What is the best way to remove ear wax?

Learn about ear wax removal methods

Why should you clean your ears?

We may feel tempted to clean our ears because of a substance called cerumen, commonly called earwax. It’s normal for your body to produce it, and it actually helps protect and lubricate your ears. If you didn’t have earwax, your ears would probably be itchy and dry. Earwax even has antibacterial properties, which means your ears are self-cleaning. Earwax is like a filter for your ears, keeping out harmful things like dirt and dust, and trapping them so they don’t go deep inside. If it does build up inside your ear canal, especially if it clogs the canal, then you should know how to safely remove ear wax at home before it impairs your hearing.

However, if it builds up and clogs your ear canal, it can lead to discomfort or even temporary hearing loss. That’s when you need to know how to safely remove ear wax at home. In fact, there are several effective ways to remove ear wax without a trip to the doctor.

Why would you want to remove ear wax safely at home rather than having a doctor do it?

If you experience a build up of earwax in the ear canal you can go to a doctor, but this is a basic part of hygiene that can be performed at home with the right tools. Doctor appointments cost time and money as well as anxiety for some so it’s great to know you can remove ear wax at home. Although you can visit a doctor for earwax removal, knowing how to remove ear wax on your own is useful. Routine ear hygiene is something you can manage yourself with the right tools. Doctor visits cost time, money, and may cause anxiety—so finding a safe way to remove ear wax at home is a helpful and practical solution.

What Are Some Ways to Remove Ear Wax?

Some are not safe (oil, candle, cotton swabs), ear cleaning tool kits can be dangerous if not used properly (having an otoscope to see helps). 

Drops

When earwax becomes hardened, drops like Debrox are among the best way to remove ear wax. These drops soften the wax, making it easier to remove manually or flush out. This method is gentle and considered a safe way to remove ear wax for most people.

Bulb Syringe

A bulb syringe simply applies a small vacuum to your ear canal and helps suck out any loose ear wax. While it’s not the fastest way to remove ear wax, it’s gentle and widely used.

Mineral or Olive Oil

A home remedy that also falls under effective ways to remove ear wax involves using warm baby oil, mineral oil, or glycerin. Place 5–10 drops in the ear canal using an eyedropper to soften hardened wax. Over time, the wax either works its way out naturally or becomes easier to flush.

Ear Cleaning Candle 

Ear candles are not recommended. They are ineffective and can cause burns or injury. This method is not a safe way to remove ear wax, despite what some sources may suggest.

Cotton Swabs

Doctors advise against using cotton swabs as they are a very common cause of ear injuries. Cotton swabs also have a tendency to push the wax deeper into the ear canal instead of removing it.

Q Grips 

Q-Grips are safer than cotton swabs, but you still can’t see inside the ear canal when you use them so you can’t see what you are doing.

Ear Cleaning Tool Kit

Other ear wax removal methods include ear cleaning tool kits, which often include a curved metal instrument called a curet. Doctors used curets to scrape out ear wax, but they also use an otoscope to see inside the patient’s ear. Using a curet on yourself is dangerous because you could injure your ear drum and potentially impair your hearing. This is not considered a safe way to remove ear wax unless used with proper visualization.

Digital Otoscope (Teslong)

A modern approach to earwax removal is to use a digital otoscope with a wax removal attachment. Teslong makes a number of devices that are safe to use because you can see inside your ear the entire time you are using the device. Digital otoscopes have integrated LED lights to illuminate the ear canal and help the tip of the otoscope avoid your eardrum. If you want to know how to remove ear wax safely at home, the digital otoscope is the best method, this is considered by many to be the best way to remove ear wax. The soft, silicone-tipped spoon attaches to the end of the otoscope and, combined with the built-in camera, gives you the perfect tool to gently scrape out loose ear wax. Among all the ways to remove ear wax, Teslong digital otoscope offers unmatched visibility, precision, and safety—making it one of the most effective ways to remove ear wax, and often the fastest way to remove ear wax for at-home users.

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