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If you frequently experience an excessive buildup of earwax in your ear canals, you may be seeking methods to reduce this wax accumulation. Excessive earwax buildup can result in temporary hearing blockage or, in more severe cases, ear infections. Instead of attempting to remove earwax with cotton swabs, consider using ear drops to soften the wax. It should naturally dislodge over time. If you regularly encounter blocked ear canals or ear infections, consult your physician.
Procedures
Earwax Softening
Apply 5-6 drops of water into each ear canal to diminish earwax buildup. Administering a few drops of distilled water into your ear canals is an effective method to facilitate the expulsion of excess earwax. Employ a plastic dropper to dispense 5-6 drops into one ear canal. Tilt your head sideways to retain the water within the ear canal. Then utilize a clean tissue to wipe away the water—and loosened wax—from your ear. Repeat the process for the other ear.
- If conventional distilled water proves to be ineffective, consider using a saline solution. Saline solution can be obtained from a local drugstore or pharmacy.
Apply 2-3 drops of olive oil into each ear twice daily. If your ears remain blocked despite using water, consider using olive oil instead. Ideally, administer drops to your ear canals once in the morning and once in the evening. Utilize a plastic dropper to ensure precise application and to prevent excessive oil insertion into the ear canal. Continue this regimen for 5-6 days, or until your ears feel less congested.
- Over the next 2 weeks, you'll observe small pieces of earwax emerging from your ears while sleeping.
- If olive oil is unavailable, almond oil can be used as an alternative. Both can be found in the cooking or baking aisle of your local grocery store.
Allow earwax to naturally dislodge from your ears. Typically, our ears are self-regulating and effectively expel excess earwax. Intervention is only necessary when the inner ear fails to regulate earwax buildup. However, in most cases, particularly after softening the wax adequately, the ears can self-regulate and expel wax as needed.
- Upon waking in the morning, you may notice earwax remnants on your pillow, or after showering, on your towel.
Avoiding Earwax Blockage
Regulate the use of earbuds and earplugs. Inserting small earbuds deeply into the ear canals for extended music listening or wearing earplugs for 6-8 hours at a stretch can impede natural earwax expulsion and push wax deeper into the ear canal. Aim to sleep without earplugs and remove earbuds after 20-30 minutes of use.
- Hearing aid users are also prone to excessive earwax buildup. Consult your physician for strategies to prevent earwax accumulation if you use hearing aids.
Avoid inserting foreign objects into your ear canal. Attempting to remove earwax with foreign objects often pushes the wax deeper into the ear canal, including cotton swabs! Refrain from using paperclips, toothpicks, hair clips, or any metal objects for earwax extraction. Use cotton swabs only to clean the outer ear and remove wax from the ear canal entrance.
- Inserting foreign objects into the ear poses significant risks. In severe cases, it can cause ear drum damage or dislocation of the hearing bones.
Avoid using ear candles for removing excess wax from your ear canal. There is minimal medical evidence supporting the efficacy of ear candles. They are largely ineffective in removing earwax or facilitating its removal by other methods. Therefore, opt for olive oil or hydrogen peroxide drops instead of ear candles.
- Furthermore, inserting ear candles too deeply into your ear can lead to drum and canal damage.
Eliminating Earwax Blockages
Eliminate earwax buildup with over-the-counter chemical drops. Visit your local drugstore or pharmacy and seek drops specifically formulated for clearing accumulated earwax. Most of these drops contain foaming or bubbling agents that penetrate the ear canal, loosening excess wax. After following the recommended duration on the packaging, use a tissue to dry your ear.
- Adhere closely to the instructions on the packaging and discontinue use if you experience inner ear discomfort.
Schedule a doctor's appointment for ear pain. Symptoms such as ear pain, inner ear fullness, or temporary hearing impairment may indicate wax buildup against the eardrum. Consult your doctor instead of attempting to remove earwax yourself if you experience these symptoms. During the appointment, inquire about safe home remedies for managing earwax buildup.
- Seek prompt medical attention if you observe any drainage from one or both ears.
Use prescribed eardrops nightly if recommended by your doctor. If your ears are prone to excessive wax buildup, your doctor might suggest using over-the-counter eardrops to soften the wax. Administer 5-6 drops into each ear, tilt your head to allow the drops to settle for approximately 5 minutes on each side. The drops will lubricate your ear canals, facilitating natural wax expulsion.
- Most commercial eardrops contain mild medical cleansing agents like carbamide peroxide.
- You can purchase eardrops at pharmacies, drugstores, or large grocery stores, typically located alongside eye drops.
Consult your doctor to have the excess wax flushed or suctioned out. If accumulated earwax is causing hearing impairment or discomfort, inquire if your doctor can remove it during your visit. The two most common methods are ear irrigation (where wax is flushed out with water) and microsuction (where wax is extracted with a small vacuum). Both procedures typically last 15-20 minutes and are painless.
- Not all medical practices may offer these procedures. If your doctor lacks the necessary equipment, they can recommend you to an ENT specialist for earwax removal.
Suggestions
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Earwax is medically termed as “cerumen.” It serves to lubricate the ears, prevent itching, and safeguard against infections.
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Earwax is produced in the outer third of the ear canal, relatively distant from the eardrum. However, frequent use of earbuds or sleeping with earplugs can inadvertently push the wax inward, causing it to accumulate against the eardrum.
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Certain methods of ear cleaning, such as inserting a cotton swab too deeply into the canal, can actually push earwax further inside rather than removing it.
Precautions
- If you notice any bleeding from one or both ears, seek immediate attention at an Urgent Care center or emergency room.
- Avoid using chemical drops to eliminate excessive earwax if you have a perforated eardrum.
