Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSofteningMassagingIrrigationScoopingWhat Not to DoWhen to See a ProviderPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Softening
Massaging
Irrigation
Scooping
What Not to Do
When to See a Provider
Prevention
An ear wax blockage can affect your hearing or lead to anear infection. It’s not clear why ear wax blockages happen, but some people may just make too much ear wax.
Your ears do need some wax in them because it protects the inner parts of the ear (like the eardrum) from debris, keeps the skin moist, and has infection-suppressing properties.Under normal circumstances, the ear canal self-cleans, but there are times when the ear gets plugged up with wax.
This article will go over what to do—and not do—if you have an ear wax blockage. You’ll also learn why you probably won’t be able to get relief from an ear wax blockage on your own, and how your healthcare provider can help.
Koichi Kamoshida / Getty Images
An Overview of Ear Wax
Soften Hard Earwax
Over-the-counter (OTC) ear drops, such as Ceruminex and Murine, use hydrogen peroxide or enzymes to soften and loosen ear wax so that it can come out.Your provider might want you to try these products to soften any ear wax and make it easier to remove. You should not use these products if you have a hole in your ear drum.
However, these products have disadvantages: They usually only work for small blockages and are not safe to use if your eardrum has ruptured. Research also has not shown that certain products or ingredients are better or worse than any others—or even better than water—at removing ear wax.
Keep in mind that you do not want to use these drops often or to try to prevent blockages as your ears do need some wax to stay healthy.
How to Use OTC Ear Drops
Massage Your Ears
If your ears feel uncomfortably full of wax, you may naturally have the urge to massage your ears or the space behind them to ease the discomfort. While there’s no formal research or recommendation about ear massaging for ear wax, you might find it helpful while you’re waiting to see a provider for treatment.
To massage ear wax out or loosen the ear wax, try the following:
Why You Should Never Use Cotton Swabs in Your Ears
What Black Earwax Means
Use a Bulb Syringe
A healthcare provider may use a syringe full of lukewarm water to flush the wax out of your ear.Many of the OTC ear wax treatment kits come with a soft bulb syringe that helps you easily irrigate your ear with water at home.
Sometimes, letting a little bit of water sit in the ear before irrigating will help loosen the wax. It should not hurt, but you may feel a little dizzy or nauseated. You can reduce the risk of dizziness if you use water that is warm and close to your body temperature.
One important job of your inner ear is helping you feel and stay physically balanced.Sometimes, putting water into your ear canal (especially if it’s too cold or hot) can temporarily disrupt the system.
Some healthcare providers use a water jet device such as a WaterPik for irrigation, but this is not the best method because it can cause discomfort and may damage the ear. Water irrigation should never be done if you have a ruptured ear drum because it can lead to an infection.
Risks and Benefits of Ear Irrigation
Scooping Out Wax
There are also some things that might be advertised or claimed to help with anear wax blockage, but that could be unsafe.
Is Ear Candling Safe?
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you get ear wax blockages often, you should see a provider to have them removed safely and talk about steps you might be able to take to avoid them.
A healthcare provider can look for an ear wax blockage using a special instrument such as an otoscope. The exam is usually not uncomfortable and lets your provider look into your ears to check for too much wax.
You should seek medical care right away if:
If you think you or your child may have an ear infection but do not have these serious symptoms, call your provider and make an appointment to be seen or go to urgent care.
Signs of a Ruptured Ear DrumSigns of a ruptured ear drum include:Pain or discomfortBuzzing or ringing in the earsLoss of hearingDischarge from the ear (which can be bloody)
Signs of a Ruptured Ear Drum
Signs of a ruptured ear drum include:Pain or discomfortBuzzing or ringing in the earsLoss of hearingDischarge from the ear (which can be bloody)
Signs of a ruptured ear drum include:
What Causes a Ruptured Ear Drum?
Some people just make a lot of ear wax and blockages may happen. You may not always be able to avoid them, but there are some things your provider might recommend you try to prevent ear wax blockages.
A 2005 study suggested that putting ceridal lipolotion (a lotion to treatdry skin) into the ear canal with a syringe once a week for 12 weeks may have helped prevent an ear wax blockage.
You should not use OTC products or home remedies for ear wax if you have or think that you have a ruptured eardrum.
The Safe Way to Remove Ear Wax
Summary
An ear wax blockage can be uncomfortable, but there are strategies a provider can use to safely unclog your ears. You can’t always prevent a buildup of ear wax (especially if you’re prone to making too much of it). However, if you find yourself frequenting your provider’s office to have your ears cleaned out, talk to them about whether there are any at-home strategies you can try to prevent the buildup.
How to Put in Ear Drops
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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.
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