Earwax blockage-Earwax blockage - Diagnosis & treatment - Mayo Clinic (2024)

Diagnosis

Your health care provider can see if you have earwax blockage by looking in your ear. Your provider uses a special tool that lights and magnifies your inner ear (otoscope) to look in your ear.

Treatment

Your health care provider can remove excess wax by using a small, curved tool called a curet or by using suction techniques. Your provider can also flush out the wax using a syringe filled with warm water and saline or diluted hydrogen peroxide. Medicated ear drops may also be recommended to help soften the wax, such as carbamide peroxide (Debrox Earwax Removal Kit, Murine Ear Wax Removal System). Because these drops can irritate the delicate skin of the eardrum and ear canal, use them only as directed.

Earwax blockage-Earwax blockage - Diagnosis & treatment - Mayo Clinic (1)

Earwax removal by a health care provider

When too much wax builds up in the ear, it can be removed by a health care provider using a small, curved tool called a curet.

If earwax buildup continues, you may need to visit your health care provider once or twice a year for regular cleaning. Your health care provider may also recommend that you use earwax-softening agents such as saline, mineral oil or olive oil. This helps loosen the wax so that it can leave the ear more easily.

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Self care

You can get many ear cleaning home remedies over the counter. But most of these treatments — such as irrigation or ear vacuum kits — aren't well studied. This means they may not work and may be dangerous.

The safest way to clean your ears if you have excess wax is to see your health care provider. If you're prone to earwax blockage, your health care provider can show you safe ways to reduce wax buildup at home, such as using ear drops or other earwax-softening agents. People shouldn't use ear drops if they have an ear infection unless it's recommended by a health care provider.

Don't try to dig it out

Never attempt to dig out excessive or hardened earwax with available items, such as a paper clip, a cotton swab or a hairpin. You may push the wax farther into your ear and cause serious damage to the lining of your ear canal or eardrum.

Alternative medicine

Some people try to remove earwax themselves using a technique called ear candling (ear coning). Ear candling involves lighting one end of a hollow, cone-shaped candle and placing the other unlit end into the ear. The idea is that the heat from the flame will create a vacuum seal that draws wax up and out of the ear.

However, ear candling isn't a recommended treatment for earwax blockage. Research has found that ear candling doesn't work. It may also burn or damage the ear.

Essential oils — such as tea tree oil or garlic oil — are also not a proven treatment for earwax blockage. There is no data that shows they are safe for earwax removal, or that they work.

Talk to your health care provider before trying any alternative remedies for removing earwax.

Preparing for your appointment

You're likely to start by seeing your health care provider. In some rare cases, however, you may be referred to a provider with special training in ear disorders (ear, nose and throat specialist).

As you prepare for your appointment, it's a good idea to write a list of questions. Your health care provider may have questions for you as well, such as:

  • How long have you been having symptoms, such as earache or hearing loss?
  • Have you had any drainage from your ears?
  • Have you had earache, trouble hearing or drainage in the past?
  • Do your symptoms happen all the time or only sometimes?
Earwax blockage-Earwax blockage - Diagnosis & treatment - Mayo Clinic (2024)

FAQs

Earwax blockage-Earwax blockage - Diagnosis & treatment - Mayo Clinic? ›

When too much wax builds up in the ear, it can be removed by a health care provider using a small, curved tool called a curet. If earwax buildup continues, you may need to visit your health care provider once or twice a year for regular cleaning.

What dissolves ear wax immediately? ›

If the aim is to completely break down the wax, waxsol, peroxide 3% or a sodium bicarbonate solution (which can be prepared by your local pharmacist) is effective.

How does Mayo Clinic get rid of ear wax? ›

Your health care provider can remove excess wax by using a small, curved tool called a curet or by using suction techniques. Your provider can also flush out the wax using a syringe filled with warm water and saline or diluted hydrogen peroxide.

How to remove ear wax blockage at home? ›

If your doctor recommends that you try to remove earwax at home: Soften and loosen the earwax with warm mineral oil. You also can try hydrogen peroxide mixed with an equal amount of room temperature water. Place 2 drops of the fluid, warmed to body temperature, in the ear two times a day for up to 5 days.

What is the fastest way to remove impacted ear wax? ›

If ear cleaning drops don't work, the ears might need flushing with a bulb syringe, which are available at drug stores or grocery stores. You'll want to fill the syringe with warm water, place it near your ear opening, and carefully squeeze the bulb. The warm water will flood your ear and break up the wax.

What draws earwax out? ›

You can remove earwax at home using 3% hydrogen peroxide or a 50-50 mixed solution of hydrogen peroxide and water.

How to open a blocked ear at-home? ›

If your ears are plugged, try swallowing, yawning or chewing sugar-free gum to open your eustachian tubes. If this doesn't work, take a deep breath and try to blow out of your nose gently while pinching your nostrils closed and keeping your mouth shut. If you hear a popping noise, you know you have succeeded.

What drops loosen up earwax? ›

Debrox® is a safe, gentle, and non-irritating way to remove earwax build-up in the privacy of your own home. Debrox® safely removes excessive earwax through the power of microfoam cleansing action. When drops are placed in the ear, oxygen is released.

Why don t doctors remove ear wax anymore? ›

There are several reasons this service is often no longer offered in primary care, some of which are based on misunderstandings. First, manual water-filled syringes for flushing out earwax can cause high pressure of water and might damage the patient's ears – not something a GP wants to be responsible for doing.

What happens if your ear is blocked for too long? ›

Certain situations — like air travel, allergies, and head colds — can cause pressure to build up in the ear. Usually this doesn't last more than a few days. Longer-lasting eustachian tube problems can cause hearing and balance issues, as well as ear infections.

What is the best oil to dissolve ear wax? ›

Mineral oil should be kept at and administered at room temperature. Instill 3-5 drops into the affected ear at bedtime. Over night the oil will turn the hard/dry wax into a liquid substance.

Will ear wax eventually unclog? ›

Earwax usually falls out on its own. If it does not, and builds up and blocks your ear, you can try to remove it.

What is the best ear wax removal? ›

Over-the-counter solutions

Look for water-based ear drops with ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, acetic acid, docusate sodium, or sodium bicarbonate. You can also consider oil-based ear drops for earwax removal. Look for those with peanut, olive, or almond oils.

How do you get ear wax out without pushing it in? ›

Earwax removal tips

Instead, soak a cotton ball and drip a few drops of plain water, a simple saline solution, or hydrogen peroxide into the ear with your head tilted so the opening of the ear is pointing up. Keep it in that position for a minute to allow gravity to pull the fluid down through the wax.

Does Vaseline break down ear wax? ›

The vaseline helps soften the wax and ensures the oil goes down the ear by preventing the oil from soaking into the cotton. The earwax often breaks down if you use this method for 3-5 days. As the wax comes out of your ear, you may not even realise it, however the crusts or flakes usually fall out gradually.

How long does it take for hydrogen peroxide to unclog ears? ›

How long does hydrogen peroxide take to soften ear wax? Lie on your side with the affected ear facing up. Stay in this position for 5-10 minutes to allow the hydrogen peroxide to penetrate and soften the earwax. Afterward, tilt your head to allow the excess solution to drain onto a tissue or cotton ball.

How do you flush your ears at-home? ›

You can rinse your ear canal and flush out excess earwax with a rubber bulb syringe containing water or saline. Ensure the saline solution or water is close to your body temperature. Using cold water can affect the nerves involved in motion and position and make you feel dizzy. Don't use at-home suction devices.

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