Earwax can become a problem for aging adults. Opinions differ about when and how it should get removed, but heavy buildup can result in gradual loss of hearing.
Mechanical cleaning procedures, including scraping and irrigation, can result in damage to the inner ear or eardrum, and permanent hearing loss. For this reason, cleaning inside ears is best delegated to a trained professional, but many cannot afford this luxury. For those with intact eardrums, irrigation seems like the safest method to use at home, but read what follows before trying it.
Ear Irrigation – What You Need To Know
Ear wax is a normal body secretion, providing protection against infection and dust particles. The ear is self-cleaning, and wax usually works its way out naturally.
Never use cotton wool buds to clean inside your ears, they irritate the delicate skin inside the ear canal, also pushes wax back into the ear compacting it.
Prior to having your ear irrigation you need to complete the following for a minimum of 7 nights prior to your appointment:
Lie down with affected ear uppermost.
Using a dropper/pipette, instill 2-3 drops (up to 5 ml) of pharmacy grade olive oil (not from kitchen) at room temperature into the ear canal.
Remain lying down for 5-10 minutes. It’s ideal to instill olive oil on affected ear at night then lay/sleep on unaffected ear. If putting olive oil in both ears, you may find it easier to do alternate ears on alternate nights.
Repeat this procedure daily for at least 7 nights prior to ear irrigation appointment.
Ear Irrigation is not risk free
It will only be carried out if the ear is completely blocked with wax.
Only one ear should be treated at a time.
Irrigation is not recommended within 2 weeks of flying
Partial blockage of the ear only requires irrigation if you wear a hearing aid and/or need a special examination.
Ear Irrigation can cause damage to the ear
From infection, acute and chronic tinnitus (ringing in the ears), to possible perforation of the ear drum and deafness.
If you ever had surgery to your ears or had a perforated ear drum, you must tell us before the procedure.
To minimise risk of injury, the wax must be softened with ear drops for at least 7 days. Olive oil drops are well tolerated in most people. The drops should be used twice a day.
Ear Irrigation
An electronic ear irrigator is used; it involves a pressurised flow of warm water that removes the build-up of earwax. The irrigator has variable pressure control so that irrigation can be performed at the minimum pressure. A controlled flow of warm water will be squirted into your ear canal to flush out the earwax. Ear irrigation should be a painless procedure,
Tell the person who is treating you immediately if you have any:
Pain
Dizziness or vertigo
Hearing loss
Symptoms such as these may be the result of an ear infection and will need further investigation.
If ear irrigation is unsuccessful at removing earwax from your ear, we may recommend:
Using eardrops again and returning for further irrigation.
That you be referred to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist to remove the earwax.
Ear irrigation is not suitable for everyone and will never be done for the following reasons:
Patient has previously experienced complications following this procedure in the past
History of middle ear infection in the last 6-8 weeks
Patient has undergone any form of ear surgery (apart from grommets that have extruded at least 18 months previously and it is documented subsequently that the tympanic membrane is intact) in the last 18 months
Patient has a perforation (hole) of the eardrum
History of a mucous discharge
Patient has a cleft palate (repaired or not)
There is evidence of acute otitis externa (infection of ear canal) with pain & tenderness of the pinna
Total hearing loss in the other ear
You should not have ear irrigation if the ear to be treated is your only hearing ear.This is because there is a small chance it could cause permanent hearing loss.
The above came from this website: https://www.lambtonroadmedical.nhs.uk/practice-information/ear-irrigation-what-you-need-to-know/
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to properly and safely clean your ears.
Create a cleaning solution with equal parts of water and hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide is able to soften and break down earwax, helping it dissolve and make its way more quickly out of the ear. You may also find a commercially marketed ear drop to use for wax build-up.
Tipping your head to one side, use an ear dropper to let several drops of solution fall into the ear canal. You will want the drops to sit in the ear for several minutes before you raise your head upright.
Using a clean tissue or damp washcloth, wipe away the residue that leaks out of your ear. You can also use a damp washcloth to wipe away any earwax that can be seen within the ear.