That there is a right way to clean your ears proposes that there is a wrong way, and in fact, there is a very wrong way. The wrong way is widespread, and it breaks the first rule of cleaning your ears: don’t insert foreign objects into your ear canal. That includes cotton swabs and any other object that will probably only drive the earwax up against the eardrum, possibly causing irritation, temporary hearing loss, or eardrum injury.
So what should you be doing to clean your ears under usual conditions? In a word: nothing (I hope you weren’t looking for something more profound). Your ears are designed to be self-cleaning, and the regular movements of your jaw push earwax from the canal to the outer ear. If you try to remove it, your ear just generates more wax.
And earwax is important, as it contains protective, lubricating, and antibacterial qualities. In fact, over-cleaning the ears results in dry, itchy, irritated skin within the ear canal. Therefore, for most people most of the time, nothing is required other than normal bathing to wash the outer ear.
But notice that we said MOST of the time, because there are scenarios in which individuals do produce an excessive amount of earwax or excess earwax impacts the eardrum. In instances like these, you will need to clean out your ears. Here’s how:
Cleaning your ears at home
We will say it again: don’t insert any foreign objects into your ear canal. You can irritate the sensitive skin of the canal and can end up perforating your eardrum. This means no cotton swabs and definitely no ear candles. (Speaking of ear candles, in 2010, the FDA released a warning against using them, declaring that no scientific evidence supports their effectiveness and that their use can trigger significant injuries.)
To correctly clean your ears at home, take the following methods:
- Purchase earwax softening solution at the drugstore or make some at home. Directions for preparing the solution can be found on the internet, and the solution often includes the use of hydrogen peroxide, mineral oil, and glycerin.
- Pour the solution into your ears from the container or by using a plastic or bulb syringe. Tilt your head to the side and allow the solution to work for 5-10 minutes.
- Empty the fluid out of your ear by tilting your head gradually over a container or the sink, or you can use a cotton ball pushed against the outside of the ear. (I know it’s tempting, but again, don’t push the cotton ball into your ear.)
- Flush out your ears with lukewarm water using a bulb syringe to displace any loosened earwax.
When not to clean your ears at home
Cleaning your ears at home could be hazardous in the presence of an ear infection or a perforated eardrum. If you suffer from any symptoms such as fever, dizziness, ear pain, or ear discharge, it’s best to pay a visit to your doctor or hearing specialist. Also, repeated attempts at self cleaning that fail may suggest a more significant congestion that calls for professional cleaning.
Medical doctors and hearing specialists use a variety of medicines and devices to quickly, thoroughly, and safely remove excess earwax. The solutions tend to be more powerful than the homemade varieties, and tools called curettes can be inserted into the ear to manually remove the wax.
When in doubt, leave it to the experts. You’ll get the assurance that you’re not injuring your ears, and symptoms can subside within minutes of a professional cleaning. In addition, underlying issues or hearing loss can be identified and corrected by a professional.
If you have any additional questions or wish to set up an appointment, give us a call today! And remember, if you’re a hearing aid user, you’ll want to get a regular professional checkup every 6 months.