Earwax is a natural secretion of the ears that plays an essential role in their overall health. Also called "cerumen," this sticky substance helps keep the ear canals clear and clean, while providing some protection against infections due to its antimicrobial properties.
While earwax has many benefits (including antibacterial properties), it can sometimes accumulate in excessive amounts.
This buildup can lead to problems such as tinnitus or even hearing loss. In most cases, earwax exits the ears on its own. However, there are situations where it needs a little help to be properly removed.
Below is a detailed guide to earwax removal: when to clean your ears, what remedies to use at home, and what methods a healthcare professional can use to clean your ears properly.
Why you might need to clean your ears
The vast majority of people over-clean their ears, using dangerous methods like cotton swabs. However, the ear canal needs to maintain a thin film of earwax: it is what protects it properly from the outside environment.
In most cases, the ear cleans itself. It maintains a proper amount of earwax in the canal on its own. Earwax is produced continuously by specialized cells in the ear canal, and jaw movements—chewing, talking—naturally help old earwax migrate toward the exit. Once it reaches the outer ear, it flakes off in small scales.
Even though earwax naturally drains out of the ear, cleaning is sometimes still necessary. Here is a closer look at the situations in which you might need to consider earwax removal and ear canal cleaning.
Excess earwax: overproduction
The first possible factor is an overproduction of earwax. When your ears produce too much, you sometimes need to help them clear out the excess they cannot remove on their own.
If you produce too much earwax and let it be, it can accumulate and form a blockage, known as impaction. An earwax plug obstructs the ear canal, which causes several symptoms: muffled sounds, reduced hearing, and sometimes even tinnitus.
Insufficient earwax production
Conversely, you may need to manually remove earwax if your ears do not produce enough of it. It is the regular secretion of fresh earwax that pushes old earwax outward. When your body no longer produces enough, the old earwax stagnates in the ear, where it eventually hardens.
This underproduction becomes more common with age, as the body naturally slows down. When glands reduce the amount of earwax they produce, old earwax remains in the canal. It traps dirt, dust, and impurities: it darkens and becomes less supple.
Many people worry when they discover black earwax. In reality, it is simply old earwax: it is not dangerous, but it can indicate that your ears are having trouble clearing earwax from your ear canal.
Obstructed ear canals
Another possible reason for earwax accumulation in your ear canal: the entrance to the canal is blocked by an object, such as an in-ear headphone or a hearing aid.
When the entrance to the ear canal is obstructed, earwax can no longer drain properly toward the outside. Moisture then remains trapped in the ear, which further promotes accumulation.
Headphones and hearing aids create a seal with the ear canal to improve sound quality. This listening comfort comes at the cost of less ventilation in the canal.
If you wear hearing aids or headphones often, be sure to keep them clean. Also, plan times during the day to let your ears breathe.
What to do in case of earwax accumulation?
An earwax plug can happen to anyone. Signs to watch for: muffled hearing, tinnitus, unusually dark earwax. These clues can point to earwax accumulation and should be evaluated by an ear specialist, an audiologist, or an ENT.
Here is a detailed guide on what to do if you suspect earwax buildup in your ears.
Do not use cotton swabs
One of the biggest misconceptions in hearing health is that a cotton swab is the perfect tool for cleaning ears. However, the medical community is unanimous: you should not use them. And there are many reasons why.
First, they often make the blockage worse. When you clean your ears with a cotton swab, you are doing it blindly: instead of removing the earwax, you are more likely to push it deeper.
Second, a cotton swab can injure your eardrum if it goes in too far. You might think you know how far to go, but the unexpected—a sneeze, a slip—is enough to accidentally push the cotton swab against the eardrum and perforate it.
Consult a healthcare professional
In general, if you have a clearly visible earwax plug, the best thing to do is have it examined by a healthcare professional. Specialists—audiologists, ENT (ear, nose, and throat) doctors—are the most qualified to help you. Your primary care physician can also treat you or refer you to the right person.
If professional earwax removal is required, there are two main methods. The most common is ear irrigation: water is gently sent into the canal using a rubber bulb syringe or a water flosser to flush out the excess earwax. The other method is extraction, using specialized instruments to remove the earwax from the canal.
Home remedies
If you frequently develop earwax plugs, your healthcare professional may recommend regular cleanings to limit the risk of impaction.
Here are some over-the-counter solutions and how to use them.
Oil
Oil is one of the gentlest methods for earwax accumulation. Simply lie on your side, pour a few drops of oil into the ear facing upward, then repeat on the other side.
The result is not immediate, but when repeated regularly, the process softens the plug and helps it drain naturally. Several oils are suitable: mineral oil, olive oil, or baby oil.
Ear drops
Second method: ear cleaning solution. The principle is simple: the earwax dissolves in the solution, which is then allowed to drain out. Examples include hydrogen peroxide, saline solution, or glycerin.
The directions vary from one product to another, but remain generally very similar. When in doubt, always follow the indicated instructions.
To use an ear solution, lie on your side with one ear facing the ceiling. Instill the indicated number of drops (some prefer using a dropper).
Then, massage the ear so that the solution reaches the bottom of the ear canal. You generally need to wait a few minutes. Then, with a towel against the ear, turn over and let the canal drain completely. Then repeat on the other side.
Ear irrigation
The last at-home method is ear irrigation. You fill a bulb syringe with lukewarm water and gently send the water into your ear canal. Many find that pre-treating with oil softens the earwax. It then drains much more easily under the effect of the water.
CLARIA ear cleaners
We couldn't write such an article without mentioning our new CLARIA ear cleaners! They feature a simple spiral tip: you insert it into the ear, turn it in a circular motion, and the earwax is removed.
There are many other ear cleaning accessories, but this type of model seemed the most affordable and effective to us.
Clean, maintain, stay cautious
Ear cleaning carries a huge amount of misconceptions and deserves to be taken much more seriously. For the vast majority of people, it is simply unnecessary, and using a cotton swab puts hearing at risk. As for ear candles, they can cause dangerous perforations.
Cleaning should only be done by those prone to earwax accumulation. Ear irrigation, ear solutions, and oil are then good options. If you suspect a blockage, consult your doctor to determine the most appropriate care for your situation.
Sources
Extent of cotton-bud use in ears | NCBI
Ruptured eardrum (perforated eardrum) - Symptoms and causes | Mayo Clinic
Clinical Practice Guideline (Update): Earwax (Cerumen Impaction) | Sagepub
