Our body naturally produces earwax - an important oil that flushes your ear canals of hair, dead skin cells and dirt, but if overproduced, it can contribute to blockages and infection.
If excess ear wax hardens over time, it can cause issues such as reduced hearing, infections, pain, and tinnitus – a buzzing or ringing sound in your ear.
Removing ear wax build-ups contributes to the healthy functioning of your ears. So, how do you remove earwax safely?
What ear wax removal treatments can you try?
There are several ways to remove ear wax build-ups that fall into two categories – at-home earwax removal, and professional earwax removal.
You’ll notice, we don’t include cotton buds on our list and highly advise avoiding using them. Pushing cotton buds into your ear can force the hardened wax down your ear canal and disrupt the eardrum. Instead, try other at-home earwax removal procedures, which can be very effective and much less harmful.
At-home earwax removal procedures
There are two at-home treatments available from the chemist: ear wax removal drops and ear bulb syringing.
Ear wax removal drops
This non-intrusive method uses a solution that’s squeezed down your ear to break down hardened wax. If you're not sure which drops are suitable for you, ask an ear care specialist, who can check your ears first.
To use eardrops, tilt your head sideways and carefully pull the tops of your ears up. Hold the dropper end over the opening of your ear and release the recommended number of drops.
Typically, 2-3 eardrops are administered down the ear canal 3-4 times daily, with positive effects such as increased hearing usually showing between 3-5 days.
There are occasions when eardrops are not suitable. These include:
If you have an ear infection or ear discharge
If you have had past complications with ear drops or previous ear operations
Instead, you should contact your GP for an alternative treatment.
Ear bulb syringing
This treatment involves releasing warm water into the ear canal using a rubber syringe bulb to clean it. However, you must have applied ear drops for 2-3 weeks before you can use the ear bulb syringe otherwise the wax won’t have softened enough.
To apply the water, turn your head and hold the bulb nozzle inside the ear whilst gently squeezing the bulb and releasing the water. Leave the water inside the ear for three minutes and tilt your head to release it into a sink or bowl.
It is important that you don’t use ear bulb syringing if you have damaged ear drums. This is because it could lead to infection.
