Tips for Cleaning Your Own Ears and Dissolving Ear Wax the Right Way

Having trouble hearing? Probably the most common cause of short-term hearing loss is an accumulation of ear wax within the ear canal. If you’re reasonably certain that ear wax is the resource for your short-term hearing loss, you most likely want to clean your ears. The question is how to do this safely, and without causing damage to the delicate tissues of your ear or your ability to hear.

It is best to get started with a few reminders on what not to do when cleaning your ears. Never stick any physical objects in your ear. Whether it’s a cotton swab or other tool, you’re more likely to make the problem worse by further compressing the ear wax if you go poking around in your ear. One more thing you should never do is attempt to use any product that shoots water under pressure directly into your ears; to do this risks rupturing your eardrums. Last but not least, if you know that you have a ruptured eardrum, leave cleaning your ears to a hearing specialist. The same holds true if you think you have an ear infection. Indications of ear infections include ear pain, fever, fluid draining from the ears and vomiting or diarrhea.

To clean your own ears safely and gently in your own home, all you need is a syringe or bulb, available from any drug store, and a rinse solution. You can buy a carbamide peroxide solution at the local drugstore, or make your own solution by combining equal measures of 3-4%, mineral oil and glycerin.

To make use of the carbamide peroxide solution, carefully squeeze the solution into the ear with the bulb or syringe. It works best to lay on your side and have a towel readily available to catch drips. Try to avoid touching the ear with the syringe or bulb if you can. Keep the solution in each ear for a few minutes allowing it time to work on dissolving the wax.

After this rinse solution has softened and loosened the ear wax, flush your ears with lukewarm water, and then dry your ears thoroughly with a towel, being careful not to stick it into the ear canal. You can repeat this procedure twice daily for 2-3 days if your ears still feel obstructed. If the situation continues, speak with an audiologist or hearing specialist for assistance.