Listen Up! How to Keep Ears Clean

Earwax, or cerumen, plays an important role in ear health and most earwax is good for your ears. Earwax is a mixture of fatty secretions from glands in the walls of the outer ear canal. Typically, jaw movement, such as chewing or talking, helps to move it through the canal, where it eventually falls out. However, factors like eczema or genetics can result in the production of hard or sticky earwax, leading to blockages or difficulty with earwax falling out of the ear canal. While earwax should generally be left alone unless it causes a problem, understanding proper ear cleaning techniques can assist in preventing wax buildup and associated issues.

The Benefits of Earwax

• It is a natural cleanser. As it moves through the ear canal, earwax picks up debris, skin, foreign bodies, helping to keep the ear clean.
• It has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Earwax helps to prevent infections by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi.
• It protects the eardrum. Earwax forms a protective barrier that shields the delicate structures of the ear from damage.

Signs of Earwax Buildup

While earwax is beneficial, too much of it can lead to discomfort or blockage and hearing issues. Symptoms of a clogged ear include:

• Pain
• Itchiness
• Muffled hearing
• Sensation of something in the ear or blocking the ear

Excessive earwax can cause earaches, and contribute to ear canal infections, and even temporary loss of hearing if left untreated.

Safe Methods for Ear Cleaning

While most people do not need to clean their ears, some may require occasional maintenance. Here are some safe methods for ear cleaning:

• Use a washcloth: Gently wipe the outside of your ears with a damp washcloth to remove excess wax.
• Ear drops: Over-the-counter ear drops can help soften earwax, making it easier to remove. Follow the instructions carefully.
• Consult a healthcare provider: If you're uncomfortable cleaning your own ears or if you have a history of ear issues, consult a healthcare professional. They can provide guidance and perform ear irrigation or wax removal as needed.

Home Remedies to Avoid

• Avoid cotton swabs: While popular, cotton swabs can push earwax deeper into the ear canal, potentially causing damage.  They can also damage the ear canal or the ear drum while trying to clean out the earwax
• Say no to ear candling: This alternative method is not only ineffective but can also be dangerous, risking burns to the face, external ear and ear canal.
• Don’t dig it out: Avoid using makeshift tools like paper clips, hairpins, or pens to dig out excessive or hardened earwax. Doing so can inadvertently push the wax deeper into the ear canal, causing serious harm to the delicate lining or structure of your ear.  Using these tools also may cause bleeding or injury to the ear canal or ear drum with the possibility for hearing loss, deafness, and serious infections of the ear.

Special Considerations for Hearing Aid Users

Hearing aid wearers are particularly prone to earwax buildup, as the device earpieces can obstruct the natural flow of wax out of the ear. This buildup not only affects hearing aid performance but can also lead to ear canal bacterial and fungal infections and damage to the devices. If you wear hearing aids, be sure to have your ears checked regularly by a healthcare provider.