Buzz
Earwax is a common and natural cause of ear blockages, infections, swimmers ear, and other issues. There are various methods to clear a blocked ear, depending on which part is affected: outer, middle, or inner. Luckily, it's possible to clear all three parts!
Steps
How to Clear the Outer Ear
Ensure there's no infection. If you suspect an ear infection, do not try the following method to clear your ear. Immediately consult a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms:
- Persistent and severe ear pain lasting more than a few hours.
- An itchy ear
- Yellow or green discharge from the ear.
Create a solution to soften earwax. You can buy a wax-softening solution from the store or
make one at home.
Making it yourself is advantageous as you likely have the required ingredients already.
How to Prepare a Wax-Softening Solution
Combine warm water with one of the following:
A few drops of baby or mineral oil
A few drops of glycerin
3% hydrogen peroxide: Ensure it's not stronger than 3% to avoid ear damage. Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water.
Maintain the solution at lukewarm temperature. Using water that's too hot or cold can cause dizziness or vertigo.
How to Check Water Temperature
Dip your (clean) finger into the water. If you don't feel a significant temperature difference, the solution is ready.
If it’s too hot: Let overly warm solution cool for 1-2 minutes before use. Recheck the temperature before applying.
If it’s too cold: Warm cooled solution by adding a bit of hot water or microwaving it for 10 to 15 seconds. Recheck the temperature before use.
Lie on your side. Use gravity to your advantage by lying with the ear you want to treat facing upward. Place a towel under your head to catch any excess solution.
- This is easier with assistancefor pouring the solution into your ear.
- If lying down isn’t possible, tilt your head sideways as much as you can for a similar effect.
Prepare your ear canal. This helps the solution enter your ear easily.
Gently pull the outer edge of your ear by the lobe outward.
Your earlobe should be perpendicular to your neck.
Add the solution to your ear canal. Use an eye dropper or rubber bulb syringe to insert approximately
5-6 drops
of the solution. Position the dropper or syringe above your ear canal, not inside it.
Stay lying down for 10 to 15 minutes. This allows the solution to dissolve the wax.
- If you hear bubbling from peroxide, don't worry. Once the bubbling stops, you can drain your ear.
Drain your ear. Position an empty bowl beneath your ear and tilt your head so the canal drains into the bowl.
- To fully drain, straighten your ear canal by pulling your earlobe (as in Step 4).
Consider another irrigation (if needed). If your ear remains blocked,
repeat the irrigation process.
If after three attempts you still feel blocked, refer to other methods in this article or consult a doctor.
Pat dry your ear. Gently drying your ear after removing the wax helps clean up any remaining solution or wax. You can do this in a few ways.
How to Dry Your Ear
Pat your ear gently with a cloth or paper towel.
Use a handheld blow dryer on low heat and low power, keeping it a few inches away from your ear.
Apply a few drops of alcohol to your ear — it will help dry the skin as it evaporates.
Consult a doctor. If your earwax is too impacted to remove on your own, seek medical assistance to explore your options. If you experience pain while attempting to unclog your ear, seek immediate medical attention.
- Your doctor can prescribe ear drops to help break up the wax. Use them carefully to avoid damaging your eardrum.
- An ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist can use specialized tools to manually remove earwax.
How to Clear Your Middle Ear
Take preventive steps. A blocked middle ear (tympanic cavity) can result from pressure differences between your middle and outer ear, a common issue for many people. Here are some preventive measures:
- Be mindful while flying. Avoid sleeping during descent and instead, chew gum and yawn frequently.Encourage young children to drink or nurse during descent. If you have a cold, avoid flying to prevent severe pain and potential hearing damage during descent.
- Practice safe diving. Descend and ascend slowly while scuba diving. Allow sufficient time to adjust to pressure changes. Avoid diving with a cold or respiratory infection.
Try ear popping techniques. Equalizing pressure between your middle and outer ears can alleviate pain. Try these methods:
- Chewing gum.
- Yawning.
- Sucking on candy.
- Inhaling deeply, holding your nose shut, then exhaling quickly.
Treat your cold symptoms. Eustachian tube membranes can swell due to colds or allergies, affecting ear pressure. Here's what you can do:
- Take a decongestant or antihistamine orally or as a nasal spray to reduce inflammation.
- Rest and recover to help open your Eustachian tubes faster.
Apply a warm compress to your ear. Lie on your side and place a warm, damp cloth or heating pad on your ear to ease discomfort.
- Use a towel between the heating pad and your ear to prevent burns.
- Avoid sleeping with an electric heating pad on your ear to prevent burns and fire hazards.
Seek medical attention for persistent pain. Untreated ear infections can lead to complications. If you experience severe symptoms, consult a doctor immediately:
- Severe pain
- Pus discharge
- Bleeding from the ear
- Fever
- Severe dizziness
- Severe headaches
How to Alleviate Inner Ear Blockage
Identify symptoms of inner ear problems. Inner ear blockages, often caused by inflammation or infection, are more challenging than outer or middle ear issues. However, relief is possible. Look for these symptoms if you suspect an inner ear blockage:
- Ear pain
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Balance difficulties
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Hearing impairment
- Tinnitus
Seek immediate medical attention. Your doctor will assess your ear condition and provide appropriate treatment if you have an inner ear infection. They may prescribe medication to resolve the infection, typically taking about
2 weeks
for recovery.
Follow your doctor's prescribed medication. Antibiotic or antiviral ear drops may be recommended for your infection. Additionally, consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen. Steroids may also be prescribed to address ear inflammation.
- If you experience nausea, anti-nausea medication may also be provided.
Expert Series: Clearing Sinuses
1
Effective Tips & Remedies to U...
2
Clearing Sinuses and Ears
3
Unclogging the Inner Ear or Eustachian Tube
4
16 Methods to Relieve Nasal Congestion
5
Home Remedies for Clearing Your Sinuses
6
Treating a Sinus Infection
Reader Submissions
Helpful Hints
-
Use drops instead of pouring directly from the bottle. You can soak a cotton ball in the solution and gently squeeze it over the ear to minimize discomfort and mess.
-
Avoid inserting objects into your ear canal as it can puncture the eardrum and lead to permanent hearing loss.
-
Maintain regular ear hygiene by cleaning them periodically.
Cautionary Notes
- Avoid scratching the eardrum with a fingernail to prevent severe damage or hearing impairment.
- This method is for removing natural earwax only. If there's a foreign object in your ear, consult a doctor.
- Do not use a waterpik or similar water jet devices on your ears as they can cause permanent eardrum damage.
- If you wear hearing aids, wait until your ears are unclogged and free of drops before putting them in, especially if your hearing aid does not have a tube.
- Adhere to the advice: 'Never insert anything into your ear canal smaller than your elbow.'
- If you have a punctured eardrum or ear tubes, do not attempt self-unclogging. Seek medical assistance.
Essential Items
- 2 small bowls (one for the cleaning solution and dropper, the other for draining.)
- Hydrogen peroxide or mineral oil
- Warm water
- Ear or eye dropper (sterile)
- Warm compress
- Decongestants or antihistamines
