Growing up, many people learn to use cotton swabs to clean their ears. You might feel that this keeps your ears clean, but in reality, cotton swabs—or any other object, for that matter—have no place in your ear canals.
If you were to ask an ENT specialist, you would likely be surprised to find that almost all of them agree that cotton swabs should be avoided when it comes to ear hygiene and wax removal.
You may be convinced that your ears will clog without the help of cotton swabs, but in the vast majority of cases, ears manage very well on their own and clear out earwax by themselves. Even though ears tend to self-clean, there are times when an accumulation of earwax needs to be removed. Excess earwax can contribute to tinnitus, or even hearing loss.
Once cotton swabs are ruled out, many people no longer know how to clean their ears. Here is an overview of the solutions and techniques you can use to eliminate earwax buildup and regain perfectly clear ears.
The structures of the ear
To understand why certain techniques are better than others, you need to have an idea of the anatomy of the ear and its various parts. Many people are poorly informed about ear anatomy. They therefore do not always understand why cleaning techniques favor certain methods over others.
The outer ear
When we talk about earwax accumulation and removal, it is only a matter of the outer ear. The outer ear includes all the external parts, such as the pinna and the ear canal. The ear canal is a long tube that leads to a thin membrane called the eardrum. The eardrum marks the end of the outer ear and the beginning of the middle ear.
Special cells that line the ear canal make up the glands that produce earwax, also called cerumen. Earwax is produced continuously by these cells. It traps dust and dirt and helps move them out of the ear.
Due to the internal position of the ear canal and its proximity to the jaw, old earwax can flow easily out of the canal. This internal position keeps it fluid, while the movements of the jaw help to physically push it out of the ear.
The middle ear
The middle ear starts just behind the eardrum and consists of three small bones and an empty cavity called the tympanic cavity. This cavity houses the bones of the inner ear and communicates with the back of the throat through structures called the Eustachian tubes.
The middle ear is responsible for transmitting the movements of the eardrum to the inner ear and balancing the pressure on either side of the eardrum. If there is a pressure difference on one side of the eardrum, it bulges slightly, which reduces its ability to capture sound.
This is why many people have muffled hearing on airplanes: the pressure of the inner ear is not the same as that of the immediate environment. What is called "popping your ears" corresponds to the restoration of pressure by the middle ear, which allows you to hear clearly again.
The inner ear
The inner ear is the structure that transforms the vibrational energy of sound into nerve impulses, perceived as sounds by the auditory cortex of the brain. Its main parts are the cochlea, the semicircular canals, and the auditory nerve.
The cochlea is the structure that receives vibrations from the middle ear bones and translates them into nerve impulses. The semicircular canals do not participate in hearing, but play an important role in your ability to maintain balance.
Finally, the auditory nerve is the bundle of nerves that transmits signals from the inner ear to the auditory cortex of the brain.
What can you put in your ear?
Now that you know more about the anatomy of the ear, you can better understand what can be inserted into it. In general, objects such as cotton swabs, bobby pins, and scrapers should not be inserted into the ear to clean it.
They can puncture the thin membrane of the eardrum. Moreover, these objects can actually push the earwax further into the canal, causing impacted earwax and a blockage.
Rather than using instruments, different liquids can help dissolve earwax buildup. It then drains from the ear, which reduces the risks of damaging the eardrum.
Here is an overview of the types of liquids you can use to remove earwax while reducing the risks of complications such as tinnitus.
Peroxide-based ear cleaners
One of the most economical and effective ear-cleaning methods is the use of ear-cleaning solutions. There are many, and many contain peroxide.
Upon contact, peroxide releases oxygen bubbles that help to loosen and break down the earwax accumulation. You may feel a temporary fizzing sensation while it dislodges excess earwax.
This OTC remedy (which can be administered using a bulb syringe) is an excellent first step to eliminate excess earwax because it presents very little risk to the health of your ears. No pressure is exerted on the eardrum, and the risk of perforation or ear pain is therefore minimal.
This solution can cause skin irritation: be careful. Your doctor will likely advise against using peroxide to treat an earwax plug during antibiotic treatment.
Oil
Another option with which many people get good results is oil. A few drops of oil in the ear help soften the earwax buildup and facilitate its evacuation. This is not an immediate solution, but two to three drops of oil per day for a few weeks can help.
Oil can also be used in addition to other home remedies to soften the earwax beforehand and allow its removal. Mineral oil, baby oil, and glycerin are perfectly suitable here.
Water
The final method is to use lukewarm water to flush the earwax out of the ear canal. This technique is called irrigation: a syringe filled with water is inserted into the ear canal and pushes the earwax out of the ear.
Where other techniques are more passive, ear irrigation exerts slight pressure on the ear to expel the earwax. Although it is generally considered safe, it is better to consider having it performed by a professional.
Who should not put liquid in their ears?
While the methods mentioned above are among the best for cleaning ears safely, some people should avoid them. Those who have recently suffered a ruptured eardrum, those who have just recovered from an ear infection, and those who have ear tubes should refrain from using these products. They should consult their doctor to determine the appropriate course of action for removing excess earwax.
A recent eardrum injury
Eardrum injuries can result from a blow to the head, exposure to loud noises, or perforation by a foreign object. Eardrums are capable of healing themselves in most cases.
The healing process can, however, take time. During this period, any pressure on the membrane must be avoided. In the case of techniques such as water irrigation, this additional pressure is not ideal and could cause further injury.
A recent ear infection
Ear infections can affect both the outer ear and the middle ear and result from the colonization of the area by bacteria or fungi. The main reason to avoid liquid-based cleanings is that they risk spreading the infection. Unnecessary earwax removal can increase the risk of infection.
Ear tubes
Ear tubes are tubes surgically placed in the eardrum to allow drainage and air exchange between the middle ear and the outer ear. They are often used in children who suffer from frequent ear infections and in people whose narrowed Eustachian tubes make pressure balancing difficult.
The tube is useful, but it is important to avoid the use of liquid solutions in the ear. The main reason is that the tube can let liquid enter the middle ear, which can be problematic. Water irrigation, in particular, can be very problematic for those with tubes, as water would be pushed into the middle ear.
Hydrogen peroxide solutions
Hydrogen peroxide is generally considered safe and has very few side effects. That said, a specialized ear-cleaning solution may be a better option for ridding ears of excess earwax. Besides ear-cleaning solutions, you can turn to oil and water irrigation to safely and effectively remove excess earwax from the ear canal.
Sources
Form and function of the mammalian inner ear | NCBI
The effectiveness of topical preparations for the treatment of earwax: a systematic review | NCBI
Ear tube insertion - series—Aftercare: MedlinePlus
