January 05, 2022
It may seem puzzling that your ears — which of course operate best when they’re not clogged up — produce a waxy substance that sometimes seems to do just that. But earwax actually plays an important role in how your ear functions. Here’s why you should care about this sticky substance and how to safely clean the inside of your ears.
The ear canal runs from the external part of your ear into the middle and inner ear — and, the outer ear canal is where earwax originates. This substance (scientifically known as cerumen) is produced by your body for a few reasons:
For many people, earwax doesn’t require special care. It just falls out or gets washed away in the shower. But every now and then, you may feel like your ear is plugged, get an earache, hear noise in your ear, or even suffer some hearing loss. That’s potentially a sign that the normal approach to cleaning your ears isn’t enough.
The most basic method for cleaning out your ears is irrigation. You can purchase soft rubber bulbs meant specifically for this purpose: fill the bulb with warm water, tilt your head to the side, and squeeze the water into your ear. Allow the water to drain out, and repeat until you see the earwax rinse out.
You can also use hydrogen peroxide or baking soda (1/2 tablespoon dissolved in 2 ounces of water) in a similar way by placing your preferred solution in a dropper bottle and dropping 5 to 10 drops in your ear, letting it sit for a few minutes, and then irrigating. You can do this daily for up to two weeks.
If irrigation doesn’t solve the problem, don’t do anything invasive! Jamming fingers, Q-tips, or anything else into your ear can push the earwax deeper and cause a ruptured eardrum. Your best bet is to see a health care provider so they can safely clear the blockage professionally without damaging your ear.
