Earwax Dos and Don’ts

Earwax is an incredibly common issue among those of us who have hearing loss. Earwax is a natural substance that forms in the ears and performs several important functions in the body. Firstly, earwax protects the skin inside our ear canal and moisturizes it to keep it lubricated. It is also used to clean the ears and stop bacteria and dust from the air from getting into the body to the ears.

Earwax is a harmless substance and is produced by all of us to help keep the ears healthy. Earwax however can be wildly different from person to person and a lot of us will produce excessive amounts which can cause hearing issues as well as blockages that are uncomfortable.

Cleaning our ears is an important part of our healthcare routine and you should clean your ears a few times a week to ensure that earwax doesn’t build up. However, it seems that everyone has a different idea of how to clean ears and this is where often the problems will begin.

Today we are going to take a look at the biggest dos and don’ts of cleaning your earwax and how you can do this safely to keep your ears happy and healthy.

Dos

Clean Your Outer Ear

The first thing you should always do when cleaning your ears is wipe the outer ear to get rid of the thin film of wax that forms throughout the week. A simple wipe with a damp cloth or tissue is all you need here to keep your outer ear clean and to avoid you developing spots in your ear. Do this a couple of times a week.

Use Baby Oil

One of the important things to consider when cleaning earwax from your ears is that your ears are incredibly sensitive. You cannot use a random bottle of olive oil from your kitchen to dissolve earwax as this isn’t safe for bodily use in that way. You can however safely use baby oil once or twice a week to clean out the wax from your ears gently to leave them soft and moisturized as well as clean.

Visit Your Audiologist

If you have issues with your hearing it is important not to ignore them. A build-up of wax can cause other issues and it is important for you to visit a doctor if you think you need advice.

Use Water

Water is safe to use in your ears, and is effective for wax that is deeply stuck in your ear. Use a syringe with lukewarm water to squirt your ears and displace the wax, melting it as you go.

Don’ts

Use Cotton Swabs

Cotton buds for some reason have become the universal method for cleaning out your ears, however, this is not at all safe and you should not do this. Cotton swabs are harsh and they will only serve to push wax further into your ear, putting pressure on your eardrum and causing possible infections. It is important for you to avoid using a cotton swab and instead choose a gentle method of cleaning.

Use Pointy Objects

If you are at home and you are looking to clear the wax from your ears, it is important for you not to reach for random objects. Don’t use a pen or a nail cleaning instrument to clean the inside of your ears because this can be incredibly dangerous for your ears. First of all, a nonsterile instrument could have bacteria on it that will damage your eardrum and cause a painful ear infection. Secondly, if you go too far into your ear or your hand slips you might pop your eardrum and this is a huge issue that will need to be addressed.

Use a Candle

Candle wax removal is a popular trend and although when done by a professional this isn’t too dangerous – if you buy a kit to try at home this can be a huge issue. Never try these fad ideas for cleaning out your ears as the risk is high and often, they will cause more harm than good. Stick to something simple and something safe and talk to your audiologist if you are unsure how to best clean your ears.

Learn more about earwax dos and don’ts with an expert like Rametta Audiology & Hearing Aid Center and contact them on Tarentum: (724) 409-4439 and Vandergrift: (724) 567-3233 for advice on how to clean your ears safely and keep them happy and healthy throughout the years of your life.