Earwax Blockage Treatment

Fact Checked

Earwax blockage is a problem that occurs when earwax builds up in the year or turns too hard to be washed away.

Earwax is actually a natural and beneficial part of the body’s defense system in trapping dirt and hindering the growth of bacteria in the ear canal. The exact reason why earwax blockage occurs is still not known.

If earwax blockage is a problem, you can see your doctor to have it removed safely from the ear.

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of earwax blockage include:

• Ear pain
• A feeling of fullness in the ear that is affected
• Reduced hearing from the affected year
• Ear noise or tinnitus

When to seek medical attention

See your doctor if you experience signs and symptoms of earwax blockage.

It is possible that the signs and symptoms of earwax blockage could signify a different condition. It is important to understand that earwax removal may sound like an easy job, but it cannot be performed without the help of another person, ideally a doctor.

Note that decreased hearing does not always mean that you have an earwax blockage. It is highly possible that an underlying condition associated with the ear is causing this problem, even if you have had an earwax blockage before.

It is advisable that you see your doctor to get the earwax blockage removed. The eardrum can be damaged easily if the procedure is not done properly.

Ear & Sinus Problems : Home Remedy Ear Wax Removal

Treatment

If you do not have a tube or a hole in your eardrum, the following tips may help you remove an earwax blockage at home:

1. Soften the earwax. To do this, you can use an ear dropper to apply some drops of mineral oil, baby oil, hydrogen peroxide or glycerin in the ear canal. Do this twice a day for four to five days only.
2. Irrigate the ear with warm (body temperature) water. Use a rubber-bulb syringe to squirt water into the ear canal with your head tilted – facing the affected ear up. When you are done, tilt the head to the opposite side to allow water to drain out.
3. Dry the ear canal. Dry the outer ear using a clean hand towel.

You may have to repeat this whole procedure several more times to allow the earwax to fall out. See a doctor if symptoms do not improve with a few treatments.

You can also use earwax removal kits that are available in many stores to remove earwax blockage. It is advisable to ask a doctor about which one to use if you are not sure.

Do not attempt at removing the blockage out yourself. Often people use household items such as hairpins, cotton swabs or paper clips to remove earwax. This can cause the earwax to be pushed deeper inside the ear canal resulting in serious ear canal or earwax damage.