Ear Wax Self-Care Guidelines
Earwax
Overview
Earwax is a natural substance that your body makes, which filters and traps debris to protect your ear canal from potential infection. It ranges in color from light to dark brown or orange.
A plug of earwax is not a serious problem, more a nuisance. You only need to remove earwax if it is causing symptoms, such as dulled hearing, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or when fitting a hearing aid. Most earwax problems can be handled with home treatments.
Important
Earwax won’t cause a blockage unless it is pushed in, especially if you use cotton swabs, bobby pins, or other small devices and push wax deeply in the ear canal. DO NOT try to clean the ear canal with these items as it can further press the wax against the eardrum. It may even cause an ear infection.
Causes of earwax impaction
Several factors can cause earwax impaction:
- Some health problems can affect the shape of the inside of the ear, and make it hard for wax to move out.
- A narrow ear canal – A person’s ear canal can become narrower after an ear injury or after severe or multiple ear infections.
- As people get older, earwax consistency may be harder and thicker, making it more difficult to move out of the ear.
- Some people try to clean their ears with cotton swabs, narrow or sharp tools, which can push wax deeper into the ear, causing complete obstruction in some individuals.
- Some people produce earwax excess, especially when water gets trapped in the ear, or with ear injury.
- Ear devices, such as hearing aids, ear plugs, or ear bud style headphones may also cause earwax impaction if used for a prolonged period of time.
Symptoms of earwax impaction
- Trouble hearing
- Pain or feeling of fullness in the ear
- Feeling like the ear is blocked or plugged
- Hearing a ringing noise in the ear (tinnitus)
- Dizziness
- Itchiness
These symptoms can happen in 1 or both ears.
Important
- DO NOT try to remove earwax if you have ear pain, swelling, redness or a discharge that looks different than earwax.
- DO NOT try to remove earwax if you think you have a ruptured eardrum, if you have had ear surgery, or if you have tubes in your ears.
- DO NOT use dental irrigation devices, such as a Water Pik, as this can injure the ear canal and may rupture the eardrum.
Self-Care
Most earwax issues can be handled with home treatment.
Ear drops
- Place a few drops of warm mineral oil or olive oil in the ear twice a day.
- Lie with the affected ear uppermost for 10 minutes to allow the drops to soak in the ear.
- Make sure the oil is warm, as cold fluid can cause pain and dizziness.
- When the wax is loose/soft, a gentle, warm shower is usually all that’s needed to remove it; let water flow into the ear then tip your head to let the earwax drain out.
- You will not necessarily see wax come out; it may come out unnoticed.
You can continue the oil treatment for any length of time, but 1 to 2 weeks is usually enough.
When to call for help during self-care?
Call the clinic if any of the following occur during self-care at home:
- New or worse bleeding or drainage.
- New symptoms, such as hearing loss or dizziness.
- Signs of infection, including chills or fever of 38oC (100.4oF) or higher.
- Symptoms occur more often or are more severe.
Ear irrigation
Ear irrigation is only recommended in rare occasions where ear drops have failed to work. Ear syringing can lead to ear infections, a perforated ear drum or ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and therefore it is performed in exceptional circumstances. If you think you have persisting wax despite following all of the self-care instructions, please contact the nurse to discuss and determine if an appointment is required.
Is there a fee for ear irrigation?
Yes, the fee is 25$ per irrigation session.
Ear irrigation is not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Program (OHIP) unless medically required.
Who do I contact if I have more questions?
If you have any concerns, contact the clinic at 613-446-7677 to speak with a member of the nursing team. You can also consult your pharmacist.
If the clinic is closed and your concern is urgent, call Tele-Health at 811 or visit your nearest emergency department.
This document does not replace a consultation with a health care professional.
“Participate more actively in the management of your own health”