Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Removing the wax plug at home
• Part 2 of 2: Professional treatments
• Warnings
• Necessities

Everyone has wax in their ear. However, sometimes you have the feeling that your ear is full, discharge from your ear or you can suddenly hear less well. These could be symptoms of a wax plug clogging your ear. Finding out if there is a clot of wax in your ear and having it treated at home or at a doctor's office can help you get rid of the blockage.

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Part 1 of 2: Removing the wax plug at home

1. Be aware of the risk that wax can build up in your ear. Some people never have their earwax, while others tend to build up. If you are aware of the risk you are running, you can find out if you have a plug of wax in your ear.
   • People with hearing aids or people who often wear earplugs are more likely to have accumulated ear wax.
   • People who use cotton swabs or put other objects in their ear are more likely to get a plug of wax.
   • The elderly and people with developmental disabilities are more likely to have accumulated ear wax.
   • In some people, the ear canal is shaped in such a way that it is difficult for the body to clean up the wax on its own.
2. Determine if you have a plug of wax in your ear. The best way to determine if you have a plug of wax in your ear is to see your doctor, or you can try some home remedies first. Before starting any kind of treatment, it is important to make sure there is a plug of wax. Then you know for sure that the treatment is harmless and that you do not have any other condition, such as an ear infection.
   • You can buy a special light (an otoscope) on the internet that you can use to look into the ear. These cost approximately € 20. A family member or friend can help you by using this tool to see if you have a plug of wax in your ear.
3. Recognize the symptoms of wax build-up. It can be fairly easy to tell if you have a build-up of wax by recognizing the symptoms. There are several signs that you have a plug of wax in your ear that needs to come out, from a feeling of being full to a discharge coming out of your ear.
   • The feeling that your ear is full may indicate that wax has accumulated. Your ears may also be itchy.
   • If you have wax in your ear you can also hear sounds in your ear, this is called tinnitus.
   • You may hear worse, and it may get worse.
   • You can also have an earache if there is a plug of wax in your ear.
   • There may be a little discharge from your ear that resembles wax.
   • There may also be a strange odor coming from your ear.
   • If you have a severe earache, fever, or discharge that looks or smells like pus, see your doctor to be checked for an ear infection.
4. Wipe the outside of your ear. You can clean the external ear canal with a cloth or tissue. Then you can remove any secretions or wax that has come out.
   • Use a soft cloth to wipe the outside of your ear and your outer ear canal. If you want, you can wet the cloth a little with warm water.
   • Wrap a tissue around your finger and wipe your outer ear and the outer ear canal.
5. Apply some drug store ear drops to remove wax. People with little ear wax can use drug store ear drops to remove wax. This can help with accumulated ear wax.
   • Most of the drops you will find at the drug store are mixtures of oil and hydrogen peroxide.
   • Hydrogen peroxide does not dissolve wax, but allows it to penetrate further into the ear canal.
   • Always follow the instructions on the packaging so that you do not cause any problems.
   • If you have or suspect you have a perforated eardrum, don't use over-the-counter products in your ear.
   • You can buy wax removal remedies from drugstores and pharmacy.
6. Try oil or glycerin drops to soften the wax. In addition to over-the-counter remedies, you can also simply use oil or glycerine to get rid of wax plugs. This softens the wax, making it easier to get it out of the ear canal.
   • You can use baby oil or mineral oil for this. Put a few drops of baby oil or mineral oil in your ear and let it work for a few minutes before rinsing it out.
   • You can also try olive oil. However, there is a study showing that water is much more effective at removing wax than olive oil.
   • There is no research showing how often you should use oil or glycerin, but a few times a week should be fine.
7. Irrigate the wax plugs. Irrigation, also called "spraying out", is one of the best ways to get wax plugs out of the ear. Try to rinse your ear by pouring water into it if you have a lot of stubborn wax. Maybe a friend or family member can help you with this.
   • For this you need a medical syringe, which you can buy at most pharmacies.
   • Fill the syringe with water at room temperature. Taking colder or warmer water can cause dizziness.
   • Keep your head straight and pull the outside of your ear slightly upward to straighten your ear canal.
   • Now squirt a small trickle of water into your ear canal where the wax plug is located.
   • Tilt your head to let the water drain from your ear.
   • You may have to do this a few times before the buildup is removed.
   • One study has shown that putting some oil in your ear before injecting water into it removes wax even faster.
   • Never use an oral irrigator designed to brush your teeth to rinse your ears.
8. Vacuum your ear canal. You can buy a special suction cup to remove wax. Although research has shown that this treatment doesn't work well, you can give it a try.
   • You can find the ear extractor on the internet, or you can ask if your pharmacy sells them.
9. Dry your ear. If the wax plug is out of your ear, it is important to dry your ear thoroughly. This way you can prevent inflammation or other problems.
   • You can use a few drops of rubbing alcohol to dry your ear.
   • You can also dry your ear with a hair dryer on the lowest setting.
10. Don't clean your ear too often or use instruments. Know that everyone needs a little wax to prevent ear infections. Avoid cleaning your ears too often with instruments such as cotton buds to make sure you keep a healthy amount of wax in your ear.
    • Only clean your ears when you feel it is necessary. If you find you need to clean your ears every day or if you have a lot of discharge, see your doctor.
    • By using instruments such as cotton buds, you push the wax further into your ear instead of removing it, and it can cause infections and other problems.
    • You can also perforate your eardrum when you put instruments in your ear, which can cause inflammation and even make you deaf.
11. Do not use "ear candles." Some Eastern or holistic therapists may recommend using ear candles to remove wax plugs. This treatment, which involves dripping hot wax into the ear, is generally not considered effective and can even be dangerous.
    • If not used by an expert, the ear candle can burn your ear canal, cause inflammation or become deaf.
12. If home remedies don't help, see your doctor. If you cannot remove the wax yourself or if it keeps getting worse, see your doctor.

Part 2 of 2: Professional treatments

1. Consult with your doctor about possible treatments. If you cannot remove the wax yourself, or if you are experiencing other problems such as severe hearing loss, pain, or discharge, talk to your doctor about other treatments. This ensures that you can receive the most effective, least invasive and least painful treatment for the accumulated earwax.
   • Your doctor can recommend professional treatment methods or provide options for you to use at home, such as drops or syringes.
2. Have your ears sprayed out a few times. Your doctor may decide that he / she wants to get your ears out. This can soften the wax to clear the blockage causing the discomfort.
   • Your doctor may squirt water or saline solution into your ear to soften the wax.
   • When the water has run out of your ear, your doctor can check to see if the plug is gone or if it still needs to be removed with an instrument such as a curette.
   • Spraying it out can feel a bit tedious.
3. Get your ear sucked. The doctor can use a stronger device to suck out your ear than the ones you use at home. This allows you to effectively and completely remove plugs of wax.
   • Your doctor will insert a plunger into your ear canal to remove the wax.
   • He / she can then check whether the plug has been removed and estimate whether another method is needed to clear the blockage.
   • Suction may hurt a little, and it may bleed.
4. Have the wax removed with an instrument. If the wax plug is very stubborn, your doctor may decide to use other instruments such as a spoon or curette to remove it. With this treatment, the plug is removed immediately and it can clear the blockage quickly and effectively.
   • A curette is a small, thin instrument that is inserted into your ear to remove the plug.
   • An earwax spoon is a small instrument that is inserted into your ear canal to scoop out the plug.
   • Removing the wax with an instrument can cause some pain and bleeding.
5. Have the ear examined with a microscope. Your doctor may refer you to an ENT doctor (Ear, Nose and Throat) if he / she cannot remove all the wax. The ENT specialist can look at the plug of wax in your ear with a microscope. Then he / she can estimate the size of the accumulation and whether your doctor has cleared the entire blockage.
   • To be able to look into your ear with a microscope, the ENT doctor inserts a metal funnel into your ear and shines through the microscope light.
   • The ENT specialist can continue to use the microscope while removing the wax plug.

Warnings

• If you are unsure whether your symptoms are due to ear wax, see your doctor before trying these home remedies.
• Never try to scoop hardened wax from your ear, as you might push it further into your ear canal.
• Consult your doctor before removing ear wax if you already have a condition in your ears.

Necessities

• Washcloth
• Pipette
• Baby oil, wax removal drops, mineral oil or hydrogen peroxide
• Towel or hair dryer