Ear wax is commonly misunderstood as something that must come out right away. Not all ear wax is bad. Some ear wax, known as soft ear wax, can actually protect your ear canal. It blocks water, bacteria and dirt from entering further into the ear drum. Usually, wax falls out or washes away in the ear and does not need removal. When too much wax builds up, it is called hard ear wax and needs to be removed to prevent hearing problems or ear aches.
1. Avoid using cotton swabs or sticking other items in the ear regularly to remove ear wax as it can push the wax further down into the ear, creating problematic blockages.
2. Know the symptoms of a blockage from hard ear wax, such as an earache, reduction in hearing, itching in the ear, ringing, vertigo or a feeling of fullness in the ear.
3. Seek medical help if you feel any of the symptoms of hard ear wax blockage. Do not attempt to remove the ear wax on your own.
4. Ask your doctor for a wax softener to remove the wax.
5. Let a medical professional to remove the wax, which will lower the chance of additional blockage. You likely will not be able to see the ear wax blockage on your own without a doctor looking into your ear.
6. A doctor can remove the hard ear wax with drops, a syringe with warm water, an irrigator, a small instrument or a suction-type device.
7. For recurring hard ear wax buildup, a doctor may recommend ear drop medications that prevent excessive buildup.
8. Visit an ear doctor on a regular basis--every 6 months to a year--to see if you need hard wax removal assistance.
9. Avoid the use of ear candles popularly sold online to remove wax. They can cause burns or holes in the ear drum.
How to Remove Hard Ear Wax
Jul 16, 2009 | By
