Cleaning your ears may seem like an integral part of your daily hygiene. In reality, there are few situations where it is truly necessary. The ear is one of the most fragile structures in the human body. Cotton swabs and other accessories intended for removing earwax are useless and carry the risk of damaging your ears and eardrum.
If you are surprised to learn that you should not put anything into your ear to clean it, you are not alone: it is one of the most common misconceptions. Earwax is normal and generally causes no problems, but there are cases where it needs to be softened or your ear canal needs help getting rid of it.
Here is a complete guide on how to take proper care of your ears. Doing it the right way means preserving your hearing health for longer and avoiding unintentionally doing more harm than good.
What is earwax?
Earwax is a waxy substance secreted by the ear glands to keep ear canals free of impurities. Its slightly sticky texture traps foreign particles—dust, hair, dead cells, and more—and prevents them from reaching the deep parts of the ear. It also possesses antibacterial and antifungal properties that help fight infections.
Ears produce earwax constantly. Because it melts at body temperature, it gradually flows outward on its own. The movements of your jaw also help it move from the inside to the outside of the ear.
Once it reaches the outer part of the ear, it cools down. It then hardens and detaches in small flakes.
Ear cleaning: dos and don'ts
Given the properties of earwax mentioned above, the best recommendation remains to leave your ears and your earwax alone. However, an accumulation can sometimes become problematic and cause discomfort, or even worse.
Here are details on two best practices and two mistakes to avoid when it comes to earwax removal.
Over-the-counter drops
Over-the-counter ear drops are an excellent option for people who have some accumulated earwax. This is one of the best solutions, as it is safe and easy to use effectively at home.
Many drops intended for cleaning earwax contain some form of peroxide (such as hydrogen peroxide) which, upon contact, releases oxygen. The oxygen and the solution break down the earwax and soften it. You simply need to lie on your side, instill the indicated number of drops, remain still for two or three minutes, and then turn over with your ear over a paper towel.
While ear solutions are suitable for most people, they are not for everyone. People who have recently had ear surgery or have a perforated eardrum should avoid them. They are also discouraged if you suspect an ear infection or any other ear issue.
Olive oil
If you are looking for a more natural remedy, olive oil can be a good choice. You likely see it more in your salad than in your ears, yet many people get rid of excess earwax thanks to it. (You can also use baby oil or mineral oil instead.)
Olive oil generally takes some time to work. But over the course of a few days, it lubricates the ear canal while softening and loosening excess earwax. For best results, warm the oil to body temperature and pour a few drops into your ear.
Repeated for a few weeks, this process helps clear away earwax buildup. It is an excellent option for anyone looking for a solution to do entirely at home in peace.
At-home extraction
Earwax extraction videos are everywhere on the Internet. It looks easy, but you should never attempt this at home. Even if your partner or a friend assures you they have a steady hand, a simple wrong move can result in a perforated eardrum and a trip to the hospital.
Professional extractions use various specialized instruments, such as otoscopes, handled by a practitioner who knows the ear's anatomy perfectly. Buying an at-home earwax removal kit is a very dangerous way to proceed and should be avoided entirely.
Ear candles
Ear candles are the other big "don't" of ear cleaning. These kits promise to suck earwax out of your ear. These claims are baseless, and they have been proven ineffective. In fact, the FDA strongly advises against their use due to these false claims and the increased risk of injury.
These candles are long, hollow wax cylinders that you place in the ear before lighting them above the person's head. An open flame in immediate proximity to the face is no minor matter. Honestly, it looks more like a professional fire-breather's act than an at-home remedy.
How to avoid earwax buildup
The best thing to do for your ears is therefore to leave them alone. But how can you prevent earwax from building up in the first place and save yourself from having to remove it?
Here are the specific steps to take to prevent earwax buildup and let your ears play the role of self-cleaning organs that has always been theirs.
Clean your earbuds and hearing aids
Earwax buildup often comes from earbuds or hearing aids. Looking closely, these devices completely block the entrance to the ear, which blocks the natural flow of earwax to the outside.
Earwax then deposits on these devices. And the next time you put them back in, you risk pushing hardened earwax into the deep parts of your ear.
Make it a habit to clean these in-ear devices regularly to keep them clean and free of earwax. Regular maintenance of your hearing aids or earbuds prevents earwax buildup and the blockages that can result.
A bonus of this regular maintenance: your devices will last longer and will likely maintain their optimal sound quality.
Let your ears breathe
In the same spirit, set aside time each day for your ears to be completely uncovered so they can do their job and naturally evacuate earwax. Many people wear their earbuds or hearing aids for far too long, which encourages the buildup of moisture and earwax in the ear canal.
If you wear hearing aids, put your rechargeable models, like the EV3, on to charge overnight. You will find them fully charged the next morning, and your ears will have had plenty of time to breathe and evacuate earwax.
Preventive cleaning
Most people have ears that are perfectly capable of cleaning themselves. However, some people are predisposed to ear canal blockages due to a narrow canal or excessive earwax production, which leads to impaction.
If your doctor believes you are one of these people, regular cleanings with ear solution or in the office will help prevent a total blockage.
When to see a professional?
Earwax can usually be managed with a little patience, but sometimes a blockage is significant enough to require professional intervention.
Once a blockage obstructs the entire canal, a person may experience symptoms of hearing loss and hear sounds as muffled, which interferes with their daily life. This is sometimes accompanied by a feeling of fullness in the ear, dizziness, and many other signs.
If you feel like you are hearing less clearly, make an appointment with your primary care physician. During the exam, they will be able to look inside your ear.
If the canal is indeed obstructed, they will refer you to a specialist who will remove the blockage carefully and safely. The procedure allows for the recovery of lost hearing.
In addition to hearing loss, an obstructed ear canal can also promote ear pain and infections, as the blockage retains moisture. If at any point you are concerned about your ears—pain, hearing loss, discharge—see a doctor without delay. Hearing is a precious sense: everything you do to preserve it will offer you a better quality of life for longer.
Comfort and prevention
In the majority of cases, earwax is completely harmless and has no reason to be removed. It is only in the case of excess that you should consider cleaning it. Over-the-counter solutions and olive oil are two effective at-home options for eliminating surplus earwax.
Other methods—wax extractors, cotton swabs, ear candles—should be avoided: they increase the risk of injury or prove ineffective. The best way to manage excess earwax is probably to prevent it from forming. Adopt good prevention habits: clean your listening devices and let your ears breathe.
Sources
Antibacterial and antifungal properties of human cerumen | NCBI
Import Alert 77-01 | FDA
Read before buying: How to safely participate in the viral #EarCleaning trend | Nebraska Medicine Omaha, NE
