Best way to remove ear wax?

[bbaquiran]

Originally Posted by Garage/Surf Rock

what about how people, depending on race, have different kinds of ear wax? I guess you'd have to adjust your ear cleaning method based partly on that.

I am Asian and have the dry type of ear wax. A metal ear pick works fine. I use it every couple of weeks.

You Caucasian guys and your wet ear wax... gross!

 

[Doctor Quack]

I just use a kleenex and my finger, usually after my shower every three or so days. I've never needed to resort to any of these drastic, deep-cleaning methods.

 

[VKK3450]

Originally Posted by Doctor Quack

I just use a kleenex and my finger, usually after my shower every three or so days. I've never needed to resort to any of these drastic, deep-cleaning methods.

Your name does not instill confidence in your method.

K

 

[Method1246]

Does Qtip swabbing only push in earwax if you go to deep? Is it safe if you stay near the outer ear?

 

[Tck13]

Originally Posted by fonzbear2000

This site suggests using warm baby or mineral oil: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-saf...ve-ear-wax.htm

Tis is what my Doctor advised me to do...

Originally Posted by bobmcbob

Don't use q-tips - at least not deep. The only people who can use q-tips and not make things worse are people who don't have a problem with ear wax.

I use ear wax drops for several days followed by an ear "syringe". It's an all-rubber bulb that you use to shoot water into your ear. The drops loosen up the wax, and the syringe flushes it out.

Or, you can go to your doc and they will stick a real syringe in your ear (not all the way) and squirt water into it to clear it out. And, they can look inside and know they got everything.

I used this kit:
http://www.drugstore.com/qxp12439_33...val_system.htm

+1 I've used those before and they work pretty well. Also recommended to me by my Doc.

 

[lee_44106]

After a shower/hair wash the ear canals will be wet.

Take a Q-tip and GENTLY roll clockwise (not push in and out) toward the ear drum, but certainly do not go all that way, only about 1/2" in. On your way out roll the otherway (counter-clockwise). This should remove most all ear wax. Prevention is the key. If you already have too much buildup, seek professional help first for a good cleanout.


BTW, I find the Walmart branded cotton swabs just the same as the true Johnson&Johnson Q-tip. You just have to be careful and buy the ones with the cloth stick, not the ones with the neon-colored plastic stick.

Costs of Q-tip, 500 count: $3.49
Costs of Walmart equivalent, 500 count: $1.69.

 

[Sable]

go to the doctor....theyll vacuum it out.....i had it done once 2 years ago....the improvement in my hearing was amazing

i always found q-tips to be inneffective....too much effort for too little results

 

[RatherAnOddball]

To the OP:

If by "in ear monitors" you really, truly mean in ear monitors, like Etymotic ER4S's, then from personal experience I would say it's very easy and very effective to simply apply a thin layer of olive oil to the rubber flanges before insertion. Not only will it help you to get a better seal and better sound accuracy, but it'll lube-up your ear canal so as to coax any earwax buildup gradually towards the outter ear. After following the above procedure myself, it's not unusual for a big lump of wax to just roll right out of my ear - like Stimpy's brain out of his, if you ever saw that episode

If you mean iPod-style ear-buds, though, then you're on your own - until you buy some serious ear/headphones, anyway.

 

[pshaw23]

Originally Posted by Faded501s

Holy ****! WTF!

+2 on the please don't put metal things or Q-tips in your ear.

Since no one else has mentioned it, this is what I do: Lay on my side and pour a little hydrogen peroxide in my ear. Wait about 5 minutes and flip over, letting the peroxide and wax drain on to a tissue. Repeat as necessary. This softens up wax and "bubbles" it out.

Also, ear candling is pretty awesome and provides a "deep clean" with immediate results. A word of caution though...please don't attempt solo or you might just catch your head (or something else) on fire.

Q-tips and "ear scoops" I suppose are fine for the outer part of the ear but many get carried away, resulting in pushing wax into the ear canal....very, very bad.

+1

 

[areyounoob]

Anybody got a recommendation for hard wax?

 

[gort]

I've got one of those big metal syringes they use at the doctors office. Every few months I'll use it to flush out my ears. Feels amazing.

 

[freeAgent]

Originally Posted by areyounoob

Anybody got a recommendation for hard wax?

Pretty much every method has been discussed on this thread, but I'd recommend you try a solution of hydrogen peroxide and either warm water or vinegar. Pour a bit into your ear as you're laying on your side and let it sit in there for a couple minutes. This will liquify and loosen up the wax. Repeat this process daily until you've got everything cleared up. You can also follow it up by using one of those rubber syringe things. There are earwax removal kits that you can buy in drugstores that include this stuff.

 

[Master Milano]

use the chinese scoop thing, works well, and you have to be a serious idiot to hurt yourself with it...

plus it feels great

 

[blahman]

Originally Posted by Master Milano

use the chinese scoop thing, works well, and you have to be a serious idiot to hurt yourself with it...

plus it feels great

Especially when you're resting your head on the lap of a pretty Chinese girl who gently pick it out for you?

That kind of service does exist!

 

[PrimusPilus]

When I was about 9 or 10, a doctor used one of those metal syringes to clean out my ears and I thought he was going to burst my eardrum. It hurt like a motherfucker. But a few years later, I think he was arrested for exchanging pain pills for sex.