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What’s the Best (and Worst) Way to Remove Earwax?

Earwax plays an important role in the health of ears by trapping dirt, dust and debris to prevent them from reaching the delicate inner ear structures. Unfortunately, there can be too much of a good thing; excessive earwax buildup can cause discomfort, temporary hearing loss and even infection. If you’re experiencing earwax buildup, what’s the best way to remove earwax?

Leave it alone

In many cases, earwax will naturally migrate out of the ear canal on its own, aided by jaw movement during talking and chewing. Allowing earwax to exit the ear canal naturally is often the safest and most effective method of removal. In extreme cases though, there are other removal options to consider.

Use softening agents

Over-the-counter earwax softening drops or olive oil can help soften hardened earwax, making it easier to remove. Simply tilt your head to the side, instill a few drops of the softening agent into the ear canal and allow it to sit for several minutes before rinsing with warm water or gently flushing the ear with a bulb syringe.

Irrigate the ears

For stubborn earwax buildup, gentle ear irrigation with warm water can help loosen and remove excess wax. Use a bulb syringe or ear irrigation kit to flush the ear canal with lukewarm water, being careful not to insert the syringe too deeply or forcefully to avoid injury.

Ask your doctor for help

If your earwax buildup just won’t budge, you can have a professional tackle the problem, especially if you’re experiencing pain, hearing loss or signs of an infection, don’t try to treat it at home. You need to see an ENT doctor who can safely remove stubborn earwax with specialized instruments.

And what not to do…

While some other removal methods may seem intuitive or straightforward, these removal techniques can actually make the problem worse so they shouldn’t be utilized. Don’t use cotton swabs, which are not recommended for removing any earwax. They can push wax deeper into the ear canal, causing impaction and the risk of injury. The same goes for other sharp objects like hairpins or ear picks. Another method, ear candling, is as ineffective as it is dangerous because it can cause burns or introduce candle wax into the ear.