Ears can become blocked if too much "ear wax" (cerumen) produced by the ear canal glands builds up in them. The ear is an important part of the body and acts as a natural defense system to prevent dirt and bacteria from entering the ear. However, accumulation of cerumen can reduce hearing ability. This is a safe way to clean your ears.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Cleaning Your Own Ears
Step 1. Make sure the ear is not infected or the eardrum is torn
Cleaning the ears in this condition is very dangerous. So don't clean your ears yourself at home if you suspect something is wrong with your ears. Consult this problem with your doctor. Symptoms of an ear infection include:
- Fever.
- Vomiting or diarrhea.
- Green or yellow discharge from the ear.
- Ears feel very sore all the time.
Step 2. Make a cleaning fluid to soften the earwax
You can find carbamide peroxide-based ear cleaners at pharmacies. You can also make your own cleaning fluid. Mix warm water with one of the following ingredients:
- One or two teaspoons of 3-4% hydrogen peroxide.
- One or two teaspoons of mineral oil.
- One or two teaspoons of glycerin.
Step 3. Prepare the applicator (optional)
If there is no applicator, the liquid can be dripped directly into the ear. If you have a device that can be used as an applicator at home, the ear cleaning process can be neater and easier.
- Use a plastic-tipped syringe, a rubber bulb syringe, or even an eyedropper.
- Fill the applicator with the liquid until it is more than half filled.
Step 4. Tilt your head
The ear cleaning process will work best if the ear canal is as close to the vertical as possible. Let the ear to be cleaned is in a position pointing up.
If you can, tilt your head, lie down. Be sure to place several layers of towels under your head to catch any dripping cleaning liquid
Step 5. Carefully insert the cleaning fluid into the ear
Insert the cleaning fluid into the ear or place the tip of the applicator a few centimeters close (no in) into the ear canal and press the applicator.
- If you use hydrogen peroxide, it will make a hissing or popping sound. Don't worry, this sound is normal.
- You can ask someone else to help you do this. Other people will find it easier to see the fluid actually getting into the ear.
Step 6. Let the cleaning liquid work for a few minutes
Keep your head tilted so that the cleaning fluid can soften the earwax. It takes about 5-10 minutes.
If you are using hydrogen peroxide, allow the liquid to work until there is no more hissing or popping sound
Step 7. Remove the cleaning fluid from inside the ear
Place an empty container under the ear or a cotton ball near the ear canal. Tilt your head slowly and allow the cleaning fluid to drain from your ear.
Be careful not to insert the cotton bud into the ear. Place the cotton swab near the ear canal so it can collect the cleaning fluid
Step 8. Clean the ears
After the cerumen softens, use a rubber syringe to pull out the cerumen. Spray lukewarm water (37°C) slowly into the ear canal.
- Pull the earlobe and open the ear canal.
- Do this cleaning near a container. You have to get the cerumen out and this process can contaminate your surroundings. So, do this cleaning near a container to catch the oozing cerumen.
Step 9. Clean the ears again
With accumulated cerumen, it is necessary to repeat this process twice a day but not for more than four to five days.
Don't clean your ears too often. This can damage the eardrum and the sensitive skin inside the ear canal
Step 10. Dry the ears
When you're done cleaning, place the towel near your ear. Tilt your head to release the water. Gently pat the ear with a towel. Repeat this process on the other ear.
Method 2 of 2: Medical Measures
Step 1. Visit a doctor
If the blocked ear cannot be cleaned on its own, make an appointment with a professional doctor to do so. The doctor will tell you if you have a blockage and perform a quick procedure to clean your ear. You may experience some of the following symptoms::
- Constant ear pain.
- Can not hear.
- Ears feel full.
Step 2. Use an over-the-counter ear cleaner
To treat the problem of "ear wax" buildup, your doctor will recommend using an ear cleanser containing carbamide peroxide every four to eight weeks.
Your doctor will also prescribe ear drops that contain trolamine polypetide oleate
Step 3. Take it easy
The doctor will spray your ear with a water pick (a special atomizer), a bulb syringe, (a suction device usually made of rubber), or suction (a special suction device) to remove a small cerumen block (lavage) or a large partial cerumen plug with an instrument called curettes. It doesn't hurt and in a few minutes the ears will be clean and safe. Your hearing will be much better too.
Step 4. Consult an ENT specialist if necessary
Consult a doctor or ENT specialist if you experience frequent buildup of cerumen.
Tips
- Clean your ears after bathing. This procedure is easy to do because the cerumen is softer.
- According to ENT specialists, using cotton buds is the last thing to do to clean the ears, as this can cause problems. Use a damp cloth to clean the outside of the ear or clean the ear in the shower.
- If in doubt, consult a doctor.
- Do not perform a hydrogen peroxide cleaning if you have a torn eardrum or a history of medical problems with the ear.
- If you have problems with cerumen, consult an ENT doctor.
- If too much fluid comes out of the ear canal due to the use of hydrogen peroxide, put baby oil or mineral oil in the ear.
- Frequent use of cotton buds will cause the ear canal to thin or scratch, resulting in bacterial infections (such as swimmer's ear).
Warning
- If you have an ear infection or suspect a torn eardrum, do not attempt to clean your ears yourself. The act of self-cleaning can damage your ears. Get this problem checked by a doctor.
- Ear cleaning using hydrogen peroxide is done a maximum of once or twice a week.
- Do not perform ear cleaning on a child under 12 years of age yourself.
- Avoid candle therapy or “ear candling” which uses lit candles and holes in the bottom and placed in the ear. Some people think this method will suck the cerumen from inside the ear. However, a study shows that this method is not effective because it can cause serious damage to the ear and even burn the eardrum to leak.
