Earwax Removal, Build Up & Cleaning

Earwax Removal and How to Clear Wax

What causes earwax?

An earwax definition

What is earwax?  Most people see earwax, or cerumen, as a nuisance to be cleared away regularly. However, earwax 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 earwax works to keep your ears clean.

What is earwax made of?  Although it is known as earwax, 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 earwax be good for your ear health?

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

Earwax helps clean your ears

Earwax 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.

Earwax helps moisturise your ears

Earwax 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, earwax helps protect the inside of our ears from the effects of dryness.

Earwax leaves your ears by itself

Earwax 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, earwax doesn't usually need any help from any external instruments to get out of the ear canal.

What are the disadvantages of earwax?

Too much earwax is not good.  While earwax is important for hearing health, a common problem is too much earwax in the ear canal.  In the United Kingdom, it is estimated that 2.3 million people have issues with excessive earwax every year. Indeed, earwax 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 earwax under control

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

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

Wondering how to remove stubborn earwax 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. 

Earwax Removal

How to get rid of earwax at home

What to do if you have an earwax blockage

What is the best way to remove earwax?  If you develop an obstruction in your ears and think that earwax is the culprit, it is advised that 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 earwax pushes back into your ear canals and may cause health problems and 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 earwax and then the other end is lit. Those who practice ear candling claim that the fire produces suction, which draws the earwax 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 earwax. The earwax 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 earwax removal and a good way to treat a buildup of earwax at home.  It can also be a better way to treat earwax 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 earwax after you have used drops.  Ensure you book an appointment to get your earwax 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 earwax. Make sure to see your General Practitioner if you have sudden hearing loss or pain.

Earwax Removal

How to keep on top of your earwax

Learn to have earwax 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 earwax softer, making it easier to fall out by itself.

Even if you have no earwax problem, it's a good idea to have your hearing checked by an audiologist annually. They can identify excess earwax 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 earwax on its own. Nonetheless, medical intervention may be necessary to stop hearing loss and several other underlying disorders when impacted earwax arises.

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

Professional earwax removal

Looking for earwax 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 earwax 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 the 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 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 the ears

These can be as natural as being made from almond oil and make it easier for you to put in and take 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 the ears

Many ear sprays contain isotonic solutions that include surfactants that remove earwax 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 earwax build-up or for those who are exposed to dusty environments often.