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Ear wax is part of our body’s natural defense system—but what happens when there’s too much of it? Stubborn ear wax can be annoying, and in some cases, can even affect your hearing. That’s why in this article, we’ll give you the best methods for removing ear wax, including massage, home remedies, and medical treatments. To get rid of pesky ear wax safely, read on!

Things You Should Know

  • Massage ear wax out by lightly rubbing the base of your ear. Go in slow, circular motions while opening and closing your mouth.
  • Try other home remedies to remove ear wax, like oil, warm water, or hydrogen peroxide.
  • If all else fails, get prescription ear drops from your doctor or have your doctor clean out your ears for you.
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Warm water

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  1. Fill a bulb syringe up with warm water, then squeeze the water gently into your ear. Tilt your head and pull your earlobe up and back to open up your ear canal. Then, tip your head to the side and let the water drain out.[3]
    • Try irrigating with warm water 2 or 3 times if your ears still feel clogged.
    • If plain water isn’t working well, try making a saline solution by mixing salt and water.
    • Or, get a washcloth wet with warm water and hold it against your outer ear for 5 to 10 minutes. The heat from the warm water will loosen up the wax and help dislodge it from your ear.
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Medical removal

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  1. Sometimes, stubborn ear wax builds up so much that home remedies aren’t effective. If that’s the case, head to your doctor and ask them to clean out your ears. They’ll do so with either a water pick or a metal extraction tool to safely remove ear wax without damaging your ears.[7]
    • If you think your ear may be infected, skip the home remedies and go straight to your doctor. They will assess your symptoms and see what kind of treatment you need.
    • If your child’s ear has too much wax, take them to their pediatrician.
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Tips

  • Wax is an important part of our body’s defense system against bacteria. While too much wax is annoying, it’s important to have at least a little bit of wax in your ears at all times.
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Warnings

  • Never use cotton swabs (Q-tips) or other small objects to remove ear wax from your ear. Objects like these can push ear wax further into your ear canal, which can damage your ear drum.
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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about ear care, check out our in-depth interview with Monica Kieu, DO, FACS.

About This Article

Monica Kieu, DO, FACS
Co-authored by:
Board Certified Otolaryngologist
This article was co-authored by Monica Kieu, DO, FACS and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden. Dr. Monica Kieu is a board certified Otolaryngologist and Specialist in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Kieu received a BS in Anthropology from the University of California, Riverside and earned her medical degree (DO), with honors, from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona. She then completed her residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Michigan State University/Detroit Medical Center, where she served as chief resident. Dr. Kieu also completed a prestigious fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Toronto. She is a member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Osteopathic Colleges of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the American Rhinologic Society. Dr. Kieu was recently named one of LA’s Top Docs by Los Angeles Magazine. This article has been viewed 72,630 times.
28 votes - 86%
Co-authors: 5
Updated: October 10, 2024
Views: 72,630
Categories: Cleaning Ears

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 72,630 times.

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