Ears typically expel wax and require no cleaning according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS). Sometimes, however, ears become blocked with impacted wax. The National Institutes of Health explains that this can diminish hearing and cause ear discomfort or aches and tinnitus (noises in the ear). The American Hearing Research Foundation adds that blockages can trap bacteria, leading to infection, and they can prevent your doctor from seeing well enough into the ear during an examination. Safe ear wax removal techniques should be used to remedy blockages.
Dangerous Techniques
There are certain common techniques for ear wax removal that should never be used, advises the AAO-HNS. This includes the use of cotton-tipped swabs, hair pins or other objects to dig out ear wax. This method pushes wax deeper into the ear, causing or contributing to an ear wax impaction. It can also result in damage to the eardrum or ear canal lining. The AAO-HNS also cautions against the ear-candling technique, which entails inserting a long, hollow candle into the ear canal and igniting the exposed end. It can easily result in burns, additional obstruction from the candle's wax or from further impacted ear wax, damage to the eardrum and perforation of inner-ear membranes.
Softening
Use of certain fluids to soften ear wax so it falls out is usually the only ear wax removal technique needed according to the National Institutes of Health. A few drops of olive, mineral or baby oil, glycerin or commercial drops in the ear are adequate. Detergent drops like carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide can be used as well. Let the drops sit for a few minutes, then lie down and let them drip out onto a towel. The American Hearing Research Foundation recommends doing this with olive or baby oil regularly, even daily, as a wax impaction preventive measure.
Irrigation
Irrigation of ear wax involves washing it out with a syringe and water or a saline solution. The National Institutes of Health stresses the importance of using body-temperature water, as colder or hotter liquid will likely result in fleeting but extreme dizziness or vertigo. Patients are instructed to pull the outside of the ear upward with one hand, and with the other, gently squirt a light stream of water against the ear canal wall. Angle your head downward and to the side to let the water drip out. It may be necessary to repeat this technique a few times. The AAO-HNS points out that that irrigation technique is dangerous to those with a tube in the ear, a perforated eardrum, diabetes or a weakened immune system.
Doctor's Techniques
A doctor can employ other techniques if your efforts at home don't suffice to remove an ear wax blockage. Usually, more irrigation will be attempted first. Next, either a small suction device is used to suck out ear wax, or a miniature implement known as a curette is used (in conjunction with a microscope when necessary) to extract the wax.
