A yellowish, sticky secretion formed in the ear canals, ear wax protects your ears, but you also need to remove it and clean the outer part of your ear regularly. Knowing the facts about wax, including how and when to remove it, can help minimize your chances of developing ear problems arising from improper cleaning habits.
The Basics
Ear wax protects and lubricates the surface of the ears while keeping bacteria and other substances from coming in contact with the tiny parts of the inner ear. Produced in the outer one-third of the ear canals, this wax, called cerumen, generally exits the ears slowly, often as a result of the normal daily motions of your jaw as you eat and talk, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, or AAOHNS. In most instances, this wax eventually ends up in your outer ear; once this happens, you can safely and easily remove it using a moist towel or tissue.
Symptoms
Occasionally, ear wax collects in your ear canal, which may lead to cerumen impaction, a condition that requires additional wax removal steps. According to the Mayo Clinic, signs of cerumen impaction may include ringing in the affected ear, hearing problems, earaches and a blocked or full sensation in the ear. If these symptoms occur, check with your primary care doctor before providing home treatment, especially for a child or an individual with a history of ear infections.
Types
Earwax removal and cleaning methods used for impacted wax include drops, irrigation and manual removal. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, drop treatments--called ceruminolytics--include almond oil, olive oil, mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide and plain water. Irrigation involves using a bulb syringe--either alone or in conjunction with a ceruminolytic--to gently spray room-temperature water into the affected ear canal for the purpose of loosening the chunk of wax. Manual removal should only be attempted by a physician, who uses specialized tools to extract the hardened wax pieces.
Time Frame
Choose a wax removal method once your doctor gives you approval to attempt home removal of compacted wax. If you opt for the drop treatment, administer the drops once or twice daily for no more than four days. Many people use irrigation to help remove the wax once it loosens; ideally, try to do the irrigation 15 to 20 minutes following a drop treatment, as the wax is generally softer and more likely to move from the ear canal at that time.
Warning
Avoid inserting sharp and pointed items, including cotton-tipped swabs, into ear canals during the wax cleaning and removal process, as doing so may increase your chances of developing impacted wax, according to the AAOHNS. Do not attempt to use liquids to remove or clean wax if you suspect a perforation of the eardrum. Possible signs of a punctured ear drum include ear pain or drainage, as well as loss of hearing or buzzing in the ears, according to Medline Plus. These symptoms warrant a prompt visit to your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
