Ear wax is a vital bodily oil that helps clear your ear of dead skin cells, dirt and hair that cause infections and blockages.
However, if earwax hardens and blocks your ear canal, it can cause problems like:
Reduced or loss of hearing
Ear pain, itchiness, and infections
Dizziness and sickness (vertigo)
Buzzing or ringing in your ears (tinnitus)
Ear wax removal treatments clear excess earwax. Obviously, the quicker the removal process, the faster the above problems will subside.
You can either perform at-home ear cleaning or opt for professional treatments carried out by a qualified professional.
Each removal treatment takes a different length of time to complete.
Throughout this blog, we’ll explore the various at-home and professional treatments and how long each takes to clear earwax build-ups.
At-home ear cleaning treatments
There are several at-home ear wax removal treatments, but only two are considered safe and effective.
Ear drops –
A non-intrusive removal method that involves squeezing a solution that softens and breaks down wax into your ear at regular intervals to clear it.
Ear drops treatment can take anywhere between 5 days to 5 weeks to be effective.
Ear bulb syringing
For this simple removal treatment, a rubber syringe bulb filled with warm water is gently squeezed, releasing water into the ear and clearing it.
Ear bulb syringing requires ear drops to be used for 2-3 weeks before starting and isn’t safe for those with damaged eardrums.
Whilst at-home treatments work to an extent, they aren’t as effective as professional removal treatments.
It is also important to be aware of the possible dangers of some home treatments, such as attempting to remove ear wax using cotton buds (sometimes known as earbuds).
Although a common practice, this can lead to further damage as the wax is pushed further down your ear, blocking it further.
