Guidelines for Ear Syringing

Ear syringing is a practice commonly used for the removal of ear wax. Syringing can be done at home or at your doctor's office and works well for routine ear wax cleaning, as well as, removing stubborn wax build-ups. Safer than cotton swabs or candles, ear syringing is an effective wax removal method preferred by most physicians and patients alike.

Purpose

• Ear syringing is done to remove ear wax, dirt, debris, or infection residue from the ear canal. Also known as ear irrigation, it's simply washing out your ear. Ear syringing is less evasive then manual removal methods, burning ear candles and suction machines. Ear syringing is also the easiest home remedy for removing ear wax. According to Dr. Timothy C. Hain, approximately 150,000 ears are irrigated each week in the United States.

Performing

• Ear syringing is done using a bulb syringe or special ear syringe and water based cleaning solution. When in the shower or bath use a plastic cup to hold the warm water solution, fill the ear syringe with the solution and squirt into your ear. Repeat for the other ear. For wax build-up, syringe each ear four or five times and repeat this process daily for at least a week. For routine ear canal cleansing, syringe each ear one or two times once a week. A bulb syringe or ear syringe provides a safe amount of liquid and pressure per squirt; don't use another form of syringe or water pressure device to clean out your ears. According to the Academy of Otolaryngology, water for syringing should be warmed to body temperature to avoid dizziness.

Expert Insight

• Wax syringing kits are available at most drug stores and will include a wax softening cleaning solution. Using a solution of warm water with a softening agent helps to remove ear wax. You can purchase the syringe alone and make an inexpensive but just as effective solution at home. Using warm water mixed with equal parts peroxide or baking soda helps to dissolve, soften and remove ear wax. Peroxide and baking soda are safe to use in your ear. Don't use other products like rubbing alcohol or table salt. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, ear syringing is most effective when wax dissolving drops---a couple drops of hydrogen peroxide---are put in the ear canal 15 to 30 minutes before syringing.

Warning

• Ear syringing should not be done if you have a perforated ear drum. If you aren't sure whether you have a perforation, it's better to consult a physician regarding wax removal. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, avoid having your ears irrigated if you have diabetes, a perforated eardrum, tube in the eardrum or a weakened immune system. Syringing should not hurt. If you experience pain in your ear or dizziness while syringing---stop---and contact your physician.

Prevention/Solution

• Some ear wax is normal and healthy. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, there are no proven ways to prevent ear wax build-up. Inserting cotton-tipped swabs or other objects in the ear canal can cause a wax blockage and should be avoided. If you suffer from frequent ear wax build-up or use hearing aids, consider seeing your doctor every 6 to 12 months for a checkup and routine syringing.