Lede: Your ears are self-cleaning little conveyor belts. But sometimes that waxy conveyor stalls and conversation turns muffled, your hearing aids squeal, or your ear just feels...full. Before you grab a cotton swab, take a beat. This is your friendly, evidence-based guide to clearing earwax safely—what you can do at home, when to enlist a pro, and how to prevent repeat clogs (especially if you wear hearing aids).

Earwax 101: Your Built-In Moisturizer and Dust Trap

Earwax (cerumen) is not a hygiene failure—it’s a protective coating. It traps dust and microbes, moisturizes the skin, and makes the ear canal gently self-clean. Tiny jaw movements help move old wax outward like an escalator.

Sometimes that escalator slows down. Common reasons include:

  • Regular cotton swab use (pushes wax deeper)
  • Narrow or twisty ear canals (thanks, genetics!)
  • Hearing aids, earplugs, or earbuds blocking the natural exit
  • Skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis) or excess hair in the canal
  • Aging: wax can get drier and harder over time

How Wax Can Affect Your Hearing

When wax builds up enough to block the canal, you may notice:

  • Muffled or “plugged” hearing on one or both sides
  • Fullness, itchiness, or intermittent tinnitus
  • Hearing aids whistling (feedback) or sounding weak
  • Occasional dizziness if water gets trapped behind wax

Good news: wax-related hearing changes are typically reversible once the blockage is cleared. If your symptoms don’t improve after safe wax care, it’s time to check in with an audiologist or ENT to explore other causes.

Quick Self-Check: Might Earwax Be the Culprit?

Consider earwax if:

  • Symptoms came on gradually and are worse after showers
  • You’ve been using cotton swabs or recently started wearing hearing aids/earplugs more
  • You can hear fine with one ear on the phone but not the other

Don’t self-treat wax if you have a history of eardrum perforation, ear surgery, ear tubes, active ear pain/drainage, fevers, sudden hearing loss, or if you’re prone to severe ear infections. In those cases, consult a professional.

Safe At-Home Options (If You’re a Good Candidate)

If you don’t have the red flags above, you can often soften and clear wax at home. The goal is to loosen—not force—wax out.

Option 1: Softeners (Drops)

Evidence supports using ear drops to soften and help wax exit naturally:

  • Carbamide peroxide 6.5% (common over-the-counter product). Use as labeled, often a few drops 1–2 times daily for up to 3–5 days.
  • Hydrogen peroxide 3% or saline can also soften wax; use cautiously as peroxide may bubble and temporarily increase fullness.
  • Mineral oil or olive oil can lubricate and soften wax. They don’t always remove wax on their own but can make professional removal easier.

How to use drops:

  1. Lie on your side, affected ear up.
  2. Place the recommended number of drops.
  3. Stay put for 5–10 minutes, then sit up and let fluid drain onto a tissue.
  4. Repeat as directed for several days.

Skip drops if you suspect a hole in the eardrum, have ear tubes, or current ear infection symptoms.

Option 2: Gentle, Body-Temperature Rinse (When Appropriate)

After 2–3 days of softening, some people can use a soft bulb syringe with body-temperature water to gently rinse the ear. If you try this:

  • Use clean, boiled-then-cooled or distilled water at body temperature.
  • Point the stream along the canal wall, not straight at the eardrum.
  • Gentle pressure only. If you feel pain, stop.
  • Tilt your head to drain water out; dry the outer ear afterward.

Do not rinse if you have a history of perforated eardrum, ear tubes, ear surgery, frequent ear infections, or severe diabetes/immune compromise—see a professional instead.

What to Avoid Completely

  • Cotton swabs, hairpins, or keys: they push wax deeper and can injure the canal or eardrum.
  • High-pressure jets (showerhead, Waterpik-style devices): risk of eardrum damage and infection.
  • Ear candles: randomized studies show they don’t remove wax and can cause burns and perforations. Hard pass.
  • DIY endoscope tools: tempting videos, real risk of trauma and infection.

When to Call in a Pro

It’s smart to see an audiologist or ENT if:

  • Home softening didn’t help after a week
  • You have significant pain, drainage, fever, or sudden hearing changes
  • You have a perforated eardrum, ear tubes, or a history of ear surgery
  • You’re on blood thinners, have diabetes, immune conditions, or narrow/tortuous ear canals
  • You wear hearing aids and are getting repeated feedback or weak sound

Professionals can examine your ear safely, confirm whether wax is the problem, and remove it under direct visualization. If wax isn’t the cause, they can guide next steps. Consider this your gentle nudge: if you’re unsure, book a quick check.

Professional Earwax Removal: What to Expect

Microsuction

What it is: A clinician uses a small suction device under a microscope or video otoscope to remove wax while watching in real time.

Pros: Precise, works for hard/dry wax, generally safe with perforations or tubes, fast.

Cons: Can be noisy; brief dizziness or cough reflex may occur; very rare risk of canal abrasion.

Manual removal (curettage)

What it is: The clinician uses small instruments (loops, curettes) to lift and tease wax out under visualization.

Pros: Great control; no water used; helpful for very sticky wax.

Cons: Requires a steady hand and visibility; minor abrasion risk.

Irrigation (lavage)

What it is: Controlled water flow flushes wax out.

Pros: Common and effective for softer wax; widely available.

Cons: Not appropriate with perforations, tubes, or some ear surgeries; small risk of infection, dizziness, or eardrum injury if not done properly.

Ask your provider which method fits your ear history. Many clinics use a combination based on wax type and canal anatomy.

Special Section: If You Wear Hearing Aids

Hearing aids and earwax have a love–hate relationship. Devices can nudge wax inward, and wax can clog receivers, vents, and microphones—making your aids sound weak, distorted, or whistly.

Build a Wax-Resilient Routine

  • Daily: Wipe and brush your hearing aids every night. Inspect the microphone ports and the receiver opening.
  • Wax guards: Change when sound becomes weak or visibly clogged; for many users, that’s every 2–4 weeks (more often in wax-prone ears).
  • Domes/earmolds: Wipe daily; replace domes every 1–2 months or sooner if they tear or discolor. Clean earmold vents per your provider’s instructions.
  • Drying box: Use a dehumidifier or charging dock with drying to reduce moisture and wax buildup.
  • Pro checks: Schedule ear and device cleanings every 3–6 months, or sooner if you notice changes.

Tell your audiologist if you’re a “wax producer.” They can choose wax-resistant receivers, adjust venting, and set reminders for guard changes. Don’t be shy—wax happens.

Prevention: Keep the Escalator Moving

  • Hands off the canal: Resist the cotton swab. Clean only the outer ear with a towel.
  • Softening maintenance: If you’re prone to buildup, a few drops of mineral oil once weekly can help keep wax supple.
  • Hydration and skin care: Dry, flaky canal skin can trap wax. Manage eczema/psoriasis with your clinician’s guidance.
  • After swimming/showers: Tip your head to drain; consider a couple of drops of alcohol-vinegar mix only if advised and if you do not have a perforation or tubes.

Costs and Practicalities

In many areas, professional earwax removal runs roughly $50–$150 per ear, depending on method and setting. Some hearing clinics include routine cleanings for established patients. Medical insurance may cover removal when it’s medically necessary and performed by a qualified provider—ask your clinic how they bill. When in doubt, a quick phone call can prevent surprise charges.

Step-by-Step: A Smart Plan for Clogged Ears

  1. Screen for red flags. If yes, see a professional first.
  2. Softening phase. Use drops for 3–5 days, as directed.
  3. Reassess. If hearing improves, great. If not, or if symptoms worsen, stop and book with an audiologist or ENT.
  4. Optional gentle rinse. Only if appropriate and comfortable for you; otherwise skip.
  5. Prevention. Adopt a no-swab routine and schedule periodic checks, especially with hearing aids.

If you’re unsure at any step, an audiologist can look inside your ear, confirm the cause, and handle removal safely—often in a single visit.

Myth-Busting Corner

  • “Ear candles pull wax out.” They don’t. The residue is candle soot, and burns/perforations are real risks.
  • “Olive oil clears wax.” It softens but doesn’t always remove. Useful as prep for professional care.
  • “Peroxide is always safe.” Not if you have a perforation, tubes, or infection. When in doubt, skip and get checked.

Bottom line: Your ears are good at self-cleaning—help them along, don’t fight them. If wax does overstay its welcome, safe, simple steps and professional care can restore clarity fast. If your hearing still feels off after wax is handled, consider a comprehensive hearing test to see the bigger picture.

Need personalized advice or a quick look inside your ear? Reach out to a local audiologist or ENT clinic—they do this every day and can get you hearing clearly again, safely.

Further Reading

- Earwax, Safely Solved: At‑Home Softeners, When to Flush, and When to See a Pro (Treatment) - When Your Neck or Jaw Makes Noise: Treating Somatosensory Tinnitus (Treatment) - Tinnitus, Trained: CBT, Sound Therapy, and Habits That Actually Help (Treatment) - Travel Smart, Hear Happy: The Hearing-Friendly Traveler’s Playbook (Lifestyle)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do olive oil drops really work for earwax?

Olive oil can soften and lubricate wax, which may reduce irritation and make professional removal easier. It doesn’t always clear a blockage on its own. If your hearing stays muffled after several days of softening, it’s time for an audiology or ENT visit.

Is hydrogen peroxide safe to use in my ears?

Low-strength peroxide can help soften wax for some people, but avoid it if you have a suspected eardrum perforation, ear tubes, or signs of infection. It may temporarily increase fullness as it bubbles. If you’re uncertain about your eardrum status, skip home treatments and see a professional.

Can earwax cause tinnitus or dizziness?

Yes—impacted wax can trigger temporary ringing, fullness, and even brief dizziness, especially when water gets trapped behind it. These symptoms often improve once the blockage is safely removed. If they persist, seek an audiology evaluation.

Are ear candles safe?

No. Studies show ear candles do not remove wax and can cause burns, ear canal injury, and eardrum perforations. Regulatory agencies advise against their use. Choose evidence-based options instead.

References