Ear wax, or cerumen, does not need to be removed unless it is causing pain or hearing loss. When choosing the best ear wax removal, there are a few different factors to consider. People with a history of ear infections or who have damaged ear drums should be wary of any type of fluid being used to clear the wax, as additional damage can occur. The hardness of the wax will impact which type of ear wax remover will be most effective. Whether the person is being treated by an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor may also affect which ear wax remover is used.
The most common at-home ear wax remover is the standard cotton swab. A cotton swab will work if done gently, if there is not a lot of wax present, and if the wax is soft enough to be easily removed. Those with a lot of wax or wax that is hard may actually inadvertently compact the wax down with the swab, which can damage the ear canal or ear drum.
Another ear wax removal method is irrigation, which can be administered in various ways. Fluid is sprayed into the ear with a syringe or similar device to soften the wax so it can be washed out or remove itself naturally. The fluid may be warm sterile water or can be a solution that includes a type of peroxide. Irrigation will not work with very hard wax and some people find this type of ear wax remover uncomfortable. Persons with histories of ear infections or who have damaged ear drums should not use irrigation, as the liquid can get trapped between the wax and ear drum and cause additional damage.
There are over-the-counter and prescription ear drops that successfully soften and ultimately remove the wax. Some drops can irritate the skin. Caution should be used before using drops if there have been previous ear infections or the ear drum is damaged. Another wax softening method of ear wax remover is simply putting a drop of baby oil or olive oil in the affected ear one to two times a week. The oil may soften the wax so that it can be removed more easily or will exit the ear naturally.
ENT doctors or similarly skilled individuals have additional methods for ear wax removal. A curette may be used, which is a tool with a small ring at one end of a long thin handle that is used to scoop the wax from the ear canal. Doctors may also use a suctioning device. ENT doctors will often use some type of microscope in order to most accurately remove the wax safely.
Candling is a potentially dangerous home remedy that is used. A candle is put in the person’s ear and lit. The suction of the burning flame is thought to create a vacuum which removes the wax. The dangers of this type of ear wax remover include burning the skin with hot wax or starting a fire.
