Are you having hearing problems? Perhaps you went a little too far this time with the cotton swab? In the best-case scenario, earwax buildup is annoying, and in the worst-case scenario, it could lead to hearing loss. Cerumen, also referred to as earwax, is normal, but it is also necessary.
A specialist in ear, nose, and throat says earwax has both antifungal and antibacterial properties. “Earwax also protects the eardrum from dust, hair, and insects,” says Anh Nguyen-Huynh, MD.
Hearing aids or deep earplugs can affect your amount of earwax, as can previous ear surgery or trauma, recurrent ear infections, or previous ear surgery. For more information, visit medskinclinic.co.uk.
Safe Methods For Removing Earwax
So, what is the best way to handle earwax problems?
According to Dr. Nguyen-Huynh, attempts to clean them sometimes cause more problems than they’re worth. She says ears act like ovens that shed dirt on their own. The wax will fall out with the outer layer of skin in the ear canal when it sheds.”
Dr. Nguyen-Huynh suggests the following steps to remove earwax if it has become a problem:
Drops For Cleaning The Ears That Can Be Bought Over-The-Counter
During the winter, ear cleaners over-the-counter are perfect for removing small amounts of wax. Hydrogen peroxide or other types of peroxide can be found in drops. By breaking up earwax with peroxide, you can reduce earwax buildup.
You may not be able to get rid of ear wax if your ear canal is blocked by a wax plug, a condition known as impacted cerumen.
Put peroxide in your ear if it’s a plug, and it may worsen the problem since you’re softening it but not removing or dissolving it. When the plug is softer, it is like a wall of mud that will plug your ear still further.”
Syringes With Bulb Tips
To flush your ears, buy a bulb syringe from a drugstore or grocery store if ear cleaning drops do not work. The syringe should be filled with warm water, placed near your ear opening, and gently squeezed. By flooding your ear with warm water, the wax will be broken up. By turning your head, you should be able to see the water (and, ideally, wax) flowing out of the sink or bathtub.
Olive Oil Or Mineral Oil
According to Dr. Nguyen-Huynh, people who put olive oil in their ears before getting them cleaned seem to be able to get more wax out. The lubricating effect is beneficial for the ear canal. Then again, I’m not convinced it’s better than mineral oil, which we recommend.”
Avoid These Methods Of Removing Earwax
There is no one size fits all earwax removal hack. The following two remedies are not recommended by Dr. Nguyen-Huynh:
Swabs Made From Cotton
Do not insert the swab into the ear canal, according to the manufacturer’s warning. The cotton swab enables ramrods in old-style cannons to work by acting like ramrods. As you use the tip more often, the more earwax you push into the ear. In addition, too much pressure can rupture your eardrums. In addition, even if you scratch your ear canal, it can become infected, since dirt and bacteria can now penetrate under your skin.”
