There are various methods to remove earwax buildup at home or in a doctor’s office, but those with perforated eardrums or severe ear infections should see a doctor. It’s important to consider whether earwax buildup should be removed, as ears naturally generate wax to protect them. Softening earwax can be done with warm oil or a solution, and rinsing with warm salt water. Hydrogen peroxide should not be used alone. Doctors have specialized tools to remove earwax buildup safely.
There are several ways to remove earwax buildup at home or in a doctor’s office. People who have experienced perforated eardrums and severe ear infections should see a doctor if they think they have a buildup of earwax, as there are some particular concerns about their ears that need to be addressed. For these individuals, it’s safer to have a doctor remove the earwax, as they can do it with specialized equipment that won’t damage the eardrum.
Before making the decision to remove earwax buildup, it is important to think about whether or not the earwax buildup should be removed. Ears naturally generate a lot of wax to clean the ears and protect them from dust and other hazards, and it’s normal to have some earwax in and around the ear. If hearing is impaired or a suspected buildup is causing pain and irritation, it should be removed. Likewise if earwax has been pushed into the ear canal due to excessive use of cotton swabs. But if there is only a small amount of earwax present, it may be best not to remove the earwax buildup.
At home, the goal is to soften the earwax so it can flow out of the ear, then rinse the ear so it is clean. Softening can be achieved by placing a few drops of a warm, neutral oil such as baby oil into the ear, holding a hot water bottle over the ear, or applying a few drops of a solution specifically designed to soften earwax. It’s best to do this with your head lying on a table and one ear pointing up, and hold this position for several minutes before tilting it to allow the wax to drain. Once the wax has come out, the ear can be rinsed with warm salt water, either with the use of a bulb syringe or by slowly pouring water into the ear.
Some people recommend using hydrogen peroxide for earwax removal. Hydrogen peroxide should not be used on its own to remove earwax buildup, as it will not soften the wax. It can be used with softened wax, as the bubbling motion of the hydrogen peroxide will help remove earwax from the ear.
In a doctor’s office, the doctor has a number of tools to choose from to remove earwax buildup. Doctors may use specialized jets of water to extract earwax from the ear or measuring cups that can be gently inserted into the ear to extract the earwax. These techniques should not be used at home, as they require special training to avoid ear damage.
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