Ax the earwax without swabbing

Jun 5, 2017

earwax clean it or leave it inside — Swabs may push the wax further into the ear, traumatizing the ear canal or eardrum.

Having trouble hearing? Too much earwax may be the culprit. Before reaching for a swab or other cotton tools to remove the wax, consider that these foreign objects can actually be harmful to your ear.

Wax in your ear does act as a protective function for the ear. However, it can interfere with hearing. If you wear hearing aids too much, wax can plug up the aid and prevent it from properly functioning.

Below are wrong and right ways to get rid of unwanted earwax.

Reasons to avoid swabbing

Most people use Q-tip swabs to clean out their ears, but they are not recommended.

“I do have patients come in frequently who tell me they use these swabs,” said Nichole Jones, an otolaryngology physician assistant. “But they can cause a lot of problems.”

Swabs may push the wax further into the ear, traumatizing the ear canal or eardrum. They also can cause bleeding, pain, infection, a hole in the eardrum (perforation) and hearing loss.

“I’ve had patients clean out their ears with Q-tips and the cotton end gets stuck in their ear,” Jones said. “So they’ve had to come in to have the cotton removed.”

Other frequently used objects, such as bobby pins and car keys, also are not safe to use. Ear candling is definitely not recommended.

Safer ways to remove earwax at home

If you do not have a hole in the eardrum, use baby oil, mineral oil or olive oil to help soften the wax so it drains out on its own.

If you have problems with swimmer’s ear infections, you can use equal amounts of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol to clean out the wax, while preventing and treating infections.

Some over-the-counter products work to soften the wax, like Debrox®.

Ear vacuums advertised on TV are not very powerful.

If you have a perforated eardrum, it’s safest to use antibiotic ear drops to soften the wax.

Ways your doctor may treat excess earwax

Providers in primary care, urgent care and emergency departments frequently flush the ears with water. If that is not successful, otolaryngology (ear-nose-throat) providers have a variety of tools to use, depending on the consistency of the wax. If it is soft, they may use suction. If the wax is harder, they may use a curette or forceps, or soften the wax with peroxide.

Over-the-counter remedies or coming in to see your provider are the best approaches for cleaning earwax.

3 responses to “Ax the earwax without swabbing”

Sandy

Jun 20, 2017

So how do you get the extra out at home? My son has a ton of earwax that actually runs out! There are no answers here, other than what not to do, and I'm certainly not taking him to a doctor every other day to have it removed.

Reply
1. Kirsten Shakal, Shine365 Editor
  
  Jun 20, 2017
  
  Hi, Sandy. Please see the section titled, "Safer ways to remove earwax at home."
  1) If you do not have a hole in the eardrum, use baby oil, mineral oil or olive oil to help soften the wax so it drains out on its own.
  2) If you have problems with swimmer’s ear infections, you can use equal amounts of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol to clean out the wax, while preventing and treating infections.
  3) Or, try over-the-counter products, like Debrox®.
  
  I would also suggest bringing this to the attention of your Pediatrician who may have suggestions specific to your son's experiences. Marshfield Clinic Pediatricians: https://marshfieldclinic.org/doctors/search/?k=%22Pediatrics%22&ek=Pediatrics
  
  Thank you. -Kirstie
  
  Reply
  1. Sandy
    
    Jun 20, 2017
    
    We don't need to soften it at all. It just needs to be wiped out. So, I need to use a cotton swap as nothing else reaches it. I'm not jamming it into his ear. The pediatrician we used to see gave me no assistance what so ever. We have since changed doctors. Thanks any way!