If you have a clogged sensation in your ear, or if you feel pain, itchiness or hear ringing, you may have earwax blockage. Earwax blockage occurs when the wax hardens and presses against your eardrum, which can cause temporary hearing loss and pain in the ear. You may also feel the same sensation if an insect flies into your ear and becomes trapped. In some cases, you can unclog the blocked ear at home. If at-home methods are unsuccessful, consult a doctor for further treatment.
Step 1
Tip your head so the affected ear is facing the ceiling. Use a clean eyedropper to insert several drops of mineral oil into the ear canal.
Step 2
Hold your head in the tilted position for several seconds to allow the oil to penetrate the ear canal.
Step 3
Leave the mineral oil in the ear if you are softening impacted wax. If you have an insect in the ear canal, tip the ear over the sink to see if the insect will come out with the oil. After removing the insect, get medical attention, recommends the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Step 4
Place several drops of mineral oil in the ear once a day for four to five days to soften impacted wax, suggests the Mayo Clinic.
Step 5
Use an at-home ear irrigation kit to flush wax out of the ear one or two days after first applying the mineral oil. Fill the rubber bulb syringe in the kit with warm water, then carefully squeeze the water into the ear. Wait 30 seconds, then tip your head over the sink to drain the ear of water and hopefully, excess earwax. Dry the ear with a towel after irrigating.
Step 6
Irrigate the ear once a day after applying mineral oil, for up to five days, to remove all impacted wax.
Tips and Warnings
- If mineral oil is ineffective, consult a doctor, who can use a curette or water syringe to remove impacted wax.
- Do not use mineral oil to remove other foreign objects from the ear, as they can absorb the oil and become larger.
Things You'll Need
- Eyedropper
- Mineral oil
- At-home ear irrigation kit
- Towel
