Earwax Removal
“Cerumen impaction” is the medical term for earwax blockage. Earwax (cerumen) plays an important role in ear health. It cleans your ears and protects them from dust, dirt and infection.
Despite its many benefits, earwax can cause issues if too much of it builds up. Cerumen impaction may result in ear pain, itchiness, ringing in your ears, hearing loss or other issues. When necessary, a healthcare provider can help you with earwax removal.
Symptoms
Impacted earwax symptoms may include:
- A feeling of fullness in your ear.
- Pain in your ear (earache).
- Hearing loss, which may worsen over time.
- Ringing in your ears (tinnitus).
- Itchiness in your ears.
- Discharge or odor coming from your ears.
- Dizziness.
Management and Treatment
How do you get rid of impacted earwax?
Impacted cerumen treatments involve both at-home and in-office methods, including:
- Solutions that dissolve earwax.
- Ear irrigation.
- In-office earwax removal.
Talk to your healthcare provider before trying any treatment.
Clean your ears properly
Clean the outside of your ear with a washcloth. After showering or bathing, dry your ears as much as possible.
You should never, under any circumstances, put anything inside your ear canal — including cotton swabs. Not only can using cotton swabs damage your eardrum, but it can also encourage your ears to make more earwax. (Learn more about why you should avoid cotton swabs in “Additional Common Questions” below.)
Use solutions to dissolve earwax
You can use cerumenolytic solutions (solutions to dissolve wax) in your ear canal. These solutions include:
- Saline solution.
- Baby oil.
- Glycerin.
- Mineral oil.
- Hydrogen peroxide or peroxide-based ear drops (such as Debrox®).
With these solutions, you put a few drops into the affected ear and lie on the opposite side. This way, the solution can drip into your affected ear. These oils should be used sparingly. If using an over-the-counter earwax removal, follow the directions provided.
Ear irrigation
Another option is irrigating or syringing your ear. This involves using a syringe to rinse out your ear canal with water or saline solution. Generally, you should soften the wax first by using a cerumenolytic solution. Then, you’ll gently irrigate your ear with a bulb syringe.
In-office earwax removal
Finally, your healthcare provider can remove earwax manually using special instruments. They might use a cerumen spoon, forceps, irrigation or a suction device. Generally, these procedures only take a few minutes to complete.