Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Payam Daneshrad, MD. Dr. Payam Daneshrad is a board certified Otolaryngologist, specializing in Facial Plastic Surgery and Rhinology, and the Owner and Director of Daneshrad Clinic in Los Angeles, California. With over 19 years of experience, Dr. Daneshrad specializes in adult and pediatric Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, packing-less nasal surgery, minimally invasive sinus surgery, and snoring treatment. He also uses the newest surgical ENT techniques for tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, thyroidectomy, and parathyroidectomy. Dr. Daneshrad graduated with a BS and the highest honors from the University of California, Berkeley. He earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Tulane University School of Medicine, where he was accepted into the AOA, the medical honor's society, and the Tulane University School of Public Health. Dr. Daneshrad received his medical training from the University of Southern California. Dr. Daneshrad is the Otolaryngologist and Facial Plastic Surgeon for the Los Angeles Sparks and the athletic teams of Loyola Marymount University.
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Earwax protects your ear canal from bacteria, dust, and trauma. It’s not necessary to remove earwax since it makes its way out of your ears on its own.[1] If you suspect hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing of the ears), or mild ear aches are caused by wax buildup, you can purchase a kit to clean it out. However, you should always talk to your doctor before using any ear wax removal kit, especially if you’ve had certain conditions affecting your ears.
Steps
Tilt your head to the side so your ear is facing upward. You may need to lean forward a little and turn your neck so your ear is facing as upright as possible. This will help the drops go deep into your ear canal. Remove earrings or any other jewelry that might come in contact with the solution or get in the way of your tilting your head.[2]- Lean your head against a pillow and, if possible, have a friend administer the drops so you’re more comfortable.
Squeeze 5 to 10 drops into your ear. Hold the tip of the applicator bottle just above your ear and slightly squeeze the dropper bottle until you feel 5 to 10 drops go into your ear. You can also use a mirror or have a friend or family member count or squeeze in the drops for you.[3]- Do not insert the tip of the applicator into your ear.
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Keep your head tilted to hold the drops in your ear for 5 minutes. If you’re using the drops in your bathroom, scoot over to a couch or chair for about 5 minutes to keep your ear facing upwards as much as possible. You can also sit down on the side of the bathtub and lean on one elbow. You can stand if you like, but sitting or laying down might be easier on your neck and back for the next few minutes.[4]- Place a cotton ball into your ear if you have to turn your head upright for a moment.
- You may hear a crackling sound—that’s the solution foaming up when it comes in contact with earwax.
Use a bulb ear syringe to flush your ear with warm water. After letting the solution sit in your ear, lean your head over a sink or bathtub to let it drain out. Then fill the bulb ear syringe (that came with your kit) with warm water. Flush your ear canal by squeezing the bulb.[5]- If your kit did not come with a bulb ear syringe, simply cup warm water in your hand and flush your ear that way.
- Use earwax drops 2 times a day for up to 4 days.
Avoid using earwax drops if you have severe ear pain or other conditions. Intense ear pain, discharge, rash, and drainage can be a sign of infection or some other issue beyond wax buildup. You should avoid using the product and call your doctor to get it checked out.[6]- If you’ve recently had ear surgery, ask your doctor before using earwax drops.
- Don’t use earwax removal drops if you have a perforated eardrum (a hole in your eardrum) because it could get infected.
- If you feel dizzy and have ear pain, you might have an ear infection—don’t use the product and see a doctor.
Drop in 2 drops of warm mineral oil to soften and loosen ear wax. Slightly warm the mineral oil by holding the bottle or dropper in your hand for 10 seconds. You can use almond oil, baby oil, or olive oil. Then turn your head to the side and use a dropper to insert 2 drops into your ear.[7]- You can also use a mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide (in equal parts) to soften and loosen ear wax.
Expert AnswerQIs it necessary to remove your ear wax?
Dr. Payam Daneshrad is a board certified Otolaryngologist, specializing in Facial Plastic Surgery and Rhinology, and the Owner and Director of Daneshrad Clinic in Los Angeles, California. With over 19 years of experience, Dr. Daneshrad specializes in adult and pediatric Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, packing-less nasal surgery, minimally invasive sinus surgery, and snoring treatment. He also uses the newest surgical ENT techniques for tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, thyroidectomy, and parathyroidectomy. Dr. Daneshrad graduated with a BS and the highest honors from the University of California, Berkeley. He earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Tulane University School of Medicine, where he was accepted into the AOA, the medical honor's society, and the Tulane University School of Public Health. Dr. Daneshrad received his medical training from the University of Southern California. Dr. Daneshrad is the Otolaryngologist and Facial Plastic Surgeon for the Los Angeles Sparks and the athletic teams of Loyola Marymount University.Board Certified Otolaryngologist
EXPERT ADVICEAnswer from Payam Daneshrad, MD:Ear wax is a natural part of every human being’s ear canal, and it will move its way out of the ear canal on its own. Usually, impacted earwax is caused by people trying to clear their ears with Q-tips and just pushing the wax further in. Anything that is placed in the ear canal, like earbuds, Q-tips, and earplugs, are going to cause a problem with that natural movement of the ear wax out of the ear canal that your body does on its own. Patients shouldn't have to go and clean their ears since they're cleaned automatically, but if necessary, over the counter wax dissolving agents like Debrox can be used to just clean the ears.
Take a warm shower 1 to 2 days later and direct the water into your ear. The heat from the warm water will loosen up the ear wax even more. Cup your hand near the side of your head to gather water and splash it onto your ear to help flush out the wax. You can shower the same day you apply the oil to clean it out if you like, but giving the mineral oil time to sit will make it more effective.[8]- Tip your head to the side to let the wax and water drain out.
- You can also cup water to your ear while sitting in the bathtub, just avoid bubble bath and other bath additives that might irritate your ear canal.
Dry your ear with a clean towel or a hair dryer set on low. Use a clean towel to dry the outside area of your ear. Pat the area instead of rubbing it dry to prevent the sensitive skin from getting irritated. To use a hair dryer, hold it at least 4 in (10 cm) away from your ear and set it to the lowest heat and power setting. The mild heat will melt the wax even more and allow you to rub away any excess wax with a cotton ball.[9]- You can use a cotton swab to wipe away any wax and moisture, but make sure that the cotton tip is still visible. Your eardrum sits about 3⁄4 inch (1.9 cm) to 1 inch (2.5 cm) inside your ear canal, so avoid inserting the swab any more than .4 inches (1.0 cm) inward.
- Use mineral oil to loosen up ear wax once or twice a week.
Expert Q&A
- QuestionIs cleaning your ears with hydrogen peroxide safe?
Payam Daneshrad, MDDr. Payam Daneshrad is a board certified Otolaryngologist, specializing in Facial Plastic Surgery and Rhinology, and the Owner and Director of Daneshrad Clinic in Los Angeles, California. With over 19 years of experience, Dr. Daneshrad specializes in adult and pediatric Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, packing-less nasal surgery, minimally invasive sinus surgery, and snoring treatment. He also uses the newest surgical ENT techniques for tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, thyroidectomy, and parathyroidectomy. Dr. Daneshrad graduated with a BS and the highest honors from the University of California, Berkeley. He earned his Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Tulane University School of Medicine, where he was accepted into the AOA, the medical honor's society, and the Tulane University School of Public Health. Dr. Daneshrad received his medical training from the University of Southern California. Dr. Daneshrad is the Otolaryngologist and Facial Plastic Surgeon for the Los Angeles Sparks and the athletic teams of Loyola Marymount University.
Board Certified OtolaryngologistWe try to avoid using peroxide because it can damage the skin of the ear canal. Over the counter wax softeners work better. They do have some peroxide in them, but it's much lower in strength than anything a patient would find on their own.
Tips
- Use mineral oil drops once a week to keep wax to a minimum.Thanks
- Ask your doctor to use an earwax spoon to scoop out the wax for you. You can buy these at home, but it’s safer to let them do it.Thanks
Warnings
References
- ↑ Payam Daneshrad, MD. Board Certified Otolaryngologist. Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.
- ↑ https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=755d3234-2df4-4464-a2c5-b04276065fc5&type=display
- ↑ https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=755d3234-2df4-4464-a2c5-b04276065fc5&type=display
- ↑ https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=755d3234-2df4-4464-a2c5-b04276065fc5&type=display
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/got-an-ear-full-heres-some-advice-for-ear-wax-removal
- ↑ https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=755d3234-2df4-4464-a2c5-b04276065fc5&type=display
- ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=uh2941
- ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=uh2941
- ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=uh2941
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/By_the_way_doctor_What_can_I_do_about_earwax_buildup
- ↑ Payam Daneshrad, MD. Board Certified Otolaryngologist. Expert Interview. 30 September 2020.
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