How To Do Ear Wax Removal At Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ear wax is your body’s natural way of protecting your ears. It traps dust, debris, and microorganisms, and usually works its way out of the ear canal on its own. However, sometimes it can build up and cause symptoms like muffled hearing, discomfort, itching, or a feeling of fullness. Are you experiencing these symptoms and suspect ear wax buildup? Here’s a step-by-step guide to safe ear wax removal at home — and how to know when to seek professional help.

When Ear Wax Removal is Safely Done at Home?

Ear wax removal at home can be safe and effective when done correctly. This is especially if you experience mild ear wax buildup or discomfort. Many people produce more ear wax than necessary. Excess wax accumulation can sometimes block the ear canal. This can cause temporary hearing loss, and give you a feeling of ear fullness or cause ear discomfort. In such cases, using gentle home remedies can help loosen the wax. The ear wax can work its way out of your ear canal without the need for professional intervention.

“Excess wax accumulation can sometimes block the ear canal, causing temporary hearing loss, and give you a feeling of ear fullness or cause ear discomfort. In such cases, using gentle home remedies can help loosen the wax”

Home ear wax removal also offers a convenient and cost-effective alternative to clinic visits. You may be able to safely manage minor ear wax build up at home. This is especially if you do not have access to regular healthcare or if you face long wait times. Home ear wax removal may help you improve ear comfort and daily function. You may use tools like bulb syringes for gentle irrigation or ear drops to help you safely maintain ear hygiene. If you take a careful approach, then you can reduce the risk of damage to the delicate structures inside the ear. You must follow product instructions carefully and avoid inserting anything deep into your ear canals.

Self education can be an empowering activity. You can learn about which ear wax removal methods are safe. And which ones pose a risk. This will help you make better informed choices. This reduces the chance of complications and unnecessary visits to healthcare providers. Learn about safe ear wax removal at home combined with awareness of when to seek medical help. This will strike a healthy balance between self-care and professional support.

Step-by-Step Guide to Safe Ear Wax Removal at Home

Step 1 – Be aware of when not to attempt home ear wax removal

First take a read through our post, Home Ear Wax Removal: When to Do It Yourself and When to See a Doctor. There are red flags for when not to attempt home ear wax removal. Seek medical advice before attempting to remove ear wax at home if you have (3-6):

• Experienced a sudden hearing loss – visit your hospital emergency department immediately as early treatment may save your hearing.
• An ongoing undiagnosed hearing loss.
• A perforated eardrum or myringotomy tubes (vent tubes)
• Been experiencing pain, discharge, or bleeding from your ears
• Had a recent ear infection
• Had ear surgery
• A cleft palate (even if it has been repaired)
• A foreign body in your ear canal
• Abnormal constrictions or growths in your ear canals
• A dermatological condition affecting your ear canals
• Diabetes, a compromised immune system, bleeding disorder, or used blood thinning medication.
• Hearing in only one ear
• Had radiotherapy of the head and neck
• Tried at-home ear wax removal treatments without improvement

Before attempting to remove ear wax at home, consult with your doctor if any of the above circumstances apply to you. You should also visit your hospital emergency department immediately if you have experienced any sudden hearing loss or balance symptoms. Importantly, you should seek advice from your doctor if you are unsure about any of your ear symptoms.

“You should visit your hospital emergency department immediately if you have experienced any sudden hearing loss or balance symptoms.”

Children and cognitively impaired adults should seek medical advice, while accompanied by their carer, before attempting to remove ear wax at home.

Be aware of the risks involved with ear irrigation before embarking on this course of action. One survey suggested that complications occur in one ear in every 1000 ears irrigated. The most common complications included failure to remove ear wax, ear canal infection, perforated ear drum, and damage to the external ear canal (7). Other complications mentioned were pain, balance symptoms (vertigo), middle ear infection and, relatively rarely, discovery of a pre existing ear drum perforation.

Step 2 – Have a look into your ear canals

Use a video otoscope that connects to your mobile phone so that you can view your ear canals on screen. Some video otoscopes will allow you to capture images and video. Or you can ask a family member or friend to look into your ear canals with a regular otoscope.

You should take a look into both of your ear canals before you attempt ear wax removal. This gives you an opportunity to learn more about your ears. Compare both ear canals. Is there anything unusual in your ear canals such as inflammation? Can you see any ear wax? If you cannot see a wax buildup, but you are experiencing ear symptoms – then that is an indication that you should seek medical advice earlier. This is because ear symptoms may be caused by something other than ear wax.

You may decide that it is better to seek medical advice instead of attempting to remove ear wax at home. It is better to err on the side of caution than pushing ahead with a do-it-yourself ear wax removal solution.

Step 3 – Choose A Safe Method For Ear Wax Removal

There are two commonly recommended home ear wax removal methods. These methods are either used separately or in conjunction with one another (4):

1. Ear drops used to soften ear wax accumulations in the ear canals
2. Warm water irrigation used to gently float ear wax out of your ear canals

It is not recommended that you insert probes, such as curettes, into your ear canals. You should avoid using probes in your ear canal because these can push the ear wax deeper. Or worse, you could easily jab a hole into your ear drum and cause a serious hearing loss. If you scratch the delicate skin on your ear canal, then this can lead to infection (8). So avoid the temptation of inserting cotton buds (Q-sticks), curettes, wax spoons, or any other objects into your ear canal.

You may have heard about ear candling. Ear candling has been widely practiced as an alternative medicine way for removing ear wax. However, use of ear candles can cause serious damage to the ear canal and ear drum. Also, there is no evidence that ear candling removes ear wax (6). (9) (10). Ear candling is not recommended under any circumstances.

Step 4 – Gather Together The Equipment You Will Need For Ear Wax Removal

You will need the following items for removing ear wax at home:

1. Ear drops that have been formulated specifically for softening ear wax.
2. A thermometer to check the temperature of fluids you will be putting in your ear
3. An irrigation bottle or bulb that has been purpose designed and manufactured for ear canal irrigation
4. A collection dish to collect the water as it flows out of your ear canal during irrigation. The kitchen sink or shower base can also be used for this purpose.
5. Towelling to catch any splashes of water which were not caught by the collection dish
6. Warm body temperature water.

Ear drops

Ear drops help to soften and disintegrate ear wax prior to syringing (11) (12). There evidence that ear drops prior to irrigation help remove ear wax (13). Ear drops may reduce time to dislodge a wax accumulation (12). However, there is still debate over which type of ear drops work better than others, or if they work better than saline solution or water (13) (14)

“Everyone’s ears are slightly different. You may need to try different ear drops so that you find the one that works best for you.”

There are a range of ear drops for wax removal available online or at your chemist. Always check and follow the manufacturer’s direction for use. Seek medical advice if you have questions regarding their application or in the rare event that you experience a reaction to the drops.

Check the ingredients in the various ear drops. Everyone’s ears are slightly different. You may need to try different ear drops so that you find the one that works best for you. Common ingredients found in ear drops for wax removal include:

1. Saline solution
2. 3% hydrogen peroxide
3. Carbamide peroxide
4. Medical grade olive oil
5. Propylene, Glycol, Dicaprylocaprate, Butoxyl, Turpentine Oil and Chlorocresol
6. Docusate sodium 0.5%
7. Grape seed extract and tea tree oil

Avoid using nut based oils if you have a nut allergy.

Thermometer

Any infrared forehead thermometer should be okay.

Irrigation bottle or bulb

You need an irrigation bottle or bulb that has been designed and manufactured for ear canal irrigation. Avoid any ear irrigation products that pulse water into your ear or eject one solid stream of water from the irrigator nozzle. Instead, look for an irrigator that breaks the water flow into several separate low pressure water streams. This is because any high pressure or poorly controlled stream of water leaving the irrigation nozzle may perforate your ear drum or cause trauma to your ear canal.

Select an irrigation bottle or bulb that directs a very gentle controlled flow of water into your ear canal. You do not want an irrigator that sprays water directly onto your ear drum. Any water sprayed near or onto the ear drum could also result in a perforation. Look for an irrigator that directs multiple low pressure water streams towards the ear canal wall safely away from your ear drum.

So you need an ear irrigator that has:

1. Been designed and manufactured specifically for ear canal irrigation;
2. A controlled gentle, low pressure flow of water from its nozzle
3. A nozzle designed so that it directs the water streams safely away from your ear drum.

Clean water at body temperature

Tap water is generally clean enough for ear irrigation. If you are not sure, then first boil your water and let it cool or buy clean drinking water.

Warm your water to body temperature (about 37 degrees Celsius). You may wonder why water temperature is important. It is important because the caloric reflex is triggered if you irrigate your ear canal with water that is relatively colder or warmer than your body temperature. The caloric reflex results from stimulation of the balance system in your inner ear and causes a sensation of dizziness, which may make you feel nauseous.

Step-5 Insert ear drops into the ear with wax accumulation

Make sure that you have covered Step 1 and be aware of when not to attempt home ear wax removal.

Warm your ear drops to body temperature. This is to avoid triggering your inner ear balance system when you put the drops into your ear. Triggering your inner ear balance system may give you a sensation of dizziness.

Always follow the ear drop manufacturer’s instructions for use. Seek medical advice if you have questions regarding their application or in the rare event that you experience a reaction to the drops.

TIP 1: To help the drops to go all the way into your ear canal, try massaging the tragus. The tragus is the little cartilaginous handle in front of the entrance to you ear canal.

TIP 2: Allow the ear canal time to completely dry before inserting hearing aids, ear plugs, or covering your ears with headphones. This is to avoid the risk of ear infection.

You are aiming to soften your ear wax accumulation before you attempt irrigating your ear canal. This step may take a few days, depending on the instructions provided with the ear drops.

You may find that your ear wax accumulation clears after using the drops and there is no need for ear irrigation.

Step-6 Gently rinse your ear canal (Optional)

Make sure that you have covered Step1 and be aware of when not to attempt home ear wax removal.

If the wax hasn’t cleared after softening, gentle warm water irrigation may help.

“ Always remember the golden rule: If you feel pain before, during or after ear irrigation, stop irrigating and visit your doctor.”

Warm water ear irrigation

Preparation

1. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for using your irrigation bottle or bulb
2. Fill a bowl with body temperature water (about 37 degrees Celsius) Check the temperature of the water with your thermometer.
3. Fill your irrigation bottle or syringe with the warm water. Then practice using the irrigation bottle or bulb outside your ear canal. This is so that you familiarize yourself with how the irrigator operates before you irrigate your ear canal. Check that the nozzle always delivers a gentle low pressure flow of water. And check that the water stream will not spray directly onto your ear drum. If either of these checks fail, then do not proceed using this equipment
4. Now place toweling on your shoulder beneath the ear you are going to irrigate. Put the bowl under your ear to catch the water as it flows back. You may use the kitchen sink or shower base instead of a bowl.
5. Tilt your head to one side so that the affected ear faces upwards.
6. Pull your ear pinna upwards and outwards as this helps straighten your ear canal. This will allow water to flow in better.
7. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions during the irrigation process. Never insert the tip of the irrigator too far into your ear canal. It should always be within the outer soft cartilaginous part of your ear canal – no further than about one third of the way into the ear canal

During ear irrigation

1. Ensure that the water flows gently into the ear under low pressure.
2. Ensure that the water does not spray directly onto your ear drum. The water should spray against the outer part of the ear canal wall.
3. Do not force the irrigator nozzle into your ear canal. If you scratch your ear canal then this could lead to infection (8).
4. Do not insert the irrigator nozzle more than a third of the way into your ear canal
5. Allow the water to remain in your ear canal for 1 – 3 minutes to help soften the ear wax.
6. Tilt your head back over the other way and allow the water to drain out. Gently pull your ear pinna outwards to help the water drain out.
7. You may repeat the process one more time if necessary.

After ear irrigation

1. Dry around the outside of your irrigated ear. Allow the ear canal time to completely dry before inserting hearing aids, ear plugs, or covering your ears with headphones. This is to minimise the risk of ear infection.

Step-7 Did the ear wax drops and ear canal irrigation remove your ear wax accumulation?

You should check your ears with an otoscope as described in Step 2. If you successfully removed the ear wax and you have no pain or other symptoms, then skip to Step 8

If you have been unable to clear the ear wax from your canal or you are experiencing pain or other symptoms, then it is time to seek help from your doctor or a clinic that specializes in ear wax removal. Specialist clinics have high powered microscopes that allow full visualization of your ear canal while they remove ear wax with micro suction or other equipment. They will advise you about the best way for you to proceed.

Step 8 How do I prevent further ear wax accumulation?

Regular cleaning of your ear canals is mostly unnecessary. A normal amount of ear wax serves to clean and lubricate the delicate skin lining your ear canals. You should encourage your ear wax to naturally clear whenever possible. The presence of ear wax in your ear canals is normal. Occasionally it may accumulate and cause discomfort. At that time, check your ears again with an otoscope and reassess your situation, beginning at Step 1.

Some people produce excessive amounts of ear wax and this can cause an accumulation. If you use hearing aids or ear plugs, then you may also be at a higher risk for accumulating ear wax.

If you use hearing aids, then it may help to find a suitable time during the day when you can leave your hearing aids out. This may give your ear canals time to clear ear wax naturally. You may want to discuss the best way to manage ear wax with your hearing aid provider.

If you use ear plugs for noise protection, then you may want to investigate using protective ear muffs, which do not block your ear canals. If you wear ear plugs for audio, then consider changing to headphones that cover your ears without blocking your ear canals.

Finally, ear wax accumulation may be exacerbated by the use of probes in the ear canal. So it is best not to be tempted by this approach to managing ear wax.

Take a look at the post What Is Ear Wax and Why Do We Need It? This post explores how our ears self clean and helps us understand how to better manage ear wax.

In Conclusion

In many cases, ear wax buildup can be safely managed at home with simple drops and care.

However, we all have unique circumstances. You should always be aware of the risks and when not to proceed with home ear wax removal. A do-it-yourself approach may suit some people and not others as we have unique circumstances.

Always seek medical advice if symptoms persist or you’re unsure about your symptoms. It is better to err on the side of caution and consult a medical professional. Your ears are delicate — treat them kindly!

Disclaimer