Ear Cleaning Tips

While excessive earwax is common, attempting to clear a completely blocked ear canal on your own is risky and should be avoided. Instead, reach out to a hearing professional, your GP, or an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT).

For mild cases of wax buildup, you can try the following steps, ensuring safety:

Ear irrigation: use an ear irrigation kit to run warm water or saline solution into your ear canal. Allow the solution to soften the earwax for a few minutes before letting it drain naturally.

Gentle wiping: use a soft cloth dampened with lukewarm water to gently wipe the outside of your ear to remove any wax buildup. Avoid using hot water, as it can cause burns.

Natural movement: chewing or moving your jaw can help old earwax move along your ear canal. Once the earwax reaches the ear opening, it often dries up and falls out.

For most individuals, the ear canals do not require regular cleaning. However, daily cleaning of the outer ears can help maintain a sense of freshness. Overcleaning the ears can lead to infections and even exacerbate earwax buildup.

Cleaning your ears should only be considered if wax buildup is affecting your hearing or causing symptoms such as itchiness, tinnitus, dizziness, or pain.

When it comes to DIY ear cleaning, it's essential to steer clear of certain methods to prevent irreversible damage:

Ear candling: despite claims of effectiveness, ear candling—placing a lit, hollow candle into the ear canal—is not recommended due to its potential for serious injuries and burns.

Inserting objects: never insert cotton buds, tweezers, bobby pins, or other objects into your ear canal, as they can perforate the eardrum and cause permanent hearing damage.

Improper ear cleaning techniques can lead to complications such as ear infections, perforated eardrums, tinnitus, damage to the external ear canal, or permanent hearing loss.

If you have narrow ear canals or excessive earwax buildup, seek assistance from a specialist to safely clear blockages and preserve your hearing.

If you wear hearing aids, you may encounter blockages due to earwax obstructing the device or damaging its components. Regular cleaning of your hearing aids is essential to prevent damage and maintain functionality. If you experience earwax-related issues while wearing hearing aids, schedule a check-up with one of our trained audiologists.

Experiencing discomfort due to earwax buildup? If symptoms persist, consider trying home remedies such as softening the wax with mineral oil or hydrogen peroxide or gently irrigating the ear with warm water. However, exercise caution and avoid using cotton swabs or inserting objects into the ear canal, as this can worsen the condition. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek professional assistance for safe and effective relief.

While earwax buildup is normal and serves a protective function, certain situations may warrant softening the wax to alleviate discomfort. Consider using wax softening drops or prevention products designed to moisturise the ear canal and soften wax buildup. Explore our range of ear care products to find the right solution for your needs.

If you've followed the steps above but continue to experience ear blockage, don't hesitate to schedule an appointment with our hearing specialists for further guidance and assistance.