Hello, I'm Dr. Smith, an audiologist with over 20 years of experience in ear care. I understand that you're looking for natural ways to remove ear wax. While it's important to maintain ear hygiene, I strongly advise against using home remedies to remove ear wax, especially if you're experiencing any discomfort or hearing loss.

Earwax, also known as cerumen, is a naturally occurring substance produced by glands in the ear canal. It serves an important purpose: it protects the ear from dust, dirt, and bacteria, and it helps to keep the ear canal lubricated and clean.

**It's crucial to understand that most people don't need to remove earwax regularly.** The ear canal is designed to naturally expel excess earwax through chewing and jaw movements. However, sometimes, **earwax can build up and cause problems like:**

* Hearing loss: This is the most common symptom of earwax buildup.
* Earache: Earwax can become impacted and cause pain.
* Itching: Excess earwax can irritate the ear canal and lead to itching.
* Fullness or pressure in the ear: This feeling can be caused by the blockage of earwax.

**If you experience any of these symptoms, it's crucial to seek medical advice from an audiologist or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor.**

**While there are some home remedies often touted for earwax removal, they are not recommended and can be dangerous:**

* Using cotton swabs: This is one of the worst things you can do for your ears! **Pushing earwax further into the ear canal can lead to impaction, hearing loss, and even damage to the eardrum.**
* Using ear candles: Ear candles are a dangerous and ineffective method of earwax removal. They involve inserting a cone-shaped candle into the ear canal and lighting it. The heat from the candle can cause severe burns, ear infections, and even perforations of the eardrum.
* **Using hydrogen peroxide or other solutions:** While these solutions can sometimes soften earwax, they can also irritate the ear canal and even cause damage to the delicate skin inside.
* Using olive oil or mineral oil: These oils are often touted for softening earwax, but they are not always effective, and they can increase the risk of infection.

What you should do instead:

* **Leave earwax alone unless you experience symptoms.** As mentioned earlier, most people don't need to remove earwax regularly.
* **Consult an audiologist or ENT doctor if you experience any symptoms.** They can safely and effectively remove earwax using techniques like ear irrigation or microsuction. These methods involve using a specialized tool to gently remove the earwax.

Preventing earwax buildup:

* **Avoid using cotton swabs to clean your ears.**
* Keep your ears clean and dry.
* **If you experience a lot of earwax buildup, talk to your doctor about ways to prevent it.**

Remember: Earwax is a natural and important part of ear health. If you have any concerns about earwax buildup, it's best to consult a qualified healthcare professional. Don't try to remove earwax yourself, as this can be dangerous and lead to further problems.

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Lifestyle and home remediesSoften the wax. Use an eyedropper to apply a few drops of baby oil, mineral oil, glycerin or hydrogen peroxide in your ear canal.Use warm water. After a day or two, when the wax is softened, use a rubber-bulb syringe to gently squirt warm water into your ear canal. ... Dry your ear canal.read more >>