The Right Way to Clean Your Ears

That there is a right way to clean your ears implies that there is a wrong way, and indeed, there is a very wrong way. The wrong way is customary, and it breaks the first rule of cleaning your ears: don’t insert foreign objects into your ear canal. That includes cotton swabs and any other item that will probably only shove the earwax up against the eardrum, potentially causing irritation, temporary hearing loss, or eardrum damage.

So what should you be doing to clean your ears under usual circumstances? In a word: nothing (I hope you weren’t anticipating something more profound). Your ears are intended to be self-cleansing, and the normal movements of your jaw force earwax from the canal to the outer ear. If you attempt to remove it, your ear just produces more wax.

And earwax is beneficial, as it contains protective, lubricating, and antibacterial properties. In fact, over-cleaning the ears can cause dry, itchy, irritated skin within the ear canal. Therefore, for most people most of the time, nothing is required other than normal showering to wash the outer ear.

But notice that we said MOST of the time, because there are times in which individuals do generate an excessive amount of earwax or excess earwax impacts the eardrum. In situations like these, you will need to clean out your ears. Here’s how:

Cleaning your ears at home

We’ll say it again: don’t insert any foreign objects into your ear canal. You can irritate the fragile skin of the canal and can end up perforating your eardrum. This means no cotton swabs and definitely no ear candles. (Speaking of ear candles, in 2010, the FDA issued a warning against using them, stating that no scientific evidence supports their effectiveness and that their use can cause serious injuries.)

To correctly clean your ears at home, take the following measures:

1. Purchase earwax softening solution at the drugstore or make some at home. Directions for making the solution can be found on the internet, and the solution often includes the use of hydrogen peroxide, mineral oil, and glycerin.
2. Pour the solution into your ears from the bowl or by using a plastic or bulb syringe. Tilt your head to the side and let the solution to work for 5-10 minutes.
3. Empty the fluid out of your ear by tilting your head slowly over a container or the sink, or you can use a cotton ball pushed against the outside of the ear. (I know it’s tempting, but again, don’t push the cotton ball into your ear.)
4. Flush out your ears with lukewarm water using a bulb syringe to free any loosened earwax.

When not to clean your ears at home

Cleaning your ears at home could be harmful in the presence of an ear infection or a perforated eardrum. If you experience any symptoms such as fever, dizziness, ear pain, or ear discharge, it’s best to check with your doctor or hearing specialist. Additionally, repeated attempts at self cleaning that fail may indicate a more significant congestion that calls for professional cleaning.

Medical doctors and hearing specialists apply a variety of medicines and devices to quickly, thoroughly, and safely remove excess earwax. The solutions tend to be more powerful than the homemade versions, and instruments called curettes can be inserted into the ear to manually remove the wax.

When in doubt, leave it to the professionals. You’ll get the peace of mind that you’re not hurting your ears, and symptoms can subside within minutes of a professional cleaning. In addition, underlying problems or hearing loss can be identified and corrected by a professional.

If you have any additional questions or wish to schedule an appointment, give us a call today! And keep in mind, if you’re a hearing aid user, you’ll want to get a routine professional checkup every 6 months.