Ear wax keeps foreign objects from entering your ear, but too much ear wax can cause discomfort. Although some ear wax is important to protect the eardrum, when too much ear wax gets blocked up against the ear, you may notice symptoms of itching, pain and hearing loss. This hearing loss is temporary. In severe cases, a doctor may need to remove ear wax, but usually, you can remove ear wax yourself at home, states the Mayo Clinic.
Step 1
Rinse your ears out with warm water in the shower to loosen and dislodge wax. Let the water sit in your ear for a few seconds before tipping your head over to pour out the water. Use this technique to remove excess ear wax on a daily basis.
Step 2
Place a few drops of hydrogen peroxide into your ear with an eyedropper to dislodge clogged wax, suggests the Mayo Clinic. Hydrogen peroxide will soften the ear wax, but it should only be used about four to five days in a row for best results.
Step 3
Purchase an at-home ear irrigation kit at the drugstore or grocery store. After two days of softening the wax with hydrogen peroxide, fill the syringe provided in the irrigation kit with warm water, then squeeze it into the ear canal. Tip your ear over the sink to clear the water from your ear canal and dry the outside of your ear with a towel.
Step 4
Consult a doctor, who can use a curette to remove excess wax from your ear, states Dr. Douglas Hoffman, an otolaryngologist, A curette is a curved tool that can scoop ear wax out of the ear canal without disturbing the eardrum.
Step 5
Ask your doctor about wax-removal medications, like carbamide peroxide. Carbamide peroxide medications are generally prescribed for use every four to eight weeks to prevent ear wax buildup, states the Mayo Clinic.
Things You'll Need
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Eyedropper
- At-home ear irrigation kit
- Curette
- Carbamide peroxide
