Ear wax, or cerumen, is a waxy and oily protective substance produced in the ear. The wax traps dirt, bacteria and other particles, stopping them from entering and damaging the ear. Ear wax usually falls out of the ear opening or is cleaned off when the ears are washed. Occasionally, ears produce too much ear wax which can become hard and block the ear canal. When this happens, the ear wax needs to be removed either by a physician or at home using a technique called irrigation.
Step 1
Clean the outer ear of any wax or dirt using a washcloth and warm water.
Step 2
Use the eyedropper to put a few drops of the cleaning solution or drops into the ear canal 30 minutes before irrigation begins. This softens the wax and makes irrigation more effective.
Step 3
Fill the rubber bulb syringe with the body-temperature water or saline.
Step 4
Keep your head upright while gently pulling the ear upward to straighten the ear canal.
Step 5
Squirt the contents of the syringe against the wall of the ear canal near the plug of wax.
Step 6
Tilt your head to the side of the ear that’s being cleaned to allow the fluid to drain out of your ear and onto the towel.
Step 7
Dry your ear with either a towel or hair dryer.
Step 8
Repeat Steps 1 through 7 until the wax plug is dissolved.
Tips and Warnings
- If the blockage is chronic or severe, you may need to use the drops for five days before irrigating the ear canal.
- Using water that is cooler or warmer than body temperature can cause vertigo, a severe but brief spell of dizziness. Do not irrigate an ear that has a damaged eardrum. Doing so may cause an infection or other serious problems. Diabetics and people with weakened immune systems should not irrigate their ears. Never use a jet irrigator meant for teeth cleaning because it may cause damage to the eardrum.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Cotton swabs
- Eyedropper
- Baby oil, mineral oil, glycerin or hydrogen peroxide, or OTC drops that dissolve earwax
- Body-temperature water or saline
- Rubber bulb syringe
- Towel or hair dryer
