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Tips for Unblocking Ear Wax

Ear wax is a congealed substance that protects your inner and middle ear canal by catching small debris and dust. Ear wax blockage is uncomfortable and annoying, but attempting to improperly remove the wax yourself can aggravate the problem. Ear wax buildup occurs for a variety of reasons including age, excess secretion and accidentally pushing wax further into your ear with a cotton swab or some other device.

  1. Soften

    • Soften the ear wax with glycerin or mineral oil. Use a bottle dropper and squeeze a few drops of oil into your ear two times a day. Tilt your head to the side so the oil reaches the wax inside your ear canal. Gently massage the area just above the lobe, where your cheek meets your ear to maximize the oil penetration. Apply oil for no more than four days before irrigating.

    Irrigate

    • Take a rubber bulb syringe, tip your ear to the side and squirt warm water into the affected ear canal. Wait a few moments and flip your head back over so that the warm water drains out. Only attempt irrigation after softening the wax for several days with oil. Use a paper towel or dry cloth to clean your outer ear afterward. Expect to perform multiple irrigations for deeper blockages before noticing drainage. Eventually the softened wax should drain from your ear canal.

    Dry

    • Insert a few drops of rubbing alcohol into your ear after the softened emerges. Aim a hair dryer at your ear for a few minutes after applying the rubbing alcohol to encourage evaporation and complete dryness. Keeping the newly cleaned canal dry will prevent wax buildup from reoccurring.

    Methods to Avoid

    • Never attempt to scrape out the wax with pointed cotton swabs, hair pins or any other object. Pushing objects inside your ear can actually push the wax further into the canal, making the blockage more difficult to remove. Seek medical attention if your buildup begins affecting your hearing or becomes painful. Your doctor can also recommend certain ear wax removal tools or ear cleaning kits for home depending on the frequency and severity of your wax blockage.

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