Ears can become plugged by ear wax, which accumulates and becomes too firm to normally slough away. Ear wax naturally lines the ears to block dirt, foreign debris and bacteria. An over-production of wax can plug ears and cause symptoms such as feeling off-balance and reduced hearing on the affected side. Removing ear wax plugs can generally be done at home, though a physician can also use water-flushing (lavage) and wax removal tools (curette) to remove excess wax if needed.
Step 1
Place two to three drops of mineral oil, baby oil or hydrogen peroxide into the plugged ear with an eyedropper. Tilt your head so the affected ear is facing up, and place the drops just inside the opening of the ear canal.
Step 2
Allow the drops to run down into the ear canal. Hold a cotton ball against the outer ear to retain drops inside for 15 minutes to facilitate softening of the ear wax.
Step 3
Fill a small bowl with warm water. Squeeze the bulb of a bulb syringe and place the syringe tip into the bowl of water. Release your grip on the bulb and allow the syringe to fill with water. Place a towel over your shoulder on the side of your plugged ear to catch excess water.
Step 4
Pull down and back on the ear lobe of the affected ear, using one hand, to straighten the ear canal. Place the tip of the filled bulb syringe just inside the ear canal. Squeeze the bulb gently, releasing water into the ear canal. Repeat until the bulb syringe is empty.
Step 5
Dry the ear with a towel. Remove any wax that has flushed out with a soft cloth or tissue. Refrain from using cotton-tipped swabs or other objects inside the ear to remove softened ear wax. Repeat flushing the ear as needed for wax removal.
Tips and Warnings
- Consider having someone help you flush your ear, as it can be cumbersome to attempt by yourself.
- Stop flushing your ear with water if doing so causes pain inside the ear. See your physician if you have pain in the ear, drainage or bleeding, or have a history of ear infections, perforated eardrum or have ear tubes, or if you cannot remove ear wax by yourself successfully. Do not flush your ear or place drops inside if you have ear tubes. Do not place anything inside the ear, such as cotton swabs, to prevent the chance of piercing a hole in the eardrum.
Things You'll Need
- Mineral oil
- Ear wax drops
- Bulb syringe
- Water
- Towel
