The Truth About Ear Wax and How to Properly Clean Your Ears

Are There Different Types of Earwax?

The short answer is yes. The reason that earwax can become visible or even feel like it is filling your ear canals is because of jaw movement that occurs from speaking and chewing actually moves the substance through the ear canal. It gets exposed to air, somewhat dries and usually flakes off of the ear.

Studies also show that your ethnicity can often dictate what type of earwax you might have. For instance, researchers have found that people of East Asian descent are more likely to have dry earwax over people of other origins.

However, if you’re someone who has a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis, then you’re also likely to have hard earwax versus those who do not, and some people are simply born with a tendency that causes their bodies to produce a wetter or a drier type of earwax.

If you’re someone who has ears that don’t produce enough earwax, or if you’re overcleaning them, then you’re likely to have itchy, irritated and dry feeling ears that cause you discomfort.

Hearing problems / hearing loss
Ear infection
A plugged sensation in the ear
Tinnitus – ringing in the ears
Itching

What’s more, by removing that layer of wax with the antibacterial and antifungal properties, you’re increasing the risk of potential ear infection, which can cause you a whole host of problems.

Here are some dos and don’ts for cleaning your ears safely and effectively:

DO:

• Use a damp washcloth: Gently wiping the outside of your ear with a damp washcloth can help remove dirt and sweat and prevent it from traveling deeper into your ear, where it can cause damage to your delicate system.
• Use a few drops of olive oil or mineral oil: Applying a few drops of olive oil or mineral oil to your ear canal can help soften earwax and make it easier to remove with a bulb or gentle rinse.
• Use an earwax removal kit: If you have excessive earwax buildup, an earwax removal kit can help safely remove it.
• Get in touch with your local hearing care provider: If cleaning your ears makes you nervous or you can’t seem to get them cleared up, don’t hesitate to contact your local Beltone for professional assistance.

DON’T:

• Use cotton swabs: We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: for goodness sake, please don’t use cotton swabs to clean your ears! Using cotton swabs can push earwax further into the ear canal, causing blockage and potential damage. All around a bad choice.
• Use ear candles: Ear candles claim to remove earwax by creating suction, but they can cause serious injury and damage to the ear canal and delicate hearing systems that live there.
• Attempt to clean if you’re experiencing pain or discomfort: Putting anything into your ear canal when you’re already feeling discomfort or inflammation will only make things worse. Instead, contact your hearing care provider or take a pause before cleaning them next.
• Use alcohol, soap, or other solutions unless specifically meant for ears: Some cleaning solutions that are okay for the rest of our body may not be safe for our inner ears. Choose your cleaning solution wisely, and when in doubt, opt for something specifically meant for ear cleaning.