The body produces ear wax to protect the inner ear from dust and debris that would otherwise enter the ear canal. Normally, ear wax collects the debris, works its way to the ear opening and fall outs on its own, but sometimes wax builds up. In some people, ear wax causes a blockage when the body produces more wax than you remove. You can remove ear wax at home, or your doctor can do it at her office.
Hydrogen Peroxide Drops
Saturate a cotton ball with hydrogen peroxide or commercial peroxide-based ear wax removal drops, the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide advises. Keep your head at an angle so the opening of your ear is facing toward the ceiling. Squeeze a few drops into the ear. Let the drops stay in your ear for a minute. To drain drops and ear wax, turn your head so your ear faces the other direction. Place a washcloth under or against your ear to catch the drops.
Oil Drops
For built-up earwax, turn your ear facing upward and use an eyedropper to place several drops of baby oil, mineral oil or olive oil into the ear. Lie down with your ear up for 10 to 15 minutes to allow wax to soften. When you turn your ear downward, the oil and wax will slide out. Repeat twice a day for several days, if necessary, the University of Minnesota's Boynton Health Services suggests.
Bulb Syringe
Another ear wax removal procedure is irrigation. Fill a bulb syringe with warm water. While sitting down with your head upright, gently pull the top of your ear with the opposite arm to open up the ear canal. Place the tip of the syringe near the canal opening. Gently squirt the water into your ear. Over a sink or towel, turn your head so the ear faces downward to allow water and wax to run out. Repeat as necessary. Do not use forced water irrigation systems designed for other uses or irrigate an ear with a damaged eardrum.
Mechanical Removal
If ear wax build-up becomes a problem, New York University's Langone Medical Center recommends calling your doctor to discuss removal procedures. A physician can manually remove earwax with tiny scooping tools called curettes or suction tools that flush out the ear. To avoid ear damage, do not remove ear wax at home with a cotton swab or any type of instrument that you insert in your ear.
