Earwax Removal, Build Up & Cleaning

Ear Wax Removal and How to Clear Wax

What causes ear wax?

An ear wax definition

What is ear wax?  Most people see ear wax, or cerumen, as a nuisance to be cleared away regularly. However, ear wax plays a major beneficial role in our ears. To look after your ears and maintain good hearing for years to come, you should be mindful of how ear wax works to keep your ears clean.

What is ear wax made of?  Although it is known as ear wax, it is not wax. It does have a waxy consistency, but it gets that from the combination of oil and sweat from the outer ear, which is then mixed with dead skin cells, hair, and dirt. It also tends to be darker and drier in older adults.

Can ear wax be good for your ear health?

There are benefits to ear wax, as this natural substance performs several important roles within the ear.  The advantages of ear wax are:

Ear wax helps clean your ears

Ear wax functions as a protective shield that prevents any dirt or bacteria from entering the inside of your body. Its sticky consistency is ideal for collecting microscopic debris that might get into your ear canal, similar to the way a sticker might pick up dust. Your inner ear would be at risk of infection without this defensive barrier.

Ear wax helps moisturise your ears

Ear wax also moisturises your ear canal. Without it, your outer ear may turn itchy and flaky, making you more likely to become irritated and infected. In the same way that lip balm prevents chapped lips, ear wax helps protect the inside of our ears from the effects of dryness.

Ear wax leaves your ears by itself

Ear wax naturally removes itself from the ear canal. It typically travels towards the ear canal opening, where it dries and falls out. It is also washed away during showering.  In this way, ear wax doesn't usually need any help from any external instruments to get out of the ear canal.

What are the disadvantages of ear wax?

Too much ear wax is not good.  While ear wax is important for hearing health, a common problem is too much ear wax in the ear canal.  In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that 2.3 million people have issues with excessive earwax every year. Indeed, ear wax removal is the most widespread ENT procedure performed in primary care with nearly 4 million ears irrigated every year.

How to clean your ears to keep ear wax under control

How often should I remove ear wax?  People develop various amounts of wax all at different speeds.  While a person may need regular appointments to manage their ear wax, someone else may only need occasional trips to a hearing professional for ear wax removal.  Your audiologist will speak to you about your future appointments and how often they should be.

Ear wax removal kits - What about removing ear wax at home?

Wondering how to remove stubborn ear wax at home?  You can remove your wax or clean your ears at home safely with various remedies, treatments, and ear wax removal kits.  But, it all depends on how much build-up you have and if your symptoms aren't of the urgent kind. 

In all scenarios, you must speak to a hearing healthcare professional for advice before you attempt to clean your ears yourself at home. 

Ear Wax Removal

How to get rid of ear wax at home

What to do if you have an ear wax blockage

What is the best way to remove ear wax?  If you develop an obstruction in your ears and think that ear wax is the culprit, it is advised you follow this advice and the dos and don'ts.

Don't use cotton buds

Do not use a cotton bud, a hairpin, or a sharp tool to try to remove the wax. When you poke at your ear with a foreign object, the ear wax pushes back into your ear canals and may cause health problems and cause the problem to escalate. 

Don't use earwax candles

Do not try ear candling. In this practice, a tapered long candle is inserted into the ears of the individual with impacted ear wax and then the other end is lit. Those who practice ear candling claim that the fire produces suction, which draws the ear wax out of the ear. These claims are simply not true.

Furthermore, lighting objects so close to the ear constitutes a fire risk and is not recommended by the NHS. Injuries may include eye, ear, and middle ear burns, eardrum damage, or further blockage of the ear canal.

Use ear drops

A pharmacist might recommend chemical drops to dissolve the ear wax. The ear wax will break off on its own or dissolve after approximately one week. Nonetheless, do not use it if you have a hole in your eardrums (a perforated eardrum).

Most eardrops have Hydrogen Peroxide.  Hydrogen Peroxide has, in the past, been labelled as an effective ingredient for ear wax removal and a good way to treat a buildup of ear wax at home.  It can also be a better way to treat ear wax than water, which can lead to complications.  These forms of eardrops are a safer option. 

However, if you feel that you may have an ear injury you should refrain from using eardrops, as this can lead to an infection or ear pain.  You should also never stick a foreign object in your ear to remove ear wax after you have used drops.  Ensure you book an appointment to get your ear wax and ears checked by a hearing professional.

See your GP or local audiologist

Use this option if your home treatments don’t produce results after a week. Audiologists typically have the expertise and equipment required to safely remove excess ear wax. Make sure to see your General Practitioner if you have sudden hearing loss or pain.

Ear Wax Removal

How to keep on top of your ear wax

Learn to have ear wax work with you instead of against you

Although your ears clean themselves, there are a few things you can do to keep your ears clean and free of unnecessary debris.  Use a warm soapy washcloth to wash your ears. If you let the warm water flow into your ears occasionally during your shower will also make the ear wax softer, making it easier to fall out by itself.

Even if you have no ear wax problem, it's a good idea to have your hearing checked by an audiologist annually. They can identify excess ear wax and some can even extract it for you. In any case, they will offer invaluable advice to keep your ears healthy.

In most situations, the body is great at removing excess ear wax on its own. Nonetheless, medical intervention may be necessary to stop hearing loss and several other underlying disorders, when impacted ear wax arises.

With a few simple hygiene measures and regular visits to healthcare professionals, however, you’ll easily learn to have ear wax work with you instead of against you.

Professional ear wax removal

Looking for ear wax removal near me?  If your ears are blocked with wax, you may have been told that you need your ears syringed. This used to be easy to do through your local GP but these days there are far fewer GP practices willing to perform ear syringing, mainly because the procedure is no longer part of a doctor's training.

There are three different methods of ear wax removal we can offer. The traditional syringing, the more popular micro-suction, or even endoscopic suction. The latter two are generally preferable as there is no need to apply wax softening drops for several weeks beforehand and also you don’t get wet. Suction is generally considered to be safer as well as there is no pressure being put on the eardrum.

Consultations can be performed at one of our clinics or as a home visit and will take around 10 to 15 minutes per ear. The cost is from £40 for one ear or £60 if both ears need doing.

Hearing Aid and Ear Care

Products that can help you day to day

Skincare gels to ease ears

Most skincare gels are dermo protective, which is used to prevent ear dryness and irritation due to wearing hearing aids.  They are also useful for when you put your devices in, as they make it easier and more comfortable to insert and wear all day.  

Ideal for:  Those people with dexterity issues and first-time hearing aid wearers.

Natural lubricants to ease ears

These can be as natural as being made from almond oil and make it easier for you to put in and out your hearing aids.  They help with any dryness or irritation caused by wearing hearing aids.

Ideal for: Those people with dexterity issues and first-time hearing aid wearers.

Ear spray to clean ears

Many ear sprays contain isotonic solutions that include surfactants that remove ear wax and dirt.  They can also relieve irritation after wearing hearing aids.

Ideal for:  These sprays are ideal for the elderly who are easily at risk of ear wax build-up or for those who are exposed to dusty environments often.