Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsReasons for ItRisks and ComplicationsHow to Flush EarsAt-Home vs. In-Office CareAlternatives
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Reasons for It
Risks and Complications
How to Flush Ears
At-Home vs. In-Office Care
Alternatives
Ear irrigation is used to soften andremove earwax (cerumen) buildup.Depending on your health, it can be done at home or may require a visit to a healthcare provider.
Earwax is a natural bodily substance that protects ears from infection and provides a barrier against water and debris. It usually clears from the ear naturally, but there are circumstances when earwax builds up and can cause pain,a feeling of ear fullness, itchiness, and hearing problems. Earwax buildup (cerumen impaction) is estimated to affect 10% of children, 5% of healthy adults, and up to 57% of people living in nursing homes.
This article will compare the pros and cons of ear irrigation and help you determine whether you can try it at home or should see a healthcare provider.
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Ear Anatomy, Function, and Care
Reasons You Might Need Ear Irrigation
Irrigation is primarily done when a healthcare provider has determined that cerumen impaction is present. If a healthcare provider can’t see thetympanic membrane (ear drum)due to earwax buildup, they might recommend ear irrigation.
During ear irrigation, the healthcare provider uses a syringe to direct the water into the ear canal. Note that the syringe tip should not enter the ear canal. Many commercial ear irrigation kits are available for home use. However, there is no evidence that a commercial kit does a better job at dislodging a cerumen impaction over the syringe technique.
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There are some risks associated with ear irrigation. The most common risks include:
Cerumen removal should be done cautiously when certain health conditions are present:
How Do You Flush Your Ears With Water?
Irrigating ears can be done at home with a few supplies:
Ear irrigation requires two people. Once you obtain supplies, follow this process:
Ear irrigation should be done for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. If earwax buildup is still present afterward, you should see a healthcare provider to prevent any ear trauma or infection.
Using an Irrigation Kit vs. Seeing a Healthcare Provider
It is safe for some people to do ear irrigation at home using a manual syringe method or a commercially prepared ear irrigation kit. However, the following circumstances indicate the need for a healthcare provider to remove earwax buildup:
Infant Ear IrrigationThe American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend at-home ear irrigation on infants. If a parent suspects cerumen impaction in an infant, contact a pediatrician for in-office evaluation and treatment.
Infant Ear Irrigation
The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend at-home ear irrigation on infants. If a parent suspects cerumen impaction in an infant, contact a pediatrician for in-office evaluation and treatment.
Alternative Ways to Irrigate Ears
Use caution when removing earwax buildup. The following methods of removing earwax are not recommended because there is no scientific evidence they are effective and have the potential for adverse outcomes such as trauma, pain, or infection:
Summary
Ear irrigation is one way to remove and prevent earwax buildup. Earwax (cerumen) is a normal bodily substance that protects your ears from infection, water, and debris. Ear irrigation can be done safely at home, manually with a syringe, or using a commercially prepared ear irrigation kit. Use water close to average body temperature and a gentle technique to instill water into the ear canal and avoid ear damage.
If at-home ear irrigation is not successful after 15 to 20 minutes, or the person needing the ear irrigation is at high risk for infection or bleeding, see a healthcare provider who can safely address the earwax buildup.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Pediatrics.Updated guidelines advises on treating children with impacted cerumen.Horton GA, Simpson MTW, Beyea MM, Beyea JA.Cerumen management: An updated clinical review and evidence-based approach for primary care physicians.J Prim Care Community Health. 2020;11:2150132720904181. doi:10.1177/2150132720904181American Academy of Family Practitioners.Cerumen impaction: Diagnosis and management.Wright T.Ear wax.BMJ Clin Evid. 2015;2015:0504.American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.Clinical practice guideline: Earwax.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Pediatrics.Updated guidelines advises on treating children with impacted cerumen.Horton GA, Simpson MTW, Beyea MM, Beyea JA.Cerumen management: An updated clinical review and evidence-based approach for primary care physicians.J Prim Care Community Health. 2020;11:2150132720904181. doi:10.1177/2150132720904181American Academy of Family Practitioners.Cerumen impaction: Diagnosis and management.Wright T.Ear wax.BMJ Clin Evid. 2015;2015:0504.American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.Clinical practice guideline: Earwax.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Updated guidelines advises on treating children with impacted cerumen.Horton GA, Simpson MTW, Beyea MM, Beyea JA.Cerumen management: An updated clinical review and evidence-based approach for primary care physicians.J Prim Care Community Health. 2020;11:2150132720904181. doi:10.1177/2150132720904181American Academy of Family Practitioners.Cerumen impaction: Diagnosis and management.Wright T.Ear wax.BMJ Clin Evid. 2015;2015:0504.American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.Clinical practice guideline: Earwax.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Updated guidelines advises on treating children with impacted cerumen.
Horton GA, Simpson MTW, Beyea MM, Beyea JA.Cerumen management: An updated clinical review and evidence-based approach for primary care physicians.J Prim Care Community Health. 2020;11:2150132720904181. doi:10.1177/2150132720904181
American Academy of Family Practitioners.Cerumen impaction: Diagnosis and management.
Wright T.Ear wax.BMJ Clin Evid. 2015;2015:0504.
American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.Clinical practice guideline: Earwax.
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