Ear wax helps keep foreign objects and substances, such as bacteria and dust, from damaging the sensitive parts of your inner ear. Nonetheless, occasionally, too much wax may accumulate in your ear canals, a condition known as cerumen impaction in medical circles. Although it's treatable with various home remedies, talk to your primary care doctor before attempting to remove compacted ear wax, if you have a punctured ear drum or have ever had ear surgery. Avoid inserting pointed objects, including cotton swabs, into your ear canal to remove ear wax, as doing so may actually push the cerumen farther into your ear, which could compact the wax and cause other complications, such as a perforated ear drum.
Water-Based Drops
Water-based droplets generally work by dissolving compacted ear wax. Commonly used water-based drops for ear wax removal include hydrogen peroxide or plain water mixed with baking soda. The May 2007 issue of "American Family Physician" states that a baking soda solution works better in children than in adults. Although you may use the hydrogen peroxide either full strength or diluted in water, always dissolve the baking soda in water before administering it; use ½ tsp. baking powder for every 2 oz. of warm water, as recommended by the University of Oregon Medical Center. Putting several drops in the affected ear once or twice daily for several days generally dissolves the wax. Once it works its way to the outside of your ear, remove it with a soft cloth or tissue.
Oil-Based Drops
Acceptable oil-based droplets for removing ear wax include almond oil, olive oil and mineral oil. This type of drop makes compacted ear wax more slippery, which increases your chances of being able to dislodge it from your ear canal. "American Family Physician" points out that you may be able to use almond oil without irrigation to successfully remove excessive ear wax, but olive oil and mineral oil generally require a follow-up irrigation to be successful. As a general rule of thumb, place three to four droplets of the chosen oil into the wax-filled ear once daily right before bedtime for no more than four days, and follow up the treatment with irrigation, if necessary.
Irrigation
If droplets don't serve to get rid of excessive ear wax buildup, spray water gently into the ear with a bulb syringe to dislodge the cerumen. The U.S. National Library and National Institutes of Health note that you should make sure the water is cooled to room temperature before irrigation to minimize your chances of experiencing unpleasant side effects---such as dizziness---that may accompany irrigation with hot or cold water.
Tilting your head and gently tugging on the lobe of your ear helps to straighten the ear canal out in preparation for irrigation. According to the U.S. National Library and National Institutes of Health, aim the syringe at part of the ear canal directly next to the impacted wax for best results. Allow the water to drain from the ear completely, repeating the irrigation process several times to remove all of the compacted wax, if needed.
