The Truth About Earwax Removal – ConsumerReports.org

Unless excessive earwax is causing problems for you—pain, reduced hearing, or any of the other problems mentioned above—you can leave it alone.

But many people consider removing the wax a regular part of their hygiene routine. And several common removal methods—such as using cotton-tipped swabs or ear candles—can do harm, but no good. If you want to get rid of some of your earwax, consider the following:

Check out drugstore eardrops. Over-the-counter (OTC) ear drops, either oil- or water-based, may soften cerumen, making it easier for it to work its way out of your ear on its own. A 2018 analysis by the independent Cochrane collaboration found that ear drops may be helpful for clearing out cerumen, but that no specific type of ear drop worked better than others. Look for products labeled for clearing or removing ear wax.

Flush it out gently. Another recommended method: softly flushing your ears with fluid, using an ear irrigation kit. These OTC kits usually include a bulb syringe or another type of ear syringe, along with ear drops. (But talk with your doctor before using any OTC method if you’ve ever had ear surgery or a perforated eardrums.)

Skip the swabs. Resist the temptation to insert cotton-tipped swabs, hair pins, paper clips, or any other foreign object, into your ears. These can all cause serious ear injuries, including eardrum perforation.

They can also be counterproductive, Maison says. For instance, by using cotton swabs, “you’re pushing back the cerumen all the way to the eardrum,” he says. “The cerumen gets trapped, and prevents the ear drum from moving.” That impedes the normal movement of sound through the ear, leading to temporary hearing loss.

Avoid ear candling. This home remedy involves inserting a long, hollow tube, made of fabric soaked in beeswax or paraffin, into your ear, and lighting the other end on fire. This supposedly creates suction through the tube that draws out earwax.

The problem? Studies of the process have found that any wax drawn out is simply melted wax from the candle itself. And it carries significant risks, including burning yourself with the lit candle. For these reasons, the Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers against using ear candles.

Know when to get more help. If you’ve tried eardrops and/or irrigation, but can’t shake the itchiness, pain, or feelings of fullness in your ears, or you’re still experiencing tinnitus or muffled hearing, visit your primary care doctor. He or she may be able to more effectively irrigate your ear canal, or to manually remove an earwax blockage. The latter option requires some training and experience, so your primary care doctor …….

Source: https://www.consumerreports.org/hearing-ear-care/truth-about-earwax-removal-a8413393326/