How Do I Properly Clean My Ears?

2020-08-26

When it comes to cleaning your ears there aren’t many steps to keep them in optimal shape. By producing earwax, your ears actually help keep themselves healthy. The wax your ears produce is how they clean themselves. Wax helps to remove dust and debris that may have entered your ear. It also helps to keep bacteria and infections from entering into your middle or inner ear. The ear is truly an amazing part of our body.

However, some people do tend to produce more wax than normal, which can create problems like build-up and blockage of the ear. If these issues aren’t address it can lead to temporary hearing loss. So what can be done about this? Let’s go over a few do’s and don’ts when it comes to cleaning your ears.

 * DO NOT use cotton swabs. Though Q-tips may seem like a great way to clean your ears they are not. They can push earwax further down your ear canal causing a blockage that could puncture your eardrum. They could also puncture your eardrum on their own, causing dirt, debris and more to get into your middle and inner ear, causing major problems.

 * DO NOT do ear candling. Ear candling may seem like a great and easy way to clean your ears of excess wax but it is not. Ear candling can significantly increase your risk of problems to your ear canal, eardrum and hearing. Just like Q-tips candling can push wax further into your canal causing a blockage or perforation of your eardrum which can then lead to increased risk of infection.

 * DO NOT stick anything in ear that is smaller than your elbow. This may sound funny but it is true and a good rule to live by when it comes to your ears and cleaning them. So yes that means no fingers in your ears either. By following this rule it will ensure that no wax is pushed further down your ear canal causing a blockage or perforating your eardrum. This will then decrease your risk of infection as well.
 * DO use a cloth to clean your outer ear. After a shower is the best time to clean your outer ear. Everything will easily wipe away with little effort. This will help to ensure any dirt and debris on your outer ear will not make its way into your ear canal.
DO see your family doctor or hearing health professional. If you think you have an excessive amount of wax build-up in your ear please see your family doctor or hearing health professional. They will be able to look in your ear and help to properly and safely  * remove any excessive wax that may be present.

 * DO talk to your family doctor or hearing health professional about preventative measures. Speaking with your family doctor or hearing health professional about preventative measures when it comes to wax build-up is a great idea. They may be able to suggest way to remove wax build-up at home safely, such as the use of drops. Do not seek out your own preventative measures always seek out the advice of a professional and follow their guidelines this will help to ensure proper usage and care as well as decrease the risk of infection.

Cleaning your ears doesn’t have to require a complicated regime, these daily tips of dos and don’ts will help you take a better step to healthy hearing!