If you have excessive earwax, you may suffer from earaches or decreased hearing. The Mayo Clinic recommends you get an initial diagnosis before using home remedies. In a healthy ear, the glands produce a small amount of the sticky liquid to protect the lining of the ear from dust. Usually, the old wax falls away as new wax replaces it, but you may develop a wax blockage if your ears produce excessive wax. While you should not stick anything in your ear to dig the wax out, you may take steps to soften it and wash it away.
Lubricate and Soften
When earwax accumulates, you may experience a feeling of fullness in the affected ear. Soften the wax buildup and lubricate the inner ear passage by inserting a few drops of mineral oil, glycerin or baby oil into the ear canal with a dropper. You may also combine a few drops of hydrogen peroxide with the oil.
Position your head with your affected ear upward; allow the earwax-softening solution to remain in your ear for a few minutes before getting up. The excess solution will drain from your ear, but some will remain and begin to soften the wax. Repeat the process up to five days to soften wax buildup.
Irrigate
Once the earwax is soft, you may flush it out by introducing warm water into the ear canal. With a rubber bulb syringe, gently dribble the water into your ear canal. Position your head with your ear upward, and pull the top of your ear to the back and upward, allowing the water to work its way into the ear canal. Tilt your head in the opposite direction to allow the water and loose bits of earwax to drain into the sink or a bowl.
Stubborn Wax
If the wax deposits are very hard, you may have to repeat the softening and flushing process a few times before they come out. Avoid inserting any type of object, such as a cotton swab into the ear canal to remove bits of wax. See a doctor if your earwax remains.
