When we feel the need to clean our ears, it’s only natural for many of us to reach for a cotton swab to swipe excess earwax out of our ears. We’re certain that we’re not the first people to tell you that this isn’t the smartest way to remove earwax at home.
There are a few different methods for cleaning your ears at home, but some are safer than others. Sometimes, it’s best to leave things to the professionals.
Earwax, or cerumen, is an entirely natural substance that our ears produce to keep the delicate inner ears safe from dirt and debris, catching foreign objects in its sticky, oily residue to keep them from damaging our eardrums.
While it’s typically unnecessary to remove earwax yourself, as your ears clean themselves on a daily basis, earwax can sometimes get stuck, leading to a feeling of stuffiness, dizziness, sudden loss of hearing and earaches.
If you’re dealing with earwax blockage and believe a quick cleaning could fix it, cleaning your ears at home can be efficient and safe – with the right methods.
At-Home Ear Cleaning Methods
When it comes to cleaning your ears at home, there are several methods you can use to remove excess earwax.
While cotton swabs commonly do more harm than good, there are other ways to remove blockages and clean your ears without risking damage to your ear canal or eardrum.
Over-the-Counter Earwax Softening Drops or Mineral Oil Drops
Many drugstores carry softening drops that can effectively loosen earwax blockages to fall out on their own. These drops are made with safe and effective solutions but can sometimes affect the pH of your ears, so use wisely.
Mineral oils or olive oils can also provide effective earwax softening solutions.
To use, simply tilt your head and drip the drops into your ear, allowing the drops to penetrate your ear canal. After a few minutes at work, tilt your head in the opposite direction and allow the excess solution and earwax to drop out. Repeat for your other ear.
Warm Water and a Washcloth
Earwax naturally removes itself, moving along our ear canal as we talk, chew or otherwise move our jaws. However, this can sometimes get stuck in our outer ear.
To remove earwax clinging to the shell of your ear, simply wipe with a washcloth doused in warm water. Do not insert the washcloth into your ear or let water sit in your ear canal, as this can lead to damage and complications with a swimmer’s ear.
What About Ear Candling?
There are several “trendy” ways to clean your ears, ear candling being one of them, but these methods aren’t safe or approved by hearing care experts.
Ear candling relies on the “vacuum” of air in a hollow candle; upon lighting the wick, the flame will pull the wax out and into the candle. Naturally, this bizarre-sounding method does not work and can lead to burns from hot wax dripping onto your face or in your ears.
If you’re concerned that your earwax blockage is more serious, it’s time to visit your local professional for an earwax removal appointment.
Professional Ear Cleaning with Hearing Aid Source
If your earwax impaction is leading to struggles with hearing, dizziness and itchiness, a professional ear cleaning is your best chance for long-lasting relief.
You will benefit from our professional expertise and tools, including the patented Earigator, which flushes your ears with warm water to soften and remove earwax with a natural and efficient method.
For those who cannot have water in their ears, we will use a curette and other tools to help remove earwax impaction without water. With our position outside your ear, we can more effectively see what we’re doing – leading to clear hearing and effective ear cleaning.
To learn more about earwax removal or to book an appointment with us, please don’t hesitate to request a callback, and we’ll get in touch to help as soon as we can.
Don’t want to wait? Find your closest location and give us a call in:
Toronto: 416.463.4327
Scarborough: 416.754.4327
