoid some common mistakes.

  1. Softening the Wax

    • Softening your earwax will help you remove the buildup that has accumulated in your ear canal. There are several "heating wand" type tools available, but they reach only so far, and direct heat can irritate your ear, causing pain or itching. Use olive oil or baby oil with an eye dropper. The baby oil or olive oil will safely soften your earwax over a few days, and can be left in the ear to work while you are doing other things.

    Removing the Wax

    • Removing your earwax should not be done with a cotton swab. Many people see the wax that a cotton swab brings out of their ears, and think they have removed the wax. The truth is, cotton swabs push the wax deeper into the ear. Sharp objects can also be a danger---they may remove some wax, but they can do more damage than good. The best option for removing ear wax is suction. A simple rubber suction bulb (the same one for babies) is a perfect suction tool. The bulb should have a flexible rubber pointed tip rather than a plastic attachment. Use warm water to irrigate the ear. Hot water can cause burns, or even nausea. Cold water may cause pain as it enters you ear canal, which is usually 98.6 degrees. Test the water to make sure it is about the same temperature as your body.

    Drying Your Ear

    • Use a towel to catch draining water from your ear. Do not stick any cotton swabs or pointy objects into your ear, or you might push the wax and the water back into your ear even further. A few drops of rubbing alcohol can be placed into your ear canal to help dry up the water. The outside of your ear can be dried with a towel or a hairdryer.

Ears Hearing - Related Articles